[nagdu] searching for a new vet.

Thu Nov 12 18:35:16 UTC 2015

Hey Tracy,
You can use most essential oils on dogs topically. This will even work
with internal issues because everything applied to the skin is
absorbed into the body.
Per drop of essential oil use 1/2 tsp carrier oil. Carrier oils
include coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, black cumin seed oil, etc.
I usually use coconut oil or jojoba oil. Apply this diluted form to
the affected area.

Some people say to let the dog sniff the oils first to see if that is
what they prefer or need. I don't put stock in that since my dog
doesn't like any essential oil, straight or diluted.

You can also put the oils in capsules and use them internally, though
that typically isn't necessary.

Never use more than 2 to 5 drops of an oil on your dog at a time. Less is more.
Hth.
-- 
Raven
Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
www.1am-editing.com

You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 11/12/15, Tracy Carcione via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I agree with Raven about prescription foods.  The ingredients just look bad
> to me.  The first ingredient in Raven's list is cornstarch.  That means it's
> the biggest percentage of the ingredients.  And many dogs are allergic to
> corn, so that's a big minus right off, for me.  The next ingredient is
> processed chicken liver.  My vet said right off, when I brought Krokus in
> with allergies, that chicken is a pretty common allergen in dogs.  Strike 2.
>  Then the 4th ingredient is powdered cellulose, which to me spells sawdust.
> Do I want to feed my dog sawdust?  Strike 3; out!
>
> I've fed prescription ID for a few days for my old dog's stomach upsets, but
> I get him back onto a good food as soon as I can.
>
> Raven, how do you use lavender oil for a dog?  It doesn't seem like anedible
> to me, so what am I missing?
> Tracy
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Raven Tolliver
> via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2015 1:04 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Raven Tolliver
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] searching for a new vet.
>
> Lori,
> Prescription dog food is a gimmick. I'm not going to rant about processed
> food and home prepared, but I definitely think you can find a less costly
> dog food. You can cut costs by feeding a food that is more hypoallergenic
> but doesn't cost a fortune, and stopping those allergy meds and replacing
> them with something inexpensive and more natural. For instance, lavender
> essential oil helps tremendously with allergies, and it is one of the most
> inexpensive oils out there.
>
> Let's talk about this food thing first. Here are the ingredients for the
> food you feed.
> Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Soybean Oil, Powdered Cellulose,
> Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Glyceryl Monostearate,
> Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, vitamins
> (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C),
> Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium
> Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride,
> Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals (Ferrous
> Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium
> Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors,
> Beta-Carotene
>
> This might sound very harsh, but there's nothing in that food. There are no
> fruits or veggies, and the only source of meat protein is chicken liver, and
> it's hydrolized, whatever that means. Other than that, this food is made up
> of a bunch of mineral and vitamin supplements and has no real substance. I'm
> 100% positive we can find a better food for your dog.
>
> Acana and Great Life are good brands. You can get more than 20 lbs for under
> $90 when you buy from either of those brands. Those brands also offer kibble
> with freeze dried pieces, meaning higher nutrient value for your dog. And
> that right there is the best thing for your dog. A food that is high in
> nutrients and doesn't provoke allergic reactions is the best food.
> That prescription diet is another way for vets to make money, and does
> nothing to improve the well-being of your dog. Scrap it. Your dog will make
> it just fine without that stuff, I promise.
>
> There are a gamut of herbs, essential oils, flower essences, and homeopathic
> remedies that can help with allergies. Lavender essential oil is a default
> for a lot of people because it does a great job of soothing and detoxifying.
> Great brands are Hopewell essential oils, Mountain Rose herbs, Young Living,
> Tropical Traditions, and Doterra.
> Look for them online, not in stores, since the stuff in most stores is
> synthetic, diluted garbage.
> Herbs you can use for your dog include ginger, turmeric, and burdock root.
> All of these can be given in capsule form and found at supersup.com,
