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Why Pet Health Care is so important
Mar 16th, 2010 by admin

Anyone who has a pet will tell you they’re as much a part of the family as anyone else. This is why pet health care is as important as human health care. Because vet bills can be costly, it’s important to take on some simple advice to keep your pet healthy and avoid illness in later life.

Bigger animals such as cats and dogs must be vaccinated when they are puppies and kittens. Owners are often tempted to leave animals unvaccinated because of the cost. However, to save money and heartache in the long run by avoiding life threatening diseases, vaccination is vital.

Cats and dogs should also be wormed and treated for fleas and ticks. Medication to prevent these pests may seem costly, but prevention is definitely better than cure and this is indispensible to guarantee your pet’s wellbeing and happiness.

Promoting your animal’s happiness and comfort is also a great contributor to pet health care. A suitable place to sleep is vital. Cats may not stick to one single place, instead choosing to curl up on your sofa. However, dogs should be given a bed. Even small pets like hamsters and rabbits need a warm, comfortable place to sleep. Although hamster bedding can be bought in pet shops, they are just as happy with shredded paper.

Your pet’s health is also dictated by their diet. pet obesity is actually a problem in the UK, so care should be taken to feed pets the right food. Although they love it, cats shouldn’t be given too much fatty milk, so save that for treats. It’s easy to get into the habit of feeding your dog human food from the table. Whilst a little human food will do no harm, think about the amount he’s eating. Rabbits love fresh vegetables and varying their diet is fantastic for them.

To prevent pet obesity, all animals should get enough exercise. Even small pets like hamsters need a good run, so make sure they have the biggest cage you can accommodate to give them space to explore. You should also let your hamster out of its cage to exercise; many pet shops sell small plastic balls for them to run around in. Be careful though, hamsters are great escape artists and easily lost if you take your eye off them. Cats will normally take care of their own exercise, but keeping them active with toys is a great idea. Some more pampered cats might not be keen to go outside, especially in the Winter, but it is for their own good to give them some gentle encouragement to spend time outdoors. Dogs love a good walk, so it’s no problem to give them the exercise they need. It’s important to give your dog the right amount of exercise as too much can be bad for him. Bigger dogs normally require longer walks.

These simple rules will create a healthy lifestyle  for your pet. You should always take your pet for an annual check up with the vet, but giving your pet a healthy life is vital to your pet health care regime. This advice could save you money and heartache by preventing illness in your pet.

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Pet Meds: What’s Best for Your Dog or Cat?
Sep 8th, 2009 by admin

During the times your dog or cat needs to take vet prescribed medication you may have to confront choices like which medicine suits your pet better, fluid or powder? Commercial or holistic? Making the right choice can be critical to your pet’s health, and sometimes you have to consider many factors and not only just what your vet recommends.

Important considerations:

The medicines your vet prescribes may have some minor side effects, but at times it is possible that medication reacts severely against the health of pet.It is a good idea to ask the vet the optimal duration of the medication necessary for the best result for your pet.Tell your vet in advance about any allergies your pet might suffer from in order to prevent any side effects from the medications prescribed to you.Do not forget to ask your vet about the variety and options regarding pet meds available in the market which suit you the best.Finally, some pet meds may be harmful and reactive to human body as well, so take appropriate precautions. At a minimum, keep them out of the reach of children and be attentive to their storage.

So how do I know what pet meds with suit me?

You need to look after the medication chart for your pet, so be sure to ask your vet to give you only those dog drugs which fit in with your daily routine and allow you to manage to administer in a timely manner for better health of your pet.

Methods of ensuring the best cat or dog med selection:

The best dog or medications for cats for your pet is the one which has least and less serious side effects, is most effective and long lasting, and impacts your pocket the least.Do not forget to consider factors such as of the age ,breed and sex of your pet when deciding on a medication.Don’t forget that there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to meds, like comparing other brands or even opting for home natural remedies including a more balanced diet for your dog or cat.Remember that not all medications are effective for all pets all of the time. If you try a new medication and it seems not to be working, or are using a familiar drug but noticing no effect, consult your local vet and consider a different one.

