Spring is in the air with green things growing and baby animals entering the world! Congratulations to all those with litters! Hearing about yet another NR'd litter fllls our hearts with gladness. Our apologies for the late release of this issue. Life for both of us has taken over and thrown us in a few loops. We appreciate your patience! If you’d like to see something included, drop us a note, we’re always open to ideas. And if you‘ve written something on natural dog or cat care, we love including guest articles! Happy reading, Paula & Krystal
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In this Issue: Nature’s Medicine Chest: Parvo protocol Breeder Spotlight: High Desert Goldens Essential Oil Profile: Lemon Homeopathy Highlight: Remedies for surgery |
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By Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N. It can be utterly frightening when your puppy is sick! You go to the veterinarian for help, yet as soon as they hear you raw feed they do their best to make you feel like an irresponsible pet owner. Multiply that 1,000 times when they hear you don’t vaccinate! All terribly unfair and just plain mean if you ask me. And then your puppy is diagnosed with parvo. Understandably, the tendency is to doubt oneself and question rearing practices. However, if a puppy’s case isn’t too severe it can often be addressed at home as long as the appropriate supplies are already on hand. But by then there’s no time to wait for an order to be shipped. The following are items that NR breeders and owners have successfully used for their puppies with parvo: •Paxxin (or tinctures of Astragalus, Oregon Grape, Echinacea, and Ginseng) •Aconite •Vibactra •Colloidal Silver •Liquid Bentonite Clay •Rescue Remedy •Raw goat milk •Electrolytes (homemade or plain Pedialyte) •Subcutaneous fluids if the pup simply cannot keep liquids down If you would like to have specific information on the natural protocol for parvo, email us and we’d be glad to email it to you. What is the single most important ‘item’ for avoiding and surviving parvo in the first place? A strong Naturally Reared puppy! Copyright © Krystal L. Beers. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article originally appeared in the Highland Glenn Echo newsletter in 2014. |
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We are pleased to feature Natural Rearing breeder Lisa Bertelli-Salum of High Desert Goldens in Idaho! While their program has been in the works for a couple of years, they are just expecting their first, 2nd generation, Naturally Reared litter of Golden Retrievers in May. That is very exciting news! Their dogs have been raw fed for 3 ½ years and vaccine-free for 11 years. NRD: Tell us about your kennel, Lisa - “Our family-run kennel is where Golden Retrievers are more than pets; they're cherished members of our home! Nestled in the heart of Idaho, our kennel is home to three beautiful Golden Retrievers - 1 handsome male and 2 beautiful females. At High Desert Goldens, our dogs enjoy a life full of love, care, and plenty of space to roam. Living alongside our family, which includes our 2 homeschooled children, (we have five other grown children) our dogs receive individual attention and are an integral part of our daily lives. We take pride in teaching responsibility and care to our children, our boys (12 and 14) each have their own dog to groom, feed, and train. Our spacious fenced-in acres provide the perfect playground for our dogs to run, play, connect with nature and keep their paws grounded to the earth - ensuring they lead happy, healthy lives.” NRD: High Desert Goldens hasn’t always practiced Natural Rearing. The story of how you got started is truly inspiring - “Our story is one that starts off sad but ends triumphant. Back in 2012, our youngest of 4 sons was 6 months old when he went for his routine wellness check which included scheduled vaccines. Within 24 hours, our sweet baby was never the same. With each vaccination of each child, my instincts screamed “NO!” to me, but I ignored them-what did I know? I wasn’t a doctor, and surely, they wouldn’t give these vaccines if they caused harm. I shut my instincts down and proceeded with the vaccines. 48 hours after vaccination, we were in the emergency room with screaming baby who had a fever, diarrhea, and fluid in his lungs. We were told it was not connected to his recent vaccinations and it was just a coincidence. It was in that moment, that I lost all trust in doctors and felt extreme guilt for ignoring my instincts and allowing my baby to be harmed like this. Those were the last vaccines our son ever got, but it was only the beginning of the damage they caused. He had immune system damage, nervous system damage, as well as brain swelling and damage. He was chronically ill, he had fevers about 20 days per month (every month), non-verbal, he had extreme anxiety, he had little to no coordination and he was severely behind all physical, mental, and emotional milestones. At 18 months he was diagnosed with Autism. At the time of his diagnosis, I was already almost a year into my research and his healing journey. I learned so much those years as he was recovering. The good news in this story is that he made an almost full recovery. There will always be some small things he will contend with for life, but for the most part, he is a thriving, happy child who