Sep 30 '04
All in all, he is a healthy animal. When we got him 8 years ago, the only inconvenience was his tender stomach. Once in a while, he would all of a sudden develop a diarrhea, with or without vomiting. Coincidentally, this usually would happen when nobody was at home. A few cleaning sessions at 12 o'clock at night and I decided -- enough. Something had to be done about it.
I am not a great cook -- my food would not bring people back to my house begging for more -- but I'm a practicing cook. I cook a lot. In fact, it would be fair to say that, for the last say five years, I'm in a state of cooking something constantly. It could be actively boiling, baking, frying; or it could be passively soaking, overnight, for 24 hours, till it sprouts. My cooking is an obsession. I read cookbooks the way other people read novels.
Hence, the fixing of Co-'s health was going to be done through his stomach. In other words, by changing his diet.
In the beginning a strict regiment of feeding and walking was implemented. No snacking between the feedings. The dog's stomach responded favorably. I find that structured, scheduled activities, especially routine ones like waking up, feeding, walking them, done in an orderly fashion, done every day, make the dog a lot more agreeable and relaxed.
For a while we enjoyed accident-free lifestyle; and it was great.
Then, when he was about 6-7 years old, came a big one....
We live in San Diego, and absolute and undisputed "flea capital" of the United States. At least it's obviously so in the opinion of the locals. but I would not be surprised if it were the truth. Fleas (as well as tourists) love it here.
We got Co- from a friend of ours, Forrest, initially for a two week period, while he went to Europe for vocation. But when he came back, he could not find a place to rent that would allow dogs. So Co- was going to stay a bit longer with us, which we did not mind at all. I have never seen a more polite, respectful and friendly animal. Taking care of him was a pleasure.
So, a couple of years passed by and Forrest moved into a house where he could have Co-. A little tough but we gave him up in exchange for visiting rights.
Unfortunately, Forrest worked too much and the dog was left in the back yard of the house, a dirt lot with one pine tree. There was shade, but, apparently, millions of fleas lived in the dry dirt. Co- became infested. He lost weight -- he's never been a heavy dog. He started looking like skin and bones. In addition, he spent uninterrupted hours during the day biting and scratching himself to blood, so that by the time I came to visit him, he had absolutely no hair on his back side. End of the back above the tail, tail itself, back legs ... Everything was bold, scabby, and scaly. Even under the tail there were no hairs covering his anus. The dog looked so miserable, confused, and unhappy that it made me cry. It was clear that, at that time, Forrest did not have enough time to deal with Co- and his health needs. So the dog went home with me.
Then another problem surfaced. In addition, likely a result of the flea infestation, Co- has got arthritis, and so severe that he could not get off the porch in the morning. He would sort of fall off the steps. He would not be able to maintain his balance while urinating and would end up falling over. It was very sad.
rita
Sep 28 '04
Academy of Veterinary Dentistry - Web site for advanced dentistry for animals. Site features links, continuing education information and dental information for veterinarians and pet owners. DarkHorse Medical Ventures - Veterinary telemedicine over the web. Provides information on services, registeration, help guides, current developments and contacts. Dr. Larry Pet Vet - Veterinarian who providing online information about cats, dogs and exotic pets. Answers pet owners' questions and offers product reviews....
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Animal Imaging Systems (Canada) - Animal Imaging Systems (AIS) - diagnostic imaging agents for the animal healthcare industry including 3D Ultrasound & Tekappran radiopharmaceutical for nuclear scintigraphy. Choice Medical Systems, Inc. - New and pre-owned veterinary ultrasound, transducers, accessories, and supplies. Exclusive southeast distributor for Aloka ultrasound. Classic Medical (USA, Canada) - Offering new and used veterinary and animal science diagnostic ultrasound systems, biopsy guides, video printers and other support supplies. Draminski (PL) - Electronics in Agriculture - manufacturer of electronic devices for agriculture, animal breeders and dairy industry. Indus Instruments (USA) - Ultrasound for mouse and small animal research (cardiovascular, heart, lung research)....
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia - Includes facilities, research, alumni, journal, and hospital. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College, Dublin - Ireland. Includes news, history, departments, research, and library. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb - Croatia. Features admissions, history, location, departments, and research....
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Academy of Veterinary Allergy and Clinical Immunology - Includes publications, membership information, and meetings. American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Features newsletter, membership information, and events. American Animal Hospital Association - AAHA is a small animal veterinary association providing veterinary professionals with resources. Includes member services, continuing education, and publications....
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Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Contact list. Download documents. Map. Alaska Division of Occupational Licensing: Board of Veterinary Examiners - Includes contact information, applications for licences, and regulations. American Association of Veterinary State Boards - The association of governmental agencies (boards) whose primary function is to protect the public by regulating veterinarians and the practice of veterinary medicine. Includes calendar, membership, consumer information, and database services....
