Traveling With Your Pet

Traveling with your pet usually involves more than putting the animal in a car and/or plane, especially if you’re moving or traveling far away. Before you start traveling with your pet, here are a list of things to do before the trip.

First, make sure you locate a local veterinarian or pet hospital that is close to where you are staying.  This way, you will be well prepared in advance in case anything happens.  Email the veterinarian for pictures, a price list (if possible), check reviews online and do your research.  Drop by the vet’s office when you arrive and make sure that it meets your expectations in the areas of cleanliness, caring and well-trained staff, reasonable fees, and convenient hours.

Next, make sure you always have your current veterinarian’s phone number handy in case of an emergency or if the temporary veterinarian needs more information about your pet.

If your pet has any medical problems, make sure they are examined before the trip.   Some countries require a full exam and health certificate, and the United States and Canada require a valid rabies certificate.  Make sure you discuss this with your veterinarian.  It is always a good idea to travel with a copy of your pet’s medical records, especially if the animal has a difficult medical history.

If your pet is on medication, be sure to have plenty for the trip and then some.  Veterinarians cannot write a prescription without a prior doctor/patient relationship.  This means that in order to get any drugs, your pet will need to be examined first by its new doctor.  This may be inconvenient if you need medication right away.  You may want to ask your current veterinarian for a prescription before you travel.

If your pet is on a special therapeutic diet, purchase an extra supply in case you can’t find the food right away in your new area.

Carry a first aid kit for your pet. While first aid is no substitute for veterinary care, knowing basic first aid could save your pet’s life.

Do your research and make sure the hotels you are staying at accept animals.  Click here to view hotels that accept animals.

Thinking of using a boarding kennel? Get recommendations from your veterinarian and make sure your pet’s vaccines are up-to-date.

If traveling by plane, call the airline in advance to check out regulations and services and to make reservations. Some airlines will allow pets in the cabin, but you will need to purchase a special airline crate that fits under the seat in front of you.

Learn more about your new area. Your veterinarian can tell you if there are any diseases like heartworm or Lyme disease and vaccinations or medications your pet may require. Also, be aware of any unique laws. Some places have restrictions on exotic animals (ferrets are not allowed in some cities),and there are restrictive breed laws in others, such as no pit bulls allowed. Your pet could be affected by these laws, so call ahead to the city or travel information bureau for more information.

If you’re traveling between countries, it’s important to carry a rabies vaccine certificate. Expect your pet to be quarantined in certain locations. Hawaii has a 120-day quarantine period, and the United Kingdom has a six-month quarantine period. Call the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to where you are traveling for information on special documents, quarantine, and additional costs to bring the animal into the country.

Canada has an automatic veterinary inspection for $35 at the border for pets entering from countries other than the United States. New Zealand has mandatory microchip implanting and a $10 scan fee at the border. Make sure you have the right kind of currency and enough of it to pay any fees or your pet will be boarded.

To avoid losing your pet during a move, make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag. To be doubly protected, consider having your pet tattooed or having a microchip implanted. The more methods of identification,the better chance that the owner will be found. Microchip databases are specific to the United States and Canada, so register your pet in both if moving between these countries. You should also register the name and phone number of a relative who can identify the pet in case the owner can’t be reached while traveling.

Overall, make sure you have enough medication for your pet, appropriate documentation for travel to other countries,or money to pay for border fees. Be prepared by bringing a copy of your pet’s medical records, proper documentation and medication, and know the laws before going into the new city or country.

Dog Exercises – Exercises for Dogs

Exercise For Dogs 101

Dogs can be great fun to exercise, because they can get you out and moving yourself.  You don’t want to hit the ground running with your pooch, though.  Just like people who aren’t used to exercise, exercise for dogs that aren’t used to it should start off slow.

Begin with a visit to the veterinarian to discuss your plans and ensure your dog has a clean bill of health.  After your veterinarian gives you the go-ahead, start your dog on suitable exercise for beginners.

Moderately paced walking and swimming are a good way to start–they let canine athletes build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily ten- to 15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start; you can build to an hour a day if your dog seems up to it.

If, after a few months, he’s doing well and can handle long, fast walks without fatigue, he can graduate to jogging with you.  Once he’s adapted to the exercise, you and your dog can run and walk to your heart’s content, if you take a few precautions:

• Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble breathing. If your pup wants to stop, let him. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
• Don’t expect your fuzzy buddy to be a weekend warrior, even if you only get exercise on the weekends yourself. After a long week without exercise, your dog may be ready to get out and burn off energy. But because of their enthusiasm, many of the popular breeds, such as Labrador and golden retrievers, will overdo it.
• Safety first–keep Rover on a leash when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run into the path of a car or a territorial animal. And if you have to run when it’s dark out, put reflectors on your dog’s collar as well as on your clothes.
• Concrete and asphalt are tough on the paws, especially on hot days. Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, cinders, and road salt can also irritate paws.
• Take it easy in extreme weather. If it’s freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little indoor fetch instead.
• The more active your dog is, the more water he’ll need. Make sure he has plenty of fresh water before and after your run. If you’re going for a long run, take some water along for him.

