Each month Dr. Deva Khalsa V.M.D. will answer selected questions on veterinary issues. Dr. Khalsa is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, a Fellow and Professor of the British Institute of Homeopathy and has lectured both nationally and internationally. She is the co-author of Healing Your Horse: Alternative Therapies and Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog.
Send your questions to: [email protected]
Dear Dr. Khalsa,
I have a four year old kitty who had a traumatic beginning when her mother and sibling died, abandoning her under our house for several weeks before we “rescued” her at approximately six weeks of age. After extensive research, we made the wrong choice and had assistance from the local shelter/animal control. Because of her apparent “feral” origins and limited shelter space, she was placed in the feral, holding cage with other “ferals” of all ages, facing a wall and receiving only basic requirements, destined to be euthanized after the state-mandated time period passed. I phoned the “shelter” daily and, when I discovered this was to be her fate, my husband and I appeared at their doorstep and nicely demanded her return.
At approximately two years of age, she began to have bouts of inappetence, weight loss and weakness that would last weeks at a time. After specialist consults and scans, it was thought that she might have eaten poisonous houseplants, have FIP, or IBS. Fortunately, the FIP appears to be ruled out at this point and, with the quarantine of suspected dangerous houseplants, whatever issue she had in this regard appears to have resolved.
Undoubtedly, Harmony has vestiges of her traumatic beginning and, although she is improved, she is still petrified of other people and very skittish around them.
Many thanks, in advance, for your consideration.
With Gratitude,
Pamela Levy
Dr. Khalsa:
First of all, I would test her for every feline disease that could be contracted in a kenneled situation. FeLv, FIV, Bartinella, etc. The lack of appetite and weight loss could be due to an internal pathogen (virus). Also IBD is very common in cats that are over-vaccinated and the shelter environment, unfortunately, promotes this. The only way to diagnose it definitively is intestinal biopsy and just about every cat who has come to me with chronic, long-term, digestive problems over the past 30 years who has had this procedure is positive for IBD. There are ways to treat this using JMT and you can look up Jaffe Mellor on the web and research it. You can make a consult with me if you like. As far as her behavior… I would recommend Natrum mur 200c twice a week for a month and see what happens. Arsenicum alb is also a remedy to be considered but with her history I would begin with Natrum muriaticum
Dear Dr. Khalsa
I have a 6 yr old pointer mixed dog and a 12 yr old siamese cat. The cat has blown its anal glands several times over the years and has had to get a cleaning procedure or surgery. Is there anything I can do to help or or prevent this?
My dog is very hard to walk on leash, as he is afraid of storms and an escape artist. Is there something that will calm him? I have heard a raw diet is good, but afraid to feed bones as they may choke or not cooked food as they may get sick. I feed premium brands. Is this the best?
Thank you
Kathy
Dr. Khalsa:
As far as anal glands please go to my site and watch the video on anal glands and how to handle them. www.doctordeva.com In the video section look for anal glands. Your cat can also get Silica 6x once a day for two weeks with some Epson salt soaks on the rear with cotton balls once a day for 7 days to clean out the area.
The remedy Borax 6c given twice a day for a few weeks during storm season can really help with thunderstorm fears in dogs. A raw diet will not necessarily fix any of these problems. My book Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog is available at www.deservingpets.com as a soft cover and as a kindle on amazon.com. The second edition is out early next year. It has loads of healthy and safe recipes for your dog. A canine supplement- Canine Everyday Essentials – has calmed some very nervous dogs and it is generally very healthy to give anyway. It can also be found at the Deserving Pets web site. It has 400 IU of vitamin D3 which is actually a hormone and is great for ‘mood’ and also for behavior problems in pets.
Dear Dr. Khalsa,
My 5 yr old female cat has been losing her whiskers ever since we got a small dog. The cat still avoids the dog. Is there a way to approach this homeopathically?
Ainsley Fitzgerald
Dr. Khalsa:
That’s a hard one. Do you think the dog is getting to the cat and pulling the whiskers out? Is she eating a really healthy diet? What food is she on? I like Feline Caviar and Wuruva. They are very balanced. The diet really affects the coat and the whiskers. Also Deserving Pets makes Vital Vities Blissful Bacon for Cats. It’s a tasty and delicious preventive supplement that always reduces shedding. I would assume whisker loss is along the same lines.
Hello Dr. Khalsa,
My cat is 14 years old and she’s beginning to forget where the litter box is. Do you have a suggestion?
Appreciatively
Michael and Marie Watson
Dr. Khalsa:
Liquid oil based vitamin D3 1000 IU a day for three weeks then lower the dose to 500 IU. Great for old age mental problems. Get the human stuff.
Dear Dr. Khalsa,
We have a three year old Labrador who is dog is terrified of thunderstorms. The vet wants to give tranquilizers. Is there a better solution?
Thank you
Brendon
Dr. Khalsa:
The remedy Borax 6x or 6c given twice a day for months during thunderstorm season often works like a dream.
Hi Dr. Khalsa,
My Scottish terrier likes to eat earth. Does this indicate he’s missing something in his diet. I feed him organic canned food. Other than change in food is there something homeopathic that might help?
Many thanks
Noah Aldridge
Dr. Khalsa:
Eating dirt means craving vitamins and minerals that are not in the diet. I would (1) Get your Scottish terrier on Canine Everyday Essentials from Deserving Pets. www.deservingpets.com. (2) If he has not been wormed lately I would worm him for good measure. (3) The remedy Cina 6x once a day for one week.
Hello,
My dog has been diagnosed with bone cancer in his front “wrist” area and after visits and testing with oncologists we have regretfully decided not to take drastic measures with amputation, radiation, or chemo, however we do intend on enjoying the time we have with him. He is starting to show some discomfort and swelling and I am wondering if there is anything other than cell salts #1cal flor to help with his bone and arnica for swelling. Thank you for any help you can be, he is the most amazing dog I have ever had and I love him so very dearly, he is my furry child.
Thank you,
Heather Braun
Dr. Khalsa: There are many things out there now that can have a positive effect on cancer. Special supplements, Chinese herbs and other products. Unfortunately, cancer is not a simple thing to handle. I suggest you make a consult with me and you can find this at www.doctordeva.com . Also it is better if the type of cancer is is known, as different kinds of cancer behave and respond differently to holistic treatment.
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The second edition of my book is coming out early next year.
Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog – It a great and useful holiday gift!
Nutrients for Cats and Dogs
Using her 30 years experience treating animals holistically, Dr. Khalsa designed nutrients just for dogs and cats. VITAL VITIES contain specially selected vitamins, minerals and super-food granules in a delicious base. Learn more about nutrition for your pet:
https://hpathy.com/veterinary-homeopathy/deserving-pets-gives-scoop-supplements/
Visit Dr. Khalsa at her website and for consults: http://doctordeva.com/
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Dear Dr. Khalsa,
My 19 year old horse (a mare) has had what appears to be allergies, which appeared after she was vaccinated at 6 years old. she came to me at 5, starving and in foal, delivered 3 months later. She was tested for allergies with results of allergies to several things – grasses, pollens, molds. She can only eat alfalfa, wheat and bremuda grass, however she ALWAYS has swollen salivary glands (sometimes up to her ears) and her left eye runs constantly. I changed her diet to Bermuda grass and she gets better, but it’s almost impossible to get good Bermuda grass, with the result that she refuses to eat it and only wants alfalfa. I don’t want to continue with this diet for her. Can you please suggest a remedy? Thanks!