Grief Support

It is very difficult to lose a beloved pet.  If you need help with the grief, Hospice of the Valley provides a pet loss supprt group on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 10:30am.  

Hospice of the Valley Pet Loss Support Group

1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ  85014

(at 16th St. and Osborn)

(602) 530-6900  

In Loving Memory of Jake

Jake - Died  2 weeks ago at age 19.

This picture was taken 1 week before he died.



Hospice Care

Hospice Care is now being offered at Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital - (602) 277-1464.   

I am extremely grateful to the owners of Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital for allowing me to provide medical guidance and assistance for owners who wish to care for their terminally ill or elderly dying pet in the comfort of their own homes.

Hospice care means providing palliative (comfort-oriented rather than cure-oriented care) for terminally ill or frail elderly dogs and cats that have been given less than 6 months to live. My care focuses on keeping the pet pain free, comfortable as well as to provide emotional support for the family.

Hospice care bridges the gap between aggressive medical intervention and euthanasia.  It gives family members precious time with their dying pet and helps family members cope with the approaching death of their beloved companion.

Circadian Rhythm

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine each of 12 main organs in the body function with the most strength and energy for 2 hours within the 24 hour day and night cycle.  Knowing the circadian rhythm of the body helps practitioners determine a pattern of disease leading to a more specific treatment.

• 3 am -5 am       Lung                      (yin)
• 5 am -7 am       Large Intestine       (yang)
• 7 am - 9 am      Stomach                (yang)
• 9 am - 11 am    Spleen/Pancreas    (yin)
• 11 am 1 pm      Heart                     (yin)
• 1 pm - 3 pm     Small Intestine        (yang)
• 3 pm - 5 pm     Urinary Bladder      (yang)
• 5 pm -7 pm      Kidney                   (yin)
• 7 pm - 9pm      Pericardium            (yin)
• 9 pm - 11 pm   Triple Heater          (yang)
• 11 pm - 1 am   Gall Bladder           (yang)
• 1 am - 3 am     Liver                       (yin)

If a patient seems to consistently vomit around midnight each evening, then the liver or gall bladder may be the underlying cause versus a patient who vomits in the morning and therefore likely has a spleen or stomach imbalance.

The WOOD Animal

Personality types are described by the Five Element Theory and can provide additional insight into the health and well-being of my animal patients.  Today I will describe the personality type of a WOOD individual.

easily angered

pins ears back

dominates other animals

likes to be in control

tends to have eye problems

confident

athletic

prone to brittle nails

brave

When a Wood personality type is imbalanced the liver and gall bladder are the organs most often effected.  Clinical symptoms will worsen in an imbalanced Wood animal during the Spring, when there is windy weather conditions, and when the emotion of anger is left unchecked.  An imbalance will cause these individuals to have dry eyes, coarse hair, brittle nails, and dry/hard stools.  They  can be short tempered and develop tension in their shoulders and neck.

The EARTH Animal

Personality types are described by the Five Element Theory and can provide additional insight into the health and well-being of my animal patients.  Today I will describe the personality type of an EARTH individual.

lazy

craves food above all else

agreeable/easy going

gets along well with other dogs

obstinate yet non combative

worry wart

pushy

upset by changes

gains weight easily

dependable and consistent

When an Earth personality type is imbalanced the spleen and stomach are the most effected organs.  The late Summer and early Fall season along with damp weather can make an imbalanced Earth personality type more prone to illness.  Excessive worry can exacerbate symptoms of illness.  Abdominal gas or bloating, loose bowel movements and a variable appetite are often seen in an imbalanced Earth personality.  These pets tend to develop fatty tumors, have tender muscles as well as lack of muscle tone or strength.  It can be difficult to regulate weight in these pets.  They often are uninterested in morning meals and when they do eat there is often lingering hunger after a meal.

The WATER Animal

 Personality types are described by the Five Element Theory and can provide additional  insight into the health and well-being of my animal patients.  Today I will describe the personality of a WATER type individual.

cowers easily

prone to ear infections

dislikes touch

gets cold easily

fearful

trembles easily

averse to company

runs off and likes to hide

is deaf

prone to arthritis

Water personality types are prone to developing kidney and urinary bladder problems when the body is imbalanced.  The cold Winter season can worsen the weaknesses these personality types are prone to.  Fear is the emotion associated with Water animals and prolonged and overwhelming fear can lead to health problems in these animals.  These pets tend to get weak or sore low back, hips, knees and ankles decreasing their range of motion.  They tend to sleep a lot have weak vision as well as dull hearing.  Their coat may start to thin and they may urinate frequently when there is imbalance in a Water personality.