The News At Home
The old saying “they fight like cats and dogs” took on a whole new meaning the other day. I was sitting by the living room window with my Cavaliers when both started barking like mad – typical behavior when they see another dog daring to walk in front of their house. Sure enough, a German Sheppard was being walked down the sidewalk and right across the road, there was a cat. That’s when things became interesting.

The cat bolted across the street and started walking casually beside the Sheppard. The dog turned his head as if wondering what this was about but never missed a step. Both animals walked side by side, seemingly in good company for as far as I could see from my vantage point. My dogs stopped barking and I swear I could see a “huh?” expression in their eyes. If only people could be like the cat and dog we all saw, the world would surely be a nicer place.

Seminar News

Last chance to sign up for the North Carolina Seminar on May 1, 2005. For further information or questions, please contact Chris O’Connor
Email: cogoldens@bellsouth.net
Phone: 919.942.0629.

What’s New at monicasegal.com
Our New Complete Library

We’ve added a great option for anyone wanting to read our entire library and save money at the same time. Purchase the book and all booklets and save 15% off the regular price - not to mention the savings on shipping. Add it to your personal reading collection or give it as a gift to someone who wants to learn more. We’ll be happy to include a gift card on your behalf.

News on the Second Book
I’ve been working away on my second book and look forward to announcing publication when it’s completed. In the meantime, food samples are being sent to the laboratory for mineral analyses. Please let me know if there’s a certain item that you’d be interested in. I’m focusing on some raw meaty bone sources and may only be able to do a few but would be happy to accommodate as many curious minds as possible. Contact me with your feedback through msegal@idirect.com and be sure to type “Book” as the subject matter.

Myth of The Month

Food allergies cause diarrhea.

It can happen but you’re likely to see other signs first. Diarrhea is usually associated with food intolerance, foreign body (think parasite or ingested object) or a form of gastrointestinal disease. Most food allergies, uncomplicated by disease, cause a dog to have skin trouble that isn’t seasonal. Some dogs have recurring staphylococcal infections and/or yeast overgrowths. Many will lick, chew or bite a body part in particular while others focus on just one area. The most common sites of this self-trauma are the ears, feet, face (especially lip folds) and belly area which may include the genital area as well.

Laboratory tests for food allergies are unreliable. While the results may point to certain allergens, reality can be very different. My Zoey tested positive for turkey when, in fact, it’s the one protein she has consistently done well with. She was said to be fine with fish and lamb – neither of which work for her. There are no studies that prove these tests to be of any value. The only way to get to the bottom of things is through an elimination diet.

Your veterinarian should be advised when your dog has diarrhea for more than one day. Puppies should be seen even sooner because they can dehydrate quickly. Blood in the stool can be caused by many things and makes seeing the vet a more urgent matter. Black, tarry stool shows up when there’s some bleeding in the upper tract. Red blood is from the lower.

Rant of The Month

Hey, it’s my newsletter and I can rant if I want to. Seriously, I continue to come across something that I find upsetting because dogs end up suffering. It’s about the use of herbs without really knowing enough to use them respectfully. They deserve respect because they are, in fact, medicinal. Would you prescribe medication for your family members if you weren’t a doctor?

I’ve had a few cases in a row where the dog owner used a chamomile tea rinse after shampooing their dogs. Unfortunately, these dogs have ragweed allergies and chamomile is related to ragweed. A number of people have used home made herbal solutions as eye cleaners to try and help a red eye or clean the inner corner of the eye. In all cases, these dogs had nasty eye infections that would have been treated faster and better by a veterinarian.

Some people get into a state of mind that says natural remedies are better. In fact, not everything that’s natural is a good thing. Arsenic comes to mind. However, even if it’s natural and non-toxic, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best solution. Medications can save lives. Clearly, I’m not suggesting that any of us use anything without knowledge and judgment but that includes medications as well as herbs. A veterinarian needs to diagnose the problem before we take matters into our hands. The solutions to the problem may differ if we see a veterinarian trained in prescribing herbs but certainly, doing this ourselves without knowing what the repercussions might be, goes against our well meaning attempts to help our beloved pets.

Monica

Money will buy a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail.
-- Josh Billings