Dr. Patrick Mahaney

Twitterview with Dr Patrick Mahaney on Going Green

Patrick Mahaney — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:38:10 +0000

What do you use to clean your carpets and upholstery? How about a pet and people safe product?

This article originally appeared on the Clean + Green Natural Pet Stain and Odor Remover Blog.

Who better to host our Earth Month Twitterview than Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a holistic veterinarian who started California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness (CPAW) and is part of the Veterinary Cancer Group, an integrative veterinary medicine practice for dogs and cats in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Patrick also writes a veterinary column and connects to animal aficionados worldwide through Q & A, videos, radio interviews, and Twitterviews this one.

.@PatrickMahaney Lets get started. Thanks so much for joining us today for an #EarthMonth chat, Dr. Patrick! #greenpetchat

.@PatrickMahaney Q1 For pet owners that may not be aware of what “greenwashing” is – can you explain? How do YOU define “green”? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A1 #greenpetchat I define “green” as a lifestyle approach with maximal emphasis placed on minimizing daily exposure to toxins

.@PatrickMahaney Q2 What do you hear from clients are their biggest issues with looking for #green #pet products? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A2 #greenpetchat Understanding what products and ingredients are safe or potentially toxic for pets and why

.@PatrickMahaney Q3 You’re big on healthy #pet food. What should people be looking for where food is concerned? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A3 #greenpetchat Pet owners should focus on providing human grade based whole foods lacking pet-grade ingredients

.@PatrickMahaney Q4 If you have to shop the #pet food aisle at the grocery store, what’s your best bet? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A4 #greenpetchat If “stuck” w/pet foods, pick canned options lacking protein & carbohydrate meals, by-products, preservatives

.@PatrickMahaney Q5 How important is it to start your #dog or #cat on an organic food product at an early age? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A5 #greenpetchat I feel human grade & whole food is more important than organic & start during puppy- or kittenhood

.@PatrickMahaney Q6 What advice would you give to pet owners that are thinking of making their own pet food? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A6 #greenpetchat Work w/their vet to do a Univ CA Davis Veterinary Nutritional Support Services consultation. Worth the $$

.@PatrickMahaney Q7 Let’s talk shampoo. What should #pet owners be looking for where coat-care products are concerned? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A7 #greenpetchat Buy shampoo lacking fragrances, colors, sodium laurel sulfate (foaming agents), insecticides, steroids, etc

.@PatrickMahaney Q8 What issues have you observed as the result of NOT using an natural #pet shampoo product? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A8 #greenpetchat Salivation, vomit, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy result from shampoo ingestion/absorption via skin

.@PatrickMahaney Q9 How important is an eco-friendly #pet bed? What should people look for? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A9 #greenpetchat Beds made w/fabrics lacking toxic chemicals, including fire retardants, formaldehyde, phthalates, PVC, BPA

.@PatrickMahaney Q10 How can pet owners go green with their #pet bed without spending lots of money? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A10 #greenpetchat Comparison shop on-line or ask for referral for best prices from eco-minded pet stores

.@PatrickMahaney Q11 For pet owners making a change 2 green products, should they be worried about how their pets will adjust? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A11 #greenpetchat Watch for signs of illness (vomit, salivation, decr appetite, etc) in pets w/any product use or change

.@PatrickMahaney Q12 Should #pet owners also be considering green pet toys? Are mass-produced toys dangerous? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A12 #greenpetchat Choose non-toxic, natural material pet toys made in USA. Mass produced toys possibly contain toxins.

.@PatrickMahaney Q13 Why is it so important to use green #pet products? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A13 #greenpetchat As diseases are multifactorial in their origins, reduce amounts of toxins entering or being applied to pets

.@PatrickMahaney Q14 What is the most important type of green product every #pet owner should have? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A14 #greenpetchat Always provide pet foods made from human grade, whole foods & fresh water lacking toxic chemicals

.@PatrickMahaney Q15 What is your best advice for #pet owners who want to go green, but don’t know where to start? #greenpetchat

.@CleanAndGreen A15 #greenpetchat Start by looking at your pet’s food & treat labels to eliminate pet-grade ingredients & non-USA made products

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Copyright of this article (2012) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.

Annie Sage Cancer Update

Patrick Mahaney — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:37:55 +0000

Annie poses with her people parents David Sage and Judith Helton

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

As my own dog has a chronic and usually fatal immune system illness (Cardiff has Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, which has been in remission since early 2011), I enjoy having the opportunity to share inspiring stories of pets and their owners dealing with similar circumstances of disease management.

petMD News readers first met Annie and her parents David Sage and Judy Helton in With a Little Help from Her Friends, Annie Sage Found Love and Health. We now have the opportunity to share an update on Annie’s condition, as written by her veterinary oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner.

