Despite the huge tumor on his mouth, this sweet dog was given 7 shots 4 weeks before this photo was taken. The tumor grew 10-15% after the shots."

Most knowledgeable vets agree that certain animals should NOT be vaccinated (absent proven, urgent need such as inevitable exposure to a life-threatening disease). These  include, but aren’t limited to, pets with autoimmune disease … pets undergoing chemo, radiation or surgery (even dental cleaning or neutering) … pets with autoimmune disease, cancer, severe allergies and skin diseases … pets fighting an illness or parasites … pets stressed from shipment or a move to a new home … malnourished pets … and dying housebound pets.  Assaulting the immune systems  of these animals with vaccination has been likened to throwing gas on a raging fire.

Vaccination is big business and an old habit.  Dogs and cats need an advocate with common sense (and a strong backbone) to stand up for their pets. That means you!

So why shouldn’t you vaccinate a sick, stressed or geriatric pet? For one thing, the pet may develop adverse reactions ranging from fever to seizures to autoimmune disease to anaphylactic shock  and even death. (Click this link  to see other possible adverse reactions.) Furthermore, shots administered to an unhealthy animal may fail to provide immunity while giving you the false security that your dog is protected.  On top of that, the animal’s immune system, which should be fighting illness, may be diverted to handle the shot.

Vaccine manufacturer Pfizer states, regarding precautions when using their rabies vaccine:  “A protective immune response may not be elicited if animals are incubating an infectious disease, are malnourished or parasitized, are stressed due to shipment or environmental conditions, are otherwise immunocompromised….”

According to the University of Nebraska’s  “Understanding Vaccines”: “While it is common to vaccinate stressed animals, these animals are more susceptible to adverse vaccine reactions and frequently do not develop an adequate immune response. Immune stressed animals develop limited protection from vaccination.”

Drugs.com states, re the Rabies Vaccine Precautions:  ”… level of performance may be affected by conditions of use such as stress, weather, nutrition, disease, parasitism, other treatments, individual idiosyncrasies or impaired immunological competency.  These factors should be considered by the user when evaluating product performance or freedom from reactions.”

Even humans are at risk if a rabies shot fails and the animal becomes infected with rabies. So great is the danger of vaccinating sick and chronically-ill pets that many, if not most, state and local health authorities allow a temporary or permanent exemption from rabies vaccination for these pets. Click to learn how to apply for a rabies vaccination exemption.

I asked some veterinarian friends to share their opinions on this issue. (Note: bold blue type was done by me to emphasize important points.) Special thanks to over-vaccination activist Dr. Patricia Jordan for her help in rounding up responses and references.

From Tamara Hebbler, DVM, holistic consulting vet (San Diego):

The most disturbing, relatively routine, veterinary practice is vaccinating ill or compromised animals.  I am appalled that this is still happening yet I hear from my clients that it is more the norm than the exception.

Vaccinating a stressed or ill dog violates our Hippocratic Oath: Above All Do No Harm.  When an animal is going in for surgery or chemo, or has an autoimmune disease or neoplastic condition [a tumor], or even a chronic immune challenge such as allergies or endocrine/metabolic diseases, they are at a high increased risk to an adverse reaction to any vaccine. I liken such vaccination to playing Russian Roulette with an animal’s immune system — with 5 of the 6 barrels loaded, not just 1.

If negative reactions are severe enough, and immediate, most people will connect the reaction to the shot.  However, if the reaction develops over a few weeks or months, you may not tie it to the shot – and your vet probably won’t either. In standard veterinary practice, we have brief appointments and are very busy, I regret to say, treating many of the dis-ease states that we as a profession, with the help of the pet food industry, have created.  It is only through laborious record review that I made the connection.

Be bold and stand up for your pet especially when he or she is not feeling well. Just say NO to vaccinations and start researching and titer testing.

