Aging
(article) As pets age many physiological changes occur as do the risk of certain life threatening diseases. Kidney disease, heart disease, cancer and arthritis are common in aging pets. Most experts will agree that prevention is the key.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Weight management and joint care go hand in hand for older dogs. Weight induced arthritis can damage a pet’s joints and inhibit mobility, making it harder to move around and remain a healthy weight. Many vets will prescribe special diets and prescription for these issues. Eating a proper diet with balanced nutrients is recommended. Supplements are often given to aging pets to slow down the affects of aging. Regular vet visits and blood work are often recommended every year or prior to surgery.
Natural- Prevention is key in natural medicine as well. Monitoring weight, giving appropriate supplements and feeding a bio-available diet are a priority. Antioxidants and joint supplements are key. Green foods rich in phytonutrients are a plus.
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(Show aging chart/comparison)

Allergies
(article) There are several common causes of allergies in pets including airborne or seasonal allergies, pollen, dust, mites, fleas and food allergies. Allergies occur when the body reacts strongly to these innocuous substances. Many nutritionists agree that immunity begins in the intestines where the body creates a mucosal barrier of protection. When this barrier is compromised through excessive antibiotics, poor diet or yeast overgrowth, the body can become weakened and more susceptible to immune related problems, including allergies.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Corticosteroids, antihistamines, immunosuppressive drugs are often prescribed or alternately allergy shots. Some vets will prescribe a “low allergy” diet such as duck and potato as well.
Natural- The natural approach to allergy treatment focuses on treating not just the symptoms but the source of the allergy. Immune builders, probiotics, Omega 3 fatty acids, Quercetin, and other herbs/nutrients are often recommended. High quality foods are a must as is reducing exposure to known allergens.

Bladder Infection
(article) Bladder infections can be caused by many things. Certain diseases such as pancreatitis, diabetes, allergies and yeast imbalance can encourage the growth of excessive bacteria in the bladder leading to inflammation, pain and infection. Bladder infections are painful and if left untreated can spread to the kidneys and blood stream and cause death.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Antibiotics are often prescribed for bladder infections.
Natural- While traditional antibiotics are widely used, many natural vets will use alternate supplements such as grape seed extract and cranberry. Both offer “antibiotic properties” without the side effects of other antibiotics.

Bloat
(article) Bloat, also known as “Gastric Dilation” or “Torsion” is a life threatening condition whose symptoms include panting, drooling, attempting to vomit, swollen abdomen, inability to rest, irritability, and excessive water drinking. This condition primarily affects larger breeds and is usually seen within hours after eating. Naturopathic vets rarely see this condition and attribute the cause to digestive problems associated with poor quality nutrients and lack of enzymes. Preventing bloat is key.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- This is a life threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention. DO NOT DELAY. Go directly to your closest veterinarian or emergency medical clinic. Emergency x-rays, IV fluids and surgery are often prescribed.
Natural- Do Not Delay, bring your dog to the closest veterinary or emergency animal clinic.

Cushing’s Disease
(article) Cushing’s Disease is condition relating to the excess amount of cortisol in the body and affects mostly Dachshunds, Terriers, German Shepherds and Poodle dogs. The imbalance of cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal gland, has several key symptoms including all-over hair loss, excessive drinking and eating, lethargy and frequent urination. Cushing’s disease must be treated as it can increase the risk of kidney disease, diabetes and pancreatitis [inflammation of the pancreas].
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Since there are three primary types of Cushing’s disease there are different conventional treatments. Surgery and medication are often recommended as are ongoing check ups to manage progress.
Natural- Many experts believe that Cushing’s disease which is not hereditary can be caused by diet. Food allergies have been considered a culprit since allergies can signal the body to release cortisol, increasing the amount of cortisol in the body. If a pet eats this diet daily the amount of cortisol released is higher than normal. For many experts, diet is the first consideration along with glandular supplements.

