Dr. Carol – what can I say…you’re truly a blessing!!!

My 8 year old Lab,  Harley got very sick.  My dog wasn’t eating and I had to take a water bowl to her to get her to drink.  She had zero energy and her breathing was weird and she had urinated all over the kitchen floor one night.

I thought her breathing seemed a bit labored, in the end I would find out it was because my dog was in pain.

Anyway, I spent $1,200 at the emergency vet.  They weren’t finding anything. They called in a ‘specialist’ to look at her and he duplicated some of the lab tests as he wanted to have them sent to a different lab.

All the tests came back pointing to problems with my dog’s pancreas.  The next step would have been to do an expensive ultra sound to ‘try’ to figure out what to do next.

I contacted Dr. Carol as I knew her PAAWS products had helped my mom’s dog a few years back.  I sent her a copy of Harley’s lab results.  She looked them over and offered her advice free of charge.  She saved me the expense of the ultra sound.

She instructed me to feed Harley a home-made pet diet made of brown rice, boiled chicken, peas and sent me some of her pet products (Probiotics and Digest-Zymes) to sprinkle on her food.

I wasn’t sure if Harley would eat it because she tends to be a bit picky.  She not only ate Dr. Carol’s home-made diet, she was wanting MORE. I took a sigh of relief (that she was eating)!!  Harley has also started on the PAAWS product and she LOVES them!!!

Just before Harley got sick, I had recently opened a new bag of Iams Healthy Naturals (lamb meal and rice).

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Today! Free one-hour long pet health chat — Alternative and holistic medicines – what’s new, what works, what doesn’t

Tags: pet health, dog health, cat health, feline, canine, hollistic health pet

Alternative and holistic medicines – what’s new, what works, what doesn’t
Tuesday Jul 27, 2010, 12:00PM – 01:00PM (EST)

Register and ask your pet question now - http://www.medhelp.org/health_chats/register/54

Join us on Tuesday, July 27th from noon to 1pm (EDT), as veterinary expert Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, from the Veterinary News Network answers your personal pet health questions during a live Pet Health Chat. Dr. Osborne will be online to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date pet health information.

Topics might range from alternative and holistic pet medicines, what’s new, what works, what does not work, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments or, guests are welcome to ask specific questions about their pet’s serious medical conditions such as cancer, aging related illness, or other pet related issues.

See you there today!

Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM

The main sign of pet epilepsy is seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical activity that begins in the brain.  Most pet seizures last from one to three minutes, with the average time being 90 seconds in dogs.

Minor or partial motor seizures can cause dogs to salivate, stare into space, and/or have localized muscle twitches.

Severe seizures, also called Grand Mal Seizures, may cause dogs to totally lose control!

Dogs typically fall down onto one side or another, experience severe full body muscle twitches and often urinate and/or defecate during the episode.

This type of severe seizure is quite dramatic and is often seen for example, on television After the episode, some dogs act normally, others remain dazed.  Seizures in pets use up a lot of energy so most dogs are hungry and enjoy small portions of food and water after the epileptic episode has ended.

Dr. Carol’s Tip: Epileptic dogs enjoy small amounts of fresh organic food and water when a pets seizure episode ends.

Some cases of epilepsy in dogs occur as a result of an underlying disease. Diabetes and low blood sugar, kidney failure and brain tumors are a few diseases that can cause pets to seizure.  Once the underlying cause of your pets seizures is determined and successfully treated and/or controlled such as with Diabetes or kidney failure, the seizures usually subside.

In addition, tainted pet food can cause seizures. For example, the Nutro Pet Food that was recently recalled by the FDA contained an excess of the mineral “Zinc” which when eaten, caused pets to seizure and suffer with “Pancreatitis-like” episodes of vomiting and diarrhea.

The majority of dogs diagnosed with Epilepsy are middle aged; usually dogs are over six years old before their seizures begin. Most cases of epilepsy in dogs are termed “Idiopathic Epilepsy” meaning that the cause of the seizures is unknown.

Classically the onset of Idiopathic Epilepsy in dogs is between one and five years of age, with a higher incidence in certain canine breeds, such as golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, huskies, malamutes, and miniature poodles.

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Pet Diabetes continues to plaque our dogs and cats. In addition, the Vetsulin controversy continues on a daily basis with frustrated pet diabetes owners searching for answers and safe solutions to replace the tainted Vetsulin.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that hundreds of dogs and cats have already suffered from a variety of health issues as a result of being given the tainted insulin, the FDA has recently re-approved Vetsulin on what is being referred to as a “Critical Need Program” which in this veterinarians opinion is questionable at best.