From Jean Hofve, DVM www.littlebigcat.com and www.spiritessence.com
Former Editor-in-Chief of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Journal :

Vaccination puts a tremendous burden on the immune system to mount a protective response. If the response is to be adequate and provide protection against disease, there shouldn’t be any other immune-compromising stresses present. Clearly, an animal already fighting an infection, injury, or other illness is not going to have adequate resources to devote to the vaccine–and it could take away from its ability to fight what’s already there. Chemotherapy and steroids suppress the immune system and deplete its ability to produce a good vaccine response. Even something as seemingly benign as a bath or an elective surgery or dental procedure will reduce body temperature, a stress which can also inhibit the immune system. These are some of the reasons why the directions on every vial of vaccine say “for use in healthy animals only.”

From Michael Dym, VMD:

[Re should you vaccinate sick pets?]: That would depend upon definition of what “sick” is……..Dogs with chronic autoimmune diseases (most of chronic diseases seen in today’s pets) would go under that definition of ill health to me………Most vets ROUTINELY give shots to epileptic pets, dogs with prior histories of mast cell tumors,  cats with autoimmune based diabetes, IBD patients, asthmatic animals, severe skin allergic pets, etc……….They are not healthy in my opinion and should not be vaccinated……….The vaccine companies have themselves legally protected by placing inserts with all vaccines saying “for use in healthy animals only” leaving that legal definition up to often ignorant vets on this topic……. .Follow the dollar signs!!!!…….THAT is the tragedy………

From Stephen R. Blake, DVM  (San Diego)  Author of The Pet Whisperer:

All vaccines come with a label warning from the manufacturer, advising the practitioner to not vaccinate animals who are not healthy. The sad part about this story is the veterinary community has set the bar so low for our animals, that as long as the animal is breathing, you can vaccinate them. I see records with pets who had ear infections, low grade fevers, eye and ear discharges, ear infections, allergic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, abscessed teeth, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, auto immune disease, chronic arthritis, lameness, abscesses, Etc ., when they came to the veterinarian to evaluate their health issues and they were vaccinated in spite of having one or more of these issues. Not only are they vaccinated but for up to 10 different diseases simultaneously.

The clients are not being informed about the potential danger to their pets and are also being told their pets need these vaccinations, when there is no science to support such recommendations. This is not good medical practice and endangers the health of our animal patients…. Supply and demand are the driving forces in any economy for the success or failure of any product. As the public becomes more educated as to the truth about vaccinations, this practice will go the way of the dinosaur.

An Australian study found most of the animals undergoing vaccination were not healthy and should not have been receiving vaccines; it is criminal in my book. … So many of our animals are now sick and diseased with autoimmune disease or cancer and yet again get the big jab under the guise that “he is due for rabies.”  …. so many stressed animals, malnourished animals, animals with any health issues should not be just jabbed…….especially with rabies, due to what this vaccination while stressed or immune-compromised means to endangering both the animal and especially the public’s health and exposure risk.

As most of you know, I have for years been sounding the warning siren about the slow poisoning of dogs from pesticides, co-called “preventatives” and other toxic chemicals. If your e-mails are any indication, many of you are listening. But many of you aren’t. Veterinary waiting rooms continue to be filled with accidentally poisoned pets. Some of these pets don’t survive.

Okay, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: 46% of dogs and 39% of cats dying of disease will die of cancer. Pesticides are proven to increase your dog’s (or cats) chance of getting cancer.  A University of Pennsylvania vet school study showed topical insecticides (aka preventatives) “significantly increased” bladder cancer risk, especially in overweight dogs. Other studies have shown cancer risks from herbicides. Some products meant for pets can even increase the chance you and your children will become ill.

Snail, ant and rodent baits may also prove deadly, sometimes killing quickly, sometimes slowly. Don’t think it can’t happen to your pet. In the “poison free” yard of my favorite pet safety advocate (me!), both of my dogs were exposed to rat poison. I immediately induced vomiting, got advice from ASPCA‘s Poison Control Center, took them to the emergency room visit followed by weeks of Vitamin K supplementation yet my dog Jiggy’s liver enzymes rose off the charts. Now, nine months later, an incompetent exterminator has lost his job and Jiggy still shows impaired liver function.  Jiggy’s vet bills top $3000 with no end in sight.

