What Should I Do if My Dog Has Cluster Seizures?

What Should I Do if My Dog Has Cluster Seizures?

by | HA! FAQ, HA! for Diseases, HA! Seizures

Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

First, I should define that a little bit more. Cluster seizures are a seizure in the dog that occurs more than a couple of times a month like they’ll have one, they recover, then they’ll have another one, then they recover. So not individual seizures that occur sporadically rather seizures that occur in clusters. 

Cluster seizures are a medical emergency and the clustering must be stopped. The first thing is to go to your local vet or ER and they will stop the seizure usually with medications like intravenous or valium. If you’re working with an energetic practitioner like one in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine or homeopathy or another holistic vet, with the stabled featuring dog, that’s after the clusters, they may be able to help reduce the frequency of clusters using lifestyle changes, energetic changes, and things that modify the dog’s responses internally and decrease seizures. 

I’m Jeff Feinman, licensed holistic veterinarian here in western Connecticut answering common pet parent questions. Thank you for coming, thank you for watching, and we’ll talk soon.

Suggested Treatments: 

*Dr. Jeff list suggested treatments (3)*

  1. Go to the ER for immediate relief
  2. Work with energetic practitioner: homeopathy, Chinese Veterinary Medicine…

Related Symptoms: 

  1. Regular ceizures (more than a couple times a month)

    DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

     

    Dr. Jeff

    Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

    Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

    What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety In Dogs?

    What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety In Dogs?

    by | HA! FAQ, HA! Fears, HA! for Diseases

    Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

    Well, that’s a great question because that’s part of B.E.A.M: behavior, energy, appetite, and mood). All those things can reflect anxiety, but the most common behavioral ones are things like panting, an anxious look in the eyes, a body posture with ears held down and the tail tucked, being excessively clingy, and wanting to be isolated. Every dog responds to the triggers or causes of anxiety in their own way, but the number one thing I would say is to watch for changes in B.E.A.M because any of them can be a sign of anxiety or discomfort in an individual dog. 

    I’m Jeff Feinman, licensed holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut to answer common pet parent questions. Thank you for coming. Thank you for watching. We’ll all talk soon!

    For more holistic pet care information, visit the HolisticActions! Website. 

     

    Related Symptoms: 

    • Panting
    • Anxious look in the eyes
    • Clingyness
    • Whining
    • Crying
    • Destroying things in your home
    • Hiding

      DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

       

      Dr. Jeff

      Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

      Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

      Can My Dog’s Heart Murmur Lead To Congestive Heart Failure?

      Can My Dog’s Heart Murmur Lead To Congestive Heart Failure?

      by | HA! FAQ, HA! Heart

      Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

      Well, heart murmurs are just a sign of turbulence in the blood flow of the heart where there should be smooth, quiet flow. But, a heart murmur is nearly a symptom and not a cause of disease or a disease by itself. In puppies, murmurs are very common. Most of them are innocent murmurs and don’t mean anything in terms of heart function. Most puppies will outgrow them. 

      In giant breed dogs in particular though, heart murmurs can be an early sign of heart disease. If there is backward flow through one of the valves, that causes the turbulence that your veterinarian can hear through the stethoscope. That can be an early warning sign of a more serious disease. 

      The best way to know what’s going on in your dog’s heart, whether it’s something you need to worry about and needs treatment, or whether it’s just a minor little something that your dog isn’t going to have any problems with, is through echocardiography. An echo is a form of ultrasound, and it looks at the heart in real-time. It can detect turbulence within the heart and discover where it’s coming from as well as whether it’s something to be worried about or not. So when in doubt, echocardiography is your best bet. 

      Hi! I’m Doctor Jean Hofve, a licensed veterinarian with HolisticActions!. Thanks, I hope this helps! Take care. 

      Suggested Treatments: 

      1. Early detection through vet exam and echocardiography
      2. Treating underlining condition (it could be hypothyroidism, heartworm, anemia, or heart defect)
      3. Monitoring

      Related Symptoms:

      1. Murmur detected through the stethoscope
      2. If you see symptoms like coughing, congestion, change in breath sounds or rapid breathing, exercise intolerance, weakness or “fainting,” gray or blue gums – seek medical attention.

      DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

       

      dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

      Dr. Jean

      Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

      She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

      Can You Spay a Pregnant Cat?

      Can You Spay a Pregnant Cat?

      by | HA! FAQ, HA! Neutering

      Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

      So your girl kitty accidentally got pregnant. Now what? Is it too late to spay her? No, in most cases, it isn’t too late most cats can be spayed during pregnancy—unless the pregnancy is very advanced. 

      Sometimes if it’s very advanced. For example the cat I had on my operating table with a kitten poking its nose out. Obviously, we did not spay her and the kittens were born under my desk. But if that’s the case where you can’t spay a pregnant cat. But unless it’s very advanced and the chance of increased blood loss is too much, you can spay a cat. Pretty much anytime it’s in the 63 days of pregnancy, so don’t worry. 

