Comments on Disease Resistance: Practical Benefit of Vital Animals

Hello Doctor!
I was wondering about your thoughts regarding treatment of gut parasites, specifically Blastocystis? I'll try to keep this short, but I have 4 animals (and myself), and want to share as much info as necessary to explain my theory/worry.
Last January I started seeing a functional medicine doctor (after years of fatigue, allergies, digestion issues, etc, despite a primal diet for at least 6 months). We discovered I had Blastocystis Hominis and all the other things that can result from it (adrenal fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, improper digestion/absorption). My doctor said that it's usually found in animals feces... and I have a lot of animals!
I have 3 cats (16, 12, and 9) and one pit/lab mix rescue who is also 9. I rescued the 9 year old cat directly from the street when he was about 1. He's had a lot of pooping issues off and on through his life (it was awful for the first 2-3 years), so it doesn't surprise me that I might have caught this from them.
All of the animals have been on raw diets for about 5 years. I started out by making it at home (via catinfo.org). I've since switched to Rad Cat raw food. Two years ago we had a 'low potassium' scare in the 16 year old cat, and then the 9 year old cat, and then 12 year old cat! The 12 year old had been on canned food for about a year because at one point he just started throwing up the raw food after every meal. I don't like it, but I'm not yet able to get him back to raw (his stomach seems very sensitive and even the tiniest bit (I'm talking .1 oz here) will cause a messy puke session.
At first I thought it was my homemade raw recipe that was causing a deficiency, or the fact that I was using turkey instead of chicken (high sodium?), but once the 12 year old cat showed low potassium I knew something else was up. The vet loooooved to blame the raw food, but of course didn't retract that blame once the 'non-raw' cat had the same levels.
My vet has never heard of blastocystis, nor has a lab that would test for it. Even if their fecals came out as positive, their only treatment would be rounds of antibiotics, similar to Giardia.
I've been adding this supplement and some probiotics to their raw food and noticed great results:
http://www.petwellbeing.com/st/spark-50.html , but there still seems to be random issues floating around.
The 16 year old doesn't get this supplement, as he has developed hyperthyroidism (discovered at the same time as low potassium). He started on 5mg of methimazole, had to be bumped up to 10mg (despite still having tons of outward symptoms though his t4 went down to normal). I tried him out on a natural thyroid supplement instead for about 6 months, unfortunately it didn't work, and now we're back on 10mg of methimazole. The vet is heavily pushing the radioactive iodine treatment, which seems scary but I'm actually coming to terms with it being better for him in the long run. (Any time my vet highly recommends something I instantly question it.)
My questions are: have you ever dealt with this parasite? Is it actually something that might damage their bodies (vs. just being carriers)? I took 4 months of herbs to get rid of mine (plus a ton of supplements and meditation!); is there a similar treatment for animals? Or should I just continue to supplement with vitamins, probiotics, and raw diets and hope that over time they'll all seem like there's no hidden diseases?
I understand that the radioactive iodine would take care of the thyroid tumor, which drugs won't ever, but it also won't take care of what might be causing it in the first place... and that's my main concern.
Thanks so much for all of your information! I've been pouring over all of your posts for the last couple of weeks.

My dogs have been Vital Dogs for years but they do still suffer from fleas. They are itchy and red. Could there be something in their diet that I am missing? We have added to nutritional yeast & diatomaceous earth to their food without an effect. My dogs all love to eat grass which makes me wonder if they are void of some nutrient.

