WHY Should I Detox My Dog?

After reading Dr. Becker’s article denoted below, I created a new page about Detoxing for my web page and thought the subject might be of interest to the AT family! 🙂

Have you ever considered the environmental toxins that your dogs are exposed to? Things in our everyday life can be a health hazard to our Fur Babies AND us!  “Toxins cause free-radicals to form inside the bodies of humans and animals. Free radicals attack healthy cells and can cause the onset of serious illnesses such as cancer and a host of other illnesses. Our cleverly designed bodies can handle small amounts of some chemicals, but most accumulated toxins are going nowhere unless we take action to get rid of them.” 

Per Dr. Karen Becker: “Today’s pets are under constant assault from dangerous toxins in the environment. They are also exposed to a second category of toxins in the chemicals used to repel fleas, ticks and other bugs. And then there are veterinary medications like vaccines, de-wormers, and other drugs your dog may be on.  The primary organ of detoxification is the liver, which cleans the body through a two-phase system. Your pet’s body relies on a number of nutrients, antioxidants, and co-factors to support the mechanisms of both phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways to protect against free radical damage.  Healthy cellular metabolism function and resiliency depends on the body’s ability to transport nutrients into the cells, resist free radical insult to cell membranes, and participate in healthy cell-to-cell communication.  Like organ detoxification, cellular detoxification requires a number of nutrients for optimal transportation of waste products out of the cells. If the cells of the body can’t detoxify themselves, the accumulation of waste products, heavy metals, and toxins becomes inevitable. This leads to abnormal cellular metabolism and function as well as a reduced cellular resiliency to viruses, bacteria, parasites, and disease. To make matters worse, most pets also have chronic low-grade inflammation in their bodies that causes metabolic stress. Nutrients that assist in healthy detoxification are depleted under stress, making the body even more susceptible to damage from toxins.”

Her article is found here: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/06/17/detoxification.aspx

Now, I am not a total “Green” person.  I use some of these things too….So because I do…. I DETOX the Fur Kid’s!  I thought I’d bring this to your attention so that if we are aware of these things, we can be pro-active instead of re-active!

If you can answers YES to any of the below, you may want to consider “Detoxing” your dog on a regular bases.

*Is There Fluoride in your water? “Can cause stiffness and painful joints sometimes mistaken for arthritis” Note: always use filtered water, Brita will not remove fluoride  from water. http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dangers-dog-water/

*Lawn Care? According to one study, “researchers report that dogs were two times more likely to develop lymphoma if their owners sprayed or sprinkled the 2,4-D herbicide on the lawn four or more times a year. And even with just one application a season, the cancer risk was one-third higher than among dogs whose owners did not use the chemical.”  Even IF you don’t put chemicals on your yard, what about the “drift” from your neighbor’s yard?

*Garden Products?: Herbicides, insecticide baits, sprays and granules are often used in gardens without consideration of the effects these chemicals may have on pets.  Fly bait and garden insecticides often contain methomyl or carbofuran, which can cause seizures and respiratory arrest in dogs and cats.

*Household Cleaners? Toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, detergents, drain cleaners, ammonia, furniture polish, rust removers, glass cleaners.  These can put pet at risk for cancer, anemia, liver and kidney damage.

*Cans, Plastic Food & Water Bowls?  Contain Phthalates (which is used to soften plastics) can leach into the plastic bowls you may be using for water and food. Also contain “Bisphenol A” or “BPA which is “a hormone disrupting chemical linked to male infertility, diabetes and heart disease. These have already been banned from children’s products.  I believe it is Zip Loc containers that advertise on their labels “BPA Free”.

*Drive Way Sealants? Contains PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) which studies suggest can be toxic.

* Cigarette Smoke, Auto and Factory Fumes? = toxins in the air.  The ASPCA, one of the largest animal rights groups in the U.S., lists tobacco smoke as a toxin that is dangerous to pets. Said Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, medical director of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center:  “Nicotine from secondhand smoke can have effects to the nervous systems of cats and dogs. Environmental tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans.”

*Air Freshener’s?(plug in’s and spray’s)  Have Chemically induce fragrance’s.  “Chemicals used are known to be carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, and reproductive toxicants, even at low levels.”

*Are There Preservatives in your dog’s Kibble or Treats? Ethoxyquin, Propylene Glycol, Propyl Gallate, BHA, BTHT, TBHO?

