ELIMINATION OF COMMON DISEASES IN DOGS AND CATS
THROUGH DIET ALONE
The results of this clinical
study suggest that 74.7% of common diseases in dogs and 63% of common diseases
in cats can be eliminated without medical intervention over a period of
one year with proper diet modifications.
505 dogs and 83 cats, all with a history of assorted chronic skin
diseases, averaging 33 months; 96% having been to Veterinarians, were
treated by diet alone for their symptoms by the Pet Health and Nutrition
Center in Corning, New York. The diet consisted of natural raw and cooked
whole foods and PHD pet food. Feeding protocols varied depending on the
animal's response to the newly introduced diet. 28% of dogs and 22% of
cats developed transient digestive disturbances (healing episodes) which
were treated by diet and fasting alone. Only animals free of medication
during the study are included. All subjects remained in home situations
without matching control groups. Results reported were based on client testimonials.
Dermatoses and Suspected Food Allergies:
505 dogs (comprising 31 breeds) and 83 cats (comprising 5 breeds)
all displaying classic symptoms of chronic skin disease, were placed on
a diet of fresh raw meats and Perfect Health Diet (PHD) in a 1:2 &
1:3 ratio for 12 months. Initial problems included but were not limited
to pruritis, alopecia, scaling, seborrhea, hyperkeratosis, with and without
chronic biting and licking.
Of the 505 dogs with mild to severe pruritis, and dermatoses 88.%
displayed a cessation of 80% or more of the symptoms within 3 months.
The figure rose to 91.% by the 6th month, and 94.% by the twelfth month.
(note: these test subjects had been off all corticosteroids for at least
1 month prior to testing). Of
the 83 cats treated 78% showed a 70%-80% healing response within 6 months;
80.% within 9 months, and 84.% within 12 months.
Gastrointestinal disorders observed and overcome with diet alone:
Of the 505 dogs and 83 cats exhibiting chronic skin problems; 114
dogs and 19 cats also displayed symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbance
(parasites excluded), including; vomiting, irregular stool patterns, weight
loss and general weakness. Dietary therapeutic management was instituted
taking into account all these consideration. The general protocol was as
follows.
Treatment was generally begun with a 24-48 hour fast. The animal subjects
were then often given a vegetable base broth, followed by raw chopped meat.
Other whole food substances like cottage cheese and cooked oatmeal were
added gradually as long as diarrhea did not develop or get worse. This
raw meat, oatmeal diet was continued for as little as 2 days or for as
long as 5 weeks depending on the severity and history of the problem. PHD
was introduced gradually several days to two weeks after introduction of
the raw meat, until a 1/3rd whole food to 2/3rds PHD diet was reached. Subsequently
the animal was maintained on these proportions for the duration of the test.
Cats were not always given oatmeal but rather a variety of raw meats, blanched,
often pureed raw vegetables, and other whole foods. As with the dogs the
PHD was then introduced gradually to the same proportions.
In virtually all cases the digestive tract returned to normal within
one to three weeks unless the pancreas, or large intestine were found to
have been compromised (history of pancreatitis and/or parasites). In only
3% of the cases with cats and 2% of the cases with dogs was there a need
for further medical intervention.
Behavioral Improvements seen on the Natural Raw Meat / PHD Diet:
Documentation of behavioral changes was the most difficult to chronicle
and was based solely on overall improvement or the lack thereof, as observed
by the owners. In the 505 dogs and 83 cats, a total of 72% said that they
could definitely see some positive change based on pre-existing behavioral
patterns, including more settledness, greater responsiveness and less
voracious eating habits. In many instances the higher nutritional intake
restored more youthful traits and playful characteristics in the geriatric
animals.
Healing episodes and Conclusions:
The higher quality nutrition, freshness of diet and formulation (predominantly
meat in a natural and dry food form) of the "Natural Raw Meat Diet and/or
PHD enables the animal's immune system to throw off lingering chronic disease.
