WOOD
FIVE ELEMENT THEORY
Knowing the personality of your animal can help to understand why they react to situations a certain way and what diseases they may be predisposed to. In Chinese medicine, each animal has a base personality type. Typically, once their personality is established, the animal remains at its core personality, and is predisposed to the influences of that element. However, as the animal goes through life, the other elements will influence how they react to their environment and can influence and add depth to their personality. Every person and animal have a different set of experiences, we are all individuals after all.
Wood personality animals are generally very confident animals. This is a dog that is not usually afraid of anything and may charge right up to you in greeting or sit next to their owner barking a warning. However, they are often very friendly with people they know, you just have to be approved first. These dogs are very loyal and want to please their owners. They are very driven to win.
These dogs live in the moment and are very aware of their surroundings, which makes them great dogs for agility, hunting and other sports. They are very sensitive to changes in their environment which allows them to react quickly, and they have a natural drive to take charge of a situation and strive to win. Because of their competitive nature these dogs need a job, or they can become destructive.
No matter what breed or size wood dogs tend to be on the thin side, usually being ideal body weight and often seeming a little underweight to their owners. They usually have big eyes, and their thin stature allows for quick, nimble moments making them great competitors and runners.
Predisposition to Disease Conditions for Wood Element
When wood dogs get out of balance, they are prone to irritability and even aggression, as wood’s associated emotion is anger. They may lash out at their owners and other animals they are normally friends with. Although their sensitivity to their environment allows for them to adapt on the fly in competition, at home they need a very stable environment. These dogs do very well in households with routine and consistency. They are easily affected by stress, therefore turmoil in the home or moving to a new home/environment often leads to imbalance.
They are also prone to disorders associated with the wood system. This means they are prone to diseases like:
- Hepatitis (liver disease) or gall bladder stones
- The feet are associated with wood, as they act like the roots of the tree to connect us with the earth. So these animals are predisposed to Pododermatitis, which is irritation of the skin of the feet. The dogs may be licking or chewing their feet.
- Tendons and ligaments may also be affected as these are like the trunk/stems, giving our body structural support. Animals may get bow-tendons, strains, or tears, such as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee.
- Wood animals are also predisposed to conditions associated with the wind pathogen in Chinese medicine. Wind rattles wood animals like it shakes the leaves of a tree. Wind conditions may manifest as something externally, like itching/allergy issues or more severe disease internally, like seizure disorders.
Using Five Elements for Preventative Medicine for Wood Element
Annual examinations with your integrative Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care veterinarian to evaluate for imbalances in mental and physical health.
Consider liver antioxidants. Talk to your Mountain View Animal Hospital Veterinarian about dosages and when it is appropriate to start this therapy.
Aromatherapy, massage, and acupuncture can be helpful to prevent imbalance of the liver circulation and improve liver blood flow along with helping with seizure control. Since wood constitutions are predisposed to ligament / tendon issues, regular exercise and chiropractic care is beneficial.
If your pet suffers from an ACL (anterior cruciate tear), consider a non-surgical option called Prolozone Therapy. Call Holistic Pet Care 775-853-6002 for more information.
Harmonizing foods for Liver function include chicken or pig liver, green vegetables (spinach, mustard greens, cabbage), carrots and citrus fruits.
Specific herbal therapy may help smooth the Liver Circulation.
We look forward to helping your pet with
individualized and detailed integrative health care.
Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care
METAL
FIVE ELEMENT THEORY
Knowing the personality of your animal can help to understand why they react to situations a certain way and what diseases they may be predisposed to. In Chinese medicine, each animal has a base personality type. Typically, once their personality is established, the animal remains at its core personality, and is predisposed to the influences of that element. However, as the animal goes through life, the other elements will influence how they react to their environment and can influence and add depth to their personality. Every person and animal have a different set of experiences, we are all individuals after all.
Some of the characteristics of the Metal element are: Quiet, Confident, Disciplined, Follows Owners Commands Closely and Prefers to Have a Job!