Ethoxyquin: This ingredient also doubles as…..wait for it…..a PESTICIDE!  It kills bugs!!!!  It has be implicated in liver failure, cancer, infertility, birth defects and still born puppies!

Propylene Glycol: This is a cousin to ANTI-FREEZE!  This can cause “Heinz Body Anemia”! I wonder why the illustrious FDA has banned this from cat food but NOT dog food?

Propyl Gallate: this chemical has the ability to mimic the negative effects of the female hormone, estrogen, and has the potential to adversely affect reproductive health. “ In humans, it has the ability to transform a normal breast cell into a cancer cell.”

BHA: (butylated hydroxyanisole) Studies have shown this to be a human carcinogen AND according to the National Institute Of Health, causes tumors in lab animals!

BTHT: (butylated hydroxytoluene )This is also found in embalming fluid!  It is suspect for causing cancerous tumors and BTHT has been totally banned in Japan, Sweden, Australia, and Romania!

TBHQ: (tertiary butylhydroquinone) has been found to produce pre-cancerous stomach tumors in laboratory animals… and it can cause damage to a cell’s DNA!  It’s used to stabilize explosive compounds, and it is used to lacquer, varnish, and resins!

Is There Food Coloring In Your Dog’s Kibble or Treats?

Yellow #5: From the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI): “Yellow #5: May be contaminated with such cancer-causing substances as benzidine and 4-aminobiphenyl (or chemicals that the body converts to those substances).

Red #40:  From CSPI: “Red 40, the most-widely used dye, may accelerate the appearance of immune-system tumors in mice.  The dye causes hypersensitivity (allergy-like) reactions in a small number of consumers and might trigger hyperactivity in children.  Considering the safety questions and its non-essentiality, Red 40 should be excluded from foods unless and until new tests clearly demonstrate its safety.”

Yellow #6: From CSPI:  “Yellow 6 caused adrenal tumors in animals, though that is disputed by industry and the FDA.  It may be contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals and occasionally causes severe hypersensitivity reactions.  Yellow 6 adds an unnecessary risk to the food supply.”

Blue #2:  From CSPI:  “Blue 2 cannot be considered safe given the statistically significant incidence of tumors, particularly brain gliomas, in male rats.  It should not be used in foods.”

*Dog & Home Items?:  Dog beds, carpet, furniture fabric wood-veneer furniture, laminated flooring, wood paneling, doors made of particleboard, plywood….contain formaldehyde and pet’s inhale this everyday!  It can contribute to asthma and it’s carcinogenic!  You may want to check to see if your dogs bed is certified non-toxic. http://www.buddybeds.com/dog-beds/BB_Toxic.html  is certified non toxic for – Formaldehyde, Phthalates , PVC , BPA

*Topical Flea/Tick Treatments:

Fipronil: Dr. Dobozy of the EPA’s Pesticide Division has found that the active ingredient (fipronil) in Frontline remains in a pet’s system with the potential for nervous system and thyroid toxicity.

Midacloprid: Advantage contains the active ingredient Imidacloprid.  In laboratory studies Imidacoprid has been found to increase cholesterol levels in dogs, cause thyroid lesions, create liver toxicity, and has the potential for damaging the liver, heart, lungs, spleen, adrenals, brain, and gonads. 

Permethrin:  Has been implicated as a carcinogenic insecticide causing lung cancer and liver tumors in laboratory animals.  There is also a suspicion that it disrupts endocrine function. It can act as a neurotoxin, causing tremors as well as increased aggressive behavior and learning problems.

*Heartworm Preventive: As most of you do, I too use Heartworm preventive for our dogs (another reason we detox starting day they receive their pill and continued for 2 weeks 2 X daily).  “Heartworm preventatives can cause serious side effects in some dogs, including depression, lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, dilation of the pupil, loss of balance, staggering, convulsions, and hypersalivation. Some dogs are especially prone to side effects from ivermectin, the main ingredient in one of the most widely used heartworm preventatives. Also, some of the preventatives are combined with drugs aimed at killing other pests such as fleas, mites, roundworms, and hookworms.  BUT…. most (certainly not all) holistic veterinarians consider the use of pharmaceutical preventatives to be less harmful than a heartworm infection.”