Caveats:

When handling medications for your pet always remember to read and follow the instructions mentioned on the label carefully. Reviewing the instructions help you deal better with the condition and any situations that might arise from the use of the medication.Make sure the medicine suits the size, age and breed of your pet. Don’t ‘double the dosage’ if your pet weighs twice as much as the medicine is designed for - buy the proper medicine for that weight range.Additionally, the blind belief that ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ medications are better than commercial ones can lead to serious complications.Consult your vet before giving any holistic medications or supplements to your dog or cat. While some home remedies work well, others can harm your pet and even cause its death, particularly with small dogs and, especially, cats. Herbal extracts for flea control are a good example.

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Pet Health Advice - It’s Never Too Late
Sep 5th, 2009 by admin

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There are many reasons for having a pet in the house. However, it is important that you choose a pet that is going to be one you can confidently look after and one that is going to be healthy so that you can both be happy in the future.

Just like human beings, pets need looking after to make sure their health remains in tip top condition and you are doing all you can to take care of it. You want looking after your pet to be easy, take a note of pet health and do your research online.

You don’t just have to consider your pet’s health, but also how that pet may impact on you and your family, considering allergies etc. From dogs to cats, rabbits to gerbils, all pets have certain germs that they carry so this has the potential to make your family ill.

There are a wide range of pet problems that can surface, from fleas and allergies to more serious conditions like cataracts and arthritis.

There is a cost-effective way to cover veterinary bills if the time comes, and that is with the use of an insurance company that can provide you with pet health insurance. Now you can take care of your pet properly and also ensure pet health routine care is covered. After browsing online, you will be sure to find a number of different quotes that you can deliberate over and decide which pet plan to go for.

Pets are a full-time job and it is useful to speak with a vet prior to owning one so you know what you need to do to take care of it. There are many different ways to search for pet health care advice, from the local library to the plethora of online resources that are sure to help.

Pets are the loves of many lives, so be sure to look after yours and make its life a happy one.

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Pet Health Is The Owner’s Responsibility
Sep 3rd, 2009 by admin

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Most people feel that a house isn’t a home without a pet in it. Choosing a right and healthy pet can create a special and lasting relation for both of you.

A pet is an addition member to a family not only brings the happiness and fun but lots of responsibility for its care and well-being regarding its health. You want looking after your pet to be easy, take a note of pet health and do your research online.

You don’t just have to consider your pet’s health, but also how that pet may impact on you and your family, considering allergies etc. As we all know that every pet carries germs in their body which may affect you and your family through air, water or some other way.

Animals can suffer with a wide range of problems from internal parasites to skin problems, and these can be quite common in all pets, so be sure to make pet health your number one priority to reduce the chances of the pet getting ill.

Due to all these unexpected illnesses and accidents, many insurance companies provide pet health insurance. Should your pet be in an accident, you can make sure it doesn’t cost too much when you take out pet health insurance. After browsing online, you will be sure to find a number of different quotes that you can deliberate over and decide which pet plan to go for.

Contact a vet for advice before you get your new pet so that you can make sure you have everything sorted in advance. The Internet is a great place where you can study about pet health care and find information on how to keep a healthy pet in your house.

Get your pet health knowledge up to scratch and your pet will love you forever.

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Frequent Diseases in Dachshunds
May 23rd, 2009 by admin

In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds The overwhelming majority are born healthy and live long, mostly disease-free lives.Almost every dog can develop minor health issues even if they receive vaccinations and excellent life-long care. Even dogs that receive their vaccinations and excellent life-long care can develop some minor health issues in their lifetime.

However, there are some conditions that occur more frequently in Dachshunds than other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the cortisol hormone is produced, either by a primary tumor or the adrenal gland, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in excessive drinking and urination, hair loss, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions, and sometimes diabetes. Lab tests are performed to measure the cortisol levels and the ability of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Several different drugs can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. If adrenal cancer is present, surgical excision of the gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease is not limited to Dachshunds and can be found in other breeds, too.

