I have found these resources through my research. I urge you to read with a questioning mind.  I feel it is best to gather information, ponder what you have learned, ask questions, and then make your decision using as many respected resources you can find.  It is YOUR life and YOUR pet, and you know your pet better than anyone else.  Click on the bold-face links below and have fun with it! Feel good about taking the responsibility for your pet's health care and life!

Quality of Life Form

Assessing Quality of Life for Your Companion Animal and Making End-of-Life Decisions. View the form here.

Veterinary Acupuncture

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
Defines and discusses veterinary acupuncture.

VCA Hospitals
Defines and discusses veterinary acupuncture.

Local Referrals

• Dr. Amy Birdwell (Pawsitively Healing) 512-804-9144

• Dr. Elena Lee (Kokopelli Integrative Veterinary Care) 512-551-0935

• Dr. Sara Schaubert (Healing Arts Housecalls) 512-576-0929

Holistic Wellness

• Wondercide
  A wonderful natural product for flea and tick control made here in Austin!

• CatInfo
  Wonderful website by Dr. Lisa Pierson regarding many cat health issues, including why and how to transition your kitty to a species-appropriate diet, as well as how to address urinary problems, diabetes, vaccination issues and more.

• DogAware.com
  Provides information on homemade diets and various topics from an informed view.

• Dr. Jean Dodds' Pet Health Resources
  Extensive information on appropriate nutrition and vaccination issues. Her laboratory offers services for checking your pet's health, including vaccine titers, food allergy testing and thorough thyroid profiles.

• Dr. Jean Dodds Discusses Spaying and Neutering

• The Dog Place Discusses Spaying And Neutering
  The decision to spay or neuter, and when, is now open for discussion.  It is not as black and white as we once thought, and there are numerous factors that should be considered before making the decision.  These two articles give some information regarding this subject.  As with everything, there is a lot of information out there.  It is in our pet's best interest to become educated so we can make a mindful decision that best fits our pet and lifestyle.  There are pros and cons both ways!

• Dr. Bruce Syme Discusses Feeding Raw Bones
  Dr. Bruce Syme discusses the fact and fiction of feeding raw bones to your pets.

• Dr. Karen Becker
  A very knowledgeable integrative veterinarian, Dr. Becker has made many videos on integrative pet care regarding vaccinations, proper diets, updated spay/neuter information and many other health issues.  I highly recommend her information on vaccinations and diets! Google any topic and her name for information.

• VitalAnimal.com A website by Dr. William Falconer, a very dedicated homeopathic veterinarian who is educating people about veterinary issues so that they may make more mindful choices about their pets care.

• Thoughts about Grain-Free Food and Heart Disease in Dogs

  • FDA Update to DCM Investigation

  • Dr. Gerald Buchoff on Grain-Free Dog Food and Wellness

  • The Truth About Grain-Free Dog Foods and DCM

Vaccination Information

• Dr. Becker and Dr. Schultz discuss vaccinations
  An extremely informative YouTube video of holistic veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker discussing vaccinations with world-renowned veterinary immunologist and researcher Dr. Ronald Schultz.

• Whole Dog Magazine discusses vaccinations

• To Vaccinate for Leptospirosis in Dogs … or Not?

• Some Information on Nosodes

Books

• Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health by Dr. Jean Dodds and Diana Laverdure (excellent book on the implementation of and science behind a species-appropriate diet for dogs.)

• Holistic Care for Birds by Dr. David McCluggage and Pamela Leis higdon

• The Whole Dog Journal (a wonderful magazine on natural pet care)

• Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs by Ted Kerasote (In his quest to provide his dog with optimal care, this author did extensive research regarding current pet care. Kerasote discusses his sometimes eye-opening findings in a fun and informative story. This book is located in the Leander Library in the large print section.)

• The Dog Cancer Survival Guide by Demian Dressler (book subtitle: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog's Life Quality and Longevity)

• Yin and Yang Nutrition for Dogs by Dr Judy Morgan - raw food recipes

Pet Shops

Pet shops that carry high-quality foods including raw options plus a variety of natural care products:

• Natural Pawz

• Tomlinsons

• Bark N Purr

• Healthy Pet Austin

• Tail Waggins Dog Bakery in Georgetown