Simple Steps for a Happier, Healthier Dog

Simple Steps for a Happier, Healthier Dog

For some time now there have been various health trends that people follow. Some are good, while many are not. Many of these trends are simply a good way for someone to make some really good money off of peoples desperation to be healthy. There are always new diets to follow, new artificial sweeteners, and new methods for a achieving a healthy lifestyle.

While all this is taking place, a similar trend is beginning to take place with dogs. It seems nowadays that everyone has a new doggie diet to put your faithful canine companion on.

Again, not everything people recommend is good. I have found in my years studying health that it is usually very simple things that you can do that have the greatest results. The same applies to your dog.

Let us go through some simple ideas that will have a great impact on your dogs health, and should grant them a long them a longer healthier life. These things may seem rudimentary, but as I said the simple things that people most often overlook are the things that work best.

Lets start with their diet. If you are feeding your dog table scraps stop it. For one thing, a lot of the common foods we eat on a daily basis are not good for dogs. For instance, studies have been done that prove grapes can make some dogs sick causing potential kidney failure, vomiting or diarrhea.

Dogs need to eat a healthy diet full of protein and healthy meats. They are carnivores aren't they. Some vegetables are OK in moderation, but you need to research before you feed your dog these things. Under no circumstances give them junk food. We shouldn't be eating it either. Peanut butter, carob, and yogurt are OK in moderation as well.

The occasional dog treat is OK, but make sure they are made from all natural ingredients. You also want to make sure your dog drinks filtered water, and takes an all natural supplement to support healthy function. There are some really good ones out there if you research. You can find supplements and vitamins that help with dog obesity, joint problems, and general supplementation for better health

Next, you want to make sure your dog gets plenty of good quality rest. This can start by spending a little bit more money and getting them a nice bed to sleep on. There is a great variety of nice dog beds to choose from if you know where to look. You can find everything from simple mats, to gorgeous masterpieces that will even rival your bed in terms of elegance and quality.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Give your pooch some good quality dog toys to play with. Give them some variety and see which king of toys keep them busy the longest. I have found that the hard rubber ones with the hollow spot for treats will keep them busy for a long time, especially if you put a couple of small treats inside.

Try some good fetch toys, and take a few minutes each day with them playing and interacting with them. A few minutes a day means a great deal to your loyal four legged companion. Simply put, make sure to spend some time loving on them each day. Following these simple tips will do wonders for the health of your dog.

Ear Problems in Pets and the Solutions

Ear Problems in Pets and the Solutions
Deanna Raeke

Ear infections and problems are one of the top reported problems faced by many pet owners. Does your dog or cat shake their head and scratch their ears or rub their ears against the ground or furniture? Do you ever notice a foul smelling, discharge in their ears, black, yellowish or brown in color? Are their ears red and tender? These are all signs of an ear infection or problem in your pets.

A dog or car’s ear canal is L-shaped which causes dirt, moisture, parasites; mites, and wax to be trapped in the canal which can lead to ear infections. Dog which have long, floppy ears tend to be more prone to ear problems due to the lack of air circulation available to the canal. With long haired, floppy eared dogs, you can keep the hair trimmed on the inside of the ear to increase air circulation.

The conventional treatment for most infections is antibiotic and anti-fungal medications. The problem with these treatments is that they treat only the symptoms, not the underlying cause. To successfully conquer the problem, both must be treated. Medications will mask the problem and may actually make it worse in the long-run by creating a chemical imbalance in the ear resulting in long-term problems.

Approximately 80% of ear infections are actually caused by allergies, with the ear infections and problems actually being one of the symptoms. You need to treat the allergy; the underlying cause as well as the ear infection for a long-term cure.

Treatment

One of the first things you need to do is to clean your pet’s ears. Use white vinegar (acetic acid) diluted by half with water and squirt this into the affected ear with a small squirt bottle or syringe. Rub the base of the ear to move it into the canal and clean the outer ear with cotton balls or a soft cloth. The vinegar will remove debris from the ears as well as kill the yeast and bacteria responsible for ear infections. Do this for 5-7 days then continue weekly to avoid recurring problems.

You can also treat the infection herbally. Garlic, sage and thyme all have natural antibiotic and anti-fungal properties. Pau d’arco has natural antibiotic properties. Soak the herb of choice in calendula oil overnight, remove it and using a dropper, apply the oil to the infected ear, 2-3 drops a day for several days. You should see a cessation in the infection. This should also eliminate ear mites.

