It's only natural

It's Only Natural
by Wendy Volhard
An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away. Is there any truth to this old
wives' saying? The answer is an unequivocal "yes." Apples are nature's
mineral gift and contain potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium, magnesium,
calcium, sulfur, iron, fluorine, silicon plus many trace minerals. When made
into cider, the concentration of minerals is higher and the benefits
increase.
A testimonial
My most memorable use of ACV came a number of years ago when I was on a show
circuit in New England. One of the shows was held in a very sparsely covered
meadow. After the first day, almost all the male dogs, both in conformation
and obedience, could not walk! They had swollen testicles, and it was
thought that either the grounds had been sprayed with chemicals to which the
dogs were allergic, or there was some kind of mold that made the testicles
swell. What a dilemma. The veterinarian on duty
was mystified, but offered steroid shots to all male dogs present. My male
Newfoundland, Cato, was in Open and Utility and doing well. I decided to
decline the cortisone shot; instead, I went to the local
supermarket and bought some ACV. That evening, I saturated the inside of
Cato's legs, testicles and every exposed area of skin with ACV. The next
morning, everything was back to normal and we went on to compete and take a
High in Trail. He was one of the very few males competing that day. I kept
in touch with other owners, who informed me that it took three weeks for
their dogs to return to normal. That's the power of Apple Cider Vinegar!
Every dog home should have apple cider vinegar. It is one of those items
that does almost everything. If your dog has itchy skin, the beginnings of a
hot spot, incessantly washes its feet, has smelly ears, or
is picky about his food, the application of ACV may change things around.
For poor appetite, use it in the food - 1 tablespoon, two times a day for a
50 lb. dog. For itchy skin or beginning hot spots, put ACV into a spray
bottle, part the hair and spray on. Any skin eruption will dry up in 24
hours and will save you having to shave the dog. If the skin is already
broken, dilute ACV with an equal amount of water and spray on. Taken
internally, ACV is credited with maintaining the acid/alkaline balance of
the digestive tract. To check your dog's pH balance, pick up some pH strips
at the drug store, and first thing in the morning test the dog's urine. If
it reads anywhere from 6.2 - 6.5, your dog's system is exactly where it
should be. If it is 7.5 or higher, the diet you are feeding is too alkaline,
and ACV will re-establish the correct balance. If you have a dog that has
clear, watery discharge from the eyes, a runny nose, or coughs with a liquid
sound, use ACV in his or her food. One teaspoon twice a day for a 50 lb. dog
will do the job. After your weekly grooming sessions, use a few drops in his
or her ears after
cleaning them to avoid ear infections.
Other uses for ACV are the prevention of muscle weakness, cramps, feeling
the cold, calluses on elbows and hock joints, constipation, bruising too
easily, pimples on skin surfaces, twitching of facial muscles,
sore joints, arthritis and pus in the urine. There are also reports that it
is useful in the prevention of bladder and kidney stones. Fleas, flies,
ticks and bacteria, external parasites, ring worm, fungus, staphylococcus,
streptococcus, pneumococcus, mange, etc., are unlikely to inhabit a dog
whose system is acidic inside and out. Should you ever experience any of
these with your dog, bathe with a nice gentle herbal shampoo -- one that you
would use on your own hair -- rinse thoroughly, and then sponge on ACV
diluted with equal amounts of warm water. Allow your dog to drip dry. It is
not necessary to use harsh chemicals for minor flea infestations. All fleas
drown in soapy water and the ACV rinse makes the
skin too acidic for a re-infestation. If you are worried about picking up
fleas when you take your dog away from home, keep some ACV in a spray
bottle, and spray your dog before you leave home, and when you get back.
Take some with you and keep it in the car, just in case you need it any
time. Obviously for major infestations, more drastic measures are necessary.
ACV normalizes the pH levels of the skin, makes your dog unpalatable to even
the nastiest of bacteria and you have a dog that smells like a salad, a
small price to pay!

Wendy Volhard is a consultant to veterinarians, breeders and dog owners, and
an internationally known lecturer and award-winning author on the effects of
nutrition on health and behavior. She is a true practitioner --As a breeder,
trainer and exhibitor she has obtained over 50 conformation, obedience and
working titles. She is the senior author of The Holistic Guide for a Healthy
Dog (Howell Book House, 1995), the definitive text for
improving your dog's health, longevity, performance and overall quality of
life. For information about her Holistic Conferences and seminars
References:
The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard and Kerry L. Brown,
DVM (Howell Book House, 1995).
Folk Medicine by DC Jarvis, MD (Fawcett Crest Publishing, 1958).

Copyright © 1997 by Wendy Volhard