When my clients ask me how I can offer euthanasia as a service, I say “I get to be around love, everyday.” Putting dogs “to sleep” is emotionally hard on veterinarians and performing euthanasia takes strength on the part of any veterinarian. Many of us will shed a tear with you. Yet this is nothing compared to the courage and fortitude that my clients and patients must endure to get through the eminent separation from one another, the last loving moment when they have to say good-bye for the very last time. Being sensitive to the struggles they are facing, I go to them with reverence. I am grateful and honored to be the one chosen at that time for each person and their pet.

As a veterinarian who practices holistic medicine, I never give up on the hope of life. But that is not the position I am in when an owner calls me for euthanasia. At that point, the focus is on an animal that is clearly and irreversibly declining. An animal chaplain I know said she believes that owners pick up the phone and call me because their pet is communicating their readiness to pass over or transition.At that time, people ask me a myriad of questions: “How do I know when it isthe right time?” or “What do I say to my children?” People often experience feelings of guilt, wondering if they waited too long or not long enough. As a traditional veterinarian with a holistic, alternative philosophy, I begin by discussing the medical conditions, the prognosis or outcome of those medical conditions and then help my clients gauge the severity of their pet’s condition.Together, we total up the problems and see if the moment is close. I embellish the medical condition with spiritual, social and psychological considerations to make each situation concentrate on a more “whole” life approach. My potential clients—friends on the other end of the telephone—are grateful at the end of our initial conversation. I have helped them clearly understand where they are at this point of the decision. Every situation is true and correct for them alone. It may not be true for the next person.

To help people with the struggle of making the decision, I may recommend they get additional medical advice from the family veterinarian, who is most familiar with their dog’s situation. Their veterinarian may have performed a recent examination which may prove that theowner’s intuition is correct and it is the right time for euthanasia. I urge my clients to trust their own instincts and their own hearts. They are the designated guardians for their pets, and no one on this planet could take better care of their pets. This makes them the final and best judge, not me. I simply provide the details of the process involved with in-home euthanasia.

Euthanasia done in your home provides a more peaceful and relaxing environment for you and your pet. It allows you to take the time you and your family need for acceptance and healing.Time for saying good-bye in the home usually takes around one hour (or a little longer), from beginning to end. In addition to being in a comfortable and familiar setting, your pet will appreciate not having to take a bumpy car ride that jostles their joints and causes them pain. They get to transition at home,where they feel safe.
Dr. Michelle Morrison – Excerpt from the book Your Dog’s Golden Years www.SeniorDogBooks.com

Anticipatory grief: The normal mourning that occurs when a patient or family is expecting a death. Anticipatory grief has many of the same symptoms as those experienced after a death has occurred. It includes all of the thinking, feeling, cultural and social reactions to an expected death that are felt by the patient and family.

People can go through anticipatory grief when pets are dying as well, and we are just beginning to understand the scope of the malady related to our own companion animals. Whether it is a person or a pet who is dying, symptoms for family members, loved ones and caregivers can include denial, mood swings, anger, frustration, fear, guilt and depression. Anticipatory grief also can lead to physical symptoms, such as weight gain or loss, sleep problems and, in my case, high blood pressure. I came close to being hospitalized for hypertension.

Those of us who are caregivers in particular have a hard time with anticipatory grief. Wrapped up in the day to day support of their declining pet, they can feel isolated. Family and friends, busy with their own lives, may deal with the loss when passing actually occurs. This can foster an unsupportive environment during the illness. For better or worse, the caregiver sees the situation in stark reality: a seriously sick animal with growing daily dependence. For the caregiver, the grieving starts now. Recognizing the risk of caregiver anticipatory grief is an important step in developing effective coping strategies.

For me, when Beezer was dying, confusion and difficulty completing tasks were a surprising additional result. As an attorney, running my own practice out of my home, I prized myself on being highly organized, practical and in control. But from the day Beezer was diagnosed, fear and guilt had all the control.

