3021a Oakland Dr.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: 269-383-8334
Fax: 269-383-8433
Meeting
Minutes
April 19,
2004
Next meeting: May 17, 2004 @ 6:30
Meeting special: The attached is @ a discount- orders will be placed Monday May 24, so
if you can’t attend the meeting please see us before that date. By combining a bulk group order we save
considerably on freight. Bark’s can
hold some product for you, for a short period.
Save 15% on any natural flea solution
products during the meeting
Next topic: How to stretch the diet
Oma’s pride ordering coordination
April 19 topic (Vaccinations, Heartworm Medicine,
Flea Control):
The group’s discussion was
varied in opinions on preference as to using and administering natural or
chemical solutions for the prevention of disease and pests. The consensus was; each person should form
their own conclusions based on comfort level, product knowledge through continuing
education, and weighing the pros & cons of each side of the arguments. These notes are provided for informational
purposes only, as a documentation of the discussion topic, and are by no means
meant to provide an opinion on behalf of Bark’s 5th Avenue or enough
information to make an informed decision.
We encourage people with opposing views to attend these meetings so both
sides of an issue can be explored.
¨ Vaccinations & Medications - cons: the major objection is the introduction of
elements that actually suppress the immune system unnecessarily. Some feel a healthy pet, especially those
that eat a natural diet, have a strong immune system to fight many diseases
without vaccination. Additional
concerns are the introduction of the preservatives and other chemical elements
in the products.
o Lori shared of her previous bad experience after
vaccinating her pet. The pet foamed at
the mouth and became listless for 3 to 4 days, these where only some of the
visible signs, but what of the overall health that may be compromised during
such treatments
o Others shared of seeing red, raised/swollen, and hot
skin in the area where the immunization shot was administered
¨ Vaccinations & Medications - pros: obviously, certain vaccinations are required
for licensing & certain travel. Many times proof is required for training classes, boarding, day
care, etc… This poses a problem for
those who don’t vaccinate. Some feel
they need the protection, like insurance, against things that may have a higher
incidence of exposure, but prefer to not vaccinate or medicate against some of
the more. Further some felt the
vaccinations were okay, but that frequency is a problem. A titer test can help you determine what
might be the best approach for your pet (see the hand out).
¨
The group noted vets
with holistic approaches:
¨
Dr. Pam DiTonto(Grand
Rapids area) was recommended as a vet who respects the pet owner’s decision to
use only protocol they are comfortable with
¨ Ticks & Fleas:
the group had an overall consensus that chemical applications or medications
should be avoided. Not only is your pet
exposed possibly unnecessarily but so is your environment and family. Flea infestations pose a real health problem
for you and your pet. The first line of
defense should be prevention! Remember
“an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, so stop it now and you
won’t have to resort to chemicals. The
following are some valuable pointers the group had:
¨ Inspect your pet after it has been outdoors. This
accustoms them to handling, reinforces the human animal bond, can eliminate
pests from entering your home, and familiarizes you with your pet which may
help identify problems in the future.
Ticks, especially, are easy to remove if caught quickly. Slowly move your fingers over the dogs body
(with special attention to ear, neck, and “armpit” areas) to feel for small
“bumps”.
¨
Products were
discussed. Cloud Star’s Buddy Wash and
Buddy Splash – Flea Formula is new to the market place. These products are
detergent free, no pesticides, non toxic, cosmetic grade ingredients and do not
contain harmful preservatives Also, we
have premier products flea wipes and halo all natural flea dips (no pesticides
or chemicals).
¨
Look for products
containing the following ingredients: citronella, (an insect repellant), cedarwood,
(antiseptic and astringent properties), NEEM, (deters insects from feeding and
interferes with the insect life cycle), tea tree oil, citrus oils, and herbal
essential oils. Cats can not be
directly exposed to essential oils.
They can absorb them through their skin and this causes toxicity.
¨
Healthy practices
should be used in combination with products.
Regular vacuuming (especially your pets bedding areas), regular grooming,
pet inspections, etc…
¨
Please refer to the
hand out, provided by Cloud Star, for some valuable information.
¨ Dr. Main (Allegan) was noted as a vet who does
chiropractic therapy