Naturally Healthy Dogs
Preventing & Treating Doggie Alzheimer's

March, 2011

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Natural Dog Health Remedies

In this issue:

• Treating Doggie Alzheimer's
• Preventing Doggie Alzheimer's
• Dog Treat Recipe - Blueberry Muffins
• Aromatherapy Recipe - Increasing the Appetite

As you may know, people in Japan tend to enjoy a long life. So do their dogs! I was surprised when I first came to Japan to find so many elderly people with their elderly four-legged companions!

However, just like people, as dogs live longer, they may suffer from a disease called canine cognitive disorder ("doggie Alzheimer’s").

The cause is unknown. However, according to some veterinarians, it appears that inflammation may play a role. Microscopically, abnormal protein accumulations occur within the brain, and its blood vessels become visible (as in people with Alzheimer’s). Ultimately, the brain lesions interfere with proper nerve transmission, resulting in Alzheimer's disease.

The classic signs of doggie Alzheimer's include:

• Deafness
• Lethargy
• Excess sleep (sleeps a lot during the day)
• House-training problems (usually urinating inside the house in inappropriate places)
• Staring at the wall
• Occasional lack of recognition of their human parents
• Lack of awareness of surroundings
• Poor coat

The drug Anipryl has been approved for treating doggie Alzheimer's, but it must be used for the rest of the dog's life. It is also rather expensive. In addition, it may cause such side effects as restlessness, disorientation, vomiting, increased thirst, anemia, stiffness and lack of appetite.

So are there alternative treatments?

Some holistic vets recommend a choline (phosphatidylcholine) supplementation. In particular, the patented product Cholodin has shown to be beneficial for many pets. There have been studies on using Cholodin to treat dogs (and cats) and the studies showed that supplementation with Cholodin is safe and effective for reversing signs of Alzheimer's in dogs and cats.

It can also be given to older pets before clinical signs appear. It seems that regular use of this supplement may actually prevent the development of cognitive disorder. Best of all, it is safe, inexpensive, and has no significant side effects. The supplement can be bought online (e.g. at Amazon.com).

In addition to choline therapy, many holistic vets stress the importance to minimize inflammation. You can minimize inflammation by:

• Feeding your dog a natural food devoid of by-products and chemicals
• Minimizing vaccinations
• Minimizing or eliminating the use of chemical flea and tick products
• Providing additional anti-inflammatory support. For example, supplementing your dog with antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E, Coenzyme Q10; omega-3 fatty acids e.g. fish oil)

It is also important to keep your dog active, both physically and mentally.

Berries are antioxidants; oat is good for the nervous system. Here's a recipe that is easy to make and healthy for elderly (and younger!) dogs. The recipe makes 12 muffins.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen and thawed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick vegetable spray.
3. Stir together flour, oats, and baking powder in a large bowl and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil and honey.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, then the sour cream and milk.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Fold in the blueberries.
7. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
8. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Often time very old dogs lose their appetite for stretches of time. Using the following blend to massage your dog can stimulate her appetite (adapted from Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals by Kristen Leigh Bell).

You need:

• 1/2 oz (15 ml) base oil (e.g. sweet almond)
• 2 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
• 2 drops Lemon EO
• 3 drops Lime EO
• 3 drops Bergamot EO

Combine all ingredients, shake and store in a dark glass bottle. Apply 2-6 drops of the final blend to the neck and chest of your dog via gentle massage.