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Apr 12, 2024

The Benefits of Following Responsible, Holistic and Ethical Practices for Dog Breeders

Listen as Dr. Karen Becker interviews Dr. Jeff Bergin, a chiropractor at the Mercola.com Natural Health Center and owner/breeder of Newfoundlands, about what it means to breed dogs in an ethical, holistic and responsible manner.

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Apr 12, 2024

33 14:10

Apr 08, 2024

Dr. Becker Explains Struvite Stones

Struvite stones, also called triple phosphate stones and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones, are a type of bladder stone or bladder crystal that occurs in both dogs and cats. Magnesium, ammonia and phosphate are common substances found in urine. In high concentrations, they can bind together to form crystals that irritate your pet's bladder and cause inflammation. If the crystals combine with mucus, they can form plugs that partially or completely block the urinary tract.

Symptoms of struvite stones include frequent urination, straining to urinate and blood-tinged or cloudy urine.

Diagnosis will include a urinalysis, a culture and sensitivity test for bacterial infections, and abdominal x-rays or ultrasound.

Treatment of mild to moderate cases involves resolving any existing infection, creating and maintaining a healthy urine pH, and providing a species-appropriate, moisture-rich diet.

Struvite stones located in the urethra or the ureters, and stones that don’t dissolve despite dietary changes and medical management, typically require surgery.

Article link: https://bit.ly/4437atb

Apr 08, 2024

48 2:56

Apr 04, 2024

Dr. Becker: What Is Botulism and How to Treat It

Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal form of poisoning that can result from eating spoiled raw meat, dead animals, or decaying vegetable matter infected with the Clostridium botulinum type C neurotoxin.

Clostridium botulinum is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming, motile bacterium with the ability to produce the neurotoxin botulinum.

Botulism causes weakness that can progress to paralysis of all four limbs. Other clinical signs include trouble chewing and swallowing, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Treatment includes giving a type C anti-toxin and supportive care depending on the severity of symptoms.

To prevent botulism, pets should never have access to spoiled raw meat or animal carcasses.

Article link: https://bit.ly/49l4QyG

Apr 04, 2024

49 7:25

Apr 01, 2024

Dr. Becker Discusses Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMT)

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) is a condition in which the body’s immune system destroys its own blood platelets. IMT is primarily a disease of middle-aged dogs, and while any breed can be affected, Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, and Old English Sheepdogs are predisposed. The disease is quite rare in cats.

Blood platelets are very important types of blood cells. They not only help blood to clot and seal holes in leaking blood vessels, they also produce biochemicals that make permanent repairs to those holes.

The exact cause of IMT is unknown, however, the condition can be triggered or exacerbated by vaccines, especially bacterins (such as lepto and Lyme vaccines) and adjuvanted killed vaccines (such as the rabies vaccine).

Most of the symptoms of IMT are bleeding-related, with spontaneous bruising being one of the most common.

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a complex condition that varies from patient to patient, so treatment must be individualized. Most pets with IMT can live normally if they respond well to medical treatment.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3xeYT8R

Apr 01, 2024

45 28:30

Apr 01, 2024

Dr. Becker Interviews Dr. Yarnall About CBD-Rich Hemp Oil for Cats

My celebrity guest today to help us celebrate Cat Week here at Mercola Healthy Pets is the wonderful Dr. Celeste Yarnall. Celeste was an actress, and you may know her from her roles on Star Trek and co-starring with Elvis. "That was another life," she says.

Celeste discovered CBD-rich hemp oil on her quest to relieve the symptoms and side effects of surgery and chemotherapy to address her cancer.

She offers a wealth of information about the benefits of CBD-rich hemp oil for cats with emotional and behavioral issues, as well as those dealing with an acute or chronic disease.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3xk16QD

Apr 01, 2024

43 14:54

Mar 27, 2024

Breaking Free From the Limitations of Conventional Veterinary Techniques With Dr. Colleen Smith

My guest today is integrative veterinarian Dr. Colleen Smith, who was nominated for a Game Changer award by LaRayne H. Dr. Colleen is owner of the Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute (CHAI) in Tennessee.