Annie is still battling Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC), an aggressive bladder cancer that was diagnosed in November 2010. Unfortunately, Annie’s disease recurred and caused an obstruction in her urethra, making it difficult for her to urinate.

Considering it has been a year and a half since Annie’s initial diagnosis, recurrence and/or progression of this cancer at this time point is not unusual. On average, the prognosis (life expectancy) for dogs treated for TCC, with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, is one year.

Annie’s recurrent tumor was small and there was no evidence of disease spreading outside of her bladder (metastasis). Since her TCC remained confined to the bladder, an interventional radiological procedure (bilateral ureteral and urethral stent placement) was recommended to address the tumor that was obstructing her urethra and partially obstructing her ureters (the small tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder). This minimally invasive procedure uses a combination of surgery and fluoroscopy to place a rigid stent in the urethra and ureters, which opens the segment blocked by the tumor.

After her urethral/ureteral stent was placed, Annie underwent a short course of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She made a full recovery and showed no overt symptoms of her disease.

In April 2012, Annie’s routine blood profile showed some abnormalities and she was exhibiting clinical signs of general discomfort. An ultrasound of her abdomen revealed kidneys changes consistent with an obstruction of the ureter. This potential complication of stent placement is typically resolved by stent replacement. Annie had an uneventful procedure and quickly recovered. She is currently asymptomatic for TCC, urinating comfortably, and back to her sassy self.

Annie’s battle with transitional cell carcinoma is quite unique (i.e., she has outlived expectations), and she is truly an example of the positive outcome of aggressive cancer treatment combining multiple modalities (chemotherapy, surgery, etc.). David Sage and Judy Helton (Annie’s caretakers) feel that their decision to pursue treatment despite the risks and the potential that additional procedures may not be successful was made in the interest of Annie’s best possible quality of life.

Advances in veterinary medicine permit the continued development of treatment options for cancer and other illnesses our canine and feline companions may face. Often, the same advanced procedures performed on humans can be applied to our pets. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in medicine and the treatment approach used for Annie may not have been as successful in a different animal.

What Annie’s story teaches us is that there are many means available to treat cancer in our pets and that the results may be even better than those predicted by medical data. “I could have a new car with the amount of money spent on Annie’s medical bills,” said Judy, “but I have no regrets and seeing Annie do well is more than worth it.”

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Binky LaRue Overcomes Adversity and Shows Skills on Her High Tech Wheels

Patrick Mahaney — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:47:43 +0000

Binky LaRue Takes Flight on Her High Tech Wheels

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

“Pawdicapped,” disabled, mobility challenged; whatever term you apply to a person or pet lacking the normal ability to physically ambulate doesn’t really matter. More important is the practice of respect applied to these special individuals and the recognition of the lessons they teach in leading by example.

I am always struck by the amazing perseverance and ingenuity that pet owners display in caring for their dogs or cats, and in encouraging their pets’ unique methods of navigating our mutual environment. As my veterinary clinical practice focuses on hospice care and pain management, I frequently treat patients who need assistance with a sling, harness or wheel based apparatus.

Despite my familiarity with mobility compromised pets, I was stunned by the sight of a very good natured dog making her way down a Los Angeles sidewalk on a unique pair of front limb supporting wheels. Upon seeing Binky roll up to meet my pooch (Cardiff) and interact with him just as “normal” dog would (as though she had all four of her limbs), I felt compelled to meet her and share her remarkable story with pet lovers worldwide.

Binky is a six-year-old, mixed breed, spayed female Chihuahua who was rescued from a south central Los Angeles animal shelter. Born with incompletely formed right and left front limbs, Binky has dysmelia. Although Binky lacks normal anatomy, her shoulder blades help her to scoot around when she’s not in wheel-enhanced mode. Additionally, her shoulders move as though her entire front limbs are intact and touching the ground when she walks. In her wheels, Binky gracefully propels herself forward using her hind limbs.

Binky got her first set of wheels at three and a half years of age and took just a few weeks to adjust. Like a bicycle, Binky’s wheels are used for urban trekking on sidewalks, streets, and hiking trails. At home, she goes au naturale or wears her “tube top” (a shirt sleeve with holes cut out for her shoulders).

Bathroom habits occur exclusively wheel-free, as Binky gets herself out of her wheels and then postures to urinate and defecate. Binky’s owner then helps her to re-situate herself back in the wheels to move onto their next destination.