Consequences diabetic pets have experienced as a result of being given the tainted Vetsulin range from blindness and kidney failure to liver dysfunction and for many pets, death. Diabetic pet owners interested in joining the $29 Million Dollar Vetsulin Class Action Law Suit can call 1- 419-255-5990 for more information.

Here is a Brief Timeline Focusing on Diabetes and Insulin.

According to this veterinarian’s knowledge, experience and research on this issue, diabetic dogs and cats as well as humans have been successfully treated with Insulin since 1921.

In July of 2005, manufacturer Eli Lilly announced it had discontinued production of four (4) insulin products citing a” drop in sales and usage by human diabetics.” This included Humulin and NPH insulin. Despite the fact that the FDA had approved these diabetic insulin medications for humans only, “veterinarians“ had been prescribing Humulin L and Iletin II for their diabetic patients for decades.”

In January of 2005, six (6) months before Eli Lilly stopped manufacturing Humulin and NPH, Vetsulin was announced as the “first and only insulin to be FDA approved for dog diabetes treatment”. As a result, many veterinarians switched their diabetic pets from Humulin and NPH insulin over to Vetsulin. Vetsulin was labeled as PZI or Porcine (pig based) Zinc Insulin.

On November 3^rd, 2009 the FDA announced an Alert for “PZI Insulin or Vetsulin.”

On November 20, 2009, 17 days after the Vetsulin (PZI Insulin) Alert was issued, the FDA announced approval of the First Ever “Human Recombinant PZI Insulin” for Veterinary use. It is called PZI Insulin. The PZI is now said to stand for Protamine Zinc Insulin or PROZINC Insulin.

The manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica reports this PZI Insulin to be the “first and only insulin to be FDA approved for cat diabetes treatment.”

The cost of PZI-Vetsulin was on average $30-$38 dollars a bottle.

Note: Wal-Mart’s generic version, of Humulin N costs $20.00 a bottle and in this authors experience works like a charm!

The cost of the newly approved PZI-PROZINC Insulin is priced at $100-$120 dollars a bottle.

The FDA’s new Critical-Need Program allowing veterinarians to prescribe Vetsulin reads as follows:

Vetsulin should not be used in dogs known to be allergic to pork or pork products, and is contraindicated during periods of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Pets with signs of ketoacidosis, lack of appetite, lack of energy, or vomiting should be stabilized with short-acting insulin and appropriate supportive therapy until their condition is stabilized.

As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for low blood sugar or hypoglycemia and high blood sugar or hyperglycemia are essential for adequate blood sugar control and management of related problems. Over dosage in pet diabetics can result in life threatening low blood sugar levels which can lead to death.

“The supply of Vetsulin is only to be used for a critical-need dog or cat that, in the medical judgment of the diabetic pet’s veterinarian, cannot be effectively managed on another insulin product,” FDA reports.

As a result, FDA is recommending veterinarians with qualified pet diabetic patients contact Intervet/Schering Plough’s Technical Services Department at (800) 224-5318. Veterinarians will be required to provide the medical rationale about why the patient cannot be effectively controlled using another insulin product.

“Intervet continues to work with FDA to address concerns associated with the manufacture of Vetsulin,” the agency adds. “Because Vetsulin may have varying amounts of crystalline zinc insulin in the formulation, it could cause a delay in insulin action and an overall longer duration of insulin activity,” FDA says. Insulin products that do not remain within specification throughout the entire shelf life could potentially result in unpredictable fluctuations in the glucose levels of diabetic patients.

Use of the Vetsulin product under the new Critical-Need Program will require close monitoring of the pet diabetic patient, is the final statement issued by FDA.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health care news, tips and anti-aging updates for your dogs and cats.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet.

What is responsible for the recent surge of pet cancer rates in dogs and cats?  What are the major factors that have changed over the last several years that may be the culprits? What can pet owners do to protect their dogs and cats?

Certainly the increase in pollution and pesticides play an important role, although other significant factors responsible for the recent surge in pet cancer rates must be also explored.

According to a recently published study, spaying female dogs prior to 4 years of age, reduces healthy pet life spans by 30%.

Therefore female dogs spayed prior to age 4 will have their lives shortened by nearly 1/3!

In addition, as opposed to what most veterinarians, including myself were taught in Veterinary Medical School, spaying and neutering dogs and cats at young ages, does not promote pet health.

It reduces the quality and length of pet lives and actually INCREASES the incidence of several types of  cancer in dogs and cats.

