Summer Herb Blend

Since Vida's doing a homotoxicology program that's rather involved, I'm letting that remedy series to the heavy lifting and am using her herbal blend for support with a focus on antioxidants and adaptogens.

• 2 parts rosehips
• 1 part hawthorn berries
• 1 part spirulina
• 1/2 part astragalus
• 1/2 part ashwagandha
• 1/2 part kelp
• 1/2 part milk thistle

.... hold on.... 

I was low on ashwagandha, so that and the astragalus are ending up a little lower  proportion. 

And.....

I had to figure out how much to make for the summer! I found a handy conversion tool that told me that 70 teaspoons is 1-1/2 cups. Whew!

So the finished products is a little different... 

2/3 are roughly as above. 

1/3 is:

• 3 parts rosehips
• 3 parts hawthorn
• 1 part spirulina
• 1/2 part kelp

It's fine, it's not rocket science, it's just a meal boost.

And then I bagged up individual meals for the road! 15 meals, grab and go when we get to the hotel (plus a few more for my mom to feed while I'm at IHA). Easy.

Packing List for the Traveling Dog

Food for the road

• Honest Kitchen Zeal
• Great Life kibble (duck limited ingredient grain/potato-free)

Supplements for the road

• Mushroom Matrix MRM
• Homemade Herb Blend
• 3 different dropper bottles for her auto-sanguis therapy (that have to stay refrigerated,so... I bought a cooler that plugs into the car)
• Stress Stopper flower essence from Spirit Essences (like Rescue Remedy)

Additional supplements for the 2 month destination

• Iceland Pure Sardine/Anchovy Oil
• Flea Free
• Hyaflex hyalauronic acid
• Dried ground Chaga

Miscellaneous supplies

• Additional i.d. tag for the trip (says "traveling!" plus cell number) (she has a tag at the cabin with that info)
• Mat/blanket (she has a bed at the cabin)
• Horseblanket-style fleece jacket
• Swim vest
• Chuck-It
• Two Turnups
• Organic cotton plush toy (very important for the hotel, releases energy to shake it after a day of driving)
• Small stainless bowl
• Portable water bowl
• Two Comfort-Flex harnesses
• 10 foot Mendota lead
• Two 6 foot Mendota leads
• Water Loopie Sport
• Nail tools
• Tick and flea tools (Neem spray already at cabin)
• Herbal Energetics Herbal 1st Aid Powder
• Custom homeopathic remedy for bee allergy
• Poop bags
• Swim harness (old plain harness because I usually swim her at a boat launch and need to be able to grab her and display "control" if a boat comes)
• Heartworm herbs (might use these if it seems they won't interfere with autosanguis)
• Icelandic Fish Skin chews
• Boulder Dog Food Company Dried Buffalo Heart Strips

I think that's everything!

Homotoxicology Gets Its Turn

Vida's cancer has indeed decided to express itself again, but my vet Keith Weingardt consulted with the surgeon (Dr Mullen) and oncologist (Dr Proulx) and all agreed that surgery would be futile and perhaps worsen thing by propelling the body to make more tumors. The thought is that by leaving them be (since they're not causing problems) they might prevent new ones from developing. 


I have mainstream options in my reserve arsenal if needed: prednisone, melphelan, or even radiation (that last one is really not something I plan to do again simply due to the expense), and will be speaking with Dr. Proulx in a few days about that.


I've opted to start Vida on a homotoxicology treatment known as autosanguis therapy. You're probably scratching your head right now, and I'll explain it a bit, but first enjoy this photo of Vida taken the day of her first treatment.

The Importance of Taking Inventory

This will be a short post:


It's important to take regular inventory of your dog. 


What does that mean?


It means knowing every bump in their topography.
Is that a new one? 
What is it? 
What does it feel like? What does it look like?
Is it bigger than last month?


If you find something new, write it down. 


Vida has six discernible abnormalities. 


One I'd forgotten about.


One is new, and bad. A plasmacytoma, the same type she had in her mouth.


Thank goodness for her chiropractor. I had felt it a week or so before she got adjusted and thought it was a bit odd. Her chiropractor found it and was immediately concerned and strongly urged me to get it checked out. It was the size of a marble, just behind her right should and next to her spine.


Two weeks later the holistic vet felt it and immediately sent me to get it aspirated. That's how we got it diagnosed only 3 weeks before I'm due to leave for the summer.


Now it's a mad rush to do something about it. Surgery is most likely, perhaps also prednisone (something used last year as part of the treatment for the other tumor).




Do an inventory.