Lots of perennial herbs are making a comeback in gardens now and one that is particularly plentiful is catnip. Catnip belongs to the mint family and its Latin name is Nepeta cataria. In folk medicine it has been used for cramps, coughing, as a sedative, as an aphrodisiac and as an anti-gas remedy. The active ingredient in catnip is nepetalactone. Catnip has been getting attention now because of it ability to repel insects such as flies and mosquitoes. Catnip oil… Continue reading →

  It is great to adopt a new puppy or kitten, but sometimes the new addition comes with pets of his or her own in the form of ear mites. Ear mites are tiny little parasites that live in the ears of dogs, cats and rabbits. They are particularly common in kittens. They are contagious (to other animals but usually not people) and are spread by direct contact. Ear mites are related to ticks and spiders. They spend their life… Continue reading →

Cancer is something that has touched all of us in our own lives, the lives of our families and friends or our beloved pets. Cancer is a devastating diagnosis particularly when it comes to our furry friends. Conventional treatments of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can be harsh,expensive and radical. They need to be this way. Cancer is not a gentle disease and neither are the treatments for it. There is no one treatment, holistic or otherwise that will cure all… Continue reading →

Maybe your New Year’s resolution for your pet is to find a new veterinarian or take your pet to the veterinarian for the first time. Just remember that all veterinary hospitals and veterinarian are not the same and it is important for you to find one that matches your ideal of customer service, quality and philosophy. If you have more of a holistic bent, then look for a veterinarian who practices integrative medicine. That said it can be intimidating to visit… Continue reading →

Gallbladder disease is fairly common in humans but is not very common in pets. The gallbladder is a sac like structure that is found between the lobes of the liver. It functions to store bile– a yellow-green fluid produced by the liver that is used for digestion of fat. This bile is secreted into the small intestine as part of the digestive process. Problems can occur with the gallbladder when the ducts become obstructed and the flow of bile is… Continue reading →