The Nervous System The nervous system is important for dogs and cats because, like in humans, it “governs the function for the entire body” (03:40). The nervous system needs energy production via the mitochondria in the form of ATP to adequately perform its important roles in communication throughout the body. There is a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and other lipids in cell membranes, which are important for nervous system health (04:59). Cell membranes help the nervous system fulfill its key function of communicating through electrical signals. Because the nervous system has high metabolic activity, its nutritional requirements are also high, including amino acids, B vitamins, and other vitamins and minerals (06:48). Thus, a nutrient-dense diet is important for nervous system health, as well as the gut microbiome, which influences nervous system function (08:25). >>> More on Digestive Health What supplemental nutrition supports healthy mitochondrial function? (13:50) B vitamins PUFAs Antioxidants Vitamin E Vitamin C Resveratrol Green tea extract Bilberry The Cell Danger Response The cell danger response (CDR) occurs in the mitochondria as a healthy metabolic response to any cellular threat with the potential to overwhelm cells in the body (09:34). The CDR can activate the immune system for protection as needed. In cases of chronic CDR – described by Dr. Morgan as the CDR getting “stuck” – internal toxicity or other dysregulation can occur. Nutritional support is key for a functional CDR (12:16). Pet Rehabilitation Rehabilitation is about restoring health to a previous level of function, utilizing multiple modalities as needed to address lack of function or other problems such as reduced range of motion, soft tissue restriction, pain, and inflammation (16:10). Dr. Morgan specializes in various modalities to address these problems in the clinic. She also provides a variety of exercise routines that a pet owner can help their pet complete at home during recovery (18:09). What Are the 4 Main Components of Veterinary CSI? (26:15) Diet Digestion Detoxification Drainage Diet is an important first step toward wholistic pet health because it is important for a wide variety of nutrients to be absorbed into the body to support daily functions (27:27). Dr. Howell’s Three Qualitative Investigative Methods (32:20) Inquiry Observe Palpation Advice for A New Veterinarian (35:40) Educate and communicate with your clients Keep a healthy work-life balance Practice self-care Making Your Practice Unique (39:35) Make your practice a calming place for humans and animals Consider the pet-owner relationship Be practical and compassionate Focus on nutrition Other Relevant Links >>> Dogs as a model for early Alzheimer’s disease Special guests: Ann-Margret Morgan, DVM, CCRT, CVA, VSMT, CVPP Dr. Morgan is a 1992 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College in Ontario, Canada. She practiced for seven years in the Niagara Peninsula, gaining interest and knowledge in both complementary therapies and holistic medicine. She earned her certification in veterinary spinal manipulation from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1998 and then went on to receive her certification in veterinary acupuncture from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1999. After crossing the Canadian border, Dr. Morgan practiced both traditional and holistic medicine for over six years at Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center in Milwaukee, gaining experience with herbs and nutrition to accompany her growing knowledge in complementary therapies. In 2005, she completed training in canine rehabilitation at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute® in Loxahatchee, Florida, and then joined the team at Pewaukee Veterinary Service in 2006 as director of the Wisconsin clinic’s rehabilitation center. She continues to broaden her special interests, which now include pain management and nutritional therapies. Dr. Morgan is a certified canine rehabilitation therapist (CCRT) and is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. Sue Howell, DVM, CVFT, CVA Dr. Sue Howell began integrating whole food therapies with conventional medicine over 15 years ago, a transition that revitalized her passion for veterinary medicine. This experience led her to a position with Standard Process where she had the opportunity to educate other veterinarians about the power of whole foods. Her interest in wholistic medicine has expanded to include certification in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine acupuncture and food therapy from the Chi Institute, and professional level and advanced clinical training in Nutrition Response Testing from Ulan Nutritional Systems. In December of 1997 she opened Thrive Wholistic Veterinary Care, a practice dedicated to changing lives, one pet at a time, through nutrition, whole food therapy and acupuncture. Please note: During the recording of this podcast, our hosts transitioned from live studio recording to remote recording from two different locations.

This episode featured veterinarian Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA, CVJ, who has been practicing since 1999.

This is the trailer for Part II of the third season of the WholisticMatters Podcast Series, “The Wholistic Approach to Pet Care.” Jody Griffiths, CVT, leads conversations with experts in wholistic veterinary care, discussing the role of whole foods in veterinary practice, omega-3 fatty acids for pets, the brain-gut microbiome connection in animals, and healthy years for geriatric dogs.