      I’m Dr. Jean Hofve, a licensed veterinarian with HolisticActions!. Take care, bye bye.

      DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

       

      dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

      Dr. Jean

      Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

      She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

      How Do Cats Get Heartworms?

      How Do Cats Get Heartworms?

      by | HA! FAQ, HA! Heart

      Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

      Did you know that cats, like dogs, can get heartworms? Heartworms are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, so cats can get it, although it is very rare in kitties. The main symptom of heartworm disease in cats is coughing, although a cat may not present any symptoms at all. 

      Mosquitos can breed in a very small amount of water. Just a few drops is enough, so preventing heartworm involves preventing mosquitos. That means removing all standing water in your yard, keeping door and window screens in good repair, keeping cats indoors as much as possible, or at the very least, keeping them instead from dusk til dawn when mosquitos are most active. There are topical sprays, herbal sprays, that can be used on cats, but they must be reapplied about every 2 hours, so it may not be totally practical. Also, some of the products on the market are not entirely safe for cats because they use very strong herbs and spices, so be sure to talk to your holistic veterinarian about which ones are safe to use on your cat. 

      Hi, I’m doctor Jean Hofve, licensed veterinarian with HolisticActions!.com. Thanks very much. 

      Suggested Treatments: 

      1. Prevention by preventing mosquitos on your property
      2. Topical sprays

      Related Symptoms: 

      1.  No symptoms (positive blood test results)
      2. Coughing
      3. Vomiting/weight loss

        DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

         

        dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

        Dr. Jean

        Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

        She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

        What Natural Methods Can I Use to Help My Cat’s Anxiety?

        What Natural Methods Can I Use to Help My Cat’s Anxiety?

        by | HA! FAQ, HA! Fears

        Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

        Natural therapies are very effective for reducing cat anxiety. Flower Essences are one of the very best remedies to use for stressed and anxious kitties. Rescue Remedy or Stress Stopper from Jackson Galaxy Solutions are both really good for those stressed-out kitties. There are also calming herbs that can be used such as passionflower, valerian, and chamomile. There are many combination herbal products on the market made specifically for cats. 

        There is a product called Composure made by Vetriscience that contains nutrients that are beneficial and help calm animals down. Finally, I recommend play therapy. Play therapy you say? Yeah! That’s just a fancy name for interactive play with you on one end of a cat toy and the cat on the other. Play therapy satisfies a cat’s strong hunter instincts, it increases their territorial confidence and it can help dissipate some of that nervous energy. It will also help you both sleep well at night and it’s fun to boot.

        Hi, I’m Dr. Jean Hofve, a licensed veterinarian with HolisticActions!. I hope this helps. Thanks, bye-bye.

        Suggested Treatments: 

        1. Rescue Remedy or Stress Stopper from Jackson Galaxy Solutions
        2. Calming herbs, such as passionflower, valerian, and chamomile
        3. Composure made by Vetriscience
        4. Play therapy

        Related Symptoms: 

        1. Insomnia
        2. Over or under grooming
        3. Hiding
        4. Agression
        5. Litter box accidents

            DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

             

            dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

            Dr. Jean

            Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

            She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

            Are There Treatment Options For Cushing’s Disease?

            Are There Treatment Options For Cushing’s Disease?

            by | HA! Endocrine, HA! FAQ

            Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

            I love that question because that’s kind of what the second step of HMDM, or Holistic Medical Decision Making, is all about. Do research for holistic and conventional options, and then decide what to do in step 3 of HMDM. 

            The most common treatment is no treatment, but monitoring because there’s no “quality of life” altering symptoms. So, the vet might just opt to do a blood test every 6 months or go in if there are any problems. Other treatments include Lysodren which actually destroys part of the adrenal gland that makes steroid hormones that we see in Cushing’s Disease. Lysodren is an EDT derivative that is pretty toxic, so it’s been replaced pretty much with another safer medication called Vetoryl, which will reduce the signs of Cushing’s Disease. It may not have the same long-lasting effect of Lysodren, but in my experience and at my practice, we try to alter lifestyle, hygienic and homeopathic before going to medications. 

            So there are a lot of lifestyle factors that you can modify from diet to things like post electromagnetic frequency (PEMF) and acupuncture. These things are verified to work to increase quality of life and decrease symptoms. We’ll talk further about that in future videos.

            I’m Jeff Feinman, licensed holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut to answer common pet parent questions. Thank you for watching and we’ll all talk soon!

            Learn more about holistic pet care at HolisticActions!. 