Dr Falconer has been our Vet for the last 6 years. We had a puppy rescue but now work with seniors/hospice cases. We also have a pack of our own dogs ~ large and small. Most of the hundreds of dogs that have passed through have never been seen or treated by Dr F ~ that is because we follow his guidance and the dogs stay healthy. Even when parvo, coccidia, giardia, mange, heart worm, allergies etc have invaded MOST of the dogs never have a problem. We have several dogs that we raised from pups and the most notable is a 5 year old Catahoula mix who has never had a conventional treatment. She had parvo when a youngster but is the healthiest dog we have and she resists all parasites. Our 14 year old Aussie, never seen by Dr F, has been pesticide/vac free and on a raw diet for the last 6 years and while a little slower, she still has a gorgeous coat and beautiful teeth. One last thought. The hospice/seniors all thrive as well. We have had several come to us because they were supposedly only days from deaths call. Well, of course some pass on, but I am always amazed that after a few days/weeks on a raw diet and chemical free, many are up and trotting around ~integrated into the pack! So we are believers and know that it is worth the effort. Thank you Dr Falconer for the treatments and the education!

Hey Doc,
Have you ever used Neoplasene? It's an anti-tumor alkaloid of some sort made by Buck Mountain Botanicals. Their claim is that it targets only cancer cells, leaving the healthy cells undamaged, unlike conventional tumor treatments which damage healthy cells along with the cancer cells. It's all plant based compounds--no side effects if dosed properly according to an animal's weight. It's available in oral dose for internal cancers, an injectable form and a salve for use in external tumors. It looks like the tumors just implode and fall off in a matter of days! The case history photos are striking. It works on Mast cell, Lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma and bone cancer, but appears to work best on external masses. The taste is terrible, it can cause nausea, and you can't feed raw with this stuff they say, until the course of treatment is complete. ? Know about this, or used it?
Thanks.

I was wondering about this in relation to Heartworm Disease. Does having a Healthy, Vital Dog have any effect on resistance to Heartworm Disease as it does in resistance to worms and Fleas? I have healthy, vital Dogs but I noticed this Spring that the Ticks still Loved them so I got to thinking about Heartworm too.

Hello Dr Falconer,
I couldnt comment on any article about Transfer Factor, so I figured I would comment here. I hope it’s okay.
Do you know how they keep their developmental sources (eggs, cow colostrum, etc) pristine and controlled? I have tried asking and never get a response from them, but would really like to know before I buy some. I figured since you promote it you may know.
My dog has been on homeopathic treatment for about 5 months for allergies and vaccinosis and I wonder if Transfer Factor will help her more.
Thanks, Amber
PS. Why is ReelRawDog no longer on your Resources page? :( I switched to them last year after being fooled by another company. Are they no good now?

I love your weekly emails! After loosing 2 dogs to cancer, I stopped everything I was doing and changed EVERYTHING when the 3rd got it. I am proud to say that my girl now was suppose to be dead a year ago. She is living Cancer free. My protocol is intense but it is worth it. My protocol is natural and I now run a pack that is SOOOOO healthy. I am pretty much the doctor now. But let me tell you, I am coming to Texas for you to oversea my pack, it is just gonna take another few months. Bless you for making knowledge mainstream.

I couldn't agree more! I do dog daycare and boarding at my home and have to deal with all kinds of issues - shedding, large smelly stools, constant scratching, ear mites etc.
One clients dog had 5 ticks on her. After I carefully removed them I checked my dogs over and mine had a tick - was it attached? Nope. In fact it was crawling OFF her. I suspect in fell on her when she rubbed against the other dogs.
Having one (white) long haired dog people always say "I bet she sheds so much!" and they're amazed when she jumps off their black clothes and doesnt leave any hair.
My other dog, at 120 lbs, always gets remarks "I would HATE to clean up after that thing!" and yet she is better than all of the medium size dogs I watch ;)
Of course, being in my position I try to give people advice in a non judgemental approach and hoping that they see the results with my dogs and it will open up their own eyes to research for the benefit of their dogs. A lot of people are shocked at the things I tell them are actually not "good" or "healthy" and are willing to learn. :)

How fortunate we are to have access to Dr Falconer's expert knowledge. As a registered nurse, I have practiced similar theories for thirty years in my breeding program. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a local veterinarian who supports my beliefs. And, while my vet readily states that my dogs are the healthiest animals in his practice, he also takes every opportunity to admonish my raw diet, no antibiotics regime. Oh, to have Dr Falconer in my back yard!