Earth Herbal

I decided to change my setup for the documentation this time, since pets have their own personalities, physiques, and personal problems. The sites from which the snippets are taken are listed above the snippet. Be sure to click on the link to get the full article.

http://www.vetlord.org/taurine-is-essential-for-cats/
Taurine is supplied almost exclusively by meat and seafood.  Vegetables contain little to no measurable taurine as a group. Taurine is broken down by heat, thus, cooking meat will destroy over half to maybe 2/3 of the taurine that was available raw.  It is difficult to calculate the amount of taurine actually supplied by a particular diet given the variables- baking vs boiling meat results in losing different amounts of taurine, meat from the chicken leg has much more taurine than that from the breast, and the list of variables goes on and on.
To give you an idea of the amount of taurine in foods, I will provide this list but please understand, these numbers are not concrete.
beef muscle 10 mg/oz raw 1.7mg/oz cooked
beef liver 5.5 mg/oz raw
lamb13.5 mg/oz raw         3.6mg/oz cooked
chicken 9.5mg/oz raw      2.3mg/oz cooked
fish  36mg/oz raw
shrimp 48mg/oz raw
nutritional yeast 30mg/tablet or 1/2 teaspoon
For most cats, I find that 75-100 mg of taurine per day is about right, although for some cats, I have seen this number climb close to 300 mg per day.  Taurine is not stored by cats and would be very difficult to overdose.  Many times you will find that you are dosing a “pinch” given the capsule size you are able to find.  This approximating approach should work just fine.  With taurine and cats, a little excess is definitely preferable to not quite enough.

http://www.iams.com/iams/pet-health/healthy-cat-food.jsp
Taurine is an essential amino acid that is critical for normal heart muscle function, vision and reproduction in cats, and should be found in any healthy cat food. Taurine is also needed to form the bile salts that aid in digestion. Unlike other amino acids, taurine is found as a free amino acid in body tissues such as the heart and eyes and is not incorporated into proteins.
Most mammals manufacture taurine from other amino acids. However, cats cannot manufacture a sufficient amount and, therefore, must acquire enough additional taurine through diet to meet their needs. Specifically, cats need meat to fulfill this requirement, as taurine is found exclusively in animal-based protein.
Taurine is listed when added to manufactured, dry cat foods that are low in animal-based protein and, hence, unsupplemented taurine levels.
Wet cat foods also list taurine as an ingredient because they must contain as much as twice the amount of taurine found in dry food for cats to maintain adequate blood taurine. Scientists are just beginning to understand how the canning process affects the complex taurine balance in the cat.
Cats eating a diet that is deficient in taurine can develop:
* Blindness
Taurine is essential to the proper development and function of cells in the retina of the eye. If insufficient taurine is present, the retinal cells don t function properly and may die, eventually causing impaired vision and even blindness. This process is referred to as feline central retinal degeneration.
* Heart Disease
Taurine is also necessary for normal function of the heart muscle cells. Taurine deficiency leads to weakening of the heart muscle, which in turn can lead to heart failure. This condition is known as dilated cardiomyopathy and can be fatal.
* Decreased Reproductive Performance and Growth
Taurine is necessary for optimal reproductive and growth performance. Both the queen and kittens must maintain adequate taurine levels during pregnancy, lactation and growth to ensure proper structural development.

http://www.petngarden.com/cats/cats4.php
In cats, taurine is indispensable for the formation of biliary salts, that are necessary for the good digestion of fats in the small intestine. Contrary to other species, the cat cannot use another amino-acid than taurine for this function. Consequently, the cat has got an important requirement for taurine that cannot be met by the hepatic synthesis from sulphured amino-acids present in the diet. The cat relies on its dietary intake of taurine. This is an example of the cat’s dependence towards animal ingredients, because taurine is not found in vegetable ingredients.
Taurine is indispensable to maintain the completeness of the retina of the eye ; (the retina is the membrane that covers the fundus of the eye, on which pictures are formed). In the retina, there is 100 to 400 times more taurine than in the blood. Since 1975, one knows that in the cat, a chronic deficiency of taurine induces a progressive degeneration of the retina, leading to a total blindness within 2 years. The correction of the diet allows to stop the evolution, but the lesions are not reversible.
Taurine represents 50 % of the free amino-acids in the cardiac muscle. Rather recently (1987), a relationship has been established between taurine deficiency in the diet and the occurrence of specific cardiac troubles. The affected animals present an important dilatation of the left part of the heart. The addition of taurine in the diet is enough to restore a normal situation.
Taurine deficiency has multiple consequences on the reproduction function : lack of fertility, foetal re-absorptions, abnormalities in new-born kittens, growth diseases in kittens.
Taurine is indispensable for the development and the integrity of the nervous system. One knows also that it has a protective effect on cellular membranes. It plays a role in the blood coagulation mechanisms, immunity reactions, protection of the respiratory tissue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine
Taurine is an essential dietary requirement for feline health, as cats cannot synthesize the compound. The absence of taurine causes a cat’s retina to slowly degenerate, causing eye problems and (eventually) irreversible blindness — a condition known as central retinal degeneration (CRD),[50][51] as well as hair loss and tooth decay. It was discovered in 1987 that taurine deficiency can also cause feline dilated cardiomyopathy.[52] Unlike CRD, the condition is reversible with supplementation. Taurine is now a requirement of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and any dry or wet food product labeled approved by the AAFCO should have a minimum of 0.1% taurine in dry food and 0.2% in wet food.

