Pam E. (SW California) on 03/17/2025

Digestion and Metabolism Indices of Sheep When Using Activated Charcoal Supplement https://thescipub.com/pdf/ojbsci.2017.121.127.pdf

© 2017 OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences, Investigations

I've been giving it to my cats, 1/2 the recommended dose in the article above, with their meals for quite awhile. Had the oldest to the vet last month, did a blood test of all his organs, & he was found to only have had a mild case of ideopathic pancreatitis from undetermined cause (he's an indoor/outdoor garden cat, est. at least 10 yrs old). Everything else was completely normal. (He's since been showing signs of allergies to grass & tree pollen (I think) and, getting MSM with each meal is keeping his sinus & eyes clear of drips & mucus!)

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cindyc (Arizona) on 03/13/2025

Betty (AR) on 03/11/2025

Betty

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Judy (FL) on 03/06/2025

Judy (FL) on 03/06/2025

Betty (Lead Hill, AR) on 03/06/2025

I posted elsewhere. Maybe better here. Feeding raw is reasonable, but is it always the best for my dogs? Recalls have been made even on raw foods for dogs.

In November we adopted 2 Bichons from humane society. Bonded pair, same litter. 3/20/25 they will be 15. They have issues, lumps, bumps, growths, warts, etc. They had 3 vacc. 1 week earlier. Not even for rabies. I felt it was very unnecessary. But done before we got them. One guy Teddy, had so much trouble, ear infections, and was on potent antibiotics, antifungals, etc. Lots of doctoring...The other, Bear, less so.

The first 2 months went well. We had their vet records for the 1 1/2 yrs at shelter. Owner died. No one in family wanted them, and no willing to take them due to age! But we wanted 2 dogs, lost both of our last 2 within 4 mths. Held out for 2 yrs. Did not seem right 2 us.

I fed a raw kibble I had fed before. Went ok, but they did not seem always wild about it. So in my zeal to give the best and longest life possible, a lady at the pet shop recommended another raw frozen kibble she fed her dogs. High dollar stuff. So we switched. Within a week, my little Teddy, never having had seizures before had 2 grand mals in one night! I thought maybe just an anomaly. But a week or 2 later, he had 4 very severe seizures within 14 hours!

Took him to vet, usual drugs, valium & Levetiracetam. I mentioned food, but she thought just a "coincidence". The last drug in researching it, said in 40% of cases seizures, got worse!! He had so many side effects, became very skittish, even got aggressive once with Bear, and the vomiting seemed worse, and diarrhea. So, I made the decision after 2 full days, to pull him off and see what happened. In a few days his brother began to vomit, or upchuck, and finally pass bloody diarrhea. Both wanted to graze on dead grass obsessively, having to be restrained from doing so. No hair balls, but grass wads!

The new food just seemed like a likely suspect. Years ago it had a recall, but so has so many other kinds of food. BUT--when we looked up the symptoms of salmonella poisoning it sounded more and more like it. SO--back to the vet again. $230 test for salmonella...drugs, probiotic (already a good one) with 2 vet visits we are down $1000! No good deed goes unpunished.....It is 2 weeks before we will know for sure, so I hate to point to the food brand.

So, here is my thoughts...I am no spring chicken either, & have had e. coli 2Xs due to low stomach acid. Could it be that little Teddy with a compromised gut anyway, and low acid, have been the first & strongest to react? After a longer time, little Bear began to suffer as well.

I am all for feeding good diet, but I have had to cook a bland diet with chicken or turkey & rice to try to deal with all of the diarrhea, vomiting, & keep them going. Teddy has lost 2 pounds so far. I am giving them chicken broth homemade to keep them hydrated. They fed Pedigree in shelter.

Now we are looking to just cook for them, as I feel due to their age and condition they just may not be able to handle raw. So, I will see what else I can come up with.

Hope this helps someone.

Betty (AR) on 03/06/2025

After one week, one of my boys began to have grand mal seizures! 2 in one night. No previous history. A week or so later, he had 4 in 14 hours! Severe. Took to vet, just put him on Valium and levetiracetam for seizures. Research showed in 14% of cases seizures get worse!?!! And he did, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Anxiety, skittishness. Almost right away, I made an executive deci sion & took him off the drug. He had so many procedures, blood draws, antibiotics, antifungals for ear infections & other. He was affected first apparently. His gut not so good.

But then my other little guy, began much of the same, just no seizures. I kept a log. And was wracking my brain, to discover the link. I noticed rosemary could cause seizures, weeded that and gluten out from all treats. Then both began to have bloody diarrhea, and wanted to obsessively eat dried grass. I had to restrain them from doing so. SO - within a week of changing to this raw frozen kibble, the seizures started. I asked vet if that was it. Maybe just "coincidence". And gave us the drugs. But when my other little guy started... just too much. I pulled them off. Began to cook a bland food diet. Chicken breast, with white rice, and rice water, said to be good for diarrhea.

So, just took both boys in to vet. Doing salmonella test $230.with all the other drugs, & supplements, & between the 2 vet visits....Its over $1000!! No good deed goes unpunished!

Yes I know...raw may be best for many, maybe most. But as with people, they may have less stomach acid as they age. So maybe my little senior guys did not have the digestive function to handle it. I do know from my own experience that low stomach acid, allowed me to get e. coli 2 times.

So I believe, I will have to cook for my oldsters. Can't risk another bout of this for us all! Too costly in more ways than one. Hope this helps someone. I hate to point a finger at this food until I know for sure from the test.