Binky LaRue Scoots Runyon Canyon on Her Wheels

Binky is currently on her fourth generation of wheels, which her owner’s husband developed. The latest model is a high tech carbon fiber frame with a swivel function that permits ease of maneuverability. Sheep skin and yoga mats provide cushioning to reduce skin abrasions and pressure sores on her undercarriage.

Binky is quite the YouTube sensation, as her adventures in life are well documented. Additionally, Cesar Milan featured Binky on The Dog Whisperer and facilitated her adjustment to an earlier model of wheels.

Binky’s owner, Sylvie Forrest, doesn’t feel that Binky is handicapped or disabled, but instead is just “very special.” Despite Binky’s physical limitations, she’s quite the world traveler. Italy is one of her preferred places for relaxation, but for the cobblestone streets, which cause an additional challenge for her wheels to roll smoothly.

Italy provides a healing environment far from the stresses of Los Angeles for both Forrest and Binky. Their recent trip was part of Forrest’s recovery process from breast and brain cancer. Forrest’s insightful blog, WTFCancer, is an inspiring literary and visual smorgasbord providing inspiration for those seeking health advice or for those who wish to take a peek at Binky’s duties as Forrest’s emotional support pooch.

I see Binky as an excellent role model for people and pets all over the world. Despite her anatomic challenges, Binky navigates life with a positive attitude and keeps on moving with enthusiasm. Additionally, Binky teaches pet owners of the mobility enhancing options available to assist dogs having lost limbs or their use. Both Binky and Forrest’s stories of overcoming adversity provide valuable perspective capable of motivating others to make the most of one’s circumstances in life.

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Reduce the Potential for Zoonotic Disease Transmission

Patrick Mahaney — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:21:02 +0000

Were you aware that you could give your pet 2009 H1N1 (AKA Swine Flu)?

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

What makes a kid-friendly pet? From my standpoint as a clinical practice veterinarian, kid-friendly pets are those that won’t directly traumatize a child or spread illness.

Pets always have the potential to traumatize a child by scratching, biting, or pushing one over. Additionally, a pet’s aggressive behavior, or an obvious size disparity, could intimidate a child.

An equally important issue affecting the relationship between pets and kids is the potential for zoonotic disease. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or other agents (prions) all have zoonotic potential, meaning they can spread between animals and humans, or vice versa.

These diseases transfer among species through direct contact or with the help of a vector. An insect (arthropod) such as a flea, fly, tick or mosquito can serve as the vector for transmission of an infectious agent between animals within the same species (e.g., from dog to dog) or from an animal to a person (e.g., dog to person), as happens with zoonotic diseases.

The potential for zoonosis depends on a variety of factors, including climate, geography, population density, sanitary conditions (or lack thereof), grooming habits, and other factors.

Zoonotic diseases that are relatively common and have realistic potential to transmit between pets and people include (but are not exclusive to):

Bartonella

Bartonella henselae is a bacterium transmitted into animals through an arthropod vector, often fleas. Bartonella can then enter a person through a bite wound or scratch from a dog or cat (hence the name “Cat Scratch Fever“). Bartonella most commonly infects people with compromised or developing immune systems, including pregnant women, those suffering from HIV/AIDS or cancer, very young children, etc.).

E. Coli and Salmonella

Both bacteria can transmit directly between species or contaminate food and water sources. Pets can infect people with E. Coli and salmonella when fecal material contacts a person’s skin or clothes and enters through a body opening (mouth, nose, etc.).

Leptospirosis

This spirochete (spiral shaped) bacteria typically infects animals or humans after they have consumed or had direct exposure to water sources contaminated with urine from wildlife. Stagnant bodies of water or puddles from rainfall are common reservoirs for leptospirosis (commonly referred to as lepto). Humans can contract lepto from pets through contact with any body fluid, especially urine.

Giardiasis

This protozoa (microorganism) commonly affects pets or people who drink water contaminated with feces from domesticated or wild animals. Dog parks, animal shelters and breeding facilities are hot zones for giardia.

“Worms”

Hookworms, roundworms and whipworms are parasites capable of infecting cats, dogs, and humans. Worms are most commonly found in kittens and puppies, and in adults living in cramped or unsanitary conditions.

Rabies

Rabies virus transmission from an animal to a human (or from a bat or other wild animal bite) is uncommon in the United States, yet is often fatal when it does occur.

Influenza

Yes, the “flu” can transmit between people and pets, as was well documented during the 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu, now termed North American Influenza) pandemic. Humans infected dogs, cats, ferrets, and even pigs (yes, humans gave swine flu to some pigs).

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

Multiple fungal organisms (Microsporum sp., Trichophyton sp., etc.) cause this skin infection with the deceiving name (it’s not a worm). Patchy, circular, red, hairless lesions are the benchmark of this zoonosis. Dermatophytosis is a great imitator of other skin conditions (bacterial and yeast infections).

