A reader recently wrote in to Dr Carol to ask about her dog’s coughing and snorting. A short segment of the letter is found below.

My dog developed a cough a few weeks ago. The vet said everything appeared fine, and she recovered fairly quickly. Recently, the cough has returned and now she’s started “snorting” in what seems to be an effort to clear a blocked nasal passage or something. What do you suggest? Cough it be kennel cough? 

A hacking cough is a cardinal sign of kennel cough, though most pets are vaccinated against this disease. Direct contact with another infected animal can result in the development of kennel cough. (Though most commonly affecting dogs, kennel cough can spread to cats, and rarely to humans!)

Most cases of kennel cough will resolve without treatment within a few weeks. Until that time, it is still difficult for pet owners to see their four legged family members hacking away at odd times. A herbal cough remedy that may offer relief from coughing due to kennel cough is  slippery elm. One teaspoon ( 5 ml) of slippery elm can be given by mouth as needed basis to control coughing.

Should the cough not resolve on its own, pet owners should consult with their veterinarian a second time and ask for further testing to rule out more serious causes. Chest x-rays and blood tests will typically be performed to diagnose the cause of chronic coughing that is not related to kennel cough.

Dr Carol Osborne is the world’s only veterinarian who is certified in anti-aging medicine. She is uniquely qualified to answer any questions you may have on pet longevity as well as overall pet health. Dr Carol is available forconsultations and offers a wide variety of pet health products, including her patented PAAWS vitamin supplements and other pet health items at DrCarol.com.

Because we routinely feed our pets bits and pieces of “human food” as a treat or snack, it is important that pet owners keep in mind a list of foods that are not safe to feed. Home-made pet foods are a wonderful way to ensure your pets dietary needs are adequately met, but be cautious about any home-made pet recipe that includes the following foods.

* Avacados – Although the avacado is a favorite among many diets, pet parents should be cautious not to feed avacado to their dogs. Avacados contain a fungicidal toxin called persin that may be harmful to pets. If your pet has licked clean your guacamole bowl, watch for danger signs such as: diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations.

* Fat - Those fatty edges around your steak at the restaurant may seem to be a treat for your pet, but danger lurks in those greasy bits. Pancreatitis, for example, is but one example of gastrointestinal issues that can result from consistently treating your pet to the fatty portions. Symptoms of pancreatitis in pets can include: vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and dehydration.

* Grapes and/or Raisins - Grapes, especially when frozen, can seem like a fun, tasty treat for your pets on hot summer days. Boxes of raisins are often “stolen” by pets because of the sweet smell that comes from the box! Regardless of how your pet acquires grapes or raisins, pet parents must understand that these tasty snacks can actually cause kidney failure in your pet.

* Macadamia Nuts - It isn’t terribly uncommon to see a pet owner feed their dog a bit or two of a delicious cookie as a treat. When the cookie contains macadamia nuts, however, trouble is often soon to follow. A toxic compound in the macadamia has been shown to lead to gastrointestinal issues for pets within as few as twelve hours.

* Chocolate - Most pet owners are aware that chocolate can be toxic to dogs, yet many will feed a bite or two to their pet thinking, “Oh, a small amount won’t hurt.” The truth of the matter is, a small amount can be dangerous depending on the amount of theobromine contained in the chocolate. Also, never believe that only dark chocolate can hurt your dog — white chocolate should be a considered a no-no when it comes to feeding as well.

* Raw Egg Whites - Unless under the direct advice of your veterinarian, never feed your pet raw egg whites. Salmonella is as grave concern for the pet population as the human population. If you wish to feed your pet eggs, please be certain to use cooked eggs or cook the dish after adding the raw eggs.

* Mushrooms - Mushrooms can cause liver and kidney dysfunction and failure when consumed in large amounts by the pet population.

* Onion and/or Garlic - Though few pets will willingly accept a feeding that contains a large amount of raw onion and/or garlic, many pets will happily feast on a dinnertime feeding that contains these same ingredients cooked. Though a small amount of garlic and onion to add a bit of flavor  is generally considered safe, larger amounts fed over a length of time can be dangerous.

* Dairy Products - Again, small amounts of dairy products are typically safe to feed your pet; however, large quantities over time may be asking for trouble. It’s important that pet owners understand that adult dogs, especially, are more likely to have a lactose intolerance issues. If your pet experiences diarrhea shortly after a feeding that included milk and/or other dairy products, a lactose intolerance issue may be considered.