If your dog is getting bored with running or walking, take heart: there are other ways to get him the exercise he needs.  A 15-minute game of fetch makes for a good workout. Supervised play with other dogs is a good option too.

Tug-of-war is not a good game because it can damage his teeth and may increase aggressive behavior.  If you have the time and your dog has the inclination, you could even try running him through some agility obstacle courses, which incorporate a range of activities.  If you’re interested, your veterinarian may know of a dog agility organization in your area.

The Importance of Exercise For Pets

You know exercise is good for you.  You know that exercise can give you energy, help you maintain a healthy weight, keep your muscles and joints flexible, help you live longer, and above all, make you feel better.  So what about exercise for your pets?  For all the same reasons, your pets need to get up and get moving.  Not only can exercise extend your furry friends’ lives; it may also expend some of their nervous energy and make them a little less likely to chew on the living room drapes.

The thing is, without someone to lead the way, your pet may not run laps or do leg lifts in their spare time!  So as a wonderful pet parent, part of your job is ensuring your animal family members get safe, enjoyable exercise on a regular basis–whether they’re cats, dogs, turtles, or ferrets!  All pets need some physical activity to live a happy, healthy life.

Different pets need different amounts of exercise, so you’ll want to talk to your veterinarian before starting your pet’s workout program.  With your veterinarian’s approval, you can embark on an exercise program that won’t seem like work at all–to your pet, it’s play.

Exercise For Pets In Cages

Yes, your pets in cages need exercise as well. Some small exotic pets, such as mice, geckos, turtles, or small birds, can get enough exercise simply moving around their cage. Larger animals, however, may lose muscle tone or become obese if they don’t get enough activity. There are a few ways to make sure your exotic gets moving:

• In the cage. Some pocket pets and birds can get plenty of activity with toys inside their cage. The well-known hamster wheel is an excellent way for hamsters, gerbils, and rats to burn off extra energy. Also, most pet stores carry sections of plastic pipe that you can attach to your pocket pet’s cage for extra running room. Climbing ladders and hanging mirrors and bells can help keep birds active and moving around their cage.
• Letting them out. If it can be done safely and you can watch him closely, letting your exotic pet out of the cage is an excellent way for him to stretch and move his muscles. If your pet is small enough, you can put him in a “hamster ball” and watch him roam. Some larger animals like rabbits, iguanas, and birds can safely explore your living room if you watch them carefully; be particularly watchful for rabbits, guinea pigs, and the like chewing on electrical cords.
• Getting fresh air. Building a small, securely covered outside pen may be a good idea if you have an exotic pet. Most larger exotic animals–including rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, snakes, iguanas, and turtles–will enjoy some time in the sun and the grass, provided they are protected from predators. You’ll just need to make sure they’re always supervised and that your lawn hasn’t been treated with any chemicals.
• Swimming. Believe it or not, swimming can be great exercise for reptiles. Many snakes and lizards are thrilled to slither or paddle around in a few inches of water. Because they carry salmonella, reptiles shouldn’t swim in a bathtub or swimming pool used by people. Instead, you can buy a children’s wading pool and keep it just for your pets’ use.
• Making them fly. If you have an overweight bird that refuses to fly, you’ll need to coax him to walk and to move his wings. One trick to get him to flap is to hold him on your arm and move that arm up and down; he’ll move his wings to keep his balance.
• Going for a stroll. With training, some rabbits and iguanas can actually learn to enjoy walking on a leash with a harness.

Whatever their species, animals’ need for exercise is just as vital to their health as their need for shelter, good food, and clean water. For help in designing an exercise plan for your pet, contact your veterinarian.

Cat Exercise – Exercise for Cats

Cat Exercise?

I know what you may be thinking. Making my cat exercise? Are you kidding me? Cats can make laziness into an art form: snoozing in the afternoon sun, stretching a little before they plop down on your lap for the night.  But as immobile as they seem, they still need to get up and moving on a regular basis.

Cats are a bit different than dogs, however–they’re designed for short, frequent periods of intense activity, rather than longer, slower-paced exercise sessions.

Click Here to Order Cat Toys

There are some wonderful toys you can buy to get your cat active, including kitty trees that will let her climb to the ceiling and mechanical animals she can chase around the room. There’s no reason to reach into your wallet for toys your cat may or may not like, however, when there is endless entertainment around the house.

There are a few main ways you can entice your kitty into activity:

• Things she can bat.  Anything light that moves easily across the floor can give your cat a chance to practice hitting and chasing. Balled up pantyhose and paper work well; for some reason the rings that come off of milk jug caps also seem to be irresistible.  Just make sure that she’s not batting anything she could chew up or swallow.
• Things she can chase.  The end of a moving string should bring out the predator in even the most sedentary cat.  Again, just make sure she doesn’t swallow the string.
• Things she can explore.  Empty boxes and paper bags may get your cat to climb in, out, and on top.
• Things she can scratch.  Scratching stretches and tones the muscles in your cat’s shoulders and back.  A scratching post–or even a piece of cardboard or carpet–can keep her active without shredding your sofa.

Whatever game you play with your cat, don’t use your hand or fingers as “bait” or as the object of teasing.  This teaches him that it is all right to scratch and bite your hands–a lesson you will want your cat to unlearn in the future.

The key is to find out which kind of toy is the most tempting to your cat and to use it consistently.  You may have to try a lot of different activities to before you find your kitty’s favorite.  Some cats can even be trained to walk outside on a leash.

Click Here to Order Cat Toys

Parasites in Dogs and Cats

Intestinal parasites in dogs and cats are one of the most common issues that pet owners have to deal with. But, unpleasant as it may seem, pet owners should be aware of worms and other parasites that can affect their animals’ health. Cats and dogs are the favorite nesting grounds of four principal groups of worms and a few species of microscopic protozoa. The four worms are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Among the protozoa are coccidia, toxoplasma, giardia, and ameba.

Proper identification is vital. Unfortunately, in the case of parasites, identification isn’t always easy because adult worms release their eggs sporadically. Knowing exactly what the problem is, is the first step in finding a solution.

It’s very important to bring your pet’s fecal sample (bowel movement) to your veterinarian as often as requested up to one year of age. Collect fresh fecal sample within 12 hours of an examination. It is also very important to keep the samples cool or refrigerated. A microscopic examination of the fecal sample will be performed to identify the worm’s eggs.

An annual fecal check is also good preventive medicine.

Treatment begins once the specific parasites are identified. It’s important to realize that different parasites will require different medications. Your veterinarian can administer the proper treatment for your pet. There are also some new preventive medicines on the market. Check with your veterinarian about whether these are appropriate for your pet.

Tapeworms are of special concern. Tapeworm segments resemble small pieces of rice. They are one of the few parasites that may be seen in a bowel movement or clinging to the hair near your pet’s tail. If you notice these segments, carefully place them in a small container and take them to your veterinarian for positive identification along with a fecal sample. Several types of worms may be involved, and it is important to identify all of them for proper treatment.

Once identification is made, the proper deworming medication must be administered. With some intestinal worms, treatment of the environment also may be needed. Most treatments take only a few days. However, periodic checking is necessary to be sure that all intestinal worms have been eliminated. A fecal sample should be reexamined about three to four weeks after the deworming. Your veterinarian may request an additional fecal sample at a later date.

Once the problem is treated, it makes sense to prevent reinfection. Bowel movements are the greatest source of most worms. To avoid worms, keep your pet away from areas where other animals have relieved themselves and dispose of bowel movements as quickly as possible in your own yard.

Under some conditions of poor hygiene, worms can be transmitted to humans. Discuss the risk of human exposure with your veterinarian.

A change in appetite, coughing, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), weight loss, a rough-dry coat, or just an overall poor appearance are symptoms caused by intestinal worms. If you suspect the presence of parasites, consult your veterinarian immediately. Sometimes healthy, well-fed pets do not show signs of intestinal parasites.

Always seek veterinary advice before deworming your pet.

Raw Dog Food by Carina Beth Macdonald Book Review

Pages: 86

Published: 2004

The Good: Straight to the point, easy to follow book about raw dog feeding.

The Bad: The author does not feed her dog entirely raw.

The Bottom Line: Raw Dog Food: Make It Easy for You and Your Dog by Carina Beth Macdonald is an excellent book to read if you are curious about the raw dog food diet and need a general introduction to this type of feeding style.

Raw Dog Food is mostly one person’s personal account into how to properly do raw dog feeding. Don’t worry though, the author, Carina Beth Macdonald, has had lots of experience with raw dog feeding. She has fed many dogs in the past a raw dog food diet with great success.

This fun and easy to read book covers everything from why you should feed raw, the benefits of feeding raw, how to feed raw even for puppies and senior dog citizens, supplements you should incorporate into your raw dog food diet and much much more.

Note that Carina doesn’t feed her dog all raw. So if you are a die hard hardcore raw feeder, her occasional account of an un-raw snack like a pizza crust, may irk you.

The book has 10 chapters which are:

1. Why I Started Feeding Raw Dog Food
2. A Raw Diet – What Nature Intended
3. Myths, Fears and Anxieties
4. Raw Materials
5. The Raw Food Factory
6. Putting It All Together
7. Customize Your Feeding
8. Problem Solving
9. The Straight Poop
10. Waggin’ Tale End

Our favourite chapters are #9 – The Straight Poop, which talks about what healthy dog poop should look like and what different types of dog poop means. Hint: Healthy dog poop should be light, odorless, small and quite firm. Also, it should turn white after a few days in nature, which then you can just step on it and let mother nature take it back. And #3 Myths, Fears and Anxieties, which talks about issues that people have with switching to a raw dog food diet.