I believe that everything happens for a reason and that reason helps me grow. I’m a much better person for the lessons about presence taught by these two black dogs and am so deeply appreciative of our time on earth together. The B Brothers helped me learn to overcome fear and guilt and live with presence and balance. Along the way, I realized the abundance of love I showered on my dogs was the same love I withheld from myself. So I learned to forgive Doug. The fellas deserved my love, but so did I.

In retrospect, I found my journey with my B Brothers was never about the body, it was always about the soul. I believe my Labs were sent to earth to teach me lessons I’d never have learned from any other teacher. Because I was able to open up and listen, our journey with kidney disease and bone cancer was the most remarkable success story. A wonderful paradox that I would have missed if I had let myself be consumed by fear and guilt.

Please be kind to yourself and enjoy today with your pet. You’ll treasure this most special time for the rest of your life. I think you’ll find the best part of your humanity comes forward when your animal becomes ill and you are powerless to change the outcome. We should all be so fortunate to have such love at the end of our lives.
Excerpt by Doug Koktavy     www.SeniorDogBooks.com

Dog massage

Animal massage for companion pets is currently a growing field. We all know everyday touch can bring our dogs comfort, but massage does much more than this: It triggers a parasympathetic response of the dog’s nervous system, signaling the dog’s body to heal itself. Massage focuses on the soft tissue of the body, including the muscles. It plays an important role in post-surgery and post-injury rehabilitation, as well as with the treatment of more chronic conditions, such as arthritis. Dogs with hip dysplasia, hygroma, spine disorders, allergies, swollen joints and even dry, flaky skin can benefit from regular massage. Gingivitis (red inflamed gums) can also be treated with gentle, circular massage to the gums, which increases circulation.

Four-legged animals have different needs than humans do, so it is important that the trained canine massage therapist be well versed in the anatomy and physiology of dogs before working on areas that have been stressed or injured. Without this knowledge, it is possible to make problems worse or even cause new injuries. It is also important that the muscles be warmed up prior to the massage or soreness can occur.

The benefits of massage include:  

-                      Managing pain

-                      Strengthening the immune system

-                      Releasing cortisone, which alleviates inflammation and swelling

-                      Strengthening muscles, tendons and joints

-                      Releasing endorphins

-                      Increasing overall circulation

-                      Removing toxins

-                      Improving digestion

-                      Soothing dogs by reducing mental and physical stress

Excerpt from the book Your Dog’s Golden Years

Jennifer Kachnic, CCMT, CRP

www.Seniordogbooks.com

Your Dog's Golden Years Book

The need for senior dog adoption is great. What makes each of the circumstances creating this need even more saddening is the fact that, despite the wonderful attributes of older dogs and all the best efforts of most shelters, these dogs are frequently overlooked in favor of puppies and younger animals.

What You See is What You Get

With an older dog, what you see is what you get. There are no surprises. Their physical size is established so there are no mysteries about whether they’ll exceed the weight limit for your apartment, and by and large, their temperament and personality are also fully developed. In other words, they’ve become what and who they are going to be.

Most Older Dogs Have Already Been Trained

An older dog has typically had some basic obedience training and is already familiar with the essential commands that will make life enjoyable for both of you (Come. Sit. Stay.). Equally important, he is more than likely also housetrained, unlike his puppy counterpart. If your household includes very young children, you will welcome the fact that you will not have to endure housetraining and potty training all at the same time.

  The Older Dog is Past His Chewing Phase

To anyone who has ever had his favorite shoes, the furniture, an heirloom rug, or the baseboards of his house chewed with endless abandon, rejoice! This is typical puppy behavior but not at all what to expect from a normal, adult dog.

A Senior Dog Requires Less Exercise

Let’s face it, as we age we all slow down a bit. You can expect an older dog to be less frisky and rambunctious than his younger counterparts, and in most cases, his requirement for exercise will be far less. This attribute alone makes the older dog a great fit for many family situations and an ideal match for the aging adult as well. The

Perfect Match: Pairing Seniors with Seniors

As they age, like each of us, dogs will have health issues that need to be addressed. The benefits of adopting a senior dog instead—and they are many, especially for aging adults.

