We’ve all had it, we’ve all hated it. Wait—what were you thinking? If it’s diarrhea we’re on the same wave length. Diarrhea is uncomfortable as it is inconvenient for us as well as the animals that may be experiencing it. The good news is you can discover the best dog diarrhea treatment for your beloved canine right here, right now.

First of all, what is diarrhea? The common diarrhea is not a sickness per se.  It is actually a canine’s way of ridding himself of toxic substances that may have found its way to his system. Impossible! I never feed him anything other than the best food, you may be saying. Well, that may be so but keep in mind that dogs eat almost anything like grass, stones and can even ingest household cleaning substances as your dog is much closer to the ground than you are—these are things that may upset his tummy; hence the diarrhea.

And diarrhea can also be caused by a virus, or a bacterial infection.

Do not be alarmed if your dog vomits often when he has diarrhea. As mentioned earlier, this is a way of the animal to purge him of unwanted substances that have entered his system through ingestion, among other things. It is important to know then, what to feed a dog with diarrhea that will not aggravate his present condition.

If your dog is generally healthy and active and is only having a bout of acute diarrhea – set him on a 24 hour fast to cleanse his system.  If that seems a little too severe for you then you can just cut his food intake in half. Make sure that he has fresh water that he is drinking every fifteen minutes or so to avoid dehydration.

What to feed a dog with diarrhea? A bland diet of 1/3 lean meat and 2/3 starch is recommended.  Boil chicken or any lean meat sans the fat. Chop it up to pieces and mix it with rice, potatoes or cottage cheese. Do not season it with any spices or sugar or oils. You can also include a few teaspoons of pumpkin juice to his meals. Pumpkin helps to firm up stools to a regular consistency, and is said to aid in constipation and diarrhea alike.

You can include in his meals probiotics and dietary supplements that will help encourage better health of the intestines. Lactobacillus Sporogenes is a probiotic that has a soothing effect and help restore the intestinal tract of the canine. Add around three tablespoons to his dishes.

Remember, diarrhea is a dog’s natural way to eliminate harmful substances and will take about three to seven days to run its course. If it lasts for more than a few days and your dog is exhibiting more serious symptoms like lethargy, bloody stools, abdominal pain, bloating and a fever of more than 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit—visit the vet right away.

Unless the above symptoms show up in your dog, you may not really need to be alarmed if he is pooping and vomiting often. He will be well soon enough with the right dog diarrhea treatment and some tender loving care.

But as always, if you have the slightest concern about the health and wellbeing of your dog, speak to your vet without delay.

For most of us, we treat our pets like our own children; and it is painful to see them suffer through difficult sicknesses like heartworm. If left untreated, the infected dog will most likely die within a few months of contraction. Here are some natural heartworm preventative measures that will ensure the safety of your dog in this matter.

First of all, what is heartworm? Heartworms are parasitic worms that are transmitted to the dog’s bloodstream through mosquitoes. Although not all mosquitoes transmit heartworms, when a carrier does bite the dog its larvae will transfer into the canine’s bloodstream reaching his vital organs. As you can imagine, this will be terminal for the dog when the contamination reaches the heart and lungs.

The most basic natural heartworm prevention tip is to provide your pet with a healthy diet. A healthy pet will have a better immune system to fight off infections and complications in his body. Processed food generally contain chemicals that may weaken the dog, so serve raw meat, fruits and vegetables instead. Do not use milk or food that contains artificial flavorings and sugar.

Mosquitoes are less likely to be drawn to healthy animals. Therefore, strengthen the factors that will improve your pet’s immune system. The liver, specifically, is important because it functions to store glucose, vitamins and minerals as well as removes waste and toxins from the system. Aside from a good diet; keep your dog away from stress and synthetic medication that may introduce harmful chemicals to your dog’s system.

Another essential natural heartworm prevention tip is to make sure your dog has regular exercise. Engage in fun physical activities with your pet. Not only will it give you quality time, it will be good for his health as well. What exercise does is improve their heart and circulatory system. The red blood cells take oxygen throughout the body while the white blood cells fight any infection that tries to latch itself on the host. If your pet has a healthy heart, adult heartworms will find it difficult to implant itself in it.

If you are in a place where there is a high risk of contracting heartworm, have your pet checked up regularly for sicknesses. A blood test will show if he has been infected with this parasite. Unless the vet strongly recommends a heartworm preventive medicine, do not administer synthetic drugs to your pet. This may cause damage to your dog’s immune system in the long run.

It is better to have these natural heartworm preventative measures in place rather than find yourself in possession of a pet that already is infected with heartworm. Medicines that cure heartworm are actually a form of insecticide that when administered regularly, is highly toxic and will eventually lead to serious diseases to the dog’s other organs as well.

Animals with heartworm exhibit symptoms like lethargy, a significant weight loss, coughing and difficulty of breathing. If this is your pet, visit the vet immediately as the sickness may already be in its progressive stages.

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Fleas are a common nuisance to the pet and pet owner alike. Many times we tend to overlook this matter because unless your dog is allergic to flea bites, the nature of a flea infestation is not of itself a life threatening conditions,  unlike many other canine concerns. However, it might surprise you to know that the wrong dog flea treatment may lead to serious ailments later on.

Even as we speak, a close-up look to your canine’s coat may show an unsavory neighborhood of fleas. Makes you think twice before playfully burying your face in his coat right? More than the element of yuck, having fleas may cause your dog to suffer when not treated right.

Many pet shops and vets may offer you a dog flea treatment to cure your pet. Make the necessary research first. A lot of these curative treatments are actually more detrimental than beneficial to the animal’s health as they contain properties that are toxic to their systems. As much as you are able, it is better to opt for the most natural dog flea treatment alternatives.

Use gentle formulas to shampoo your pet. Never use harsh chemicals that have insecticide ingredients that will harm the dog. You can use apple cider vinegar or a half-water, half-lemon mixture to spray on your dog’s coat after bathing as a homemade flea treatment – the smell is repellant to fleas.

Garlic is also one of the best ways to keep fleas at bay. A moderate serving of the pungent bulb in his meals will be good for his health—as well as repulse the fleas. If you don’t like coming home to a garlicky pet, use essential oils instead. Dab a few drops behind the canine’s ears, collar, between the shoulder blades and around the tail area. Scents like lavender, lemongrass, peppermint and citronella are unpopular with the pesky visitor. As you see, there are a number of homemade flea treatment options that can actually help in keeping fleas off your pet.

While fleas are external in nature, a good diet is an essential component of taking care of this problem. A natural diet of raw and fresh ingredients is one of the best things you can do for your pet. Augment his meals with B complex vitamins, Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, safflower oil or crushed seaweed.

The closer the ingredients are to its natural form, the better. You may think you are only treating fleas, but you are actually preventing long term diseases without knowing it.  Fleas tend to favor animals that are not in tip top health.  And once they infest your dog, your dog will become even less healthy, and more susceptible to other types of illness and disease.

Ridding your animal of fleas with natural dog flea treatment alternatives is critical to your dog’s health. The chemicals from the medicines and cures may be as harmful to the dog in the long run as the ailment itself. Chemicals, especially with prolonged use or larger dosages, will contribute to kidney and liver problems.

Knowing that your pet is healthy (and clean!) will help you enjoy your bonding moments with him all the more. Regularly check your dog’s fur to maintain your dog’s best health for years to come.

Dog diarrhea – it doesn’t quite figure in my list of favorite things but what is it exactly? As a responsible and caring pet owner, it is imperative that we know about things that may be harmful to our pets and what we can do to cure and avoid them.

Much like how we are, diarrhea is caused when a harmful substance enters our body. So really, canine diarrhea is not a dreaded ailment but an instinctive, albeit smelly, process that the dog’s body undergoes to heal itself. Most dogs eat whatever they see in front of them. Inedibility is not an issue – so rocks, home cleaning agents and some chemical processed food may contribute to the state of their tummy’s affairs.

If your dog is fairly active and happy despite the less than normal bowel movement, then you can administer home dog diarrhea cures without having to go to the vet. I mean, we don’t go running to the ER whenever we have diarrhea right? However, if the dog appears listless, bloated, is feverish, has abdominal pains and has a distended stomach—you need to visit the veterinarian right away.

The first thing you may want to do is to isolate the problem and put the dog in a 24-hour fast. After that, you may resume feeding but only give half the amount he usually consumes. Again, only do this when the dog seems strong and not when he is sickly and weak. Continuously give him a fresh supply of water to rehydrate him.

When you begin to feed him again, give him non-oily, unseasoned food. A bland diet of one part lean meat and two parts rice is an effective dog diarrhea treatment. Boil and chop up skinless chicken, turkey or hamburger.  Mix it up with a serving of rice, potatoes, unsalted scrambled eggs or cottage cheese. A low fat and low sugar diet will further take him down the road to recovery.

Beneficial bacteria help in restoring the intestinal tract’s normal functioning. Probiotics like Lactobacillus Sporogenes are excellent dog diarrhea cures that most experts will recommend.  There are also dietary supplements available in various online pet shops that will aid in maintaining the canine’s digestive health. Always check with your vet before administering these supplements.

It is important to engage the animal in regular exercise.  Not only is it good for his cardiovascular system, it will alleviate his stress levels and enhance the digestive process—two common causes of diarrhea. Keep in mind though that you should never introduce strenuous fitness regimen in the middle of recuperation. It will weaken him and worsen the condition. Take him out for a 20 minute walk daily.

Typically, dog diarrhea should last up to a week at the most.  Usually it lasts only a day or two.  If it goes on for more than two or three days with symptoms as indicated before, you must go to the vet for correct diagnosis. Chronic diarrhea when not treated appropriately – will weaken your dog’s immune system and damage the internal organs. Have a thorough examination of your pet immediately.

Diabetes in canines is pretty much the same as with human diabetes—it is inconvenient and potentially crippling. While most diabetes mellitus cases are caused by inherited abnormalities in the dog’s system—there are ways to manage the dog’s condition well. When you do, you are bestowing on him the great gift of a normal and happy life despite the disease.

The main components of an effective dog diabetes treatment are: regular insulin therapy, monitored exercise and maintaining a healthy diet. Insulin injections are needed because the very nature of this disease is the deficiency of insulin production in the body. Find out the proper way of handling and storing these medications if you’re planning to do it yourself. Exercise aids in the better absorption of insulin—thus improving the blood sugar levels of the canine.

A healthy diet ensures that the animal receives all the nutrients it can get to boost his immune system—equipping your dog to keep infections and other diseases that can aggravate his condition at bay. An overweight dog is more prone to diabetes so careful monitoring of substances and calories is vital to the canine’s health.

Because diabetes is so prevalent in the dog communities, studies are constantly being made to improve the way we deal with this ailment. An effective canine diabetes herbal treatment can actually be available for the responsible pet owner that will further improve the diabetic canine’s chances of having a better quality of life.

What are some of the natural ingredients that are helpful to this particular disease? Chromium successfully balances cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the body. Karela is renowned for helping stimulate insulin production—an ability shared by the herbs Gurmar and Bilberry. Bilberry is also attributed to improving circulatory systems—an important factor in diabetes maintenance.

Bejak is a common ingredient found in natural diabetes supplements. It reduces glucose in the blood and aids various urinary problems. A healthy urinating habit as well as a strong bladder is valuable to the diabetic animal. Cinnamon is found to be an excellent substitute for insulin. You can dust this over his meals but be careful not to add too much or the smell might turn the dog off.

Vinegar is said to help in improving medications and the dog diabetes treatment. Include a few drops of apple cider vinegar to the dog’s water dish regularly. As mentioned earlier, dogs that exceed their healthy weight are more susceptible to diabetes. Mix in a few teaspoons of grapefruit juice to your dog’s water to help him reduce weight. Grapefruit is known as an effective weight management ingredient that can be used for diabetic dogs.

When you are planning to administer a canine diabetes herbal treatment, you must first consult your vet. Sometimes particular pets have underlying conditions that need to be addressed first otherwise any overriding treatment or medication may prove futile, if not harmful. When he clears your dog, carefully read the instructions as to the correct dosage and frequency the treatment requires.

We dread the thought of our beloved pet suffering from any sort of disease but unfortunately, it happens.  It is said that 1 out of 500 dogs suffer from diabetes mellitus. While diabetes in dogs may of itself not be quite as serious as some other diseases, if it is not detected and addressed appropriately, it can lead to heart disease, liver disease and kidney complications. In the more serious cases, the diabetes may induce coma and eventually death in a dog.

Before we define canine diabetes, let us take a short side trip to how food is processed in the canine’s system. The pancreas is responsible for producing a hormone called insulin. Insulin regulates glucose production and makes sure that unneeded glucose is stored away in the body.

A diabetic dog has a deficiency of insulin which means glucose production cannot be controlled or stored properly. It can also mean that the body cells are insensitive in its response to insulin. The result of this is that blood glucose concentration increases and your dog’s system will attempt to flush this out through urination.

You will notice that diabetic dogs will urinate more. Because of this, they will be thirstier so aside from excessive urination, increased consumption of water is also indicative of canine diabetes. Also, because the food is not being converted properly, your dog will be losing weight in spite of all your efforts to feed him hearty meals. While this may be a reason for concern for the worried pet owner, a dog diabetes treatment is easily accessible to help you deal with this efficiently.

Once your dog is correctly diagnosed with canine diabetes, consult with the vet on the best dog diabetes treatment to give your pet. He will most likely recommend that you proceed with insulin therapy right away. Be aware that insulin must never be ingested in tablet form as this will only go straight to the intestines. Allow your vet to monitor your pet regularly to determine the right dosage to administer to him.

There are also natural supplements available that will improve the insulin production of the animal. Take this in conjunction with a diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. This will help regulate glucose levels in the blood. Avoid food that are rich in fat and sugar; it will complicate the already unstable sugar level condition. Remember to ask your vet before you include the supplements in your dog’s diet.

It is also very important that the dog has regular, consistent exercise. This will greatly enhance the ability of the cells to absorb insulin—and this lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood. The consistency of the exercise regimen of the dog cannot be stressed enough; alterations on his program may possibly induce hypoglycemic coma. Ask an expert to plan the exercise program around the age, condition and stage of diabetes he is in.

Diabetes in dogs is unfortunate, but it is manageable. Stay in regular contact with your vet and report any changes in his condition.  And make an informed decision on whether to treat your dog’s diabetes with natural remedies or with insulin.

Do you know what to give a dog as a pain reliever?  It is one of the most difficult things to do to watch our beloved pet suffering—and not knowing what to do about it.

Dogs are not equipped with our human language for us to be able to understand the cause and source of his pain. You will know that your dog is suffering because he is whining, crying, listless, and unwilling to move and eat. When you see this happening, limit his movement as much as you are able until you can take him to the veterinarian for a more thorough check-up.

Often, the onset of arthritis is the culprit. If not, it might be food related or other ailments and sicknesses that the dog is experiencing. Find out what this is to be able to accurately treat the problem head on.

Usually, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed by vets as dog pain relievers. There are many kinds of NSAIDs available that are supposedly quite safe—although you should note that there have been cases where particular dogs have not taken to these medications well. Sometimes these types of medications have even caused death.

Many pet owners are now making use of holistic and homeopathic therapies as dog pain relievers. These can be much safer because they make use of natural ingredients and herbs that deal with specific internal dysfunctions the dog is experiencing.

Some of these herbal remedies that help ease pain include chamomile, licorice and feverfew.  Homeopathic hypericum and aconite may also be used for certain types of pain. 

Aloe Vera cab be applied topically to cuts and wounds for its curative and soothing properties. If fleas and ticks are the source of your dog’s discomfor, you can rub your dog with eucalyptus, rosemary, or fennel to sooth the discomfort and also repel the nasty pests. Make sure you keep their eyes, nose, ears and genitalia clear from these herbal blends.

At times, your dog is in pain because of a surgery or operation that he had to undergo. Ledum can be used to accelerate the healing of tendons and ligaments; Bellis for soreness; and Phosphorus for nausea and bleeding. Arnica is also good for speeding up surgical repair, as well as muscular pain and even internal bleeding (which can also be painful).

Ask your veterinarian first before proceeding with any treatment—but be aware that many vets are not in favor of “alternative” remedies of any type.

Knowing what to give a dog as a pain reliever can really help alleviate your concerns, and can certainly help your dog if s/he experiences pain from time to time.  Knowing the cause of your dog’s pain, though, is very important, so always make sure you have investigated this first.  This will almost always require a consultation with your vet.

Walking The Dog – Exercise and Bonding for the Benefit of Both

The special bond between people and dogs goes back to prehistory – probably more than 14,000 years. There is no other species with so strong and beneficial a link to humanity, perhaps because dogs give us so many different kinds of support and pleasure. For centuries they worked at our sides, hunting, herding, and protecting. Now they are more likely to be beloved members of our households.

Scientific research has actually begun to quantify the value of dogs for human beings, gathering evidence that shows that people who own dogs and other pets are not only happier, but significantly healthier, than people without them. Having the companionship of a pet has been associated with physical improvements such as lower rates of cardiovascular disease, better survival rates following heart attacks, and psychological benefits including reduced levels of stress, depression, and loneliness.