This is the first episode of the Wholistic Approach to Pet Care: Part II. Dr. Sue Howell joins us to talk about whole foods in a veterinary practice based on her professional experience integrating whole food therapies with conventional medicine.

This is the second episode of the Wholistic Approach to Pet Care: Part II. Dr. Laura Gaylord joins us to talk about omega-3 fatty acids for pets, first describing what makes omega-3 fatty acids “essential” for dogs and cats specifically.

In the first part of this two-part episode, Slavko Komarnytsky, PhD, answers all of the most commonly asked questions about the endocannabinoid system, hemp and marijuana, and phytocannabinoids like CBD and THC. In part two, veterinarian Shelia Dodson, DVM, CVA, talks more specifically about hemp and the endocannabinoid system for pets, endocannabinoid education for veterinarians, and working with pet owners to identify the best hemp solutions for each pet. >> Audio bookmark: Some acronyms to call out… (00:38) Endocannabinoid system (ECS)Cannabidiol (CBD)Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)Cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) Part I Both hemp and marijuana come from cannabis. How are they used differently (01:45)? Marijuana is defined as all parts of the cannabis plant – with the relevant exception being the stalk and seeds, which are separately defined as hemp, as long as these parts contain less than 0.3% THC. While state laws are rapidly evolving in the direction of legal marijuana, federal law and many state laws still say marijuana is illegal. A product derived from hemp – again that’s the stalk and seeds of the cannabis plant - is not marijuana. Historical uses of marijuana were associated with medicinal and recreational use, religious and spiritual use, and emotional and psychological wellbeing (03:58). Cannabis contains phytochemicals, which are largely responsible for the physiological effects in the body (05:19). >> Audio bookmark: What is a “phytocannabinoid”? (06:07) CBD vs. THC (06:27) Both are phytocannabinoids; there are chemical differences between them THC is psychoactive, and CBD is not Cannabinoids have different effects on the body At what point do you think people started to realize the existence of what would eventually be called the “endocannabinoid system” in the human body? (10:18) How did people first discover that it was partially the cannabinoids in plants like cannabis that were responsible for the effects cannabis products have on the human body? (11:41) How does the THC/CBD amount differ in marijuana versus hemp? (16:43) There are differences in THC and CBD content among strains of marijuana and strains of hemp It’s important to understand the ratio of THC to CBD in cannabis products (18:40) What are terpenes? (20:26) Omega-3 Fatty Acids & the ECS (26:28) Omega-3 Fatty Acids Spotlight Page ECS & Immunity (28:56) What is the role of the ECS in the human body? (31:29) Maintenance Part II How is the ECS different in animals and humans? How is it the same? (38:17) Virtually all animals have an ECS Like the ECS in humans, omega-3 fatty acids are also super important for the ECS in dogs – and likely other animals too (40:30). Many pets’ diets are high in omega-6 and low in omega-3, not too different from the Standard American Diet Omega-3s are important for balancing the ECS The most common conditions in pets where she recommends using hemp include: (42:55) Epilepsy in dogs Lower urinary tract disease in cats Anxiety Inflammation of osteoarthritis Much more Do you recommend hemp for cats as much as you use it in dogs? (44:02) Sometimes cats just won’t eat hemp supplements Do you think veterinary schools will eventually add education on the ECS to their curriculum? (47:06) Is it legal to give my pet hemp products? (49:27) Hemp became a legal agricultural product, with the passing in the farm bill at the end of 2018 How often do you have the pet owner asking for it before you even have a chance to recommend it? (51:27) Relevant Links 2016 New York Times article Hemp for Pets: Understanding the Endocannabinoid System in Veterinary Medicine Endocannabinoid System Education Hub Agricultural Policies and the Impact on Plant-based Eating in the U.S. The music track featured in the WholisticMatters Podcast Series is a track called "New Day" by Lee Rosevere. Please note: During the recording of this podcast, our hosts transitioned from live studio recording to remote recording from two different locations.

This is the third episode of the Wholistic Approach to Pet Care: Part II. Dr. Donna Raditic joins us to talk about the brain-gut-microbiome connection in animals.