🐾 Who’s
Telling the Truth?
— Understanding the
Root Cause of Anal Gland Issues —
This past Sunday, I
attended a series of webinars on holistic pet care. By the end of the day, I
had heard three different answers to one question:
What’s the root cause of anal gland issues in dogs?
Wait—three
different root causes? Isn’t there supposed to be
just one?
Here’s what I
heard:
1.
A leading integrative veterinarian
pointed to the gut.1
2.
My brilliant herbalism teacher focused
on the liver.2
3.
A respected Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) vet emphasized blood flow.3
4.
And of course, conventional vets might
simply say, “Some dogs are just prone to these things.” 🙃
So... who’s right?
Let’s set
aside Option 4 for now—that’s
more of a shoulder shrug than a root cause.
Gut, liver, or blood flow—which
is it?
In holistic medicine, the
answer is: All of them.
Each expert offered
insight through the lens of their own specialty—and all of them were
right.
For example:
- Poor gut health can lead to
inflammation or improper digestion, affecting the anal glands.
- Gut issues may stem from an overburdened liver that’s
struggling to process toxins.
- And blood flow stagnation can
impair liver function and the body’s ability to eliminate waste.
But it doesn’t stop there.
But wait—blood
flow stagnation can be caused by liver congestion… which can lead to gut imbalance. This is just an example. It’s not linear—it’s
intertwined loops. A conversation between systems.
Everything is
Interconnected
While we often crave one
clean, allopathic-style explanation, the reality is far more nuanced. The body—human or
canine—is an intricate system, not a machine with a
single broken part. It’s estimated there are over 3
trillion biochemical reactions happening in the body at any given
time. That’s complexity we can’t
just “simplify” away.
So, What Should
We Do as Dog Guardians?
Support the whole
system.
Not just the gut.
Not just the liver.
Not just the blood flow.
All of it—together.
And the very first step?
Let go of black-and-white thinking. Healing doesn’t come from a
one-size-fits-all fix or a single supplement. It’s a
dance of many systems in harmony.
What Can That
Look Like?
Let’s stay
focused on anal gland issues for now.
1.
Start with your dog’s
comfort.
Work on alleviating any discomfort or pain using warm calendula water and
echinacea. Your dog’s wellbeing—how they feel each
day—must always come first.
2.
Look at their food and supplements.
Are there ingredients that are energetically inappropriate for the specific
dog? Are you unintentionally overloading their system with well-meaning
supplements?
3.
Support the whole dog—gently.
Avoid throwing every possible remedy at once. That can overwhelm the very
systems you're trying to help.
4.
Work seasonally.
Each season naturally supports different organs and rhythms. When you align
care with nature’s cycles, you help your dog’s
body restore itself with less resistance.
Holistic Care
Means Seeing the Whole Picture
And that’s where
true healing begins.
Not sure where to start?
That’s exactly why I’m here.
Let’s
uncover your dog’s unique needs—together, and in a way that feels manageable, heart-centered, and
sustainable.
👇 Click below to begin your pup’s
healing journey.
https://kahucanineholisticconcierge.com/
***********************************************************************
Beyond Time, Thriving in Each Moment
~ It’s not about how long we have — but how deeply we live it, together. ~
Renowned herbalist
Greg Tilford once said, “We don’t know what wellness looks like.”
I didn’t either.
When I began my
holistic journey with my girls, I truly believed they were healthy. But through
the generosity and insight of mentors, I slowly realized… they weren’t. Not
even close. My older girl, in particular, was quietly suffering—aging far too
quickly. Looking back, I see the denial. And I carried the weight of that
guilt.
Honestly, my journey
started from that guilt.
But something
unexpected happened.
My girls didn’t just
heal — they began to glow. There was a lightness, a vibrancy that grew with
every season. As we embraced deeper wellness — through whole, nourishing food,
seasonal phytoembryonic therapy, the gentle resonance of flower essences, and carefully
chosen natural supports — they radiated joy.
And people noticed.
On our walks, strangers would stop their cars to compliment them. Some even
called out, “Oh my God, they’re glowing!”
They weren’t just healthier… they were alive in the moment.
That’s when I
realized:
Wellness
isn’t just longevity. It’s living fully, side by side, today.
The
true gift isn’t in counting days — it’s in the depth of living them.
I’ve seen my girls
transform into beings who shine fully in the present. Their eyes, their
laughter, their very presence remind me daily:
✨ The moment we have together is
the miracle.
It isn’t about chasing
perfection or an unbroken future.
It’s about presence, connection, radiance, and joy — right now.
Wouldn’t you love to
feel that with your dog? To step out of the worry of “how long” and into the
wonder of this moment?
✨ If you’re ready to walk that
path toward
fullness —
I’d be honored to walk beside you.
🌸The Beyond Time, coming soon at https://kahucanineholisticconcierge.com/
*********************************************************************
References
1.
Becker, Karen, host. “Anal Gland Conditions.” Inside Scoop, Facebook, 27 April 2025, https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPawsMedia/support/?surface=pinned_comments&entrypoint_surface=permalink_iap
2.
Hogan, Rita, host. “Anal Gland Training.” The Canine Herbalist
Advisory, May 2024, https://www.canineherbalism.com/products/communities/v2/canineherbalistadvisory/home
3.
Marsden, Steve, speaker. “Liver Issues in Dogs (and Cats).” Ask De. Steve DVM, Facebook, 27 April, 2025, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1158575954706282
4.
Becker, Karen, and Rodney Habib, hosts. “Essential Oils for Flea & Tick Support.” Inside
Scoop, Facebook, 18 April
2025, https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPawsMedia/support/?surface=pinned_comments&entrypoint_surface=permalink_iap
