About Laura Murphy Expertise Do you have a question about nutrition, including which food is best for your pet and which should be avoided? If you’re researching homecooked or raw diets, this is the place. I can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about raw feeding. Do you want to know whether or not you need to supplement your pet’s diet and, if so, which supplements are for you? I can help you with just about any question regarding canine and feline nutrition and feeding. Although I believe in the benefits of raw feeding, I respect anyone trying to do the best thing for their pets and will answer questions on any type of pet food.
I can address many areas of holistic pet care, including illness, homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies, and flower essences. We can talk about everything from vaccinating (and when not to), to skin problems, to cancer. Please note that I am not a veterinarian and any health-related information is from my personal experience and research, but I can be a good resource.
I can also answer your questions about pet rescue, including when to use them and what kind of pet is right for you. And I love controversial subjects like puppy mills and animal experimentation. If I don’t know the answer to your question immediately, I’ll research it for you.
Basically, if you’re got a pet question – fire away. Chances are, I’ll have something you can use.
Laura Murphy
Experience An animal lover and owner all my life, I spent years as a foster parent for a national rescue group and as a volunteer at my local Humane League. Many years ago, I began researching and using natural health care methods to treat both my pets and my family. I have worked with holistic vets to develop and provide custom homeopathic and Bach Flower Essence blends for their clients. In 2002, I started Pets By Nature to give pet owners who are seeking a healthier and more natural way to feed and care for their pets a reliable source of education, support, guidance, and products. Relying on honesty, integrity, and openness with respect to natural health care for companion animals, I am able to provide quality products, services, and information with the intent of helping interested pet owners learn about and practice a more natural method of pet nutrition and health care.
Education/Credentials I am a college graduate and full time Business Systems Analyst. I have written many articles for publication on my web site and throughout the local pet community. I have been a vendor at local dog shows and do public speaking on the topics of pet nutrition and holistic health care.
Past/Present Clients My clients range from new pet owners to 4th generation raw feeding breeders. I enjoy a wonderful professional relationship with several veterinary practices who refer my diets, supplements, and homeopathics to many of their clients. I ship supplements and flower essences all over the world, and provide a quality frozen raw food to the Central Pennsylvania area. Virtually all of my marketing is word-of-mouth referrals from my current clients and I consider them all my extended family.
Question Recently I took my dog for her yearly exam..she's a 7-year-old cock-a-poo. Her vet feels that she might have bladder stones since when he palpated her abdomen he felt "crunching". He asked how her urination was? My dog has always be a submissive dog....when she was a puppy and you greeted her at the door, she would urinate on the floor. She's outgrown that, however within the last year if she was outside and people approached her at a park, she would urinate frequently, possibly 5 or 6 times. In the house she's never had accidents, except for thunderstorms. Also, my house has been under renovations and all her urinating spots have changed...I thought maybe she had an urinary tract infection or maybe she was just trying to re-establish her scent track..she had no blood in the urine, doesn't cry on urination and yet the vet wants to do over $300 in testing to see what's up with her...I'm thinking on going for a second opinion..I feel that maybe between an antibiotic and HOMEOPATHY, she'll be fine and won't need surgery...please advise
thank you,
donna
Answer Hi Donna,
You're right - I don't think $300 in tests is warranted at this point if she has no symptoms of discomfort. My dog had urinary stones for 3 years until I switched him to a raw food diet (at which point they disappeared and have not been back in 6 years).
Have your vet do one very cheap test - a urinalysis - to see if her pH is too acid or too alkaline. Nine times out of ten, urinary stones in dogs are struvite stones, which occur when the urine is too alkaline. If that's the case, it's easy to fix with diet and vitamins. Less often, the pH is too acidic and oxalate stones form. These are tougher and require far more stringent dietary management. The problem is that the cure for one type will make the other type worse. So you need to know which way her pH tips. Once you have that, write me back and we'll go from there.
