Written by Joni Kamlet RVT, CCRA Have you decided it's time to add some mushroom supplements to your pet’s daily regimen? Maybe you've heard of the incredible immune-supporting benefits that daily use can bring. Or maybe your pet has a health issue, and your pet healthcare provider suggested mushroom extracts as a supportive addition to their health protocol. See all Dr. Judy recommended mushroom tinctures & powders. Regardless of the reason for starting our furry family member on mushrooms, we want to choose the best quality mushroom product. We also want our pets to take the supp ..read more

Have you ever taken a close look at the ingredients panel on the package of a commercially made dog food? You may be grateful when looking at the list of vitamins and minerals that your pet’s food is “complete and balanced.” The Association of America Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requires that all ingredients in pet food be listed on the packaging. However, you may need a dictionary or an internet browser to help decipher the long list of chemicals posing as vitamins and minerals in your pet food. This blog will explain the differences between natural and synth ..read more

The quality and safety of food people consume has always been a concern. Massive recalls of human food occur with regularity. Even though no system of mass production is completely safe, discriminating grocery shoppers read labels and make the best choices within their budget for the humans in the household. But are people just as discriminating when it comes to reading pet food labels? Part of the challenge is learning how to interpret the information on a pet food label. Armed with the proper information, pet parents can make better choices for the furry members ..read more

Over the last five years, I have been writing and talking about the uptick in Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Some veterinarians, with no scientific studies to back up their claims, asserted that “boutique,” grain-free diets were to blame. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became involved, several universities have published studies, and research is still ongoing. This blog provides an update on the research and where the pet food industry and veterinarians stand on the issue. Dr. Judy's Heart Health Resources What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy? Dilated Cardiomyo ..read more

Mysterious Canine Infection – A Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Perspective As we head into the last month of 2023, there is a lot of information – and unfortunately panic – about a new and mysterious respiratory tract illness in dogs that is spreading across the United States. This blog will explain what we do know about this illness and provide suggestions for what food and supplementation can be used to boost the immune system, with the goal of (1) reducing risk in getting the disease, and (2) supporting a dog that has been infected.   What do we know about this mysterious resp ..read more

  Meningitis is the term used to describe an inflammation of the meninges, the protective outer membranes that cover the spinal cord, and central nervous system. “Meningoencephalitis” is the term used to describe an inflammation of the brain and its lining. Meningitis is a serious disease and requires diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Meningitis can occur from several potential causes, both infectious and non-infectious. What are the types of meningitis? Infectious meningitis can be caused by a number of infections, including those of bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal (pa ..read more

  Uveitis is an ocular (eye) disease frequently encountered in animals. Typically, this inflammation occurs due to leaky blood vessels in the iris (the colored portion of the eye). Whether dog, cat, or horse, a diagnosis of uveitis raises concern for underlying systemic disease, and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is recommended. In dogs, tick-borne diseases, fungal conditions, and cancer are the most common systemic problems that can lead to uveitis. For cats, the most common diseases include feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, tick-bo ..read more

By: Dr. Joyce Harman of Harmany Equine  Horses with winter laminitis often have more advanced disease, or are older, than the general group of Insulin Resistant horses or those diagnosed with PPID (commonly known as Cushing’s disease). From a western medical perspective these horses are the most difficult to treat and misunderstood. From a Chinese medical standpoint these are relatively easy cases to understand and treat. Looking at the Chinese explanation for what is going on will give us the information we need to understand feeding and treatment. The season of the Kidney meridian is w ..read more

  Gastroenteritis and colitis are common conditions seen in veterinary practice.   These conditions can be tricky to manage, and a quick response to the signs and symptoms of these disorders is critical.  Knowing the causes of these diseases can reduce the risk of contracting them in the first place.     What is gastroenteritis and colitis? Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach and intestines).  It is often caused by poor nutrition and low-quality food; however, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and medication side effects can ..read more

  Hypothyroidism is a disease of the endocrine system; it is one of the most common endocrine disorders diagnosed in dogs. The endocrine glands secrete hormones necessary for regulating and maintaining metabolism, hair growth, muscle strength and many other bodily functions. The hormone imbalance created by an underactive thyroid can result in a cascading effect of other endocrine system disorders (i.e., diabetes, Cushing’s disease) as well as neurological problems. This blog explains the probable link between hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, and GOLPP (also known as Geriatric Onse ..read more