Natural Pet Health

The one thing dogs are most afraid of and bothered by is nail trimming.  It can be a daunting task for any dog owner.  Here are some tips to make dog nail trimming easier for you and the dog.

A dog’s nails should be trimmed at least once a month.  Before trimming a dog’s nails, it is necessary to have the proper implement.  Check your local pet supply store for more information.

To clip the nails, it is important to just cut the very tip of the nail and not go too far down the nail.  This can cause bleeding and possible infection.

How do you get a dog to sit still for this procedure?  Good question, but there are no easy answers.  First you have to be able to get near the dog’s nails.  The last thing you want to do is just take the nail and cut it.  You have to start slow.  Note, however, that it’s easier with puppies than older dogs since puppies seem to adapt better.

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Being able to successfully housetrain a dog takes preparation, patience, and a few practical items.  Here are some basic housetraining trips for dogs.

If you are thinking of acquiring a puppy, either from a breeder or shelter, the first thing you need to do is prepare.

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Cats can have a variety of health problems as they mature.  Here are some common cat ailments and ways to avoid them.

Cats have this innate ability to self-groom.  Observe any cat, from feline to lion, and you will notice immediately after eating they lick their paws they gently “wash” their face.  They groom themselves constantly and because they do, they swallow the hair that accumulates on their paws.  As a result, fur balls are swallowed and this leads to vomiting.  In order to avoid this from occurring, brushing the cat’s coat frequently is recommended as well as keeping the cat hydrated.

Hydration also plays a vital role in bladder infections, which is another condition cats can develop.  It is also advised to limit the food intake by not keeping a plate of food available, but choosing the time in which they are to be fed.

Another condition that can affect a cat is kidney problems.  Usually attributed to older cats in cases wherein the kidney begins to malfunction, this can produce renal failure.  You may notice that your cat is drinking more water than usual; losing weight; and vomiting.  While this relatively common, you can prevent the onset of kidney failure by reducing the amount of protein and salt in their diet.

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Although the symptoms are almost similar canine colds are not the same as the common cold in humans. Your dog may develop a cough, runny eyes, sneezing and there may even be a yellowish green discharge from the dog nose.

However, these are mostly the symptoms of a viral or bacterial infection that mimic symptoms of common cold. In most cases these symptoms disappear on their own over time. But it needs to be known that certain infections can progress into serious ailments if not attended to.

Canine colds fall under the category of dog respiratory problems and may occur due to the following common infections:

1.    Parainfulenza virus is the most common infection that produces symptoms of common cold in dogs. There is no effective vaccination available to protect canines against this virus and the condition is likely to run its course no matter what. At the most your veterinarian will try to evaluate the illness and prescribe medication to prevent secondary infections.

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Addison’s disease in dogs is an endocrinal disease that is caused by a reduction of the steroid hormones. It is also referred as hypoadrenocorticism, a term that implies adrenal insufficiency. It is entirely the opposite of Cushing’s syndrome in dogs, which is caused by hyper-function of the adrenal glands or an increase in the production of hormones.

The adrenal glands are triangle shaped glands that sit on top of the kidneys. The glands are made up of two layers - the outer layer is the cortex and the inner layer is the medulla. The cortex secretes corticosteroid hormones. The medulla is part of the sympathetic nervous system and secretes epinephrine in response to stress. The medulla is not affected in the case of Addison’s disease. The adrenal glands produce steroid hormones, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. These hormones affect the functioning of gonads, have an anti-inflammatory function and influence the metabolism of sodium and potassium.

The adrenal tissue in dogs with Addison’s disease is usually damaged. This leads to a reduction in the production of these hormones. Addison’s disease can actually be caused due to immune-mediated damage to the adrenal cortex or an inefficient pituitary gland that fails to stimulate the adrenal glands with ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).

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Fleas and ticks are common among pets, especially dogs.  However, ticks also favor humans as well.   In comparing flea and tick prevention methods, once the signs are recognized you can effectively deal with the problem at hand.

