Natural Pet Health

To keep your cat healthy a majority of time, all you really need to do is give him good shelter, food, and plenty of water. Like other living things however, cats can get sick from time to time no matter what you do.

As a cat owner, you’ll want to ensure that you feed your cat only the best. Premium cat food is the ideal for cats, as the food is designed to keep your pet happy and healthy. You’ll also need to pay attention to his behavior, so you’ll know when he’s sick and when to take him to the vet. Most of the more common ailments and sicknesses are minor, although there are some cases where a vet can be the determining factor between life and death for your cat.

Kennel cough or tracheobronchitis is bronchitis that is marked by dry spasmodic cough, retching, sneezing, snorting or choking. It is characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory system. It can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection.

Tracheobronchitis is highly contagious and occurs when dogs are kept in crowded places with poor ventilation and lot of warm air – places like boarding kennels, vaccination clinics, hospital waiting rooms or any other such place where other infected dogs may be present.

Kennel cough in canines is equivalent, in some aspects, to common cold in humans. The symptoms are characteristic and obvious enough for diagnosis. And just as common cold caused by a virus requires no treatment, kennel cough in dogs also does not require any treatment if the condition has been caused due to a viral infection.

written by Shawn Messonnier, DVM

(Author, of 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. His new book, The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, is scheduled for publication in February of 2006. http://www.petcarenaturally.com/

In pets combination products containing multiple ingredients are more often prescribed than individual herbs. However, having an understanding of the individual herbs contained in the product can help the owner understand why the herb was included in the product. In people, St Johns Wort is often used to help control mild depression. In pets the herb is used as part of anti-anxiety formulas.

Bideawee: Helping Dogs & Cats Find Loving Homes For Over 100 Years (1)

For individuals looking for their first dog, and whose needs dictate an adult animal rather than a pup or kitten, the perfect answer is often to turn to an animal shelter. Not all animal shelters function as their name seems to imply though. That is, not all of them provide shelter, food, and care for a homeless animal until a new home becomes available.

One such organization whose standards far surpass the average home is the Bideawee organization, formerly known as the Bide-A-Wee Home Association. Entrusting a beloved pet to their care, the bereaved owner is assured that no animal is ever destroyed unless it is incurably ill.

Almost everyone has heard of distemper, and most dog owners know that their pet needs some type of shot in order to protect them against this disease, but that may be the total extent of their knowledge.

As we discuss distemper in this article series, please keep in mind that the discussion will be generalized and based primarily on research findings. Averages are the basis for any vaccination recommendations and in no way reflect individual variations, individual problems, geographical peculiarities, practitioner preferences, etc.

Every program for vaccinating animals against distemper is based on compromises according to the prevalence of disease, owner convenience, cost, and many other factors. In the final analysis, the pet owner must trust his veterinarian to provide adequate protection.

Feline distemper is something that all cat owners should be aware of, as it can be incredibly dangerous to your pet. Feline distemper, or feline panleukpenia as it is also called, is a viral disease, which not only affects cats, but can also be caught and transmitted by mink, otters and raccoons. This article will discuss the symptoms, treatment and prevention of feline distemper.

How do I Know if My Cat has Contracted Feline Distemper?

As any cat owner will know, it can be very difficult to tell when a cat is unwell. Partly because, they can be very changeable in their moods even at the best of times and partly because, they are known for their stoicism.

Many new ferret owners will quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the differences between owning a ferret and owning other, more common, pets. There are many aspects about basic ferret care and more involved health issues you should be familiar with, and there are a variety of ferret supplies that will help you maintain your ferret’s optimum health. This article will cover the most important parts of basic ferret care to help you become a great ferret owner! It’s also a great refresher for seasoned ferret owners.

Finding an Experienced Ferret Veterinarian

There are many different diseases and conditions that can cause canine diarrhea. It isn’t a disease unto itself, but simply a symptom of an underlying problem. If left untreated, diarrhea can lead to dehydration and eventually death. Let’s take a look at some of the things that can cause it.

Food

Food is one of the main ways that your dog can develop diarrhea. It can occur because of a sudden change in diet or just eating too much table food. The good news is that diarrhea caused by food can usually be resolved within a day. You simply have to allow your dog’s digestive system to settle down for a day by withholding food but giving plenty of water.

Worms

Kennel Cough is important to take seriously. Kennel cough also known as Tracheobronchitis. Is one of the most contagious and difficult illness in dogs. Kennel cough in simple terms means cough caused due to inflammation of the upper respiratory system.

Tracheobronchitis is named kennel cough as this cough is highly contagious and can spread easily among dogs sharing the same kennel.

Kennel cough can be caused by viral as well as bacterial infections .Viral infection like canine adenovirus canine distemper canine para influenza virus or canine respiratory coronavirus.

Bacterial infection like Bordetella bronchiseptica can be major causes for the spread of kennel cough.

Canine infectious tracheobronchitis is more commonly known as kennel cough, and it is a highly contagious disease of a dog’s respiratory tract. Although not a serious disease in itself, canine kennel cough should be attended to immediately as this can at times lead to severe pneumonia as well as canine distemper, both of which can prove fatal to your dog.

Kennel Cough can be caught from many venues including your neighbor’s dog, from a dog at a dog show, from the animal hospital, or boarding kennels. Kennel cough is caused by an airborne virus, which is highly contageous, so your dog should be kept away from other animals until he is completely clear of the disease. It is of even greater concern in very young puppies as infection can progress to fatal pneumonia.