exhibits no signs of autism or vaccine damage. While I will never forgive myself for allowing my child to be injured while I held him down and went against my God-given instincts, I thank God that our eyes were opened to the truth regarding so many things. Our lives were changed forever for the better-and not just our lives, but our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors and especially our 7-month-old first grandchild who is vax-free and thriving. Through God’s grace, this tragedy was transformed into an opportunity for saving and positively changing so many lives. Once we got our son healed and our family on a better path, we turned our attention to our pets. We no longer allowed our dogs to be vaccinated. We no longer used chemical flea/tick treatment or heartworm prevention. At the time, we also switched to “quality” kibble. During those years, we thought the kibble we were feeding was great for them (surely it was great because the bag said so and it was SUPER expensive!) We did not know one person who raw fed, raw feeding was not on our radar. Had we known about it, surely, we would have fed it, but it was not well known, at least not in my circle (and my circle was filled with naturally-minded, holistic people). It wasn’t until around 2020 that I became aware of raw feeding and immediately began researching and transitioning our dogs over to raw. While our vax-free dogs did seem healthier than vaccinated dogs, we did not see huge improvements in health until we transitioned to raw feeding. Once we saw the difference in our raw fed/chemical free dogs, we decided we wanted to start from scratch with a Naturally Reared puppy and change the world, one dog at a time. It was then, that High Desert Goldens was born.” NRD: What is the biggest difference you’ve seen with NR? - “The differences in our previous “traditionally” raised dogs vs. our naturally reared dogs is absolutely amazing. Prior to Naturally Rearing, every single dog I ever had, had one or more of the following: allergies, skin infections, yeast infections, aggression, obesity, behavior problems, and cancer to name a few. I spent a ton of money on vet visits and pharmaceuticals trying to get my dogs healthy. My saddest loss was my dog Max. At 16 years old, I got my VERY OWN dog. He was a mutt, a German Shepherd/Husky mix. He was the bestest boy and my best friend. I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to do to raise him right, after all, he was my very own. I fed him great kibble, I took him in every year for his shots to keep him safe from those harmful viruses, I gladly brought in his rabies certificate and registered him with the town, I gave him flea/tick prevention (I lived in New England and ticks were rampant there). At 11 years old, Max died of cancer. I called my dad crying asking WHY??? Why did he get cancer dad? I did everything I was supposed to do. My dad didn’t have an answer. I was young, I didn’t connect the dots, there was no social media and no one in my life suggesting that maybe I was poisoning him with food and vaccines. After Max, all of my dogs had some kind of health problem, it just seemed par for the course, it just came with having a dog! Now let’s take a look at our Naturally Reared dogs… not one dog has ever been sick one day of their lives. They are the epitome of health. They are strong, lean, healthy, thriving, and free from any neurological damage vaccines can cause. I have even been complimented many times in public how HEALTHY my dogs look! I am also aware that any living thing CAN get sick, so I have many natural and homeopathic remedies on hand in the event that one of our dogs does get sick. I have spent over a decade researching natural remedies for humans and dogs, so I am not reliant on misdiagnoses and pharmaceuticals from doctors. The only time my Naturally Reared dogs have been to the vet is for health testing for breeding-at which point, even the vet comments on our healthy our dogs are. The difference between my traditionally raised and Naturally Reared dogs is so remarkable that I actually feel sadness in my heart for any dog who is not Naturally Reared.” NRD: Why do you feel Natural Rearing breeders are important? - “I truly believe NR breeders are going to save the canine species and I don’t say that lightly. As canine generations are so short compared to humans, and as each generation is becoming more and more damaged at a fast rate, how many more generations until dogs will no longer be able to survive? Not only will NR breeders preserve the species, but they will be the ones who improve the health and longevity of each dog. In addition to breeding, educating people is equally important. We need to teach as many people as possible who will listen about the truth. We need to help them un-learn generations of lies and deceit created for profit. I believe there is a shift in society now where people are at least open to hearing more truths, they are beginning to question the narrative and this is our time to change the world. It took decades to get to this horrible place, and change for the better won’t happen overnight, but as we head in that direction, we must stay strong, focused, determined, and supportive of each other. To those who have gone before me: thank you for your knowledge, steadfast determination, leadership and guidance. To those who will go after me: I am here for every single step you take, from baby steps to giant leaps. Ask every question you can think of. And above all, ALWAYS trust your instincts!” Lisa, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences and insights. The NRBC is proud to have you as a member breeder. We wish you all the best with your upcoming litter! If you or anyone you know is looking for a Naturally Reared Golden Retriever, visit Lisa’s website at www.highdesertgoldensofidaho.com or email highdesertgoldens@gmail.com. Enjoy some photos of Lisa’s beautiful dogs and puppies. |