http://www.healthrecipes.com/pet_supply.htm
Cats enjoy chicken, liver, fish, turkey, lamb, and yeast, and prefer fresh to aged flavors. Remember that cats are fussy eaters and it is not wise to continually feed them their favorite foods. Soon they will refuse to eat anything else; it is your job to see your cat has a balanced diet.
Warning: Do not feed cats onions!
Animals do not need salt added to their diet as the natural salt in the food is enough for them.
Cats should not have any starchy veggies, like peas and corn. Some dogs and cats even enjoy fruits! It’s a good idea to always add a grain, such as Kibble, wheat germ, cooked oatmeal or whole wheat bread to meat dinners. For cats use half carbohydrate foods to half meat.
Incidentally, you should know that cats should be fed three times a day.
Here are some pet recipes you can make at home:

SAUTEED LIVER
Heat 1 teaspoon corn oil in a pan.
Add 1/4 pound beef liver and fry on both sides until cooked but not dry inside.
Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and mix it up with all the brown bits.
For cats, grind the liver in a blender, using the pan juices.

VEAL STEW
Combine 1/2 pound stewing veal, 1 cup canned tomatoes, 1 cup water, 1 chicken bouillon cube, 1/2 onion (chopped), parsley and a dash of garlic powder in a pot and simmer.
When meat is tender, remove all the bones.
For cats, grind the stew in blender, adding a tablespoon of wheat germ or 1/2 slice of whole wheat bread.

CHICKEN SOUP
Combine 1 chicken liver, 1 giblet, 1 chicken heart, 1 chicken neck, 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley.
Cover and simmer until the giblet is tender.
Chop all the meat for dogs removing bones and mix with kibble; for cats, you may want to grind the meat in the blender.

CHICKEN SOUP
Combine 1 chicken liver, 1 giblet, 1 chicken heart, 1 chicken neck, 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley.
Cover and simmer until the giblet is tender.
Chop all the meat for dogs removing bones and mix with kibble; for cats, you may want to grind the meat in the blender.

LIVER COOKIES
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup wheat germ; drizzle 1 teaspoon honey on top.
Add one 3 1/3 oz. jar of strained liver baby food or homemade blended liver and stir until everything is well mixed.
Form the mixture into balls; place them on an oiled cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes.
Consistency should be fudgy.
Store in a jar in the fridge; freeze if keeping more than a few days.

MACKEREL DINNER
Heat 1 tsp. corn oil in a skillet and fry 1 small mackerel until it flakes apart easily. Remove and cool. Pour 1/2 cup hot water into the pan and scrape the brown bits into it. Remove the bones from the fish and mix with the juice. For dogs, serve in pieces with kibble; for cats, grind with the pan juices.

BEEF COOKIES
Following the recipe for Liver Cookies, using cooked beef puree instead.

