Herbs to Treat Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats

Hawthorn and DandelionHawthorn berries and Dandelion root in combination can be used to provide heart support for pets who have cardiac disease. The two herbs work synergistically to strengthen the heart muscle, improve circulation and as a diuretic to help eliminate edema (excess fluid build up in the body).

Heart Disease in Dogs - Congestive Heart Failure

There are two common types of canine heart disease.
Type one - the dog's heart valves lose their ability to close properly, causing abnormal blood flow.
Type two - the muscular walls of the heart become thin and weak.

Both conditions develop gradually and result in congestive heart failure (CHF). Approximately 3.2 million dogs in the United States are diagnosed annually with an age related or congenital form of heart disease and may be in heart failure.

Heartworm

Administration of Hawthorn & Dandelion can be given throughout the duration of some HeartWorm treatments and beyond the HWF treatment to strengthen the heart and help heal the damage heartworm can cause (talk to your vet first).
Feline Heart Disease - HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)
The most common type of heart disease in cats is HCM, it is a heart disorder in which the left wall of the heart grows and thickens.

Hawthorn Berries - Modern research has proven hawthorn to be a valuable herb in the treatment of cardiovascular problems and promotes a healthy heart. It causes more blood flow to reach the muscles of the heart. Hawthorn can also help to reduce the incidence of angina, which is a spasm of the blood vessels and improve the smooth muscle walls of the rest of the circulatory system, improve blood pressure, improving circulation and treating symptoms of mild heart failure and reduces atherosclerosis. Hawthorn works by widening blood vessels, especially heart blood vessels, which results in increased heart blood flow.Dandelion Root - Research has shown that Dandelion works very well as a diuretic. Research in Germany shows that it helps to detoxify the system and stimulate the production of bile by the gallbladder. Dandelion helps with water retention (edema), regulation of blood glucose, nausea, urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite. Unlike prescription drugs, dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney, without depleting the body of precious minerals. It can also be used for pets with impaired kidney function.

Beneficial for Heart and Circulatory System
The root of the dandelion makes mannitol, which is beneficial in the treatment of heart conditions such as high blood pressure as well as promoting healthy circulation. Dandelion root also contains high levels of sodium that help balance electrolytes in the blood, uric acid levels and cholesterol levels.

Other Uses

Detoxification
The root of the dandelion has a rich concentration of sodium, which can eliminate toxins that have been acclimated in the body. Dandelion root works quickly to eliminate toxins from the body, by stimulating the kidneys. This removes toxins, purifies the blood and replaces any potassium that was lost.

Skin Diseases
Dandelion root has numerous healing benefits to the skin, which includes cleansing and improving the skin's texture. The root can also be used to treat skin conditions such as fungal infections, dermatitis, acne and migrant growths.

Gallbladder
Dandelion root is beneficial for strengthening the gallbladder. When taken on a regular basis, its root may prevent gallstones from forming in the gallbladder. Its root is also beneficial for existing gallstones as it may help to aid in dissolving them, so they may be more easily eliminated out of the body.

Forms
You can use Hawthorn berry and Dandelion root in tincture form. Purchase an herbal combination formula. If you can not find a combined product, you can buy a bottle of each tincture and mix them together yourself. Dandelion root has a bitter taste so you will need to mask its flavor in an appealing treat. Right after dosing, feed the animal a regular meal.

Warnings
Dandelion root increases the flow of bile, and should not be given to animals with an inflamed or infected gallbladder or blocked bile ducts.

Suggestions for Dosing -
Hawthorne/Dandelion Herbal Tincture

Under 3 lbs. 2 drops
3-10 lbs. 5 drops
11-20 lbs. 10 drops
21-150 lbs. 15 drops
151-250 lbs. 20 drops
251-300 lbs. 25 drops

Suggested Use: Administer the appropriate dose in number of drops as determined by the animal's weight. Given two to three times daily. Frequency of Use: 5 days on, 2 days off. This gives the body a chance to clear and work on its own.

Note: It is a good idea to introduce any herb slowly. Begin with half the recommended dose then over a few days increase the amount accordingly. This will allow your pet to adjust to the herb, while you monitor the results. This way, there are fewer if any adverse effects, such as tummy upsets or loose stools.

For the ultimate guide to using herbs for pets, visit Pet Remedy Charts. Developed to enable anyone to quickly and confidently treat their pet naturally at home. The charts are beautifully illustrated, double sided and packed with healing treatment strategies.

How to Make Slippery Elm Syrup for Pets

Herbs to the Rescue for Digestive Problems

Slippery Elm bark will sooth the stomach and intestines. It is a nutritive herb with emollient and slightly astringent qualities. It possesses abundant mucilage which will soothe irritation, disperse inflammation, draw out impurities, heal rapidly, and greatly strengthen. The powder can be made into a gruel that makes a nutritious food for convalescents; it is easy to assimilate. Its action is so gentle that it can be retained by delicate stomachs when other substances are rejected.

Slippery elm is a safe herb. It is very soothing to the mucus membranes of the mouth as well as the entire gastrointestinal system. This life sustaining food herb can be used for IBD, colic, vomiting, ulcers and diarrhea. It is contains vitamins and minerals and has a pleasant mild taste. It is also readily accepted by most animals young and old, even by the most picky cats and ferrets.

Recipe

Put 1/2 cup of cool purified water into a glass or stainless steel saucepan. Add one slightly rounded teaspoon of slippery elm powder (or you can open and empty the contents of 5 capsules into the pan). Whisk with a fork until the powder blends with the water. Note: Always blend it in the cold water first. If you add the powder to warm or hot water it will be lumpy.