Dr. Colleen wanted to be a veterinarian from an early age, but was sidetracked into a career as a chemist until she eventually returned to vet school.

Unlike most veterinarians who become interested in holistic and integrative medicine, Dr. Colleen was skilled in acupuncture before she received her veterinary degree.

Dr. Colleen loves the challenge of working with “hopeless cases;” she also loves helping shape the lifelong health of her puppy patients, and she even performs acupuncture on trailered horses in the alley next to her clinic!

Article link: https://bit.ly/49XTS30

Mar 27, 2024

28 0:37

Mar 27, 2024

Frozen Banana Basil Towers for Dogs

Bananas have been a part of people's diet for thousands of years. In fact, they are one of the most popular and highly cultivated fruits worldwide, outranking apples and oranges in terms of sales, with around 100 billion consumed globally annually.1 Bananas have become a staple in many cultures because they're filling, versatile and affordable. They're also a good source of various nutrients and bioactive compounds that may benefit not only you but your furry family members too.

One of the most notable benefits of bananas is that they're rich in antioxidants, including phenolics, carotenoids, biogenic amines and phytosterols.

Green bananas contain resistant starches and pectins, making them a good whole food source of prebiotics.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3TCg5gg

Mar 27, 2024

58 13:40

Mar 22, 2024

Dr. Becker Discusses Pet Detoxification

It's mind boggling to think about all the different ways our pets are exposed to toxins and chemicals in today's world. There's radiation, environmental pesticides, lawn and home chemicals, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), flame-retardants, bisphenol A (BPA), hydrocarbons and heavy metals.

If your pet’s toxic burden overwhelms his body’s ability to naturally eliminate those toxins, it can damage his health.

There are many steps you can take to minimize your pet’s exposure to toxins and support the organs of her body responsible for detoxification.

For many pets, a regular detoxification protocol can also be very beneficial.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3TPVuXe

Mar 22, 2024

43 13:03

Mar 21, 2024

Dr. Becker: What Are the Causes of Gastric Ulcers?

An ulcer of the stomach or the intestine, called gastroduodenal ulcer disease, refers to one or more ulcers found in a dog's or cat's stomach and/or duodenum. The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine. Ulcers are more common in dogs than cats, but kitties do get them as well.

A healthy pet’s gastrointestinal tract is very resilient and fast-healing, but if stomach acid overwhelms the protective forces of the digestive tract, a gastric ulcer can be the unfortunate result.

In my practice, the two most common reasons for GI ulcers are overuse of steroids or NSAIDs (or both), and helicobacter infection secondary to an unhealthy GI tract.

A helicobacter infection is a sign that your pet’s innate GI defenses and immune system are compromised; it’s important to identify what influences in your dog’s or cat’s environment and lifestyle are contributing factors.

There are many things you can do as your pet’s guardian to keep her GI tract healthy, starting with feeding a balanced, biologically appropriate diet of fresh, natural foods.

It’s also important to insure any drug or other chemical your pet is exposed to is given in the lowest possible effective therapeutic dose, and insist on antibody titer testing in lieu of automatic re-vaccination.

Article link: https://bit.ly/43rvKmW

Mar 21, 2024

43 1:16

Mar 19, 2024

Why I Don’t Recommend Most Prescription Renal Diets for Cats

Sadly, estimates are that over half of kitty companions 10 years and older suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is also referred to as chronic renal disease or chronic renal failure. There are many causes of CKD in cats, but one of the most common and preventable influences is a dry food diet.

The prescription “renal diets” recommended by many veterinarians are also dry processed diets that provide very little moisture and poor-quality protein to kitty patients in desperate need of food loaded with moisture and animal protein.

Ideally, CKD cats should be fed excellent-quality, fresh food diets formulated specifically to address renal disease.

There are also natural supplements that can be very beneficial for cats with CKD.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3TBalV7

Mar 19, 2024

45 15:36

Mar 18, 2024

The Importance of Gut Microbiome Health in Pets

Today I’m talking with Dr. Holly Ganz. Dr. Ganz is a microbial ecologist, which means she studies interactions between microorganisms and animals. She received her Ph.D. at the University of California, Davis, and founded her company, AnimalBiome, two years ago after spending nearly two decades in academia studying interactions between microbes and animals.

