Improve Your Dog's Health With Natural Dog Health Care
Improve Your Dog's Health With Natural Dog Health Care
Everyone who has a dog and who is conscientious about their own health will clearly see the benefits of providing a similar lifestyle for their pet.
That not only means finding a good place for your dog to live, but also providing for his health.
Commit yourself to your dog?s health by giving your dog the best in natural dog health care. As with humans, natural health care
for dogs is often an advantageous alternative to chemical treatment.
If you want your dog to have the benefit of providing you with the companionship and entertainment that you need, then you really should make that effort to take care of his needs.
Natural dog health focuses on taking care of your dog’s needs by using the best natural products you can find. Your dog has special needs; and you must to ensure that these needs are met on a regular basis if you want to see your dog live a long and healthy life.
Natural dog health care is also about purchasing the natural products that will best benefit your dog. A healthy dog is a happy dog; and when you take out your friend to play, everyone you encounter will see exactly how much love and dedication you have by giving your dog the best treatment and lifestyle possible.
The shiny coat and healthy look will be all the evidence they need. You will also be doing the best for yourself by adapting the natural dog care lifestyle, since you will have your friend around for a long time.
His immune system will be strong and he will enjoy partaking in the games that you will play. Natural dog health is also about changing your lifestyle so that you can be able to incorporate it in the way that you take care of your dog.
That means that you too should consider making natural health a part of you life. This could mean purchasing products that are natural and therefore good for your health.
By combining both methods, both you and your dog can life a happy and healthy life.
Joan Winthorp has always been fascinated by dogs. If you are a "dog lover" then the Joans website at <a href="http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com" title="http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com" target="_blank">http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com</a> was written just for you.
Pet Nutrition and Health…Be Cautious!
If you are squeamish this article may be uncomfortable. This was a difficult article to write, because of the close relationship we have with our pets. My purpose is to inform and educate “Pet Parents” as to what can be done to extend the life and improve the health of their beloved friends.
I was brought up on a livestock and grain farm where there was never a problem feeding the pets as well as the other animals. With the declining farm population and people now living in cities and small towns, less and less people have access to the feeds that are so prevalent on farms. Consequently we purchase processed and prepared foods at supermarkets and pet stores and the like.
What we do not know is where the foods are prepared and more importantly from where the raw feedstuffs come. The following paragraphs expose facts generally unknown to the public. Read to the end of this article to find out what you can do to improve your pet’s nutrition and health.
Most of us have heard of a rendering plant, but don’t have much information as to what they do or how they do it. Rendering plants dispose of over 12 million tons of dead animals, fat and meat wastes every year. These dead animal processors gather dead, diseased, dying or disabled (know as 4-D animals). The processing consists of grinding carcasses into small pieces and “cooking” them just long enough to facilitate separating of the “meat” and offal from the bones, hides, etc.
An important point: Most pharmaceuticals and drugs are not broken down in the brief heated processing period.
What is not well known is the animals may have had charcoal or preservatives to slow the decay prior to processing. Another distressing fact is the animals may have been sick and previously treated with pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. Larger road-kill animals may also be included in the mix. The most upsetting fact is: Euthanized pets from pounds are many times included.
With those words, I am going to add the plastic bags used by pounds, supermarkets, veterinarians and labs are not removed, because of time and labor costs. Collars, ID tags, flea collars and the like are also not removed. The hair and feathers are processed with everything else.
What I have referred to above is what constitutes animal protein used in pet foods. Vegetable proteins are ground corn, wheat middlings and sweepings, soybean meal, rice hulls, peanut meal and shells and many other products. Other ingredients can be cooking oils from fast food restaurants, tallow and other vegetable and animal sources.
The American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) has oversight, but they are understaffed and very little pressure is available to require monitoring.
There is help: A very limited number of companies avail themselves of the use of proper feedstuffs to produce a healthful, nutritional pet food. This requires third party verification of products used in preparing a healthy food. The cost, of course, is greater, but to extend your pet’s natural healthy life is a choice that many owners are now making with relief and great satisfaction. More information is available at:
Richard Monson is an entrepreneurial spirit with many interests. Pets are continuous companions in his life. Having lived on a farm he has concern for animals and out of necessity has studied animal nutrition and health. His interests in chemistry, physics and biology have provided him with the curiosity to look for answers beyond the usual methods.
Gastrointestinal stasis: What is and why it is so dangerous for some rabbits
Gastrointestinal stasis (or G.I. stasis) is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs in some rabbits in which gut motility is severely reduced and possibly completely stopped. Treatment should be sought immediately from a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and with significant rabbit experience. When untreated or improperly treated, G.I. stasis can be fatal in as little as 24 hours.
G.I. stasis is the condition of food not moving through the gut as quickly as normal. The gut contents may dehydrate and compact into a hard, immobile mass (impacted gut), blocking the digestive tract of the rabbit. Food in an immobile gut may also ferment, causing significant gas buildup and resultant gas pain for the rabbit.
