Allergies vs Intolerances
A food allergy involves the immune system and is usually triggered by a response to a protein. A pet food intolerance is an abnormal response to an ingredient but it does not involve the immune system.
The symptoms of both can be very similar. Allergies involve immune reactions and tests are often not reliable so the only true way to determine an adverse food reaction is by feeding an elimination diet.
Food Intolerance Symptoms :
Vomiting or diarrhoea.
Flatulence.
Frequent scratching or hair loss.
Red, inflamed skin.
Chronic ear problems.
Poor growth in young dogs.
Allergy Symptoms (food related or environmental) :
In pets, the most common symptom associated with allergies is itching of the skin, either localised (in one area) or generalised (all over the body). In some cases, the symptoms involve the respiratory system, with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be runny discharge from the eyes or nose
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us that allergies, like all medical conditions, are symptoms of an underlying disharmony within the body. To effectively treat the problem, you must first address the disharmony that’s causing the allergy to occur. The first step is to look at your dog or cat's diet.
Two key factors to holistic medicine is Balance and Prevention. Holistic vets emphasis on caring on the whole body and the dogs overall health, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is believed that if one part of a dogs body is not functioning well, then there is an uneven balance and therefore the whole body will not function properly. Holistic medicine restores the balance back in a dogs body and maintains a good over all health through prevention and self care. Holistic care searches for the underlying cause of the problem, as opposed to just treating the symptoms and diseases. Natural sources are used to treat a dogs body inside and out. Modern medicine contains toxins and chemicals which causes unnecessary stress to the immune system. Once the immune system is suppressed this may cause another problem to arise.
Dr. Judy Morgan states "Holistic medicine means we look at and treat the entire patient, including environmental influences, behavioural or psychological influences, diet, exercise, socialization, normal routine, as well as health issues."
She continues to state "Food is the foundation of life.
Food can be used as medicine, instead of using drugs or chemicals. Very few clinicians are trained in food therapy, unfortunately. Many veterinarians use prescription foods, which in my opinion are made with low-quality ingredients.
I much prefer to use whole foods that are fresh if possible. Processed Food is just as bad for our pets as it is for us."
What are cooling / neutral / hot proteins?
Have you ever heard of the terms YIN & YANG.
Generally speaking, foods that have a higher water content are considered cool, or yin, whereas foods that have a higher energy content, particularly from fat, are considered warm, or yang. Yin and yang is a Chinese philosophical concept that describes opposite forces which are interconnected. Yin representing the Cool proteins and Yang the hot proteins. As I always say balance is key. The concept behind yin and yang is that both need to co exist together IN EQUAL PARTS.
Dogs & cats that suffer with a lot of allergies need cooling proteins to put the balance back in their body. Neutral proteins need to be kept to a minimum and hot proteins need to be avoided.
Cooling foods : (recommended for dogs with allergies)
Meat - Turkey, Rabbit, Duck
Fish - Clam, Cod, Crab, Scallop, Whitefish
Vegetables - Broccoli, Celery, Cucumber, Eggplant, Kelp, Lettuce, Mushroom, Seaweed
Fruit - Apple, Banana, Cranberry, Kiwi, Lemon, Mango, Orange, Pear, Tangerine, Watermelon
Others - Duck Eggs, Salmon Oil, Tofu, Yogurt, Chicken Egg Whites
Neutral Foods : (Kept to a MINIMUM when allergies are present and can also be mixed with one of the proteins above) :
Meat - Beef, Beef Liver, Goose, Pork Liver, Pork Kidneys, Pork Feet, Quail, Tripe, Bison
Fish - Carp, Catfish, Herring, Mackerel, Wild Salmon, Sardines, Tuna
Vegetables - Beet Root, Broad Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Potato, Shitake Mushroom, Yams, Pumpkin
Fruits - Papaya, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry Others - Tofu, Goat’s Milk, Yogurt Cheese, Chicken Eggs, Duck Eggs, Honey
Even though Chlorella & Spirulina are considered neutral, studies have shown that they have helped tremendously with allergies.
Warming Foods ( Kept to a minimum ) :
Meat - Chicken, Chicken Liver, Pheasant
Fish - Sturgeon, Lobster, Mussel, Shrimp, Prawn, Anchovy
Vegetables -Sweet Potato
Fruit - Cassia Fruit, Cherry, Date, Peach, Longan
Others - Goat Milk, Turmeric, Ginger, Fennel Seed, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme
Hot Foods ( Must be Avoided)
Meat - Lamb, Mutton, Sheep, Venison, Kidney
Fish -Trout
Remember that every dog and cat is different. These are guidelines and are the first step to help your pet with allergies. Always consult your vet and ensure that there are no medical issues. First step is always an elimination diet with cooling proteins to help restore the balance back. Salmon Oil or Fish Oil and goat colostrum is recommended to add to your pet's diet to help boost the immune system and be able to fight of allergens.
Salmon Oil, Fish Oil and Goat Colostrum are available at out store in San Gwann
References :
Huisheng Xie; Aituan Ma. TCVM for the Treatment of Pruritus and Atopy in Dogs. American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Aug2015, Vol. 10 Issue 2, p75-80.
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