Metal personalities tend to be leaders due to their confidence and consistency. They are quiet and independent, seeming aloof, but they like to analyze the situation before getting involved. They are not unfriendly, just reserved. Metal personalities enjoy rules and order. These animals like to have a job and a set procedure to their daily routines. This is the dog that is going to expect you also to follow a schedule and will let you know if you are late feeding them or when it is time to go for their walk. They are very good athletes and do well with any kind of training they are driven to succeed. Stereotypical breed: Working (Border Collie / Herding Breeds) or Agility Dog. These dogs typically will not pay attention to anyone or anything at a dog park or when someone comes over the home if they have a job to do.
The Metal element is associated with the Lung system, comprising of the lungs and large intestines. This system opens to the exterior via the skin pores and nose. A well-balanced Metal animal will have healthy skin and hair coat.
Predisposition to Disease Conditions for Metal Element
When out of balance, Metal is prone to issues associated with skin or the respiratory system. The Lung system is also considered to play a major role in the immune system because our skin and lungs are constantly working to protect our bodies from outside invaders.
- Generalized skin issues (foot-specific issues are more wood element)
- Nasal congestion or discharge
- Coughing / Asthma
- Constipation
Using Five Elements for Preventative Medicine for Metal Element
Annual examinations to evaluate for any emotional or physical imbalance.
Due to predisposition of dry skin (flaky / itchy skin), starting fish oils (20milligrams per pound daily) early in life is recommended. Another option is adding coconut oil to their diet.
Herbal therapies may be used in times of nasal congestion. Monitor for consistent sneezing, reverse sneezing, and/or nasal discharge.
Monitor for coughing / wheezing and consider annual screening chest radiographs to evaluate the lungs.
If crusting on the nose is seen, consider topical Vitamin E daily. Please talk to your Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care veterinarian for proper dosing.
Giving a JOB to them is important – consider daycare or agility classes to help maintain mental balance with this personality. Call to discuss daycare options with Mountain View Animal Hospital.
Consider acupuncture, ozone and herbal therapy to help maintain a balanced system, especially in times of coughing, nasal discharge, dry or abnormal skin, personality changes or concern for asthma / bronchitis.
Typical recommended foods for this element are: eggs, duck, barley, tofu and rice.
We look forward to helping your pet with
individualized and detailed integrative health care.
Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care
FIRE
FIVE ELEMENT THEORY
Knowing the personality of your animal can help to understand why they react to situations a certain way and what diseases they may be predisposed to. In Chinese medicine, each animal has a base personality type. Typically, once their personality is established, the animal remains at its core personality, and is predisposed to the influences of that element. However, as the animal goes through life, the other elements will influence how they react to their environment and can influence and add depth to their personality. Every person and animal have a different set of experiences, we are all individuals after all.
Fire personality animals are very jovial and love life. They are the type of dog that is going to be bursting with happiness to see you and possibly try to give you as many kisses as you will allow in greeting. Fire animals also tend to be very vocal often expressing themselves with a wide variety of sounds, besides the typical bark. These animals love attention and want to be the star of the show; however, they are not usually competitive, as wood animals for example. They are driven by the joy of life and want to play just for the fun of the game. These animals will strive to do what their people ask of them as they love the reward when they get it right, but they can be difficult to train due to their short attention span. Fire dogs are often considered hyper, or unable to sit still for long; they want to be on to the next fun thing. They are more motivated by your attention than anything else. For some dogs, it doesn’t matter if the attention is positive or negative as long as they are receiving it.
Fire animals often have small but bright eyes. Often their face, tongue or skin will be more of a reddish hue. They are very fast but don’t have a lot of stamina, making them good short-distance racers and hunters of small game like rabbits and rodents.
Predisposition to Disease Conditions for Fire Element
Fire animals tend to have a lot of energy and tend to feel warm to the touch. Often an imbalance may start during hotter times of the year, like summer, as these animals’ bodies already run hot! Since Fire rules the mind and the adolescent development stage, which is the time during which the personality undergoes major development, these animals need a lot of stability and support during this stage to avoid behavioral issues later. In times of imbalance, fire animals are predisposed towards:
- Behavioral disorders such as restlessness, mania, and separation anxiety.
- Cardiovascular (heart and vessel) diseases
- Chest and/or Upper Back and Neck Pain / muscle spasms / Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting, constipation or diarrhea (due to high cortisol levels).
