There are many causes of feline stomatitis. Here are the most common ones

1. Food allergy or sensitivity.
2. Existing unattended to dental disease. Good oral care and proper professional cleaning and extraction of affected teeth is critical – radiographs should be done to look for disease root tips and sequestered bone.
3. Chronic viral infection – particularly Herpes virus but others can be associated.
4. Chemical toxicity – plastics, environmental chemicals, preservatives, and a host of things that make these patients susceptible to disease. This includes antibiotics, steroids and Non steroidal anti-inflammatories ( Aspirin like drugs)
5. Nutritional imbalances or excesses or other stressors that alter immune function and lead to chronic inflammation.

The treatment for feline stomatitis depends on the cause. Proper dental cleaning under anesthesia is always indicated. Most conventional veterinarians will then put the cats on antibiotics For some cats this helps but for others the stomatitis will continue and the cat may end up with all of his or her teeth removed.

I usually recommend a food trial after the dental cleaning in order to eliminate food allergy as a cause. Sometimes herbs, l-lysine, homeopathic and acupuncture can be used to treat or cure this problem. Immune boosting vitamins can be very helpful. Toxi-clean gold is a good immune boosting product and safe for cats. It is very important to identify the cause of this problem as that is the only way to insure proper treatment.

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Medical and surgical treatments have been advocated for this condition. In the past, tail amputation was recommended for this condition, but now if surgery is done it is usually laser excision of the fistula. It is successful in 90 percent of the cases. Medical therapies include drugs such as tacrolimus and cyclosporin, both powerful immunosuppressive drugs. Often cyclosporin is combined with antibiotics to increase its effectiveness. Antibiotics and corticosteroids are also used.

From a holistic stand point, these dogs are treated with a variety of different things. A novel diet with a protein the dog has never had before forms the basis of all holistic treatment. Fish oils and herbs are also helpful. One herb of particular note is Slippery Elm ( link is here: ) because it deals with inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract Probiotics are very important for these cases. Acupuncture and homeopathy have also been successful in treating and managing this condition. Neutering the males is recommended so they do not pass the tendency on and because it causes the anal area to shrink and so there are fewer glands to worry about. This condition can be frustrating to treat but with some patience can have a very good outcome.

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A diagnosis of EPI is confirmed on clinical signs and blood tests. The Canine TLI ( trypsin-like immunoreactivity) test is the standard test to diagnose this problem. Dogs or cats who have this condition have very low TLIs.

Treatment for this condition involves supplementation with pancreatic enzyme powders or raw chopped pig pancreas. In my experience the chopped pancreas works better than the enzyme powders. Vitamin supplementation with Vitamin B12, E. and K are necessary as well. A good homemade diet that is low in fat and has moderate amounts of protein is also required. Milk thistle, slippery elm, probiotics and homeopathic remedies are also useful for this problem. If you seek the advice of a holistic veterinarian, he or she can help you with diet, herbs and homeopathics for this common condition.

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These upper respiratory infections are mostly caused by 2 viruses..feline calcivirus and feline herpes virus. Sometimes bacteria such as Bordetella, Chlamydia or Mycoplasma can cause secondary problems. Kittens are frequently infected with more than one agent. These poor cats have runny, goopy eyes, runny noses, sneezing, coughing, oral or nasal ulcer and may run fevers. The virus is easily spread from cat to cat by objects or the cats themselves. A dilute bleach solution will kill both viruses in the environment.

Most cats will get over these infections in 5 to 10 days and suffer only mild symptoms. If the cat loses his appetite, has open mouth breathing or runs a fever, he needs immediate veterinary attention. Many times supportive care such as fluids or liquid diets and decongestant nose drops are used. If the viral infection is complicated by a bacterial infection or if the cat shows signs of pneumonia, an antibiotic is often used.

Holistic treatments for cats with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections include a good homemade diet with smelly food, probiotic and immune support herbs such as Echinacea. One good respiratory tract herbal to use is Respiratory Aid by Pet Wellbeing. L-lysine which is now available in treat form for cats has been excellent for kittens and cats with herpes virus infection. Sometimes herpes infections can cause lifetime problems for cats giving them chronic runny noses or oral ulcer or intermittent eye infections. The L-lysine has proven very important for these cats.

Some of these diseases, particularly the viral diseases, can be prevented by vaccination. After 1 vaccination most adults have life long immunity to these diseases. If you have questions about this be sure to talk to your holistic veterinarian.

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How common is this syndrome? Approximately 30 % of all 11 year old dogs have this condition and 100% of all 16 year old dogs are affected. Studies have shown that dogs affected with this condition have amyloid protein deposits in their brains just like those found in the brains of humans with Alzheimer’s Disease. Cognitive dysfunction is also associated with low levels of dopamine –a neurotransmitter– in the brain.