“People and Pets Exercising Together”

One particularly important  way dogs are contributing  to the health of their human  companions these days is  through exercise. Many  people who might not  otherwise get any regular  exercise at all are motivated  by their dogs to get up and  move at least two or three  times a day. Given that as many as 37 percent of U.S. households include dogs, this common necessity offers a promising opportunity and has recently lead to an interest in developing and evaluating programs that take advantage of this shared activity of dogs and people in order to fight the growing problem of obesity that is affecting both species.

This was the concept behind The People and Pets Exercising Together (PPET) study. According to Dr. Robert Kushner at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Wellness Institute, PPET was “a state-of-the-art weight management program based on previous studies that show that people are more effective at losing weight and maintaining that weight loss when they do with a friend.” But in the PPET study, the role of the supportive friend was filled by the family dog [1].

The results of the study strongly supported the hypothesis that dogs would provide a highly effective form of social support, helping their owners maintain their diet and exercise goals. PPET outcomes showed that overweight people who embarked on a weight loss and exercise program in combination with their overweight dogs were more successful at sticking with their weight loss and exercise program than people who dieted and exercised alone.

For the study, the overweight people were given meal plans, pedometers, and guidance on diet and exercise, along with a plan for regular exercise with their dog. The recommended program included 30 minutes of physical activity of at least moderate intensity with the dogs at least three times a week. The dogs were also placed on a diet, and both humans and pets were weighed regularly to check their progress. Over the course of the 12-month study, average weight loss for the people was about 11 pounds, while the dogs were even more successful and lost about 12 pounds each.

Human benefits

One fact the PPET Study  uncovered incidentally was  that the people who owned  dogs were already getting a  good bit more exercise than  those without dogs even  before they started the  weight-loss program. Other  research has confirmed that  people with dogs do tend to  get more exercise even without making a special effort – an average of 300 minutes per week versus 168 minutes per week for non-dog owners, in one Canadian study [2]. A U.S. study found that people who walked their dogs were closer to meeting recommended levels of “moderate to vigorous physical activity” [3]. And the National Cancer Institute found that people with dogs walked about 19 minutes more per week and were generally more likely to include walking among their leisure activities [4].

The health benefits that can be gained through dog walking or dog-ownership may be even more crucial for two special population groups—children and the elderly. One study found that “Dog ownership may offer some protection from overweight among young children,” since children with dogs were less likely to become obese or overweight during their key early years [5]. Walking regularly is essential for older people in order to maintain both bone strength and mobility. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes conducted a three-year study that determined that owning and walking a dog in fact doubled the likelihood that people aged 71 to 82 would achieve the recommended levels of exercise [6].

Maintenance is the key. Starting an exercise regime is always easier than following through. Dogs obviously play a key role in helping—even compelling—their owners not just to begin but to continue an exercise routine. One study which focused on the relationship between obesity in dogs and their people concluded that overweight people without dogs might be well advised to get one and walk it three times a day, since “many exercise programs to prevent overweight seem to fail because of the lack of urgency to comply with the exercise regimen and owning a dog may be one way to increase compliance” [7].

Human nature is such that both we and our human support systems are all too readily discouraged and distracted from our exercise goals by other impulses and time constraints. But dogs aren’t easily discouraged, and it’s a rare pup that isn’t ready to escort his or her person on a walk around the neighborhood or a romp in the park. Canine companionship has been shown to make a significant difference for women who don’t have anyone else available to walk with, increasing their walking levels by 31 percent in one study. Dogs also can help people feel safer when walking at night or in unfamiliar areas [9].

Pet benefits

What’s good for us may be even better for our dogs. Now that leash laws and other elements of modern life make it increasingly uncommon and undesirable for dogs to roam freely, walking the dog has become essential if our pets are to get anything like the amount activity they want and need. Dogs that don’t receive regular attention and exercise are all too likely to develop health and behavior problems that can range from nuisance barking and digging to obesity and arthritis. Veterinarians attest that obesity is as serious and widespread a problem for dogs as it is for people, and brings with it an equal load of serious health consequences – dog diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular problems, and reduced life expectancy, to name only a few.

The benefits of walking your dog are richly reciprocal. According to one PPET human participant, “Caring for and loving my dog is what motivated me to be a part of this program. It is a real lifestyle change. We worked together, lost weight and kept it off over the course of a year, and now there’s no turning back!” [9]

The benefits we receive from our pets are too numerous and valuable – loyalty, protection, companionship, unconditional love – for our dedication to be completely selfless. Providing them in return with the attention and exercise that will keep them happy and healthy is at least a partial repayment of what we owe them. Perhaps it’s this mutuality that has made the dog-human relationship so lasting. The bond between people and their dogs is one of the last links most people may have with the otherness of nature on a daily basis, even if it is just a walk in the park.

References

1. The PPET Study: People and Pets Exercising Together. Robert F. Kushner, Dawn Jackson Blatner, Dennis E. Jewell, and Kimberly Rudloff, Obesity 2006; 14,10: 1762-70.

2. Relationship among dog ownership and leisure-time walking in western Canadian adults. S. G. Brown, R. E. Rhodes. Am J Prev Med. 2006; 30: 131– 6.

3. Physical activity, weight status, and neighborhood characteristics of dog walkers. Karen J. Coleman, Dori E. Rosenberg, Terry L. Conway, James F. Sallis, Brian E. Saelens, Lawrence D. Frank and Kelli Cain. Preventive Medicine 2008; 47,3: 309-312.

4. Walking the dog: is pet ownership associated with physical activity in California? K. R. Yabroff, R. P. Troiano, D. Berrigan. J Phys Act Health. 2008; 5,2: 216-28.

5. Is dog ownership or dog walking associated with weight status in children and their parents? A. Timperio, J. Salmon, B. Chu, N. Andrianopoulos. Health Promot J Austr. 2008; 19,1: 60-3.

6. Dog ownership, walking behavior, and maintained mobility in late life. R. J. Thorpe, Jr., E. M. Simonsick, J. S. Brach, H. Ayonayon, S. Satterfield, T. B. Harris, M. Garcia, S. B. Kritchevsky. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006; 54,9: 1419-24.

7. Overweight in dogs but not in cats is related to overweight in their owners. Marieke L Nijland, Frank Stam and Jacob C Seidell. Public Health and Nutrition 2009; 23:1-5.

8. Dog ownership, health and physical activity: A critical review of the literature. Hayley Cutt, Billie Giles-Corti, Matthew Knuiman, Valerie Burke. Health & Place (2007) 13; 261–272

9. New study shows people and pets can succeed together in fighting obesity epidemic. EurecAlert.com

About the author:

Matt Ntinou is a postdoctoral biochemist at Washington University School of Medicine and companion to Hera, his German shepherd. His most recent interest is in how obesity in both dogs and humans is linked by similar issues in food management, exercise and social factors. In his website he discusses current findings on obesity and weight loss and writes reviews on best diet plans for losing weight. He also offers a Medifast coupon and a Nutrisystem promotional code, two clinically studied weight loss programs.

What is canine hip dysplasia? To put it simply, this is when the ball and socket of the canine’s thigh and hip bone are not fitted perfectly together. It may also be that the connective tissue that bonds the two joints together are not strong enough to firmly keep the thigh bone fit properly in the socket of the hip bone. As you can imagine, this will cause pain and extreme discomfort to the dog in his daily movements.

Hip dysplasia is oftentimes a genetic disorder that develops as the puppy grows older. Other times, it is caused by an injury to the young dog’s legs that have not been properly treated. The symptoms do not manifest until later on and when they are not given the right medical treatment – some dogs are altogether unable to walk at all.

This is not to scare you. There are ways to deal with your dog’s hip dysplasia. While surgery is an option that many people consider, it may not be a good idea for you. Surgery usually entails a significant amount of expense as well as constant monitoring that you might not be able to afford. But quite apart from the cost aspect, there are risks inherent in any surgery, and surgery is an invasive procedure that assaults the body and consequently takes some time for the body to be able to heal itself. If you are among the many who are reluctant to use surgery as a first option, a natural treatment for hip dysplasia is available for your dog’s use.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin are natural supplements that help restore the joint and cartilage tissues of the canine. While these two elements do not function as painkillers, consistent use of them will show an improvement after six weeks. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have very few side effects and are safe. Continued use is necessary to keep your dog arthritis condition well under control.

Methyl-sulfonyl-methane or MSM is another natural compound that enhance the connective tissue as well as reduce inflammation of joints, effectively lowering the pain the animal suffers from. Natural herbs like dandelion, alfalfa, yucca, licorice and rosemary are known to have helped dogs deal with the painful effects of arthritis.

Include the abovementioned supplements in a healthy diet rich in vitamin C, E and omega 3 fatty acids. More than their food intake, it is very important that you maintain their ideal weight especially when dealing with a degenerative disease like this. Combine a natural treatment for hip dysplasia with light exercise, closely monitored and directed by your vet’s instructions.

The exercise should be easy on the joints and ligaments of the canine. Try walking, swimming and slowly going up and down the stairs. Keep in mind that he should be not only building muscle but a wider range of motions. Do not play Frisbee or any extreme sport that will place heavy stress on the dog’s joints. Remember, because hip dysplasia is oftentimes hereditary, the best thing you can do for him is to keep his weight down and his immune system up.

With these helpful facts on canine hip dyplasia, you are equipped to handle it the best way possible. It usually affects the larger breeds but you will do well to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your dog to keep him at his optimal condition. Enjoy your pet’s best years today!

If you are too young to experience arthritis – good for you. It would be great if you start stocking up on your vitamins and minerals so you don’t have to experience the discomfort that this condition brings. Now, while you have within your power to control the factors contributing to your health – your pet cannot. Canine arthritis is a very common condition that you need to know about so you could help your dog to avoid this or at the very least – minimize his pain.

As with humans, canine arthritis causes stiffness in the muscles and joints of the body. You will notice that your dog will have a hard time shifting positions. Most likely he is suffering from dog hip pain and will be resistant to being touched. If he is manifesting a change in behavior and physical appearance, you need to get him checked by the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Arthritis always results in dog joint pain largely due because of overuse throughout the years. That is why more often than not, it is the senior or overweight canines that experience this condition. However, it doesn’t mean that younger and smaller dogs will not be subject to this distressing condition. When a pup sustains a leg injury or has genetic skeletal abnormalities – he can also acquire arthritis and also suffer the effects of it.

Fortunately, there are ways to treat dog joint pain. Veterinarians frequently prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs to treat arthritis. NSAIDs help in impeding the progression of this disease and reduce inflammation that causes extreme pain for the dog.

Most of the NSAIDs used can be shared by both canines and humans alike. However, you must never administer any medication without your vet’s go signal. You need to know the correct dosage and frequency specific to the animal and this usually varies depending on your pet’s weight, breed or particular health issue.

As with most drugs, there might be some cases where the subject does not do well with the particular medication. Sometimes there are adverse side effects like vomiting, nausea, bloody stool, intestinal infection, etc. It is imperative that you bring him to the doctor if he continues to manifest these signs so the prescription dosage can be corrected or even stopped altogether.

Along with a healthy diet, include supplements that improve your dog’s joint health. Chondroitin Sulphate and Glucosamine Sulphate are some elements which hinder the damage done to the cartilage and joints of the skeletal system. Chondroitin and Glucosamine Sulphate are generally safe for use and are known to enhance lubrication in critical areas which help in easing dog hip pain. For more immediate relief, get some olive oil and check with an expert on the correct way to massage your dog’s aching joints and muscles.

Take your dog out for regular light exercise and maintain a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids and other essential minerals. Our dogs might have soreness and pain that come with age or injury – but we can always do something about it by being the caring master they know us to be.

Dog arthritis is a common condition that besets many of our canine friends. It is usually caused by a variety of reasons like age, weight, genetics and even an injury. For the most of us, we can help prevent this from happening to our pet through making sure we give them the best care possible. However, if your pet is already suffering from arthritis, do not worry – you can obtain the proper dog arthritis treatment to help your dog deal with his condition the best way possible.

There are several options you can choose from in dealing with canine arthritis. It is highly recommended that you consult with the veterinarian before anything else and have your dog undergo a thorough check-up. Fido may have some pre-existing medical conditions that you need to consider when deciding on the dog arthritis medicine you give him.

A common treatment for canine arthritis is NSAID. What are NSAIDs? These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that function to provide relief from pain, reduce inflammation and hinder the advancement of the condition. While some human formulas have been said to work on canines—never give the dog a medicine meant for a person unless specifically instructed by the vet.

Examples of NSAID drugs are Rimadyl and Deramaxx. These NSAIDs are frequently used in conjuction with fluid modifiers administered to help heal the joints. The joint fluid modifiers assist in alleviating the pain that arthritis causes; but may not be effective on its own.

There are several natural remedies for dog arthritis – many of which are herbal and can be incorporated into their diet. Alfalfa herbs for instance, are known to soothe and provide relief for joint pains. Mussels help restore connective tissues; while the Yucca herb contains natural steroids that aid in easing pain brought about by arthritis. You can also try giving Stinging nettles extract. These detoxify the blood as well as relieve aches in the canine’s body.

Of course vaccines are also available for the worried pet owner. For the most part though, vaccines are not so much a dog arthritis medicine as it is a preventive measure to keep the degenerative effects of arthritis at bay. Ask your vet as to what course of action and treatment he would recommend specifically to your dog’s case.

Remember, there are many kinds of dog arthritis – you need to know which one your pet is suffering from before you decide on the best dog arthritis treatment for him. Most importantly, you need to watch out for the signs for this disease because early detection will help stop the progress of the disease. Some symptoms to watch out for are these: A personality change, limping, difficulty moving positions, resistance to touch, crying when touched and diminished muscle tone.

Canine arthritis is not a pleasant condition for the animal to go through but it is preventable and largely manageable through regular exercise and a good diet. Visit the vet for timely check-ups to prevent any disease from taking control over your dog’s life.

Fleas are perhaps one of nature’s worst enemies to man’s best friend. Alright, so maybe that seems a bit of an exaggeration, after all, fleas aren’t fatal aren’t they? Yes and no. Fleas in and out of themselves do not cause death. They do contaminate the bloodstream of their victim which in turn, can lead to serious ailments when not cared for accordingly.

You may have passed by pet stores that offer heartworm preventative drugs or other medical flea cures; but be aware that not every dog flea treatment is good for your canine. Look up the ingredients found in the drugs you are administering to your pet and consult with a trusted vet, or another pet owner with a lot of experience with dogs. The popular brands such as Frontline flea control and flea and tick control, and Advantage flea treatment or Anvantix flea and tick control are all chemical insecticides.

These harsh chemicals can harm your dog’s system. They are given in low dosages to prevent immediate adverse reactions. Over time though, these toxic substances will take their toll on your dog’s health, giving him possible liver disease, kidney problems and heart complications later on.

Dog flea treatment alternatives that are natural are by far, the better way to handle the pesky vermin. Crush about half a clove of garlic and sprinkle it over your dog’s meals. Garlic is not only good for the canine’s well-being – it is a natural repellant for fleas and mosquitoes as well. A teaspoon of brewer’s yeast is also recommended for the B complex vitamin needs of the pet.

You will also find some specialty sites offering natural supplements that serve to improve your pet’s immunity. Many come in organic powder form. Consider purchasing these products because parasites tend to avoid healthy animals. More than that, when the animal is infected, a strong immune system will ensure that the problem is dealt with fairly easily.

A good dog tick treatment is as non-invasive as possible. Essential oils like lavender, geranium, peppermint, eucalyptus and myrrh are aromatic scents that fleas just hate. Apply a few drops on the dog’s sheets and collar. A citrus or apple cider blend sprayed lightly over the dog’s coat also helps in keeping away the parasites from him.

To make these dog flea treatments alternatives more effective, ensure that your home is as clean as possible. You may not be aware of it but there are more ticks and harmful organisms living atop your furnishings than on the animal itself. As such, they can not only be a nuisance to the canine, but can be a real source of irritant to your family as well.

Wash and vacuum your carpets, curtains and upholstery well. Put table salt or crushed rose petals on top of these overnight to guarantee eviction of unwanted house guests. Vacuum thoroughly again the following day. Take care to throw out the contents of the vacuum bag outside your home afterwards.

Fleas are annoying but all you need is to flex your creative muscles to send them all scampering to the other side of the street. Continue to learn more about great tips from your vets and reliable specialty websites around.

Dogs are a loveable breed – the prevalent pet of choice for most people. As such, studies on dog health problems abound that will help pet owners understand potentially harmful diseases and what can be done to prevent and cure them effectively.

There are several kinds of dog diseases. A lot of them are caused by contaminated organisms that disrupt the system of the canine by infecting them. Fleas and ticks, examples of pesky organisms, are more often remedied through medicated soaps and shampoos that specifically deal with these external parasites.

Tapeworms, hookworms, heartworms and intestinal worms are internal parasites that merit more concern because they do not manifest immediately, instead work inside and do even more damage. These parasites cause our pets’ severe pain especially in the latter stages. Avoid this by providing a clean environment and a healthy diet for your dog every day.

Viral diseases also make its way into destroying a dog’s immune system. Canine viral diseases include distemper, herpesvirus, parvovirus, canine influenza and hepatitis. Perhaps the most commonly known of all is rabies. Dogs catch this by being bitten by infected dogs, raccoons, bats and cats. Have your animals vaccinated for rabies regularly for you and your pet’s protection.

Any alterations in your dog’s behavior that is not brought about by natural conditions, like the atmosphere or presence of a new animal or person – must be observed very closely. There are many dog diseases; but if you can take note of common dog symptoms correctly and in a timely manner, you may save your dog from a lot of pain.

Changes like depression, restlessness, weight loss, shaking and falling, lethargy and sleepiness should raise a red flag to pet owners. Wait for any improvements for a few days and keep their environment as stress free as possible so as not to aggravate their condition. Record the period when the change began and the patterns, if any, of this new behavior. If the canine still exhibits the worrisome symptoms, go to the vet for a check-up.

Canines cannot adequately communicate whatever discomfort they may be feeling. Some breeds in particular have a high threshold for pain so finding out the source of their problem is challenging to their owner. Other than crying and yelping that dogs do, see their posture and how they carry themselves. If they are stooped forward and lick at parts of their bodies – it is most likely the cause of the pain.

Loss of appetite, hair loss, lumps and discolorations in the canine’s skin, coughing, vomiting and a foul smell in the ears, eyes and nose are other dog symptoms that you should be aware of. Also, dogs that are sick will strain to urinate and only in small amounts so watch out for this. Look out for any discharge in the eyes and nose as well.

Dog health problems are a cause of concern but can be addressed easily once the correct prognosis has been confirmed. Take regular trips to the vet to make certain that any infection is determined early on so your pet’s well-being is protected and safe guarded at all costs.

Heartworm is a condition caused by bites of mosquitoes. Not all mosquitoes are contaminated but if it does carry this infection, it can transmit larvae into the animal’s tissue which travels to its bloodstream. When not treated immediately, the larva reaches adulthood and travels on to latch itself on its host’s vital organs. When this happens, results are oftentimes fatal to the dog.

It sounds scary doesn’t it? Well, heartworm is a valid concern for all pet owners; however, there are simple heartworm natural prevention tips you can employ that will ensure that your dog will not have to suffer this condition.

The key to avoiding heartworm is to make your pet as healthy as you possibly can. You can do this through maintaining a good diet and regular exercise for the dog. Many commercial pet foods may contain chemicals that will be detrimental in your dog’s health. A diet of raw meat, vegetables and helpings of fruit is a better alternative to feed him.

Regular physical activity also keeps the animal’s heart and circulatory system in top working order. Healthy white blood cells fight infection effectively, further strengthening the dog’s immune system. The liver is a vital proponent in having a good immune system so you can also consider using recommended supplements that encourage excellent liver function.

Your dog will not have a chance to develop heartworm if mosquitoes are not able to infect them. Several of these common heartworm natural prevention herbs that are repugnant for mosquitoes are black walnut, turmeric root, spearmint herb and garlic. Garlic and heartworms do not go well together for the simple fact that the pungent aroma is enough to repel the mosquitoes.

For dogs under 50 pounds, it is safe to add ½ teaspoon of garlic a day to his meals. For heavier dogs you can go up to 2 teaspoons but consult with your veterinarian first. Too much garlic is also harmful to animals when ingested. It is also a good idea to mix water and garlic together to make a garlic spray. You can lightly cover your pet or around the areas of the house that mosquitoes are most likely to congregate with a thin mist of this garlic spray.

While garlic is effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay, you do not want to repel your family and visitors with eau de garlic assaulting their noses when they visit you. A more pleasant version of a natural mosquito repellant is mixing 3 drops each of lavender and citronella oil, 10 Tablespoons of rose geranium oil, 1 Tablespoon of alcohol based black walnut extract with 10 ounces of purified water. Spray this concoction around the house or wherever needed.

These natural prevention measures are much better than having to use the conventional ‘preventive’ medications. These medications kill the heartworms by poisoning them; consequently they too are toxic and harmful for the dog as a whole. Have regular bi-annual check-ups with your veterinarian to test for heartworms so it can be treated as soon as possible.

Dr Andrew Jones, DVM, has some important points to make about the veterinary pharmaceutical industry versus a more holistic approach to pet care, including veterinary care.

Here is what Dr Jones said recently:

” The Pharamceutical Industry is approaching a TRILLION DOLLAR industry worldwide – Much bigger than the economies of several countries.”

- That statement alone is mind boggling, don’t you think?

Dr Jones then goes on to point out that because the pharmaceutical industry is so enormous, it has the capacity, and in fact takes active steps, to influence all of us in a variety of ways.

How? – I hear you ask.  Well, here is what Dr Jones said:

” … Via overt advertising…videos and stories of HAPPY people and pets because they are on a anti-inflammatory drug.”

- You know the type of ads he is talking about.  Bouncing, healthy looking dogs racing through meadows having a great time … I’ve seen many of these types of ads for dog foods, some of which are produced by these pharmaceutical giants.  There are also many ads for human drugs showing people who look as if they’re enjoying life to the max, and looking in peak health.  The ads for drugs for pets are fewer, but they are definitely increasing.

The pharmaceutical companies have HUGE advertising budgets.

They have spent huge amounts of money finding out how best to Influence people.  And they do a pretty good job – they know just what to focus on to get our attention and get their point across that the use of their particular products is going to enhance our lives.

Let’s get back to what Dr Jones was saying …

” Big Pharma and Government policy. One of the HIGHEST paid team of lobbyists at Capitol Hill in Washington are lobbying on behalf of the Drug Industry. This literally influences and shapes Government policy…

Then via your healthcare provider, who can be influenced by the drug ”rep’ who ostensibly ‘educates’ them on the pharmaceuticals.

When I first started in Veterinary practice, I was treated to more than a few meals and beers by my oh so friendly drug representative… It’s then natural to prescribe their drug of choice.”

- And don’t forget that this is coming from a vet who now eschews conventional veterinary drugs to a large degree – he was himself influenced to prescribe certain medications by these drug reps taking him out for a meal!

” Then there is the institutions that educate your Heath Care Providers – many recieve funding from some of the Pharmaceutical Companies.

And PREVENT Disease in the first place. “

Dr Jones is of the view that a good way of doing this is by giving your dog a supplement.  I am all for giving a good supplement, but the importance of diet should not be overlooked either.  A healthy diet is essential for your dog’s health.  Dr Jones stresses this, also.

So let’s get back to what Dr Jones has to say about supplements, as well as diet …

” WHY is a Supplement Needed?

IMPROVE you dog’s nutrition every day.

SUPPLEMENT your dog’s food.

Give them a QUALITY Dog Health Supplement.

http://www.dog-health-care-information.com/supplement “

Does Your Pet Suffer from Adrenal Imbalance or Cushing’s Disease?

The adrenal glands are two small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys. They are orange in color and covered in a connective tissue capsule that is hidden in a layer of fat. These glands are made up of two parts – the adrenal cortex (outside) and the adrenal medulla (inside). The adrenal glands work together with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain to produce a number of different hormones essential for the overall health and functioning of your dog.

The health of the adrenal glands is vital to systemic functioning and wellbeing and adrenal balance and harmony plays a crucial role in wellness on every level. From this, it is easy to see how imbalance (over or understimulated adrenal glands) can severely affect your dog’s health Maintaining adrenal balance is therefore key to promoting health in your furry friends

Naturally promote adrenal gland health - all without side effects!

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Cushex Drops:

Read what others experienced when they used Cushex Drops for their pets!

“We tried your Cushex Drops for our 14 year old Maltese and are very impressed. It is wonderful to find something all-natural and safe that actually works! I have told my vet about your product and how well it works- he can see the difference in our Maltese as well and says that he is going to recommend your product in his practice!”

—Marlene

What are Cushex Drops?

PetAlive Cushex Drops contains a blend of both herbal and homeopathic ingredients specially selected to target adrenal health and balance in pets. Each ingredient of this natural remedy has a specific role to play in maintaining adrenal function, balanced corticosteroid, fluid and electrolyte levels and supporting the health and integrity of the coat and skin.

Cushex Drops are easy to administer and the dosage can be adjusted to suit pets of all sizes.

Guaranteeing quality, effectiveness & safety

PetAlive uses a superior set of standards and processes when creating all of their natural products. They combine high-quality raw ingredients, that are laboratory-tested, with good manufacturing practices.

Their Full Spectrum Approach uses the Whole Spectrum manufacturing method to guarantee that their products are of the highest quality, safety and effectiveness.

Cushex Drops contain no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by the PetAlive One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

Cushex Drops

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Do Cushex Drops really work?

Both customer testimonials and an extremely high reorder rate indicate that Cushex Drops are very effective. In fact, it has literally been sold to thousands of customers in virtually every country around the world with tremendous success!

How long have Cushex Drops been on the market?

Cushex Drops were created by our Clinical Psychologist – in conjunction with our expert team of homeopaths and naturopaths – who has been providing them to her clients, with great success, for more than ten years.

“…My poor dog’s coat is looking healthier.. This natural remedy really worked!”

“Thank you for such a wonderful remedy. My poor dog’s health was in a state due to Cushing’s and this natural product really helped. I am so pleased that her coat is looking healthier and her hair has stopped falling out everywhere. I’m also relieved that we have managed to avoid surgery as Kendra is an old dog now and I would hate to put her life at risk.”

—Carryn J

Herbal and homeopathic remedies can play an important role in promoting the health and balance of your dog’s adrenal glands and a holistic approach is the best way of contributing towards your pet’s general health.

Due to the vital importance of adrenal balance, it is not surprising that natural medicine has the answers! After all, organ and systemic support is one of the cornerstones of a holistic approach and the key to natural health care! By supporting adrenal health, the natural approach aims to facilitate wellbeing across a number of body systems, thereby encouraging wellness and vitality every day!

How can Cushex Drops help your pet?

Use Cushex Drops to:

• Support the health of your pet’s adrenal glands and encourage normal functioning
• Encourage health of coat
• Maintain healthy blood pressure and normal blood sugar levels
• Support normal urination and healthy fluid and electrolyte balance in the body
• Promote optimal strength and health of the skin
• Improve digestive functioning

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Does this sound too good to be true?

It isn’t… We can prove it!

PetAlive is so certain that you will be completely satisfied with their Cushex Drops that they offer a One-Year unconditional money-back guarantee*.

Simply try Cushex Drops for at least 30 days. If you are not completely satisfied – for any reason – return the product within 1 year for a complete refund (less shipping fees).

“After two months on Cushex, Bandit’s pot belly is smaller, his hair has stopped falling out, his body temperature is more regulated, and his desperate thirst has leveled off. “

“My 10 year old Shih Tzu was diagnosed with Pituitary Cushing’s. Given his age and other factors, I decided to treat the Cushing’s holistically and homeopathically and found Cushex. After two months on Cushex, Bandit’s pot belly is smaller, his hair has stopped falling out, his body temperature is more regulated, and his desperate thirst has leveled off. Thank you for providing a viable alternative to Lysodren and other standard treatments!”

Cushex Drops are a very effective natural remedy for complete adrenal gland wellness and have a very high success rate!

Cushex Drops contain no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by their One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

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Does Your Pet Suffer from Dog Cough Symptoms or Other Dog Breathing Problems?

In the wild, animals instinctively seek out plants that will help to support health in various body systems. It therefore makes sense that as owners, we can help our domestic pets by making herbal and other natural supplements available to them.

As part of a holistic approach to pet health, natural remedies can help to build and strengthen your pet’s immune system, encourage the elimination of toxins, and generally improve the overall health of your animal.

Promote respiratory health, clear throat and a strong immune system - all without side effects!

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KC-Defense:

Read what others experienced when they used KC-Defense for their pets!

“After using KC-Defense on my Afghan, I will never send her to the kennels without it again! At least I can be confident that she is protected as her system is very sensitive. This product is great! Once again, I have been very impressed by your service and your products!”

—Brent

What is KC-Defense?

KC-Defense is a 100% natural remedy which combines herbal and homeopathic ingredients with selected biochemic tissue salts for the support of the respiratory system (chest, airways and throat) and as a tonic for the immune system – thereby helping to keep pets free of infection by promoting health in these important body structures.

By supporting immune system health, you can also feel more confident when your pet has to go into environments like kennels, catteries or other places where there is a risk of infection.

KC-Defense may be used as a preventative tonic or for more immediate support when needed.

Guaranteeing quality, effectiveness & safety

Pets Alive Remedies use a superior set of standards and processes when creating all of their natural products. They combine high-quality raw ingredients, that are laboratory-tested, with good manufacturing practices.

Their Full Spectrum Approach uses the Whole Spectrum manufacturing method to guarantee that their products are of the highest quality, safety and effectiveness.

KC-Defense contains no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by a One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

KC-Defense

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Does KC-Defense really work?

Both customer testimonials and an extremely high reorder rate indicate that KC-Defense is very effective. In fact, it has literally been sold to thousands of customers in virtually every country around the world with tremendous success!

How long has KC-Defense been on the market?

KC-Defense was created by our Clinical Psychologist – in conjunction with our expert team of homeopaths and naturopaths – who has been providing them to her clients, with great success, for more than ten years.

“…she was noticeably better in 1-2 days! Thank you!”

“We adopted our baby Boxer from a pet store ……… and used your KC-Defense, in combination with the Immunity & Liver Support (and) she was noticeably better in 1-2 days! Thank you!”

—Sharon, MD, USA

Natural remedies can also help to promote health in the respiratory system, and there are many herbs which have been used for centuries to help promote easy breathing and clear lungs and chests in people as well as animals. In more recent times, clinical research has often confirmed what natural healers have always known!

How can KC-Defense help your pet?

Use KC-Defense to:

• Calm the throat and chest in dogs, cats, puppies and kittens
• Use as an effective respiratory tonic to promote clear chests and easy breathing
• Promote the immune system and maintain the body’s natural ability to resist
• Infection – especially before a visit to kennels and veterinary surgeries

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Your Price: $37.95

Does this sound too good to be true?

It isn’t… We can prove it!

Pet Alive Remedies is so certain that you will be completely satisfied with their KC-Defense that they offer a One-Year unconditional money-back guarantee*.

Simply try KC-Defense for at least 30 days. If you are not completely satisfied – for any reason – return the product within 1 year for a complete refund (less shipping fees).

“Within just two days, we saw immediate results. Now at 3 weeks, he is doing great. THANK YOU!!”

“We rescued a …. 9 week old male Pom. …….We decided to just give KC-Defense a try. Within just two days, we saw immediate results. Now at 3 weeks, he is doing great. THANK YOU!! He is now a robust little guy that is so much fun.”

—Patricia, TX, USA

“KC-Defense is incredible!”

“KC-Defense is incredible! When we adopted a puppy from the pound, we …(gave KC-Defense to her and) …our 7 year old Daschund mix… I will definitely recommend this to my friends.”

—Becky Moreno, CA, USA

KC-Defense is a very effective natural remedy that promotes respiratory health and clear throats in dogs and cats, puppies and kittens and has a very high success rate!

KC-Defense contains no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by a One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

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Dogs are one of the best animals to have around – it makes sense that the most popular pet people choose to have are this happy and furry breed. They’re not called man’s best friend for nothing. Because of their popularity, there are more studies done on dog health problems that can help pet owners understand and help these animals overcome specific canine sicknesses.

There are a lot of dog diseases out there. Some of these are a result of external parasites that disrupt a regular canine’s generally uneventful life. You can deal with these fleas and ticks by using any of the medicated shampoos and soaps out in the market today.

Internal parasites are more dangerous and more subtle in its manifestation during the initial stages of infestation. Examples of these are the tapeworms, hookworms, intestinal worms and heartworms which are very painful for the dog. This can be avoided by ensuring a clean environment and providing a healthy diet rich in vitamins for your pet.

Herpes virus,  parvovirus, distemper, influenza and canine hepatitis are viral diseases that canines are susceptible to. The most commonly associated of all viral diseases is rabies. Rabies is contracted when another infected mammal bites your dog. Prevent rabies from becoming a possibility by finding out whether your dog needs regular vaccination shots.

Any change in the dog’s behavior should be monitored closely. Unless it is brought about by natural circumstances like the atmosphere, environment or having a new visitor – you must watch out for any changes because this will be indicative of canine sicknesses he already has. Correctly reading dog symptoms will help your dog immensely.

Some changes you should be alert for are anxiety, listlessness, weight loss, shaking, frequent falling and being tired all the time. When you see these symptoms, watch for a few days and make a record of your observations including the time it started and patterns of behavior. Keep the canine in a stress free environment to prevent worsening of his condition. If no improvements are forthcoming, it’s time to visit the vet and have him checked-up.

Dogs cannot articulate when they are in pain; they are not equipped to adequately express any distress they may have. There are some breeds that have a high tolerance for pain which makes isolating whatever problem a difficult task for its owner. Aside from whining and howling, look at their posture. If they are stooped and lick at particular areas of their body—it is probably the source of their soreness.

Some other dog symptoms you must be aware of are hair loss, loss of appetite, discoloration, lumps and crustiness in the skin, coughing and vomiting. Sick dogs strain to urinate and when they do, it is only in small amounts so look out for this. Inspect the canine’s eyes and nose for discharge and foul smell.

Dog health problems are distressing yes, but they are often easily addressed once the condition has been correctly diagnosed. Make it a point to visit your vet regularly so any infection may be arrested in its earlier stages, thus ensuring your pet’s health.

- by Jennifer Kayte

Our dogs mean more to us than anything – with the probable exception of our human family of course. That is why when we learn about serious ailments that they may be suffering, we suffer alongside with them. One of the more worrying conditions is congestive heart failure in dogs.

What exactly is canine congestive heart failure? This is a condition resulting from a deformity in the canine’s heart structure, specifically, it’s chamber walls. Either the walls are congealed and the ability to pump blood is diminished; or the walls are stretched too thinly, making an enlarged heart, incapable of pumping adequate blood for the dog.

Whichever the scenario – it is not pretty. Indeed, it has been a reason for distress for the owners who have to deal with their pets undergoing this condition. Fortunately, we have resources on natural healing for dog with congestive heart failure available that we can apply to alleviate the suffering of our pets.

As with we humans, an effective way to develop the dog’s cardiovascular system is by engaging him in consistent and appropriate physical activities. A game of catch and Frisbee in the park or even just jogging or walking around the block will be beneficial to Fido’s heart. You will get quality time out of it, as well as encourage better circulatory function. Study your pet as you exercise together, if he gets tired more quickly than normal, consult your vet as soon as you can.

Another essential aspect in successfully preventing congestive heart failure in dogs is having a good diet. Commercial pet feed have processed chemicals that may be detrimental to your dog’s systems in the long run. Provide him with a diet that is low in sodium and rich in nutrients like Vitamin E, Calcium, Taurine, Omega-3 fatty acids and L-carnitine. Serve large portions of yams, squash, broccoli, carrots and beets alongside chopped raw meat and healthy grains.

There are several natural healing for dog with congestive heart failure supplements that your pet can also take. Herbs that will fortify the walls of your arteries are Crateagus oxycantha and Hawthorne. Two other beneficial supplements that improve canine blood pressure are Kalium phosphate and Arnica Montana.

You have to discuss with your veterinarian before you take on these remedies for your dog. Sometimes, your pet might have other sicknesses and mixing remedies could further complicate his condition. Also, the dog’s weight, age and other underlying factors will be considered when determining the remedy.

Symptoms of this condition include labored breathing, excessive salivating, becoming easily tired, and having a bluish tongue and grayish mouth.

Chest X-rays and ultrasound will aid in correctly diagnosing the problem. It is of utmost importance that we get the correct prognosis because giving the wrong medication or treatment may lead to critical damage or death to the canine. Find out the findings and do what is needed to fight the sickness.

As much as possible, employ remedies that are natural and holistic before anything else. However, if these are not enough anymore, medications are available for dog heart conditions. Continue to have regular check-ups to prevent escalation of whatever canine disease your pet might have.

It’s always refreshing when vets are open and up front about the pet vaccination issue.

As you may know, I stopped vaccinating my dogs when they were 8 years old.  So they have not been vaccinated now for the past 6 years.  I only wish I had known earlier how unnecessary, and yes, harmful, regular annual vaccinations are.  Had I known the facts, I would have stopped years before.

Some vets, such as the eminent Dr Jean Dodds, who I have been fortunate to hear speak in person, actively spread the word that annual vaccinations are not required.  But the vast majority of vets continue to advise pet owners that ongoing vaccinations are essential, even though the evidence is clearly to the contrary.

Dr Andrew Jones is another kindred spirit where vaccinations are concerned.  As you would expect from any responsible vet, he does not say you should do away with vaccinations altogether, but he gives the following recommendations for vaccinating your dog:

Puppy Vaccination Regimen:

8 weeks:

Parvovirus (MLV – Modified Live Vaccines) and Distemper (MLV)

12 weeks:

Parvovirus (MLV) and Distemper (MLV)

Only give Bordatella vaccines if going to a kennel or puppy class

6 months:

Give Rabies vaccine (killed)

Adult Dogs:

1 year:

Parvovirus (MLV) and Distemper (MLV)

1 1/2 years:

Rabies vaccine (killed)

No further vaccines for 3 years.

4 years:

Parvovirus (MLV) and Distemper (MLV)

4 1/2 years:

Rabies vaccine (killed)

After this, in Dr Jones’ opinion, no further vaccinations are required.  Ever.

Of course, State or local laws may require you to vaccinate against Rabies, in which case you have a legal obligation to do so, even though medically there is no requirement for this.

For more on vaccinations, as well as information on pet food, keeping your dog’s immune system healthy, conventional medications for pets, pet supplements, and much more, go grab your FREE  Top 10 Veterinary Secrets 49 page report now (before Dr Jones comes to his senses and starts charging for it) – Click Here!

Actually, I would call it the Top 10 Veterinary Secrets ebook – it’s too long to be called a report.

You can actually use the information contained in this very comprehensive free report right now to heal your dog (or cat) at home, keep your pet healthy and help your pet live a longer life.  Click here for your FREE  Top 10 Veterinary Secrets ebook. 

If you receive the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter, or have been reading my sites for any length of time, you will know that I am very wary of giving my dogs any type of drugs without careful consideration.  (Of course, occasionally there is no choice, but more often there is).

On the question of NSAIDS for dogs, you may have read my articles on Rimadyl for Dogs – and specifically the dangers associated with giving these drugs.

Following is an article by Ashley Mitek from VetMed.  And please note that this is a conventional veterinary view, so any holistic vet would be a lot more circumspect and cautious about these drugs. …

Here is the article:

“ Pets More Susceptible to Side Effects of NSAIDs

It is now widely accepted in human medicine that one of the largest causes of liver failure (and also liver transplant surgery) in the United States is due to the overuse of a particular type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) named acetaminophen. This stunning research finding was first published in the December 2005 issue of the journal Hepatology. Nearly every person in the country has used one type of NSAID or another, whether that be ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. When taken correctly, these drugs have very few side effects.

However, “the use of NSAIDS is one of the most controversial topics in veterinary medicine,” says Dr. Stuart Clark-Price, a veterinary anesthesiologist and internal medicine specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. As many pill-popping humans can attest, these drugs have great anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, and pain relief properties because they inhibit certain enzymes in the body. If these drugs have such great properties, then why is their use so controversial in animals, one may ask?

“Cats and dogs are much more susceptible than people to the adverse effect of NSAIDs,” explains Dr. Clark-Price. In short, dogs and cats are not simply smaller versions of people. They lack certain enzymes that we have, and also may process these drugs differently. In short, the use of NSAIDS in dogs and cats comes with a smaller safety margin. Because of this, it is critical that veterinary patients be accurately dosed and routinely monitored for side effects.

Despite of the increased risk, NSAIDS are frequently used in veterinary patients with minimal adverse effects. For example, in a routine spay or castration in a healthy dog or cat over the age of the age of 6 weeks, NSAIDS are a good choice for pain relief.  Because there will be mild to moderate inflammation in these instances, which is exactly what these drugs work to prevent, “NSAIDS are probably better for consistent pain control in cases of inflammation than even opioids,” notes Dr. Clark-Price.

Another reason dogs are prescribed NSAIDs is due to chronic arthritis. For example, an older Labrador that has a hard time getting up in the morning due to joint pain may be given a certain NSAID daily. But careful monitoring is critical in these patients.  The most common complication is gastro-intestinal tract ulceration.  This can be a minor problem, but it can also progress to life threatening perforations.

Other problems that can develop are kidney and liver dysfunction, or blood abnormalities such as the decreased ability to clot. Because liver and kidney disease are potential side effects of NSAIDs, it is important that a dog starting on a course of these drugs have its blood tested frequently to determine if kidney and liver function are starting to decrease. If so, it is imperative that NSAID use be terminated.

Symptoms owners should watch for while their pet is on NSAIDS include:

• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy or other changes in behavior
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Yellowing of the skin, whites of the eye, or gums
• Skin redness or scabs

For more information on the risks of NSAID use in pets please talk to your local veterinarian or visit the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Web site on the topic at http://www.avma.org/products/gov_materials/nsaid.asp .

Please do not give any NSAIDs to your pet without first contacting your veterinarian. For example, one acetaminophen (Tylenol) pill may kill a cat.

An archive of Pet Columns from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is available online at www.vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/ .

Veterinary Extension/Office of Public Engagement

University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

217/333-2907

Source: Stuart Clark-Price, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVA ”

And again, if you are interested in learning more about the dangers of NSAIDs in pets, and some natural alternatives – particularly if the issue is an arthritic or related condition, go to – Natural Arthritis Treatment for Dogs.

There are alternatives to using NSAIDs.  Be guided by your vet, but always make your own decisions for your dog once you have all the facts.

What Happens if a Dog Eats Chocolate?

Can a dog die from eating chocolate? It’s a good thing this does not apply to human beings but yes, the heavenly substance is unfortunately harmful to canines—potentially leading to their untimely demise.

It is important to know this because sometimes we unwittingly feed our pets scraps from our table without realizing that there are chemicals in them that prove to be hazardous to our pets. One of them is chocolate. The main culprit on this is a substance called theobromine and it is found inside every cocoa bean—the amount of which varies per type of chocolate.

So we know that the theobromine causes the damage in a canine’s system—but what happens if a dog eats chocolate? Upon the first few hours of ingestion, the dog will begin to show harmful symptoms such as vomiting, hyperactivity and/or diarrhea. When this happens, rush him to the vet immediately. If left untreated, you will notice the animal will exhibit more alarming signs like restlessness, muscle twitching, increased urination, an accelerated heart rate and excessive panting after several more hours. This means that there are higher levels of toxin present as it is absorbed in the canine’s bloodstream.

Of course, how chocolate will affect dogs will vary on several factors like the weight, age and the general health of the particular animal, as well as the type of chocolate. A small block of white chocolate will not cause critical problems to a 60 lb dog as it will to a pup. The darker the chocolate, the less chocolate that is required to cause serious problems if your dog ingests it.

To be safe, I strongly advise the reader to avoid feeding any amount of chocolate to their pets.

It is proven that the dog will crave for more of chocolate when they get the opportunity to taste it. It is best to prevent this by supplying him with healthier dessert fare like fruits and alternative treats.

We know what happens if a dog eats chocolates; so what can we do when they have already ingested it to prevent the danger to escalate?

The first thing you should do is induce vomiting immediately. It takes an average of 24 hours before the danger of theobromine reaches its peak—which is evidenced with epileptic like seizures, hyperthermia and coma leading to death. If your dog has diarrhea, supply him with large volumes of water to consume.

If you have an animal first aid kit, that will be helpful in treating the dog until you reach the veterinarian to get proper medication. The vet will most likely also administer activated charcoal to your dog. What the activated charcoal does is draw the chocolate to it so that it may be eliminated without much danger.

In the recovery phase, your pet should be given plenty of fluids, oxygen and his progress should be monitored regularly.

Can a dog die from eating chocolate? Yes – but fortunately we can make the necessary provisions to keep them away from this danger.

Now that you know better, do the best that you can and enjoy the company of a healthy and happy dog without the worries.

by Madeline Keite

Treatment for dog joint pain is becoming a much more common problem for pet owners, and at an ever earlier age in your dog’s life. Arthritis in humans is an ever-increasing problem, and so it is with your dog. Dog joint pain is caused by inflammation of a joint or joints. Joint pain in your dog is often an indication of dog arthritis. Arthritis can occur in any of your dog’s joints, causing pain. So any dog hip pain or dog shoulder pain or any type of dog joint pain could well be an indicator that your dog has arthritis.

In fact, the most common cause of dog joint pain is osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints. Symptoms are most often a gradual onset of lameness of your dog’s limbs. Limpness and weakness are types of lameness you might notice. Your dog may also be less excited about going for walks, and may play less, and even display some difficulty with going up and down steps, not to mention climbing up on furniture if you allow your dog on the furniture.

Stiffness will be evident particularly after your dog has been lying down for a long period – in the mornings and after long naps during the day, or after dinner when your dog may nap for a couple of hours before bed. Your dog may recoil from you, or even whimper when you touch his limbs or particular parts of his limbs. Unless your dog has just suffered an injury, this is a sure sign of dog joint pain.

So what is available in terms of treatment for dog joint pain?

There is dog pain medicine that will help treat the inflammation. However, there is no need to give your dog aspirin for pain  (and you definitely should never give any human medicine such as aspirin or ibuprofen, without veterinary advice – which is unlikely to be forthcoming).

And many dog owners find that natural treatments for arthritis in dogs are more helpful. Glucosamine for dogs and MSM for dogs are two of the more natural methods for treatment as herbal remedies. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring ingredient that is found in most foods. It has anti inflammatory components that are best for osteoarthritis.

A lot of people have heard of glucosamine, and many have also heard of MSM as components of a treatment for dog joint pain caused by arthritis. But there is also another ingredient that is much less well known (although it has been gaining considerable publicity lately), and that’s Cetyl Myristoleate (or CM8) for short).

FlexPet has all three components, and more. It has received some great reviews, as well as testimonials from pet owners whose pets have experienced quite astounding results even when their pet has become significantly disabled with joint pain.

Try it by clicking on the below pictures! There’s lots of information at the site about this exciting new product.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is also known as “bloat,” “stomach torsion,” or “twisted stomach.” Bloat is an extremely serious condition, and should be considered a life-threatening emergency when it occurs. There are no home remedies for bloat, therefore dog owners must contact their veterinarians immediately if they suspect that their dog has bloat. Dogs can die of bloat within several hours. Even with treatment, as many as 25-33% of dogs with GDV die.

The gastric dilatation is one part of the condition and the volvulus ortorsion is the second part. In bloat (dilatation), due to a number of different and sometimes unknown reasons, the stomach fills up with air and puts pressure on the other organs and diaphragm. The pressure on the diaphragm makes it difficult for the dog to breathe. The air-filled stomach also compresses large veins in the abdomen, thus preventing blood from returning to the heart. Filled with air, the stomach can easily rotate on itself, thus pinching off its blood supply. Once this rotation (volvulus) occurs and the blood supply is cut off, the stomach begins to die and the entire blood supply is disrupted and the animal’s condition begins to deteriorate very rapidly.

Not all dogs that have a gas buildup and resultant dilatation develop the more serious and life threatening volvulus. However, almost all dogs that have a volvulus develop it as a result of a dilatation.

Bloat is a very serious and life threatening condition. Understanding the signs, prevention, and need for prompt treatment will help reduce the risk of mortality if your dog develops this problem.

What dogs are more susceptible?

Breed

There is a definite link between the likelihood of occurrence of GDV and the breed and build of the dog. GDV is much more likely to occur in large breeds with deep, narrow chests. The problem can occur in small dogs, but only rarely. The University of Purdue conducted a study of hundreds of dogs that had developed GDV, and they calculated a ratio of likelihood of a particular breed developing the problem as compared to a mixed breed dog. For example, using the GDV risk ratio, a Great Dane is 41.4 times more likely to develop GDV than a mixed breed dog.

Genetics

In addition to breed predilection, there appears to be a genetic link to this disease. The incidence is closely correlated to the depth and width of the dog’s chest. Several different genes from the parents determine these traits. If both parents have particularly deep and narrow chests, then it is highly likely that their offspring will have deep and narrow chests and the resulting problems that may go with it. This is why in particular breeds we see a higher incidence in certain lines, most likely because of that line’s particular chest conformation.

Age

Dogs over 7 years of age are more than twice as likely to develop gastric dilatation and volvulus as those who are 2-4 years of age.

Gender

Male dogs are twice as likely to develop gastric dilatation and volvulus as females. Neutering does not appear to have an effect on the risk of bloat.

Eating habits

Dogs fed once a day are twice as likely to develop GDV as those fed twice a day. It appears that dogs who eat rapidly or exercise soon after a meal may also be at increased risk.

Temperament

Dogs that tend to be more nervous, anxious, or fearful appear to be at an increased risk of developing bloat.

What causes gastric dilatation and volvulus?

There is not one particular activity that leads to the development of GDV. It appears that it occurs as a combination of events. Studies of the stomach gas that occurs in dilatation have shown that it is similar to the composition of normal room air suggesting that the dilatation occurs as a result of swallowing air. All dogs, and people for that matter, swallow air, but normally we eructate (burp) and release this air and it is not a problem. For some reason that scientists have not yet determined, these dogs that develop bloat do not release this swallowed gas. There are currently several studies looking into what happens physiologically in these dogs that develop GDV.

What are the signs?

The most obvious signs are abdominal distention (swollen belly) and nonproductive vomiting (animal appears to be vomiting, but nothing comes up) and retching. Other signs include restlessness, abdominal pain, and rapid shallow breathing. Profuse salivation may indicate severe pain. If the dog’s condition continues to deteriorate, especially if volvulus has occurred, the dog may go into shock and become pale, have a weak pulse, a rapid heart rate, and eventually collapse. A dog with gastric dilatation without volvulus can show all of these signs, but the more severe signs are likely to occur in dogs with both dilatation and volvulus.

How is gastric dilatation and volvulus treated?

Despite adopting all of the recommendations listed below, a dog may still develop GDV. Because of the genetic link involved with this disease, prospective pet owners should question if there is a history of GDV in the lineage of any puppy that is from a breed listed as high risk. In addition, the following recommendations should be followed:

• Owners of susceptible breeds should be aware of the early signs of bloat and contact their veteriarian as soon as possible if GDV is suspected.
• Owners of susceptible breeds should develop a good working relationship with a local veterinarian in case emergency care is needed.
• Large dogs should be fed two or three times daily, rather than once a day.
• Water should be available at all times, but should be limited immediately after feeding.
• Vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress should be avoided one hour before and two hours after meals.
• Diet changes should be made gradually over a period of three to five days.
• Susceptible dogs should be fed individually and, if possible in a quiet location.
• Some studies suggest that dogs who are susceptible to bloat should not be fed with elevated feeders; other studies have not found this to be true. It is recommended, however, that dogs at increased risk be fed at floor level.
• Some studies have associated food particle size, fat content, moistening of foods containing citric acid, and other factors with bloat. At this time, no cause-and-result relationships between these factors and bloat have been verified.
• Dogs that have survived bloat are at an increased risk for future episodes; therefore prophylaxis in the form of preventive surgery or medical management should be discussed with the veterinarian.

Summary

Bloat is a life threatening condition that most commonly affects large-breed, deep-chested dogs over two years of age. Owners of susceptible breeds should be knowledgeable about the signs of the disease, since early and prompt treatment can greatly improve the outcome. By following the preventive measures recommended, pet owners can further reduce the likelihood of their pet developing this devastating condition.

Holly Nash, DVM, MS
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Dr. Holly Nash received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Master’s Degree in epidemiology (the study of the transmission, distribution, and control of disease) from the University of Wisconsin. She has worked in a primarily dairy practice, as a veterinary epidemiologist, and most recently as a companion animal veterinarian.

Dr. Nash has always been interested in the human-animal bond and the education of animal owners, and finds being Editor of PetEducation.com a perfect match. She enjoys, and has had experience, working with many different species of animals, and is a member of the American and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Associations, the Society of Aquatic Veterinary Medicine, the Association of Reptilian & Amphibian Veterinarians, and the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

Dr. Nash enjoys living in the rural Northwoods with her husband Bob, and their dog named Kip, and cat, Eddie.

Not all organic dog arthritis supplements are the same, even if they have similar ingredients. If you’re a regular reader of HealthierDogs.com you will know that I only recommend natural products that have a good track record in terms of actually doing what they say they do.

Arthro-IonX™ is one of these products. It assists in dog joint pain, including hip dysplasia, canine arthritis and other types of dog joint pain.

It comes in a tasteless liquid bio-available state, so it bypasses your dog’s digestive system and enters his bloodstream within minutes. This allows your dog’s body to most effectively absorb the fortified nutrients, which assures he receives the best health possible from Arthro-IonX™. This means nothing goes to waste. Your dog will get the most out of Arthro-IonX™, and you’ll get the most benefit for your money.

Most importantly, this means you won’t need to spend time attempting to make your dog swallow a pill he doesn’t want. If your dog is anything like my Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet, this will be good new to you. (Jet is a nightmare at taking pills!) Simply put the Arthro-IonX™ in your dog’s water, food, or even directly into his mouth and your dog will never know it’s there, because as I mentioned, it’s completely tasteless. Your dog will start to feel more energetic quite quickly – usually within one to two weeks or even less.

It’s frustrating to pay good money for a product, only to remain unsatisfied. Well, the makers of Arthro-IonX™ offer a guarantee that Arthro-IonX™ will work on the cellular level to help your dog in his recovery.

So what exactly does this product do?

Well, Arthro-IonX™:

1. Supports increased cellular permeability.

This allows the nutrients your dog needs to be easily absorbed and used by his cells. What does this mean for your dog? Better nutrition and better overall health. For you, this means a better value for the money you spend on your dog’s food, as each nutrient will be more effectively absorbed and used in your dog’s body.

2. Promotes the formation of RNA and DNA.

This helps your dog’s cells regenerate more effectively, contributing to their genetic stability and health. Cell regeneration is essential for your dog’s healing process.

With Arthro-IonX™, your dog will feel healthy enough to face those insurmountable odds.

3. Increases enzymatic activity.

By stimulating the natural enzymes in your dog’s body, cellular health can be vastly enhanced.

4. Detoxifies cells.

Your dog’s everyday exposure to toxins can cause a buildup of heavy metals, chemicals, poisons, and other substances in your dog’s cells. Our base formula, which is present in all our products, absorbs and neutralizes these toxins.
Provides the strongest organic electrolyte available.

The oligotherapeutic complex in Arthro-IonX™ provides your dog with a highly effective natural electrolyte that supports cellular resistance to injury, illness, exertion, and malnourishment. This supports your dog’s recovery, healing, and health, restoring your pet’s balance.

Oligotherapy revolves around the idea that your mental, physical, and emotional health are intertwined. oligotherapeutic products undergo several procedures to become imprinted with vibrational energy which has been shown to support overall healthy living. It’s a relatively new science that is speedily gaining popularity, so don’t dismiss it as hocus pocus, because it really does work.

5. Promotes increased oxygen.

Arthro-IonX™ provides vital oxygen to your dog’s cells and promotes increased oxygen consumption of tissues. Natural polyphenols are present to act as catalysts for respiration. This will promote your dog’s overall health and well-being.

So what are you waiting for? If your dog has joint or muscle pain, hip dysplasia, reduced mobility, reduced flexibility or even reduced energy, Arthro-IonX™ may help.

Order yours here: Arthro-Ionx™ Healthy Joint Support for Dogs – Click Here!

Some vets advocate aspirin for dog arthritis and other joint-related conditions – specifically a canine formulated type of pain relief and NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) usually called Rimadyl or Carprofen.  Don’t ever use aspirin for dog arthritis in any form.  Rimadyl has caused dog deaths and numerous serious complications.  Of course, you must always discuss all your concerns with your vet, but if it’s possible to treat your dog by natural means that work, isn’t that preferable to giving him drugs?

So if you’re wanting to try the natural alternative, Arthro-IonX™ , click here.

I have just posted the story of my Rottweiler, Kara, now aged 14, and her brush with death earlier this year when she suffered from GDV – Gastric Dilitation Volvulus.  Read that story here.

A large number of pet owners (probably a large majority, actually) have no idea about this life threatening condition.

And sadly, by the time some pet owners learn about it, it is too late, and they have lost their dog to GDV.

So what causes GDV, and what is this condition exactly?

So what are the risk factors for GDV?

What should you do if you see symptoms in your dog suggestive of GDV?

What exactly is GDV, and what causes it?

Gastric Dilitation and Volvulus basically means stomach dilation (also often called “Bloat”), and a twisting of the stomach – this twisting causes the ends of the stomach to be closed off from the openings leading in from the esophagus and out to the intestines.

Gastric Dilitation on its own is not a serious condition, but it is the Volvulus – the twisting that makes this condition life threatening.

If the stomach twists far enough, the spleen and major blood vessels in the area twist as well. It is the twisted blood vessels that cause a loss of blood flow (ischemia) to the stomach and other abdominal organs which can cause considerable tissue damage, and ultimately necrosis (tissue death).

If the blood flow is simply allowed to return, the damaged cellular material from the traumatized tissues is released into the blood and can be harmful to other organs, which can be a cause of death during or immediately following surgery.  When the blood supply in the abdomen’s major arteries is cut off, blood flow to the heart and cardiac output decrease, leading to low blood pressure.  This can also be a cause of death during or after surgery.

Risk Factors:

Large chested dogs are more prone to GDV than smaller dogs.  In particular, if you have a German Shepherd or Great Dane, or any large breed of dog, you should be more concerned about the condition than if you have a small dog (although they are not immune from suffering GDV).

Feeding once per day.

Drinking a large amount of water after eating.

Exercising after eating.

Rolling on back after eating.

What should you do if you see symptoms in your dog suggestive of GDV?

If your dog has any of the following symptoms (and particularly if there are several of these symptoms in combination:

- Retching (unproductive vomiting)

- Disorientation

- Abdomen feels hard

- Abdomen looks swollen

- Excessive panting

- Unexplained lethargy

- Restlessness

- Excessive salivation

- Pale gums

call your vet immediately.  Do not delay for a moment.  Every minute can count.  Dogs who suffer this condition can die in hours, sometimes less.  And by the time you notice any symptoms, the condition can be well advanced.

If your veterinary surgery is closed, call the emergency vet, or take your dog to the emergency pet hospital in your area, but do not do nothing.

This is an emergency.  In fact, many vetinerary commentators refer to it as the mother of all emergencies.

Important Notes:

Please note that this is not to be construed as medical advice whatsoever.  It is an account of my personal experience with a dog with GDV, and a summary of the information I have subsequently learned about the condition.

While I often advocate making informed decisions after conferring with your vet, but not necessarily following every piece of advice your vet gives you unquestioningly, in this particular instance, it is life threatening for your dog to do anything but take your dog to your vet immediately.

Do NOT delay – I just can’t stress that enough.  I so nearly lost my beautiful Kara, simply because I thought she was affected by the heat that day, and nothing more, when it was oh, so much more serious than that.

Should you be using Advantage flea control, Frontline flea and tick control, and other well known chemical flea control agents to get rid of fleas in your dog?

I have maintained for several years that the clear answer is NO. 

The problem of how to get rid of fleas is an ever present one for most pet owners, but in most cases, there are many steps you can take to prevent fleas, and even to get rid of them if they do occur, without needing to resort to these chemicals poisons.

I have just come across a great, informative article on the dangers of these chemical flea treatments – it was an article that appeared in The Whole Dog Journal back in 2002 (just before I started reading that publication, in fact).  You can read the article here – http://www.apnm.org/publications/resources/fleachemfin.pdf

It says what I have been saying all along, but backs it up with scientific evidence, laboratory studies, information on how these products work, what EXACTLY they contain, and what health problems they do actually cause.

 I couldn’t possibly do justice to the information in the article here, which is why I’ve given you the link where you can read the entire article at your leisure. 

But suffice to say:

1.  While products such as Frontline flea and tick, and Advantage flea control may be effective in getting rid of fleas, there is a cost – a cost to your dog’s health.

2.  Adverse skin reactions to the application of these topical treatments, while they can be severe, are probably the least of the concerns.

3.  It is established that these chemical flea preparations can cause such diverse side effects as chronic itching, depression, lethargy, liver toxicity, lung tumors and other cancers and autoimmune disease.

4.  Dogs who already suffer from conditions involving their liver, kidneys, thyroid, adrenal gland, spleen, lung or brain, are eminently more likely to develop serious chronic illness as a result of the use of chemical flea preparations.

5.  Although animals in good health may not show any adverse signs from the use of chemical flea treatments, the toxity will inevitably build up and over time, although you may not connect certain conditions with the use of these flea treatments, the connection can be scientifically established as being a very likely cause.

6. Contrary to what your vet may tell you, and the advertising for these products would have us believe, there is no doubt that these pesticides do enter your dog’s internal organs, do move into their intestinal tracts, and are eventually eliminated in your dog’s urine and feces.  All of these products have neurotoxic effects on your dog.

So there you have it.  I really encourage you to go read the article – http://www.apnm.org/publications/resources/fleachemfin.pdf. 

It’s an eye opener for anyone who doubts that these chemicals are causing long term damage to our dogs.

And if you’re wondering how to get rid of fleas and how to prevent them in the first place withOUT using chemicals, click here.

Is your puppy having urination problems such as excessive urination, lethargy, pain while urinating, producing small amounts of urine, smelly urine, or worse, bloody urine or producing no urine at all? The urinating problem of your puppy may be caused by puppy urinary infections.

Puppy urinary infections can cause a lot of discomfort to the pet. Likewise, these conditions can cause headaches to the owners. Since puppies with infections go through so much pain, owners have all the right in the world to worry and fret. If you have a puppy and it is exhibiting the above-mentioned symptoms, you would likely panic and give the puppy treatment which you think is best to help alleviate his condition. However, before you give your puppy any treatment, remember that anything you give without prescription from a professional may only aggravate the condition of your puppy. Hence, instead of attempting to heal the puppy’s discomfort yourself, seek the help of the vet. Proper diagnosis will help determine the right treatment.

The vet will likely perform physical examination and urinalysis to determine the cause of the puppy’s urination problems. If bacteria are the culprit, the vet will likely prescribe antibiotics especially when the condition has reached its advanced stage, posing a great threat to the puppy. However, antibiotics can only suppress the growth and action of bacteria; they cannot kill bacteria outright. Hence, there is always a possibility of recurrence of infection.

To prevent the recurrence of puppy urinary infections, try changing your puppy’s diet. If he was into dry puppy food, give him wet puppy food instead. Especially avoid giving your puppy grain-based foods as these kinds of food are thought to cause imbalance in the pH level of the puppy’s urine, leading to the recurrence of puppy urinary infection. Moreover, make sure that your puppy is getting enough clean water inside its system. Increased water intake can help flush out the bacteria and toxins that may have infiltrated and accumulated in the puppy’s urinary system. However, do not just give it ANY kind of water. Tap water is a no-no for a puppy with urinary infection because it may contain harsh contaminants and bacteria that may only aggravate the puppy’s condition. Give it filtered water, instead.

Homeopathic remedies are also a good option. Aside from being affordable, homeopathic remedies have been proven to be effective in treating and preventing puppy urinary infections. This holistic mode of treatment and prevention is safe, too, so you do not have to worry about dangerous side effects and over doses. Uva ursi, cantharis, and berberis vulgaris are among the known homeopathic ingredients. Homeopathic remedies can be bought over-the-counter and in online stores at a conveniently fair price.

Homeopathic remedies are, however, quite different from home-made or do-it-yourself treatment. Do not attempt to concoct your own formula to treat puppy urinary infections. A slight mistake in the dose or mixture may create more damage than good. It is wiser to use a formula that has already been proven effective and safe.

Now that you have read the whole article, perhaps you now have an idea on how to treat puppy urinary infections. Take these pointers in mind and help your puppy achieve overall good health.

- Melissa Simmonds

Melissa Simmonds is a dog enthusiast, much like me! She tells me she has carried out an informal study on dogs and puppies and has browsed related topics on puppy urinary infections. If you are looking for more information on puppy urinary infection and general puppy health, visit the most comprehensive resource online – yes, it’s HealthierDogs.com!

But meanwhile, head on over to that online store for homeopathic remedies, and check out the homeopathic puppy urinary infection prevention remedy – click here.

1. My pet has dirty ears that have an odor, should I be concerned?

This sounds to me like an ear infection is a possibility. Some dogs will produce excess wax and oil that might cause some odor without an infection being present. I recommend you have your veterinarian examine your pet’s ear to be sure. The veterinarian will use an otoscope to look deep into the ear for signs of inflammation and infection. I tell my clients they should not clean their pet’s ears before seeing their veterinarian. What actually happens is you remove much of the evidence needed for a proper diagnosis.

2. What are some signs of an ear infection?

Unlike people, pets can’t tell us when they hurt; we have to rely on other signs to let us know if a problem exists. So it is up to us to be on guard and know the common warning signs of pet ear inflammation. If you see any of the following signs, your pet may have an ear infection and should be taken to your veterinarian right away:

• Shaking of the head or scratching at the ears
• Discharge from the ears, especially if it is moist
• Abundance of wax in the ears
• Odor from the ears
• Red or painful ears
• Swollen ears
• Head tilt
• Problems with balance

3. How are a pet’s ears different from our own?

First is the range of hearing. Humans hear noise between 20–20,000Hz (cycles per second) while dogs hear in the range of 40-40,000Hz, nearly twice that of humans. This is the reason that dogs can easily hear the sound of a silent dog whistle, while most of us people can either barely hear it or not hear it at all. Second, pets have a much longer “L” shaped ear canal. It is this difference in anatomy that makes pets so much more prone to outer ear infections because it traps moisture and debris providing food and housing for bacteria and yeast. That’s why keeping a pet’s ears clean is especially important.

4. What is the best and safest way to clean my pet’s ears?

Fold the earflap back far enough so that you can see the opening of the ear canal. Then fill the canal with ear cleaner. After the ear is full of cleaner, gently massage the cartilage of the ear canal, which can be easily felt running from the opening down to the eardrum. This massaging loosens debris, allowing it to be dissolved or float to the top. Next, use a cotton ball to sponge away any fluid and wax. If you have used a gentle ear cleaner like Oxyfresh Pet Ear Cleaner there is no need to worry about any fluid left in the ear. A quick shake of the head will take care of that.

5. What should I be looking for in a good pet ear cleaner?

A good ear cleaner should do two things: Efficiently clean the ear and cause no harm. Many companies will put a significant amount of alcohol in their cleaner to help dissolve these waxes and oils because it is inexpensive and it disperses oils. The downside to using alcohol is that it can damage otherwise healthy skin that lines the ear canal. Many ear cleaners will use a surfactant such as docusate sodium that helps pull water into oils and waxes or contain glycerin to soften debris. The disadvantage to these choices is that they are slow acting, need significant contact time to work and tend to leave a coating behind. Oxyfresh Ear Cleaner contains no alcohol or harsh chemicals of any sort and uses a natural base with good penetrating and mild foaming action to rapidly break up wax and cellular debris. It is effective at rapidly and comfortably removing oils, waxes and organic debris while the proprietary ingredient Oxygene® eliminates odors leaving your pet with a clean, comfortable fresh ear. It is simply the best all-around pet ear cleaner I have ever used.

Click here for more information on keeping your pet’s ears clean, naturally.

- Article by Boyd Harrell, DVM

Canine incontinence is one of the many problems that owners face with their dogs. In some instances, owners may think that this is a behavioral problem in dogs. This may be true in some dogs but canine urine incontinence is often caused by an underlying medical problem. If this is the case, then your dog may need veterinary attention. 

Canine incontinence can cause your dog urinate in inappropriate areas of the house and also to dribble urine without being able to control it.  Dog incontinence can be as frustrating for pet owners as it is uncomfortable for dogs.

There are no simple solutions in conventional veterinary medicine for dog urinary problems like incontinence.  First you need to find out what the underlying cause of your dog’s incontinence is by taking your dog in to the vet for an appropriate diagnosis.

Canine incontinence can be caused by a tumor, birth defect, spinal cord or brain disease, urinary infection, bladder stones, and of course, also by old age.  In some cases, such as with a birth defect or tumor, the incontinence may need to be corrected with surgery. There are cases where surgery is in fact the only option.

If bladder stones, a loosened sphincter due to old age, or a bacterial infection are the cause of your dog’s incontinence, your vet will probably prescribe medication.  You should be careful about giving your dog medication because all medication can have potential side effects, and in addition, many medications can significantly interfere with the immune system, especially if given over a prolonged period of time.

For improving, and even curing, canine incontinence without putting your dog’s health at risk, natural treatments are a viable option.  Perhaps you may believe that natural treatments are ineffective or that they are some kind of hocus pocus, but studies have shown that they can actually be very helpful. This is so particularly because they are utilised in the context of a holistic approach to health.

When it comes to canine incontinence, options in conventional treatment are fairly limited and their effectiveness is questionable, as dog urinary problems frequently recur, requiring yet another round of treatment.  The best way to cure your dog’s incontinence is by addressing all of the problem areas of his health through natural means, as some other health problem could also be contributing to his incontinence.

To treat and prevent urinary problems in dogs and promote optimal health, you should give your dog plenty of fresh, filtered water to drink, a diet of raw and unprocessed foods.  A homeopathic supplement can also assist.

Homeopathic remedies can be very effective in treating canine incontinence because they contain natural tonics that are effective in strengthening and maintaining a healthy bladder and urinary tract. 

Homeopathic remedies can actually help strengthen your dog’s immune system after a reasonable period of use.  So with a healthy bladder and urinary tract, and a healthy immune system, your dog is more protected against the occurrence or recurrence of  incontinence that may be due to an infection.

Homeopathy operates on the principle of “like treats like.”  A substance that is known to cause the symptoms urinary problems in a healthy dog can actually heal urinary problems in dogs when given in small doses. And homeopathy is not like vaccination.  Vaccinations actually give a dose of the disease itself.  Homeopathy gives a dose of a known trigger for a disease or illness.  And the dose is miniscule, so it has no potential to actually bring on the disease, rather it works by triggering the healing process.

For urinary problems in your dog, look for a homeopathic remedy that contains cantharis and uva ursi. Cantharis maintains a healthy urine flow and soothes the bladder while uva ursi maintains normal pH levels of the urinary tract and is known as a urinary tonic.

If you have ever wondered what to do for urinary incontinence in dogs - your next step? 

Take this information and use it as a guide to help you find a homeopathic remedy to cure your dog’s incontinence.  Homeopathy is very effective in getting rid of the symptoms of incontinence in dogs and getting to the root of its cause so your dog can heal permanently.

For more information on treating and preventing canine incontinence with homeopathic remedies, click here.

Along with regular grooming and bathing, keeping your pet’s ears clean is a vital part of ensuring your pet is healthy and happy. Checking your pet’s ears at least once a week will make certain that they are kept healthy and that any infections that develop are quickly detected. Dirt and wax buildup in your pet’s outer ear and ear canal can cause infections, hearing loss, and discomfort. Dirty, excessive wax is also a haven for ear mites which will require a visit to your veterinarian to eradicate.

A pet’s ear is supposed to be pale pink in color and free of any foul smells. It’s Ok to carefully remove wax and dirt buildup occasionally with an ear cleaning solution. Build-up can easily occur without you being aware of it, and your first sign of a problem may not become evident until your pet has difficulty hearing your call or displays excessive scratching or rubbing around the ears. Pre-emptive, routine measures such as using an alcohol-free ear cleaner is the best way to make sure your pet’s ears are healthy.

Oxyfresh’s Pet Ear Cleaner gently loosens dirt and wax from your pet’s ear with a unique Oxygene® bacteria-neutralizing solution that’s soothing, safe, deodorizing and alcohol free. Your pet will love you for it! Routine cleaning will ensure that your pet’s ears are healthy –and avoid expensive visits to the veterinarian.

Recommended Use: Put 10 to 15 drops into each ear and massage the ears at the base. Let your pet shake its head, then wipe the remaining debris from the inside of the ear. You may repeat this procedure daily or weekly until no more debris is found. Use as needed.

Click here for more information on keeping your pet’s ears clean, naturally.

Dog urinary tract infections are common among nearly 15 per cent of the dog population worldwide. The main culprits behind dog urinary problems are often various bacteria that can infiltrate your dog’s body. Bacteria enter your dog’s internal system through the food s/he eats and the water s/he drinks everyday. In some instances, bacteria gain access to your dog’s urinary system through his/her external urinary openings. This is most common in female dogs because they have shorter urethra than their male counterparts, making it easier for bacteria to penetrate.

Dog urinary tract infections occur in the bladder and urinary tract where urine forms and is excreted out of the body. A mild case of infection is not easy to detect. That is why in most cases, dogs are treated only when the infection is already on its advanced stages.

There are two classifications of urinary tract infections in dogs. One is upper urinary tract infection and the other is lower urinary tract infection. These two kinds of dog urinary problems produce different signs and symptoms. Upper urinary tract infection is usually associated with weight loss, anorexia, and vomiting. On the other hand, lower urinary tract infection is associated mostly with abnormalities and incontinence or a change in the dog’s urinating pattern.

The most effective way to tell if your dog is suffering from a urinary tract infection is to observe your dog’s urinating habits. Check if your dog has enough urine every time he urinates.  If you notice that your dog has to make several attempts before he can excrete urine from his body, the chances are your dog is suffering from urinary problems. A worst scenario is your dog not being able to urinate at all. In this instance, you have to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately as he may already be suffering from a serious case of bladder problem.

Another way to tell if your dog is showing signs of dog urinary problems in their early stages is to observe your dog while taking him out for a walk. Any sign of irregularity, such as cringing in pain, may be a sign that your dog has urinary problems. Foul-smelling urine, blood in the urine, tender bladder, and a reduction of the amount of the dog’s urine are signs that you should bring your dog to the veterinarian immediately. If left untreated, your dog could suffer from a more severe case of infection and eventually die.

Although dogs are bound to suffer from urinary problems in any given time of their life, it is still important that owners know how to at least minimize the possibilities of their dog contracting such a disease. Some of the ways to prevent this from happening are the following: giving your dog plenty of clean water to drink everyday, giving your dog a regular bath and shampoo, giving your dog proper nutrition and diet, bringing your dog to the vet regularly for check-ups, and giving your dog citrus juices and other sources of vitamin C.

Clean water is essential as it helps flush out unwanted organisms and bacteria from the dog’s body. Proper nutrition and diet also helps to keep your dog healthy. Bringing your dog to the vet for regular check-ups helps to determine early signs of dog urinary problems and thus minimize the chances for bacteria to cause greater harm to your dog’s internal system. Citrus juices lessen the presence of bacteria by making your dog’s urine acidic. Vitamin C helps to keep your dog in top shape by strengthening his immune system.

Dog urinary tract infections are life threatening for dogs. However, they are highly curable. The most important thing is that as a dog owner, you are able to suppress the growth of the infection by knowing its different signs and symptoms.

This can be achieved with a natural dog UTI remedy. These natural remedies can do wonders for canine UTIs.

Click here for more information.

Dogs can have urinary problems just as people can.  Some common issues faced by dogs include urinary incontinence along with canine bladder and urinary tract infections.

Does Your Dog Have a Weak Bladder?

How do you know whether your dog has a weak bladder?  Urinary incontinence in dogs commonly occurs in female dogs, especially if your dog has been spayed.  If your dog has this problem, you may notice urine dribbling out when your dog is lying still or when she gets up from a prone position.  You could also notice a strong smell of urine around your dog and notice wet fur on her rear end.  These are almost sure signs of some kind of dog urinary problem.

As your dog gets older, the problem can start, or if already present, it can increase.  Male dogs are also likely to develop the problem as he ages as well.

Your dog may not even seem to notice the problem.  But you may well notice it!

Canine urinary incontinence is sometimes treated with hormones or drugs that tighten the muscles in the urethral sphincter.  Such prescription drugs have side effects, though.  Hormone treatments can also suppress the immune system, and other types of drugs commonly used for urinary problems can affect your dog’s heart or cause hypertension, restlessness and severe weight loss or appetite loss.

Bladder Infections and Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

Have you ever suffered from a bladder infection? If you know this condition as cystitis and have suffered from it, you will certainly sympathize with your dog.  You will definitely know how painful and uncomfortable such a bladder infection or urinary tract infection can be.  Some people describe a terrible burning feeling, while others describe the feeling as akin to passing out broken glass.  Ouch!

Bladder infections can occur in dogs of any age, and although they are are much more common in cats, many dogs are also afflicted.  As mentioned, female spayed dogs tend to develop more bladder infections.  Recurring infections often occur in certain breeds, including Poodles, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds, especially middle aged to senior German Shepherds.

Bladder infections are often treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.  These treatments will curb the infection, but antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria as well as the harmful bacteria that may have caused the bladder infection in your dog.  While antibiotics may well treat the symptoms and bring those symptoms under control, they fail to address the root causes of the problem.

Another point about these types of drugs, is that if your dog is being treated with antibiotics or corticosteroids for any other condition, you need to be aware that these medications can actually predispose your dog to bladder infections.

Natural Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

The herbal and homeopathic remedies that humans have used with a great deal of success for several centuries can also work just as well on dogs as they do on humans.  Herbal and homeopathic remedies are particularly effective in treating both the symptoms AND the cause of UTIs in dogs.  These natural remedies are safe, effective and affordable, and do not have the side effects and possible health complications that conventional medicines are prone to have.

Two well known herbs that have antiseptic and antibacterial properties that are excellent in the treatment of urinary tract infections are Bearberry and Barberry.  These two herbs also reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system at the same time.

Cantharis and Staphysagris are homeopathic remedies that can provide excellent symptomatic relief for many urinary problems such as cystitis.

All natural solutions need to be appropriately prepared according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia.  It is therefore very important to purchase remedies only from reliable homeopathic manufacturers.  One company that is well-known for the quality of both their herbal and homeopathic products is Native Remedies, as all their products are carefully formulated and prepared in registered facilities.  And all products are backed by a twelve month money-back guarantee, and their prices are reasonable. – Click Here for more info!

So if your dog has problems with urinary incontinence, recurrent bladder infection or UTIs, or if your dog has had a urinary tract blockage, you need to learn more about these conditions.  Be sure to read the testimonials written by other pet owners.  Your dog will thank you for it.

Click Here for more information.

Heartworm

Let us define first the word “worms”. When you ask an ordinary individual their usual response is “long, wriggly, slimy creatures” while a dictionary type definition is that, “the word worms applies to a great variety of long, slender and limbless animals”. To a zoologist however, it is applied particularly to three distinct groups (phyla) of animals/parasites; the flatworms (plathyhelminths), the segmented worms (annelids), and the roundworms (nematodes). These groups are found in almost all parts of the world. Some of them burrow in the earth, others crawl along the ground, and still others swim in the water.

The roundworms or nematodes do not have cilia, a hair-like projection, nor are they segmented. They are considered a richly varied and highly successful group, consisting of enormous numbers of small worms that occupy essentially every habitat in which multicellular organisms can survive-terrestrial, marine, and freshwater. However, roundworms are best known in the parasitic realm. A number of these are parasitic on humans and animals, some attack plants. Insects as well as other invertebrates are also heavily parasitized.

Dogs, cats, poultry, cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, and goats are some examples of domestic animals that are also invaded by these parasitic roundworms. Heartworm, a potentially deadly disease of  dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals, such as ferrets, sea lions and even humans is caused by a roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes, so heartworm prevention is particularly important for pets wherever mosquitoes are at all prevalent. The heartworm is a type of filaria, a small thread-like worm. The heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, lives as an adult in one chamber of a dog’s heart – usually the right atrium – where it can live for many years, or in the arteries that lead from the heart to the lungs. Infection may result in serious disease for the host and when untreated may die.

Stages of Canine Heartworm

Heartworms go through several life stages before they become adult infecting the heart of host animals. In order to complete their life cycle, they use mosquito as their intermediate host. Immature worms, or microfilariae, then circulate for a number of years in mosquitoes’ bloodstream while transforming into the next stage of their life cycle. The microfilariae then undergo a series of molts until they reach the infective or third larval stage and migrate to the salivary glands of the bloodsucking mosquito where they wait to infect another host, typically dogs.

The disease is usually asymptomatic during the first six months of infection. Infected animals will show minimal or no sign of infection at all even after the heartworms have matured. There is only light infection and the animals can live a fairly sedentary lifestyle without showing signs of infestation. However those that are severely affected shows signs of exhaustion upon exercise, severe weight loss, fainting, coughing up blood and congestive heart failure. In some instances migrating worms end in unusual sites such as eye, brain, or in an artery in the leg which may result in blindness, seizures, and lameness. 

Heartworm Treatment for Dogs

The best defense against heartworm disease is the use of prophylactic treatment given monthly. But before the worms can be treated once they are established, the infected host must be evaluated first for heart, liver, and kidney function to assess the risks of treatment. Prevention of heartworm infection can be obtained through a various numbers of veterinary drugs. Heartgard is a veterinary drug manufactured for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs and cats. It is one of the most commonly prescribed heartworm prophylaxes. Heartgard contains Ivermectin as its active ingredient; it eliminates heartworm by destroying the tissue stage of the worm and blocking its development to its contagious disease. However, it can make your dog pretty sick while treating him/her.  Because the dog is already sick from the heartworms, not all dogs survive the treatment.

Heartworm Pills – No Prescription

Heartworm preventative drugs are highly effective however the monthly preventives all have a reasonable margin for error. Adult heartworms do not die off completely until some 18 months of treatment have elapsed, if heartworms are already present. Nevertheless, conventional and other methods of heartworm prevention are often assumed to be the most effective. From time to time various homeopathic, natural or herbal heartworm products are touted as cures or preventives from heartworm disease, and there is a large body of anecdotal evidence that they can be effective.

Of course, the most suitable and cost-effective heartworm prevention is to eliminate all mosquito species in your area, but this is rarely possible,
 
Unfortunately, heartworm is usually neglected by the public because humans are rarely affected with this disease. However respiratory disease is the prodromal sign of humans infected with heartworm. The worm does live for very long upon reaching the human lung, typically being  absorbed, and therefore killed, by a nodule, called as granuloma. This may well be the reason why humans are atypically infected. It is still beneficial however to inform and educate the public about this particular phenomenon.

If your dog has heartworm, click here for information on a natural heartworm treatment that can kill off heartworm withOUT the need for the chemical Ivermectin products.

However, you should NEVER disregard the advice of your vet.  Discuss alternative heartworm treatments with your vet, and express your preference by all means, but do listen to your vet and take into account whatever he or she has to say*.  Also take into account what your research on the subject has disclosed about alternative treatments.  And make your decision based on all the facts.

* (bear in mind that many vets are not open to alternative treatments of any type)

This article researched and written by Adriene Conde.

Author: Kim Marie Labak

An archive of Pet Columns from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is available online at www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns.

Part of maintaining oral health is monitoring our pet’s mouth for abnormal growth and tumors. Oral tumors are not easily detected by pet owners since they are inside the mouth and since pets can’t tell you when they have discomfort in their mouth.

During a pet’s annual health wellness examination, a veterinarian performs an oral and dental examination, but in the time between visits, regular home dental care can help an owner identify oral and dental diseases, including oral tumors.

According to Dr. Bill Krug, veterinary dental and oral surgery resident at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, oral tumors can range from benign overgrowth of gum tissue to rapidly growing, malignant forms of cancer.

In a condition called gingival hyperplasia in dogs, the gums overgrow around the teeth. This can interfere with chewing and eating, and can predispose the teeth to infection. Dogs can also get benign tumors of the periodontal ligament which holds a tooth place. These tumors usually appear as a lump around a tooth, at the gumline.

Other tumors of the periodontal ligament are technically benign in that they don’t metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body, “but these can be locally invasive if left untreated,” explains Krug. “They can invade soft tissue and bone, push teeth out of place and lead to serious complications, such as the loss of the jaw bone, jaw fractures, and an inability to eat.”

“Even though benign oral tumors can’t spread to other parts of body like malignant tumors, they can impinge on quality of life by interfering with eating and other normal oral activities, such as chewing and playing.”

For these benign conditions, surgical removal of the abnormal tissue can prevent serious complications.

Three types of malignant tumors are most commonly seen in dogs. Squamous cell carcinomas and fibrosarcomas are relatively slow to grow and spread, so early detection and surgical removal can potentially eliminate the risk of metastasis.

Melanomas, although benign when on external, haired skin of dogs, are malignant when in the mouth. Malignant melanomas grow quickly and can spread rapidly to the lungs and lymph nodes. They also can be surgically removed, and chemotherapy or radiation therapy can be used to slow the development of this cancer in other parts of the body.

In cats, the most common oral tumor is the squamous cell carcinoma. To be controlled, these tumors have to be caught very early since cats’ mouth and jaws are so small that surgical resection can quickly become unfeasable.

Dr. Krug points out that surgical removal of tumors does not affect pets as drastically as humans. “Animals are not concerned about impairing their speech or facial appearance, so loss of some teeth or even part of the jaw may not be a big ordeal for a pet. In fact, after these surgeries, most owners are usually happy about their pet’s appearance once the hair regrows.”

Animals may take time to adjust to eating after surgery, but often do well if much of their discomfort is relieved.

Krug also points out that chemotherapy and radiation therapy for malignant tumors is used less aggressively in animals than in humans. “Our goal with these therapies is different than in human medicine; we are not aiming to completely cure the cancer, but to improve the quality of the animal’s life.”

“Early detection is key,” says Krug, and oral tumors are just one more reason to start a home dental care regiment for your pet that includes examination of the mouth. “Even if you can’t brush the teeth,” says Krug, “just looking inside the mouth regularly can help detect oral tumors.”

If your pet won’t let you brush its teeth, you can still sneak a peek inside its mouth while petting or playing; a pet may open its mouth when you pet its face or dangle a toy.  Getting familiar with the normal appearance of the gums and skin in the mouth will help you identify abnormalities along the gumline, under the tongue, on the roof of the mouth, and back toward the throat and tonsils.

Other signs that an animal may have an abnormal growth in the mouth include a foul odor from the mouth, trouble chewing, excessive salivation, coughing, and vomiting, but examining the mouth regularly can usually catch a tumor before these signs appear.

For more information on oral tumors and home dental care for your pet, consult your veterinarian.

And for information on keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy so you can avoid tumors and other oral health problems before they start, click here for dog teeth cleaning the easy way!

Yes, it really is possible to keep your dog’s teeth and gums in tip top condition all the time, just by adding a supplement to your dog’s drinking water. -Dog Dental Care and  Dog Dental Health – Click Here.

As if your teenager complaining about a pimple is not enough, now your beloved pooch is rubbing his face across your carpet. Upon closer examination, you find that the two teenagers (the adolescent dog and human) are both suffering from the same thing: acne. There are certain breeds of dogs that are susceptible to the skin problem. Normally, the acne is more bothersome than anything, but sometimes treatment is necessary. Once your veterinarian confirms the presence of acne, you can find products to help your dog have clear skin.

There are a handful of breeds that seem to develop acne more than others. Why these breeds are more susceptible to the skin problem is still unknown. These normally short-haired breeds include Rottweilers, Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, English Bulldogs, and Boxers. In most cases, acne develops during the pup’s teenage years. Adolescence for a pooch occurs between six and eighteen months of age. Acne also develops during this time; although, the development of acne normally occurs between five and eight months of age. As with humans, many dogs grow out of the skin condition; as they get older, the acne subsides. Some dogs, on the other hand, experience a lifelong fight with acne, and never outgrow the bothersome skin problem.

You may be wondering how a dog can get acne. The causes of acne are still being researched. Many experts attribute it to food allergies, chemical allergies (plastic food bowls have been known to irritate the skin), or other skin problems. The way a pooch develops acne is very similar to how humans develop it. Pieces, or plugs, of sebum and keratin obstruct the hair follicles. Sebum is a substance that makes the hair oily, providing defense against bacteria. Keratin is a protein that makes up the hair and nails. When these two substances block the hair follicle, a blackhead occurs. These blackheads are most noticeable around the dog’s mouth, chin, and muzzle. Sometimes, the blockage may have a closer resemblance to a red pimple instead of a blackhead.

Blackheads are normally not a problem unless they rupture and cause a secondary bacterial infection. If the dog appears to be uncomfortable and is constantly trying to scratch the area where the blackheads are located, then an infection may be developing. In cases like this, the dog needs to visit the veterinarian to get an antibiotic prescription. The antibiotic can fight against the infection.

If your pet has acne, then you may want to seek the help of a veterinarian even if rupturing hasn’t occurred. The vet can often diagnose the problem by observing the skin, but sometimes a biopsy will be required. From the biopsy, the vet can determine if the dog is suffering from acne or from another skin problem. A visit to the vet can also rule out other causes, including allergies. In extreme cases, an acne medication may be prescribed to clear the problem. As mentioned before, if an infection is present, the vet will prescribe an antibiotic to clear the bacteria. The vet may also prescribe a topical treatment or steroid injection to reduce the itching and swelling caused by scabs.

At home, there are products you can use to help rid your pooch of acne. But, if the acne isn’t bothersome to your dog, then rethink at-home treatment. The products you use may irritate the dog’s skin, causing an itchier problem for your pet. Ask your veterinarian for specific acne products. More than likely, he will suggest a shampoo or cleaning agent that contains benzoyl peroxide. The frequency in which you use the product should also be outlined by your veterinarian

Poor teenagers; both humans and dogs suffer from dreaded acne. Lucky for dogs, the presence of the acne is not too bothersome, unless infection occurs. If your pet seems to be suffering from the condition, then take him to the veterinarian. The vet can rule out any other causes, and get your pet started on a treatment regime. If infection is present, your pooch may have to take antibiotics for several weeks. In most cases, the acne is not serious and your dog won’t even know it’s there. However, you may choose to treat the acne with products prescribed by your veterinarian.

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring this months dog car seats and dog houses.

Does Your Pet Suffer from Frequent Urinary Tract Infections?

When it comes to your pet’s health, natural remedies are usually a good place to start.

The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, two sphincter muscles and a urethra. These organs, tubes and muscles filter out excess fluids and waste products from the bloodstream, which is then expelled as urine.

Correctly formulated herbal remedies can support balance and harmony in the bladder and urinary tract – and are safe for dogs and cats.

Natural remedy to promote urinary health and integrity - all without side effects!

UTI-Free:

Read what others experienced when they used UTI-Free for their pets!

“I found your product online and thought to give it a try. I am happy to report (my cat) Blue has (responded well) since taking your UTI-Free for pets. I just ordered another bottle. Thank you on behalf of our …comfortable, happy cat. And by the way, if you have a pet like ours that will not let you sprinkle the product directly on their tongue as suggested, we mix each of Blue’s doses in one tablespoon of wet food and it worked like a charm. Thanks again!”

—Ann, FL USA

What is UTI-Free?

UTI-Free is a selected combination of herbal and homeopathic ingredients specially formulated to safely and effectively promote harmony, health and balance in the bladder and urinary tract. The remedy is easy to administer to pets without any fuss.

Guaranteeing quality, effectiveness & safety

Pets Alive Remedies use a superior set of standards and processes when creating all of their natural products. They combine high-quality raw ingredients, that are laboratory-tested, with good manufacturing practices.

Their Full Spectrum Approach uses the Whole Spectrum manufacturing method to guarantee that their products are of the highest quality, safety and effectiveness.

UTI-Free contains no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by a One-Year Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

UTI-Free

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Does UTI-Free really work?

Both customer testimonials and an extremely high reorder rate indicate that UTI-Free is very effective. In fact, it has literally been sold to thousands of customers in virtually every country around the world with tremendous success!

How long has UTI-Free been on the market?

UTI-Free was created by our Clinical Psychologist – in conjunction with our expert team of homeopaths and naturopaths – who has been providing them to her clients, with great success, for more than ten years.

“Your UTI-Free and Digestive Support herbal medicines have really helped my dog.”

“Thank you so much for making your wonderful products. Your UTI-Free and Digestive Support herbal medicines have really helped my dog. Now she can get back to doing what she does best, playing and barking! Again, thank you so very much!!”

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Herbal and homeopathic remedies can play an important role in promoting the health and balance of your dog’s urinary tract and a holistic approach is the best way of contributing towards your pet’s general health.

In the wild, animals instinctively seek out plants that will help to support health in various body systems. It therefore makes sense that as owners, we can help our domestic pets by making herbal and other natural supplements available to them.

How can UTI-Free help your pet?

Use UTI-Free to:

• Naturally soothe and support the bladder and urinary tract
• Maintain urinary tract and bladder health
• Support the healthy flow of urine
• Promote immune system functioning to keep pets healthy and free of infection

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Your Price: $34.95

Does this sound too good to be true?

It isn’t… We can prove it!

Pets Alive Remedies are so certain that you will be completely satisfied with their UTI-Free that they offer a One-Year unconditional money-back guarantee*.

Simply try UTI-Free for at least 30 days. If you are not completely satisfied – for any reason – return the product within 1 year for a complete refund (less shipping fees).

“She’s been using UTI-Free for 3 weeks now and she is more active; almost like a kitten, and her urine flow seems healthy.”

“I began to do research ……and it all began with the dry food. I changed her diet to wet food, but I knew she needed something more. She’s been using UTI-Free for 3 weeks now and she is more active; almost like a kitten, and her urine flow seems healthy. I strongly recommend it.”

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UTI-Free is a very effective natural remedy for complete urinary tract wellness and has a very high success rate!

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Dog Heart Murmur Symptoms

In most homes, the dog is not just a pet but also a part of the family. As a member of the family, its health is very important to us. Whenever our furry friend is not feeling well, it can be a cause for major concern. One thing that is particularly distressing for a pet owner is to find your pet has an irregular heartbeat or heart murmur. Heart murmurs can be benign or an indicator of more serious issue.

Heart murmurs can occur for many reasons; the first is a birth defect where the puppy is born with a mitral valve problem. The mitral valve opens to allow blood into the left ventrical during constriction and closes at the end to prevent backflow. When backflow occurs blood backs up along the whole cardiovascular system but especially the in the veins that drain the lungs. This causes edema or fluid retention in the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body. Other common causes of heart murmurs include but are not limited to muscular degeneration, parasite infestation or a hole in the heart.

Diagnosing a heart murmur may seem simple as listening to your pet’s heart beat but some murmurs are so faint there are barely perceptible. Even with a stethoscope, they may be hard to hear. If your veterinarian thinks, your pet has a murmur he may order some further tests.

EKG will most likely be the first test administered. An electrocardiogram can be helpful to determine where in the heart a murmur is located and how severe it is. In addition to the EKG a veterinarian may do chest x-rays or an ultrasound to look at the condition of the heart. Veterinarians generally prefer to use the ultrasound technology as it gives a better overall picture of the heart and its condition.

Once the heart has been thoroughly examined and the underlying cause is determined, it is time to discuss treatment options. In the case of a murmur from birth the best course of action is to wait and see if the problem corrects itself, as happens quite often. Should the cause be physical in nature like a hole in the heart then surgery will often be helpful.

Whatever course of action decided upon the condition should be continually monitored as it can develop into congestive heart failure. The failure occurs when the necessary blood does not reach the muscles leading to fatigue. In addition, the build up of fluid around the lungs will cause coughing and breathing complications or even death. At this point, you are not really treating the failure as much as monitoring it. With heart failure, you will want to be sure your pet is not over exerted or over heated and high humidity and altitude should also be avoided. Top that off with a sensible low sodium diet and you will have many more years with your beloved pet.

Dalmatians are easy to spot because of their spots! They are a beautiful dog breed, but they are also prone to some specific health concerns. If you are considering adopting a Dalmatian, you should be aware of certain signs so that you can be alert for any health issues concerning your future pet.

Deafness in Dalmations:

Deafness affects about ten per cent of Dalmatians. Between 8 and 12 per cent of this breed are born deaf and about 22 per cent are born with normal hearing in one ear only.

If you suspect your Dalmatian might be deaf or partially deaf, you can request that your veterinarian perform the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test (BAER).

It is important for Dalmatian owners to know if their dog is deaf so they can teach the dog signs and make accommodations for the safety and well being of their deaf dog. It’s also important for those who plan to breed as only bilateral hearing dogs should be bred.

Skin Allergies and Irritations in Dalmations:

In order to avoid skin allergies or irritations, which have been known to plague this breed, it is important to feed your Dalmatian a healthy diet.

Your veterinarian might recommend supplementing your dog’s food with omega fatty acids, and either way, an omega fatty acid supplement would enhance your Dalmation’s skin and coat health.  (Click here for more on Dermatrix)

Perhaps you may opt for having some over the counter antihistamines on hand in the event that your dog is experiencing allergies or irritations.

Also, keep exposure to stress, heat and humidity to a minimum as these will contribute to the irritations. If your Dalmatian inhales allergens such as pollen or mold, you might see a higher incidence of skin allergies, so be mindful of his environment.

Bladder Stones in Dalmations:

It is important to provide your Dalmatian with plenty of water and opportunities to go outside and relieve himself.

The Dalmation suffers from a high incidence of Bladder stones, which can be minimized with a healthy diet and plenty of water, but keep your eye out for signs that your Dalmatian is suffering from stones. These dogs have a high uric acid content in their urine which can be worsened with too much protein in the diet.

Symptoms of bladder stones in dogs include not urinating, not requesting to go outside to urinate and the appearance of feeling discomfort. There are natural products that can assist with bladder stones, and are a great way to ensure that the bladder and urinary tract are kept healthy and free from problems.  (Click here for more information on keeping your dog’s bladder and urinary tract healthy).

Hip Dysplasia in Dalmations:

Like many large breeds, the Dalmatian breed can be prone to hip dysplasia. It’s a common problem for large, active dogs who jump and run and play. If you suspect your Dalmatian is experiencing pain in the hip (you see him limping, favoring a leg, etc.) take him into the vet for an x-ray to determine the seriousness of the dysplasia and an appropriate course of action.

Hip Dysplasia can be a serious health problem for any dog, but in many instances it can be kept under control with natural arthritis products for pets.

Hypothyroidism in Dalmations:

You know your Dalmatian best. If you suspect he is exhibiting signs of lethargy, weight gain or depression, he might be experiencing Hypothyroidism, which is common in this breed. It’s very important to see your veterinarian if you suspect this is the case as it can also result in seizures.

Again, there are natural products that can greatly assist in maintaining healthy thyroid function in dogs. Because hypothyroidism is common in Dalmations, you may wish to consider giving your Dalmation a natural thyroid remedy to give him the best chance of not actually developing the condition. 

Demodex Mites in Dalmations:

Dalmatians have been known to be a breed that commonly suffers from Demodex mites. Demodex mites can be found on the skin of all dogs, but those whose immune systems are not functioning optimally suffer from an increase of these mites, which is sometimes the case with Dalmatians.

Most Dalmatians’ immune systems will mature and the problem will solve itself. However, for those who don’t, the mites have to be scraped from the skin and the dog needs to be treated with a mite killing dip.

One way to avoid this problem is to boost your Dalmation’s immunity with a natural immune system booster.  A healthy immune system can beat almost any illness or disease, and it starts with a healthy diet.  But oftentimes that is not enough, particularly in breeds, like Dalmations, that are susceptible to certain types of conditions, like Demodex, that result directly from less than optimal immune system functioning.

(This article was written in conjunction with the authors at pet super store an online pet shop that carries dog beds, patio pet doors, and dog houses.)

Parvo is a deadly disease.  Do NOT attempt a home remedy for parvo if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.  This article is about preventing parvo, as well as treating parvo, and its focus is on natural remedies (prevention and treatment).  Do NOT use ANY of this article as advice.  It is general information ONLY.  Please, click on the links and find out about your options, but if my dog already had parvo, I’d be seeing my vet immediately.

