My blood pressure has been on the rise this week. So has my emotional state.
I made the mistake — or maybe it was exactly what I needed to see — of joining a few Facebook groups for Pit Bulls, Dachshunds, IVDD, pancreatitis, allergies, chronic gut issues, and the everyday chaos pet parents are trying to survive.
And y’all… it is a lot.
Not because people do not love their dogs. They truly do. That is actually the heartbreaking part.
They are scared. They are overwhelmed. Exhausted. They are spending thousands of dollars. They are on their fifth or sixth vet visit for the same issue. Another round of antibiotics. Another round of steroids. Another prescription food the dog won’t touch. Another medication. Another “let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, the dog is still itchy, painful, inflamed, anxious, vomiting, limping, scooting, having diarrhea, losing mobility, or declining right in front of them.
I saw newly diagnosed IVDD dogs whose people were already considering euthanasia because they did not know what else was possible — Rehab Vet? PEFM technology.
I saw pancreatitis dogs being handed the same narrow advice over and over. Inflammatory Chicken and Rice. No mention of enzymes. No mention of tinctures that may soothe when they won’t take the medicine.
I saw pet parents being told Apoquel, Librela, prescription food, antibiotics, steroids, or surgery were the only reasonable options — and if they questioned that, they were treated like they were being difficult. God forbid I make a comment of an alternative. Oh the angry faces.
And no, this is not a vet-bashing session.
Veterinary care matters. Diagnostics matter. Emergency care matters. Medications can absolutely have their place. I went yesterday for annual exams.
But can we please stop pretending there is only one lane?
There is nutrition. There is inflammation support. There is gut restoration. There is bodywork. There is TCVM. There are herbs, homeopathy, essential oils, supplements, rehab, environmental changes, nervous system support, detox support, and actual root-cause thinking. There is new technology for home use!
I suggested Ozone therapy in one group for a wound that wasn’t healing and OMG at the backlash! And don’t get me started on what I hear when I mention essential oils.
There are also qualified people who work in those spaces and can help pet parents build a plan instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall.
But here is the chaos we have created:
Pet parents are allowed to take random advice from strangers in comment sections…
They are allowed to try whatever someone’s cousin’s dog did…
They are allowed to spend $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, even $25,000 chasing answers…
But the second someone says, “There may be another way to support this dog,” the angry faces come out.
“Are you a vet?”
“Stop spreading misinformation.”
“Pound sand.”
Okay. I can take an angry face. I don’t like it, but I’ve learned not to comment and just pray the OP clicks on my name!
What I cannot take is watching pet parents lose hope because no one told them there may be more to consider.
If you think you have tried everything, try one more thing.
Try asking a better question.
Let someone else ask you a question that may seem totally unrelated but unlocks everything.
Try looking beyond symptom management.
Try finding someone who understands nutrition, chronic inflammation, gut health, mobility support, nervous system regulation, and whole-dog wellness.
Try working one-on-one with someone who can look at your actual dog, your actual history, your actual budget, and your actual options.
Because sometimes the answer is not “do everything.”
It’s seldom keep repeating the same thing for the 3rd time.
Sometimes the answer is “stop guessing.”
Stop assuming that just because Dog Mom 1 and 2 said it worked for their dog, it’s what your dog needs.
And sometimes the thing you have not tried yet is the thing no one told you was an option.
There are new options with canine nutritionists, functional health coaches for dogs (like there are for people, and holistic vets we can refer you to when needed.
Don’t give up too soon.
Please just share — it could very well make a difference to a dog mom looking for answers today.
I must comment on Dana post.
I understand the search for an answer, seasonal allergies for example
Are dogs developed itchy and scratchy after a vacation in the Northwoods sand in Lake water
It has been a hard road find answers to the why.
I contacted a holistic vet in our area to see what “ alternative” suggestion she had along with working with Dana.
Our Vet does Bicom testing.
We began testing each thing the dogs put in there mouth, supplements treats & skin etc I hauled in my box of different products for dogs. to find each dog had reactions to different specific foods, supplements, cleaning products etc.
next was test for leaky gut! It is a real thing. Dogs get leaky gut also! in many different ways that totally affects the health of your dog. Just like leaky gut affects humans. Leaky gut leads to heath concerns and your brain.
The same goes for dogs leaky gut could lead to allergies and immune.
But like me, “but I am very diligent what my dog eats” etc. & so much more!
I was diagnosed with leaky gut a few years ago by alternative Dr.
healed my leaky gut, my brain & body healed along with clear brain & energy
This does cross over to our dogs.
Dana does understand what she is sharing in her website. Everything matters including sleep & rest for your dog. Stressers in life. Dogs need specific amt of rest & sleep.
Join your journey with Dana- apply to your dogs life & health.
thanks for the comment Terri! It's a journey for sure -- and it takes a village. I find the fact that you also had s similar dx fascinating. Glad you're healed from that! And glad your dogs are doing well.