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Lia (WA State) on 03/03/2025

Lia

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Rob (Kentucky) on 03/02/2025

Elderberries are an ancient remedy that were used by the Native Americans and Ancient Greek Hippocrates 400 B.C.E. to help treat both internal and external health issues. But, did you know that elderberries can also be used to benefit your homestead flock of chickens?

Regardless of what the “legacy media” is trying to sell you (another covid psyops), you do not have to destroy hundreds of millions of birds if only one bird is sick. That’s like saying, well Rick over in Logan county tested positive for bird flu so we have to NUKE the whole county and kill everyone in it to contain the spread… THAT’S JUST STUPID and the only ones benefiting from it are the people selling the eggs. Record profits! Google it!

Chickens can eat elderberries, however, we are dealing with a toxic plant, so caution should be used. The stems, leaves, roots, and unripe berries of the elderberry plant all contain a compound of cyanide-inducing glycosides which are toxic (causes vomiting). Ripe berries and the flowers of the American/European elderberry plant have been used for thousands of years as a natural holistic remedy. This alone should calm your fears of poisoning your flock. When used correctly, you should not worry about feeding elderberries to your chickens.

I’ve watched wild birds (mainly cardinals and blue jays) eat the berries right off the bush when they are ripe.

There are now 9 recognized species of elderberry. The American elderberry, European (black) elderberry, red elderberry, and blue elderberry are four of the most common species you may find growing in the United States. The American elderberry is native to North America and can be found growing wild in many states.

The two varieties most commonly associated with health benefits are the American elderberry and the European elderberry. The European elderberry has had the most scientific research done on it, however, it is also one of the varieties that contains the most wide spread toxic compound in its stems, leaves, roots, and seeds.

On the other hand, the American elderberry is thought to have more anthocyanins and polyphenols, which are the source of many of the benefits provided by elderberries.

In regards to elderberries for chickens, just be conscious about where you source your elderberries from and try to find out what variety they are. I use the European berries sourced from Bulgaria. You may want to save a few seeds and try to grow your own plants.

While raw, ripe elderberries are safe for chickens and humans to consume, they are composed of about 50% elderberry seeds. The toxin contained within the actual elderberries is mainly on the seed to protect it as it matures. That is why unripe berries are toxic while ripe, mature berries are fine. However, there IS something you can do to remove any potential toxin in elderberries.

How to Feed Elderberries to Chickens

Elderberries will be most affective against chronic diseases, respiratory issues, and viruses in poultry. The antioxidants contained in the berries are what will fight pathogens or build up the immune system to fight diseases. Raw honey in elderberry syrup will also add to the healing power of elderberry syrup as a holistic remedy.

Start administering elderberry tea as soon as you see symptoms of chronic, respiratory, or viral-type ailments. Common signs that I look for to indicate elderberry extract might be helpful include:

• sneezing
• rattling in the chest
• gurgling
• sinus discharge
• diarrhea

For individual birds, I administer elderberry tea via a pipette. I fill the pipette up with the desired amount of syrup, then gently open the bird’s mouth and slowly squeeze the syrup into the chicken’s open beak. This is usually a two person job. One person holds the bird while the other person administers the extract.

For administering to the whole flock, you can add the extract right to your flock’s water.

Individual Recommended Dosage: 1-2 mL per day

Flock Recommended Dosage: 4-6 T. per 1 gallon of water

AnchorI like using the 5 qt. Molded Poultry Drinker from TSC Company. That way anytime a bird get a drink, it gets a dose of elderberry extract.

Continue the administrations until the symptoms disappear or for up to 7-10 days. If after 7-10 days has passed, then you will want to take at least a 5-7 day break before administering the extract again.

shadrach (southeast Az) on 03/01/2025

Betty (AR) on 03/01/2025

Sheryl (Ohio) on 02/23/2025

Pam E. (SW Calif.) on 02/20/2025

Coconut Oil: The *GOOD* Saturated Fat - by, Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM

https://hemopet.org/coconut-oil-the-good-saturated-fat/

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Hollyhock (America ) on 02/20/2025

Katzie (Cancun, México ) on 02/20/2025

My 1st rescue was spayed 3 weeks ago. 1 week after bringing her home her stitches were not there (except the deep internal ones); there was a gaping hole at the site. There was no sign of infection to inhibit the healing of the skin. For another week I took her to the vet every morning, where he would just put on an antibacterial spray and bandage her up, and to monitor if the site was closing. It did not. So he put her under anesthetic for a 2nd time and put in new sutures. It is now 1 week later and they're out again! She still has a hole there and it doesn't appear to be healing much either. Still no infection either. I just cannot figure it out!

In Canada, when I would adopt a dog they always came already sterilized, so I have never dealt with a fresh spay before.

I am this close to just duct taping the site and checking on it in a month. Any ideas or information, anyone?

Linda (Tampa) on 02/20/2025

Mama to Many (TN) on 02/19/2025

I would second the idea of castor oil.

Frankincense essential oil is also an anti-tumor. You could dip a toothpick in a bottle of Frankincense and add it to the drop of castor oil to use topically.

~Mama to Many~

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Mama to Many (TN) on 02/19/2025

I would second the idea of castor oil.

Frankincense essential oil is also an anti-tumor. You could dip a toothpick in a bottle of Frankincense and add it to the drop of castor oil to use topically.

~Mama to Many~

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Cheryl (Highland Park, NJ) on 02/19/2025

Linda (Tampa) on 02/19/2025