Pets Care

Thank you for your recent service to Amber and Hallie Berry! They appreciate your devotion to keeping them well…Also Amber thanks you for making her the celebrity she is. She is being shown in the “Weekly Beagle” date 2/12/08. This is her second debut of “I told him I was suppose to wear a seatbelt!” Another picture is on on it’s way to you.

Thank you again!

From: Moya N.

Does your pet have allergies? Does he itch a lot? Many essential nutrients have to be added to your pets diet as the animal is itself not capable of producing them. One such group is those known as Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). When dogs or cats are lacking EFA this can cause problems such as dry, itchy or scaly skin, resulting in the associated problems. Here’s a list of the best available online pet meds to treat allergies:

Coatex Capsules
Easy to administer, soft gel capsules containing high levels of essential fatty acids to help maintain healthy skin and coat condition in dogs and cats.

Coatex Liquid Pump
A balanced blend of essential oils that have been identified as being essential for maintaining a healthy skin and coat condition in dogs and cats.

Efavet
For dogs and cats with skin problems - Essential fatty acids are necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy skin and coat in dogs and cats.

Efavet Regular 550mg
Recommended for the maintenance of skin conditions in dogs and cats.

Episoothe
For the treatment of sensitive skin in dogs & cats. Completely soap free and pleasantly scented.

Forever Bee Pollen
Direct from the hive, this is an excellent way of priming the body to combact allergies, as well as being a superb energy supplement before or after an exercise period.

Vivitreats
The medication is disguised within the treat by inserting the tablet into its centre and moulding the Vivitreat around it until completely enclosed

I am placing my 2nd order after my original order was handled in a timely manner and delivered to my home much earlier than I had expected. I also compared prices at other companies and the price my vet charges and Petscriptions was the best price available.Thank you Petscriptions!

Vicki

by By Pamela Nations-Weissman (Courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs)

Many people do not realize that there are numerous herbal and homeopathic remedies that can save them thousands of dollars on their veterinary bills. This is not to say that I feel that traditional veterinary procedures are not important. In fact, I believe in achieving balance in all areas of life, including working hand in hand - or should I say hand in paw - with your veterinarian.

The point is that by expanding our knowledge of simple herbal and homeopathic remedies and knowing when and how to use them properly, we can save money, time and avoid the unnecessary stress that countless trips to the vet’s office can cause to our sensitive pets.

Learning to pay close attention to our furry companion’s energy level, eating, drinking, bowel movements, eyes, ears, skin and so on is the first step to stopping minor problems before they escalate into major ones (thereby making a trip to the vet’s office unavoidable). Since our dogs cannot verbalize when something is wrong, it is our job to pay attention, take note, and then take appropriate action.

I know what my dog Cypress wants by her eyes, grunts, sighs and overall body language. I accompany her into our yard every time she goes potty. This enables me to know if she has a problem and give her the correct remedy. For example, one day Cypress seemed to need to go out every half hour or so to urinate. After a few hours I noticed that when she squatted, not much urine was being released.

Then and there I knew she had a bladder problem. I gave her three cranberry gel caps (Note: She is a large dog, smaller dogs will require a reduced dosage) every three to four hours along with two capsules of an Ayurvedic herb called Gokshura.

By evening there was less urgency to urinate, and by the following morning she was much better. I continued the treatment for two more days in lower dosages to ensure that the problem would not resurface. Had I not gone out with her each time, she could have suffered for a very long time and the end result could have been disastrous.

Another reason to accompany your dog to the bathroom is to observe the condition of their stool. If it is runny, I give Cypress catnip capsules, peppermint extract, evening primrose, coriander and cumin. If she is constipated a dose of goldenseal, cod liver oil and flaxseed oil usually does the trick. Another sign to watch for is frequent burping, gas or stomach grumbling. This can be alleviated with ginger extract, peppermint and catnip.

It is good to know which herbs and homeopathics to have around for emergencies. Goldenseal/Echinacea alcohol free extract can be used for a wide variety of problems including a weakened immune system, eye infections, ear infections, cuts and scrapes. For eyes and ears, dilute a small amount with water and wash the affected area several times daily while simultaneously administering orally two to three times a day until the condition improves.

Once the problem subsides, give your dog acidophilus capsules morning and evening for at least one day to replenish the friendly intestinal bacteria which goldenseal’s antibiotic activity destroys.

Now let’s talk about stress. Stress is a major cause of many our pet’s ailments, so by being more sensitive to your dog and the things that cause them stress you can prevent many stress-related ailments. For example, we had recently moved to Florida and had not previously experienced the Fourth of July in our new home. My husband has a job that frequently requires him to travel abroad.

This, in and of itself, will increase a dog’s stress due to separation anxiety. Add to this already stressful reality loud thunderous booming of fireworks for hours on end and it is enough to send any mild mannered pet over the edge. Even I became stressed out, so I could only imagine the effect this had on Cypress.

The remedy was to first close all the curtains, then turn on soothing music loud enough to drown out the fireworks while speaking to your pets to calm them. Next, give your pet some homeopathics for stress such as phosphorous, ignatia amara or stramonium.

You can find a good homeopathic calming formula at my website: www.alternativetao.com, then clicking on the Dr. GoodPet link. There you will find a product called, “stress calm” which is excellent in these situations. If you do not have homeopathics, you can give your pet some herbal extracts for stress such as black cohosh, passion flower, skullcap, valerian, chamomile and catnip. Also there are herbal remedies made especially for stressed out pets.

One that comes to mind is Animal’s Apawthecary - tranquility blend. It contains valerian, skullcap, oats and passion flower. You can find this by going to Mountain Rose Herbs where they sell many herbal pet formulas as well as single herb extracts.

Finally, always provide fresh purified drinking water for your dog. I have several water bowls strategically placed throughout the house and on the deck to encourage my pets to drink since they are older and sometimes don’t feel like making lengthy trips to a single water bowl.

This as well as fresh air, exercise and quality petting time will ensure a happy, healthy and long life for your furry friend. Most of all do not forget to schedule regular annual checkups for your pet with their veterinarian (every six months for older dogs), and always be mindful of what your pet is trying to tell you.

Article written by By Pamela Nations-Weissman
http://www.alternativetao.com

So, you want to breed ferrets. Before you actually decide to jump into the ferret breeding business, there are many things that you need to consider first. Breeding ferrets is not for everyone, and in some areas, it is even illegal!

If you really think that you want to breed ferrets, the first thing to consider is that there isn’t much money in it. You aren’t going to get rich from it. It is true that you can sell ferrets anywhere from $50 to $400 each, but when you consider the setup required, and the healthcare requirements of the ferrets in your possession – as well as basic care requirements, you will find out that it actually costs money to breed ferrets – unless you are set up for a really big operation.

Outside of the United States, it is illegal to breed ferrets in Australia, Iceland, and New Zealand. In the United States, it is illegal to breed ferrets in the states of Hawaii and California, and some major cities, such as Washington D.C and New York City.

It is also illegal to breed ferrets in other US cities and towns, but you will need to contact your local Fish and Game department to find out if it is legal in your particular area or not.

Note that breeding ferrets requires a huge commitment on your part. You will not want to keep your breeding male in your home – the odor is simply unbearable during mating season. Most breeders are set up for the ferrets to live outdoors. This helps them stick to a more natural breeding schedule, and of course negates the problem of the male’s odor.

Females are sexually mature at six months of age, and are in heat during the months of March, April, May, June, July, and August. Males, on the other hand, are not sexually mature until they are between six and eight months old, and will typically mate with any female ferret that they can find during those same months.

Breeding ferrets should not be housed together until breeding season. The female will have a swollen vulva when she is ready to mate, as well as a discharge. The male will have fully extended testicles when he is ready to mate.

When the male mates with the female, it may appear that he is fighting with her. He will bite her on the neck, but this is his attempt to get her aroused, and it also aids in making her passive. The breeding male and female should remain housed together for approximately three days. Once the female has conceived, you will notice that her vulva has been reduced to its normal size.

Six weeks after conception, the female will give birth to the kits. Kits arrive with very little fur, and their eyes will be closed. Kits are weaned at six weeks of age, but should be handled by humans when they are about three weeks old.

Before then, it is best to leave them alone, as the mother ferret may not appreciate her babies being handled.

Normally canine and feline urinary incontinence or frequent urination leads to investigations that involve blood and urine tests for the pet. Frequent and severe urinary infections may be the initial warnings of the presence of a tumor in the bladder.

The most common type of bladder cancer arises in the epithelial cells that line the bladder (Transitional Cell Carcinoma).

The tumor can also be in the glandular epithelium (Adenocarcinoma) or in an epithelial cell that is flat like a plate and forms a single layer of epithelial tissue (Squamous Cell Carcinoma). A highly malignant neoplasm derived from striated muscle (Rhabdomyosarcoma) is rare.

Many symptoms of a bladder cancer are similar to those observed in urinary tract infection in dogs. The first signs are likely to be discomfort in urinating. If you see blood in the urine, you should act immediately since the blood indicates the presence of a growth in the bladder. Some dogs may show signs of exercise intolerance, difficulty in breathing and coughing too. 

As with all types of cancers the cause behind the growth is not easily determinable. The common suspects are carcinogenic substances like chemicals in insecticides for killing fleas and ticks and/or mosquitoes in wetlands. Cyclophosphamide, a drug used to treat different types of cancers and certain immune diseases, may also increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer can remain undetected for a long time. It is highly recommended that any occurrence of the symptoms of urinary tract infection in cats  and dogs should be investigated completely if you want to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer.

This is because if urinalysis and blood tests do not reveal a definite diagnosis, bladder cancer can be suspected and investigated further.

An X-Ray usually reveals if there is any type of growth but follow up investigations are resorted to establish the type and nature of the growth. These investigations could lead you to undertake the following:

-    Cytology - For examining and evaluating tumor cells.
-    Either Contrast dye X-Ray or Abdominal Ultrasound - For the purpose of establishing the location and size of the tumor. An ultrasound provides additional knowledge of the condition of the lymph nodes.
-    Urethrocystoscopy - Performed by a veterinarian specialist as it involves introduction of a rigid or flexible scope through the urethra up to the bladder. Along with revealing the location and size of the tumor, this procedure can also be used for biopsy.

If Transitional Cell Carcinoma is suspected the specialist may suggest a new test called V-TBA for determining the likely presence of a bladder tumor marker in the urine.

Benign tumors of the bladder are rare but if they occur they can be removed surgically. Most bladder cancers are malignant and these invade the wall of the bladder and are difficult to remove through surgery. The most common treatment approach that is used currently is to treat the condition with chemotherapy or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Bladder cancer is difficult to treat but, if left untreated, it may ultimately cause a cessation of urination and death.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bladder_cancer_in_cats_and_dogs feline urinary incontinencehttp://www.petplace.com/dogs/urinary-bladder-cancer-in-dogs/page6.aspx
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/pcop/CanineUrinaryBladderCancer.pdf

I wanted to thank you for my recent order with you (RX #13358790). It started off as an error on your part (someone accidentally put 1 refill on our previous RX and there really was no refills). I took my dog to the vet the next day or so and faxed over a new RX that day which was a Friday afternoon. I spoke to a female rep (whom I also think we got off on the wrong foot 2 years ago and I’m sorry I forgot your name) and she made sure the meds got shipped out that day. We received Hampton’s medicine on the very next day (Saturday)! BRAVO!!!

Your loyal customer,
Maria

Given that your dog has lived with you and provided you with comfort as a companion, it is your duty to take care of your pet if he is found to be afflicted with a specific disease. The amount of care and companionship that your dog may need increases and becomes more important especially if the disease is terminal in nature.

Cancer in dogs is one such disease where detection happens in the later stages, rendering treatment almost immaterial and useless. In such cases, love, care and comfort are the three things that you can provide for your dying dog.

Even though there are numerous kinds of cancer and each can affect different parts of the dog’s body, the basic fundamentals of care for cancer in dogs remains the same. The basic idea is to make the dog’s life as comfortable as possible. It is now your time to pay him back for his services.

Some of the basic principles of taking care of a dog with cancer are mentioned below.

Pain Management

Cancer causes pain and some types of cancer cause extreme pain. The target of pain management should be to try and prevent pain from occurring rather than treating it with strong painkillers once the pain has started. This is mainly because the response to pain tends to magnify once the pain starts.