I’m merely going to lend mention to zoonotic diseases that are less common or non-existent (but for in laboratories) in the United States, including:

Ebola

A hemorrhagic fever virus, popularized by the book and movie, The Hot Zone.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE)

A degenerative brain and spinal cord disease caused by a prion (self-replicating protein). An outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), AKA Mad Cow Disease, in the mid-1990s resulted in a wave of anti-beef activism after Oprah Winfrey cast a spotlight on the beef industry.

Anthrax

The Bacillus anthracis bacterium produces toxins that often kill an infected animal or person within a few days. My experience of being cultured for Anthrax (my test was negative) and ingesting a course of Ciprofloxacin was one of the motivating factors that led to my move from post 9-11 Washington, D.C.

What’s the key to keeping both your pets and children safe from zoonotic diseases? My top recommendation is to apply multiple precautionary tactics to your home, pets, kids, and self:

1. Vacuum your carpets and upholstery (empty the canister outside and away from the home or seal the vacuum bag in plastic) and wash human and pet bedding on at least a weekly basis.

2. Prevent your pet from entering environments that harbor populations of fleas, ticks, and other arthropods. If you must go into areas endemic with these organisms, do so only after your pet has been treated with veterinary prescribed anti-parasite medications.

3. Follow your veterinarian’s guidelines on vaccinations for rabies and leptospirosis.

4. Feed your pet cooked (over 160°F) meats, grains, and legumes (beans, etc.) instead of raw foods. Fruits and vegetables should be appropriately washed before they are consumed by people or pets.

5. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water, especially after touching your pet.

6. Avoid close contact with other people and pets when you are sick.

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Photo Credit of 2009 H1N1 Virus via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

How to Increase the Likelihood of a Lost Pet’s Safe Return

Patrick Mahaney — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:51:13 +0000

Our awesome dog caretaker Peter gave Cardiff a collar embroidered with his name and my phone number. Thanks Peter!

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

If you are ever separated from your pet, how will you be reunited? No, I’m not referring to the grandiose vision of you and your pet running across an open field and falling into each other’s grasp. Although this idyllic image sounds great, a more likely scenario is a trip to a veterinary hospital or shelter facility to pick up your pet after tags, collar, or microchip has facilitated his identification.

My perspective comes from having helped lost pets reunite with their owners on innumerable occasions in my clinical practice. Good Samaritans bring in misplaced cats or dogs, sometimes having the outward appearance of being healthy and sometimes obviously injured.

In nearly every circumstance, these stray pets lacked tags and a collar. Fortunately, absent external identification doesn’t mean the pet will be permanently lost. An implanted microchip can provide an additional layer of probability that your pet will be safely returned. Additionally, new technology exists that connects pets to owners via text, e-mail, or smart-phone mapping.

Here are my top recommendations for responsible owners to appropriately identify their pets.

Collar with Tags

Foremost, I recommend that pets always wear a cervical (neck) collar. Some pet owners remove an indoor dog or cat’s collar and neglect to recognize their potential to escape. Outside the confines of your home, your pet will lack an immediate means for identification by a good Samaritan.

A collar should be tight enough to prevent slipping over your pet’s head, yet loose enough to permit two of your fingers to easily slip between the neck and the collar. If you have a brachycephalic (short faced) dog or any other type of breed (mixed or purebred) that is prone to hypoplastic (collapsing) trachea, then using a thoracic (chest) harness is a safer practice than a cervical collar for restraint and walking.

Regardless of your choice of cervical or thoracic gear, attaching an identifying tag is essential. At a minimum, the tag should feature your dog’s name, your phone number, and your city of residence. Whether to include your name, address, e-mail, or other contact information is a matter of personal preference. Tags provided by the veterinary hospital that have your pet’s rabies vaccination along with a tag from the manufacturer of your pet’s microchip create an additional layer of visual identification.

As tags can fall off and some pets are simply resistant to a stranger’s advance, I recommend having your pet’s collar or harness embroidered with his name and your phone number.

Microchip

As tags can detach and collars can be removed, the most permanent identification practice (besides tattoo) comes from having a veterinarian implant a microchip into your pet’s subcutaneous space between the shoulder blades (i.e., the “scruff”). When scanned, the manufacturer and corresponding number of the microchip are revealed. The shelter or veterinary hospital representative performing the scan can then communicate with the microchip manufacturer.

