Natural Pet Health

What is Diarrhea?

When your pet has Diarrhea, the number of stools passed may or may not be increased but each stool will be much looser and more watery than normal. Diarrhea in pets can be related to something they have eaten, a Viral Infection, Bacterial Infection, worms, a foreign object they have swallowed and even diseases affecting other organs such as the liver or kidneys.

It can be very serious in young puppies, kittens and in Elderly pets as they can dehydrate extremely quickly. If your pet has diarrhea, make sure they have plenty of fresh water available at all times. If you have a very young or very old pet that is affected, or if you are at all concerned in any other way, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

What is RuniPoo Relief?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

First identified in 1978, the Canine Parvovirus attacks the gastrointestinal tract, is highly contagious and can lead to heart tissue damage in puppies. The majority of deaths from Parvovirus occur within 2-3 days after initial symptoms, largely due to dehydration. Parvovirus is spread by contact with feces passed by infected dogs. Even trace amounts on shoes, pants legs, bare feet, paws, etc. can carry the contagion. The most common symptoms include …

* Lethargy
* Loss of appetite
* Fever
* Vomiting
* Severe Diarrhea (often bloody)

If your dog exhibits these symptoms, we urge you to contact your veterinarian immediately. While no known drug can eliminate the virus after infection, treatments to address primary symptoms in combination with antibiotics to prevent secondary infections can be effective in combating the virus if caught in the early stages. Be sure to follow your vet’s advice and Vaccinate your canine friends against this insidious virus.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

About Parvovirus

Parvo is a viral disease that affects dogs. This illness can cause severe digestive symptoms, as well as fever and shock and may even prove fatal. Parvovirus attacks rapidly dividing cells like those in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract as well as developing white blood cells.

In this way Parvovirus leads to symptoms like bloody Diarrhea, Vomiting and loss of proper Immune System functioning. Puppies are more commonly and more severely affected than adult dogs due to their still-developing Immune System. Puppies can easily succumb to this disease, especially when the virus infects the muscle of the heart.

The first indications of Parvo in an infected dog are usually high fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. Later, Vomiting and Diarrhea develop. The stool is often bloody and may have a yellowish color and noticeably foul odor. Without effective treatment, dehydration, shock and even death may follow.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

What are Anal Glands?

Anal Glands, or anal sacs, are two small glands present in both dogs and cats situated just below and either side of the anal opening. These glands produce a substance that is secreted through ducts just inside the rectum when pressure is put on the glands- most commonly by the passing of feces.

This substance has a strong odor which is very unpleasant to humans but was probably useful to animals, especially in times gone by, for marking their territory.

What can go wrong with Anal Glands?

In modern-day domestic pets, anal glands can often cause health problems. Sometimes the anal gland secretions are not released naturally and build up - leading to thickening of the secretion, clogging of the duct and sometimes even infection and abscesses.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

What causes travel or Motion Sickness?

Travel or Motion Sickness is caused by movement in different directions, particularly when the animal is sitting or standing still in a moving vehicle, boat or plane. It can also happen when there is a loss of visual contact with the outside horizon or due to pressure changes in the inner ear during Air Travel.

These events may cause confusion in the balance center of the inner ear, leading to Fatigue, nausea, dizziness and even Vomiting. It is not known why some animals are more prone to Motion Sickness than others. Many will gradually become accustomed to traveling and motion sickness will disappear after a few regular journeys.

While the majority of animals overcome motion sickness and learn to enjoy the journey, others continue to suffer the symptoms throughout their lives. This makes any journey traumatic for both the pet and the owner.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

What is flatulence and what causes it?

Having a pet with flatulence problems can be very embarrassing - not to mention inconvenient, irritating and rather frustrating. But when you think about it, your pet is not having such a great time either.

Flatulence is generally caused by a build-up of gas in the stomach or intestines, which is often a result of undigested fermenting food. Some animals are simply unable to digest certain types of food while others have particular food sensitivities.

Often animals simply gulp air with their food, which then emerges as Intestinal Gas. Whatever the cause, the animal usually feels very uncomfortable. Flatulence is often accompanied by Bloating, abdominal pain, belching and wind.

What is Flatulence Preventer?

PetAlive Flatulence Preventer combines selected herbal and homeopathic ingredients to effectively relieve the symptoms of flatulence, gas, Bloating and Abdominal Cramps.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

What are the main causes of Constipation in pets?

The most common cause of Constipation in pets is an incorrect diet. A lack of fiber (and sometimes excessive fiber) can be a problem as well as indigestible bones which can be swallowed and produce a cork-like blockage in the Digestive Tract.

Other causes of Constipation include worm infestation, lack of exercise and FurBalls (in cats). Symptoms of Bladder Infections (such as straining) can also sometimes be mistaken for constipation.

Constipation can lead to a build up of toxins, which can cause numerous health problems.

Symptoms of Constipation in Cats and Dogs:

* Straining to have a bowel movement with no result
* Abdominal Discomfort
* Loss of Appetite
* Bloating
* Going for long periods between bowel movements
* Hard, impacted stools

What is the conventional treatment?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Domestic animals, like humans, are subject to the damaging effects of cooked and processed foods, food additives, environmental pollution and the Stress of modern day living. All of these factors can affect Digestive Functioning and lead to a range of Digestive Disorders.

Many holistic vets also blame over-Vaccination for the rise in chronic illness, including Digestive Complaints, in domestic pets. As pet owners, we try to do the best for our animals and to feed them healthy, nutritious food that will not harm them. However, advertising and the claims of pet food manufacturers have contributed to the misinformation surrounding what is best for our pets.

Commercial dried and tinned pet food is convenient and claims to be ‘better’ than any other form of food. In addition, our pets learn to like the food that we eat and who can resist those soulful eyes when a packet of chips or a cookie is around!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!