Conventional medications like narcotic analgesic patches and oral pain relievers provide instant relief but are addictive. In case of localized pain, a local anesthesia can be used. You may also want to decrease the risk of skin ulcers (bed sores) by providing an orthopedic bed.

Avoid Dehydration

Certain types of cancers produce nausea and vomiting. Although not commonly seen in dogs, chemotherapeutic drugs can also cause nausea and vomiting as side effects. Your main goal should be to reduce vomiting and the consequent risk of dehydration.

You may also consult your veterinarian and learn about homeopathic cancer treatment for dogs, with an aim to find a better alternative for avoiding nausea and vomiting.

Quality Diet

Diet is the most important aspect of cancer care. A quality diet based on individual needs will also help. It is a good idea to monitor diet closely if you have chosen chemotherapy as the treatment for your pet because a good diet improves the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Nauseating dogs are liable to refuse to eat. Try some appetite enhancing remedies and feed him warm food in a stress free environment. Ask your veterinarian regarding Omega 3 fatty acids, digestible proteins and supplemental amino acids.

There may be instances where a dog refuses to eat in spite of a completely functioning digestive system. In such cases you may have to resort to enteral therapy, a system of nutrient delivery where fluids are given through a stomach tube directly into the gastrointestinal tract.

Dog cancer is common in old dogs since their immune system weakens to a great extent over time. Your extra care will not only make his life comfortable but also provide give satisfaction to you for having done the best for your pet.

Reference:
http://www.peteducation.com/

If you have dogs and they travel with you in the car you may want to try this carpet fresh.

1 Cup baking soda with 40 drops of essential oils.

Choose from Lemon, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Tea Tree, Litsea Cubea, Cedarwood and Patchouli. Mix together and sprinkle over carpet let sit overnight , then vacuum.

The essential oils will deoderize and help repel fleas.

This Daily Aromatherapy Tip is brought to you by http://www.AromaThyme.com/

Urinary tract infections can be as troublesome for your pet as it is for you. UTI in puppies and adult dogs is marked by an extremely irritating symptom - urinating at odd places despite the dog having been toilet trained.

However, getting irritated and angry with your pet is not the solution since he is not to blame. In most cases you ailing dog may not even be aware of the dribbles as they pass out involuntarily.

Severe instances of canine and feline urinary infection are mostly caused due to bladder stones that block the urethral passage. Despite a full bladder the dog is unable to urinate even when he tries hard. The back pressure of the urine often forces urine around the blockage to leak out in small quantities at a time.

Urinary tract infection in dogs is a fairly common condition. UTI can lead to the formation of bladder stones and bladder stones, in turn, can obstruct the free flow of urine that promotes infection in the accumulated urine.

Both UTI and bladder stones tend to recur frequently, which can make life quite uncomfortable for the ailing dog. However, if you take proper care from the beginning you can be instrumental in avoiding either of the problems and ensure an easier life for your pet.

Urine is normally sterile. Bacteria usually travel upwards from the urethral opening to infect the urinary tract. Keep your pet clean with increased attention to the genital areas. If your pet is prone to develop UTI frequently, wipe its bottom every time after urination, especially in the case of female dogs.

This is because the female urethra is very small and bacteria can climb up to the bladder easily. Female dogs that have been spayed at an early age tend to grow loose tissue and urine tends to gather around it.

Dogs that drink less water urinate less. This allows urine to collect in the bladder. Stale urine inside the body is a sure invitation to bacterial infections. Give additional fluids to your dog. Sometimes, dogs refuse to drink water because of chemicals in the drinking water.

It is advisable to give your dog filtered or spring water to drink. If possible, keep water bowls at his favorite places. If you still find that the dog is not drinking enough water, feed him moist foods or add a little bit of chicken froth or water to dry food.

Avoid giving foods that contain preservatives and additives. These can weaken the dog’s immune system. With restricted natural defense against bacterial invasion the animal becomes more vulnerable to infections. Home cooked and natural foods are best for overall health of your pet.

Home care and prevention reduces the risk of UTI in dogs to a great extent. Despite your efforts if you notice blood in the dog’s urine, straining to urinate or a bad odor in the urine, it is time to take him to the veterinarian for a check up.

References:
http://www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/urinary-tract-infections.htm