Erny

I received an email today from someone who just periodically sends through little snippets to those on his email list. This one spoke of Turmeric (herbal) and its good use in medicinal quarters, along with a note that he gives his own dogs a quarter of a teaspoon on their food daily. As my boy has issues which seem to be relating to digestion and liver, this one sparked my interest. A link to the information supplied is below. Does anyone else here know of its use, tried it, or have any comments they could put here as to any reason why I shouldn't try it? I'm only considering it at the moment and it is something I'll address to my dog's Naturopath before I do but was interested to 'bounce' it around DOL first to see if anyone has thoughts and/or experience with it. TURMERIC MEDICINAL USE - DIGESTIVE Turmeric Medicinal Use From many years awareness of turmeric and its use as medicine is continuously Turmeric Medicinal Use increasing. A flowering plant, Turmeric, in the ginger family, is commonly used as a food coloring and is one of the basic ingredients in curry powder. To heal many health disorders like liver problems, digestive disorders, treatment for skin diseases and wound healing turmeric has long been used in Medicinal as an anti-inflammatory. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric which has been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic effects. Digestive Disorders Turmeric is considered as a digestive bitter and a carminative. It can be added into foods including rice and bean dishes to improve digestion, reduce gas and bloating. It is a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder. This improves the body's ability to digest fats. For chronic digestive weakness and/or congestion turmeric is recommended. It can be taken as a single extract or in the form of digestive bitters, which combine turmeric with other bitter and carminative herbs. Turmeric is beneficial for people who feel tired after consuming meals or who experience gas and bloating. Whatever way turmeric is consumed it is beneficial to both the digestive system and the liver. Liver Diseases Turmeric is beneficial for its influence on the liver. In spring more consumption of herbs and foods can strengthen the liver. Turmeric shares similar liver protectant compounds that milk thistle and artichoke leaves contain. It is said to shrink engorged hepatic ducts, so it can be useful to treat liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and jaundice. Cancer Recent scientific research confirm that turmeric can cure host of diseases, also they found that turmeric restrain the growth of various types of cancer. Turmeric is used for the treatment of skin cancer or pre cancerous skin conditions. Both topical and internal uses are beneficial. Atherosclerosis Turmeric may helpful in preventing the blockage of arteries that can gradually cause a heart attack or stroke in one of two ways. Turmeric makes cholesterol levels low and inhibited the oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol). Oxidized LDL deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Turmeric may also prevent platelet build up along the walls of an injured blood vessel. Platelets collecting at the site of a damaged blood vessel cause blood clots to form and blockage of the artery as well. Osteoarthritis Turmeric may help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis because of its ability to reduce pain and disability. Menstrual problems of Woman For women who experience monthly menstrual cramps, try using turmeric extract or bitters twice daily for two weeks prior to expected menstruation. Turmeric is an antispasmodic to smooth muscles so it reduces digestive and menstrual cramping. It should reduce the severity of pain, if not ease them completely. Certainly, diet and standard of living have a reflective influence on the menstrual cycle, but turmeric is a great addition. Bacterial Infection / Wounds Turmeric is useful as an external antibiotic in preventing bacterial infection in wounds. Eye Disorder Curcumin may prove to be as effective as corticosteroids in the uveitis (inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the sclera - white outer coat of the eye and the retina - the back of the eye) the type of eye disorder. Other Health Disorders Turmeric decreases congestion and inflammation from stagnant mucous Turmeric Medicinal Use membranes. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory to the mucous membranes, which coat the throat, lungs, stomach and intestines. Regular use of turmeric can benefit from Colitis, Crohn's disease, diarrhea, and post-giardia or post salmonella conditions. The itching and inflammation that accompanies hemorrhoids and anal fissures can reduce by use of turmeric. Turmeric can also benefit skin conditions including: eczema, psoriasis and acne, for those it is potent detoxifier. "Turmeric gives the energy of the Divine Mother and grants prosperity of health. Turmeric is effectual for purification the chakras, as well as purifying the path of the subtle body."