A growing body of research confirms that a healthy microbiome is foundational to the overall health of both humans and animals.

According to AnimalBiome survey results, most conventional veterinarians are open to the idea of microbiome restorative therapy, but know little about it.

In the future, Dr. Ganz plans to develop customized treatments for each pet, as well as both therapeutic and maintenance protocols.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3vpFoKd

Mar 18, 2024

49 3:53

Mar 15, 2024

Dr. Becker Discusses Basal Cell Tumors in Cats and Dogs

A basal cell tumor is a slow-growing overgrowth of cells on the outer layer of the skin. They can be either benign or malignant, but most are benign. In dogs, basal tumors are usually found on the head, neck, or forelimbs. In cats, they can develop almost anywhere on the body.

These tumors are typically firm bumps that may be attached by a stalk. They can range in size from less than 1 centimeter to up to 10 centimeters in diameter. Malignant tumors are most often seen in older cats, and appear flatter than benign tumors.

A confirming diagnosis is made through microscopic examination of tissue through either a fine-needle aspiration or a biopsy. The standard treatment for both benign and malignant basal cell tumors is surgery, which provides a complete cure if the entire tumor can be excised.

Article link: https://bit.ly/42S2FRu

Mar 15, 2024

34 13:13

Mar 15, 2024

Dr. Becker on Feline Hyperesthesia

Some cats have a very strange disorder called hyperesthesia, also known as rippling skin syndrome or twitchy cat syndrome.

In hyperesthesia, the skin on the back ripples from the shoulders all the way to the tail, and triggers a range of odd sensations and behaviors in the cat.

In order to confirm a diagnosis of hyperesthesia, all disorders with similar symptoms must be ruled out.

The first thing you should do for a kitty with hyperesthesia is feed a clean, nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate, carbohydrate-free diet.

It’s also important to minimize all forms of stress in your cat’s lifestyle and environment, along with beneficial natural remedies and therapies, including chiropractic care.

Article link: https://bit.ly/49QwqnS

Mar 15, 2024

35 10:11

Mar 15, 2024

Dr. Becker on How Do You Bathe Your Cats

The majority of people who love cats but are allergic to them either find they build up a tolerance to kitty allergens over time, or they learn tricks to manage their condition so they can share their heart and home with one or more feline companions.

The trigger for most cat allergies is not kitty’s fur coat but her skin dander, or for many people, a specific protein found in both cat dander and saliva.

There are several methods for reducing cat allergens in your home, including air purifiers, hard flooring, regular and thorough housecleaning, feeding kitty an anti-inflammatory diet that includes omega-3 essential fatty acids, and bathing your cat.

Also consider a protocol of allergy-fighting supplements, including quercetin, bromelain, and papain; omega-3 fatty acids; coconut oil; and a probiotic supplement or traditionally fermented foods.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3IeTJfj

Mar 15, 2024

37 4:07

Mar 12, 2024

Dr. Becker Discusses Nuclear Sclerosis

Have you noticed that your older pup's eyes have taken on a bluish haze? It's likely lenticular sclerosis, also known as nuclear sclerosis — and it's not a cause for alarm. The good news is lenticular sclerosis won't make your dog go blind.

The condition comes on gradually, which allows pets to adjust well to any minor vision changes that may occur.

It's important to distinguish lenticular sclerosis from cataracts, which can take on a similar blue-cloud appearance.

While lenticular sclerosis shouldn't interfere with your pet's well-being, cataracts may need treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

Article link: https://bit.ly/4cpHvP9

Mar 12, 2024

49 10:40

Mar 06, 2024

Reasons Cats Throw Up and Ways to Treat a Vomiting Cat

Chronic vomiting in cats is unfortunately so common these days that many pet parents and even some veterinarians don’t consider it a big deal. However, the reality is that regular vomiting is a sign something’s wrong, since your kitty’s cousins in the wild don't routinely vomit. It’s also important to realize that frequent vomiting is stressful and physically taxing.