            Suggested Treatments: 

            1. Conventional care is drugs that destroy adrenal cells or ones that modify adrenal home levels
            2. Physiologically supporting with supplements
            3. Energetically curing with homeopathy-which is a way of approaching symptoms in a totally different way

            Related Symptoms:

            1. Most common is often no obvious symptoms (Cushing’s detected on a routine blood test).
            2. Increased thirst
            3. Panting and potbellied

                DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

                 

                Dr. Jeff

                Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

                Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

                What are the Symptoms of Cushing’s Disease?

                What are the Symptoms of Cushing’s Disease?

                by | HA! Endocrine, HA! FAQ, HA! for Diseases

                Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman

                The most common symptom of Cushing’s is actually not anything that you can see, but what the vet finds in a routine blood test and that’s the elevation in an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase which means that things are changing in the body. As far as external symptoms, the most common symptoms you’ll see are eating a lot, drinking a lot, urinating a lot, and a decrease in their hair coat. It could be almost any physical symptom that you see. 

                If you know the BEAM: Behavior, Energy, Appetite, Mood. How that is often your earliest clue that something is going on. What I’d say is it doesn’t really matter if it’s an internal symptom from a blood test or an external symptom, you need to start dealing with the internal physiological imbalance right away.

                I’m Jeff Feinman, a licensed holistic veterinarian here in Western Connecticut with HolisticActions!, here to answer the most common pet parent questions. Thank you for joining me today!

                Suggested Treatments: 

                1. Conventional care is drugs that destroy adrenal cells or ones that modify adrenal home levels 
                2. Physiologically supporting with supplements
                3. Energetically curing with homeopathy-which is a way of approaching symptoms in a totally different way

                Related Symptoms: 

                1. Most common is often no obvious symptoms (Cushing’s detected on a routine blood test).
                2. Increased thirst
                3. Panting and potbellied

                  DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

                   

                  Dr. Jeff

                  Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

                  Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

                  What are the Common Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats?

                  What are the Common Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats?

                  by | HA! Endocrine, HA! FAQ, HA! for Diseases

                  Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

                  Hyperthyroid disease affects cats over seven years of age. 

                  The most common symptom is increased thirst and along with it is increased urination. I call it “drink a lot, pee a lot” syndrome. Now, this set of symptoms is very common for many different diseases, including symptoms of kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes. So, it’s important to distinguish among them usually with a blood test. 

                  The next most common symptom is increased appetite, but even though the cat is eating more, she may still lose weight. That’s because thyroid hormone controls the basic metabolic rate. This means that the cat’s body with too much thyroid hormone is basically running in overdrive. She needs a lot more food to keep up with the energy expenditure that she creates just sitting there. It’s often very hard for these cats to maintain weight even when they’re eating more. 

                  Another common symptom is hyperactivity, restlessness, or anxiety. You’ll usually know this when your cat is zooming around the house around four in the morning. These guys also will typically howl, yell, and cry in the middle of the night. Sometimes it’s almost as if they walk into another room and get lost and need to call you to help them find their way back. I don’t know if that’s really what’s going on in their head, but I can only tell you it has disrupted many a good night’s sleep. 

                  So if you see any of these symptoms in your older cat it’s definitely time to have your veterinarian check it out. I’m Dr. Jean Hofve, a licensed veterinarian with HolisticActions!, thanks very much.

                  Suggested Treatments: 

                  1. Conventional medicine
                  2. homeopathy
                  3. Traditional Chinese Medicine

                  Related Symptoms: 

                  1. Drinking/peeing more
                  2. hungry
                  3. weight loss
                  4. crying

                    DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

                     

                    dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

                    Dr. Jean

                    Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

                    She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. 

                    What Ingredients Are Important to Incorporate into My Cat’s Diet?

                    What Ingredients Are Important to Incorporate into My Cat’s Diet?

                    by | HA! FAQ, HA! Nutrition, HA! Staying Healthy, HA! Supplements

                    Answered by Dr. Jean Hofve

                    There are three ingredients that I recommend you incorporate into your cat’s diet. The first and most important are omega 3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA. These come from Marine sources such as fish or green-lipped mussels. The other two are beneficial for the digestive system and they are probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that live in your cat’s gut. They help digest food, produce vitamins, and prevent infection by pathogenic organisms. Prebiotics are special types of fiber that particularly nourish the gut bacteria including the probiotics that you just gave your cat, so, it’s the match made in heaven.

                     I hope this helps! I’m Dr. Jean Hofve, a licensed veterinarian with Holistic Actions!. Take care, bye-bye.

                    Suggested Treatments/ingredients in your cat’s diet: 

                    1. Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)
                    2. Probiotics
                    3. Prebiotics

                    Related Symptoms when those ingredients are lacking: 

                    1. Dry/flaky coat
                    2. Digestive disorders
                    3. Allergies

                      DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.

                       

                      dr.jean hofve, holistic pet care

                      Dr. Jean

                      Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s.

                      She has written books,  dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production, and founder of Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems.