Natural Pet Health

Cushings disease is a glandular disorder caused by excessive corticosteroids. The process of the production of these corticosteroids is such that:

* The pituitary gland produces a hormone called ACTH
* The ACTH stimulates the adrenalin glands
* The adrenalin gland produces corticosteroids
* A more than required amount of corticosteroid can cause Cushings disease, so it is also called hyperadrenocorticism (hyper-adreno-corticism).

The overproduction of corticosteroids which causes Cushings disease in dogs can occur due to two types of conditions. In 85% of the cases, the excessive production of ACTH is caused by a Tumor in the pituitary gland that produces high levels of ACTH.

This causes the adrenalin glands to make more than required levels of corticosteroids. Hyperadrenocorticism in a dog can also be caused by a corticosteroid-producing Tumor in one or both of the adrenalin glands.

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A mammal’s body is very complex. It involves a series of preset and complicated actions, reactions and reciprocal actions. These processes are carried out between the various body systems that work together to keep the body functioning properly.

Overall health can be maintained only by ensuring a fine balance between the enzymes, hormones, and various other chemical compounds that are responsible for metabolic activity. Though the mammalian body has been designed to maintain this fine balance, some external or internal factors can disturb the balance causing ailments, diseases, and other conditions. These factors include trauma, disease, age, diet, or a change in the internal chemical environment.

Cushings disease in dogs is one such disorder that results in the over production of corticosteroids. It can be caused by an ACTH producing Tumor in the pituitary gland or a corticosteroid-producing Tumor in the adrenalin glands. In some cases, Cushings disease can also be caused by an over dosage of external synthetic corticosteroids.

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The symptoms of Cushings disease in dogs are often mistaken for normal signs of canine Aging. But in fact, such symptoms may surface due to a Hyperactive adrenal gland.

Although this disease cannot be cured completely, timely and adequate treatment can result in a longer and higher quality of life for the suffering dog.

The medical term used for Cushings disease is hyperadrenocorticism. Since the symptoms of the disease mimic the symptoms of other common diseases, the condition is often misdiagnosed or ignored.

Symptoms -like an increase in urination with pale, diluted urine, Obesity with a pot belly, lethargy and intolerance to exercise, excessive thirst, a thin skin or Alopecia (Hair Loss) - need to be taken seriously and warrant a visit to the veterinarian.

The major cause of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs is an excess of corticosteroids. The production of corticosteroids is controlled by a complex system that involves the pituitary gland.

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Unlike people and dogs, cats are true carnivores. They do not have a specific requirement for carbohydrates in their diets. They must, however, have large amounts of animal protein in the diet or they can suffer a number of fatal problems such as Heart Disease and liver failure. Carbohydrates are included in pet foods as an inexpensive source of energy. Digested carbs are used to provide fuel (blood glucose) for people and pets; if the energy is not needed immediately, then the carbs are stored as glycogen in the muscle or liver to be used later. While dogs and people can use protein for energy, this is less efficient. Cats, however, have developed to be able to use protein as their main source of energy. Dry food must contain more carbohydrates than canned food in order to be formed into pellets.

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by Tabitha Alterman, Mother Earth News Associate Editor

Winter is a tough time for us all, but it can be especially hard on pets. Here are a few tips for protecting your pets this winter:

* Keep pets indoors as much as possible during cold weather. Like humans, animals can get frostbite.
* If a dog stays outside for the winter, it is important to provide an insulated home. Line the floor with cedar shavings or straw to ensure warmth. Check water often to make sure it has not frozen.
* If your dog begins to shiver when you’re out for a walk, bring it inside immediately.
* Trim the long hair on the bottom of pets’ feet to prevent ice balls from forming.
* Road salt and other de-icing chemicals are damaging to pets’ paws, and can be hazardous if ingested; wash your pets’ paws after being outdoors. Use sand or a nontoxic alternative to salt when dealing with icy sidewalks.
* Antifreeze is a poison, yet its sweet taste unfortunately attracts curious animals. Always clean any spills thoroughly. Or try a safer alternative, such as antifreeze made with propylene glycol.
* Cats and wildlife seek shelter from warmth by crawling into available covered spaces, including vehicles. Banging on the hood of your car before starting the engine should scare out any stowaways.
* Our smaller friends, such as birds, hamsters and guinea pigs, can be chilled if their cages are kept in drafty areas. Keep cages away from doors and windows in winter.

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Pets are a major responsibility and once you have decided to own a pet it is your responsibility to ensure that they are healthy and active. Though there are many issues, medical and otherwise, that you will have to reckon with, the hygiene and cleanliness of your pet is one aspect that you will need to maintain constantly.

Dog ears are often neglected while giving your dog a bath or ensuring overall grooming. Your dog may be squeaky clean from the outside and may have an extremely Shiny Coat, but if you have not ensured that his ears are cleaned every week, there is a high probability that your dog is slowly becoming a breeding ground for Ear Mites and bacteria.

Dog Ear Mites are less common than cat Ear Mites . But they can get extremely frustrating, if unattended, since they can develop into larger and more complicated issues. Dog ear mites can also cause behavioral changes in your pet that can lead him to be irritable and moody.

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Pet health issues plague everyone who has a pet at some time or another. Among other areas of concern, the one that can area that can pose a fair number of problems are Ear Infections.

Ear Mites, and Ear Infections are some of the major problems that can discomfort your pets and can lead to many a sleepless nights for you too. A dog with Ear Mites is a less common phenomenon than a cat ear with mites but if contracted, it can cause high levels of Stress for the dog and the owner.

The one way in which you can ensure that you never have to face issues related to dog Ear Infections is to adopt good hygiene practices. Once these practices are made into a regular habit, the chances of your dog contracting any kind of Ear Infection reduce considerably.

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Ear Mites are a constant problem for all pets. The presence of Ear Mites can cause considerable anguish to the pet and the owner alike. Cat Ear Mites are contagious and pass on to other pets in the household. They can spread to other cats, dogs or other animals too.

The manner in which a cat reacts to ear mites can vary among cats. Some cats do not react or exhibit external symptoms even when they are infected with a large number of mites.

But some cats may show extreme symptoms at the presence of a small number of ear mites. It is therefore, hypothesized that different breeds of cats show different levels of sensitivity towards this condition.

The first symptom that surfaces among cats when they have ear mites is the presence of excessive wax in the ears. Mites often stimulate wax producing glands in the ear and this in turn can lead to Inflammation and further complications.

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Pet health is one of the primary concerns of pet owners. Any pet that you may have is likely to present some medical conditions at some point in time and will demand your attention. One aspect of pet health that is often missed out by many pet owners is in the area of dog ear health.

The inside of an ear of a dog is an extremely sensitive area and can pose many challenges for the pet owner. This is especially true since there are many ear related infections and issues that your dog can contract.

Another reason why dog ears provide a significant challenge is due to the fact that many dogs have ears that droop over the ear canal and can therefore provide an unhealthy environment for the Ear Mites and bacteria to breed.

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Ear Mites are external Parasites that can infect dogs, cats and in some cases, humans. Otodectes cynotis is the most common mite that can infect pets and can cause a condition called otodectic mange - a persistent and contagious disease of the skin that causes Inflammation, Itching and loss of hair in dogs, cats, and other carnivores.

The otodectes cynotis mite can live its complete life cycle in the ear of a dog or on the skin at times as it feeds on the epidural wastes of the host. These mites can be large enough to be seen by the naked eye and they are almost always easily visible under the magnifying glass.

To examine and assess whether your dog has Ear Mites or not you need to scrape some wax from the ear and examine it closely.

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