I have seen a pattern where neck injuries and energy stagnation lead to cancerous lesions in the tissue related to the injured segment. Studies are expensive and often flawed and in reality, they have not solved much when it comes to “real cure of most chronic conditions and cancer. I do not consider the life time use of toxic drugs a cure.

I would love to conduct more research and hopefully I will, when the money is there. (Perhaps you would like to donate?) Until then, I will continue to exercise the freedom of expressing my opinion freely. I have seen in my practice that neck injuries lead to chronic disease and possibly ( did you notice my wording in the title “possibly” ) also lead to cancer. No matter what your opinion is, I hope that you, as an MD, do not believe that choke chains create a greater degree of health.

My goal is to help and bring medicine to the common sense level. Good research doesn’t ned to cost millions of dollars before a conclusion is reached. I do not want to generalize here, research has its place in medicine. However, because my profession has been lied to by many pet food and drug companies conducting their research, I trust clinical judgment more than their “double blinded studies.” Allow me to humbly say that so far, it has made a difference in the lives of many patients and clients. I also do not deny that there is a lot to learn

With gratitude,
Dr. Peter Dobias

My thoughts:
* If a child in a home where a dog was fed raw were to be ill/die of anything that could remotely be attributed to the dog’s raw food…I’d have to question the owner/parent on their handling of any raw food in their home be it for the dog or their own consumption. As with the handling of ANY raw meat, proper hand washing, washing of the preparation surface, etc is a must.
* Dr. Collis, where have you been in the last 10 years and what is your thoughts on the numerous, repeated, often fatal to the animal, pet food recalls? How can you defend those. If the ingredients going into the commercial food was worth it’s weight, the “cooking” and testing and ultimately preservatives and other additives would not be necessary.
* Dr. Dobias, you are a godsend to this ever heated debate. Your insight is from experience and that is something I take to the bank. I applaud you for speaking up in an intelligent and articulate manner to dispell the teachings of the commercial food industry. I wish that veterinary medicine education would include attention to this matter rather than “trust” the makers of whatever kibble is being peddled today. Your dogs look healthy and are clearly active. At 10, that’s an accomplishment. Congratulations, I’m sure you’ve made a few clients in the process of defending this subject.

I adopted a 3 1/2 year old Husky/Lab cross almost a year ago and the previous owner fed him “whatever was cheapest at Wal-Mart”. I discussed commercial food options with the local pet supply store (big chain) and found very little knowledge amongst the staff that I was comfortable with…the most interesting being “you get what you pay for”. True, to a degree, as generally any commercial diet that seems to attempt an all natural avenue will cost you an arm and a leg to feed your dog…and you still don’t REALLY know what’s in it.

I switched to a middle of the road option ($ wise) and found no improvement in my dog’s coat, teeth, bowel movements, etc. In fact, he rarely had solid stool at all and every three weeks or so had violent diarrhea. That’s IT! I researched raw options, discussed it with people who feed raw to their animals (here in Canada and in Australia where it is VERY popular) and couldn’t see a reason not to try. I happened to take him to a local vet during one of his diarrhea moments as I was concerned and when the vet opened the topic of what he ate, I took the opportunity to discuss a switch to raw. I’m delighted to report that she wholeheartedly supported me and has been positive about the changes in him since.

It took quite a bit of research to find a supply I could rely on and since switching, I have nothing but positive feedback. Within a few days Bailey had a shinier coat (even more so now), and now has quite lovely teeth thanks to beautiful meaty bones. His bowel movements are typical of those fed raw, small and solid. Oh how wonderful it is that his body is truly using EVERYTHING I feed him as it naturally needs as opposed to the fillers and additives that move right through him to my lawn ($ literally on my grass that I will throw out). I’m not far along enough to comment on any savings due to less visits to the vet but I’ve read that it’s generally one of the outcomes of a raw fed dog and that excites me as well.

Yes, it’s a little more expensive than the commercial diets. Yes, you need to think ahead to thaw something out for the dog and a there’s a little prep work…but my dog is beautiful and healthy and is regularly thought to be an active 2 year-old rather than an almost 4.5 year old now. I’m looking forward to a long and happy life with my best friend and I believe I’ve made the right choice for the two of us.

I have a very strong concern, however, on commercially prepared so called ‘raw’ diets. Nearly every single one I have ever seen offered, short of being single ingredient products, have had added SALT. Not sea salt, but sodium choloride, table salt. I did have a new puppy that came in try some commerciall prepared ‘raw’ food once, a multiple ingredient product, she had a HORRIBLE time on it, consumed water like a spounge, had much more issues with urination and elimination than she ever should have, and was very aggitated while on that food. Once we graduated her off of it, onto WHOLE, prey modle fresh meaty bones and organs, ALL of that ceased.

Honestly, the best thin one can do for their pet is to take the time to educate yourself and feed prey modle, raw meat bones and organs. It’s NOT that hard, nor rocket science, just learn to pay attention to what your dog/cat tells you as you go along, and make adjustements as needed.