This book also gets bonus points in our book as Carina uses the Vitamix to blend some of her raw dog food “glop” together! We highly recommend the Vitamix for both human and dog use.

Overall, we recommend this book to any person who is just getting into the raw dog food diet and wants to have a good overview about this style of feeding. For about $10, this book is well worth the money if it can convince you to put your dog on a raw dog food diet. Which we think it will.

Pet Allergies – How to Treat Your Cat and Dogs Allergies

Just like people, animals have allergic reactions because their immune system, the system that protects the body from foreign and potentially infectious substances, overreacts. Almost anything can set off an alarm in the immune system, causing it to pump out large amounts of white blood cells, hormones, and other material called histamines into the bloodstream.

These include pollen, dust, an ingredient in pet food, a household chemical, and an insect bite. The result in animals can be a range of different effects, including itchy, swollen skin–known as pruritis–difficulty breathing, or a disruption of the digestive tract such as vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms are the animal equivalent of a person’s sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.

The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to help your dogs and cats feel better. The best way to start is to find out what your pet is allergic to, so you can keep the allergen out of his environment. Dog and cat allergies generally fall under one of four main categories.

Contact Allergies

These are the least common type of allergy in animals. They happen when an animal’s skin comes in contact with the material he’s allergic to–if he rubs his face against a wool blanket, for example, and he’s allergic to wool. The chemicals in flea collars can cause this problem as well.

The skin at the point of contact will be irritated–it may itch, become thickened or discolored, have a strong odor, and/or lose hair due to constant biting or scratching. Contact allergies are generally not a hard problem to solve–they’re usually confined to a specific area of an animal’s body, and the allergen shouldn’t take too much work to discover. You can try removing different materials that your pet touches until you find the one that irritates his skin.

Food Allergies

Diet can be a complicated factor in pet allergies. Most animals are not born with allergies to food; their immune systems develop an allergic response over time to some part of their diet, often one of the animal proteins. A food allergy can present in a lot of different ways, including the itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress already mentioned. They can be a real challenge to solve, however.

You can try to figure out what’s causing your pet’s allergic reaction by feeding him different diets, but the allergic effects of food can stay in the system for eight weeks. You may have to keep your furry friend on a special hypoallergenic (non-allergy-causing) diet for eight to twelve weeks to see how he reacts, and you may have to do it several times with several different diets before you find one that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction.

And while you’re feeding these test diets, you’ll have to make very sure that your pet doesn’t eat any treats, vitamins, leftovers or scraps, or even plants around the house. He has to eat the test diet exclusively for the entire eight to twelve weeks to determine whether he has an allergic reaction to it.

Inhalant Allergy

Inhalant allergies are the kind we humans are most used to. Just like us, our pets get hay fever, meaning they can be allergic to the pollen and mold that fills the outside air during the spring and fall. They can also be allergic to the dust mites, mildew, and mold that can be inside every home.

These kinds of allergens usually produce severe itching in pets, which is usually concentrated in the ears, feet, groin, and armpits, though it can be spread across the entire body. Dogs in particular may develop hairless, irritated “hot spots” from constantly chewing on and scratching the affected skin.

Most animals that are allergic to airborne particles are usually allergic to more than one. Often, they will only experience itching during the pollen-heavy seasons of the year, just like humans with hay fever. If you find that your pet’s allergies seem to be seasonal, you may be able to limit his outdoor time during allergy season. Your pet may be reacting to an indoor allergen, however, or an allergen that doesn’t vary by season. In that case, there’s not much you can do to keep him away from whatever he’s allergic to, though an air filter might provide some relief.

Flea Allergies

This is an extremely common problem for pets, possibly the most common allergy of all. Animals aren’t actually allergic to the fleas themselves, but to proteins that fleas secrete in their saliva when they bite. Your pet doesn’t have to be a walking flea circus to suffer from an allergy, either.

Affected animals can itch severely from a single bite for over five days! So, if you suspect your pet is allergic to fleas, you’re going to have to work very hard to keep the little pests away. Frequent baths are a good idea, as are the prescription flea applications and pills.

Consult your veterinarian when you chose a flea repellent for your pet, though; the wrong kind or too strong of a concentration could cause irritated skin, seizures, and even death in extreme cases. You will also want to treat your pet’s environment, including any bedding or carpeting he comes in contact with.

Other Types of Allergies

What makes allergies hard to deal with is that in many cases, you either won’t be able to determine exactly what is causing the reaction or won’t be able to remove it from your pet’s environment. This is where your veterinarian comes into the picture.