The opposite condition is called hypoadrenocorticism (low cortisol) or Addison’s disease. Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, but Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to an imbalance of the electrolytes and too low of blood sugar (glucose). The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for fluid therapy and cortisone injections to correct the imbalances. Being as the sudden collapse resembles many disorders, Addison’s is the most difficult disease to diagnose. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Addison’s and Cushing’s Disease. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison’s disease.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a degeneration of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. The degeneration results with gradual vision loss and blindness. Because of the slow onset of the disease, it may not be diagnosed until the dog has already been bred, thus passing the condition to their offspring. Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases. Regular eye exams can help detect these eye-disorders early.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the spine (back). In Dachshunds, this material sometimes ruptures and sometimes calcifies, or hardens. The disc protrusion causes pain and swelling around the nerves coming out of the spinal cord and sometimes compresses the cord itself. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. Most of the Dachshunds with disc disease can be managed medically with anti-inflammatory medications and pain medication. Holistic medicine, such as chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture, is sometimes used to relieve the pain. Immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs when there is a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis. The faster the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.

Researchers are using lasers to fuse or burn the discs in order to prevent future herniation. Being as this is such a common problem in Doxies, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Spinal surgery for herniated discs is very expensive and I have had the uneasy task of performing euthanasia on several Dachshunds because the owner’s were unable to pay for the surgery. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. Some dogs may recover without surgery, but it is impossible to predict.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. Usually, the reaction is minor, resulting in swelling of the muzzle and face and occasional hives. Vaccine reactions can occur in any dog, so it always best to watch your pet for a few hours after a health check. With the advances in vaccines, fewer side effects do occur and the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Good dental care, proper diets, preventive health checks, vaccinations, and heartworm/parasite prevention can help your Dachshund live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

 

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Fish Oil For Dogs
May 16th, 2009 by admin

I got a phone call today from one of my business partners, and he wanted to tell me about what one of the participants in our test group had told him. Our test group had tested my ultra pure pharmaceutical grade fish oil for a few months, before it was released, and the female participant that had spoken to my partner was, for lack of a better term, our guinea pig.

The woman works as a nurse at a dialysis clinic, is over 50 years of age, widowed, and has two dogs, (real dogs…not like the overdeveloped rats that are so popular these days), and the dogs are somewhere between 9 and 10 years old.

She took my pharmaceutical grade fish oil, because the stuff she was taking gave her “fish burps,” which she didn’t like, and she liked the the higher levels of EPA/DHA contained in my formula, which she couldn’t get in the stuff she picked up at the drugstore.

Her primary reason for using fish oil was to relief arthritic pain. At fifty, and being a full time nurse, she is on her feet for many, many hours at a time, and it’s been hard on her.

She had been taking my special fish oil formula for a month, when she told us that she had felt a substantial decrease in her pain level. She even said it felt like she had new legs!

Here’s where the story goes to fish oil for dogs.

Her dogs, named Shaggy and Shea, were getting up in age and therefore were not as active as they were in their younger days, and Shea seemed to have a bit of limp. After being on the fish oil formula for a month and feeling great, she decided to feed the dogs a softgel each day when they got their doggy treats. In just two weeks, the dogs had higher energy levels, and Shea was walking without a hitch.

Now I know this is not scientific, and I’m far from a veterinarian. I really don’t know what to make of it, other than it’s a good story. But if it has benefits…I’m not going to stand in the way of her giving fish oil for dogs.

Shea and Shaggy’s mom is certainly not the only person who has reported that fish oil is a fantastic way for reducing pain associated with arthritis. Taking pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is a tremendous help for battling joint troubles.

I read a study recently from Columbia University Medical Center that stated omega 3 fatty acids may assist in lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 19 to 24%. Pharmaceutical-grade fish oil can also help with the function of your heart, joint, and brain.

Alzheimer’s is the #1 health fear of my generation, and the one that follows, too.