Fleas

Fleas tend to migrate indoors and outdoors.  As they feed off your pet, they multiply.  Thus, a visit to the vet is indicated so that he can offer preventative treatment.  There is a flea-comb available to brush your pet as an immediate deterrent.  Keep in mind that while the there is no known treatment to destroy the fleas the medication prescribed will effectively prevent the fleas from procreating.

It will also be necessary to thoroughly clean your entire home.  Vacuum everywhere, including rugs, carpets, sofas, and chairs; then wash down every room and piece of furniture in your home with bleach.  Ensure all windows are open before you commence cleaning. Take everything that can be washed and put it in the washer and dryer.

As for the front lawn or yard, you may have to call in a professional who can rid all outdoor areas of fleas.  Before doing so, however, find out what type of chemicals the professional may use and then talk to your vet to determine if these chemicals will have an effect on your pet.

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Just as proper grooming is important for humans, so too ensuring that your dog remains healthy is part of the grooming experience.  Here are some grooming tips for the family dog.

* Depending upon the breed of the dog, that is, long-haired or short-haired, regular brushing should be part of the grooming routine.  This prevents the hairs from matting and ensures a continuous healthy coat.

* Bathing a dog is usually performed on a monthly basis.  However, if you have a dog that lives outdoors, you may wish to bathe him more frequently.

* Be sure to use either soap or shampoo specifically made for dogs.

* While blow drying may be recommended for specific breeds, natural drying outdoors in spring and summer months is preferable.

* Be sure to wash from front to back and not to apply any soap on the dog’s face.  Use water instead.  A dog can easily lose his scent if soap is applied to the nose.

* While bathing the dog, you can also check to determine if there are any lumps or bumps under the dog’s coat.

* Try not to get any water into his ears.  Clean the ears with a cotton ball.

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I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your commitment to keeping our pets healthy, naturally.

My eight-year old Great Dane, Merlin, was diagnosed with benign Prostate enlargement and after a round of costly and potent anti-botics it was recommended that I castrate him.  This was a decision that I was against and began to research via the internet alternative methods of treatment.  I came across your website and out of desperation quickly ordered the ProsPet drops.

It arrived as promised and I began his treatment the day that I received it.  Tearfully, we administered his first doseage, not expecting any hope for his painful condition as he had not eaten or had a successful substanital bowel movement in three days.  Within two days he was showing improvement getting up and walking without appeared pain.  Within three days he had defecated and his appetite improved.  I mixed the tonic in chicken baby food, steamed rice, and dog food and he ate it without rejection.

By one week, he was his normal happy, hoppy, playful self–he was my “Puppy” again–without harmful drugs or castration!  Now, two and a half weeks later, he is eating and defecating without issue, playing, running, and getting up and down without pain!

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A recent outbreak of canine Parvovirus (CPV) — a highly contagious, potentially deadly, and the most common infectious disorder in dogs in the United States — caused a great upset with the Pennsylvania SPCA.

The PSPCA handled 25 cases in one week alone, breaking an unfortunate record of the most cases they have encountered in such a short time span. There is still much to be learned about the disease itself as well as the best ways to control it, but prevention is possible.

The disease is transmitted through the fecal matter of infected dogs and can survive on inanimate objects like clothing, food pans, and cage floors for over 5 months. While dogs cannot pass the virus onto humans, it can be brought into the home by shoes, insects and rodents.

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Finding the perfect pet sitter can be a daunting task.  Certainly, you can ask a family member or a close friend, but they may not always be available during the times you need them.  Or they may be allergic to your particular pet or, in the worse case scenario; they may not feel comfortable with your pet.  To this end, here are some tips which may help you to find that perfect pet sitter.

Make a list of questions before you begin the interview process.  For example:
•    How long has this person been engaged in pet sitting?
•    Can the person commit to the hours you specify?
•    If your pet has any special needs, will the pet sitter be able to provide those needs?
•    Does the pet sitter own any pets?
•    Does the pet sitter drive?
•    How does your pet interact with the pet sitter?
•    Does the pet sitter have referrals?  Ask for a resume.
•    Has the pet sitter worked for any association and, if so, has he or she been bonded.

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