Even when we don’t realize it, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and other poisons assault our dogs’ bodies in countless ways:

• We purposefully apply insecticides to kill fleas and ticks. Surely, none of us would rub poison between our children’s shoulder blades, or bathe them in poisons, but when it comes to pets, we trustingly accept the “wisdom” of advertisers and flea-and-tick product vendors. You can check out your Flea and Tick products for safety at Green Paws. Don’t forget to check all the products your groomer or kennel owner uses, too, and have them send for a Green Paws Action Kit. And remember, even if a product is labeled “natural” or listed as “safe,” it may still be harmful to your pet’s long-term health.  In 2008, ASPCA toxicologists reported more than 31,000 calls related to insecticides, often because of misuse of flea and tick products. If you use one of these products–particularly products from Hartz, Sergeant’s, Farnam, and Bayer–please read Pesticides in Pet Products: Why Your Dog or Cat May Be at Risk I hope you’ll also watch this CBS video sent to me by one of the people featured; she lost her dog Lincoln to flea and tick medication.  Here are two related links from the Environmental Protection Agency: Increased Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Control Products for Pets and Listing of EPA-registered Spot-on Flea and Tick Products.
• We administer insecticides orally to kill heartworms, even when sustained cool temps make contracting heartworms all but impossible (according to the University of Pennsylvania and other experts). Yet, advertisers tell us to buy these products year round. It’s about money, honey.
  
• Pets unknowingly auto-apply pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins during walks with you. Even if your own yard is free of toxic chemicals, romps on golf courses, common areas and dog parks, with their unknown pesticide and herbicide products and treatment schedules, can prove deadly. Whatever gets on your pet’s feet is licked into their bodies, assaulting livers and increasing carcinogenic loads.
  
• Pets eat hidden pesticides in their food, especially corn-laden grocery store kibble. Corn deemed unfit for human consumption—sometimes because of excessive pesticide contamination—often ends up in pet food. Pet food expert Dr. Jean Hofve tells me there is no upper limit for pesticide contamination.
• Pets get into rodent, ant and snail poison even when you are careful. Some of these products (like rat poison) cause a slow death by internal bleeding and you may not recognize symptoms until it’s too late. Just a tiny amount of some products (like snail bait) can kill fast. (Read this to learn about snail bait poisoning.) My dogs’ poisoning came in an usual way: from rat bait locked inside a safe-looking bait box; a raccoon trying to get at the bait banged the box on the ground and my dogs found the scattered bait. Note: it’s not enough to use safe products in your yard. Ask your neighbors to as well.)
  
• Pets (and hunting birds, coyotes, etc.) eat poisoned animals (rats, groundhogs, etc.) and are poisoned themselves. This happens more than you might suspect.

So here’s what to do to keep your pet safe from poison. First, check all products for child safety. If they’re not safe for kids, they’re not safe for dogs and cats. Second, wash your pet’s feet after walking on any suspect area. At least, wipe paws with a damp cloth. Clean paws, too, after walks on grimy chemically-laden streets and salted roads. If you wouldn’t lick a surface, don’t let your animal lick the grime off his paws. It just takes but a moment to wash up, and could save you countless tears, wasted days and thousands of dollars at the vet’s office.

Find a wealth of additional information in an article called Pesticides and Pets.  I hope you’ll print it and read it. No, don’t just read it. Study it.

The EPA has a flea and tick fact sheet and The National Pesticide Information Center has a tips sheet.

You can report a problem with pesticides, drugs or foods at this excellent new AVMA reporting page.  Also fill out the form at Beyond Pesticides.