Bring the ingredients to a simmer over a low flame, stir constantly. Simmer about two minutes or until it slightly thickens to a syrupy consistency.

Cool the mixture then refrigerate in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. With proper storage the syrup will remain fresh for 7 or 8 days.

Even if you just add the dry powder mixed to an animals soft food it can help soothe the digestive system.

Suggested Herbal Doses for Pets

Dogs: Depending on the size of the dog give 1 to 3 teaspoon(s) slippery elm syrup before each meal (2 to 3 times daily).

Cats/ferrets: 1 teaspoon slippery elm syrup given before each meal.

Birds: The suggested dose for birds would be to 'lightly salt' the powdered herb over their food.

Horses: The suggested dose is 2 to 4 tablespoons of the powder, three times daily for 5 days. The powder is mixed with 3/4 cup of yogurt and/or 2 tablespoons of honey. Note: It can also be made into a tea by mixing the herb with 1 liter of water and bringing it to a boil. Allow to cool and mix the tea with the grain twice a day.

Resources

Herbs to the Rescue Charts for dogs, cat, horses and birds are tools developed by Lorelei Whitney, M.H., C.Hom. that will help you easily learn to use herbs for pets. Developed to enable anyone to confidently treat their companion animal at home. To learn more about natural healing strategies for pets click here.

Garlic Supplements for Dogs

Garlic (Allium sativum)

A member of the lily family, Garlic is the same genus (Allium) as onion. The latin translation of Allium means "hot" or "burning," and the word "garlic" translates to "spear plant." This refers to the leaves of the garlic plant that have a spearlike shape.

Plant Properties

Raw garlic cloves contain a high amount of a sulfur-containing compound called allin, as well as the enzyme alliinase. When raw garlic is chewed or crushed, the allliin comes into contact with the alliinase enzyme, which forms the compound allicin (it's medicinal property). When alliinase is heated, however, it becomes inactive. So, if you cook it is won't be nearly so therapeutic as it is in it's raw state. Garlic also contains amino acids, vitamins, and minerals such as selenium and germanium.

Clinical Uses

• Antimicrobial Effects

Garlic has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, fungi and worms. Garlic seems to work best in building immunity and preventing infections, rather than treating acute conditions ― with the exception of respiratory tract infections like bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Animals who have immune suppressive conditions, are at serious risk of developing secondary infections from many different organisms. Garlic is one natural option that can help with protection from these infectious agents.

• Heart Disease

Inhibits platelet aggregation (blood clotting). Long-term use of garlic helps to protect the elasticity of arteries. Lowers blood pressure.

• Cancer

Garlic's sulfur compounds are key in preventing some cancers by helping to control carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).

• Systemic Toxicity

Garlic is one of the best foods and supplements to use to promote detoxification. The high sulfur content helps the liver to detoxify various substances so that they can be metabolized and excreted from the body.

• Ear Infections / Ear Mites

• Garlic oil can used to treat ear infection and ear mites.

Garlic Is A Hot Little Number!

Although there is no known toxicity in it's natural state caution should be used with regard to safety and effectiveness when choosing a garlic preparation to give to dogs.

In a scientific study the effects of garlic products, including dehydrated raw garlic powder, dehydrated boiled garlic powder and aged garlic extract, on the gastric mucosa of dogs were determined using three commonly sold preparations, raw capsule garlic powder caused severe mucosal damage, including erosion. Boiled garlic powder also caused inflammation and reddening of the mucosa, whereas aged garlic powder did not cause any undesirable effects. Among the garlic preparations, Aged Garlic Extract could be the most suitable form, particularly for long-term use. Aging in particular may be the most effective method to eliminate the toxic effects of raw garlic. When supplementing pets we recommend using, "Kyolic" Aged Garlic Extract.

The safety of enteric-coated garlic products was also studied. Direct administration of pulverized enteric-coated products on the gastric mucosa caused reddening of the mucosa in test animals (dogs). When an enteric-coated tablet was administered orally, it caused loss of epithelial cells at the top of crypts in the ileum in the intestinal tract. Enteric-coated garlic products by pass the stomach and deliver garlic directly into the intestine, which is not a traditional route for garlic intake in any species!

Historic use of garlic as a condiment and herb has always been via oral ingestion and not via direct delivery into the stomach or intestines, in the form of a concentrated, standardized surprise! The safety of such delivery systems for garlic is unknown not to mention unnatural!

Contraindications of Use

• The use of garlic is contraindicated in animals who are anemic. Research indicates that garlic causes a type of anemia in animals, especially in cats. Even in healthy subjects it is a good idea to dose in moderation.

• Garlic does have natural blood-thinning effects, so if your pet is on blood-thinning prescription drugs, or if your animal needs surgery garlic should not be used.

• The use of garlic should also be temporarily avoided in bitches or mares who are nursing young. Garlic can change the taste and smell of the mother's milk. It can also contribute to colic because it passes from breast milk into the baby's intestinal system.

How To Give Garlic To Dogs

For safety, we recommend using an odor-free, aged extract, such as the brand ‣ "Kayolic Aged Garlic Extract."

Dosage:

Dogs:

Small dogs get 1/2 capsule Aged Extract daily, with the dosage increasing with the pet's size, ranging up to 2 capsules given in a split dose, depending on the dogs weight. Or, you can add 1/2 to 1 small minced/pressed clove daily mixed into a meal.

We invite you to visit the Pet Remedy Charts website.