For over a year one of my Pomeranians, Maddy, was misdiagnosed with epilepsy. During that time I had to dose her with both a pill and a solution twice daily, and it undid a lot of the trust she had in me. She would hear my phone alarm go off, and hide behind the bed, or behind an armchair, or under the table. Some of her medication tasted very bitter, and as kind as I tried to be, the routine made her miserable. It undid a lot of our bonding.
Even today it strikes me as astonishing that I was forcing expensive medications down her throat, when the answer lay in a homemade, spiced cookie she loves to eat. They are - a year later - still a regular part of her daily diet, and she has not gone back to any of her previous symptoms.
Perhaps if I had done a little more research, I would have been less surprised. Studies are showing that in humans, gut health is key to our overall health... https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-gut-bacteria-improve-your-health
....and our dogs are no different.
While Maddy's fly-snapping and major symptoms ceased completely, she still occasionally displayed a tendency to lick and gulp, as if she was suffering heartburn or a bit of gastric reflux. Along with her cookies, I wanted to start giving her a specially formulated supplement, designed to soothe her stomach. It is important to remember standard human supplements may contain substances that are harmful to dogs. Always get a formula from a registered herbalist and nutritionist who works specifically with pets.
One thing I will say - when giving dogs herbal supplements, you should not forget to make sure they have them at meal times. If you want to know what a herbal supplement feels like on an empty tummy, wait until you are hungry then drink a large cup of green tea. Even if you like the tea, it's not a nice experience.
I've started by focusing on the two issues that affect Maddy - Digestive Health, & Joint & Pain Management. Maddy's digestive health range is now ready to go - and here's a look at what's in it!
Full Digestive Repair Mix for Dogs.
Liquorice is a tasty anti-inflammatory, and is used to treat pain as well as allergies. It is believed to sooth a range of gastrointestinal complaints in both humans and dogs.
Fennel contains vitamins A & C, as well as calcium, iron, and potassium.
Like Liquorice, Fennel has anti-inflammatory properties, and is used for a variety of digestive complaints. It is known to soothe a troubled stomach and reduce flatulence.
Highly nutritious, Slippery Elm is packed with vitamins A, B complex, C, K, calcium, magnesium and sodium. It is also an anti-inflammatory with strong soothing effects on the digestive system.
Gentian stimulates appetite and intestinal movement, and has been used for thousands of years to treat digestive complaints such as diarrhoea, nausea and heartburn.
Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant. It is also a strong anti-inflammatory, and clinical trials in humans have shown that it has anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and immunity-boosting properties. It aids digestion and it is considered a preventative for both heart-disease and cancer.
L-Glutamine is an essential amino acid, which repairs the intestine and promotes the growth of intestinal lining. It is also an anti-inflammatory.
L-Proline is an essential amino acid, which promotes connective tissue and collagen growth.
(All images in this blog are Copyright)