Brooke - I appreciate your situation and understood your needs, but I also understood where others' concerns lay and their reasons for expressing them. I didn't read every thread and I would not condone personal attacks either. This is a great forum and Poodlefan has explained how you can bring about action though reporting the offending post to the moderators. But I agree that people need to be a little bit more than thin skinned (not suggesting you were or weren't - I didn't really follow the thread all through) and think before they report. LOL ..... you should go visit a UK thread I've been a participant/member of !!! You think DOL is a bit too strong/harsh ??? I have been called numerous names and even told that I have asperger syndrome (no offence to all the people with aspergers out there) simply because I recognise the good use of an e-collar. In fact, I can simply write "e-collar" in a post and it has a select but commonly standard group swarming, ready to lynch me and hang me to the nearest tree. They remind me of angry European Wasps, actually. DOL is not a patch on that forum when it comes to nastiness, and the owner of the site doesn't like to use his moderating skills too easily or often.

A check over by a good chiropractor might help, even if it is to rule out skeletal issue.

"Colloidal silver is a suspension of sub microscopic metallic silver particles in a colloidal base. " It is meant to have many and varied therapeutic uses, although as I understand, it is not scientifically proven and I think commonly rejected by those with more conventional medical based opinions. But I've heard too much good from its use to be able to deny it. My sister's dog - 13yo Beardie, had some teeth pulled and the Vet/Vet Nurse suggested using the Colloidal Silver to brush his teeth with to assist in remedying the gingivitis. My sister reports it has worked well and the gingivitis has cleared up. If your dog will chew bones (the other dogs aren't pinching them, are they?) then that's the best way. But if some extra help is needed then brushing a few times a week I think can help. If the dog wasn't eating bones at all and gum disease was present, then "every day" might be what's needed to get the situation in check.

I concur with the "bones are best" view. However, there are times when dogs might not be able to (or won't) chew on bones and in those instances, yes, I think cleaning their teeth will assist in helping at least to keep the gums hygienic and less open to disease. My boy has eating issues at the moment and has the tendancy to not eat meat that is fresh and rich. Even a marrow bone with little to no meat on it only sometimes gets him interested. I have begun to clean his teeth with one of those rubber thimble thingy's, and Colloidal Silver. Not as good nor as thorough as bones by any stretch, but better than nothing.

And that's just it, Stormie ;) . Years (and years and years) ago, I worked for a firm who had budget goals to meet. My immediate boss (whom I'd just started working for) wanted me to spend time hunting through files and putting through bills/accounts for work done to date (rather than waiting until the end), because we were a bit under budget for that month and the next. These accounts wouldn't be sent to the clients - it was just an academic exercise. Being a fairly forward youngster I told him that I felt the money would flow if we instead gave attention to the work needed to be done on the files - ie to get the job done for the clients and to focus our attention on doing it well. "Build it and they will come" is a saying that comes to mind. And I was right, and in the preceding months to follow (I'd caught up on all the work and all the files were in order) we topped our allocated budget easily. Do the work. Do the right thing. People aren't stupid - they'll come. Heck ..... I travelled 2 hours (each way) to visit a Vet (several times) with my dog, just because I felt the Vet had my dog's best interests at heart and that it wasn't about money. And I paid without quibble. So we both won. My dog. And the Vet. Do that and people will spread the word by recommendation. Eventually it will all even out as protocol changes and everyone (most, at least) advocate the same. But the early birds will catch the most worms ;).

Hey Oonga . Would be interesting to know how effective it was. I'm lucky - mozzies aren't that attracted to me, but if/when they do bite I generally don't have a reaction to them. Used to as a kid, but now it seems I don't even show a mozzie bite mark *touch wood*. So I can't try it out on myself for that.

I hope that's not suggesting that people should now apply this as yet another additional drug as a "just in case" measure. Kal (avatar girl - bless her cotton socks) had a bad case of Giardia when I adopted her. I can't recall what we treated her with - I remember the initial 'drench' not sitting well with her and so we used another one - I was told it was an old fashioned horse drench. Anyway, that finally did the job. It was not Drontal. I had to keep mailing stool samples into Werribee Vet Hospital on a regular basis until we were able to confirm the parasite count was down to zero. Her symptom was mainly explosive diarrhoea not vomiting but it can be both. It was embarrassing going to the Post Office with my Express Post envelope and having to declare what it contained. After the first couple of times they stopped asking.