The first noticeable symptom of G.I. stasis may be that the rabbit suddenly stops eating. Treatment frequently includes subcutaneous fluid therapy (rehydration through injection of saline solution under the skin), drugs for treatment of the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, massage to promote gas expulsion and comfort, possible drugs to promote gut motility, and careful monitoring of all inputs and outputs. The rabbit’s diet may also be changed as part of treatment.
Some rabbits are more prone to G.I. stasis than others. The causes of G.I. stasis are not completely understood, but common contributing factors are thought to include:
* a lack of fiber in the diet. Many pet rabbits do not get sufficient fresh grass hay but are instead mistakenly fed only commercial alfalfa pellets originally developed for rapidly increasing mass in rabbits bred for meat.
* insufficient moisture in the diet. Fresh, leafy greens are a critical part of a rabbit’s diet in part because of their moisture content, which helps prevent the gut contents from becoming impacted.
* lack of exercise. Rabbits confined to a cage frequently do not get the opportunity (or motivation) to run, jump, and play which is critical in maintaining gut motility.
In addition, G.I. stasis can be caused by the rabbit not eating for other reasons, such as stress, dental problems, or other unrelated health problems.
G.I. stasis is sometimes misdiagnosed as cat-like “hair balls” by veterinarians not familiar with rabbit physiology.
Hagar lagarto is a long time Pet lover with many articles and websites on the subject.You can get much more info at <a href=http://pet.freehostia.com>http://pet.freehostia.com</a>
Arthritis In Dogs ? What You Can Do To Help Your Dog
Canine Arthritis is a common ailment as dog?s age. It is similar to humans as calcification and inflammation cause joint pain and reduced activity. Some forms of arthritis like Canine Hip Dysplasia can develop early in life due to genetics and diet. Fortunately, arthritis in dogs can be treated.
Treatments for canine arthritis range from natural supplements using chondroitin and glucosamine, to veterinary prescribed drugs such as Rimadyl and Deramaxx. Studies and actual results have shown that natural supplements can be extremely effective in fighting the effects of arthritis in dogs without the potentially dangerous side effects of Rimadyl and Deramaxx. Before deciding which treatment option is best for your dog, you should observe the signs of dog arthritis.
Signs of Dog Arthritis
1. Limping and general reduced activity.
2. Favoring one or both of the front or back limbs.
3. Morning activity or cold weather makes the dog less active.
4. Difficulty rising from a resting position, especially in the morning.
5. Pain to the touch.
6. Reluctance to jump.
If you suspect your dog has arthritis, you should know the different forms or types of arthritis. The most common disorders are listed below.
Types of Dog Arthritis
1. Osteoarthritis ? Also known as canine arthritis or dog arthritis, it is the most common form of arthritis and most easily treated. Develops slowly as the dog ages.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis - This is an immune mediated disease and can affect the whole body. Several joints can be affected and the lameness can come and go without notice. Considered a more serious condition than dog osteoarthritis.
3. Degenerative Disc Disease - This is where the discs in the vertebrae develop calcification and become rigid. They become less able to withstand compression. This can lead to a severe injury and paralysis if the discs rupture or become herniated.
4. Stifle Joint Disorder - This is a condition in which the knee and joint becomes unstable. This is usually from a stretched or torn ligament. This can also cause the joint cartilage to become damaged and inflamed.
5. Canine Hip Dysplasia - This is caused by looseness in the socket connecting the thighbone and hipbone. This development usually occurs when the dog is young but can develop at any age. A common sign is to hear a clicking sound when the dog walks.
Treatment Options
1. Natural Supplements ? Most natural supplements use chondroitin and/or glucosamine as its primary ingredient. All of the glucosamine forms originate and are extracted from shellfish. Chrondroitin is derived from animal cartilage. Many products like Free and Easy for Dogs use glucosamine and chondroitin and combine additional supplements to provide a synergistic effect. Besides glucosamine and chondroitin, some of the more popular and effective supplements added are msm, ester-c, and hyaluronic acid. Many studies have been done which have proved the effectiveness of these supplements in humans. Dog owners have also reported many positive outcomes for their dogs using these natural supplements.
2. Rimadyl & Deramaxx - These drugs are obtained by prescription only. They are called NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Rimadyl was introduced by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in January 1997 to help treat dogs with inflammation and pain associated with surgery or canine arthritis. It is effective but it must be used with caution. Search Google for “What Your Vet May Not Tell You About Rimadyl” for more detailed information. At a minimum, you need to have blood work done to monitor the liver enzymes to ensure your dog doesn’t have a toxic reaction to the drugs.
3. Surgery - Surgery can be an easy decision or a very difficult decision. Often, money is a concern and some surgeries like disc surgery can cost around $3,500. Often, the age of the dog has to be considered when making this decision. And the outlook and prognosis is very important. You do not want the dog to suffer unnecessarily. At the very least, you should only consider surgery after ensuring an accurate diagnosis has been made. This may involve taking x-rays and a myelogram. A myelogram is done by injecting dye in the spinal canal to enable your doctor to detect abnormalities of the spine, spinal cord, or surrounding structures.
Summary - Dog Arthritis can be a very debilitating disease if left untreated. Dog owners should pay close attention to their animals and take prompt action when symptoms are noticed. Often a natural supplement is all that is needed to help your dog. Sometimes more aggressive treatments are needed such as surgery. The most important thing is to notice and diagnose the problem and then decide what treatment is best for your dog.