* Bones - Many dogs enjoy chewing on a tasty bone after the family eats dinner, by choosing to feed your pet a bone, you are placing his or her health at risk. Bones splinter when chewed, and while the dog may swallow these splinters without trouble, issues can arise later as the bone fragments are pushed through the intestinal tract.

* Sugar-free Products/Candy - Many sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol which can be life-threatening to pets.

This list is by no means a comprehensive list of all the foods that can be harmful to your pet. Should you have any question about whether a food is safe to feed  your pet, please seek the advice of your veterinarian BEFORE offering the food to your pet. Remember to supplement your pets’ diet with a natural vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure proper nutrition.

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.

Easter is a favorite holiday for kids and adults alike. Family and church gatherings are often filled with delicious foods and candy treats, not to mention Easter egg hunts that are enjoyed by the young and old alike. While many pet owners are cautious regarding celebrations around Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Independence Day, it seems that Easter foods and decorations are often overlooked in regards to pet health issues. Dr Carol would like to remind you about some Easter safety tips for your pets to ensure everyone enjoys the celebrations!

*  Cats typically tend to “smell the flowers” more then their canine counterparts, and it’s of little surprise that more cats are poisoned as a result of eating house plants and bouquet decorations. Lilies are a favorite around Easter in many homes, but these beautiful blossoms can cause kidney failure in cats.

* Careful with the candles! Decorative and fragrant candles can be beautiful and help to add a pleasing scent to the atmosphere. Parents of small children are often careful to place lit candles out of arm’s reach of a human child, but animal parents are sometimes forgetful that little Fido is as curious as any other youngster! Wagging tails and swiping paws can easily knock over a candle resulting in burns, messes, and worst of all, fires.

* Be especially attentive of pets in or around the kitchen and dining area during preparations and celebrations. Raw yeast dough can be especially dangerous for dogs and owners should remember that even a small amount can be harmful. Dogs also love the chocolates that are often shared at Easter. Chocolate bunnies can be deadly for your pup.

* Don’t share the Easter entree’ bones with your dog. Many pet owners will give their dog the bone from the ham, turkey, or lamb that is often prepared for Easter. Bones can splinter and cause intestinal problems for dogs and should be avoided.

All this week we will be sharing ways that you can enjoy Easter with your pet without compromising safety. Dr Carol will offer a nutritious snack or meal each day this week that you can consider preparing just for your pampered pooch so he or she can still be treated to a “special” meal at Easter.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

It’s not uncommon for an animal to become car sick. Just as humans sometimes suffer from motion sickness, sea sickness, or car sickness, these same afflictions can occur in our pets. When humans become car sick, the advice is typically to take medication, have the sick rider sit in the front seat, and have a cool breeze blowing in the vehicle. But, what do you do when your dog gets car sick?

First, consider how often your dog will be riding in the car. If you only plan to take your pet on very short car trips on few occasions, the easiest solution may be to simply give your pet a ginger snap cookie about thirty minutes before hopping in the car. Ginger is known to settle the stomach and can combat nausea.

If you’ll be traveling longer distances more frequently, you might consider attempting to desensitize your pet to the car. Start by simply strapping your pet into the car for a few moments and sit there. Wait a few moments, unstrap the dog, and get out. Do this a couple of times and then begin to give the dog a treat after he exits the car. Wait a few days. Repeat the process, only this time start the car and let the engine idle for a few moments. Repeat the same steps, giving the dog a treat upon his exit from the car. The next step in the process would be to move the vehicle a short distance, then a bit longer, and even longer the next trip. Eventually, the dog will associate the car ride with a treat and look forward to his trips. At the same time, he will lose his nervousness and may be less likely to get sick.

If you are unable to desensitize your pet to the vehicle, and long road trips are going to be required, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of prescribing medications. And, always, even on short trips, keep your pets buckled up! Dogs should not be allowed to ride with their heads outside the windows.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats. Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Like humans, dogs and cats can suffer from anemia, or a deficiency of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissue. Anemia in dogs and cats is generally found after a routine blood test by the veterinarian.

Symptoms of Anemia in Dogs and Cats:

Common symptoms of anemia in dogs and cats include lethargy, loss of appetite, and unusual weakness. Gum tissue in the animal’s mouth may appear a lighter pink or even white depending on the severity of anemia. In cases of severe anemia, the dog or cat may experience a rapid pulse and have increased respirations. Some severely anemic pets will collapse with exertion.

What Causes Anemia in Dogs and Cats?

Blood loss is the most common reason for anemia in adult dogs and cats. Traumatic injuries, tumors, or chronic slow bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract can all result in enough blood loss that an animal becomes anemic. Internal and external parasites often cause excessive bleeding for younger pups and kittens.

