How Often Should I Bathe My Pet?
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.Pet owners often ask how often they should bathe their pets. Unfortunately, many people still believe the old wives' tale that says you shouldn't bathe your pet more than once or twice a month. According to some, more frequent bathing might harm your pet's skin or coat. However, this old wives' tale is nothing more than an urban legend and is not based upon any medical fact. ...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet Care7 Things Your Pet Wants and Needs
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.As a practicing veterinarian, I know that all pet owners try to do their best for their pets. However, if your pet could talk, what would he say he really needs to stay in great health? Having worked with pet owners for many years to devise a health plan for each pet, there are several essential components that must be addressed to maximize health and minimize disease. Here are 7 things your pet ...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareCombining Alternative Medical Therapies
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.The underlying philosophy of all alternative medical therapies is the holistic approach, in which the patient is treated as a whole being rather than as a collection of organs and parts. The patient is treated as an individual rather than as a diagnosis, and the treatment is determined by the way that he or she is responding to illness. Once treatment has begun, the patient’s response must be acc...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareSimple Holistic Pet Care—Part 6 of 6
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.My simple holistic approach to pet care is easy and inexpensive for most owners and has proven very successful in my practice. This basic program is designed to help minimize or delay the onset of serious problems such as: • cancer• bowel disease• thyroid disease• diabetes• disorders of the kidneys and liver• autoimmune disorders Part 1 is to feed your pet a healthy diet. Part 2 is to minimize vac...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareSimple Holistic Pet Care—Part 5 of 6
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.The 5th part of my Simple Holistic Pet Care system is additional therapies such as homeopathics, herbs, etc. Depending on your pet's condition, some additional natural remedies may be helpful or even needed. For normal, healthy pets, no additional supplements are usually needed. Part 1 of my Simple Holistic Pet Care plan is ensuring your pet has a healthy diet. Part 2 is to minimize vaccin...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareSimple Holistic Pet Care—Part 4 of 6
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.In Part 1, I discussed the importance of making sure your pet has a healthy diet. Part 2 was about minimizing vaccines, and Part 3 discussed the importance of using natural remedies for fleas and ticks. Basic Vitamin/Mineral Supplement The BEST product I have found is the PetCentrx brand called Vim Vigor Formula made by Pet Togethers. It is my FAVORITE supplement for dogs and cats. Vim Vigor...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareSimple Holistic Pet Care—Part 3 of 6
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.In Part 1, I discussed the importance of making sure your pet has a healthy diet. Part 2 was about minimizing vaccines. Minimize Toxins Against Parasites Oral monthly heartworm preventive medication is important as we have not found any proven natural preventives. But most pets do NOT need annual chemical flea and tick control (Frontline, Advantage, Advantix, Revolution, Program, etc.). At my cl...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareSimple Holistic Pet Care—Part 2 of 6
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.In Part 1, I discussed the importance of making sure your pet has a healthy diet. Minimize Vaccines At my clinic, we recommend an annual blood antibody test called a titer test to determine if and when your pet might need vaccinations. • If the titer is low, your pet might need a vaccine. • If the titer is normal, no vaccine is needed. Rabies vaccination is a different case. Vaccination schedules...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareSimple Holistic Pet Care—Part 1 of 6
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.In my practice, I integrate conventional therapies (when appropriate) with complementary therapies. These alternative treatments may include acupuncture, magnetic therapy, homeopathy, homotoxicology, nutritional therapy, and Chinese or Western herbal therapy. Our approach is to minimize conventional medications and say "NO" to drugs when appropriate. While each pet is different, the foll...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareABCs of Pet Health Care
Naturally SavvyAnesthesia can be safe for all petsboth young and oldIF the correct anesthesia is chosen for the pets needs. Believe in your gut feelings. You know your pet best. If you think there is something wrong and your doctor wont listen to you, get another opinion. Communication is extremely important. If you and your veterinarian cant communicate effectively, your pets health is in jeopardy. ...
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Anxiety in Pets
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.One of the more common behavior problems for which I am consulted involves anxiety-related issues in dogs and cats. The problems range from simply being anxious...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet Care5 Pet Care Myths
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.Change your thinking about these pet care myths and watch your pet enjoy better health! Myth #1: Feeding a pet a homemade diet, especially a raw diet, will kill...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareFIV: Yes, Cats Do Get AIDS!
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.Whenever I discuss FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) with cat owners, they all express surprise: "You mean my cat can get AIDS!?" Yes, cats do get &...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareA Holistic Look at Death
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.Several years ago, I made the decision to become a holistic veterinarian. Prior to this decision, I was simply a conventional veterinarian. Part of conventional...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CarePhysical Therapy for Arthritic Dogs
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.Dear Dr. Shawn: I was wondering if you thought massage might be helpful for my dog, a nine-year-old golden retriever. He has arthritis and seems really sore aft...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareFlaky Skin in Cats
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.Dear Dr. Shawn: I am hoping you can offer some help regarding my ragdoll cat, Seal. She is five years old and quite skittish. Along with her "nervousness,&...
Read more...CategoriesNatural Pet CareCognitive Problems in Older Dogs and Cats
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.Dear Dr. Shawn: I was wondering if pets get Alzheimer’s disease like people? I know this is a common problem in older people and I’m worried about my older dog ...
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