Pimping up Raw Dog Food and Applied Zoopharmacognosy.

My greyhound often has parts of my own breakfast added to hers.

Raw fed dogs are often given 80:10:10, which needs a few additions to balance the diet.

My greyhound often has parts of my own breakfast added to hers.

80:10:10 refers to a raw minced blend of 80% meat, 10% bone, 5% liver and 5% other offal. It is available in a multitude of different proteins and doesn't need to break the bank.

The additions are not mixed through, but on the edge, so she can reject bits her body doesn't need.

Ground mixed seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, chia, flax) provide Vitamin E.

A puree of mixed berries and a few pomegranate seeds provide vitamin C, quercetin, some insoluble fibre and antioxidants.

Kefir for probiotics.

The additions are not mixed through, but on the edge, so she can reject bits her body doesn't need.

My own breakfast will change through the seasons, and so will the additions to hers. Last week the fruit puree was pear (which I had cooked with some culinary spices).

She will have some dark green leafy veg, or some finely chopped broccoli added next to her tea, she has frozen sprats (for Omega 3 fatty acids) as daily treats and a raw egg (for choline) a few times a week.

Older dogs, and dogs with medical conditions, may self select other nutrients and essential oils to help them. Applied Zoopharmacognosy is the science of offering plant extracts in the form of essential oils and dry herbs to animals so they can self select the plants that will help them heal or deal with the illness they are living with.

As some examples,

Dogs living with chronic pain may select to lick Devil's claw and Turmeric paste, inhale Essential oil of Wintergreen or something different.

Dogs living with anxiety may select Linden blossom, Vanilla, Hops or others

Cats with IBD may choose Roman chamomile, or Peppermint...

We don't know for sure what an animal will select until we ask them. I will help you learn to interpret their communication cues so you can continue offering the plant extracts at home. Based on their medical history, behaviour, clinical examination and your observations, I will offer from my vast library of plant extracts the most appropriate for your pet.

I have accumulated a wide range of essential oils and nutrient powders ready to offer dogs and cats based on Applied Zoopharmacognosy principles, having been tutored for over a year by the leader in this field, Caroline Ingraham. This course has built on my existing knowledge of Veterinary Herbal Medicine, which it is a branch of.

Before I see your pet, I read the entire medical history from your conventional vet (plus any referral reports), then I meet you both and ask you loads more questions while I observe your animal. If they tolerate physical examination I will carry that out and then offer appropriate plant extracts for your pet to self select.

Even very anxious pets do well with this approach, as I don't have to touch them if they can't bear it, and I usually leave the consulting room door open so they are free to pop out into my fenced garden if they choose.

I'll send you home with enough to carry on at home so you can continue offering the selected oils and powders before investing in larger quantities. If I feel that veterinary acupuncture will be useful, I will often carry out a "test needling" at that first appointment.

This first appointment lasts well over one hour, please see main website for current prices and how to book. For animals that have multiple conditions, these are best treated over several sessions. Animals will often prioritise one condition to start with, and then the other conditions will become more important as the first subsides. I schedule the second appointment, which may be 45-60 minutes, 2-3 weeks after the first so you can practice at home and keep a diary.

Cases that are suitable for acupuncture will need 4-6 sessions initially, usually 30 minutes each and at 7-14 day intervals.

Regular top ups are then usually needed, at intervals which depend on the condition, the age of the animal and the response. Every 4-6 weeks is common. I will offer recommendations during acupuncture sessions about lifestyle, diet and Applied Zoopharmacognosy as we go. As an experienced vet, I can also advise on medications.