Red blood cells breaking down at a faster pace than normal can also result in anemia in dogs and cats. The accelerated decomposition of blood cells is known as hemolysis. Infectious diseases, adverse reactions to medications, bites from poisonous snakes, and severe infections are sometimes the culprits of hemolysis. Some animals are born with congenital hemolytic anemia. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is a result of the animal’s own antibodies attacking red blood cells.

Treating Anemia in Dogs and Cats

In order to treat anemia in dogs and cats, the reason for the anemia must first be understood. When the cause is determined, your veterinarian can take specific measures to attempt to restore the red blood cell count to a normal level.  Unfortunately, little treatment has been proven effective to treat congenital hemolytic anemia.

Dr Carol’s Recommendation:

We have seen success treating many cases of anemia in both dogs and cats by using simple home-made diets that incorporate semi-cooked organic food sources that are rich in B-vitamins, such as beef or chicken liver and hearts. Natural vitamin-mineral supplements are very helpful to boost red blood cell levels.

Herbs that may be helpful include parsley and kombu. Parsley is high in vitamins A, B, and C. Kombu is known to be rich in various minerals and a broth made from kombu may be a consideration.

A homeopathic anemia treatment is Dong quai, or Angelica sinensis. Dong quai is a traditional Chinese blood-tonic herb. To use Dong quai for anemia in pets, use ¼ tsp per 10-15 pounds of body weight. Divide this into two daily doses.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats. Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Here is a nice letter I received from a client:

Hi Dr. Carol,

So glad you like the plants and can’t wait for you to see them bloom. They are always free for you.

Shib is acting like a superdog now! Aside from eating a little silica sand yesterday, which worried me terribly. I had gotten some sand for the patio pavers and I always do everything all natural and organic and didn’t see this was the silica sand and she lapped a little up and I wipe her tongue off immediately, but she probably swallowed a little bit. It said it was sand for dog and cat play areas on the bag. It said to drink water if ingested so I gave her extra water in her food… I don’t even let her eat the grass except at her house where its not treated. I worry about her alot, but especially since that crappy Vet her in Florida freaked me out. I still need to find a Vet here that can handle me following your suggestions. Sorry to tell you, but You are Shibs main Vet now. You are the best.

But, I have to say, you have set us on a whole new path where I feel real happy for her future. I am so grateful and thankful to you. I actually eat and take alot of what she does for many years and now with your help it is a such great feeling to have her on the same natural track too. You dispelled so much misinformation from my mind about treating dogs in the same way as humans. She is eating 75 % real food and 25% Newman’s adult kibble and all of her supplements and she seems to love it. She is like the Energizer bunny now, that’s for sure. And she has been going poo twice a day most of the week which is a big change. I also check all of the dehydration tests and she is good. Her coat and skin seem softer and I just think she is much happier this way. The Revolution seems to work well and I feel better about using that then the other kinds we tried. Do you think I should keep her on 25% Newmans because I am going to be traveling in about a month for a week or so with her and don’t want to shock her system if I have to give her more of the Newman’s on the road.

I would really love to make an appointment to bring Shib to see you at the beginning of August if you will still be in Ohio. I will be going to Illinois (Champaign) for August and September to start setting up a small nursery location.
Don’t know if you will still be in Ohio though.. I want to ask you about whether or not Shibby needs any other shots. I know they didn’t give her a couple that were due, but you also said they overdosed her on the ones she got..so I want to be careful and I like the fact that you teach people what vaccines they actually need and how much.

I would love to set up an appointment to talk with you about these things again but I don’t want to impinge on your schedule as I know how much you are helping all our beloved creatures big and small who have problems. Wish you could be my doctor too.. ha

Maybe I will call to reorder the vitamins, etc and see if we could have a talk when you have time. I want to pay you for any questions you answer and for the time you take for us..

Thank you so much!
Gretchen and Shib Vicious

————————–

Hi Gretchen,
I can’t thank you enough for the beautiful flowers you sent!!
They arrived safely; we re-potted them and are waiting for them to bloom.
Please keep me posted on your dogs progress and feel free to call me
at any time with questions, comments and updates.
Thank you again!!
Dr Carol

Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M.
Dr. Carol’s Pets & PAAWS, LLC.
953 Bell Road
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022
Toll Free Phone:1-866-372-2765
Office Phone:1-440-287-6787
E-mail:drcarol@drcarol.com

http://www.drcarol.com

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http://www.carolonpets.com

http://www.carolonpets.com/blog

http://www.paawsuniversity.com

http://www.brokenboneadvice.com

Pet Longevity is attributed to 70% to lifestyle and 30% to genetics. Up to 90% of diseases in pets are due to the degenerative processes associated with aging. Research validates the fact that optimal nutritional supplementation can help deter and slow the pet aging process, stay active longer and enhance his or her quality of life.