Published data cites multiple types of cancer, including bone cancer, or Osteosarcoma and reproductive related cancers, whose incidence increases in pets, as a result of being spayed or neutered at young ages.

Another factor involved in the increased cancer incidence according to this veterinarian’s research is diet and pet nutrition or what you place in the food bowel for your dog and/or cat each day.

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Blindness cured with a shot is now a reality for pet owners whose dogs have suddenly gone blind due to a disease called SARDS.

Within the last 60 days, two blind dogs can now see! SARDS stands for an eye disease called sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome.

The SARDS research team led by Iowa State University veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM., in the College of Veterinary Medicine is responsible.

This is the first time  that blindness in dogs caused by SARDS has been reversed successfully and all with just a few injections performed for a nominal fee. The treatment restored sight to two dogs that were treated this April, 2010.

The therapy consists of injecting a substance called immunoglobulin (IVIg), which is a blood product from people that contains antibodies.  This immunoglobulin has also been used to treat various immune disorders, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune problems in people.

SARDS was first detected about 20 years ago and blinds nearly 4,000 dogs each year in the US. The dogs have a sudden loss of vision with no apparent cause or warning signs. The affected dogs eyes look normal, but their retinas have no electrical activity, which is how the diagnosis is made.

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The list of tainted pet products is so extensive, I wanted to provide a list to date of the potentially deadly pet vitamin supplements recalled this year by the FDA. Most are recalled due to salmonella bacteria contamination.

These recalled pet nutritional supplements include everything from pet arthritis supplements to dog dental treats, pet digestive aids dog ear powders, pet multi-vitamins, cat urinary tract health care products and fatty acids for dogs and cats.

Pet Retailers from Doctors Foster and Smith to Petco and United Pet Group  are just some of the pet outlets carrying these contaminated pet nutritional supplements for dogs and cats.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health care news,anti-aging tips and information for your dogs and cats.

Holistic veterinarian, researcher and fellow pet lover, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions for dogs and cats.

Contact Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat.

The FDA recalled several pet vitamin supplements.  It started with United Pet Groups Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs, but has been expanded to include many more pet nutritional supplements for dogs and cats, all due to Salmonella bacteria contamination.

The recalled products include various United Pet Group Pro-Pet and Excel branded pet vitamin supplements for dogs and cats, and certain other private label brands of the same pet vitamin supplements in tablet and powdered forms.  

The contaminated pet supplements are those with expiration dates that include and are between “01/2013″ and “06/2013.”

Laboratory testing which apparently is not done until AFTER these pet vitamin supplements are already sitting on pet retail shelves revealed contamination with bacteria called Salmonella.  Salmonella is a potentially fatal disease and affects pets and people.

Signs of Salmonella infection in pets and people usually present with severe diarrhea and/or explosive bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and spread this disease to other animals and/or people.

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Pet Nutrition is a huge problem!

How many pet owners have considered preparing  wholesome home-made meals for their dogs and cats but have been scared by the latest media hype warnings about people food that may be toxic to pets? Then there is the issue about balanced pet diets. Well, what about the quality and safety of the ingredients packaged as pet food and sold at skyrocketing prices?

Despite huge pet food advertising campaigns, the major pet food companies including Nestlé, Purina, Mars and Procter & Gamble and Iams, sell BILLIONS of dollars of pet food, yet in 99.9% of cases that food costs less them than the price of the bag and/or can in which it is packaged.

Then there is the issue about pet food safety and the current pet food regulations actually being enforced to ensure your pets health and wellness, when pet owners pay top dollar for a bag and/or a can of pet food. After reading the current list of recalled, contaminated pet foods being issued daily by the FDA, this veterinarian has to think twice before recommending anything other than natural home-made diets.

Why? Pet owners not only save big bucks, but also avoid expensive emergency room visits and don’t have to worry about Salmonella and other potentially deadly bacteria contaminating their pets and  other family members. In addition, “balancing” your pets home-made meal is as easy as ABC!

Pet owners need to understand that no matter how much they spend for a bag or a can of pet food, and regardless of how tasty the packaging looks, the ingredients in pet food in ALL cases are the scraps (hooves, ears, tails, beaks, tongues, etc.) left over on the slaughter house floor after the edible parts have been removed for human food. In other words pet food is made from slaughter house floor scraps from animal parts considered “inedible for human consumption.”

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To All My Fellow Pet Lovers,

Vote for Pet Lover & Holistic Veterinarian Dr. Carol on Oprah’s OWN TV

Click the link below, enjoy Dr. Carol’s Wonderful World of Animals Demo Video and Vote!

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=20456&promo_id=1

Thank you,

Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM