Augustine Approved

[Airedaler]

I've seen a lot about Augustine Approved lately but am failing to quite understand exactly what it is.

Is it a food or is it something one adds to food (supplement) What are it's benefits? Is it an immune booster or something else? I see they sell a Super Food kit, does anyone know what one does with this?

Would love some feedback about this product and also if anyone has used it what for, how and was it worthwhile for you?

[cavNrott]

I believe Augustine Approved have one outlet for their fresh food. I can't remember where that outlet is.

The Super Food Kit is available in a few stores and I think it's added to a raw food diet.

Erny will hopefully come along and tell us about it. I believe her dog is fed Augustine Approved.

edited:Oops I got the name wrong.

Edited May 23, 2014 by cavNrott

[BC Crazy]

I have had both my guys on Augustines Super Boost for 18 months now. It is a natural/organic powder food supplement. I use it as an additive to my raw food diet. I have found it very good. They also make a raw diet as well. I haven't tried it as there are no local stockists.

Edited May 23, 2014 by BC Crazy

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I think it's a sort of brand for three or four different products. They have their own website that explains their stuff.

There's some sort of food supplement

There is a poultice ointment stuff for lumps and bumps and stuff - they have posted a recipe for that one if you don't want to buy it.

And there is something that is supposed to help with parasites.

They make a lot of claims that they only back up with testimonials (positive stories) not data (responses from all users not just the happy ones).

So they're somewhere between home remedy, snake oil and yet to be tested good product or placebo.

Your choice.

What do you want it for?

[Airedaler]

Thanks for your replies. I might explorer the products further.

Mrs Rusty Bucket, I'm not sure I do want it but have seen quite a bit about it and wondered if it was something I might look at feeding. I have a bitch with a problem we cannot find an answer to and despite pathology results saying one thing treatment for that is not working. I'm now at the point of doing one of two things..... grasping at straws and trying something like AA or saying enough is enough and letting her go.

[Yonjuro]

I use the Augustines Approved - Super Boost and I think it is excellent. It is a powder that you add to raw or kibble and it all organic and human grade. It has vitamins and minerals and various anti-inflammatory ingredients. You only need 1 teaspoon per cup of food and I actually only use only half a teaspoon per cup. My dog no longer has any itches and he looks great. How much of that is due to the supplement I cannot say. It is pretty economical in any case so it gets a thumbs-up from me.

It seems to be quite palatable to my dog. I sometimes mix it with a teaspoon of high TA honey or some coconut oil if I feel like adding a bit more oomph to his food.

What are you looking for in the supplement Airedaler?

Turmeric (which is in the AA) is an excellent supplement for a whole host of conditions and costs next to nothing :)

[Maddy]

I think it's a sort of brand for three or four different products. They have their own website that explains their stuff.

There's some sort of food supplement

There is a poultice ointment stuff for lumps and bumps and stuff - they have posted a recipe for that one if you don't want to buy it.

And there is something that is supposed to help with parasites.

They make a lot of claims that they only back up with testimonials (positive stories) not data (responses from all users not just the happy ones).

So they're somewhere between home remedy, snake oil and yet to be tested good product or placebo.

Your choice.

What do you want it for?

Pretty much. Just because an ingredient has vitamins X, Y and Z in it, doesn't mean dogs are capable of getting those vitamins from it. Lots of sciencey language and claims, zero actual science.

Also lots of dodgy marketing terms like "promotes healthy organ function", which means.. nothing.

Personally, I wouldn't touch it.

[Airedaler]

I do add turmeric to the food. To be honest I've not found it has had any long term impact on anything. I guess I'm looking to boost the immune system - see post #5.

[Maddy]

I do add turmeric to the food. To be honest I've not found it has had any long term impact on anything. I guess I'm looking to boost the immune system - see post #5.

If it's bad enough that you'd consider putting her to sleep, I'd be getting second and third options on her current treatment. It could be something as simple as adjusting the dosage further.

[Yonjuro]

I do add turmeric to the food. To be honest I've not found it has had any long term impact on anything. I guess I'm looking to boost the immune system - see post #5.

Sorry, I can't really be of any valuable assistance, I have responded to your original question about AA and have given you my anecdotal findings. I don't believe it is a miracle product, but I also don't believe it is 'snake oil' given that all of the ingredients are widely used in holistic veterinary medicine.

I suppose you have tried probiotics?

[Airedaler]

I do add turmeric to the food. To be honest I've not found it has had any long term impact on anything. I guess I'm looking to boost the immune system - see post #5.

If it's bad enough that you'd consider putting her to sleep, I'd be getting second and third options on her current treatment. It could be something as simple as adjusting the dosage further.

I'm on the third opinion now.

[Airedaler]

I do add turmeric to the food. To be honest I've not found it has had any long term impact on anything. I guess I'm looking to boost the immune system - see post #5.

Sorry, I can't really be of any valuable assistance, I have responded to your original question about AA and have given you my anecdotal findings. I don't believe it is a miracle product, but I also don't believe it is 'snake oil' given that all of the ingredients are widely used in holistic veterinary medicine.

I suppose you have tried probiotics?

Thank you Yonjouro. Sometimes anecdotal findings are as useful as scientific ones. Your experience is valuable information as far as I'm concerned. Probiotics have been tried.

[VizslaMomma]

Not sure if you know of Erny's trials with her dog.

They had to seek more than one opinion to (eventually) have success.

Hopefully Erny will see the thread.

Not sure if they are off partying at the MDBA's Gala which I think is this weekend.

[Yonjuro]

I do add turmeric to the food. To be honest I've not found it has had any long term impact on anything. I guess I'm looking to boost the immune system - see post #5.

Sorry, I can't really be of any valuable assistance, I have responded to your original question about AA and have given you my anecdotal findings. I don't believe it is a miracle product, but I also don't believe it is 'snake oil' given that all of the ingredients are widely used in holistic veterinary medicine.

I suppose you have tried probiotics?

Thank you Yonjouro. Sometimes anecdotal findings are as useful as scientific ones. Your experience is valuable information as far as I'm concerned. Probiotics have been tried.

You are most welcome, I wish I could offer more information. I really hope things pick up for your dog it is heartbreaking when you try things to little avail. I wish you all the best.

I am sure Erny will see this soon who knows far more than I do on AA and other health matters.

[trifecta]

There was a thread last year

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/246806-augustines-superfood/page__hl__augustine

[Erny]

Just writing here to let you know I've seen this thread. Don't have time to write a lot at the moment (yep .... MDBA Awards and gearing up to ready for the party ) but I will tell you that yes, the AA recommended diet and the SuperBoost has done MUCH in terms of good for my boy. And when I did venture to try it, I was right at that 'end of tether' stage, where I felt that it was likely my dog would starve to death as I was unable to source any meat protein he was able to function comfortably on, or that he himself would continue with. He was skinny as, and even missing one day of meals was a big deal.

Two or so plus years on and he's still eating it; enthusiasm returned to his previous "hoover it down" gusto that was before his health symptoms reared their ugly heads; vastly reduced symptom flair ups (i.e. not ANYWHERE as severe; not as frequent) and stools, which, without the SuperBoost always end up returning to the consistency of tar, are well formed and firm. Vet always tells me "he looks so good". His coat often attracts compliments. His energy levels are excellent. He's now rising 6 years old. At one stage I would not have believed he would make it this far.

I'll write more when I get back to this - or use the search engine for my posts as I've written on it numerous times. In the meantime, I suggest it is certainly a diet worth putting your dog on. Not suggesting it is only in times of "desperate measures", but when you're facing "pts", I wouldn't hesitate to give this a go.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Erny

[JulesP]

I think it's a sort of brand for three or four different products. They have their own website that explains their stuff.

There's some sort of food supplement

There is a poultice ointment stuff for lumps and bumps and stuff - they have posted a recipe for that one if you don't want to buy it.

And there is something that is supposed to help with parasites.

They make a lot of claims that they only back up with testimonials (positive stories) not data (responses from all users not just the happy ones).

So they're somewhere between home remedy, snake oil and yet to be tested good product or placebo.

Your choice.

What do you want it for?

Pretty much. Just because an ingredient has vitamins X, Y and Z in it, doesn't mean dogs are capable of getting those vitamins from it. Lots of sciencey language and claims, zero actual science.

Also lots of dodgy marketing terms like "promotes healthy organ function", which means.. nothing.

Personally, I wouldn't touch it.

The guy that started the company used to post on here actually. He had no prior background in nutrition, natrupathy, medicine etc. He did contact me totally unsolicited and suggested a diet that would have been very bad for my dog.

I think the ingredients in it are quite strange. A lot of them are so called 'superfoods' for humans. I guess it depends on how you feel about those. If you are coconut oil lover that loves chia seeds and barley grass then this product will resonate with you. I've even tried a couple of them myself.

I am very happy that Erny's dog is going well. I don't think there is anything in the ingredients that would cause harm. I do think it is all a bit snake oily.

Airdaler have you googled to see if there are any support groups for your dog's condition? I would have to credit the Yahoo group I found for extending my dog's life as the knowledge they provided me was amazing. If you are interested in giving AA a try I would google each ingredient in it and see how it relates to your dog's condition.

Edited May 24, 2014 by Troy

[Polgara's Shadow]

I've just started using it. One week today. Vulcan has a number of food and environmental allergies. He gets frantically itchy to the point of bleeding when he is at his worst. He was particularly bad a month or so ago, I posted on here about it. AA recommend blending together zucchini, beetroot, carrot, lentils and coconut oil. This veggie purée is combined with the super boost powder and meat of your choice. They do say you could omit the meat and feed the veggie purée and superboost as a vegan diet if your dog has problems with all meat proteins. I understand they sell this prepared at a market but for people who want to try it but can't get to the market their website provides instructions on how to prepare the mix.

Vulcan tolerates kangaroo and beef very well so I'm mixing that in. It's still very early days but Vulcans itching is 90% better one week in and he scoffs it down. I suspect he has developed a sensitivity to something in commercially prepared diets as no matter what we fed him over the past 6 months he was still itchy. I plan to do a number of thyroid and allergy tests on him once he has been on this new diet for 6 weeks.

So sorry to hear of your pups health issues and hope you can find solutions

[Yonjuro]

wow, this has gone south pretty fast.

@Airedaler, have you considered having a holistic vet have a look at you dog? I think they specialise in working on boosting immune systems? I have no experience in this though, nor am I a tree hugging chia muncher :D but it sounds like some alternate treatments might be in order or a least worth a shot.

Again, I wish all the best in this difficult time. If you decide to try the AA Super Boost and you don't like it I will buy the remaining off you without hesitation, or someone closer would grab it I am sure.

[persephone]

Thanks for your replies. I might explorer the products further.

Mrs Rusty Bucket, I'm not sure I do want it but have seen quite a bit about it and wondered if it was something I might look at feeding. I have a bitch with a problem we cannot find an answer to and despite pathology results saying one thing treatment for that is not working. I'm now at the point of doing one of two things..... grasping at straws and trying something like AA or saying enough is enough and letting her go.

have you tried a second opinion? Sometimes fresh eyes/ideas can be a big help . best of luck ...

You can also contact McDowell Herbal. I suggest phoning them ( PHONE 02 6331 3937 ) and talking . They are very helpful ..and can tailor a mixture once they know what meds she is on, diagnosis, diet etc .

Edited May 24, 2014 by persephone