You and your veterinarian will probably have to work together to determine the best treatment, or combination of treatments, for your pet’s allergy. You may have to go through a series of trying a possible solution, waiting to see how your pet reacts to it, and moving on to another solution. Your veterinarian may suggest one or more of the following things:

* Testing – Your veterinarian has a few different tools to help determine the source of your pet’s allergy. Intradermal or “scratch” tests involve making small abrasions in an animal’s skin and inserting small amounts of materials that the veterinarian suspects the pet might be allergic to. If the animal is allergic to one of the materials, say dust mites or ragweed pollen, the immune system will react to it and that particular scratch will become inflamed. There are also a number of blood tests your veterinarian can use to analyze the amount of certain chemicals that the immune system releases into the bloodstream when exposed to different allergens. These tests can be used to tell whether your pet is having an allergic reaction or whether the problem is caused by something else, and sometimes they can determine the source of the allergy.

* Steroids – These drugs work to suppress the immune system and make the allergic reaction less severe. Steroid treatment can help your pet even if you can’t determine what he’s allergic to or how he’s being exposed. They can have several side effects, however, and they affect nearly every organ in the body. Steroid use can cause weight gain, increased thirst and urination, and increased aggression and other behavioral changes. They are generally used if the allergy occurs for a short amount of time, because long-term use makes animals more prone to infection, as well as susceptible to diabetes and seizures.

* Immunotherapy – This is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat allergies, but it also takes the longest amount of time to work. In immunotherapy, animals are given regulary–often weekly–vaccinations that contain small amounts of the substance they’re allergic to. The same therapy is used for people who go in for allergy shots. It gradually desensitizes the immune system to the allergen, meaning that as time goes by, the immune system is reprogrammed and doesn’t react to the allergen as strongly. Unfortunately, it takes some time for the immune system to readjust. It can sometimes be six to twelve months before animals show any improvement from the treatment.

* Antihistamines - These drugs, much like the allergy medication people take, work to block the chemicals released by the immune system, called histamines. They are effective at reducing itching and inflammation, and they are relatively safe to use. Their major drawback is that they cause sedation, and can make pets extremely drowsy and sluggish. Occasionally, they can change an animal’s energy level enough to affect his quality of life.

* Symptomatic Treatment – Even if none of the above treatments are effective, you can still give your pet a lot of relief by simply treating his symptoms as they come up. There are a number of soothing shampoos on the market that contain ingredients like oatmeal or Epsom salts. Your veterinarian may also be able to suggest ointments, ear treatments, or sprays that can make your pet more comfortable. Be cautious about using home remedies or herbal treatments on your pet, however. Consult with your veterinarian before trying any new treatment, because you could damage your pet’s skin or aggravate the allergic reaction. Most of all, remember that while you can give these symptomatic treatments often, they will only provide temporary relief. If your pet still seems uncomfortable despite the baths or other treatments, you can talk to your veterinarian about long-term treatment.

How to Treat Your Cat and Dogs Allergies

*Homeopathics for Dog and Cat Allergies – Simple Medicinals Skin Allergies Oral Spray for Pets is a pharmaceutical-grade homeopathic formula designed for relief from symptoms of chronic airborne allergies, such as dry, flaky skin, constant chewing, and scratching. Click here to learn more about Simple Medicinals Skin Allergies Homeopathic Oral Spray for Cats and Dogs.

*Flower Essences for Allergies – Allergies are a more common problem in pets than one might think. Food, grasses, pollens, pollutants in the environment and more can cause difficulties for animals. Pets are very responsive to the energetic healing properties of Flower Essences.

The energetic bouquets from Pet Essences are both dynamic and gentle in their transformational abilities. By using the appropriate Flower Essences to balance the emotional attitudes of your dog or cat, subtle changes occur that bring renewed energy forward and short circuit the path to illness.Click here to learn more about Pet Essences Allergies Flower Essences.

* Herbal Allergy Formula – Safe, effective and wallet friendly. This is a great alternative to drugs. We recommend Doc Ackerman’s Herbal Allergy Relief Formula for Dogs and Cats. This herbal remedy designed for pets that have severe allergy problems. It comes in a convenient powder form that you mix with food or water.

Keep these few things in mind when using herbal remedies:

• Herbs take time to build in the system, so do not expect immediate results. It can take from several days up to a week or more to know if the herbal remedy is effective depending upon the severity of the issue being treated and the overall vitality of the animal.
• More frequent dosage – say 3 times per day, is typically more effective than a large dose once per day. The herbs need to remain and build in the animal’s system.
• Suggested dosages may need to be adjusted depending on the individual’s response. If vomiting, diarrhea or other signs of intolerance occur; a remedy should be stopped for two days, and then ½ the original dose can be administered to see if the lower dose can be tolerated. If the animal does not respond to the initial dose, a larger dose may be necessary. A VERY GRADUAL increase to up to 50% above the original dose can be tried to see if results are improved. This should be done with the guidance of a trained veterinarian or with a good knowledge of the herbs you are using.
• Begin only one remedy or medication of any kind at a time. Do not add another remedy until you have well established if there is a response or are signs of intolerance from any other remedy being used. (Unless you are working with a holistic veterinarian familiar with the remedies prescribed).
• Herbs and natural remedies work best on an individual whose system is given the best possible conditions for health and healing including the healthiest and freshest diet possible along with proper nutritional and digestive supplements such as digestive enzymes, essential fatty acids and adequate levels of essential vitamins and minerals.
• Check with a knowledgeable veterinarian if your companion is on any conventional medications that herbal remedies could interact with.