FISH COOKIES
Follow the recipe for Liver Cookies but use instead 3 1/2 ounces of mashed and boned mackerel, either canned or freshly cooked.

http://www.ehow.com/how_12698_make-homemade-cat.html
Understand that there are certain foods that should be avoided when you make your own cat food. Never feed your cat chocolate, onions, pork (including bacon), raw fish, raw eggs, milk or bones. Each of these has its own ill effects on cats.
Realize that you should not feed your cat dog food. Cats require five times more protein than dogs do, so dog food will not meet cats’ nutritional needs. Avoid feeding your cat a vegetarian diet for the same reason.
Limit the amount and use of tuna because of the risks associated with the mercury levels in it.
Feed liver in moderation and not at all if you’re giving your cat vitamin A supplements. Overdoses of vitamin A can be toxic.
Know that many cat food recipes are available on the Internet and in books.
Look for recipes that are high in protein content.
Include some small amounts of vegetables in your cat’s food.
Opt for another tasty treat that calls for the cooking together of 4 oz. meat, two whole eggs (cats can only eat cooked eggs), 1 tbsp. carrot, 1 tbsp. cottage cheese and 1 tbsp. sunflower oil. Recognize that you should cook meat before feeding it to your cat.
Add flavorings such as kelp powder to the food you cook for your cat. Small amounts of dairy products are acceptable, but cats should not drink a lot of milk. Use lactose-free milk instead.
Combine some dry, commercial cat food with meat, eggs, lactose-free milk and flavorings to get your cat used to eating homemade cat food.
As you try different recipes, you’ll find that your cat appreciates some more than others.
Consult your vet about giving your cat vitamin and mineral supplements.
Keep cooked cat food in the refrigerator for no more than three days.

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petallergies.htm
A number of studies have documented the benefits of fatty acid supplements for allergic pets.  In the literature, fatty acid supplements made from fish oil were effective in reducing symptoms of itching and inflammation in 11 to 27 percent of allergic dogs and over 50 percent of allergic cats. How well fatty acids work in an allergic pet depends upon a number of factors, including the product used, dosage, and the presence of other diseases that can contribute to itching.
“Due to their anti-inflammatory effects, I routinely use large doses of fatty acids when treating atopic dermatitis in pets. Like most doctors, I recommend 2 to 4 times the label dose, as research in allergy treatment indicates that the label dose on most products is too low to exert an anti-inflammatory influence.” -Shawn Messonnier DVM

Arthur Young DVM, always advises his clients to add glyconutrients to their pets diet. Glyconutrients are compatible with any type of treatment prescribed by both conventional and alternative practitioners. These essential carbohydrates strengthen the body’s inner environment which, in turn, enhances the energy that stimulates the immune system, as well as a process called “cell communication”. This communication network results in all of the organs working with one another in an orderly sequence of body reactions. Without these activities, good health is impossible to attain.

Glyconutrients are compatible with any type of treatment prescribed by both conventional and alternative practitioners. These essential carbohydrates strengthen the body’s inner environment which, in turn, enhances the energy that stimulates the immune system, as well as a process called “cell communication”. This communication network results in all of the organs working with one another in an orderly sequence of body reactions. Without these activities, good health is impossible to attain.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier DVM:
Antioxidants are among the most commonly used supplements to help pets with a variety of medical disorders. Antioxidants are specific vitamins (such as vitamin C and vitamin E) and plant and animal compounds (bioflavonoids such as grape seed extract, quercetin, coenzyme Q-10, ginkgo biloba) that are responsible for maintaining health.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida) is the most commonly known immune stimulant which also functions as an antimicrobial (antiviral and antibacterial) herb. In people, echinacea is the number-one cold and flu herbal remedy. Currently, to prevent long term immune system problems, most doctors recommend using echinacea for a short period of time (3-4 weeks) followed by a resting period (3-4 weeks) before the herb is resumed.

Maintaining a Healthy Immune System While supplements can be used in times of illness, maintaining a healthy immune system important in decreasing the incidence and severity of disease. Follow the following tips to keep your pet as healthy as possible.

1. Feed the most natural diet possible. Learn to read a pet food label and avoid foods with chemical preservatives (BHT, BHA, ethoxyquin) and animal and plant by-products that can damage a pet’s immune system and do not help maintain health as much as foods with natural preservatives and no by-products. When possible, prepare and feed a homemade diet (using on of the recipes in The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats) to ensure thatyour pet is eating the healthiest food possible.
2. Minimize vaccines. Most pets do not need annual “shots.” A simple blood test called a titer test can determine which vaccines you pet needs.
3. Minimize chemicals. I prefer not to use chemical flea prevention products unless absolutely needed. Monthly heartworm medication is preferred over the 6 month injectable heartworm preventive.
4. Administer whole food vitamin and mineral supplements, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids to maintain a healthy body.
5. Administer choline supplementation to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (cognitive disorder) in dogs and cats 10 years of age and older.