- Mouth diseases: dental disease / gingivitis / ulcerations on their tongues.
Using Five Elements for Preventative Medicine for Fire Element
Due to predisposition to cardiovascular diseases
- Annual examination with a thorough auscultation particularly of heart and lungs is recommended.
- Starting at age 7 or sooner, considering screening chest radiographs to evaluate heart size and vessels.
- Annual blood pressure monitoring
- Heartworm testing yearly is utmost importance as any additional heart disease can be extra deadly to these patients.
Due to predisposition for chest and upper neck pain, harnesses (instead of neck collars) are recommended for safety.
Regular dental cleanings are a must for Fire dogs, as they are disposed to dental disease. Mountain View offers preventative teeth cleanings and assessments in addition to comprehensive anesthetized dental evaluations. Please call to schedule a dental evaluation with one of our integrative veterinarians. This should start year one!
Fire puppies often need a lot of entertainment and social activity to prevent destruction in the home and distract them if you aren’t there to entertain! Considering interactive toys, daycare or being with other dog friends may help! Mountain View Animal Hospital offers daycare! Call to set up today.
Recommended foods to help balance the heart is: pork heart, fish, brown rice, wheat, and vegetables such as broccoli, celery and mushrooms.
We look forward to helping your pet with
individualized and detailed integrative health care.
Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care
WATER
FIVE ELEMENT THEORY
Knowing the personality of your animal can help to understand why they react to situations a certain way and what diseases they may be predisposed to. In Chinese medicine, each animal has a base personality type. Typically, once their personality is established, the animal remains at its core personality, and is predisposed to the influences of that element. However, as the animal goes through life, the other elements will influence how they react to their environment and can influence and add depth to their personality. Every person and animal have a different set of experiences, we are all individuals after all.
Classic characteristics of water may include being a bit shy. They can get easily nervous when being touched by a stranger, they may have submissive urination, and sometimes they will hide and run away when strangers come over to the home.
Water personality animals tend to be very quiet and reserved. They are considered to be the most introverted of the personalities, and tend to be more independent and solitary, even when in familiar surroundings. Like the Metal personality, Water likes to analyze the situation before acting. Water types are prone to the emotion of fear. These dogs are hesitant and tend to look to their owners for guidance in new situations. Most water animals prefer to hide or run, but will bite or scratch if unable to avoid unwanted interactions / perceived danger.
Predisposition to Disease Conditions for Water Element
The Water element in traditional Chinese medicine is linked to the kidney and urinary bladder, with secondary associations to bones, ears/hearing, endocrine organs, and genetic essence. Water animals are prone emotional stress from their constitution and when out of balance may manifest a variety of issues.
- Endocrine diseases that disturb the body’s natural water balance, such as but not limited to Cushing’s (Hyperadrenocorticism), Addison’s (Hypoadrenocorticism) and Thyroid dysfunction (hypo/hyper thyroid).
- Ear Infections and Hearing Loss
- Kidney or Bladder Diseases – Such as but not limited to early kidney degeneration / disease, kidney, and urinary bladder infections (UTI’s), kidney and urinary bladder stones.
- Lower Back Pain / Hip Dysplasia / Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
* Water is a key component of all cells. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60% water. Most humans and animals walk around in a mild state of dehydration. For people, we often just don’t drink enough water. For pets, dehydration is more complicated as animals are much less efficient water drinkers. In addition, animals typically get little to no water from their diet as the most popular foods fed to animals is currently a kibble-based diet, which has the majority of water removed. Overtime the lack of water in the diet and in life leads our animals toward kidney system imbalance. This imbalance often manifests in older animals as arthritis, intervertebral disk disease, and kidney disease that eventually leads to kidney failure.
Using Five Elements for Preventative Medicine for Water Element
Confidence building with positive reinforcement and socialization is important in Water personalities, however, just as important, is always having a private and hidden space for them to retreat into when they need to get away. Positive visits to the veterinary hospital are important for Water pets to feel confident during exams. Consider aromatherapy treatments, bringing their favorite treat to the hospital for the medical team to give, and taking a walk if possible before and after the appointment. Lowering acute and chronic stress, lowers cortisol levels which helps reduce chronic endocrine diseases.
Herbal therapy for anxiety can be beneficial in times of imbalance.