Pet Skin Problems – Common Pet Skin Conditions

Skin problems for dogs and cats are very commonplace due to our furry friend’s poor diets.  Kibble and cat food don’t usually have enough nutrients and healthy oils for your pets skin and fur.  It is important to understand that the skin is an organ, just as the liver and kidneys are organs.

The skin functions as a barrier to protect the body from infection, caustic substances, ultra violet light and dehydration.  Good health and proper function of the skin is dependent on the health and function of the other organs that make up our pets’ bodies.

Diseases that affect the skin can be placed into one of two categories, primary and secondary skin disease.  Primary skin diseases are those that affect the skin directly, such as mange or flea and tick hypersensitivities.  Secondary diseases are those that initially involve other organs, and thereby affect the skin, such as hypothyroidism.

The diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases can be difficult and time consuming. The following are some of the common diseases and conditions affecting the skin.  A brief description of their diagnosis and treatments is provided.

Common Diseases and Conditions Affecting the Skin

Allergies

Humans with allergies usually react by sneezing, but your pet reacts by scratching. Both you and your pet are reacting to an allergen, which is a substance that causes sensitivity. Most allergens are inhaled, but a few are the contact type, such as an allergy to wool.

Some allergens are found in food, most commonly corn, wheat, soy, beef and dairy products. The first signs of allergic reactions are scratching, licking, biting or rubbing the skin. This can lead to infection characterized by red bumps and pimples. Because of the discomfort, it is important to get professional help as soon as possible.

Bacterial Infection

A bacterial infection is common, but is usually secondary to another underlying disease such as an allergy. Treatment for bacterial infections may include antibiotics— either given orally or topically. It is important to seek professional help to treat the bacterial infection while searching for the underlying disease.

Hot Spots or Acute Moist Dermatitis

Hot spots are usually a result of self-trauma and occur as your pet tries to relieve itself from some pain or itch. Treatment includes thorough cleaning, topical and systemic antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory agents.

Pyoderma

Pyodermas include a wide range of infections that result in the formation of pus. Pyodermas vary in severity. Treatment is similar to that for hot spots, but typically is longer-term. Shampoos and rinses are also helpful.

Atopy or Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis

Atopy is a very itchy skin disease that is the result of allergies to microscopic particles in the air.  Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and absence of other causes such as ectoparasites.

Treatment includes dietary supplements, antihistamines and steroids and is often long term.  In refractory cases, skin allergin testing and hyposensitization may be helpful.  Shampoos and rinses are also often helpful.

Ectoparasites (external parasites)

External parasites include mites, fleas and ticks. These parasites break the barrier formed by the skin and allow bacterial infections to occur. They also may lead to allergic conditions. Diagnosis is achieved with gross observation and microscopic examination of skin scrapings.  Treatment depends on the parasites present and includes anti-parasitic drugs and anti-parasitic shampoos and rinses.

Fungal Infections: These include Malassezia sp., Dermatophytosis (Ring Worm) and Dermal Coccidioidomycosis. Diagnosis is achieved via culture of the organisms, microscopic examination of skin scrapings, and blood tests that identify antibodies for Coccidioides immitis. Treatment includes topical and systemic anti-fungal drugs and anti-fungal shampoos and rinses.

Food allergies

Food allergies often manifest themselves as skin problems. Food allergies are usually diagnosed by ruling out other possible conditions. Treatment is trial feeding of hypoallergenic diets for a minimum of six weeks.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Contact allergies are diagnosed based on history of contact and clinical presentation. Treatment involves washing the exposed areas to remove the irritant. Patients experiencing itching are given steroids for a short period of time. It is important to prevent re-exposure.

Autoimmune Skin Diseases

There are several autoimmune skin diseases, and the foundation of diagnosis is surgical biopsy. Treatment includes combinations of dietary supplementation, steroids and immune modulation drugs.

Secondary Skin Disease

Secondary skin diseases, such as hypothyroidism, are diagnosed via clinical testing for the underlying disease.  Diagnosis often requires blood tests, biopsies and X-rays.  Treatment of the underlying condition usually results in improvement of the skin problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your pet’s skin problems often combine two or more of the previously mentioned diseases.  For example, flea infestation hypersensitivity can lead to pyoderma.  Because of the complicated interactions between the skin and other organs within the body, and due to skin’s varied response to insult, diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases may be difficult and time consuming.

The skin scrape is the mainstay of diagnoses.  Several small areas of your pets skin are shaved to remove hair.  A scalpel blade is used to scrape up the top layers of skin.  The resulting material is viewed under a high-powered microscope.  In addition to skin scrapes, blood tests and surgical biopsies are necessary to diagnose some skin diseases.