According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (JAVMA) article,
Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters (July 15, 2009, Vol. 235, No. 2, Pages 160-167):

… the high rate for return of microchipped dogs and cats to their owners supported microchipping as a valuable permanent pet identification modality; however, issues related to registration undermined its overall potential. Bundling of microchip implantation and registration, point-of-implantation data registration, use of annual compliance and update reminders, and providing access to all registries are potential solutions.

Provided your information has been kept up-to-date, you can be contacted and reunited with your lost pet. Yes, there are occasions where an owner cannot be readily located as a result of not having kept their information current with the microchip’s manufacturer. Having been faced with this situation, I feel badly for the pet who is merely an innocent bystander in a circumstance stemming primarily from owner irresponsibility.

Which microchip to use is a topic of varying opinion and depends (in part) on your intent to stay within the U.S. or to travel internationally (International Standards institute the ISO chip). Two of the major manufacturers of microchips include AVID and Home Again, but other microchip providers exist.

Novel Pet Identifying Technology

At BlogPaws 2011, I became familiar with the novel means of tracking your dog’s location via the Tagg tracking system. Reportedly, “Tagg uses advanced GPS tracking technology to allow you to see where your dog is and receive a notification if he or she wanders off. The lightweight tracker attaches to your dog’s existing collar and is designed to be worn at all times, even while swimming.”

If your Tagg’d pet moves beyond a set distance, you receive notification via text message or e-mail. You can then find your pet on the Tagg Map and receive directions to the pet’s location via a computer or smart-phone. It’s great that Tagg embraces technology to create a new form of pet identification to be used in addition to a collar (or harness), tags, and microchip. (It is not yet available for cats or small dogs.)

I recommend owners use more than one means for identifying their pets, as there always exists the potential for human or mechanical error. Increasing your pet’s likelihood of being safely returned is worth any inconvenience or expense.

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Featured Artist Lisa Hildebrant Paints an Angelic Portrait of Cardiff

Patrick Mahaney — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:08:01 +0000

Do you think Cardiff is more angelic or devilish?

I love connecting to creative people, especially those who see something special in my canine companion. Cardiff was recently immortalized by Portland, OR based artist Lisa Hildebrantin this hand crafted, lacquered painting displaying his true angelic personality. For those of you that know Cardiff, he also has a devilish side as a terrier (Welsh Terrier, to be specific).

Thank you Lisa for your amazing work and vision in creating such an incredibly life like portrait of Cardiff.

Cardiff is quite the poser, especially when art is created in his likeness

Follow @LisaHildebrant on Twitter and “like” Lisa Hildebrant on Facebook.

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Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by friending Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets on Facebook.

How Traditional Eastern Veterinary Medicine Can Be Used in Pet First Aid

Patrick Mahaney — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:41:17 +0000

This article originally appeared on Dr Mahaney’s The Daily Vet column on petMD.

As they pertain to human and veterinary medical care, emergencies are times of significant distress for all involved parties. Having worked for many years in practices that offer critical care, I am well versed in the situational hardships experienced both by the pet owner and their injured or ill canine or feline companion.

Many veterinary emergencies involve varying degrees of trauma, including:

Hit by car

Animal fights

Knife wounds, impalement, and other penetrating injuries

Gunshot wounds

Snake bites

Falls from heights or down stairs

Other (There are so many more … feel free to share your experiences in the comments.)

All of the above can cause swelling (edema), bleeding (hemorrhage), bruising (ecchymosis), and pain, and have the potential for infection.

Other illnesses or emergencies lend more to issues associated with internal or external hemorrhage due to the body’s inability to effectively clot blood, including:

Rodenticide toxicity — ingestion of vitamin K antagonists, such as brodifacoum based d-COM, other

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) and Thrombocytopenia (IMTP) — destruction of red blood cells (IMHA) and platelets (IMTP)

Caner associated coagulopathy — exhaustion of the body’s platelet supply from bleeding or the bone marrow’s insufficient platelet production caused by cancer or chemotherapy

When faced with bleeding, what can be done to control the flow before dangerous thresholds have been crossed? In the face of trauma, vessels providing blood to the affected site can be constricted by applying firm pressure with a sterile gauze or bandage, gel foam, cold compress, or tourniquet.

The situation is much more complicated when brodifacoum rodenticides are ingested, cancer or chemotherapy has caused bone marrow to produce insufficient red blood cells or platelets, or the immune system attacks itself. Appropriate treatment provided within a timely manner can succeed in stopping further blood loss. Oral or injectable medications, blood product replacement (packed red blood cells, whole blood, plasma, etc,), laboratory testing, and hospitalization are often necessary to ensure the patient’s safety until the blood clotting times are sufficiently within normal limits.