For the itching and inflammation you can apply aloe or calendula essential oils topically to the ear twice a day. Vitamin C can also be added to your pet’s diet and works in two ways; it suppresses the product released from cells in the body that causes itching (histamine) and it will help the adrenal glands, which produces a natural steroid that can help reduce inflammation, to function more efficiently. Watch the dosage, vitamin C can cause diarrhea. Starting with a low dosage of 100mg per 10lb of body weight should be a safe dosage. If there are problem, decrease the dosage.

The next and very important step in treatment is working on the underlying cause, most likely allergies. Some of the main food allergies are grains, such as corn and wheat in many commercial pet foods as well as some of the protein sources and in some more sensitive dogs and cats, the additives and preservatives can cause problems as well.

The best thing you can do for your pet is do change their diet over to a natural, homemade diet free of the toxins of commercial pet foods. You may have to try different foods to figure out what your pet will respond to best, but in the long run it is worth it for your pet’s health and comfort. There are some natural and organic alternatives out there but you need to take the time to know what is really in the food you are feeding your pets.

There are also some supplements you can add to the diet to help with allergies. Quercetin has been effective for people with allergies and may be effective in dogs, it helps prevent an allergic response in the gastrointestinal tract, making food allergies less of a problem. The dose is 25mg per 10 lbs of body weight daily, and omega-3 fatty acid, a must for any allergy that triggers recurring ear infections. My preference for omega-3 is organic flaxseed oil or cold salmon oil. Aside from the allergy benefits, omega-3s offer many benefits to pets including improving the skin and coat and for joint and heart problems to name just a few.

Vet Time

As much as I am a strong advocate for natural health and treating your pet at home when the options are advisable, there are times when you must turn to a professional for treatment.

Most of the time, especially when caught and treated early, ear problems are confined to the outer ear and can be successfully treated at home. When the infection is in the inner-ear or cannot be alleviated by the above treatment, you need to see a vet. Symptoms to be watchful for include; head tilting, clumsiness, walking in circles or drooping eyes. The vet may need to drain fluids and treat with antibiotics if the infection has progressed to this point. Sometimes even more aggressive measures need to be taken. In any case where surgery is advised, I always suggest getting a second opinion. Not every vet knows everything.

Something else to be watchful for is that aggressive scratching and head shaking can cause a hematoma in the ear. Hematomas can cause permanent damage if severe enough and left untreated. A vet must evaluate and advise proper treatment.

The best thing you can do for your pet is to take the time to spend time with them and notice any problems before they turn into major problems. Many pet health issues can be treated at home with the right knowledge and if caught early enough.

And for your pet’s sake, go natural!

Pet Vet: Avoid foxtails or be prepared for dog to undergo anesthesia [28-10-15]

Pet Vet: Avoid foxtails or be prepared for dog to undergo anesthesia

Jeff Kahler, D.V.M., McClatchy Newspapers

It is foxtail season, and a booming one it is. Foxtails are seed awns produced by a number of non-native grasses. They're sort of torpedo shaped with tiny barbs that allow them to stick to anything to which they come in contact -- including fur on animals.

Once attached, problems can occur. Because the barbs are angled to allow forward progress and disallow reverse, a foxtail can get into a dog's ear canal and continue to burrow down toward the ear drum. They can even penetrate through the drum and cause severe ear damage and infection. As one might imagine, this is uncomfortable for the dog. The ear, however, is but one area that might be invaded by these foxtails. There are several others, and Dallas is an example of some of the problems that can occur.

The 6-year-old golden retriever had six foxtails removed from her ears under anesthesia a few days after returning from a foothills camping trip. Recently, she has been paying an inordinate amount of attention to her perivulvar area, mostly licking excessively. Dawn, Dallas' owner, reports seeing a yellowish material in Dallas' bed after she gets up in the morning and thinks it is coming from her vulva.

I am highly suspicious it's due to another foxtail. The yellowish material in Dallas' bed is likely pus and the result of infection in her vaginal vault from the migrating foxtail. There are, of course, other possible causes. She may have a primary vaginal infection or even a urinary tract infection, but my money is on a vaginal foxtail.

Dallas will need to have a vaginal scoping to locate and remove the foxtail. This procedure almost always requires an anesthetic. She will need to be on antibiotics for the infection.

I have seen cases where dogs are simply placed on antibiotics assuming a "simple" vaginal infection when, in fact, there is an underlying foxtail issue. These dogs will show improvement with antibiotic therapy, but, once stopped, the infection returns with a vengeance. If there is any possibility of a foxtail, it is always best to look.

So be on the lookout for foxtails and avoid them if possible. If you have them in your yard, get rid of them.