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Healthy Pet Tips
May 11th, 2009 by admin

There are several types of illnesses that can affect our pets. Unless you understand what these illnesses are and how to prevent them you are putting your pet in danger. While we typically don’t think about cats as having short lives thier life span can be reduced when they are not provided with adiqute nutrition. Some of the common illnesses among cats are diabetes, kidney failure, bladder infections, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, and several other conditions. These illnesses hamper your pet from functioning normally. Fortunatley they can be controlled through correction offered by the owner. Many points in this article also apply to dog disease,dog illness as well.

Let’s look at diabetes as an example. Diabetes is a aggrivated when there are a lot of carbohydrates in a cat’s diet. It happens when the carbohydrates cause an imbalance in the insulin levels. Obesity can be part of the cause for diabetes in cats. There is an easy solution to the problem of diabetes. By lowering the amount of carbohydrates the cat ingests you can regain a proper insulin balance. If the cat is overweight then a diet may be in order. This can be occomplished simply by implementing feeding times rather than a bowl of food left on the floor.

Another leading cause of premature death in cats is kidney failure. This can be directly attributed to dehydration in most cats. Supplementing their diet with meat protein and canned food can lead to an increase in muscle mass and a better hydrated kitty. When water is already a part of their diet, the animal is less likely to be dehydrated. This will stop kidney failure before it ever gets a chance to develop. 

Water is also important in the prevention of bladder infections and kidney stones. This kind of preventative attitude will allow the pet owner to catch the condition in time and stop it from happening in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Once the problem has gotten out of hand, sometimes it is too late to do anything about it. Why not eliminate it before it begins?

We have mentioned a lot about the proper nutrition for cats to provide proper health and a long life. We should also mention that health care is essential. Your cat should be taken to the vet for shots, health checkups, and other needs to ensure they remain healthy. 
You also need to promote an energetic lifestyle in your cat. Play with your cat during the evening when you are home or let it roam outside in a controlled environment. A cat tree, pet steps or some other type of cat tree can ensure at least minimal exercise even within the saftey of your home. Providing proper nutrients like calcium for healthy bones and other critical vitamines is another important responsibility of a pet owner.

As a pet owner you should make sure that the food being offered to your cat has no harmful chemicals or additives. If you are not sure what is the best choice speak to your vet on the next visit. The vet can steer you towards healthy foods that you should be looking for. In fact they can make sure that you are not offering pre- packaged foods that have an abundance of bad ingredients or carbohydrates. Moderation is the key when it comes to ingredients. Everything can be harmful when given in an overabundance.

Take a proactive role in your cat health and dog health. Doing so will provide dividends down the road that will seem miraculous. Long term health is not something that is gained quickly. Rather it must be a commitment by the owner to do the right thing when it concerns the health of their cat.

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Never Mind Pet Boarding - Consult With A Pet Sitter
Apr 19th, 2009 by admin

Having pets around is like being with a friend or a family. They should be loved and cared for just like anybody else. Some people treat their pets as a part of their lives, while some are too busy to look out for them. Luckily when this happen there is always a pet sitter available to do the job for you.

A pet sitter offer services to watch and look out for pets. These people give out their outmost time to do these jobs of taking care of your pets. They are skilled to provide you with a good service. Positive benefits can be achieved in hiring these pet sitters.

These are several benefits and services attainable for hiring a pet sitter:

- When pets are taken care of at their own homes they benefit from the familiar environment. The confusion and the population of the kennel may be harmful for your pets.

- You can avoid the long duration of transporting your pet from the house to the kennel. And will allow the pet to evade certain travel traumas.

- A familiar and recognizable person will be the one to tend for your pet. And the pet sitter will maintain and manage the care for the animal friend.

- Your homes will be much safer from unwanted people while there are activities performed by the sitter and the animal.

- Extra services are given by the pet sitter like watering the plants and picking up the mail and newspapers.

- Your pets will avoid certain illness and parasites inside a populated kennel.

- Relatives, neighbors, and friends are not compelled to look out for your pet.

- Normal routines will be achieved because there are no sudden changes in environment.

- Required vaccinations from kennel will be avoided.

