Natural Pet Health

Unforeseen Dangers of Spring

With warmer spring weather arriving in the next few weeks, pet owners face an entire new set of challenges. While your pet was likely cooped up inside during the winter, the change in climate will soon likely bring your pet outdoors—also exposing it to potential health hazards.

Nearly every system in your pet’s body can be affected by the change in season, but preventative measures can be taken to ensure your pet stays safe and healthy while frolicking in the great outdoors!

When unleashing your pet into the yard, park, or other place of recreation, be sure to err on the side of caution regarding the territory they investigate. Puppies especially tend to mistake blooms, leaves, and branches as potential chew toys, which can disrupt digestive systems or even be poisonous.

About healing

Healing after surgery or an accidental injury can be a slow and painful process for your pet. Depending on the extent of the injury or operation, this can take days or even months. There may be internal or external wounds and bruising – or even (in the case of injury) broken bones and damaged organs. They cannot understand what is happening to them or why and this makes it very difficult to see them in pain and often immobilized.

The physical process of healing involves restoration and regeneration of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerve fibers. White blood cells have to remove infection and red blood cells have to bring oxygen rich blood and nutrients to the surrounding area. Effective pain control will help to make your pet comfortable, prevent stress and permit healing rest.

Minor injuries and skin conditions in pets

Cuts, scrapes, bites and stings, ringworm, flea-bite dermatitis and many other similar injuries and conditions affect cats and dogs fairly commonly. Though minor, these can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your pet. Treating these problems quickly, effectively and naturally will save your pet from numerous side-effects, shorten healing and recovery time as well as prevent more serious complications like infection.

As any vet will tell you, one of the most important and first steps in addressing a wound, injury or skin condition is to keep it clean and the sooner that this is done following injury or trauma, the more beneficial the intervention will be. Broken or irritated skin is vulnerable to infection and contamination.

Ever consider a first aid kit for Fido or Fluffy? There are a number of items and techniques to help a pet stay comfortable until professional help can be reached. Of course in any emergency situation, your veterinarian should be notified for immediate treatment.

Choking – The Heimlich Maneuver can be very effective for pets. Even if your vet is just a phone call away, every pet owner should be able to perform this life saving technique. Be sure to ask your veterinarian how to properly perform the Heimlich Maneuver on your pet.

Cold water followed by Lavender oil, as soon as possible.

From “The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood

Comfrey poultice for sprains and sore muscles and bruises

Soak chopped comfrey root in hot water, preferably for 1 day.

Soak a clean cloth in the strained tea and apply, or bandage if possible, to the sore area.

Repeat 3 times a day.

About your pet’s paws and pads

Your dog or cat may often walk over rocks, soil, thorns and snow ,even if confined to your yard. Unlike us humans, our pets don’t have foot-protection in the form of shoes and although their paws and paw-pads are much tougher than our feet, they do sometimes suffer from cuts, wounds, bruising, cracks and even burns. You should check and care for your pets’ paws regularly to treat any injuries and prevent infections.

What is PetAlive PawPaw?

PetAlive PawPaw contains a blend of natural, healing and cleansing ingredients in a soothing olive oil base to effectively condition the paws and pads as well as treat any small wounds or injuries to the paw pads.

Minor injuries in pets

Both dogs and cats often fall victim to minor cuts, scrapes, bites and stings- especially those with outdoor lifestyles and adventurous natures! Cuts and scrapes, abrasions, insect bites, fights with other animals – all can result in a miserable pet with consequent risk of infection. Like people, animals can also suffer from allergies and reactions to plants like Poison Ivy and Poison Oak.

Most of these little injuries heal fairly quickly on their own and without long-term adverse effects, especially in healthy pets with strong immune systems. However, the immediate pain, discomfort and swelling can be unpleasant and debilitating for your pet and it is important to care for these wounds appropriately. Also, there may be a high risk of infection in otherwise minor wounds if they are not properly cared for.