Before you look for a home remedy for puppy parvo, it is important to know what this condition is.  Parvo is a viral disease the affects dogs, generally puppies more so than adult dogs, but adult dogs are certainly not immune. The virus is attracted to areas of the body where there is rapid cell growth, such as the lining of the intestine. Here, the virus will attack and kill those cells. This can cause symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, depression and a drop in the white blood cells of the animal. Additionally, parvo can infect the muscles of the heart. When this occurs, it can lead to sudden death.

Prior to trying any treatment, you should know the symptoms of the condition. Because the virus attacks the lining of the digestive symptom, many puppies are unable to take in the nutrients and fluids they require, causing them to be undernourished. Other symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and a high fever. In some situations, the puppies that go without treatment can face dehydration, which leads to shock and probable death.

There are prevention and treatment options. The most common parvo prevention is parvo vaccinations, which are commonplace all over the world. These vaccinations allow the body to receive a very small, weakened dose of the virus that allows the body to develop antibodies for it.  Yet, for many people, giving their pets these vaccinations is not acceptable or possible. 

In these situations, finding a home remedy for puppy parvo is important. One of the best solutions for preventing parvo, and indeed for treating parvo in puppies without a vaccination is to use Parvaid and Colloidal Silver, called CS. This type of prevention or treatment is an option for many people who prefer not to vaccinate their dogs.  With the use of this type of natural parvo prevention or treatment, you can see a good increase in the puppy’s ability to eat and to stop vomiting. The Parvaid products work well, either as a preventative, or when given to infected puppies quickly and with constant treatment.

If your puppy has not been vaccinated for parvo, your pet is at risk for catching this virus. It does not have to spread just from one dog to the next. In fact, if another animal comes in contact with the virus, they can take it into their homes and infect dogs this way. This highly contagious condition is not one to look at lightly.

The best, and most responsible, thing to do is to have your puppy vaccinated for parvo OR use natural “home” remedies for puppy parvo prevention. 

If you don’t take one of these options, or if the vaccination fails to provide adequate coverage (as it does – more often than people realize), your puppy may well contract this deadly disease.

If this happens, getting puppies urgent treatment for parvo is important. Home remedies for puppy parvo like Parvaid do work, but you still need to seek out medical attention for the pet whenever possible. If you plan to leave the pet at home alone while ill, he or she could die from dehydration (these pets will stop drinking water on their own). In some situations, the only way to get the treatments to work is through the use of IV fluids, which may need to be administered by a vet.

While the cost of vaccinating your puppy may be high, the risk of death from parvovirus is incredibly high. Take note of any symptoms in your puppy and get them help as quickly as possible.  Parvo treatment options for use at home are limited, but there is help in treating parvo is undertaken quickly enough.
 

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Dogs suffer from many of the same problems that humans do; and, unfortunately, gas is no exception. There are a number of causes of canine flatulence, and sometimes the help of a veterinarian is needed. Once you figure out -or at least have an idea- what is causing the gas, then you can work on ways to reduce the occurrences from your pet’s life. As with many other pet issues, trial and error may be your choice method.

In most cases, canine flatulence isn’t a big problem. Just like human flatulence, it is more bothersome and embarrassing than anything. But, there are times when excessive gas is a sign of a major health issue. Gastrointestinal disease is often first detected when owners notice that their pooches have become quite gassy. If the gas is overpowering and happens more than just here and there, then make an appointment with your veterinarian. Realize that a little gas is completely normal, but a constant upset stomach is not. If you have any doubts about your pet’s health, or if he seems a little under the weather, then taking a trip to see the veterinarian is not a bad idea.

If your pup seems to be feeling well, then it’s up to you to figure out what may be causing the gas. One cause of gas deals with the way dogs eat: many dogs “inhale” their food. As soon as you put the food in the bowl, it is gone within seconds. A dog that inhales his food may also be taking in lots of air, causing the air to build up inside the dog. Watch your pet as he eats. If it seems like he’s swallowing the food without chewing, then you may have identified the cause. Many owners claim that feeding your pooch less food more times each day may help curb his desire to inhale. Elevated dog feeders are also thought to reduce the amount of air that enters a dog’s stomach.

Perhaps the most common cause of gas is a dog’s diet. Even though dog food is formulated to meet dogs’ nutritional needs, it is not always full of the best ingredients for their bodies. Many of the fillers in the dog food are not easily digestible. Look for food that has one or more sources of protein as the main ingredient. You can identify the main ingredients by the way they are listed on the label: the first ingredient is the main ingredient, while the last ingredient contributes the least amount to the product. Better quality food is more expensive, but your dog will eat less of it (because it is more filling) and he will feel better. If you choose to change food, then do so slowly. Let your pet eat the food for at least two weeks before you try something new.

For many dogs, diet is more than just what is fed from a bag of dog food. Many owners sneak their pooches delectable items from the dinner table. Although you may mean well, realize that dogs’ digestive systems are different than those of humans. Just because something agrees with your stomach, does not mean that it will agree with the dog’s. Refrain from feeding a dog from the table, unless you are feeding raw, meaty bones. Some types of table scraps and excessive treats can cause gas.

In addition to buying higher quality food and cutting out the human snacks, exercising with your pet is one of the best things you can do to ease his flatulence. Essentially, exercise leads to a healthier pooch, promoting a healthier intestinal tract. If you have tried of all these suggestions with no avail, then stop by your local pet store. There are products on the market that are developed to lessen the flatulence. Similar to human Bean-O, these products are given orally. But, don’t rely on a miracle cure, because each pet responds differently.

If you can’t handle your pooch’s foul gas anymore, then you need to start looking for ways to help. If the gas is excessive or occurs throughout the day, then a veterinary visit may be in order. Otherwise, check your pet’s diet for any signs of a cause. You may need to change his food, limit his table scraps, or purchase a supplement at the pet store. If all else fails, try exercising!

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring this months dog houses and dog doors.

Dog Flatulence Remedy – click here!

Just like humans, dogs suffer from age-related issues.  Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is one such issue that affects aging pets.  Similar to Alzheimer’s disease, CDS affects a pet’s every day life.  There is no cure for CDS, but there are ways to recognize the disease and to help your pet cope.

Click here for a wonderful supplement that aids memory disorders in dogs.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome is not completely understood.  Although there is no explanation as to what causes the problem, there are insights into its cause.  In autopsies of dogs suffering from CDS one common element was present:  there was a buildup in the brain of a nerve-damaging protein.  This protein, known as beta amyloid, causes a plaque-like substance that inhibits signal transmission through the brain.  The symptoms of the disease worsen with the amount of plaque that is present.

So, how does CDS affect your aging pooch?  In the beginning stages, the symptoms of the disease are confused with normal aging and start showing around ten years of age or later.  A relapse in housetraining is often the first symptom noticed, especially since it has an effect on the owner.  The dog may simply have an “accident” or forget that he is supposed to ask to go outdoors.  If you take him outdoors, he may seem disoriented or confused as to why he is there.  This disorientation is evident in many other instances.  The dog may even seem lost in his own home or own backyard.  A dog suffering from CDS may also withdraw himself from members of the family.  Instead of his usual greeting at the door or begging for attention, he may seem distant and not care about being petted.  He may be easily agitated; things that didn’t bother him before may cause excessive barking.  His sleep will also be affected.  There may be more napping throughout the day and less sleeping at night.  In the place of sleeping, the dog may wander aimlessly around the home.

If you suspect that your pooch is suffering from CDS, then schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.  Make a list of his unusual behaviors to help your vet diagnose the problem.  There is not a test that directly detects CDS.  Instead, your veterinarian will perform a number of exams, ruling out any other possible health concerns.  If CDS is diagnosed, then veterinarian will put your pooch on a treatment plan.  Realize that CDS cannot be cured, but there are treatment methods that can improve your pet’s health.  The most popular treatment is a drug known as Anipryl.  This drug has been shown to reverse many of the symptoms, leading to an improvement in behavior.  A change in diet or additional supplements may also be prescribed.

Just because your pet is getting old, does not mean that his life is over.  There are things you can do around your home to help your dog cope with CDS.  Since disorientation is common, try not to rearrange the furniture in your home.  Provide multiple, comfortable resting spots throughout the house for your pooch.  Raise his food and water bowls off the ground, so he can access them more easily.  If he is allowed onto the couch, then consider purchasing steps or a ramp to help him get to his favorite resting spot.  Continue normal activities with your dog.  Take him for daily walks, and spend time grooming and playing with him.  Don’t get angry with him for any type of accident, since he is unable to control what is going on.  If you are worried about your dog wandering throughout your home, then consider using a pet playpen or pet gates to keep him confined.  Adding a bell to his collar can also help you locate him.

As dogs grow older, CDS is becoming a fairly common age-related issue.  Like Alzheimer’s, CDS causes senile behaviors.  If you think your pooch is suffering from a dementia problem, then take him to your veterinarian.  Although CDS cannot be cured, the symptoms can be treated.  There are also things you can do around your home to help make your dog’s life a little more comfortable.

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring this months dog car seats and dog houses.

And for more on how to provide natural support for age related brain dysfunction in dogs, click here.

Your dog is just like a member of the family. He is your best friend, companion, and guardian. For the times when he is feeling less than himself, the last thing you want to do is worry that there is something seriously wrong. Consequently, you need to go to the veterinarian for a dog health diagnosis.

Truth be told, instead of always procrastinating to the very last moment, he should try to do this regularly. Your family vet could assist you in understanding what symptoms to be watchful for if you believe your dog may be sick. When you make your regular trips to the vet to get his basic needs seen to in order to make sure your dog remains healthy, you should check several things first.

Canines should always be inoculated as puppies. Dogs fall victim to many different deadly diseases. Your dog should have his rabies shots, once in the first year and then every three years, distemper, and treatments for fleas. Treatment by a trained veterinarian is the most beneficial treatment for older dogs that could experience asthma or a type of Alzheimer’s. Having regular check ups for your family pet, are as important as check-ups for your children.

Many times dogs can get the same illnesses people get. From a common cold to full-fledged fevers, malignancy also. In order to maintain your pet’s excellent physical condition, always follow a regiment of frequent check-ups.

A great way to ensure the constant good health of your pet is to take your pet to the veterinarian on a regular-basis for its check-ups. both of you will experience much more happiness. You may become worried because your dog appears to be moping or he is acting like he doesn’t feel well. Similar to a youngster who cannot communicate what is plaguing him/her, when your dog does not feel well, He can’t tell you about the pain in his stomach or in his head.

He is relying on you to make sure he is healthy the same as he depends on you for being fed, walked, cleaned, and cared for.

You have many options for taking care of your friend’s emotional and physical health. The family veterinarian might suggest holistic methods to maintain your dog’s best health.

Making sure his diet is one that is recommended for his age and his particular needs can make the difference between having an energetic, healthy pet and one that does not feel like playing or leaving his bed. Commercial brands of dog food containing high concentrations of preservatives and sugar are not your best bet. You need to really focus on exercise, and consider it from this point of view. While it is beneficial for your canine companion, it is good for you as well.

Take your dog to the vet for a physical to make sure there are no health issues. even if they are little ones that could turn into something more serious later. After all, if you find out a few things about how to keep your dog healthy and happy, he will be around for a long time to be a faithful companion to you. Without any reservation will he cherish you, your dog will acknowledge your arrival at home, and the best thing is, he will always be your friend.

For a quick reference guide on a dog health diagnosis for your dog, the premier Dog Health resource has all the info you need.

- Melinda Smith

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Before we look at the symptoms of parvo virus in your dog lets take a look at what parvo virus is, what it does and how it is spread. Parvovirus is a virus first identified in 1978 that spread worldwide in just two years. Over the years, the virus has mutated into two distinct strains and there is evidence of a third strain in Spain, Italy and Vietnam. All cases of canine parvovirus or CPV come from the first two strains. It was originally thought that the virus would mutate into the feline panleukopenia, a feline parvovirus but this was found to be untrue. All species have their own parvovirus but it is not spread outside the species.

Even though the virus cannot be spread directly from a cat to a dog or from a bird to a cat, they can spread the virus through contact. For instance, your cat wanders through the neighbor’s yard and picks up the virus on her feet she can then bring it into your home potentially infecting any canines on the property.

The parvo virus works in one of two ways through the intestines or the heart. The intestinal infection is picked up by the animal through oral contact with contaminated feces. In other words through the feces of another canine who is infected. The virus then attacks rapidly dividing cells in the lymph nodes, intestinal crypts and bone marrow. This will allow normally occurring bacteria from the intestine to enter the blood stream making the animal septic. The virus will be shed in the stool for up to three weeks making this disease very contagious to non-vaccinated pets.

The cardio form of the infection is most often seen in puppies that are infected in utero or shortly after birth. It must be noted that the cardiac form of CPV is less common since the mother usually passes immunity on to her pups from birth. The virus will attack the heart in the infected pup and result in death shortly thereafter.

Symptoms of CPV usually present within 3-10 days of contact and they include lethargy, vomiting, fever and diarrhea. The diarrhea then causes severe dehydration and secondary infections. These are the actual causes of death rather than the virus itself.

Survival rate depends on how quickly CPV is diagnosed and treatment is begun. When the case is not caught early the best treatment option is an IV through which fluids are pushed to re-hydrate the animal more quickly, in addition anti-nausea and antibiotic shots may be given intramuscular. The prognosis is good with proper care but an absolute death sentence without it. There have been a few reports that the human antiviral, Tamiflu, can be effective in treating CPV but there are no studies to substantiate this. A veterinarian will advise you to give your pet a parvo shot about eight weeks after they are weaned. With the prevalence of the virus and its ability to kill some precaution should be taken to protect your canine.

There are also natural methods of treating dog Parvo symptoms – see the free Dog Parvo Information booklet – click here, or to order the treatment package, click here.

But whatever you do, don’t delay. If you suspect your dog may have Parvo Virus, act immediately. This is an aggressive virus that will very likely kill your dog if left untreated. And it will happen quite quickly. There is no time to lose at all. Act now.

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Find out how to prevent parvo and treat parvo before it’s too late!

When a dog has a heart murmur, what this indicates is that there is abnormal blood flow within the dog’s heart. This can be caused by a change in the heart valves and their function, or a number of other potential causes. Dog heart murmur symptoms may be caused by an abnormal communication between the left side and the right side of the heart. There are a number of things that may cause this, as they may be congenital or present from birth, or acquired which means the heart was affected after birth because of age or disease.

There are two types of heart murmurs in dogs, benign murmurs which do not concern the health of the dog, and much more serious heart murmurs which may indicate the development of congestive heart failure in dogs.

Dog heart murmur symptoms often include coughing, poor exercise ability, bluish tinge to the gums or tongue, labored breathing and even fainting. While some of these symptoms can be linked to other health issues, and the symptoms are the same between benign heart murmurs and the more severe forms, you should consult a veterinarian any time you have a concern about your dog’s health.

Some of these symptoms can be easily missed, including poor exercise ability and even a bluish tinge to the gums. If you have any suspicion that your dog may be suffering from issues relating to a heart murmur, canine heart disease or the development of congestive heart failure, contact your vet immediately for an official diagnosis.

These are symptoms that indicate that something serious is going on with your dog’s health. The best way to identify the source and severity of the dog’s heart murmur is to conduct a thorough physical examination by a veterinarian, however sometimes additional testing is needed including a heart ultrasound, blood testing, an EKG and chest x-rays. The ultrasound offers a particularly enticing list of benefits because it allows your veterinarian to measure the extent of the murmur, defining whatever the cause of the underlying heart disease may be.

It is vital that you be able to properly diagnose the cause of your dog’s heart condition because some conditions that cause heart murmurs are treatable, either through surgery or through medication.

If your dog has a congenital heart murmur, surgery may be a viable solution to eliminate the problems it creates. On the other hand, specific types of medication may be necessary because non congenital heart murmurs are often an underlying symptom of congestive heart failure in dogs.

You cannot be sure about which treatment is going to be the right path to proceed with until you have consulted the right veterinarian and received advice regarding the health of your dog. You should never leave symptoms like these to chance, because not every heart murmur is benign, and serious changes could be occurring in your dog’s heart.

For information on keeping your dog’s heart healthy naturally – including natural treatments for a variety of dog heart problems, click here.

It is important to share any questions or concerns that you have with your veterinarian, especially when it comes to your dog’s lifestyle and physical condition. If you do not feel comfortable with a diagnosis from your general veterinarian, consider seeking out an opinion from a veterinary cardiologist or internist, as these specialized veterinarians have special training and expertise in these and similar problems.

If you have a large breed dog, then you have probably heard all about hip dysplasia, since it is a common occurrence in large breeds. Hip dysplasia’s counterpart, elbow dysplasia, also occurs frequently in certain breeds. Elbow dysplasia is just as serious as hip dysplasia, so it is important that you are able to recognize the signs of the disease. Your veterinarian can confirm the problem, and a treatment plan can be started immediately.

Like hip dysplasia, understanding elbow dysplasia can be pretty tough. Since we aren’t veterinarians or surgeons, this article will keep things as simple as possible. If you would like to find out more about how the problem develops, then do a little research. It’s a not a rare problem, so there is a ton of information about it. (You can start your