must be given at many times the labeled dose marked on most prod- uct labels in order to be effective as anti-itching supplements. Antioxidants, which are also helpful in relieving itching for allergic pets, counteract the chemicals released by cells damaged through exposure to allergens. In my opinion, the most important aid for pets that suffer from allergies or any skin disease is to bathe them frequently with an organic shampoo. Those specifically designed to relieve itching when used on a frequent basis work well without harming the pet’s skin. I encourage owners to bathe their pets every 24 to 72 hours, depending on the severity of the itching. Feeding a pet a natural diet that is free of potentially harmful chemicals, preservatives, flavoring agents and plant and animal byproducts is always recommended. Reducing the impact of unnecessary vaccinations by using annual blood antibody titer testing to monitor exposure to environmental allergens will also decrease cell dam- age and reduce itching in allergic pets. I try to avoid vaccinating pets aged 12 years and older. Providing relief for pets with al-
lergies using natural therapies does not always happen overnight, but with patience and the help of a holistic vet- erinarian, we can both improve a pet’s
health and reduce its allergic symp- toms without the need for chronic medication.
Shawn Messonier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, TX, is the award-winning author of The Natural
Health Bible for Dogs & Cats; his latest book is Unexpected Miracles: Hope and Holistic Healing for Pets. He also hosts a
weekly radio show on Sirius. His iPhone app is http://PawsForPeace.com/iphone. For more information, visit PetCareNat- urally.com or DrShawns Organics.com.
April 2010
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