As a contributing expert on the Pets channel, Dr. Pitcairn shared his advice with iVillagers. If you missed his chats, catch up now!
iVillager jfgreenberg2000: My cat was just diagnosed with liver disease. She is having a liver biopsy on Friday to determine the type of liver disease. Can cats with liver disease benefit from being under lights?
drpitcairn: Cats with liver disease are not helped by lights especially, though they generally like the warmth.
jfgreenberg2000: What are the most common causes of liver disease in felines?
drpitcairn: Liver disease is often an outcome of vaccination.
jfgreenberg2000: Could it be related to the invasiveness of a teeth-cleaning surgery?
drpitcairn: Dental surgery, with the associated anesthetics and other drugs, will stress a weak liver and make the problem more severe. But is not the cause.
jfgreenberg2000: My cat is almost 11 and was just diagnosed with liver disease, inflamed pancreas and anemia.
drpitcairn: The liver disease etc. you describe is usually associated with autoimmune disease.
jfgreenberg2000: The vet says that it could be due to a type of hepatitis or fatty liver disease.
drpitcairn: Don't get too focussed on just the liver. These cats have inflammation in multiple sites. Hepatitis means liver inflammation. Fatty liver disease is a slowly functioning liver.
jfgreenberg2000: Which is more common?
drpitcairn: They go together most of the time. The liver becomes inflamed along with the pancreas and kidneys and other organs. And then as a result of the inflammation, the organs slow down or stop working. Then you get excessive fat storage and other changes like you describe.
jfgreenberg2000: What's the prognosis?
drpitcairn: Poor if you use conventional treatment. Good if you work with an alternative practitioner and improve the diet using raw meat, etc.
jfgreenberg2000: She isn't eating on her own. Instead, she gets a continuous IV and forced feedings four times a day.
drpitcairn: Not good. Make sure that they are not using Nutrical (an artificial food). It contains sodium benzoate, a preservative that is toxic to cats and accumulates in the liver.
iVillager mazu_us: How can I protect my dog from ticks?
drpitcairn: Use an herbal repellant for ticks. Cloud Nine by Halo is a natural product that will work.
iVillager wendyc4280: Dr. Pitcairn, what do you think about tranquilizing pets before traveling by plane?
drpitcairn: Tranquilizing is okay for nervous animals but not always reliable. There are natural ways to keep pets calm. Bach Flower Essence is one, and homeopathic treatment is even better.
iVillager newyr: Hello, my two-and-a-half-year-old Bichon has recurring urinary infections. She just underwent surgery to remove stones from her bladder and is on a controlled diet, but is there anything I can do to keep her from getting the infections?
drpitcairn: Bladder stones have nothing to do with infection. They are caused by an altered metabolism, how minerals are used in the body. It has to do with certain endocrine glands, the parathyroid and adrenal glands. It is not because there is too much mineral in the diet. Stones will keep coming back until the dog is cured. There are no infections with bladder stones. Infection means that a bacteria or virus or germ is the cause. And that is not the issue with bladder stones. The problem there is that the body is depositing excess mineral into the urine. It is supposed to keep the mineral inside the blood, and once the stone forms, it causes irritation to the bladder wall by rubbing. Although there may be pain, blood, frequency of urination, etc., this is not an infection.
If it is treated with antibiotics, any effect is temporary and the problem will keep coming back. What must be done is treatment of the underlying problem. For this, I would consult a vet that uses nutritional therapy and an alternative medicine like homeopathy or Chinese medicine, chiropractic, etc. Conventional allopathic medicine has no answer for this. You will find that your dog is almost continuously on drugs, special diets and repeated surgeries without a resolution because they are not treating the underlying cause.
iVillager cschall:In the last few months my work schedule has changed and so now I work four 10-hour days each week. Unfortunately this can't be changed. Now, he urinates on the bed or couch every day. He is obviously upset. Do I have any other choices besides restricting where he is during the day?
drpitcairn: This is due to anxiety when left alone. A companion may help, but don't forget training. Dogs are very social animals and do not like to be alone. Some can manage alone if they have a strong personality. Often they just sleep while you are gone. If your dog is more nervous, though, he will stay excited. It might help to have another dog or a cat or some other animal to keep him company. There is no guarantee, however. Some animals just remain anxious. There are books about dealing with this kind of behavior, or you may want to get help from a trainer. Usually it involves training the dog to be patient by leaving very short times which are gradually lengthened.
iVillager susahill: Doctor, I am looking to buy a German Shepherd and want to know your opinion about the German vs. American lines.
drpitcairn: With German Shepherds, the European dogs can be healthier because they use better foods and less vaccination.
susahill: Would you shy away from this breed because of hip dysplasia?
drpitcairn: No. Hip dysplasia is seen in most breeds now.
iVillager wendyc4280: On the subject of breeding lines, do you think mixed breeds tend to be healthier?
drpitcairn: Yes, mixed breeds do tend to be a little healthier. Purebreds are often treated excessively by the breeder, and I see more disease in them as a result.
iVillager labm425: My Golden had a seizure the other day (his first), and the vet said to hold off and see if he has another. Should I wait to see what happens?
drpitcairn: It is very likely that seizures will continue.Epilepsy is actually a rather frequent problem for dogs. And it's usually brought on by vaccines. I have a discussion of the vaccine issue in my book. Briefly, they should be used very little or not at all. Leukemia vaccines, in particular, are ineffective and dangerous. They do not work most of the time and cause other illness frequently.
Grant_beth: I have a Staffordshire Terrier with short black hair. Lately she is leaving a coat wherever she goes, even though I brush and bathe her regularly.
drpitcairn: Excessive shedding is a problem now because of the seasonal change. However, it can be excessive because of poor health. Feed her an excellent diet and avoid commercial foods. If your dog is shedding too much then this is a health problem. Excessive shedding is an imbalance of the hair growth cycle. It actually has to do with endocrine balance. This will be followed later with a more diagnostic problem like adrenal problems or allergies or something. In other words, this is a very early sign. It's not serious in itself, but indicative of less than excellent health.
Grant_beth: Any suggestions on how to make the shedding better or questions I should ask my vet?
drpitcairn: Use a home-prepared diet with fresh food. Also, essential fatty acid supplements are helpful. Your vet can make further suggestions is he or she has knowledge of nutrition. If not, then he will say it is normal.
Dr. Richard Pitcairn earned his veterinary degree from the University of California, Davis, in 1965 and a Ph.D. in virology and immunology from Washington State University in 1972. Then, after completing the first edition of Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide To Natural Health for Dogs and Catsin 1982, he established the Animal Natural Health Center, a homeopathic clinic and teaching center in Eugene, Ore. By 1992, he started spreading the word by creating the Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy. Dr. Pitcairn recently wrote The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats along with his wife Susan Hubble Pitcairn.
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The information provided here is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied on as medical advice for your pet, or in lieu of consultation with your own veterinarian. We urge you to always consult your veterinarian for specific advice and diagnoses concerning your pet.