If you take your dog to areas where foxtails lurk, make sure you check them over after the day's play. Pay especially close attention between the toes, as foxtails can bore into the skin between the toes and migrate internally up the limbs. Check around the ears, and hope also that your dog didn't snort one up its nose. This almost always involves sneezing violently, so it is usually easy to know when that happens. Foxtails can also get into the eyes and cause damage to the cornea.

There are other places where foxtails can go in your dog's body, but the ones I've discussed are some of the more common. And you cat caretakers beware, as well. Foxtails show no favoritism.

Cancer in Pets - Don't Just Take it Laying Down! 10-06-2015

Cancer in Pets - Don't Just Take it Laying Down!

Cancer, the Big "C" is one of the worst words a pet owner can hear. It almost sounds like a death sentence, but it doesn't have to be. Caught early enough and aggressively treated, survival rates are improving everyday.

Cancer in Our Pets

Cancer is not uncommon in dogs and cats and the incidence increases with age. It accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers.

Here are some common warning signs of cancer;

* Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
* Sores that do not heal
* Weight loss
* Loss of appetite
* Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
* Offensive odor
* Difficulty eating or swallowing
* Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
* Persistent lameness or stiffness
* Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

This is definitely one area where modern medicine has made huge strides but you don't need to rely only on modern medicine. There are many things you, as a pet owner, can do to improve your pet's chances and keep them strong and help them fight.

What Can We Do?

One of the first and most important things, from my point of view, is to make sure your pet's diet is as good as it can be. Specific diets have been formulated to help combat cancer but you can make your own at home very easily if you just keep some things in mind.

Cancer cells metabolize food differently then we are used to. Extensive research has shown that cancer tends to grow quickly with plenty of glucose to 'feed' on. This glucose is the product of broken down carbohydrates, simple sugars. To cut the available glucose for cancer to grow on you need to cut down the carbs in your pet's diet.

What cancer does not metabolize well is fats and the best fats to add is omega-3 fatty acids. These, aside from the fact that they may retard cancer growth, also have many benefits. They are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, they improve cardiovascular health and can boost immunity. As an added benefit, they also great for skin and coat. Flaxseed oil and cold water fish oil are the best sources.

Cancer will also feed on protein but protein, at least a moderate amount of high-quality protein, is a necessity in your pet's diet. What the cancer is is actually 'feeding' on the the amino acids provided by the protein. Amino acids are the "building blocks" for tissues, organs, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, etc. This is why many cancer patients have low muscle mass. To combat against this, supplement your pet's diet with some good amino acids, even on top of the omega-3.

Arginine appears to enhance immune function and may inhibit the growth of some tumors and for cats be sure to add Taurine which is a necessity in their diet. Another amino acid to add is glutamine, especially if your pet is on chemo. This is will help to keep the gastrointestinal tract in balance which can be beneficial since vomiting and diarrhea are two side effects often seen in chemotherapy treatments. It may also help to inhibit tumor growth. And last, but not least, add glycine. This will counter the effects of the chemo drug, cisplatin, on the kidneys.

Antioxidants have been shown to slow the growth and spread of some types of cancer. They are known for their ability to fight 'free radicals.' Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium are the most effective but you need to watch the dosage. Too much of any supplement can be a danger. Accepted dosages are Vitamin C dose: dogs 100mg per 10 lbs of body weight twice daily; cats, 250mg twice daily. Vitamin E dose: dogs and cats 100IU per 10lbs body weight twice daily. Selenium dose: dogs and cats, 25ug per 10lbs twice daily, but be sure to double check with your vet as an added precaution.

'Cytotoxic' is an agent or process that is toxic to or kills cells and chemotherapy is one form of cytotoxicity. A natural cytoxic is Vitamin A because it is a retinol. Studies have have documented the capacity for natural and synthetic retinoids to reduce carcinogenesis significantly. Vitamin A is also commonly known as the anti-infective vitamin, because it is required for normal functioning of the immune system.

Now let's take a look at boosting the immune system. A strong immune system will help your pet fight off other illnesses that cancer treatment make it more vulnerable to as well as helping your pet to fight the cancer itself. Green tea is a well known immune system booster and it may as well inhibit cancer cell growth. You can easily add a standardized extract to you pet's diet. Ginseng is another well known immune system booster and may actually decrease tumors. Garlic also has immune building properties as well as antioxidant properties. Be careful with garlic thought, high doses may cause anemia.

I am not offering you any miracles but anything you can do to help your pet fight is a positive. Along with the diet and supplements, another very important thing you can do is keep a positive attitude. As pet owners, we know our pets are a lot smarter then they are often given credit for. They can pick up on our moods and feelings and attitudes. Keeping a positive outlook can do more for you and your pet than you probably realize.

And for your pet's sake, think about going natural!