Treatments for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction can include medications, herbals, dietary changes and modification of the environment. Convention practitioners will often reach for L-Deprenyl or Anipryl to help these pets. L-Deprenyl reduces the free radicals in the brain and helps the dopamine to stay around longer. This is effective in about 70% of dogs and the earlier it is started the better.

Melatonin can be used for sleep or anxiety disorders in this syndrome. Natural sleeping essentials by Natural Wellbeing would also be great for these dogs that can’t sleep. Chinese herbal therapies and acupuncture are other alternatives.

Dietary supplements with Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Coenzyme Q 10 and antioxidant vitamins are also recommended. A good natural diet, homemade and full of colourful vegetables is essential. Environmental enrichment has been shown to help these dogs as well. Grooming and petting, teaching new tricks, varying routes during walks, playing with toys and playing with other dogs are all things you can do to help improve your old dog’s life. In fact diet changes and enrichment are the two most effective tools in treatment, more effective than any medication, so a recent study has shown.

By doing some of these simple things you can help your dog learn to manage his old age.

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From a natural perspective there is a pheromone spray called Feliway which can be sprayed around the house to calm the cats. It is also available in a plug in infuser for larger areas. L-theanine is a natural substance that can be used for cat anxiety and aggression. Herbal calmers such as Matricalm can be very helpful and can be used along with conventional medication. Chinese herbs and acupuncture can also be used for feline aggression. One caution about herbal medications in cats is that many are bitter and cause salivation. They often need to be mixed with something tasty like salmon or tuna oil, or put in pill pockets. As a holistic veterinarian I always look at the diet the cat is consuming. Many times switching the diet to a homemade natural diet is extremely helpful for any type of aggression.

Fear induced aggression and pain induced aggression can be dealt with by dealing with the root of the problem. Cats which are very fearful may need something like rescue remedy or a homeopathic medication to help with fears. Pain needs to be identified and dealt with either with conventional pain meds for cats, surgery or whatever is needed to treat the pain. Alternative therapies for things like arthritis or back pain can include chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal pain meds or physical therapy. Pet Wellbeing has an herbal medication for cat arthritis called Old Timer for Feline Inflammation.

Play aggression is common in kittens and young cats, however it can carry on into adulthood if the cat did not have a chance to socialize as a kitten. If your kitten has this problem consider getting another kitten. Do not let the cat play aggressively with your hands. Provide a lot of toys that the cat can play with or chase. If necessary give the cat a time out from you by putting him or her in another room. Do not treat the cat roughly or hit him. This may make him more aggressive. A spray bottle with water can be used to spritz the cat and interrupt this type of play aggression.

If your cat has this problem, you have a lot of options. It may take some patience but it will be worth it in the end.

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Aggression can be either offensive or defensive in nature. An offensive cat will try to make himself look bigger by stiffening his tail and erecting his fur. A defensive cat will crouch and try to appear smaller. Aggressive signs such as swatting, shrieking and a growling can be either offensive or defensive. These cats mean business!

If you are having problems with aggression in your cat the first thing to do is consult your veterinarian. Sometimes the root of the aggressive behaviour is a medical condition such as pain from arthritis, hyperthyroidism or senility. If your cat checks out ok then your vet may try to help you determine what sets off the aggressive attacks.

Some forms of aggression can be:

Inter cat aggression–between unneutered toms outside usually or between housemates if there is a size difference or if they do not get along.

Territorial aggression-This can be seen in inside or outside cats and often occurs when a new cat is introduced to the household or territory or when a kitten reaches sexual maturity.

Play–Some cats play rough because they never learned how to play nicely as kittens. If kittens are not well socialized with litter mates and other cats, they may play too rough.

Petting-Induced Aggression–Some cats like to be petted for only a certain period of time then will turn around and bite. Signs your cat is going to bite include dilation of pupils, swishing of the tail and flattening of the ears. It is best to get the cat off your lap if you detect this!

Re-directed Aggression–This often occurs in house cats who look out the window and see another cat they dislike. They try to fight through the window but if you, or another household pet happens to walk by the cat may re-direct his aggression toward the unsuspecting person!

Pain induced Aggression–This is easy to understand. If your cat is hurt or painful, he may bite you because he does not realize you are trying to help him. This kind of aggression is frequently seen in the vets office.

Fear induced Aggression–Another thing we see in the veterinary office frequently, but can be seen anytime a cat feels threatened.