Treatment of skin disease may include steroids, antibiotics, antihistamines, topical drugs, anti-fungal drugs, shampoos and rinses, dietary supplementation, or modification and surgical removal of masses. In some cases, therapy must be continued for months, and even for life.

If your pet is healthy according to the vet, but in general has dry itchy skin and coat.  You can naturally improve your dog and cats dry skin and coat by supplementing omega 3 6 9 oils into their diet.  Click Here to view Omega 369 for pets.

(Information provided by Dr. Brett Hinsch, Animal Health Hospital.)

Pet Illness Symptoms

To protect themselves from predators, animals naturally hide their pain. Your pet may be suffering even though he isn’t showing obvious signs. Advancements in veterinary science have decoded subtle telltale signs of animal distress. Observing your pet’s behavior is vital to managing his or her pain.

The following are common pet illness symptoms that will help you to recognize if your pet is sick.

Abnormal Chewing Habits

If your pet is showing abnormal chewing habits, such as dropping its food or chewing on one side of the mouth, it may have a dental disorder or a mouth tumor. Additional signs may include weight loss, bad breath or excessive face rubbing. Routine dental checkups are important to prevent and treat dental disorders and related pain.

Drastic weight gain or loss

Pain directly influences your pet’s weight and eating habits. Animals carrying excess weight have an increased chance of tearing ligaments and damaging joints. Pets with arthritis or muscle soreness may not want to access their food because bending over is uncomfortable. Arthritis pain may also cause pets to gain weight while their eating habits remain the same due to lack of exercise. Pain can also cause animals to loose their appetites which will lead to weight loss.

Avoids affection or handling

Did Fluffy used to be active and energetic, but now sits quietly around the house? Avoiding affection or handling may be a sign of a progressive disease such as osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease. Although your pet may appear to be normal before petting or handling it, the added pressure applied to its body may expose sensitive and painful areas. Hiding is also a sign of pain. Because the animal is hurting, she will hide to avoid a vulnerable position (this allows the pet to prevent painful interactions).

Decreased movement and exercise

Osteoarthritis or joint disease is the most common cause of pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant to go up or down stairs, exercise, or play. Weight and joint injuries can also go hand-in-hand. Losing unnecessary pounds will help overweight pets decrease pressure on sore joints and reduce pain. Consult your veterinarian about exercises, diets and medical therapies that can help improve your pet’s health.

“Accidents”

Pet owners often believe that “accidents” are a result of behavioral issues. Although behavioral issues may cause unwanted surprises, going to the bathroom in inappropriate places may be caused by pain. Pets with sore joints or arthritis may not make it to a convenient location due to painful obstacles like stairs.

Urinary tract infections also may cause a messy situation. In addition to having “accidents,” symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include, lethargy, fever, tender lower abdomen and difficulty urinating. Even after the urinary tract infection is dealt with it may be necessary to get a new litter box because the cat makes painful associations with the old litter box.

The lack of verbal expression does not mean that your pet is not experiencing pain. Minor behavioral change can be cause for alarm. Being aware of your pet’s habits can help you and your veterinarian assess and treat your pet’s pain. Pain management is an integral part of your pet’s overall health care.

How To Train Your Cat Quickly and Easily

Can you imagine a nice fluffy Persian or orange tabby cat rolling over, shaking hands, jumping through hoops, or balancing a treat on the end of his nose? If you’re living with shredded drapes and fur-covered kitchen counters, the thought of being able to train your cat may make you laugh.

It’s conventional wisdom that cats can’t be taught new behaviors, that they’re pretty much going to do whatever they want. The secret is, you can teach a cat new tricks, but you can’t do it just by thinking of your cat as a dog with longer whiskers. Here is a list of things to consider when you are learning how to train your cat.

Click Here to Learn About Cat Behaviour Secrets Revealed

The Loner

A big part of teaching your cat to be a good roommate is understanding that cats are wired differently than dogs. Dogs are pack animals; being constantly social is in their genes. In the wild, their survival can depend in part on whether they are in the good graces of the rest of their pack.

Wild cats, on the other hand, are generally solitary hunters, evolved to take care of themselves. They don’t have as much invested in earning your approval and keeping you happy all the time. This is why a stern “no” and a shaking finger usually won’t keep the cat off your computer keyboard.

But don’t lose heart. You can teach your cat to be a pleasant roommate. The key lies in understanding that he’s generally going to behave in the way that’s in his own best interest. You could call most cats all day, for example, without seeing the tips of their whiskers. But when the can opener whirrs or the bag of treats rustles, they’re at your feet before you can blink. You can use this same philosophy to teach your cat good behavior by showing him what’s in it for him.

Scratching

One of the most aggravating problems with cats is scratching. Though it may be hard to recall right after your kitty gouges your antique dining room table, claw sharpening is just normal cat behavior. Scratching is your cat’s way of leaving his mark, of telling any visitors that he is the ruler of his kingdom. You’re most likely not going to get your cat to stop scratching completely. You can get him to scratch the right things, however.