Exercise

What better excuse to fire up the muscles and get outside than to walk the dog. A dog’s need to regularly relieve himself and sniff his way around the neighborhood is a great way to get the elderly out of doors, moving joints and muscles, and enabling them to see the beauty around them. Never again will they miss a beautiful sunset, the fall leaves as they change color, or the first signs of spring. Having a dog makes one live in the present and focus on the now.

Companionship

For some reason, a dog creates an invitation to talk. Walking a dog is a great way to meet one’s neighbors and to build community. For some reason, the wag of a tail has done more to break down social barriers and build friendships than anything we know. Those of us who have been lucky enough to hold a warm dog in our arms, or share the couch or a bed with one, know the benefits of simply listening to the sound his breath. The sound of a dog breathing has a calming effect.

Lower blood pressure and reduced anxiety

Studies show the health benefits of having a pet. Among those benefits is a distinct lowering of blood pressure and anxiety. We’re not surprised. Are you sold yet? Liz Brooking & Sherri Franklin- Muttville Senior Rescue www.SeniorDogBooks.com 

“You are going to LASER my dog?”

Yes, lasers are being used by veterinarians in the treatment of your four-legged companion.  We are  accustomed to hearing of lasers being used in applications as diverse as   telecommunications to manufacturing computer circuit boards. Now, they are even treating pain and inflammation in world class athletes, race horses and yes, household pets.  Lasers have been used for advanced medical applications for over 35 years.  Ever since their invention, lasers have been a cool device in search of an application.  Medicine is one of many areas where lasers have made a considerable impact: vision correction, general surgery, lithotripsy, hair removal, cataract removal, wrinkle reduction, and tattoo removal are just a few of the common uses for lasers today.

A relatively new application is the use of lasers for the relief of pain, the reduction of swelling, and the healing of wounds.  This is a unique use of laser light, due to the noninvasive nature of the treatment.  Many laser applications use the intense energy which a laser can deliver, to ablate or cut biological tissue.  Therapeutic lasers, in contrast, work without any damage to tissue; the treatments are painless and quite enjoyable.  Simply pass the laser over the body part and the pain goes away and the healing starts.  Almost sounds too good to be true. Laser therapy is now being used by top doctors around the world.  Professional sports teams are regularly utilized.

Today’s veterinarian has access to this advanced laser technology, which can make a big difference in the care of older canines.  Aging dogs are prone to arthritis, stiffness, and other painful conditions just like we are as we age.  Pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs can have some very serious side effects on dogs, and long-term use of these medications is not ideal.  Laser therapy is a safe, drug-free alternative to treat many common conditions, including arthritis.  Older dogs can display pain in different ways and often compensate for the pain by favoring one side while walking. Pet owners will often note reluctance, by their pet to climb stairs, or hesitancy to jump in the car.  These symptoms need to be addressed as soon as possible, as this behavior can lead to increasing problems.  When started early, laser therapy treatments will start the healing process, reducing possible long-term problems, which may require the use of pain medications or even a major surgery like a joint replacement.  Treating conditions early is the key. zing this technology on  elite athletes in order to keep them healthy and in the game.    Excerpt by Dr. Brian Pryor - Your Dog’s Golden Years book   www.SeniorDogbooks.com

www.seniordogbooks.com

Your Dog's Golden Years Book

Join Frances and Jennifer on the Colorado’s Best Show Monday, April 16th at noon on Channel 2! We will be discussing the book and Claude will be there too.

 The most common question I receive from pet owners is, “How do I know if my dog needs an adjustment?” The simplest answer is whatever you would see your chiropractor for, your pet should see their animal chiropractor for. Specifically, for the senior group it is time to see a chiropractor when they are having a hard time getting up from a seated or lying position, difficulty going up or down stairs, or trouble getting into or out of the car. They may be exhibiting generalized weakness or may seem “off” or just plain uncomfortable. Many owners report that their dog is fine one day and sore or lame the next. A vast majority of time owners report they have no idea what has occurred.