Finally, those of you who have my book, Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care, please reread the chapter “Stop Pest-ering Me” to learn natural ways to protect your dogs from pests. If your pet has been exposed to any poison, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

You can also find the links mentioned here on my Links page.  Want to know the truth about Heartworms? Click my heartworm link to find 3 in-depth articles. And please bookmark this blog post so others can find it. And here’s another article from my friends Drs. Kim Bloomer and Jeannie Thomason: Battling Fleas, Ticks, & Mosquitoes: Pet Health Care or Billion Dollar Pet Industry?

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1. STOP VACCINATING UNNECESSARILY! No more vaccinating against diseases your dog is unlikely to catch and against diseases to which your dog is already immune. Not only is unnecessary vaccination a huge waste of time and money, the resulting adverse health consequences can ruin doggy health and cost you a fortune in vet bills down the line. Watch our video Vaccinating Dogs for suggestions, and read or reread “Rethinking Vaccination” in our book, Scared Poopless. Also, read our blog article on titer testing. (Click here.) This simple blood test is especially important to prevent over-vaccinating puppies.

2. FEED QUALITY FOOD. Although spending more for high quality food may seem a strange way to save money, it is your absolute best shot at long-term doggy health and lower vet bills. Start feeding wisely and you may see allergies, intestinal problems, joint ouchiness and other ailments disappear. At the very least, stop feeding grocery store brands and switch from kibble to canned. Better yet, feed frozen raw or fresh cooked or raw. My book has two chapters on food, one of them you can read free by clicking here.

3. FEED LESS. According to Purina’s much promoted 14-year study of 48 Labrador Retrievers, “lean-fed” dogs (receiving 25% less food than their littermates) eventually developed the same health problems as littermates as they aged, but needed treatment for ailments 2.1 years later. That is, treatment began at a mean age of 12 versus age 9.9. Here’s the secret to longevity: It’s not about feeding a particular brand; it’s about feeding to a healthy, lean (not too skinny) condition. Cut out all fattening corn-laden foods. Don’t leave food out all day and don’t overfeed. Remember: fat dogs aren’t cute; they’re expensive.

4. BRUSH TEETH MORE OFTEN. Few things are more expensive, or risky, than dental procedures. Avoid them by feeding low-carb foods (not kibble) and by brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week. Use a good paste meant for dogs (not Humans!) and use gauze around your finger or a super-soft toothbrush.

5. STOP GIVING UNNECESSARY OR DANGEROUS DRUGS. Check out your dogs meds (especially steroids and arthritis medications) on-line by name, and at the websites listed under Preventing the Preventable on my website link page. Also, if it’s not mosquito season where you live, why are you giving heartworm meds? No skeeters … no heartworm. Fleas aren’t much of a problem during the winter in most places either. Check out my book’s chapter, “Stop Pest-ering Me!” or do research on-line to learn more about heartworm and flea life cycles and natural methods of pest control. Just make sure your research is from reliable, unbiased sources. Websites that look “scientific” may be fronts for manufacturers of pet meds. Also check out my blog post on Heartworms for more information about protection.

6. GET FLUFFY A BLOOD TEST if she hasn’t had one in the last year (or six months for senior dogs). Remember, dogs age faster than we do and a thorough blood test (with a chem panel) is the easiest (and sometimes the only) way to detect disease while it’s still curable and cheaper to treat. Also test yearly for heartworms, whether or not you use meds.

7. STOP GIVING DANGEROUS TREATS that can perforate or lodge in tracheas and intestines: cooked bones, rawhide chews, pig’s feet and other too-hard chews. Surgery for obstructions and perforations is very expensive and may come too late to save your dog’s life.

8. WASH YOUR DOG’S FEET after a walk on chemically-laden surfaces like city streets and salted roads. Beware park areas which may have been recently fertilized, or treated with herbicides, without your knowing. And don’t use toxic chemicals in your home or yard. If it’s on your dog’s feet, before long it will be in your dog’s mouth. If it’s in your dog’s mouth, he’s on the slippery slope toward cancer.