A scratching post is vital to getting your pet’s behavior under control. You may want to buy more than one and place them next to his favorite places to scratch–the side of the couch, for example, or the living room drapes. Since he’s using scratching to claim his territory, you may also want to put a post in a prominent place, so he can show everyone the house belongs to him. Then make the posts as attractive as possible. Rub them with a blanket your cat sleeps on, so he’ll recognize his smell and think of the posts as his. You can also rub them with catnip or spray them with catnip spray, which you can find at most pet stores.

When he scratches the post, give him exactly what he craves. If it’s attention, give him lots of love and cooing praise. But if your kitty is the kind that only wants petting when he’s in the mood, then give him a treat or a bit of catnip. (A warning–catnip may not be the perfect training tool. First off, it can make some cats more aggressive and more likely to misbehave.

Also, if your cat has access to catnip every day, it can start to lose its effect on him.) If you catch him scratching something else, don’t yell or threaten him. Violent reactions will only scare most cats, and it will make some defensive and aggressive. Instead, distract him by making a hissing sound or clapping your hands. Then put the nicer-smelling, more attractive scratching post next to him and scratch it a little with your fingertips to give him the right idea.

Click Here to Learn About Cat Behaviour Secrets Revealed

Litter Box Training

Litter box training is often one of the easiest parts of living with a cat. Cats naturally prefer to eliminate in soft, sandy material, so most cats will use the litter box by choice. If your cat is going outside of his box, there is probably something about the box that he doesn’t like. The most important thing to check for is a medical problem. If your kitty has a urinary or intestinal tract obstruction, he may associate the pain of trying to go the bathroom with the box itself. Or, he may not like the kitty litter you’re using. Most cats prefer smaller-grained, sandier litter to gravel-sized litter. Some cats also object to scented litters. Remember, though it may smell pleasant and fresh to you, his sensitive nose thinks it’s a perfume explosion.

The next thing you can do is make the litter box as attractive as possible–make it the best place in the house for him to go. Most cats are neat freaks, so cleaning the box out every day will help. Some particularly finicky cats may want you to clean it even more than that. Some cats also prefer to use separate boxes for urinating and defecating. Try setting out two boxes and see if that helps. Finally, you can make sure the box is away from his food and in a secluded corner, where he feels safe and doesn’t have to be on guard.

Biting

It’s the oddest thing–you’re cuddling your cat and he’s purring away like a motor boat, when suddenly he chomps down on your hand. What did you do wrong? Actually, he was just getting a little overstimulated. Sometimes when a cat is really enjoying being petted, he gets overwhelmed and his instincts tell him to get rid of that nervous energy by snapping at you.

Yelling at him won’t accomplish much; he’ll just get tenser and more likely to nip every time you pet him. Instead, withdraw the stimulus completely. If he nips at you, try taking your hand away and not paying any attention to him. He’ll learn that, if he wants attention, biting is a no-no. If you give him lots of treats and cuddling when he’s at his calmest, he’ll learn that calm is the best way to be.

Click Here to Learn About Cat Behaviour Secrets Revealed

How To Keep Him Grounded

Nothing compares to the sight of your tabby perched regally on top of the kitchen counter, master of all he sees. Tabletops, counters, mantles, and bookshelves are ideal for cats, allowing them to keep a close eye on everything and make sure they’re not missing out on any fun. They’re not so great for people who don’t want cat hair in their dinner, however, or their knickknacks knocked to the floor. So how do you keep your feline’s feet on the ground?

Some trainers will suggest that a spritz of water from a squirt bottle or a loud hiss or rattle will keep cats away from the counter, and it may work for some pets. The tricky part, though, is making sure your cat associates the punishment with being on the counter and not with you. If they only get punished when people are in the room, and if you make a mad dash for the squirt bottle every time they jump up on the table, it won’t take most cats long to figure out that it’s people they need to keep away from, not the table.

A better way to keep your kitty off the forbidden surface is to cover it with two-sided tape. Cats don’t like it when their paws stick to things, so they will experience something unpleasant every time they jump up, whether or not you’re in the room. Eventually they’ll decide that the counter (or the mantle or the dining room table) is not where they want to be.

You can also use aluminum foil or carpet runners turned nubby-side-up to keep your cat down on the ground. Also, try giving them an even better alternative to the table. If your kitty’s a born climber, you could try getting him a tall cat tree or a cat perch that attaches to a windowsill, which you can find at most pet stores. Again, you can rub it with the oh-so-tempting catnip, and pretty soon the counter won’t be quite so irresistible.

Even if you can’t get your cat to roll over and play dead, you can teach him to be a polite houseguest. If you can be patient and think like a cat, you can reclaim your kitchen table and your upholstery as your own. The best part is, he’ll think it was all his idea.

Click Here to Learn About Cat Behaviour Secrets Revealed

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