*Vaccinations: The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recently issued its 2011 Canine Vaccination Guidelines.  The 2003 report, revised in 2006 and 2007, caused quite a stir.  Many veterinarians and pet parents didn’t trust the findings –and still don’t – even though the report was backed by scientific studies and written by 14 well-respected experts. The report’s recommendation to eliminate or limit many unnecessary and/or dangerous vaccines, and to give the important “core vaccines” no more often than every three years (NOT annually!). http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2011/11/15/new-canine-vaccination-guidelines/#more-1261  

Dr. Patricia Jordan, author of Mark of the Beast, writes about one manufacturer’s combo shot: “… the absolutely worse adverse vaccine reactions have been noted with … the “mumbo jumbo” polyvalent with several modified live viruses, killed whole bacterins of Leptospirosis, killed corona virus (the vaccine looking for a disease), lots of adjuvant, mercury, aluminum, antibacterial like gentocin, antifungal and fungi stats, proprietary ingredients of whose true identity makes me shudder to even speculate.”

(There are specific Homeopathic’s that are also used for vaccination detoxification)

When beginning the detox process, start with half of the recommended dose and take a few days to work up to the full dose.  Do not be surprised if your dog has any of the following (or even none of the following) as it is part of the body purging the toxins and releasing them from his/her system.  This is a GOOD thing! Body odor, breath odor, brown/black tarry substance from ears, drainage from the eyes, mucus in stool, foul smelling stool, loose stool, strange colored stool, discharge from the penis or vagina, or other symptoms.  Excreting these toxins could take from a few days, to a few months, depending on how much toxic waste his/her system has held on to as all dogs are different.

There are many detoxification products out there but this one is a “Professional” formula which provides a purer human product.  It’s called “Herbal Hepaclenz” by Professional Complementary Formulas.  You can purchase it at the following (you just have to create an account): http://www.pureformulas.com/herbal-hepaclenz-90-capsules-by-professional-formulas.html#sthash.FYXksYqo.usaYgZka.dpbs  $13 for 90 capsules. Or from www.naturalrearing.com  $21 for 90 capspules.  A combination of herbs which cleanse and detoxify the liver. Contains Beet leaves; Casoara sagrada and Parsley to aid in the excretion of bile. Dandelion root and Uva Ursi to assist the urinary tract in the detoxification process; Milk Thistle is a liver tonic and stimulant that encourages liver cell renewal and Licorice root helps in removing toxins from the body.

Try and coordinate the Herbal Hepaclenz with the application of his/her heartworm preventive, vaccination, or flea and tick application.  As I stated above, I give our dogs this every 6 weeks when they get their heartworm preventive.

It is given as follows, divided into two meals:

·         under 15 lb. – 1 cap

·         15 – 30 lb. 2 caps

·         30-40 – 3 caps

·         40lb. + 4 caps

After you are finished with the Herbal Hepaclenz, I would recommend taking a break for one week and then starting the Detoxification Factors.  This one should be done at least 3 times per year or more often if you feel it necessary because of exposure.

“DETOXIFICATION FACTORS”: This is another “Professional” human grade formula. Purchased from www.naturalrearing.com60 Capsules – $31.00 or 120 Capsules – $57.00 or from  http://www.pureformulas.com/detoxication-factors-60-capsules-by-integrative-therapeutics.html#sthash.DDNpo2Us.dpbs  60 capsules $33.10 & 120 capsules $64.  “Formulated to support hepatic detoxication, Detoxication Factors™ offers nutritional support for Phase I and II detoxication pathways in the liver.† This unique formula provides powerful antioxidant support for Phase I with its inclusion of GSH, CoQ10, vitamins C and E, selenium, curcumin, and green tea.  Phase II detoxification comprises various conjugation reactions, such as glucuronidation, sulfonation, methylation, and amino acid conjugation. Detoxification Factors supports these reactions with the inclusion of calcium-D-glucarate, n-acetyl-l-cysteine, vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, glycine, taurine, glutamine, and ornithine asparatate. Together, these ingredients provide support for comprehensive detoxification in the liver.”

Dosage (On empty stomach): Start with half the dose and take a few days to work up to the recommended amount.

·         under 10 lbs. – 1 a day

·         10-25 lbs. – 1 twice a day

·         25-30 lbs. 3 a day

·         over 35 lbs. – 2 twice a day

·         over 130 lbs. – 3 twice a day

(Note: Detoxification Factors are usually given for a period of one month)

I’ve been purchasing homeopathic’s & supplements from Natural Rearing for about 18 years now, and they are GREAT!

If you need any help, or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at karen.karensk9s@gmail.com

Hope this helps keep your “Fur Babies” healthy and happy! 😉  Karen