Those groups are truly beginning to feel a bit cultish if we are being honest. Everyone needs a light at the end of the tunnel…. “En vitro” means a Petri dish not a living breathing body. Social media cancer survivors who took an anti medication with their protocols which is ironically left out of the guidelines and stories they sell you. MCT does not require a lifetime of Benadryl and Tagamet… this morning is the 5th dog now I’ve had that is in critical care due to “excessive long term use of Panacur” per their oncologist and Emergency room DVM’s, that family most likely will have to say goodbye today….. 2 years ago I had my first puppy that was accidentally over dosed due to deworming. A colleague of mine is now fixing her 6 month old puppy’s gallbladder liver and pancreas from multiple doses from the breeder. Give some grace…

I was curious what our cancer statistics were for 2023 and came across an article written May of 2024. Its titled “CANINE CANCERS AS MODELS: WE HAVE BARELY TAPPED THE FULL POTENTIAL OF COMPARATIVE ONCOLOGY”, and begins with, “In 2024, an estimated 6 million dogs will be diagnosed with terminal cancer in the United States.”, and while I understand this specific articles focus is in regards to canine cancers as models for human cancers for the development of breakthrough cancer drugs, ( I get the basis of why we are using our dogs as crash test dummies for medical breakthroughs, I’m going to choose to not go down that horrific thought at this very moment), reigning in my emotions, my thoughts go back to, if this was written in May, did we succeed that prediction, as October is days away and the new year will be here in no time? Another piece written in January of 2022, gifted us with the information that 1 of 4 dogs would be diagnosed with cancer and that, it isn’t shocking that human cancer rates are up as well.

I make it no secret that I’m extremely picky and choosy with what products I use and allow within my clients, as well as my home. When I first began, it was basically well-known and mandatory that we would use specific brands. Things change, and as I grew, my values and standards grew for myself and my clients. I started off with a powdered brand of mushrooms for my cancer dogs but began realizing many of them wouldn’t eat their food due to the high volume of powder we were placing in it.

This week, I’ve had the honor of having consultations with two ladies, completely and totally different in their own rights, and yet their stories mirror each other. Traumatic family loss in ways that most of us will never be able to wrap our consciousness around. The kind of loss that runs deeper than the depths of any ocean and alters the soul permanently. These beautiful women are in their late 60s to late 70s, and I’ll be the first person to say that when I reach that age, I hope I’m half as fierce as they are! Like most of us, their lives are centered around their dogs… their dogs that are now diagnosed with cancer. I have a third family who, if I’m being honest, has absolutely blown my expectations away at every single turn with her treatments, but there’s a check-up… and there’s a blush… and we are all worried…

If you didn’t catch my blog regarding “Your Dog's Four Major Requirements in Life”, please do! The fourth major requirement discusses nutrition, along with one of my major pet peeves. We put so much effort into the best nutritional protocols and diets for them, and then somehow we get derailed by adding copious amounts of supplements that we’ve seen highlighted in “this week’s daily email.” How many of you have what we call “a supplement graveyard”? OH OH, ME ME, I DO! Part of me feels like it’s almost a rite of passage when we begin this journey, trying to unlearn our early years of fear-mongering by our old-school traditional DVMs from 20 years ago. Over the years, I’ve narrowed my supplements down to very little (3 or 4), and that’s with a MCT cancer girl of my own. For years, we’ve been told time and time again that we need to be feeding a balanced diet on a daily basis.

Our dogs, for many of us are our entire world! And let’s be brutally honest about that for a moment, Would we really want it any other way? Nah, me neither! But if I were to ask you “do you know what your dogs “Four major Requirements are in Life”, If the answer is “no”, don’t fret after all its why you are here. To learn and to know more, because when we know better we do better! Five years ago if you’d ask me what my dogs requirements in life were I might have been able to tell you 2 out of 4 … and that’s a heavy maybe! When I say I had it all wrong, ooooh boy did I ever!

When working with hospice and palliative care pups, I try to make sure my owners are fully educated in what our vitals should be and look like. Practicing these protocols not only helps to let us know if it’s time for us to be loading up to head into our doc’s office, but it also helps to keep us calm. There’s a certain amount of PTSD that plays into the  caregiver role for a sick pet and it’s easy to let our imaginations run away with us. So, be kind to yourself through all of this. One of those vitals, is our body temperature. Which can play a huge part with my cancer babies, especially in cancers like lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma.

If you weren’t reading this, could you tell me what your dog’s median temperature should be?

1. What our temperature should be

2. How to take your dogs temperature

3. The basics of elevated vs hypothermic body temperatures

4. My 5 tried and true methods to control body temp

In TCM, avocados are considered a cooling food. They are believed to nourish yin energy, which represents the body's cooling and moistening aspects. Avocados are known to have a gentle and soothing effect on the body, making them particularly beneficial for individuals with excess heat or inflammation.