Copyright ? 2006 William Smith
William F. Smith is the owner of <a href="http://wwww.yourdoghealth.com" title="http://wwww.yourdoghealth.com" target="_blank">http://wwww.yourdoghealth.com</a>, a site started after his beloved Dachshund; Frederick developed Invertebral Disc Disease, and subsequently had back surgery. The site can be viewed at <a href="http://www.yourdoghealth.com" title="http://www.yourdoghealth.com" target="_blank">http://www.yourdoghealth.com</a> and offers a successful alternative to veterinarian prescribed drugs.
Pet Nutrition and How It Affects Health!
As having written a previous article on what pet foods are comprised, I feel it necessary to relay additional information as to how nutrition affects your pet’s welfare. My previous article can be found on Google under the title: Pet Nutrition and Health-Be Cautious.
Sometimes a pet can give off an unpleasant odor, the source can be elusive as it can be from breath, infections such as ear or toe, or a bad body odor.
We had such an instance with our son’s Black Lab pup named “Bruiser”. Bruiser was being fed a popular (not cheap) puppy chow and appeared healthy and happy. Bruiser produced an odor which when in the same room became a bit obnoxious. Because of my recent research of pet foods we started buying what we considered a very high quality premium food we considered to be of a “Natural” nature. The odor was reduced by a great amount, but not really gone. In my research I found a pet food company that produced also a “Natural” product, but certifies it’s ingredients by a third party to verify the quality and freshness of the raw products.
This food created quite a change in Bruiser, his doggie odor had disappeared and his hair coat had more luster. Bruser apparently felt the nutritional uplift, because he was even more lively as before, but an unanticipated result was the fact he now eats less than before (a reduction of over 30%). This fact makes the cost comprable or more economical than other premium foods.
We recently “Grand Pup” sat for Bruiser when our son was visiting his two sisters out of state for College spring break. Bruiser showed our two mature large dogs a thing or two about being active. His day activity was never ending, but his nights were very quiet for all of us.
We are thoroughly convinced that the questionable raw materials in even premium pet foods have a lot to do with a pet’s welfare and happyness. Referring to my previous article mentioned above, much of the meat type foodstuffs come from rendered carcases. These carcases are classified 4D (dead, dying, diseased or disabled) along with the pharmacuticals and preservatives. In addition the grains and other filler products (one example: Hydrolized feathers considered as crude protein) are legal, but do not create the proper enzyme environment for proper digestion.
Briefly: The above paragraph describes conditions which result in many health related problems and suffering from these improper foods and toxic substances.
Take time to research the materials at:
http://www.notablepets.smmsite.com
Richard Monson is an entrepreneurial spirit with many interests. Pets are continuous companions in his life. Having lived on a farm he has concern for animals and out of necessity has studied animal nutrition and health. His interests in chemistry, physics and biology have provided him with the curiosity to look for answers beyond the usual methods.
Looking For Cheap Pet Meds?
I love animals as much as the next guy. In fact I can almost guarantee you that I love them even more, how many people do you know that spent $15,000 on a sick cat all at once? I have been there with the sick animals and I know how expensive it can be and I also know that you can practically bankrupt yourself if you are not careful. That is why it is so important for everyone who owns animals to know where they can get cheap pet meds without having to sacrifice any quality.
There are a couple of different groups of pet meds. There are the ones that help to prevent your animal from getting so sick they need surgery or other more drastic measure and then there are the ones that they need when they are already very ill. They are both expensive but the difference is that if you get the good ones right away you may be able to avoid getting to the more serious and expensive stage. But where can you find thee pet meds?
The best place to shop for pet meds no matter what kind of animal you have is online. The Internet makes everything fast, simple and cheap. Why do you think that we all have it? No one likes to pay more than they have to for anything and when you start shopping on the internet you are going to notice that you have a lot more money floating around than ever before.
You can find all kinds of great pet meds on the Internet from all over the world. No matter where you live you can get some of the top name brand meds shipped to you that very same day. This is wonderful because sometimes you don?t have a long time to wait, you animal needs the medications now.
You do need to be careful though, just as you do when shopping for your own medication. The ones that you choose should be from a reputable manufacturer. Don?t go with cheap meds just because they are cheap, go with them because you know they are worth a lot but you are getting a good price on them. Your goal should be to find the best quality medications for a fraction of what you would pay from the vet.
You need to also find out just how much shipping the store or company is gong to charge you. This is vital because it does you no good to save on the price of the pet meds only have to pay triple what you excited on the shipping. Also be sure to get an exact timeframe for when the pet meds will be delivered. Get them to guarantee it in writing if you can, heck, if you are saving a lot you can even afford to get the super fast shipping. Think about it because your animal needs the medicine now. If it is gong to be a couple of days then talk to your vet about him or her giving you just enough to get you through until your shipment arrives.
Lavinia Snider is the owner of <a href="http://www.easypetmeds.info">Easy Pet Meds</a>. All you need to know about pet medication along with the best places to buy cheap pet meds online.
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