My holistic clinical practice integrates both western and eastern approaches, so I also consider the options for hemostasis from a non-conventional perspective. I use one of the most popular Chinese herbs used in veterinary medicine: Yunnan Biayao (YB).

This Chinese herbal product can help your pets bleeding, swelling, and pain.

YB was created in 1902 by Mr. Qu Huanzhang, a Chinese medicine practitioner. It helps to control bleeding and to “move blood to resolve stagnation and stop pain.” Conditions YB is used to treat include “pulmonary tuberculosis bleeding, gastric hemorrhage, intestinal bleeding, internal cranium bleeding, gynaecological blood disease, and purpura (rash caused by bleeding from small blood vessels).”

I have used YB to reduce swelling, hemorrhage, and pain in patients having osteosarcoma (malignant cancer of bone), lacerations from dog fights, and epistaxis (bleeding from the nose) resulting from cancer’s damage of the sensitive lining of the nasal cavity. It is never the sole treatment, so I cannot definitively say if YB caused an improved clinical response as compared to using solely western therapies.

According to the Chi Institute’s TCVMHerbal.com, YB includes “progesterone, various saponins and alkaloids, and physiologically active compounds such as calcium phosphate”, along with:

Pin-Yin Chinese Name/English Name
San Qi/Panax Notoginseng
Huan Shan Yao/Dioscorea opposita
Ku Liang Jiang/Dioscorea Parviflora
Chuan Shan Long/Dioscorea Nipponica
Bai Niu Dan/Inulae Cappae
San Yu Cao/Ajuga Forrestii
Lao He Cao/Geranium herb

YB can be taken orally or it can be topically applied to a traumatized area of skin. TCVM Herbal even indicates YB’s use in dogs, cats, and horses for twice daily dosing. The volume needed is dependent on the animal’s body weight, with dogs and cats requiring 1 capsule (250mg) for every 20-40 pounds. This recommended dosing can be quite variable, so it is important to follow the guidelines of a veterinarian who is experienced in the use of YB for the particular condition for which it is indicated.

Hopefully, your pets will be free from enduring traumatic injuries, toxic exposures, cancer, or other ailments which cause hemorrhage. Having YB on hand may be useful in the overall process for providing first aid – either out in the world or in your veterinarian’s office.

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Feeding Your Pet from the Perspective of Chinese Medicine

Patrick Mahaney — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 03:56:51 +0000

Cardiff's home prepared food made in accordance to Chinese medicine cooling principles

This article originally appeared as Using Warming, Cooling, or Neutral Food Energy to Promote Your Pet’s Health and Nutrition on PetFoodDirect.com

Since the onset of my veterinary career, I’ve had a strong interest in how the foods our pets consume contribute to an overall state of wellness or illness. Learning how to apply this interest to my patients took many years of post-veterinary school practice, continuing education, and an ongoing belief in the inherent nutritional benefits of whole foods.

During veterinary school, students’ brains are heavily saturated with a variety of academic information. As graduation date nears, a general sense of insecurity develops about making the appropriate professional choices to best serve our patients. As a result, common sense notions about the value of looking more discerningly at the ingredients formulating a pet’s diet are often overlooked.

Pertaining to cats and dogs, veterinary students are taught from the seemingly exclusive practice of matching illness with an appropriate prescription canned or dry food aimed at controlling or resolving a particular condition. New veterinarians emerge into the vast abyss of a burgeoning career with little practical ability to discern “right from wrong” when making choices in recommending food for our patients.

Within the first few years of veterinary practice, I realized that I could help my patients eat in a more healthful way than the typical pet does. This stems, in part, from the foundations of my personal nutrition being whole-food based.

My education through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) further exposed me to the role food energy plays in overall health. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM, and its counterpart TCVM, where ‘V’ equals Veterinary), there are heating (Yang), cooling (Yin), and neutral food sources capable of creating a commensurate response in the body.

The examples I feel best clarify this phenomena pertain to extremes of the Yang and Yin spectrum. Cayenne (red) or chili pepper demonstrates its Yang properties by causing a warming sensation when consumed or coming in contact with the skin or mucous membranes. Conversely, cucumber personifies Yin qualities by creating a cooling and moistening effect.

Your pet’s health may benefit from the use of Chinese medicine food energy theory, but determining what combinations of warming, cooling, or neutral foods best serve your pet’s needs should be done by a veterinarian trained in and actively practicing this style of food therapy.

In working up my veterinary patients, I reference the food energy chart provided by the Chi Institute.