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Not all cats with urinary problems have stones, crystals or infections. In fact the majority of these cats do not have true infections, but tend to be treated with antibiotics anyway by most conventional veterinarians. Holistic veterinarians have different treatments for these problems that are often more effective.

The first thing however is to diagnose the problem. A complete urinalysis is needed to determine if there is an infection, or crystals. Sometimes an X-ray is needed to diagnose stones. If neither of these are present, it is possible that the cat may have stress cystitis ( bladder inflammation) or inflammation of the bladder wall. Holistic treatments for these conditions often work better than conventional treatments.

Diet is the foundation for holistic treatment of this condition. Cats should be feed a meat based diet, either raw or home cooked, not dry food. A meat based diet is naturally antibacterial and acidic and prevents urinary crystals. Even canned food is going to be preferable to dry as these cats need more water in their diets. Cats should be fed only twice daily and the food left out for only 30 minutes as this prevents frequent grazing. Cats who graze throughout the day produce more alkaline urine and this leads to crystals and sand in the bladder.

Other natural remedies which your holistic veterinarian would be able to prescribe would include acupuncture and Chinese herbs like Crystal Stone Formula or homeopathics like Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Nux vomica, and Coccuscacti. Cranberry extract and Vitamin C can be used to decrease urine pH. Glucosamine is also helpful to protect the lining of the bladder. To use any of these you should consult a veterinarian familiar with natural treatments.

Tripsy made by PetWellbeing is also effective for bladder infections and stones, although it is listed for kidney problems.

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So what are the known or suggested causes of these lick spots? Not all spots may be created for the same reasons but here is a list of possible causes.

Boredom or separation anxiety–these dogs simply turn on themselves because they have nothing else to do.

Allergies may trigger excessive licking which leads to deep seated infections.

Foreign body or insect bite may trigger excess licking.

Hypothyroidism or other medical conditions can also lead to excess licking.

Spinal pain radiating down the affected limb or pain in a joint can cause the dog to relieve the pain in the only way he know how–licking and chewing

Conventional treatment of lick granulomas can include antibiotics, anti-anxiety medications, bitter sprays, wrapping the limb, laser surgery, and casting the limb. None of these treatments have ever been 100 % effective.

From a holistic standpoint, I always recommend a diet change to a homemade meat based diet that is well balanced. Plenty of exercise helps alleviate boredom for these pets. Regular chiropractic care stops the tingling component that can be associated with vertebral disc and peripheral nerve issues. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be extremely effective for this condition. A special acupuncture technique called “Ring the Dragon” is often used. Supplements such as Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and Milk Thistle may also be helpful. Homeopathics such as Arsenica may be used in addition to Rescue Remedy, Skullcap , Valerian and Hops. The treatment depends on the diagnosis by the holistic practitioner. If your pet has this problem it would be wise to consult a holistic veterinarian who is trained in alternative medicine.

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1. Spend more time exercising your pet. If you normally walk your dog a few minutes a day, try to increase that by 5 minutes weekly until you are walking at least 30 minutes a day. This is good for you and your dog. A well exercised dog is healthy and psychologically happier. Consider how you would feel if you were a prisoner in your home and only were allowed a few minutes outdoors. Dogs who get appropriate exercise have fewer behavioural issues and act out less. If you own a cat, spend that time playing with the cat–cats love attention and can benefit from the exercise as well.

2. Invest in the best food you can for your pet. Whether you are feeding a store bought brand or home made, have a look at your pet’s nutrition. Vow to upgrade whether it is to a premium diet or an organic raw diet, we can all improve out nutrition including that of our pets. Remember good food can help your pet with weight loss as well as improve his or her health.

3. Invest in your pet’s heath. Take him or her to your veterinarian at least once yearly. Pets do not need yearly vaccinations but they do require at least yearly exams. Seek out a holistic veterinarian as he or she will be able to advise you on natural nutrition, holistic medication and other preventive measures that can insure your pet leads a healthy, long life.

4. Teach your pet a new trick or spend some time training every day. This is exciting for your pet and you and will make you a better owner. It is also a lot of fun!

5. If you own a dog, consider taking up a dog sport such as agility. There are many interesting and exciting dog sports such as dock diving, mushing, earth dog trials, conformation, and many more. If your dog is not athletic, consider training your dog for service work such as visiting senior citizen homes and elementary schools. Your local animal shelter may be able to point you in the right direction.

6. If you do not own a pet, or if you have more room in your family consider adopting another pet from the local humane society. There are many pets that need forever homes.

7. If you cannot have a pet where you live, consider volunteering at your local animal shelter. More volunteers are always needed. If you cannot volunteer, consider a financial gift to your local shelter.

Evaluate what you and your pet need to do in 2012.

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