Pets Care

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

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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

It is generally suspected that over exposure to insecticide dips for removing fleas and ticks, sprays used in households and marshlands and other carcinogenic chemicals lead to occurrence of canine bladder cancer. These tend to cling to the walls of the bladder and urethra and lead to the development of cancerous cells.

Bladder cancer in dogs is a life threatening condition in most cases. This is because a large majority of canine bladder cancer is diagnosed as malignant tumor known as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). It usually originates in the transitional epithelium linings of kidneys, bladder or ureters and is the most common type of bladder cancer found in dogs.

Certain breeds of dogs are genetically predisposed to urinary tract infections. In dogs this is also a major cause behind the occurrence of the condition. Breeds that are more vulnerable include Shetland sheepdogs, Scottish terriers, West Highland white terriers, beagles and wirehaired fox terriers.

Other factors that influence occurrence of bladder cancer are gender (females are more affected), neutering, (neutered dogs are at a greater risk) and obesity.

Symptoms of bladder cancer tend to remain concealed for a long time in pets. Even when the symptoms reveal themselves, they are usually mistaken for canine or feline urinary infection.

More often than not, it is an unresolved treatment of urinary tract infection in dogs that leads to the detection of a tumor in the bladder. If the dog shows the following symptoms you should ensure that you include investigations like X-Ray and or ultra sound imaging along with the routine blood and urine tests.

- Difficulty in urination – the dog strains to urinate.
– Blood in the urine.
– Frequency of urination.
– Incontinence or involuntary urination.
– Breathing problems.
– Coughing.

UTI in puppies and adult dogs is routine and most dogs respond to treatment. Older dogs that do not respond to routine treatment or those that have frequent recurrence of urinary problems, especially incontinence and blood in the urine, should be diagnosed further for bladder cancer.

Treatment modalities are not curative and only attempt to control the disease temporarily. Drugs that allow partial relief from obstruction in the urinary tract are prescribed to make life easy for the pet for as long as he lives.

References:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/urinary-bladder-cancer-in-dogs/page1.aspx

http://www.dvmnews.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=90590&sk=&date=&pageID=2

Dogs can be infected by different kinds of throat infections and conditions. The saliva in the mouth plays a critical role in the prevention of such infections.

The parotid and mandibular glands in the mouth of a dog produce most of the daytime and nocturnal saliva. Besides these there are two more glands that secrete saliva.

Dog saliva is alkaline and it contains antibacterial enzymes, which along with the normal flora of bacteria provide protection against throat infections. Despite this protection, canine throat infections can occur due to a number of reasons. These are:

- Cuts
– Burns
– Foreign bodies stuck in the mouth
– Diseases of the gums
– Structures that support the teeth
– Metabolic diseases like kidney failure.
– Systemic diseases like parvovirus infection, distemper, herpes and pseudo rabies

Stomatitis or throat inflammation can manifest itself in various ways. A tender mouth compels the dog to eat slowly. He may also be selective and drop coarse and large foods. Continuously eating on one side of the mouth implies that he experiencing pain on the other side and therefore choosing to chew from one side.

If the problem is severe and persists your dog may stop eating completely. These symptoms do not confirm the presence of a throat infection and can also occur due to pain in the jaws or a toothache. However, such symptoms are a sure sign for the owner to investigate further.

Another sign of a throat infection is excessive drooling. A certain amount of drooling is normal in dogs, especially in breeds with loose pendulous lips. Excessive drooling or hyper-salivation is associated with psychological causes but they may also occur due to a periodontal disease, dental abscess or throat infection.

Unlike humans, sore throat or pharyngitis in dogs does not occur as an isolated infection and is usually associated with infections in the mouth, sinuses or respiratory tract. As pharyngitis and tonsillitis have the same cause, they often appear together in dogs. Tonsils are part of the lymph tissue and are located at the back of the throat just as in humans.

They are not visible unless inflamed. Tonsillitis in dogs is often secondary to sore throat and seldom occurs as a primary condition. Symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis are similar and include fever, pain on swallowing, loss of appetite and moist coughing. Tonsillitis, however, is characterized by a high fever (103â—‹ F).

Generally, owners associate dog cough with throat infections. A dry hacking and spasmodic cough, however, can also indicate kennel cough. Dogs usually get infected in kennels, dog shows or after coming in contact with a previously infected dogs. The symptoms are however, are apparent only after a few days.

A highly infectious disease, kennel cough in canines or tracheobronchitis is different from throat infection as it is inflammation of the trachea and the bronchi. Although pharyngitis and kennel cough are not serious conditions, dry cough in puppies and adults can prove to be serious at times.

To prevent progression of the condition and secondary infections it is necessary that they be investigated well in time.

KC-Defense from PetAlive is a safe, effective way to help your dog in his battle with kennel cough.

References:

http://www.totallybowen.co.uk/

http://www.justusdogs.com.au/flex/canine_mouth_and_teeth_problems/651/1

Kennel cough in dogs is a fairly common condition. It occurs when a dog comes in contact with or is near an infected dog. The most likely time when this can occur is when the dog has been kenneled for a period of time.

However, being kenneled is not the only manner in which dogs can contract kennel cough. Dogs may get infected even when they have not been recently boarded. This is because an infected dog can potentially pass on the infection to another by sneezing and coughing.

The most common viral agent that causes kennel cough is parainfluenza. The incubation period of the virus is three to four days. It is only after the incubation period that the dog shows any signs or symptoms of the infection. The duration of kennel cough in dogs is approximately six to ten days unless there is another bacterial agent that results in extending the normal period of the condition.

Although bacterial cultures and isolation of the virus is possible to identify the agent causing kennel cough, blood tests are usually not performed since the characteristic nature of the symptoms are fairly easy to diagnose. A brief reference to symptoms, history, and recent exposure to other dogs is enough to obtain a conclusive diagnosis.

The most common symptom of kennel cough is a dry hacking cough that produces a ‘honking sound’. The cough can be identified if you know that it sounds as if there is something stuck in the throat and the dog is trying to dislodge it by coughing. Even among those who are aware of the specific nature of the coughing sound, the first reaction of the dog owner tends to be to check whether there is actually something stuck in the throat or not.

The coughing or gagging can be quite severe. It may continue for some minutes or be repeated at short intervals. It is often accompanied by a watery discharge. If the sound of the cough is not enough to confirm your hypothesis, a simple way of checking whether the coughing is related to kennel cough or not is to press the throat gently, just in the collar area. If it is kennel cough it will induce coughing.

There is no express need to panic if your dog has kennel cough since the symptoms vanish on their own in mild cases. However, if the cough is severe and your dog expels mucus while coughing, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary. The symptoms of kennel cough can progress and may cause fever, lethargy, lack of appetite or pneumonia. In extreme cases, kennel cough can also lead to death.

References:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=452
http://www.auntjeni.com/kennel.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennel_cough
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_kennel_cough.html
http://dogtime.com/articles/155?breaks=2502_5003_5779&page=3&slug=true&title=kennel-cough-in-dogs-vin http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kenc.html

http://www.dog-health-guide.org/caninekennelcoughtreatment.html

Both older and younger pets are more predisposed to disease. They are also more prone to progression of a disease and treatment failure. This happens because in older pets the vital organs and systems start to loose their functionality and, in puppies and kittens these organs and systems have not developed completely.

The immune system too is highly compromised in older and younger pets due to similar reasons. Canine and feline upper respiratory infection is common in young pets. Although inherently self-limiting by nature, home care remedies can make that extra difference to a fast recovery.

Canine flu, for example, is an infection caused by the canine influenza virus that produces fever, fever, pains and dog respiratory problems like cough, breathing problems and discharge from the dog’s nose. Death from the virus itself is unusual but may occur in puppies due to respiratory complications if proper home care is not provided.

Puppies that have been bought from stores usually have a history of having traveled in close quarters with other dogs or puppies. Most of the dog respiratory problems stem from infections that have been contacted during this time.

When you spot the first signs of respiratory problems, take the young dog to a veterinarian to get the condition evaluated so that the seemingly mild symptoms do not aggravate and develop into a more serious disease.

While in most cases the veterinarian will prescribe medication only to minimize the risk of a secondary infection, you can provide supportive care to make life comfortable for the young pet for the duration of the disease.

- Keep the puppy warm and dry.
– Do not let the puppy go out in the cold weather. Low temperatures tend to constrict the bronchial tubes making breathing more difficult.
– Help to boost his immune system is necessary. While you cannot do enough for it, feeding him with boiled chicken and brown rice will give him extra energy and sufficient support for his immature immune system.
– Get a cool mist vaporizer and put it near the place where he sleeps to keep the bronchial tubes moist for easy breathing.
– If your veterinarian permits you can give the pup some children’s cold medicine that you may have at home.
– There are canine and feline upper respiratory herbal treatments that you may safely give to alleviate the symptoms and halt the progress of the disease.
– Tetracycline, the preferred antibiotic for respiratory bacterial infections should be given only under medical advice as they can stain young teeth permanently.

Reference:

http://heartspring.net/dog_flu_symptoms.html

As a dog owner have you ever noticed that some visitors often complain about the ‘dog smell’ that pervades in your house? It takes some time to get used to dog smell and unless you own a dog it is difficult to get accustomed to it. Dog breath can also sometimes give out an offensive smell and can be extremely embarrassing.

Although bad dog breath occurs mostly due to improper dental care, it can also be a result of stomach problems or certain metabolic diseases. Flatulency may lead to gaseous emissions from your dog’s mouth as well as anus.

You can look for a good dog breath freshener to get over such problems in the short term. However, these should be considered as temporary solutions and cannot be expected to address underlying stomach or metabolic problems.

If you are not so open to using a commercial breath freshener for your dog, you can try some homemade formulations that may be more effective over the long term.

Make a combination of fennel, dill, parsley and ginger extracts with peppermint or spearmint oil and pour some drops in the water bowl. Remember to do that every time you refill the water bowl. You can also mix this concoction with whatever you are feeding your dog.

Fennel, parsley, ginger and dill are very good for digestion and restrict production of gas in the stomach. Peppermint and spearmint oils take care of the bad breath. Making mild changes in your dog’s diet may also help as a natural dog mouth freshener.

Prepare your own mouth freshener at home by mixing shredded carrot, lime juice and half a cup of chopped fresh mint. You can feed this as a standalone treat if your dog accepts it or you may mix it with dry food for equally good results.

Dogs do not prefer vegetarian food as it is against their inherent food preferences but they can be trained to accept it along with the meat that you generally feed. If you have brought home a small puppy, you should start early and try to accustom him to raw vegetables.

Prevention is any time better than a cure and it will do you good if you ensure that your dog’s teeth are properly brushed and cleaned. To ensure proper digestion and avoid flatulence home cooked food is better than commercially prepared dog food.

References:

http://www.chowfoods.net/Happy-Tails-Dog-Smog-Remedy-Breath-Freshener_p_3-9074.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf850936.tip.html

Although you can get commercial food for your dog, the ideal way to feed is to use a combination approach of both commercial food and fresh people foods. Most commercial food is good for your dog, although it lacks nutrients and vitamins that fresh food has. Vets will tell you that fresh food is good, providing you don’t overdo it. All dogs love fresh food as well, as they can smell it a mile away. If it smells good to them – they’ll want it.

Most commercial foods will offer your dog great sources of protein and vitamins, although fresh food contains far more essential sources. Chicken and meat for instance, have far more protein and minerals than any type of commercial dog food. Fish is another great choice, as it contains a lot of the protein your dog needs to maintain a healthy brain.

All dogs are well within the capacity of staying healthy, although you need to provide them with the minerals they need. Each dog is an individual, meaning that you can’t continue to feed him the same food on a daily basis. Dogs love people food, and they also love variety. What they need one day may vary the next, so you should always mix it up a bit and give them something different each day.

To be on the safe side, you should give your dog a little bit of everything. This way, he will get everything he needs with his diet. When you design the diet for your growing puppy, you should always make sure to include animal protein. This is very important for your pup, as he has to have it. Without animal protein, your dog will find himself literally struggling to stay healthy.

To keep your dog healthy, it is very important that he gets quality nutrition. Although quality nutrition is very important, you should never him eat so much that he gains weight too fast. If you monitor his diet and know exactly what you are feeding him, he should remain in his weight class. Sometimes this can be hard to help though, especially if your dog starts to develop allergies to a certain type of food.

If you ever have any questions regarding the diet of your dog, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your vet. Your vet could make some recommendations for you, even tell you the best type of commercial food for your dog.

Depending on his individual needs, what he requires may be totally different than what another dog needs. As long as you keep your dog on a healthy diet and make sure he gets the food he needs – he should grow to be a healthy dog with plenty of energy.

Stuffy dog noses make dogs want to blow out as if sneezing. Simply put, if your dog appears to be all plugged up, it is not a good sign. There is very little that you can do about a dog cold on your own as it may be due to a variety of reasons. If your dog is old then a blocked and stuffy nose can even be indicative of a heart ailment.

Stuffy dog noses may be due to any of the following conditions:

* A foreign object that may have stuck in the dog’s nose causing irritation. The snorting or sneezing that may ensue may actually be your dog’s efforts at trying to expel it.
* Stuffy dog noses can also be caused due to an infection or a tooth problem. Nasal infections in dogs can be either viral bacterial or fungal.
* Allergies, either dietary or environmental or due to an allergen are also causes of a stuffy dog nose.

You can be sure that a foreign object is lodged in your dog’s nose if he paws his face too often and with a vengeance. The foreign particle could be the bristly brush-like spikes of a foxtail that are bothering him and you may need the help of a veterinarian to get it extricated.

If stuffy nose is a recent occurrence and your dog is otherwise in good health, it could be a genuine case of canine cold. Canine olds, although less frequent than human colds, throw similar symptoms, including a stuffy dog nose.

Canine colds should not be taken casually as they are not always self-limiting in nature and are categorized under disorders of the canine respiratory system. These canine colds can be an indication of a simple but extremely contagious infection like kennel cough, fungal infection like Aspergillosis or potentially fatal infections like canine distemper and dog flu.

Just like humans, dogs too feel some irritation in their noses once in a while. Your dog may occasionally lower his head and snort in a way that sounds like he is sucking in and out. This is normal for dogs and massaging the back of dog’s nose on the top and the puffy parts of his muzzle will help in easing the irritation.

However, if the irritation continues longer you should take your dog to the veterinarian for examination. Apart from canine colds and or infections that can progress to pneumonia, it could also be a sign of prevalence of polyps in the dog’s nose.

Reference:

http://wiki.answers.com/

http://www.pet-care-experts.com/archive.php?36873

http://www.dogster.com/