The Pet Fund

The Pet Fund is an education resource as well as an organization dedicated to keeping animals out of shelters. Monthly updates from animal health publications will be added to this page to provide additional information about preventative care practices for companion animals.

In addition, links to other animal assistance organizations are provided below. Organizations interested in being added to the website should contact The Pet Fund at (916) 443-6007 or via email at info@thepetfund.com.

From Animal Wellness Magazine, an article entitled "Top 8 Canine Fitness Trends." Reprinted with permission of Animal Wellness Magazine © 2009 www.animalwellnessmagazine.com.

Denise was concerned about her best friend, Jack. Because of recent surgery on her knee, she’d been unable to take him for walks and hikes. Once slim and active, her three-year-old beagle/Lab mix had begun to adopt a couch potato lifestyle. He seemed a bit depressed and had put on weight. Denise knew this wasn’t healthy. The vet told her it was essential to get Jack moving. He realized Denise currently wasn’t up to walking him so asked if her physiotherapist had suggested a treadmill or swimming to strengthen her knee. When Denise replied she was doing both, her vet broke into a smile and said: “Get Jack in the pool and on the treadmill too!” As more people realize the benefits of fitness not just for themselves, but for their dogs as well, they’re looking for exciting new ways to give their companions the exercise they need. Why not explore some of today’s most popular canine fitness trends?

Also included in this article:
Check out these fun and popular ways to keep your canine in good condition.
- Tread the treadmill
- The backyard pool
- Dog dancing
- Doggy yoga
- Agility

For the complete article and to subscribe to Animal Wellness Magazine, click on www.animalwellnessmagazine.com. For archived articles from Animal Wellness Magazine, click here.

From Animal Wellness Magazine, an article entitled "Signs of Cancer in Dogs and Cats.” Reprinted with permission of Animal Wellness Magazine © 2008 www.animalwellnessmagazine.com.

One day, while giving her golden retriever Harley a treat, Michelle thought she saw something on the side of his mouth. When she took a closer look, she discovered a small lump growing on the inside of his cheek. She took Harley to the vet next day, and after several tests, he was diagnosed with oral cancer. Unlike humans, dogs and cats can’t tell us when something’s wrong, so it’s up to us to keep an eye on their health and pay attention when anything changes. This is especially true with cancer, which is epidemic in our companion animals, and can be quite insidious in its early stages. But what should you look for? As with humans, there are certain signs and symptoms that can signal cancer in dogs and cats. Keep in mind that they don’t necessarily mean your animal has cancer – many other diseases can cause similar symptoms, so it’s important not to panic. But it’s still a good idea to have your companion checked out if he exhibits any of the following ten signs:

1.   Abnormal swellings, bumps or growths
2.   Sores that do not heal
3.   Weight loss or loss or appetite
4.   Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating
5.   Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6.   Offensive mouth odor
7.   Difficulty eating or swallowing
8.   Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
9.   Persistent lameness, stiffness or difficulty exercising
10. Coughing

Also included in this article:
- Additional key signs to watch for.
- How to examine your animal.
- Important keys to prevention of cancer.

For the complete article and to subscribe to Animal Wellness Magazine, click on www.animalwellnessmagazine.com. For archived articles from Animal Wellness Magazine, click here.

NATURAL REARING--WARNINGS ABOUT FLYING WITH YOUR ANIMALS An article about air shipment of pets is available from www.naturalrearing.com. An excerpt is available here:

Red Alert on Air Shipment of Pets

Here’s a little bombshell for you:

"...over sedation is the most frequent cause of death of pets being transported by air."

This observation comes from none other than Dr. Arthur V. Tennyson of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is now advising veterinarians not to prescribe a tranquilizer or other sedatives for animals about to travel by air…except in unusual circumstances. Even though such drugs have been used, there is very little actually known about the effects of sedation on animals that are enclosed in cages and transported at high altitudes.

Dr. Tennyson says that even if the animal appears excited before the trip begins, once aloft it probably calms down in the dark, closed hold. When the pet is calm, however, the effect of the drug might be excessive, he warns.