According to TCM principles, avocados have an affinity for the lung and liver meridians. The lung meridian is responsible for the smooth flow of qi (energy) and the distribution of moisture throughout the body. Avocados can help moisten the lungs and relieve dryness, making them beneficial for individuals with respiratory issues such as a dry cough or dry throat.

The liver meridian is associated with the smooth flow of qi and blood, as well as emotional well-being. In TCM, a stagnant liver energy can manifest as irritability, mood swings, and even digestive issues. Avocados, with their cooling nature, can help soothe the liver and promote a harmonious flow of energy, supporting emotional balance and digestive health.

Chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, anthoxanthins, and betalains are a fascinating array of natural compounds found abundantly in the realm of plants. These compounds play vital roles in the pigmentation and health of various plant-based sources, creating a visually stunning and nutritionally diverse tapestry in the world of flora.

Microgreens possess an exceptional level of nutritional superiority compared to sprouts or their fully grown counterparts due to their unique growth stage. These tender greens are harvested within a mere 7-14 days after germination, capturing a concentrated abundance of vital nutrients that make them a powerhouse of nutrition.

When microgreens are harvested at such an early stage, they retain a remarkable amount of nutrients. This is attributed to the fact that microgreens utilize the nutrients stored in their seeds to fuel their rapid growth. Consequently, the resulting microgreens boast significantly higher levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to their more mature counterparts.

The vibrant colors of vegetables not only make our meals visually appealing but also provide essential nutrients for our furry friends. When it comes to the nutritional needs of dogs and cats, incorporating a variety of colorful vegetables into their diet can be incredibly beneficial. These colors signify the presence of specific compounds that offer numerous health benefits. Let's explore how the colors in vegetables are nutritionally important for dogs and cats.

When it comes to incorporating frankincense into a pets wellness regimen, owners have a range of options to explore. Topical application of frankincense oil in massage blends or balms can help alleviate joint pain and inflammation in pets suffering from arthritis. Adding a few drops of frankincense oil to a dog's food or water can support digestive health and boost immunity (KEY NOTE: please do not add anything to their food and water bowls without them knowing its in there. We absolutely do not want to turn them off of their food, especially at such a critical time. This is why I don’t add powders and supplements to their food. WE WANT THEM TO LOVE WHAT THEY EAT! Furthermore, diffusing frankincense oil in the home environment can create a soothing atmosphere that promotes relaxation and overall well-being for our companions. I personally turn to CBD Dog Healths Ease due to the fact that it not only has CBD but Frankincense as well as Turmeric. This way we are doing multiple supportive foundations with one bottle. We can use this orally as well as topically (In turn please know that as a canine nutritionist as well as a cancer dog mom I choose this brand personally to use on my own MCT Mast Cell Tumor girl.)

As pet owners, we want the best for our furry friends, but sometimes our efforts to improve their health and well-being can have unintended consequences. Synthetic substances, found in everything from food and treats to toys and grooming products, can have harmful side effects on a dog's body. .

As humans, we often assume that the substances we create are harmless to the animals we share our planet with. However, the reality is that synthetic substances can be difficult for animals to absorb, leading to potential health issues and complications. In this article, we'll delve into the reasons why animals' bodies struggle to process synthetics, and what this means for their overall health and well-being.

Just how does stress affect our health and more to the point how does it play a role for dogs with cancer? I speak a lot about this but I’ve never truly broken it down for anyone. These rules would apply for cancer and non cancer bodies, humans, felines and canines alike… stress is stress. In my opinion it’s just good healthy practice for any household or life.

It’s never “just a dog” It’s never “just a cat”…

How many times have you suffered a heart wrenching loss of a beloved pet… it almost sounds so crude to even call our “heart” dogs and cats something so dissmissive as the word “pet” … but for many of us they are our companions in life. For many of us they are our only family members…

Malassezia is a form of yeast that is predominantly responsible for our red rusty coated canines. It’s a compound called Porphyrins, that are iron containing molecules produced by the body to break down red blood cells. Porphyrins are excreted from tear ducts, saliva, urine and lastly fecal.

Like many when I first started this journey, I wholeheartedly jumped down the supplement rabbit hole… Lock stock and barrel with a picnic basket packed with snacks for later! The only difference between what I did and what I see others do, mine were in their most basic dried herb form. And MERCY, did I have a collection of them! If you’ve worked with me you know, my practices have changed. Too often I see a dogs bowl that I affectionately call the “powder bowl” I don’t want us “powdering there shit” out of them, which is why I try to offer more tinctures than powders when I can.

If you’ve ever had a consultation with me, you know… for me its all about our immune system. How do we build it up. How do we repair it. How do we protect it. For me the immune system is literally everything. I’ve always been obsessed how dopamine and serotonin plays a role with the all mighty immune system. Lets take a look at each of these!

But what does a canine nutritionist that works predominantly with cancer dogs do, when she finds a lump on one of her own.

This will be a bit different than my usual, “feed this, don’t feed this”, or “our benefits on nutrients list and check marks”. Today its about just “being” with them.