A groundswell of nutrition conscious veterinarians are beginning to recommend to their clients that they also supplement their animals diet with a daily dose of flaxseed oil and other important nutrients.When the diets of animals were fortified with flax oil or chia seeds, within three weeks their coats developed a beautiful sheen, and dandruff was greatly diminished.

http://www.veterinarypetcare.com/cathealth.html
Cats are territorial animals and will fight with other cats to establish territory or to defend existing territory. As a result, fight wounds are common in cats. These wounds frequently result in an infection that can be quite debilitating, especially if left untreated.
The most common sign is itching of the skin, either localized (one area) or generalized (all over your cat). Your cat may have coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. Some cats have vomiting or diarrhea. Most cats have noticeable hair loss, epecially at the tail base in flea allergy. Food allergy often shows up as severe itching at the face.
Successful flea control has two aspects. Fleas must be controlled on your cat, and fleas must be controlled in your cat’s environment. Since cats and dogs share the same fleas, the presence of a dog in your cat’s environment makes flea control much more difficult.
http://www.veterinarypetcare.com/fleacontrol.html
Fleas are the single most common cause of ALL skin problems in cats!
SYMPTOMS OF FLEAS
If untreated, the female flea will continue to take blood for several weeks. During that time, she will consume about 15 times her bodyweight in blood. Although the male fleas do not take as much blood, they, too, contribute to significant blood loss. This can lead to the cat having an insufficient number of red blood cells, which is known as anemia.
Most cats have rather limited itching due to flea bites. However, many cats become allergic to the saliva in the flea’s mouth. When these cats are bitten, intense itching occurs, causing the cat to scratch and chew on its skin.
Fleas are also intermediate hosts for tapeworms. A cat with fleas is likely to swallow the fleas and become infested with tapeworms.
Successful flea control must rid the cat of fleas and it must rid the cat’s environment of fleas. In fact, environmental control is probably more important than what is done to the cat. If your cat remains indoors and you do not have other pets that come in from the outside, environmental control is relatively easy. However, the cat that goes outdoors or stays outdoors presents a significant challenge. It may be impossible to completely rid the environment of fleas under these conditions, though flea control should still be attempted.
MAKE YOUR PET TASTE BAD. Garlic and Brewer’s Yeast have been advocated as a way of repelling fleas. In my experience it only seems to help a small number of dogs, but it is worth a try. Garlic is NOT SAFE to give to CATS long term. For a 10lb dog, give 1/4 tsp of garlic and 1/4 tbsp of brewer’s yeast daily.

