Propolis Extract is a unique gift from nature for your everyday health, immune support and general wellbeing. Propolis is an amazing healing compound made by bees its medicinal properties have been known to humans since ancient times.

In the wild, dogs evolved eating the meat, bones and offal of kill or dead animals. Part of this was eating the stomach contents and faeces of herbivores. 

During the warmer months, some horses develop signs of respiratory irritation such as a runny nose, snorting, sneezing, or persistent “snuffling.” When these symptoms occur without infection or fever, they often resemble hay fever in humans rather than illness.

Australia has experienced some of the worst forest and bush fires on record in the last ten years. As a result the skies can be filled with smoke, ash, dust and debris. Our animals tend to live, or spend more time outdoors, and may not have any respite from the poor quality air. 

How healthy we are in relationship to our world is very much reflected in the attention we give our horses and environment.  A lack of “right relationship” results in countless horses (earthly resources) used up from competition or racing and then discarded to the Dark Side of the horse industry- the sale yards and a destination unknown.

From a health stance, the food that we eat should be nutritious enough to ensure a healthy body and should also be pleasurable to partake in. This ensures we are taking care of our physical and spiritual needs.

Modern research now places the gut microbiome at the centre of metabolic, inflammatory, and immune-driven conditions, both in humans and animals. 
In horses, the interaction between diet, forage quality, soil microbiology, gut integrity, and microbial diversity is increasingly recognised as a foundational determinant of long-term soundness and metabolic resilience in horses. 

Flea bite allergy is one of the most common skin sensitivities seen in cats. It tends to be seasonal, becoming more severe during the warmer months of summer and autumn when flea populations are at their peak. For cats that are hypersensitive to flea saliva, even a single flea bite can trigger intense itching that lasts for hours or even days.

Much like human skin and hair, a horse’s coat reveals a great deal about overall health. While grooming products can enhance appearance on the outside, the deepest and most lasting shine always comes from within.

Some head-shaking behaviour in horses is normal. Trigeminal-mediated head-shaking is a little-understood neuropathic facial condition of the horse. 

I suspect that everyone has at some time in their life had an imbalance in the thyroid, because like any gland, organ or body system, it is subject to the emotional and environmental toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis. It is perfectly natural for the glands, system or organ to fluctuate its functioning during homeostasis. Take a look at blood pressure; it's perfectly natural for BP to skyrocket under stress, and to lower during times of relaxation.

It often feels like our beloved dogs are plagued with more health conditions than ever before. We’re seeing more canine cancers, skin allergies, arthritis, metabolic and diet-related illnesses, as well as recurring ear, kidney, and urinary tract infections. On top of this, the rising vet bills can be overwhelming for many families.

At McDowells, we see these concerns every day with clients and their pets. The good news is, there’s a lot we can do to improve resilience, reduce risk, and support long-term health naturally.