You're welcome YellowGirl - I hope your customer has the same good results as I and a good number of others have. A couple of suggestions : Remind your customer that the Calendula Tea is NOT a cure for whatever might be the cause of the allergy symptoms in the first place and that the symptoms will reoccur if that isn't addressed. The Calendula Tea simply helps with the symptoms (and discomfort the symptoms bring) and helps to stem secondary skin infection caused by the bacteria the symptoms produce (and also from scratching). Perhaps recommend to your customer that she try a small area first to ensure her dog has no adverse reaction to the tea. I have not heard anyone who has come back to tell me of any bad reaction - it has all been good. But you never know.

I taught my boy to take a tablet 'on command'. Of course it is always followed up with a food treat of some description. Always. But it does solve the problem of potentially at some time in the dog's life not being allowed to eat this food source or that food source. So I started him out that way. Sometimes he objects and starts goofing around, but he opens his mouth for it anyway. Sometimes he does a surreptitious 'spit', to which I appear to look shocked ..... and he'll paw it on the ground, and ultimately lick it up. He's learnt to lick his chops (poke tongue out and in) to indicate he's swallowed. If I'm really pushed (because of some tablet that might taste repulsive, for example) I just open his mouth and pop it in, my hand gently keeping is muzzle closed and the other cupping his chin to keep his head tilted up. Once he's poked his tongue, I know he's swallowed it and is signalling for his treat. There is no force in any of this - he's quite compliant. Possibly won't work for all dogs, but it certainly works for me.

Yeah - but aren't they clever? She can't speak English but she still got her message across to you. Dogs are awesome, aren't they?

Excellent - yet there seems to be a stead-fast group of nay-sayers who refuse to 'get it', or perhaps refuse to acknowledge or agree that they 'get it'. Although not as thorough as the demonstration in the video footage, a segment at the recent NDTF Conference also demonstrated (live) how safe a dog trained this way is.

I agree - it would be a good thing to know. I remember that when (all those years ago) I was researching for my thesis, that's when I learnt about and understood better the effects of Tryptophan and it being the protein that could cross the blood brain barrier, enhancing the production of Serotonin. When I went searching to find out where I could get/find Tryptophan (the American books suggested it was easily available) I found I couldn't source it in Australia - that it had been prohibited from import (or something along those lines) and I never understood why that might have been the case. But I now note that we do now have it available. Whether it was always there but I hadn't been able to find it, or whether it is a product that has since been permitted (perhaps being proven safe ??) I don't know.

I'm sorry Bub. "Training in Drive" is a term used to describe the emotional state of the dog (eg. Prey drive - which is what they go into when chasing a rabbit, for example) to enhance obedience command compliance and speed of compliance. I didn't mean to confuse you or sound as though I were speaking in riddles. If it works for you, use both (tug or food).

I use the essence of "TOT" (pinned to this forum) for training in drive, as well as the tug. Same deal, except the reward is the meal. Whether that meal be a full or partial (small) meal, or a bit of food I've thrown down somewhere. Sometimes I use a food reward (in the conventional sense) but if I do this, I don't trigger my dog into drive with his cue word. I do what suits the moment and time, taking the environment into consideration as well.

Mandela isn't on Spirulina anymore - hasn't been for a long time. So that's certainly not a contributor to his skin issues. Gosh .... I wrote my thesis years ago. It might still be on my old computer. If it is and if I can find it I don't mind sharing. Way back then I didn't know half of what I do now though and I recognise when I read back on it how I obviously struggled to understand it all - it shows up in how I wrote, a bit 'stilted', I think and fairly basic. If you email me I'll send it to you if I can dig it up. Flattered that you ask, although a bit embarrassed, because it was back in the earlier days and not worthy of attention .

..... sorry - Inbox is empty now

Thanks - I didn't know that about Spirulina. Very interesting and handy to know - I did a thesis on "Avoidance Motivated Aggression" years ago, and discussed the effects of tryptophan and its conversion to serotonin, its effects on the brain and behaviour. I used Spirulina at the suggestion of a person who, whilst I'm unsure of formal qualifications, was a breeder and seemed to have a vast knowledge of food and food effects. This was in the very early stages of the issues I've experienced since - in fact, back then, the only (and first) indication of something being wrong was the fact that my dog stopped eating.