The inability to remove disease completely; whether in a sub-clinical or
chronic form is due predominantly to the feeding of marginally adequate
grain based commercial pet foods. The resultant long term sub-clinical multiple
nutritional deficiencies makes the appearance of healing episodes impossible,
thus enabling a fertile ground for the establishment and growth of chronic
disease.
In a retrospective survey of data from people who are and have been
feeding a combination of the foods mentioned, 46% of the animals exhibited
a healing episode on the road to greater wellness.
A healing episode is a transient, mild appearance of symptoms mimicking
disease without the loss of vitality, mental or physical clarity or strength;
with the cessation of symptoms without medical intervention. These symptoms
regress on their own and result in the emergence of greater wellness.
The symptoms are an indication that the body has summoned enough vitality
to expel accumulated toxins through the kidney, colon, lungs or skin.
Healing episodes appeared in both dogs and cats as one or more sets
of symptoms in predominantly one of the following body systems:
Gastrointestinal, Skin or Behavioral.
Gastrointestinal-a transient return of periods of intermittent or
continuous diarrhea 8% , soft stools 34%, with or without excessive gas.
Skin- a return of a transient period of scaling, dry or oily, with
mild or moderate shedding 12%; (more than one episode 9% ), with or without
varying degrees of pruritis, indicative of deeper (allergic) disease.
Behavioral- a transient return of hyperactivity , general unsettledness,
mild aggressiveness, with a mild or moderate lack of owner responsiveness
and clarity of learned behavior 2%.
During this time period, a surprisingly consistent picture of one
or more of the symptoms sets have appeared as a response to the increased
quality of nutrition. The initial challenge and subsequent delight was in
watching these episodes subside and terminate on their own with little or
no traditional or alternative medical intervention.
These healing episodes ended with an emergence of higher quality life
functions. This occurred not only in the three areas mentioned, but was
expressed as overall enhanced vitality notseen previously by the owners. The initial guarded waiting during the
healing episode; without medical intervention of any kind was well worth
it, and in our eyes an unmistakable indication of the power of the health
remaining within our companion animal population, if just given the right
ingredients and an opportunity to express itself naturally.
Raw meats and vegetables with occasional cooked grain (mostly oatmeal)
served as the predominant diet during transition periods i.e. from coming
off of a fast or directly after or during healing episodes. Slow introduction
of PHD by gradual percent increase in the diet resulted in minimizing the
duration and strength of the healing episodes.
PHD diets were chosen as they are designed to mimic the natural diets
of dogs and cats. The manner in which they are manufactured and distributed
enables them to deliver as much freshness as a commercial diet can provide.
As a totally natural raw meat diet is impractical in most households, PHD
with its very high meat meal content and delivered freshness without chemicals
seemed to be the best supplement to a natural diet at this time.
Monitoring of animals after the one year period of survey (anywhere
from 0 to 12 months) has shown no return of original symptoms as long
as the natural diet is maintained.
The results of this clinical trial suggest that 74.7% of common diseases
in dogs and 63% of common diseases in cats can be eliminated without medical
intervention over a period of one year with proper diet modifications and
an understanding of the healing process as exhibited through healing episodes.
The results are profound in light of the simplicity of the "treatment".
This study demonstrates through a simple change in diet, the profound benefits
waiting for our pets in a health oriented approach. The simplicity of treatment
makes the results easily reproducible. Approaching disease from the perspective
of health is the most powerful means of eliminating disease.
These statistics have been provided to show the powerful healing effects
of diets that reflect the natural feeding habits of dogs and cats. The
removal of disease by providing a better diet for pets who are presently
consigned to a less than optimum diet is clear and reliable. The improved
quality of health as reported to us through the owner participants is heartening
and inspiring. It has been our desire to quantify these clinical observations
and share this information with others. It is also our desire to more accurately
portray the occasional healing episodes that reflect a strengthening of
the immune system and overall vitality of our pets.
"Holistic & traditional approaches
to support the best of animal health."
Available online athttp://www.healthyvet.com
reprinted with kind permission from Dr William Pollak, DVM
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