- Walking and giving a proper exercise for your pet can also be done by a pet sitter.

- Feeding the required diet for your pet.

- Other pet sitters can train your animals with attentiveness. These are services that can be provided by a professional pet sitter

- They can also provide you with pooper scooper services in your home or yard so you wonít have to clean up your animals droppings from time to time.

These are the many positive advantages when getting the help of a pet sitter. And this is probably the best and effective way to prove and establish more love, affection, care, and concern to your animal friend while you are away.

Recently, pet sitters are highly regarded and are increasing its popularity in the society. People are demands grow more and more for these kinds of services. Pet sitters are found everywhere. You can acquire there services through the internet or through the network of your neighborhood.

You may be occupied or busy for work or a vacation lately, and you may definitely hire a pet sitter along the way. When you do that, always remember that your pet is very much secured and happily waiting for you when you get home.

Pet Sitting Long Island specializes in all varieties of Dog Care help. If you’re in need of a Long Island Pet Sitters then you need look no further. For Additional helpful information and articles about Long Island Dog Walkers come visit us today!

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Pets and the Peanut Butter Recall
Apr 16th, 2009 by admin

zoonotic disease in pets

Salmonella and Our Pets -With the recent Peanut Butter Recall,  Salmonella once more has become headline news. Salmonella is a  bacterium that can affect both humans and animals and can be passed  from human to animal and animal to humans (reverse zoonotic disease).  Most infections occur through ingestion of contaminated food or water  or through close contact with an infected host. In the Peanut Butter  recall, contaminated peanuts were used as a flavoring or an additive in  products including pet food and treats. Luckily, most dogs and cats  infrequently develop disease, but handling the infected treats and then  handling food or not washing your hands after handling infected  products can transmit the bacteria to humans.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection can  include diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. Babies, the elderly and immune  suppressed are more susceptible to infection and can be exposed by  contact with pets or humans harboring the bacteria without showing  symptoms. Salmonella can cause severe  illness and sometimes even death in infants, the elderly or the immune  suppressed individuals. Salmonella is most often  found in raw meat, poultry, eggs and sometimes vegetables

Cooking  products to the proper temperature kills the bacteria. Most often,  infections occur with cross contamination, such as cutting raw meat on  a cutting board and then cutting vegetables for the salad on the same  cutting board or handling a contaminated product then eating or  handling food without washing hands. Most disinfectants and dilute  bleach will kill the bacteria. Feeding raw meat, poultry or eggs to  pets can result with Salmonella infection in our pets. Since some pets  may not develop symptoms but harbor the bacteria, they may pass  Salmonella in their feces for months and may cause infections in  humans.

What can you do to reduce your exposure to Salmonella?

  1. Always  cook food thoroughly. Do not ingest drinks or foods containing raw eggs  (This includes licking the beaters when making cake mixes, a bad habit  I am most guilty of)
  2. Wash hands after handling raw meats, poultry,  and pets: especially turtles, baby chicks, reptiles and pet feces.
  3. Before eating,  wash your hands. (Mothers are always right)
  4. Wash utensils, cutting  boards and plates after handling raw meat and poultry. (When grilling,  always use a different plate when taking the cooked meat off the  grill.)
  5. Do not feed pets raw meat, poultry or eggs.
  6. Wash hands  after handling pet treats (pig ears, rawhides, peanut butter treats) or  after playing with pets, especially turtles, birds, baby chicks and reptiles.
  7. When changing  diapers, wash hands before handling raw foods. To prevent cross  contamination, do not feed babies or the elderly while preparing raw  foods.
  8. If  you are served undercooked  meats at a restarurant, do not hesitate to send it back for further cooking. Also, you  may want to ask for fresh salsa if it looks like it may have been left  out too long. Salsa dips have been a source of Salmonella infections in  the past.
  9. For extra protection, carry a  hand sanitizer in your purse or car.

    I have more tips and links to web  sites concerning the Salmonella Peanut Butter recall at LuvUrDog.com/ You can also view Facts about Salmonella at CDC.org.

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