Blood Work to evaluate for endocrine disorders is very important. There are a variety of blood panels that can become more comprehensive as the pet ages. It is important for Water Elements to begin annual blood work at a young age. This allows the veterinarian to trend changes as the pet ages and catch potential serious conditions such as kidney disease early.
Starting Glucosamine / MSM supplements at an early age is important to help strengthen and lubricate cartilage as it continues to develop early in life.
Monitor for Ear Infections Look for any abnormal shaking, pawing at ears or malodor from the ears. This may indicate an ear infection.
Add water into their food and making sure they always have ample water sources! Highly consider canned, dehydrated, or RAW diets as these have a higher water content than dry kibble.
We look forward to helping your pet with
individualized and detailed integrative health care.
Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care
EARTH
FIVE ELEMENT THEORY
Knowing the personality of your animal can help to understand why they react to situations a certain way and what diseases they may be predisposed to. In Chinese medicine, each animal has a base personality type. Typically, once their personality is established, the animal remains at its core personality, and is predisposed to the influences of that element. However, as the animal goes through life, the other elements will influence how they react to their environment and can influence and add depth to their personality. Every person and animal have a different set of experiences, we are all individuals after all.
Earth personalities are very friendly and loving dogs, but also are okay with time to themselves. They are nurturers and like to care for others. They generally have a happy, laid-back personality and are up for whatever their people feel like doing. Earth personalities tend to be slower moving, and often need more sleep than other personalities. Earth tends to think a lot about how to take care of their owners or others in the household and this makes them prone to the emotion of worry which can lead to gastro-intestinal upset. However, Earth personalities tend to have longer life spans!
The organs associated with the Earth system in Chinese Medicine are the spleen and stomach. In Chinese medicine, the “Spleen” system is functionally more similar to the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract from the western medicine perspective. In traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, the Spleen regulates the flow of Qi (life source / energy), making sure nutrients and energy are separated from toxins and other bi-products of metabolism. The Spleen system then sends good nutrients and energy up to the rest of the body, and the toxins and other waste down to the large intestine for removal. Therefore, we associate the Spleen with digestive function. The Spleen system also plays a major role in the defense system for the body and muscular strength.
Predisposition to Disease Conditions for Earth Element
- Obesity as they age
- Muscle atrophy as they age
- Weakness in hind limbs
- Predisposition to gastrointestinal upset including anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain during ANY times of worry, change in diet, change in environment, etc.
- Constipation
- Gum and lip problems (inflammation / cancers / infections)
- Edema / Water Retention
- Benign fatty growths (Lipomas)
- Cancer
Using Five Elements for Preventative Medicine for Earth Element
Weight control at an early age is very important. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian yearly about proper weight, calories, and nutrition for your pet.
There are herbal prescriptions and diets intended to help maintain GI health and prevent Spleen imbalance. Recommended foods to reduce GI upset in Earth animals is lamb, chicken, ginger, and sweet potato. Typically, Earth animals do best with these base proteins / carbs / additives. Consider non-processed home cooked diets. Visit BalanceIt.Com for directions.
Daily canine probiotics are recommended for Earth elements to help maintain a healthy gut flora. Be wary of long-term antibiotic use without always ensuring probiotics are included in the after care for at least 7 days. Ask your integrative veterinarian which specific probiotics are the best products for your pet.
Annual examinations focusing specifically on the skin / underlying tissue is important. ANY lumps or bumps should be aspirated immediately and rechecked on your yearly examinations for any possible changes. It is best to make a body chart, marking and measuring all the masses at home. If you notice any sudden changes in size, shape or firmness, alert your Mountain View Veterinarian immediately.
Acupuncture, chiropractic and therapy massage are great ways to ensure all the muscles and nerves are constantly stimulated, helping prevent early muscle atrophy and improve circulation throughout the body. There is no age limit when you can start this (typically at 6 months of age)! Holistic Pet Care recommends being seen on a preventative (healthy) basis every 6 months for the above therapy. For convenience, you can schedule this at the same time as your General Preventative appointment with your Mountain View Animal Hospital Veterinarian.
We look forward to helping your pet with
individualized and detailed integrative health care.
Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care