Diabetes
(article) Type I Diabetes Mellitus and Type II Diabetes Mellitus are serious and but often manageable diseases. Diabetes can be brought on for many reasons of which include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), chronic infection, obesity, hereditary defects and immune disorders where the body actually attacks important Pancreas beta cells. Symptoms of Diabetes include excessive thirst and urination as well as increased appetite.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Insulin is recommended for both types of diabetes as is a change in diet.
Natural- Many natural vets will use insulin but focus more on prevention by focusing on nutrition and diet of the pet. Preventing obesity is important.

Earache
(article) Symptoms of earache include tilting of head to one side, head shaking, ear discharge, odor from the ear, and redness. Ear aches are painful and should be treated immediately. However treating ear problems can be a complicated tasks since there are usually many factors involved. Common causes of ear problems include mites, foreign debris, or inner ear disease which shows itself as bacterial infection or fungal infection. Food allergies and airborne allergies can also be a culprit and cause long term problems if not adequately treated. Identifying the “cause” while treating the symptom is key.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Topical antibiotics for bacterial infections and anti-fungals for fungal infections are recommended by most conventional vets. Ear mites are often treated with chemical-based drops while foreign debris is removed with or without surgery. Allergy related ear infections are managed by diet change or allergy treatment.
Natural- Many natural vets will treat earache with natural drops to maintain a healthy inner ear environment. The treatment focus is geared toward total body health or “wholistic health”.

Heartworm
(article) Heartworm is a mosquito borne parasite whose preference for a home happens to be your pet’s heart and lungs. Although somewhat difficult to get, thousands of pets become infected each year. A blood test is performed to determine a heartworm-positive pet however symptoms can include pale gums, lethargy, coughing and general weakness.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- There are many vet prescribed treatments for heartworm which include monthly pills, six month treatments and now injections. These products all come with potentially harmful side effects which can include seizures, neurological damage, kidney and liver damage, even death. This disease must be managed by a veterinarian.
Natural- At present, there are no commercially available treatment or preventions for Heartworm.

Hip & Knee Dysplasia
(article) The term “Dysplasia” means developmental abnormality. For dogs with knee or hip dysplasia, the condition can cause severe pain, lameness or both. Symptoms include limping, lack of ability to use one or both legs, and/or pain and whimpering.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Surgery is often recommended for knee or hip dysplasia. However most experts will agree that pos operative recovery will determine the success of the surgery. Rest, physical therapy and preventing injury during this time are crucial.
Natural- Natural treatment for hip and knee dysplasia include herbs that reduce inflammation and encouraging a healthier production of cartilage and joint fluid [cushioning]. Keeping a pet’s weight under control and limited excessive exercise are often recommended. Since successful surgery is not guaranteed, the age, health, and severity of each case is considered.

Pancreatitis
(article) Commonly referred to as “the other stomach ache”, this painful condition is actually an inflammation of the pancreas organ. Causes can be many including rancid food, disease, drugs, change in diet, high fat food, and more. Symptoms of pancreatitis include lethargy, refusal to eat, painful abdomen, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Fasting is recommended to give the body time to heal. If a pet has lost a lot of fluids, hydration therapy is provided.
Natural- Fasting is recommended as fluid replacement. Certain anti inflammatory herbs and other tinctures may be given.

Parasites
(article) The body has a variety of naturally occurring parasites, however certain parasites can pose a threat to your pet and be contagious to your human family. The most obvious symptoms of parasite infestations include rectal itching, swollen abdomen, weight loss, dry skin/coat, and pale gums. Parasites should be treated immediately as they can adversely affect your pet’s health.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Veterinarian prescribed or store bought chemical based treatments are often given for the treatment of parasites. These anti-parasitics either kill or change the reproductive potential of parasites so they cannot multiply. These chemical treatments can have side effects including seizures, liver, and/or kidney damage and should be used according to exact directions or as prescribed by your veterinarian.
Natural- Many natural remedies are available in supplement form to treat specific parasites. Wormwood, Black Walnut, and Clove are just a few of the natural ingredients effectively used to treat parasite infestations.