What Are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care for My Senior Dog?

There are numerous common stressful or traumatic situations that can cause abnormal or restricted movement to occur in the spine or a subluxation. When a subluxation occurs, the dog’s spine loses its normal flexibility. This results in stiffness, which further leads to resistance and decreased performance. The most common symptom associated with restricted movement in the spine is pain, which can manifest itself in a variety of ways. A surprising number of problems that may seem unrelated to a “back problem”actually are a direct result of a problem in the spine. All of the nervesthat come out of the spinal cord exit between the individual vertebrae that make up the spine. When there is a vertebra that is not moving properly it puts pressure on the nerves that pass by it, this may result in problems seen further down the pathway of the affected nerve(s). These problems may be pain, spasm, lameness, or weakness in another area of the body or even affecting an internal organ that is at the endpoint of the nerve. According to the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, chiropractic care is appropriate in the treatment of: Neck, back, leg and tail pain Muscle spasms Disc problems “Neurologic” or “Knuckling Over,” most commonly seen in the rear leg(s) Lick Granuloma, more common in the front leg(s) Joint problems, limping/lameness Injuries from slips, falls and accidents “Sloppy Sitting,” legs off to one side may be seen in your puppy or adult dog Event or sports injuries Post-surgical care, most commonly following TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy). Bowel, bladder and internal medicine disorders Maintenance of joint and spinal health Theabove list goes for any dog, young or old, athletic or a couch potato, purebreed or mixed breed. Although listing old age as a disease process soundsunfair, a good portion of what is listed above is due to age and how the dog’sbody breaks down due to the aging process. Animalchiropractic practices consist of essentially two groups; one group is the dogathlete and the other is the senior dog. The majority of my practice isdedicated to making and keeping dogs comfortable through their golden years. Excerpt by Dr. Andi Harper Your Dog’s Golden Years Book – www.SeniorDogBooks.com

Your Dog’s Golden Years Book

Books have been  on backorder but they have been delivered and are  available today!  Amazon.com -also kindle and nook

Your Dog’s Golden Years -Manual for Senior Dog Care Including Natural Remedies and Complementary Options by 20 authors from around the country is now available!

Dogs get better as they get older, but like their human companions, they slow with age – and then they leave us all too soon. Jenifer Kachnic and 19 other experts in this book offer hundreds of solutions for dozens of problems that affect older dogs. With up-to-date treatments like lasers, ancient and modern remedies from medicinal plants, laboratory test guidelines for elderly patients, hands-on healing techniques, old dog training tips, senior nutrition, strategies for dealing with end-of-life decisons, and helpful advice for caregivers. Your Dog’s Golden Years book is truly comprehensive. No matter how much you know about canine health and behavior, you’ll learn something important and your best friend will benefit for years to come. –CJ Puotinen, author of The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care and Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats

Amazon.com        Paperback $22 and Kindle $9.99

Barnes and Noble Nook Book

iPad coming soon!

Or visit the book’s website at www.SeniorDogBooks.com

A few tips to make that appointment moreproductive are listed below:

Make sure to have plenty of time during the visit – arrive a few minutes early to fill out anypaperwork, and ask for at least a 30-minute appointment – longer if there ar emultiple issues. 

Write down any questions or concerns you might have, as it makes for a more efficient visit but also prevents you from forgetting to ask anything.

 Bring all of your medication bottles, and current dosing information.

 If you are new to this particular practice or have not met the veterinarian before, consider making anappointment for a ‘meet and greet’. This allows you to interview the veterinarian to see if you both have similar philosophies.

 Now, go out there and enjoy your seniors! You know they are waiting for you – on the couch of course….

Excerpt from the book Your Dog’s Golden Years  www.SeniorDogBooks.com   Book now available on Amazon.com too and also kindle and nook versions