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Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc. - Manufacturer of animal health products and autogenous vaccines and bacterins with attached laboratory located in Fayette, Missouri. Includes product catalog, contact and company information, and laboratory information. Antech Diagnostics - A nationwide network of integrated veterinary diagnostic laboratories dedicated to providing our clients the finest in laboratory medicine. Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd - Leading UK veterinary diagnostic referral laboratory specialising in clinical pathology, expert advise and interpretation of results. Laboratories in London, St. Helens, Dublin and Teignmouth Devon, England. Includes company information and services....
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AVMA Annual Convention - Features location, dates, convention city information, exhibitor information, and a recap of the last convention, Pathology and Medicine of Reptiles and Amphibians - April 17-19, 2004 - Berlin (Germany). 7th International Symposium Southwest Veterinary Symposium - Annual meeting hosted by the state veterinary medical associations of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Includes dates, events, exhibits, and schedule. 11th ISWAVLD and OIE Seminar on Biotechnology - June 22-26,2003; Bangkok,Thailand -- Presented by the World Association of Veterinary Diagnosticians and Office International des Epizooties...
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AONA Veterinary Case of the Quarter - Canine Femur - Case report. CPD Solutions - Provides surgical training courses to veterinarians. Includes contact information, tutors, booking, and courses offered. IVIS - International Veterinary Information Service - Provides free access veterinary textbooks. IVIS e-books are written by top experts and cover all species and disciplines. The target audience are veterinary students, veterinarians and academic clinicians worldwide. Also provides information on veterinary meetings, continuing education websites and veterinary organizations....
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Animal Science - Animal science, animal production, and veterinary medicine community. Literature search, news, reviews, and a job service. AONA Veterinary Cases - Information on veterinary health care education and treatment concerning musculo-skeletal injuries. Case Studies in Small Animal Cardiovascular Medicine - The site presents veterinary patients in a grand rounds format. The participant is asked to examine all of the relevant material and then to make a diagnosis and answer questions regarding the case. Follow-up information and a case discussion follows....
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Task Force for Veterinary Science - Offering accurate, science-based and popular articles and abstracts on acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, "energy" therapy, herbal and traditional Chinese medicine and other forms of human and veterinary alternative medicine. (a.k.a. the Alt Med Primer). Articles of veterinary reference are noted with source/author in bold. American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association - Organization of veteriarians to support holistic, complementary and alternative veterinary medicine and natural healing for pets and animals, including chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture and nutritional therapy. Directory of United States and Canada member holistic veterinarians. British Association of Holistic Nutrition and Medicine - The BAHNM is a not for profit organization dedicated to the scientific research and promotion of holistic methods of animal management, nutrition and medicine....
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All Caring Animal Center - Veterinary hospital in the Berkshires offering traditional veterinary medicine along with integrated alternative therapies. All Good Pets, Inc. - A mobile veterinary clinic dedicated to preserving and enhancing the human-animal bond. Animal Wellness Center - Information from the small animal practice of Burton Miller, DVM, in Huntington, New York. Articles on seasonal stress, chronic disease, herbs, veterinary orthopedic manipulation, aging dogs, bioterrorism, and integrative medicine. Animal Wellness Center - Information about holistic pet care using acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy and ayurveda....
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Alternatives For Animals - Directory of holistic vets and practitioners using alternative medicine including homeopathy, herbs, acupuncture, reiki, massage, and allergy elimination. Animal Naturopathy - Diana Hayes, homeopath and holistic practitioner offers information on homemade diet, vaccinations, naturopathy, nutrition, pet communication, T touch, neutering and euthanasia. Located in Australia and provides international online consultations. Animals Naturally Ltd - Holistic veterinary surgeoon Graham Hines offers information on homeopathy, Bach Flower remedies, acupuncture, vaccination and nosodes, raw food for dogs and cats, and natural diets for horses and rabbits. Located in Kemsing, West Kent, England. Avalanche Pet Natural Health Office - Specializing in Alternative Veterinary medicine and homeopathy for your companion animals....
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AltPaws Web Ring - Alternative therapy web ring for pet care providers and owners. Animal Chiropractic and Holistic Health Forum - Forum for discussion of animal chiropractic care, holistic health for animals, holistic veterinary medicine, chiropractic, and pet loss. Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Community - E-mail discussion list is DVMs, VMDs, MDs, and PhDs in the health sciences to discuss the science and practice of unconventional, unproven, complementary and integrative medical therapies. More than 500 holistic doctors participate....
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Adam Shereston - Horse Healing and Whispering. The Animal Connection - Information on t-touch therapy, as well as radionics, spiritual dowsing, shamanism, nutrition, homeopathy, herbs, flower essence, polarity, and Reiki. Animal Distance Healing - Reiki Level II Therapist specializing in animal distance healing. Graduated from the Berkeley Psychic Institute in 1975, over 30 years experience in the healing arts....
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