9. SECURE TRASH, RECYCLING BINS AND TOXIC CHEMICALS FROM PETS. You’d be shocked at how much money is spent on inadvertent poisoning from snail, ant and rat bait, and also the general ailment called “Garbage Can Syndrome.” (Thanks to Pet Evironmentalist Elizabeth Allen of C4PAW.com for her work in this area.)

10. RESEARCH ON-LINE HELP. Check out the additional cost saving ideas at the Human Society (click here) and in the Smart Money article (click here). Californians, e-mail Governor Schwarzenegger and tell him we can’t afford his new 9% tax on our vet bills! Click here.

In short, think before you spend. Ask questions. Don’t automatically reorder drugs. Consider alternatives. Become an educated consumer and trust your own instincts.

Looking for smart holiday gifts and more health and safety tips for your dog? Click here to read our Holiday Newsletter.

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Cross post this article with attribution. Click here for details.

I personally am no expert on canine cancer, so I’m happy to bring you this piece by a vet. Dr. Paula also allowed me to post Part 1 of this series, first published in her own blog. Read Part 1 by clicking here. We’ll publish Part 3 in a few weeks. And now, Part 2.

Part 1 of this article introduced the importance of disease prevention and how to promote better health. This discussion continues with the emphasis on how you can assist the body’s natural healing power. We can empower our army of immune fighting soldiers—both in terms of stronger prevention tactics and a stronger battle plan to attack a stealth enemy like cancer.

Remember that a well functioning immune system is your best guarantee of health. In fact, the immune system is on guard 24/7 in what has been termed immune surveillance.

A basic summary of immune surveillance states that:

Immune surveillance performed by specialized cells in the immune system known as Natural Killer (NK) cells can recognize and destroy spontaneously arising malignant tumor cells. Tumors can develop when transformed malignant cells escape immunological host defense mechanisms. The increased incidence of spontaneous tumors in immunosuppressed individuals indicates that the immune system can provide a major mechanism for host resistance against cancer and infectious diseases.

Now I will tell you how you can up your health insurance policy and fight back by taking nutraceuticals——food extracts from selected plants and herbs proven to have medicinal properties. One key nutraceutical from the plant kingdom that has proven to enhance natural killer cells (special cells that attack cancer) is AHCC* (Active Hexose Correlated Compounds)—a proprietary blend of mushroom mycelia extract that was developed by scientists in Japan.

*The Amino Up Chemical Company produces AHCC in commercial quantities at its facility in Sapporo, Japan.

Still skeptical? Just do a Google search.

Here is a list of the published research:

http://www.ahccpublishedresearch.com/wwwroot-ahcc/default.htm

As outlined in the research studies, AHCC stimulates the production of NK cells, killer T-cells, and cytokines such as interferon. Making it a welcomed weapon against chronic infections as well as cancer.

In Japan, AHCC is routinely used in the treatment of cancer patients. It has been found to reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapy and has also been documented to increase the survival rates of cancer patients.

AHCC is a trademarked product sold by Quality of Life Labs as Kinoko Gold AHCC. Other recognized supplement companies such as NOW Foods have also formulated products using AHCC. NOW Foods sells this trademarked product as AHCC Immune Support**—the same potency for less cost than Kinoko Gold. For additional savings, buy the powdered form and not the capsules. Mix it into a smoothie or soft food like yogurt or applesauce. Your dog will enjoy lapping up these tasty foods too!

**Available from iherb.com. Use code TER129 at checkout and get $5 off your first order.

Human adult dose is 2-6 capsules per day, preferably on an empty stomach. Use the higher dose (2 capsules 3 times per day, for a total of 9) to battle cancer or fight off infections. Use the lower dose (2 capsules daily) for disease prevention.

A supplement rule of thumb for dogs: give one-fourth the human dose to dogs under 25 pounds; one-half the dose for dogs between 25 and 40 pounds; three-fourths the dose for dogs between 40 and 55 pounds; the full dose for dogs over 55lbs. AHCC has no reported side effects and is regarded to be very safe.