http://www.veterinarypetcare.com/petdiabetes.html

Diabetes is an increasingly common problem in cats. This article is very thorough, explaining the cause, signs, diagnosis and treatment. There are some specific at home remedies that you can use for cat diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus is frequently diagnosed in pets five years of age or older. This is also known as Type II or adult-onset diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas. This is a small but vital organ that is located near the stomach. It has two significant populations of cells. One group of cells produces the enzymes necessary for proper digestion. The other group, called beta-cells, produces the hormone insulin. Simply put, diabetes mellitus is a failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar.
Signs
1. Weight loss
2. Increased water consumption
3. Increased appetite
4. Increased urination
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is based on three criteria: the four classical clinical signs, the presence of a persistently high level of glucose in the blood stream, and the presence of glucose in the urine.
The normal level of glucose in the blood is 80-120 mg/dl (4.4-6.6 mmol/L). It may rise to 250-300 mg/dl (13.6-16.5 mmol/L) following a meal. However, diabetes is the only common disease that will cause the blood glucose level to rise above 400 mg/dl (22 mmol/L). Some diabetic pets will have a glucose level as high as 800 mg/dl (44 mmol/L), although most will be in the range of 400-600 mg/dl (22-33 mmol/L).
Diet
The first step in treatment is to alter your pet’s diet.
For Cats, this is of utmost importance. In my practice, 50% of cats are able to come of of insulin after being on the diabetic diet. Recent studies have shown that cats benefit greatly from higher protein, lower carbohydrate diets. These resemble diets that they would eat in the wild. Purina and Hills now make specific feline diabetic diets. You can also purchase canned food that fits this requirement at the grocery store. Specifically go for the kitten food: an example is Friskies canned tuna which is very high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The other option is to make a home-made diet.
http://www.veterinarypetcare.com/abscess.html
Some cats imagine themselves as not small pets, but as descendants of Lions. As a result, fight wounds and abscess are common pet health problems in cats.In select situations, this calls for home pet care. Fight wounds occur more commonly in male cats than female cats. When many cats live in the same location usually result in increased fighting.
Bacteria which are trapped under the skin following a bite wound can multiply for several days before any signs of infection are seen. Swelling and pain at the puncture site are the most common signs of infection; often, the cat will have an increased temperature.
Many times a pocket of pus, called an abscess, will form. The bacteria can make the cat extremely ill. The most frequent sites for bite wounds are the face, legs, back, tail and over the rump.
When a cat bites, the teeth go through the skin, and then it releases quickly. This results in small puncture wounds in the skin, with small holes. These holes seal and virtually disappear within hours, trapping bacteria from the cat’s mouth under the skin of the victim. The type of bacteria which live in the cat’s mouth thrive in an environment where the oxygen concentration is low. Once the wound seals shut, bacteria can begin to multiply at a rapid rate. The organisms most commonly involved with cat bites are Pasteurella multocida and Streptococcus.
BARBER TIME. Trim the hair around the bite or wound. Trim large sections with scissors, then carefully use a disposable razor to trim the hair next to the skin.
KEEP IT CLEAN. If possible, put you pet in the sink or bath and run lukewarm tap water on the bite or abscess for 5 minutes. IF your pet won’t tolerate running water, use a damp cloth or gauze sponge. Purchase an antiseptic called Hibitane, available at your local pharmacy, and wash the area well. Keep the bite clean and perform this water therapy twice daily for 5-7 days.
http://www.veterinarypetcare.com/catallergy.html
A scratching cat is an unhappy cat; allergies are a commonly the cause.
SIGNS
The most common is itching of the skin, usually localized. Your cat may have coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. Some cats have vomiting or diarrhea. Most cats have noticeable hair loss, epecially at the tail base in flea allergy. Food allergy often shows up as severe itching at the face.
CAUSE
Think of biting parasites first – FLEAS!!! In the allergic state, the immune system “overreacts” to foreign substances (allergens or antigens) to which it is exposed.
Flea Allergy
This is the most usual cause of allergy – it is common in cats. Most cats experiences only minor bumps in response to flea bites, often without any itching. On the other hand, the flea allergic cat has a severe, itch-producing reaction when the flea’s saliva is deposited in the skin. Just one bite causes such intense itching that the cat may severely scratch or chew itself, leading to the removal of large amounts of hair. There will often be open sores or scabs on the skin, allowing a secondary bacterial infection to begin. The area most commonly involved is over the rump (just in front of the tail). The most important treatment for flea allergy is to get the cat away from all fleas. Therefore, strict flea control is the backbone of successful treatment.
Inhalant Allergy
Cats may be allergic to all of the same inhaled allergens that affect people. These include tree pollens (cedar, ash, oak, etc.), grass pollens (especially Bermuda), weed pollens (ragweed, etc.), molds, mildew, and the house dust mite. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens. However, others are with us all the time, such as molds, mildew, and house dust mites.The cat’s reaction, however, usually produces severe, generalized itching. Most cats that have inhalant allergy react to several allergens. If the number is small and they are the seasonal type, itching may last for just a few weeks at a time during one or two periods of the year. If the number of allergens is large or they are present year-round, the cat may itch constantly.
Food Allergy
Cats are not likely to be born with food allergies. More commonly, they develop allergies to food products they have eaten for a long time. The allergy most frequently develops in response to the protein component of the food; fish or dairy products are the most common food allergens. Food allergy may produce any of the clinical signs previously discussed, including itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress. We recommend testing for food allergy when the clinical signs have been present for several months, when the cat has a poor response to steroids, or when a very young cat itches without other apparent causes of allergy. Testing is done with a special hypoallergenic diet. Because it takes at least eight weeks for all other food products to get out of the system, the cat must eat the special diet exclusively for 8-12 weeks (or more). If positive response occurs, you will be instructed on how to proceed. If the diet is not fed exclusively, it will not be a meaningful test. We cannot overemphasize this. If any type of table food, treats or vitamins are given, these must be discontinued during the testing period.
ELIMINATE the Fleas. Practice regular flea-control using topical anti-parasitics.
NATURAL DIETS. Your pet can be allergic to anything in the food. Some pets will do well with a more natural, simple diet that is naturally preserved. A few popular brands I have had success with include Wellness, Innova and California Natural.
THE SUPPLEMENT CONNECTION. Fatty Acid supplements are very helpful in decreasing the level of inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids are most important. A great, inexpensive source is ground Flax Seeds. Cats are unable to metabolize Flax, so I only recommend the liquid supplement for them. Other sources include fish oil, primrose oil and specific veterinary supplements.