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By Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N. We have always relished the refreshing scents of citrus! Lemon in particular is a favorite for in homemade cleaning solutions, adding flavor to baked goods and beverages, and ridding the odor of garlic and onion from your hands. It’s another one of the essential oils I always have on hand. Let me begin by saying that citrus oils need to be used with caution on animals, especially cats (always dilute with water or carrier oil for cats). Also, listen to your pet: if it is extremely averse to any oil, leave it out, especially when it comes to citrus oils. Lemon has antiseptic-like properties and has compounds that have been studied for their effect on immune function. Lemon helps support the immune system, according to Jean Valnet, M.D. Brain function is enhanced 32% by smelling Lemon Oil; 62% by diffusing it. Lemon oil is detoxifying, is uplifting, reduces depression, improves circulation, is a vascular protector, and so much more! For pets, Lemon serves well as a flea repellent and may be beneficial for the skin. Add a few drops to distilled water and spritz on your pet for a refreshing lift after an active day. When one of our Shetland ewes developed mastitis, we combined the essential oils of Peppermint and Frankincense with coconut oil in an udder rub, along with dosing her with colloidal silver. It wasn’t until we added Lemon essential oil to the udder rub that we noticed speedy improvement. She recovered completely within one week. I highly recommend lemon essential oil for your home! |
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By Paula Vandervoort HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR DOGS and CATS AFTER SURGERY Many of us breeders, although striving to do things naturally, may face times when surgeries are necessary and warranted. I personally raise a line of Boston Terriers started by our original founder, Dr. Jeannie Thomason. They require C-Sections most of the time, so I’ve had to learn how to navigate surgeries using natural supports. I now have a natural Surgery Go-Bag that I take with me for any kind of surgical procedure that covers anesthesia reversal and detoxification using essential oils, along with homeopathics for pain and wound healing. After now having used this bag for numerous surgeries including C-sections, surgical artificial inseminations, ear crops, and dentals under anesthesia, I feel confident in sharing what I use. None of us ever want our dogs to be in pain. But studies show that Tramadol provides no real pain relief, and with its known side effects, it is really useless. I would never use Rimadyl for those reasons either. This is my own personal feeling, as I would not be providing medical advice in this newsletter. This is just my personal experience. But I can tell you that I’ve used these supports on myself when I’ve gone through surgical procedures, and they are very effective for this “pain weenie”! In this article, I want to cover the use of homeopathics in surgical situations so you can build your own homeopathic kit for home use. Not only can they help with pain and discomfort, but they can also be used alongside conventional medications if needed with no worries about interactions. 1-DOSING DOGS There is no difference between dosing dogs and dosing humans. The remedy simply needs to touch a mucous membrane (think inside the lip) to be considered “dosed”. The medicine starts as a liquid, so if your remedy is liquid, one drop is sufficient. If your remedy is in pellet or pill form, the pellets have been coated with the liquid. You can use a few pellets just to be sure that you have pellets that were in contact with the liquid. Classically trained homeopaths recommend dosing one remedy at a time, with a few minutes between remedies to observe effects. You will see at the end of this article that there are dosing recommendations by other homeopaths that include blends of remedies together or two or more remedies given simultaneously. This is less commonly done, but in my experience as a breeder, they are just as effective. One or two pills or one drop = one dose regardless of the age, gender, weight or type of dog. 2-ARNICA IS YOUR FRIEND After any other operation, as long there is not much bleeding, a few doses of Arnica 30 or 200 will help with the trauma and pain. It also helps to avoid infection. Arnica can be prescribed alongside any other remedy needed and is one of the best remedies to start with. A number of US hospitals prescribe Arnica prior to surgeries for this very reason. 3-PAIN REMEDIES Hypericum 200c is one of the most important remedies for nerve injury and is most likely needed with incisive wounds that reach nerves. This is an important remedy to consider in limb amputations, tail docking, ear cropping and spinal operations as well. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PAIN REMEDY AFTER SURGERY. Magnesium Phosphoricum 200c is a great antispasmodic remedy, for neuralgic pains and colic; therefore, a good remedy after abdominal surgery. Colocynthis 200c+ Nux vomica 30: is very helpful for any abdominal pain after an operation on the digestive system, especially if the dog is colicky. Colocynthis follows Staphysagria very nicely in abdominal operations. Staphysagria 200c: specially indicated in abdominal operations. This remedy, given twice daily for a week or two, helps with the incision’s pain and helps avoid adhesions. Bellis Perennis 200 acts within deeper tissue, better than Arnica after major abdominal surgical work, and can be helpful if Arnica has not been very effective or if there is still a lump in the incision area. It is known as the remedy that “reaches where Arnica does not”. Ruta 200c is very helpful for any operation involving cartilage or periosteum, and this remedy is likely to be needed at some stage. This is a great remedy to consider for operations of the extremities and in any orthopedic surgery. It is also good for tooth extractions. Symphytum 200c+Hypericum 200 twice daily is indicated for wounds penetrating the bone, so it is also a good pain remedy for any orthopedic surgery.
4-HEALING REMEDIES
For inflammation, use For discomfort after the anesthesia, especially with nausea or if your dog refuses to eat, two remedies are important to keep in mind: Phosphorus 30 and Nux vomica 30
Try each remedy individually 3 times a day for 3 days. 5-BANERJI PROTOCOLS and NARAYANI REMEDIES I have recently started working with Banerji Protocols and Narayani remedies with great success in my breeding program. The Banerji Protocols are a newer approach to homeopathic care using a pre-defined protocol for each set of disease symptoms. This is an alternative method in homeopathic prescribing that is gaining some popularity in the United States. Wound healing is greatly helped by a Banerji Protocol combination: The Narayani Remedies were created by Swami Narayani and Swami Ananda in 1968. Their goal was to simplify their practice while treating large numbers of patients in India and South Africa. They ran clinics that served populations who often traveled great distances for treatment, never to return. Often they were only able to see a very ill patient once, so these combination remedies were developed to be able to get quick results without the possibility of a follow-up visit occurring. These homeopathic remedies have been used around the world for over 50 years with great success. Useful Narayani Combinations for Surgery: Narayani Combination for pain: Injury Mix 20. To help muscles, nerves, ligaments, cartilage and wounds after surgery or injury. Use acutely every 3 hours or, for more chronic cases, twice per day. Narayani Combination for infection: War Mix 35. This is a fantastic combination for infection and inflammation anywhere in the body. It is considered to be an alternative to all antibiotics. Use 3 times daily for active infection and decrease gradually as improvement sets in. All NARAYANI COMBINATIONS can be purchased from Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy in the United Kingdom. They hold them in stock, although they are not listed on their website. The Dog Breeder Store has begun importing these two important remedies into the United States so that breeders and pet parents can have access to them. These are great remedies to try in a home first aid kit. |
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Mission Statement For Natural Rearing breeders of dogs and cats, the Natural Rearing Breeder Connection's mission is to provide an organization offering support, education, information, and increased positive community exposure and to provide an internal referral network. For the dog/cat owner community, to bring an awareness of the health and well-being benefits of Natural Rearing for your companions. For both owners and breeders, provide a Referral Network of professional licensed, certified, and/or registered natural animal health practitioners dedicated to caring for dogs and cats naturally. |
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If you have questions, suggestions, or comments, send us an email at nrbreeder@outlook.com. | | |
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If you would like to suggest a topic or contribute content, please email your ideas to us at: nrbreeder@outlook.com. The deadline for submitting content is one month before the publication month. The Natural Rearing Digest is published in January, April, July, and October. |
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Disclaimer: The views expressed and information obtained in this newsletter, or in the files/links provided, are not to be construed as veterinary advice from the Natural Rearing Breeder Connection or its founders. It is for your information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Our choices are based on personal experience, extensive research, and the advice of our animal health care team. The decisions concerning diet, vaccinations, and how you implement them are yours alone to make. The copyright for any article is held by the original authors, as indicated. Please respect their copyright. |
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