Don’t be confused by the many different types of medicinal mushroom products available. Many have merit. To name just a few well studied mushrooms: Maitake, Shitake, Reishi and Cordyceps—all have been shown to have many healthy benefits. More of these mushrooms are popping up in natural food markets since they have become popular food-fare among health enthusiasts.

So you see, it is possible for us to help ourselves and our canine pals boost the natural abilities of an amazing immune system to battle cancer and other health threats. Yes, we can fight back!

Taking Nutraceuticals is a far different approach from swallowing toxic chemo cocktails in the war against cancer or using a super charged line of antibiotics ready to combat the next super bug. By working with the body’s intelligence we can evoke its natural healing powers and not worry about the negative side effects or fallout from using our super power, Big Pharma. Declaring drug war should be our last resort, never our first option!

Nutraceuticals, another gift from Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet, offer real help for an army of natural fighting soldiers. Remember, a top notch immune system is your best defense to ward off any type of illness—even cancer!

Learn more about Dr. Terifaj at http://30minvetconsult.com/blog/

Have you seen our new video “Vaccinating Dogs,” posted a few weeks ago? If not, click the “Vaccination” link in the black box on the right of this page.

Our next post will be on planning for your dog to go under anesthesia.

46% of all dogs who die of disease now die of cancer. That’s an astonishing figure, isn’t it? Forty-six percent!

Imagine half of your own friends dying of cancer. You’d surely be doing everything possible to stay healthy and disease free, wouldn’t you? Well, cancer will kill half your dog’s friends. The time has come to shift your focus from general health maintenance to cancer prevention. And it’s time to learn about alternatives to conventional cancer treatment.

My good friend, holistic vet Dr. Paula Terafaj (practicing in Brea, CA) wrote me: “Even for us doctors, there are more questions than answers: Did so-and-so cause my dog’s cancer? Are there any natural treatments for cancer? How long do you think my dog will live if we don’t do chemo?”

When Dr. Paula’s beloved dog Woody was diagnosed with cancer of spleen and liver, she set out to help Woody battle his own cancer. No toxic chemo. No risky surgery. She wanted him to live out his days pain-free as a cancer warrior with a game plan! Here’s the first installment of her game plan. She has kindly permitted me to reprint it. Parts 2 to 5 will appear in the upcoming days. (Have you subscribed to my blog yet? Sign up at right.)

Learn more about Dr. Terifaj at http://30minvetconsult.com/blog/ Here’s her first cancer article:

Part I: The Ultimate Cure for Cancer Is…

Simply prevention.

Everywhere you look these days, we hear news about this or that vitamin, mineral, vegetable, herb, plant from the rainforest, or exotic fruit reported to “cure” or protect us from cancer—but the fact of the matter is really just this: Our immune system (when working properly) has the natural ability to find and destroy cancer cells as well as the viruses and bacteria that make us sick. In fact, the most successful natural remedies simply amp up or help the immune system to fight its own deadly battles!

So, our health really depends on how well our immune system is functioning at all times—no silver bullets, no black magic. Our very own body intelligence is our best weapon to defeat the growth of cancer cells and keep us free of disease. It is only when the immune system fails to detect and destroy malignant cancer cells or mount a targeted attack against bacterial and viral invasions that we get sick. Sometimes we become the unwilling host to a flu virus or strep throat; other times falling victim to life threatening diseases, like cancer.

Scientific studies have shown that we can and do influence the functioning of our immune system. Diets that lack essential nutrients, stress, and exposure to a growing onslaught of chemical pollutants have all been shown to weaken the function of the immune response and subsequently our health.

The same goes for your dog. Assuming your dog is not burdened by the stresses of financial worries, job dissatisfaction, a demanding work schedule, caretaker responsibilities, difficult personal relationships, etc—spending his days napping, playing and feeling loved—the single most important factor that will determine your dog’s state of health and longevity is what foods he finds in his food dish!