To help an animal that will be flown, the Bach Flower remedies are extremely useful. We all know about Rescue Remedy (or Calming Essence). This can be improved for flying by adding Mimulus for specific fears (i.e. fear of abandonment) and Aspen for the vague and general fear. Elm is a good remedy for the feeling of being overwhelmed (ex. by the rigors of traveling). If the trip is long, add Wild Rose. This will help the stress of confinement and will aid to bring joy.

The remedies chosen can be given 3 times a day the day before travel and more frequently on the day of travel (i.e. when you are packing; leave the house; arrive at the airport; and just before you must leave the animal). If water is accompanying the animal in the crate, then the remedy can also be put in the water dish.

For other natural remedies, including homeopathic and glandular remedies for stress, go to www.naturalrearing.com.

An article about the basics of holistic care is available from www.naturalrearing.com. An excerpt is available here:

NATURAL REARING--PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
The basic principals of natural rearing are both simple and elegant. Yet to the newcomer, the wealth of detailed information can be overwhelming. Probably the hardest part is first "unlearning" what we have taken for granted for most of our lives...

To put the learning process in perspective we need to address three broad categories:

1. Diet (including food, water, and supplements).
2. Vaccinations (conventional, holistic and a fundamental understanding of the immune system).
3. Veterinary medicine (conventional, holistic and when to use the best of both worlds).

... There is little doubt that the "Western" world has produced some of the finest "emergency" medicine in the world. Modern science has provided some outstanding tools for diagnostic purposes. Conventional medicine views the body as a mechanical device and seeks to put a label on a problem through symptomatic description. Treatment is generally by surgery or drugs. The D.V.M. of today is superbly schooled in the use of these modalities. What seems to have been pushed aside is the old primary rule of medicine "Firstly, do no harm". Over vaccination and over use of antibiotics and steroids are common.

The holistic veterinarian has learned to question some of what he has been taught and has gone on from earning his D.V.M. to trying to become a "healer" in the true sense of the word. In general, drugs for suppression of symptoms are rarely used. Instead the holistic practitioner seeks to determine the underlying cause of the symptom and may use one or several modalities to support and revitalize the body's own method of healing. Recognition of the "Vital Force" in a living body is freely given and considered to be as important as the "mechanistic" model learned in school. An attempt is made to view the animal as a "whole" individual being and more than just the sum of its parts.

...The challenge for the D.V.M. that chooses to practice a "Holistic" form of medicine, is the sheer volume of modalities utilized throughout the world. No one person could possibly become an "expert" in every field. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association lists the following modalities in their directory: Acupuncture, Bach Flower Remedies, Chinese Herbs, Chiropractic, Clinical Nutrition, Color Therapy, Conventional Medicine, Electroacupuncture according to Voll, Glandular Therapy, Homeopathy (Classical and other), Interro, Biotron ll, Nutrition, Magnetic Therapy, Pulsating Magnetic Therapy, and Western Herbs. This list, although extensive is by no means complete. Entire fields of study such as Ayurvedic Veterinary Medicine, Environmental Medicine, and many others, are also open for investigation and incorporation into a veterinarian practice.

For the student of natural rearing there is no need to be overwhelmed by the plethora of information available. Rather, take comfort in knowing that there are many ways to deal with health problems and there is always hope when conventional medicine has given up. Most enthusiasts will find themselves turning to holistic care first, as their primary source of veterinary medicine. Conventional treatment is usually reserved for the emergency situation that can pop up from time to time. Both have their place.

One of the goals of natural rearing is to minimize the need for any veterinarian assistance. Prevention of ill-ness and fostering of well-ness can be achieved if a total program is followed. Providing your animal with the best chance of "being all that it can be" is a lofty goal, worthy of the extra effort it takes to accept the responsibility and think for yourself. There is no substitute for fresh, wholesome food, clean water, exercise, plenty of fresh air and avoidance of chemicals and drugs to the greatest extent possible.

Also included in the full article:

- Resources for education about herbal remedies
- Natural Diet recommendations
- Use of supplements for optimum health
- Vaccination information
- Homeopathy, Enzymes, and a holistic approach to health
- Traditional and alternative veterinary medicine
To view the complete article, go to www.naturalrearing.com.