A common cause of frequent vomiting in cats is a poor-quality diet and food intolerances, both of which must be addressed to resolve the issue.

Eating too fast and too much time between meals can cause vomiting, as can hairballs and constipation.

Enzyme deficiencies, toxin ingestion, and an underlying medical condition can also play a role.

Helping a chronically vomiting cat requires identifying the cause(s), addressing any underlying medical issues, and making appropriate dietary/lifestyle changes.

Article link: https://bit.ly/48HDJgX

Mar 06, 2024

59 26:06

Feb 27, 2024

Dr. Becker and Dr. Robb Discuss Over Vaccination of Pets

Why are so many veterinarians still over-vaccinating pets when a simple blood test will tell them if the animals are immune? Are you, like so many pet parents, a nervous wreck each time your pet's rabies tag reaches its expiration date? If so, it's time to join the movement!

Dr. John Robb, a Connecticut veterinarian, has become known worldwide for his fight against profiteering and over-vaccination in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Robb’s incredible story serves as a wake-up call to pet parents and the veterinary community about the dangers of bucking the system, and why the lives of companion animals hang in the balance.

Protect the Pets is the movement Dr. Robb founded to raise awareness about the dangers of over-vaccination and the urgent need to change existing rabies vaccination laws in the U.S.

Protect the Pets is NOT an anti-vaccination movement; the goal is to protect animal companions from over-vaccination and vaccine toxicosis.

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Feb 27, 2024

62 6:30

Feb 27, 2024

Are Vaccinations Necessary for Pets

Make this mistake, and you'll throw money away - along with your precious pet's health. Vets have a strong financial incentive to promote this. Here's what I recommend instead. But don't be gouged - some vets ask ridiculous fees. Here's what you should really expect to pay.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and while the goal of the traditional veterinary community is to promote pet vaccinations, it’s important for pet guardians to understand the difference between “vaccination” and “immunization”.

Immunization, not automatic re-vaccination, should be the goal. If an animal has achieved long-lasting immunity from a previous vaccination, re-vaccination offers no benefit, only risk.

Knowledgeable pet parents insist on antibody titer tests to measure their dog’s or cat’s immunity to disease, and opt out of unnecessary, potentially risky re-vaccinations.

Article link: https://bit.ly/48EGYWC

Feb 27, 2024

34 9:48

Feb 27, 2024

What You Need to Know About Lick Granuloma

Acral lick dermatitis (ALD), or lick granuloma, is injury to a dog’s skin caused by chronic licking.

Causes of ALD include itchy skin (allergies), a painful underlying condition such as arthritis, mites and a behavioral or psychological disorder.

It’s important to diagnose not only the skin wound, but the underlying cause of the itching so the lick granuloma doesn’t recur.

Treatment of the skin wound will require preventing your dog from continuing to lick the area, keeping the wound clean and applying natural healing remedies.

It’s also important to address any psychological or emotional factors that may be contributing to the obsessive licking.

Article link: https://bit.ly/48QNfib

Feb 27, 2024

45 16:59

Feb 27, 2024

Holistic Dog Training and Animal Behavior (Part 2)

You’ve just arrived home with your bouncing, barking bundle of joy — a new dog! Few things in life can conjure such feelings of excitement and delight — and then, in the blink of an eye, such feelings of frustration. The truth is, bringing home a dog isn’t all cuddles and kisses.

Your dog is extremely attentive and perceptive to your visual and verbal cues; you owe it to your dog to take the same interest in his “language”.

Thirty-five scenarios are given to help you translate your dog’s language into human language.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3HfC2vT

Feb 27, 2024

30 37:08

Feb 27, 2024

The Importance of Water Quality in Your Pet's Health

Today, I have a water expert with me, Paul Barattiero. I asked Paul to give us a little background on how he became so passionate and knowledgeable about water.

Water is essential for life, but many people don’t realize just how many impurities and contaminants are in the tap water they give their pets to drink.

Some of the contaminants in the public water supply include pharmaceuticals, pesticides, metals, chlorine, fluoride, chromium-6 and glyphosate.