Warming (Yang) Foods

Meat and Dairy – chicken, lamb, venison,
Vegetable and Fruit – apricot, blackberry, cherry, ginger, papaya, peach, red/chili pepper, plum, pumpkin, squash
Grain, Bean, and Other – oats, quinoa, white rice, pepper, nutmeg, tumeric

Cooling (Yin) Foods

Meat and Dairy – duck, egg, rabbit, most shellfish, turkey, yogurt
Vegetable and Fruit – alfalfa, apple, banana, blueberry, broccoli, celery, cucumber, eggplant, kiwi, mango, mushroom, pear, persimmon, spinach, strawberry, tomato, watermelon
Grain, Bean, and Other – barley, brown rice, buckwheat, most fish oil, flax (seed, oil), green tea, honey, millet, mint, soybean, tofu

Neutral Foods

Meat and Dairy – beef, bison, catfish, mackerel, milk, pork, salmon, sardines, tripe, trout, tuna
Vegetable and Fruit – asparagus, beet, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, date, fig, lychee, pineapple, potato (white and sweet), radish, yam
Grains, Beans, and Other – most beans, corn, peas (green)

Besides the inherent energetic properties of the above foods, we also must recognize how the format in which our nutrients consumed has a warming or cooling effect. Dry food is considered Yang, while moist food is Yin.

To delve further into this equation, we can evaluate food’s components to gauge how Yang or Yin is the dry or canned food we feed our pets. Is your pet’s salmon and sweet potato based dry food “cool enough” to benefit a dog in need of a Yin boost to quiet down the fire of a Yang disease condition? Unfortunately, there is no “Yang/Yin-o-meter” to make such an assessment.

How to use Chinese medicine food energy to treat common pet conditions will be the basis of a follow-up article, so check back with me on PetFoodDirect.com for more holistic pet food chatter.

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The Cardiffian Feature: A Dog Called Cardiff

Cardiff — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 03:29:34 +0000

Dr Patrick Mahaney and Cardiff the Welsh Terrier

This article originally appeared on the Cardiffian as A Dog Called Cardiff.

He’s cute, he’s furry, he’s eager to please – and he’s also called Cardiff.

This is one Welsh terrier who’s never chased a cat through Bute Park or gone for walkies in the Bay, but that didn’t stop celebrity vet Patrick Mahaney from naming him after the capital.

Cardiff and his owner live in Los Angeles, California, where Patrick makes house calls to look after the pets of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, though his canine best friend is never far from his side.

“With him being a Welsh terrier and Cardiff being the capital of Wales, it seemed like a cute and appropriate name,” said Patrick.

Many Californians assume Cardiff-by-the-Sea, a small beach town north of San Diego allegedly named in honour of the Welsh wife of the town’s developer, is where the dog’s name comes from.

But Patrick, 38, knows better and though he and his six-and-a-half-year-old pet have never been to the original Cardiff, it’s something the New Jersey-born vet would love to do in the future.

“I would like to come at some point, maybe with him or after he passes on. I would like to check-out the inspiration for the breed and see the examples in Wales of what the breeds are like,” said Patrick.

“I have this unrealistic image of Welsh terriers bouncing through fields but I know that probably isn’t always the case!”

Patrick got Cardiff from a breeder in Washington State in 2005 but unfortunately since the pair moved to LA, the terrier has picked up a blood disorder called IMHA.

Patrick himself suffers from a chronic back complaint “I am always having to manage my own comfort on a day-to-day basis so I have established a special connection with most of my patients,” he said.

“I treat myself like I treat them.”

Some of these patients include the pets of Hollywood stars Alicia Silverstone and Bryce Dallas Howard on whom Patrick performs acupuncture and administers Chinese medicine to help with pain management.

He also runs a blog for Cardiff which he describes as “A dog’s perspective on life.

“I want to make sure that I’m showing the interesting things that he does but also the means that I use to control his illness,” said Patrick.

Cardiff even has his own brand of dog treats, Cardiff’s Crunchies – with all natural ingredients of course.

“If it’s not good enough for me to test then it’s not good enough for my dog,” said Patrick.

“There are a lot of bad things that go into pet foods that are deemed unfit for human consumption and as a result pets get sick.

“We should feed our pets the same human grade foods that we eat.”

Patrick is certainly sympathetic to the city of Cardiff’s issues with dog mess. “It’s a problem everywhere,” he said.

“Besides the unsightly nature of waste there’s bacteria or parasites that can get into our water supplies or affect wildlife so it’s really important that we pick up our pets’ poo!”

The vet has set-up a camera outside his home to catch what he calls “fecal offenders” in the act, posting videos online of dog owners who let their pets foul on his lawn.

When he’s not working, Patrick also produces health videos and writes articles for TeddyHilton.com, a pet-related spin-off of the popular gossip website run by Perez Hilton.

But Patrick would still like to visit Wales, the spiritual home of his beloved pet, however rainy and cold he may have heard it is.

As for rugby, he’s not yet a fan. “It’s not a sport you can play for a long time it seems!” he said.

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Canine and Human Celebrities Rally for the Cause of Animal Welfare

Patrick Mahaney — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:10:50 +0000

Dr Patrick Mahaney Hangs out with Uggie from The Artist at the 2012 Genesis Awards

This article originally appeared on petMD News as Canine and Human Celebrities Rally for the Cause of Animal Welfare

Celebrities of the two and four-legged variety converged at the Beverly Hilton for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) 26th Genesis Awards ceremony. In this annual star studded, red carpet event, HSUS recognizes and pays tribute to the news and entertainment media that have raised public awareness of animal welfare issues over the past year.

Uggie, one of the stars from the 2012 Academy Award winning movie The Artist represented excellence in the four-legged celebrity category. This charming Jack Russell terrier put on quite a show, both on the red carpet and on stage, where he “mouthed off” the award for best Feature Film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, with Genesis Awards host Carrie Ann Inaba from Dancing with the Stars.

The high profiles of the celebrities attending the Genesis Awards helps to further the public’s awareness of the various causes promoted by the HSUS.

Here are my highlights:

Vegan Shoes Help a Grammy Award Winner Shine on the Red Carpet

Grammy award-winning singer Colbie Caillat spread her message of positivity by sharing her upbeat tune Brighter Than the Sun while demonstrating humane fashion in her red carpet vegan shoes, proving that she does indeed walk the walk. Caillat’s footwear choice nicely complemented our vegan dinner. Yum!

Hell’s Kitchen Star Gordon Ramsay Exposes Hellish Reality of Shark Slaughter

When Hell’s Kitchen chef Gordon Ramsay uses his stardom to make positive changes in society, the world listens. Ramsay’s cause is reducing the numbers of shark that are being slaughtered specifically for their fins, which are used as the prime ingredient in the purportedly tasteless yet pricey shark fin soup. Ramsay has helped to expose the atrocities of this inhumane industry with his documentary, Gordon Ramsay: Shark Bait, in which he motivated restaurants in London’s Chinatown to remove shark fin soup from their menus. Ramsay’s documentary was awarded best TV Documentary.

HSUS’s Wendie Malick Draws Attention to Wild Horse Cruelty

As the recognizable voice of the HSUS television commercials, Wendie Malick of Hot in Cleveland gave an impassioned plea to raise awareness of the U.S. government’s attempts to reduce the number of locations in which wild horses can roam free on our American plains. Videos of helicopters chasing wild horses into captive pens are both moving and disturbing. The HSUS is currently working to ensure that wild horses will remain free and are not captured and slaughtered.

NBC Reporter Inspires Viewers Worldwide with Her News Stories

Jill Rappaport of NBC’s The Today Show won the Morning News Show award for her reports, which included a unique project that teamed homeless men with dogs in Boston. Rappaport gave an inspiring speech for other pet positive media types like me. “If you love what you do you’ll never work another day in your life,” said Rappaport, a sentiment that echoes my feelings on educating the public about pet health through my petMD Daily Vet column.

Orangutan Rescue Recognized for Award Winning Born to Be Wild 3D

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas is a renowned scientist, author, and pioneer of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), which was featured in the winning Feature Documentary, Born to Be Wild 3D. The film documents the effects of deforestation on wildlife. Evidently, the harvesting of trees for palm oil is one of the driving forces behind the deforestation of the Indonesian island of Borneo, as well as the slaughter of orangutans. You can help reduce the world’s demand for palm oil by refusing to purchase products containing palm oil.

I attended a private affair with Dr. Galdikas in 2008 and have been continually inspired by her work. I hope to someday accompany her in her work with the OFI veterinary team.

KTLA Reporter and Producer Lu Parker Wins Local News Feature

Lu Parker undertakes and intensely researches animal welfare stories in order to shed light on issues that are usually not immediately known to the general public. Her reports on beagles used for product testing, a rescue organization housing abandoned horses, and potential allegations of abuse affecting the elephant star of Like Water for Elephants earned her the award for Local News Feature. Parker also heads up Leash Line News on Petsami (at whose table I sat with Petsami’s creative director, Laura Nativo, pictured below with Uggie, the canine star from The Artist).

There were so may exciting events and appearances from this year’s HSUS Genesis Awards that I am already excited about next year’s ceremony. You can be part of this year’s action by watching the broadcast of the Awards Ceremony on Animal Planet, May 5 at 4:00 p.m. EST/PST and May 6 at 8:00 a.m. EST/PST.

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