> vitacost.com, and the Vitamin Shop.
>
> Also, get your dog on a quality omega-3 supplement. Your dog's body is stuck
> in an inflammatory state, and providing omega-3 will help dial things down a
> notch. Nordic Naturals, Country Life, TwinLab, and Natural Factors are good
> brands.
>
> I know this is a lot of info, and doesn't help you find another vet, but it
> gives you a starting point for spending less money at any vet's office and
> improving your dog's health, which is what matters most.
>
> Googling vet offices in your area and calling them with a list of questions
> is a good start for finding a new doggie doc. Ask them what the charge is
> for an office call. Do they give discounts for service dogs?
> I would also see if they offer integrative medicine. This is essential,
> especially if you have a sick dog, which it sounds like you do. You can just
> flat out ask what their approach is to dealing with dogs who have food
> sensitivities and environmental allergies. If they say something along the
> lines of prescription diets or pills, steroids, blah, blah, blah, that's not
> the right doc for your dog, IMO. Of course, if the conventional approach
> works for you, then no biggie.
> The vet I took the Golden Guy to when I lived in West Michigan gave a 50%
> discount off everything, though I would not expect that from anyone else,
> and they weren't a good place according to my uppity, super strict
> standards.
> Good luck in finding a new doggie doc.
> --
> Raven
> Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
> www.1am-editing.com
>
> You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you have or
> what you do.
>
> Naturally-reared guide dogs
> https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs
>
> On 11/12/15, Lori Dent via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I’m thinking seriously about  searching for a new veterinarian for my
>> guide dog Gipp and my 2 other pets. I like my current veterinarian and
>> he and his staff are  great with my animals. But frankly  their
>> expensive and I’m getting to the point I can’t aford taking my animals
>> here anymore. I’m been using my current veterinarian since about 2005
>> and I do get a multiple 20% discount but that isn’t enough of a
>> discount. When I do go to the vet I never come out spending under $100 and
>> in fact it’s always $100 and more.
>> For example, I get my guide dog Gipp’s food through my vet because
>> Gipp is on a prescription dog food for food allergies and he’s
>> allergic to the protein in the leading dog foods. Also he’s on allergy
>> medication.
>>
>> Gipp’s food is called Ultra Allergeon ZD and I get him a 25 pound bag
>> through my vet that cost $90and some change and his allergy medication
>> that I get for him for a30 day supply costs me around $97 and some
>> change. But that doesn’t count the flea proventitive and frontline
>> meds that I get for both dogs and I usually get a six month supply of
>> both flea proventitive and frontline getting one extra frontline tube
>> for both dog for purchasing six months supply of frontline. Also for
>> Gipp he can’t have the normal hart gard beef chews because he’s
>> allergic to beef. So he get a nontasteless pill that is  specially
>> formulated for Gipp  to prevent heartworms and any other parasite.
>>
>> Anyhow, with all the medications for the dogs and the cost of the vet
>> visits and any testing if needed or bloodwork ect it’s costing me a
>> fortune.
>>
>> I was wondering what kinds of discounts do you all get for your
>> guides? Do your vets charge you for the meds but not the office vist ect?
>>
>> Like I’ve said I like my vet but I can’t afford them anymore. I do
>> have care credit but I’m on a limited income.
>>
>> I want to find a new vetinarian that will   take good care of my animals
>> and
>> listen to what I need to tell them about my animals  and  listen to my
>> concerns and answer any and all my questions  but not charge me a arm
>> and a leg for medications, testing and exams ect.  I need more of a
>> discount then just 20% and I need the vet  who cares about the dogs
>> and not so much about the money side of things. I know I will spend
>> some money on my animals which is not a problem but I don’t want to be
>> always spending over $100 and more everytime I need to take my animals to
>> the vet.
>>
>> I’m going to do some researching of vets in and around my area and
>> call them and see what type of services they provide and go in and get
>> a tour of their ficilities.
>>
>> Any thoughts and suggestions on where to start? I want to continue to
>> give all my animals the best of care when going to the vet but be
>> affordable and reasonable where I’m not paying  a arm and a leg for
>> everything because it’s so exspensive and I can’t keep addording this like
>> this.
>>
>> Lori and the Gipper
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
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