Carbon water filters (e.g., Brita filters) improve the taste of the water, but don’t remove lots of impurities; reverse osmosis produces clean water, but wastes 50% to 75% of the water put into the system.

Long-term use of distilled water can leach important minerals from a pet’s body; alkaline water is a bad idea for most dogs and cats, whose urine pH should be slightly acidic
A good alternative is to put hydrogen in your pet’s purified water.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3S1FEXn

Feb 27, 2024

29 12:52

Feb 27, 2024

Dr. Becker Interviews Dr. Knueven on Pet Nutrition

The ultraprocessed pet food industry, along with many well-meaning dog parents, continue their campaign to convince themselves and all of us that dogs should eat vegetarian or vegan diets. One recent example is an article in PetfoodIndustry.com headlined “Dogs healthy after one year of plant-based diets,” announcing the results of a study conducted by researchers at the Western University of Health Sciences, in Pomona, CA.

Both big pet food and vegetarian/vegan pet parents continue their campaign to push misguided, potentially dangerous dietary choices onto dogs in the form of plant-based diets.

They’re currently championing a recent study that suggests a small group of dogs remained healthy for a year while eating a plant-based kibble.

As a vegetarian veterinarian, I’m firmly opposed to forcing one’s personal dietary beliefs on other species; while I applaud human omnivores who choose to be vegetarians/vegans, I draw the line at insisting canine carnivores should adopt the same diet.

Because a dog is able to survive for a year eating a plant-based diet doesn’t mean he’s thriving; for better or worse, dogs are a species able to endure considerable “nutritional abuse” before their bodies begin to show the effects.

Bottom line: If your personal eating habits or philosophy require that even your pet abide by them, I encourage you to pick a species to care for whose dietary needs are aligned with yours.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3vMkm8l

Feb 27, 2024

50 38:55

Feb 27, 2024

Dr. Becker's Facebook Live Presentation on Fleas, Ticks and Allergies

This is a recap of my second Facebook Live session, and “spring has sprung” topics (fleas, ticks, seasonal allergies) are the focus.

I discuss why I don’t recommend brewer’s yeast or garlic pills to control pests, and ways to protect your pet from external parasites without loading up on chemical preventives.

I also share my special recipes for all-natural pest deterrent sprays for dogs and cats, and my secret weapon for providing tremendous relief to dogs with red, itchy, irritated paws.

Other springtime topics discussed include supplements for pets with seasonal allergies, dietary considerations and the importance of checking for ticks and tick-borne disease.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3Swkyk4

Feb 27, 2024

54 7:41

Feb 27, 2024

Dr. Becker on Cushing's Disease (Part 1 of 3)

It's a big mistake to wait until every last symptom shows up. By then there's no holding back, and it often takes heavy meds for the rest of your pet's life to control. Too many vets gloss over this key early warning sign. Dogs don't suddenly wake up with this, so this is important.

Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a condition characterized by an ongoing release of too much cortisol by the adrenal glands.

Cushing’s can produce a variety of diverse symptoms, including increased thirst and urination, hair loss and abdominal weight gain.

Typical Cushing’s disease involves the overproduction of cortisol and can be either adrenal dependent, or more commonly, pituitary dependent; ‘atypical’ Cushing’s involves the overproduction of aldosterone or sex hormones.

Many veterinarians disregard elevations in serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme commonly out of range with Cushing’s patients, and a common reason why many cases are diagnosed only after the disease is full-blown.

Cushing’s happens over time, so identifying pre-Cushing’s syndrome as early as possible and reducing the risk for full-blown disease is the best approach.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3EQeTip

Feb 27, 2024

46 8:11

Feb 27, 2024

Dr. Becker on Cushing's Disease (Part 2 of 3)

Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a condition characterized by an ongoing release of too much cortisol by the adrenal glands.

Cushing’s can produce a variety of diverse symptoms, including increased thirst and urination, hair loss and abdominal weight gain.

Cushing’s happens over time, so identifying pre-Cushing’s syndrome as early as possible and reducing the risk for full-blown disease is the best approach.

Article link: https://bit.ly/3EQeTip