Take a tablespoon or two of Calendula Tea and put it in the toe part of a cut-off stocking. Dangle it in a bowl (or cup, depending on how much of it you need) and pour over boiling water. Allow it to steep (I usually leave it steep until the water has cooled to tepid/room temp.). Remove the stocking and squeeze the excess water/tea from it. Discard the used Calendula. Use the Calendula tea you've just made by putting it in a spray bottle and spray into your dog's coat. (I usually use a flannel saturated to sopping with the tea and rub that in - it depends on how much area you need to cover and whether your dog has a long/short/dense/fine coat as to what you find easier.) Use your hands to rub it right down onto the skin if necessary. Leave on to dry. You should notice an improvement within 24 hours, although you'll most likely need to repeat if the skin is really bad. When I first began with this my boy's skin had already begun to show signs of secondary infection. I treated him a couple of times a day with the Calendula tea wash, for the first couple of days and then backed it off to once a day for the next couple (all the while recognising the improvement in the skin) and then once every second day until the skin lesions appeared as healthy scabs. I then only spot-treat as necessary. This is just "what I did" - not anything that was prescribed. I used my own judgement. Hope this helps

I tried the Spirulina - it didn't do a great deal, if anything, for my boy. My boy's health is still a work in progress. Moved from symptomatic hives to interdigital cysts. Controlling those at the moment. I could write pages on what I've done and how things have faired - nothing is conclusive ...... yet. I'm happy to talk to you by telephone if you want to chat about what I've done and what results (which are not always clear) I've achieved for each. If you want to do this, PM me and I'll give you my contact numbers.

You're right - I forgot about that concept. But it is in line with the "too clean" concept I raised in my post above. Immune system has nothing to do, so turns on to things that it ordinarily doesn't or shouldn't be turning against. Sure. But at the end of the day, IMO, I think the dog still has to be genetically predisposed to react that way to those things, whatever they are. Yes - but that's part of my point. IE How come more and more dogs are becoming genetically predisposed to allergies? This is where I think that what we feed our breeding stock; what we apply (chemicals); constant barrage of vaccinations; etc. etc. has an affect on generation after generation after generation, weakening (read : causing dysfunction) the immune system as each evolves. Not proven of course - just my thoughts.

Haven't used one of those for decades, but way back when (we didn't have half the stuff we have now, to ward off fleas) they seemed to help make a difference. Only thing is that it can be an irritant around the dog's neck, as can any chemical. Other than this, I don't know much about them. I was only a kid when we had one on our dog and that was way when we simply trusted drug companies, vets, retail outlets etc. etc. without question.

My parents' property was acreage - the garden/house surrounds covered 1.5 acres. Mum is a keen gardener, and consequently we had plots all over the place. We put up the electric fence cord/tape at all the garden beds. We hooked the electronic fence unit (we used the mobile unit - ran it off a half flat car battery) on to the fence surrounding the most likely garden bed our dog would dig at. If he showed interest of giving that up but moving to another plot, we moved it again. It wasn't that difficult and he learnt within the first few days. The 'tape' (we used the orange string cord back then) was simply held by blunt wooden pegs shoved into the soil at the edges of the garden around which we wound the 'tape' until the last peg, which we tied it off to. We had tried all manner of things before this, none of which worked and most of which 'Ben' thought was a great game. The electronic fence unit was 100% successful and proved to be the easiest as far as mucking around was concerned. Check your State's law regarding the use of electronic systems with dogs though .

We did that with our family's dog, when I was *cough* considerably younger. Worked a treat and we found the same - ie that after a couple of experiences and a bit of time we were able to disconnect the unit and leave the electric tape up. Eventually we took that down too (although not in a hurry) and no problems. Your dog might be finding grubs in the soil (perhaps because of all the weather you've been having) and this might have sparked his interest in digging.

Trisven - anything you can update us with, or does it still remain a 'sensitive' issue within the legal realms?