It’s the choices we make, not fate, that determine our health and the health of our animal dependents. Each day we make choices that will either weaken our army of immune soldiers—or optimize its fighting abilities to win and protect our health. I have long advocated the common sense approach of maintaining good health—a proactive state of living called disease prevention. A mindset yet to be embraced by a flawed health care system which looks more like this: Get sick then change your diet, get more exercise and reduce stress. And if that’s too much trouble, no doubt you will join the millions of sickos in America and help to pump up drug company profits!

I have learned from my own personal health experiences and those of my furry patients that we can improve our own state of health and strongly influence the health of our pets by the choices we make. Stack the health odds in your favor!

Start a proactive health campaign with a few simple principles:

• Get smart: plan your diet each day and don’t leave it up to chance. This will help you to avoid tempting junk foods and make better choices. You also need to rethink the misguided idea that feeding your dog the same commercial diet every day is healthy. Like us, they need and crave a variety of whole foods. Simple whole foods like baked chicken, ground turkey and scrambled eggs are easy to prepare. Add more of these wholesome foods to your shopping cart and skip the dog food aisle!
• Go green: eat vegetables with meals and snack on fruits—both are high in protective antioxidants. Most dogs like to eat cooked vegetables. Favorites are: carrots, peas, green beans and broccoli. Also try canned pumpkin, yams and butternut squash. You can ensure an optimum intake of these hard working antioxidants by including a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement.
• Adopt a “more rest and less stress” lifestyle that includes daily exercise. Start by leashing up your dog for walks around the neighborhood, visit local dog parks, or engage in play activity at home. Just get started and your dog will keep you motivated to continue this very good behavior!

There really is sage advice hidden in that phrase: “the good old days”. Like feasting on simple whole foods that were common place on kitchen tables when our grandmothers (younger readers may need to go back as far as great grandmother) were the gourmet chefs of our time! Remember, whole foods contain the best sources of essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids) and that has not changed! Don’t short-cut your health with fast food products that list ingredients known only to food chemists—just look at the pet food industry. Open a bag of kibble and ask yourself, where is the beef?

What you eat and what you feed your dog will surely determine the number of doctor visits in the days ahead. Although I am a big fan of dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, fatty acids) and Nutraceuticals (foods that aid in the prevention or treatment of disease) they are not substitutes for a health-based diet. However, I must pause here to praise the efforts of science to provide us with substantial scientific studies and documentation on how certain key supplements and Nutraceuticals have proven to offer numerous health benefits, safe effective treatments, and sometimes even cures for almost any health challenge we may face—our pets included! (More on this in Part 2: How to fight cancer without drugs.)

You can boost your health IQ by reading Super Foods Rx—Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, by Steven Pratt, MD. (I got mine from Amazon.com.) This smart Doc shows how you can actually change your body’s biochemistry and stop the progression of diseases like type II diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, obesity and Alzheimer’s simply by eating more nutrient-dense foods.

Don’t worry, you can find these simple foods at your local supermarket. Some of the foods that made it to the top fourteen, like blueberries, broccoli, spinach, salmon, and walnuts did not surprise me. However, some did, like oranges, pumpkin, beans, and turkey. And if you don’t like some of the super fourteen, the author offers what he calls sidekicks: similar foods that can be substituted.

This wonderfully written book will surely help improve your eating habits simply by knowing why these foods are so good for your health. On a recent food shopping spree at Trader Joe’s, I found myself reaching for a variety of canned beans (marinated 3 bean salad, refried black beans with jalapeno peppers, organic black bean soup), dried wild blueberries and walnuts. Foods that can be easily added to salads and other dishes. Your dog is sure to enjoy eating some of the super fourteen too! Now, pass the blueberries please…

— A last note from Jan. Have you seen our videos? Click “Videos” under “Categories” at right. And hug your dog for me. And stay tuned for more from Dr. Paula.