Balanced pet diets are essential, but alone they cannot provide your dog or cat with the optimal levels of nutrients his body needs. In fact, for example, just to obtain adequate levels of vitamin E, your dog would need to eat 5000 calories-a-day. Consuming this many calories is detrimental to your dog’s health and could quickly lead to obesity and several other canine and feline health-related problems.

Signs of Pet Aging in Dogs and Cats:
To determine whether or not a pet is old, it’s important to distinguish between chronological and biological age. Chronological age is determined by the year in which your pet was born or the number of candles on your pet’s birthday cake.

Pet Aging begins at maturity; when your pet’s body’s systems start to slow down-when cells deteriorate faster than the body can repair them. It is a progressive decline in mental and physical functioning and appearance.

Signs of pet aging occur slowly. Their detection requires a pet owners close observation and keen eye.

Before beginning your pets longevity program use Dr. Carol’s pet anti-aging checklist to identify signs of aging in your pet. Re-evaluate your pet 30-60 days later and decide for yourself.

* Weight Gain or Change in Appetite
* Changes in Skin and Hair Coat
* Excess Shedding
* Increased Urination
* Limping or loss of mobility
* Bad Breath
* Vision and/or Hearing Loss
* Behavioral Changes
* Decline in mental alertness, senility
* Loss of house training

Ronald Klatz, M.D., president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, refers to Dr. Carol as “One of the best and the brightest forward looking minds in the medical profession. A leader in this newly emerging veterinary specialty.”

Dr.Carol Osborne, DVM, is a pioneer in pet anti-aging medicine and longevity research for dogs and cats. From her research, she has developed and patented a 6 step revolutionary approach to pet health and wellness that optimizes longevity in dogs and cats and offers up to a 30% increase in healthy pet life spans.

For more information about your pets potential longevity bookmark www.carolonpets.com.

About the Author:
CAROL OSBORNE, D.V.M., is recognized as an authority on alternative and holistic veterinary medicine and the new clinical science of aging-related pet diseases. A Board Certified Diplomat of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, she has pioneered the exploration of new therapies for the treatment and prevention of age-related degenerative disease, as well as promotion of optimum health and performance for pets.

Dr. Osborne created and patented PAAWS, Pet Anti-Aging Wellness System and authored Naturally Healthy Dogs and Naturally Healthy Cats. She has been featured in USA Today, The Los Angeles Times and the New York Daily News.

An Emmy-nominated television journalist, Dr. Osborne has gained national prominence through her frequent appearances on popular shows including Today in New York, Good Day L.A., and Discovery’s Animal Planet.

Currently, she devotes much of her time to the research and development of advanced biosciences for the benefit of animal health and welfare.

Dear Dr. Carol,

I wanted to update you on our dog Chloe.  First of all, I want you to know that she is an absolute sweetheart!  We adopted her when she was a year and a half old from Little Angels Pug Rescue.  She had been in a backyard puppy mill when her owner got evicted and was out on the street with all her pugs and thank goodness she called Little Angels.

Chloe was scared to death of everyone and everything at the time.  But, she couldn’t be loved more than my husband and I love her. We adapted her into our family and home in about a minute.

It has now been a year since I’ve had my almost 13 year old pug on your Paaws Vitamins.  Paaws has helped her incredibly.  She is much more active, and I can tell she feeling so much better.

Before I started her on Paaws, her tail had stopped curling and we could tell her arthritic back would get stiff and painful and she would only go on short walks and then after a block, immediately turn towards home.

Now, she has loads of energy,  and loves her walks.  She continues to walk, run, jump and play like a puppy until we actually have to turn her around and steer towards home.  It is so good to see the life back in her.

Thank you for your wonderful product. We will keep Chloe on Paaws forever!!!!

Wendy W. Irvine, California

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news, tips and pet anti-aging longevity 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.

Conscious Canine Cuisine and Your Pet’s Express Fitness Plan by Holistic veterinarian, author and pet lover, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM.

Sharpen up your Pet Health Quotient and Ignite your pets life and longevity with Dr. Carol!

Log onto Boomster.com.

Join us today at 6:30 PM EST for 30 minutes of pet fun and facts and ask Dr. Carol your pet questions live on air!

Time & Date: Feb. 4th, 6:30PM EST

The Boomster room opens at 6:20 PM – make sure you arrive before the show starts so that you can test your speakers!

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