Pyometra
(article) When the female dog or cat’s uterus becomes infected, the condition is referred to as “Pyometra”. Symptoms include painful abdomen, lack of appetite/vomiting, high fever and lethargy.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- This condition is very life threatening and painful requiring immediate medical attention. Dogs or cats with Pyometra are often subjected to immediate surgery and antibiotics to control/prevent infection from spreading.
Natural- Immediate Medical attention is required for this condition.

Pregnancy
(article) Pregnancy [or gestation] in dogs lasts approximately nine weeks. For cats gestation is generally the same. Pregnancy in dogs/cats, like humans, should be managed well with good food and medical supervision.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Pregnancy and sometimes delivery should always be supervised by a veterinarian or other professional.
Natural- Pregnancy and sometimes delivery should always be supervised by a veterinarian or other professional.

Ringworm
(article)This pesky condition is not actually caused by worms, instead by fungus. Cats, rodents and soil are the primary carriers of the fungus. Ringworm infection symptoms are often classified as hair loss, scaly patches and crusty bumps. Ringworm like dark places such on hair and in carpet, and dislike sunshine. Infected clothes and bedding can be left outside to dry and kill Ringworm spores. With ringworm, cleanliness is next to godliness since this condition is highly contagious to other pets and people.

Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Anti-fungal drugs such as Ketoconazole for dogs and Itraconazole are most prescribed. Conventional veterinarians recommend treatment until the spore analysis is negative.
Natural- Natural vets take a different approach. Rather than drugs they prefer natural anti fungal topical ointments, creams and supplements as well as immune builders and cleanliness.

Tumors & Cysts
(article) At about 5 years of age most dogs or cats can become prone to odd looking lumps, bumps or tumors. While tumors/cysts in cats are more prevalent in the hind leg or vaccination site, dogs can grow them most anywhere. Most tumors and cysts will be benign or non-cancerous. Your veterinarian can determine if they are problematic and have to be removed. Benign masses, unless they affect your pet’s ability to move around or lay down comfortably can usually be left alone and not require surgery.

Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Cancerous masses will almost inevitably have to be surgically removed to avoid spreading to other areas. Radiation or chemotherapy are often recommended afterwards to kill remaining cancer cells. For non cancerous tumors/cysts/masses, most vets will accommodate a pet owners wish to remove them for aesthetic reasons.
Natural- New and promising natural remedies are being offered to help with certain cancers however natural veterinarians often prescribe immune builders, even medicinal mushrooms as a treatment or retardant for cancer. Non cancerous tumors and cysts are often left alone as it is the belief of many natural physicians that removing them can do more damage than good.

Viruses
[Parvovirus]
(article) Parvovirus is a serious and potentially life threatening virus that can affect dogs of all ages. In cats this virus is referred to as “Panleukapenia”. The virus destroys the intestinal lining preventing absorption of nutrients and fluids. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, bloody diarrhea, refusal to eat and severe dehydration. The ability to control the virus depends upon many factors including the virulence of the strain, your dog’s age, vaccination history and health at the time of infection. Parvovirus can often be prevented with proper vaccinations.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Fluid replacement, medication to prevent vomiting and fluid loss, and antibiotics to prevent secondary infection are often prescribed.
Natural- Fluid replacement, natural anti-viral remedies and natural antibiotics are often prescribed.

[Distemper]
(article) Distemper virus affects the body’s gastrointestinal, respiratory and nervous system. This particular disease, like Parvo, can be devastating as it is highly contagious. Distemper can spread through saliva, feces and airborne particles. Prevention is key.
Treatment Options- Conventional vs. Natural
Conventional- Vaccinating your dog against Distemper is the best defense.
Natural- Vaccinating your dog as a puppy and after exposure to the virus is preferred. As with conventional treatment early diagnosis and supportive care are critical.