The Ultimate Pet Health Guide: Breakthrough Nutrition and Integrative Care for Dogs and Cats

by Gary Richter MS, DVM

Overview

As a holistic veterinarian and scientist, Dr. Gary Richter helps dog and cat owners to navigate the thicket of treatment options and separate the fact from the fiction. He wants us to use what actually works, not just what Western science or alternative medicine say "should" work. This multifaceted approach to health is known as integrative medicine.

Dr. Richter examines traditional medicine from many cultures alongside modern medical techniques, describing the best of complementary care and the best of conventional veterinary medicine. Every treatment he recommends has the backing of scientific research or years of successful outcomes in his clinical practice. After explaining the treatment, he offers specific recommendations for an integrative approach to common diseases, including allergies, skin conditions, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

A holistic approach to health includes nutrition, as it sets up the foundation for your pet’s health. Dr. Richter cuts through the hype in the pet-food world and explains how to choose the best commercial foods and supplements, and even includes both raw and cooked dog- and cat-food recipes for general diet as well as to treat specific needs. He also explains how we can use the right foods and supplements to "hack" the body’s processes, including the immune system.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781401953508
Publisher:	Hay House Inc.
Publication date:	08/15/2017
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	127,621
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Dr. Gary Richter graduated with honors from the University of Florida with his master’s and doctorate degrees in veterinary medicine. Since 2002, he has been the owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital and launched Holistic Veterinary Care in 2009. He is certified in veterinary acupuncture as well as chiropractic, and has published numerous articles on the benefits of complementary and integrative health-care options for pets. Dr. Richter and his two animal hospitals have received more than 30 local and national awards, including Best Veterinary Hospital, Best Veterinarian, Best Canine Therapy Facility, and Best Alternative Medicine Provider. Petplan named Dr. Richter one of the top 10 veterinarians in the United States in 2011, and Montclair Veterinary Hospital was named one of the top 10 veterinary hospitals in 2013. Website: HolisticVetCare.com

Table of Contents

Foreword Ian Somerhalder ix

Preface xi

Introduction: What Integrative Health Care Means for You and Your Pets xix

Part I Nutrition Is the Foundation of Health

Chapter 1 Why Pet Nutrition Matters 3

Chapter 2 The Basics of Nutritional Requirements for Dogs and Cats 11

Chapter 3 Understanding the Regulations 29

Chapter 4 Ingredients and Preparation 35

Chapter 5 Guide to Creating a Balanced Diet for Your Pet 43

Chapter 6 The Lowdown on Supplements 53

Part II Integrative Medicine: Maintaining and Restoring Good Health

Chapter 7 Beyond Basic Nutrition: Using Food as a Medicine 65

Chapter 8 Complementary and Herbal Medicine 75

Chapter 9 Medical Cannabis 91

Chapter 10 Technology and Holistic Medicine: Two Sides Coining Together 103

Part III Common Diseases, Their Causes, and Integrative Medical Treatment

Chapter 11 Allergies and Skin Problems 119

Chapter 12 Degenerative Joint Disease/Arthritis 133

Chapter 13 True Grit: Urinary Tract Infections, Crystals, and Stones 145

Chapter 14 Chronic Gastrointestinal Conditions 155

Chapter 15 Pancreatic Disease: Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Insufficiency 167

Chapter 16 Diabetes 177

Chapter 17 Heart Disease 189

Chapter 18 Liver and Gallbladder Diseases 205

Chapter 39 Renal Disease 217

Chapter 20 Cancer 231

Chapter 21 Thyroid Disease 247

Chapter 22 Adrenal Disease 259

Chapter 23 Autoimmune Disease 267

Afterword 277

Appendix A Guide for a New Pet: From Choosing Your Pet to Choosing Your Vet 279

Appendix B Choosing the Right Procedures for Your Pet: Vaccines and Routine Surgical Procedures 285

Appendix C Home-Prepared Diets for Dogs and Cats 297

Recipes for Dogs 304

Recipes for Cats 329

Appendix D Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Recommendations 351

Appendix E Special Diets: Limited-Ingredient Diet Trial, Bland Diet, and Rice Water Fast 355

Endnotes 359

Index 383

Acknowledgments 392

About the Author 393

Editorial Reviews

"Dr. Gary Richter has given us a remarkable book that brings together the best information available for us to use in caring for our dogs and cats. It helps us understand how our pets are dealing with diseases and the conventional and complementary ways to help them."
— Dr. Gladys McGarey, cofounder of the American Holistic Medicine Association and internationally recognized as the Mother of Holistic Medicine

"This book on integrative medicine is a must-read. There are practical approaches to diagnosis, management, and therapy for a variety of animal conditions. It's simply outstanding!"
— W. Jean Dodds, D.V.M., founder of Hemopet and Hemolife Diagnostics, and winner of the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

"The impact of Dr. Gary Richter's work excited me to support his mission by creating the 50 holistic recipes contained within this book. Miracles are being achieved through whole-food nutrition and veterinary medicine."
— Susan Lauten, M.A. in Animal Nutrition and Ph.D. in Biomedical Science

"The Ultimate Pet Heath Guide by Dr. Gary Richter is a wonderful book. It contains excellent information on how to holistically approach medical care for dogs and cats. I recommend this book to all caregivers who wish for their pets to have longer and healthier lives."
— Huisheng Xie, D.V.M., Ph.D., founder and dean of the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

From the Publisher