Pet Digestion

Today's Topic :- Pet Digestion
Adapted From : - www.healthypets.in

With the holiday season coming up it's tempting to spoil our pets with food from our plates. However, there are many foods that can cause your cat or dog to get seriously ill. It's always important to be careful what we feed them and just as important that we remind our friends and family.
There are many common foods that we love to eat but when given to our pet it can cause serious health problems. A common misconception is that food is the only hazard to our pets; however, there are many plants that can be just as hazardous

Pet Digestion

During the holidays don't let your pet get caught with digestion problems such as gas, diarrhea and vomiting. It's a common mis-conception that these problems can occur when giving cats or dogs the wrong food. Anyone who has ever been around their pet when they had gas knows that the problem occur even with proper nutrition. However, there are things owners can do to help keep their pet feeling his or he best, try one of the following great products.


Vetasyl Fiber Supplement -
Great supplement that helps with natural elimination without using chemicals. The supplement also helps to provide relieve from constipatio

Methigel - Helps with maintaining acidic urine. Additional benefits include help with controlling urine odor. When combined with the proper diet the supplement also helps to maintain a healthy urinary tract.

FortiFlora Feline - made by Purina, FortiFlora is a nutritional supplement that held to manage diarrhea in cats. Additional uses include help with managing unhealthy stools, restoring normal intestinal health and balance. An added benefit to the supplement is that it contains protein, vitamins, and minerals. Easy to use- simply mix with your cat's favorite food.

FortiFlora Canine - FortiFlora Canine has the same great benefits as FortiFlora Feline but in a formula specially tailored to dogs.

GastriCalm - A supplement made for dogs, GastiCalm helps to reduce flatulence, bowel discomfort and gassy odors. The supplement is easy to administer and contains ingredients such as Vitamin E, Cellulose Natural Liver Flavor and Zinc-Carnosine

Anti-Gas - The supplement can be used to help reduce flatulence, bowel discomfort and decrease unpleasant gassy odors.

DiaBac - This is an orally administered supplement that helps to aid in controlling bacterial diarrhea symptoms such as E. coli and Salmonella. The supplement is easy to give and is available in canine or feline formulas.

Geneflora - Geneflora for Pets contains the beneficial bacteria, Bacillus coagulans which is a hardy, naturally heat-resistant bacteria that are able to easily survive the stomach acid and reach the intestines where they can thrive and help to correct digestive imbalances.
Owner's looking for other great supplements should look at

VBG Diarrhea Control Gel
for cats and Methio-Form. A nice supplement to give your pet during the holidays is CranVet for cats and dogs. This supplement allows pet owners to help their pet while giving them a little cranberry with dinner. CranVet helps cats and dogs infected with urinary tract infections. The supplement contains 40 mg of cranberry extract and is easy to administer. CranVet can also be used to support urinary tract health.

During the holidays all owner's want to keep their lawn looking green. Unfortunately, many lawns get damaged due to urine and feces from cats and dogs. One thing that cat and dog owners can do is give their pet

Green-Um. Green-Um is a natural nutrition supplement that helps to prevent unsightly law burn. Some of the ingredients in Green-Um are Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Yeast, Biotin, Vitamin B12 and Amino Acids.
Pet owner's should always be cautious of what they feed pet. However, during the holidays it can be especially tough. Tempting as it is to give your cat or dog food off your plate it is always better to be safe. There are a lot great cat and dog treats that we can give our pet. Not only do these treats taste good but they're good for them. Owner's can be happy knowing they gave their cat or dog treats formulated for their digestive system. For great treat ideas visit our

Toys and Treats
section. And for those un-soundly digestive problems remember to help your pet by giving them of the great supplements mentioned above. Keeping your pet happy, healthy, and safe.

5 Reasons to Make Pet Treats at Home:

Today's Topic :- 5 Reasons to Make Pet Treats at Home:

Adapted From : - www.healthypets.in

1) . Good For Your Wallet -
Most pet treats are made from ingredients readily available at home. Also, batters and dough can be stored for future use and multiple batches can be made.
2). Heatlhy for Your Pets-
Pets need someone to think about their food intake just like children need it. Knowing what is inside of your pet's food is imperative to your pet's health.
3). Makes anAffordable Gift -
Maybe you can't shell out a bottle of wine for every house party you go to, so next time bring a great, healthy snack for your friend's dogs instead.
4). Saves Trips to the Store-
Making treats at home will save time and money. Maybe you and your pet can spend that extra time playing fetch instead.
5). Your Pet Will Appreciate It -
They may not be able to understand why you are in the kitchen covered in flour, but they will understand when you give them a treat made from the heart inside your own home.

When You Should Rush Your Dog to The Vet

Today's Topic :- When You Should Rush Your Dog to The Vet
Adapted From :- www.healthypets.in

Don't hesitate: If you see these symptoms, get your dog to a veterinarian immediately!

• Swelling of the abdomen

This is the primary symptom of Bloat, which can kill very quickly. Bloat happens mainly in deep-chested dogs, such as the Basset Hound, Great Dane, and other large breed dogs.

• Uncontrollable bleeding

If your dog is ever bleeding heavily, and the bleeding does not slow down right away, please take him to the veterinarian immediately to have his injury taken care of. A dog can die of blood loss very quickly.

• Lethargy

This is a symptom often overlooked. If your dog is conscious, but unresponsive it could be a sign of a serious or life-threatening illness, such as:Poisoning, Brucellosis, Rabies, Blastomycosis and many more.

• Thick mucous discharge from the anus

This is usually a sure sign of a bowel obstruction, and it is often accompanied by a high fever, lethargy, and an almost "hunched-up" posture. If your dog is exhibiting these signs, emergency veterinary is needed as soon as possible. Bowel obstructions cause hypovolemia and shock and can cause death if left untreated for even a short amount of time.

• Vomiting blood (hematemesis)

A scarey sight, and one that could indicate a variety of problems, including a foriegn object in the system, possibily causing puncture wounds, poisoning, ulcers, blood disorders, and even cancer

Rabies in the Cat

Today's Topic :- Rabies in the Cat
Adapted From :- www.healthypets.in

What is rabies?
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain. It can affect any warm-blooded animal, including cats and humans. It is almost always fatal.

What are the signs of rabies?

There are three stages of the disease. The first is the "prodromal" phase in which there is a marked change in temperament. The quiet cat becomes agitated, and the active cat becomes nervous or shy. Other signs include dilated pupils, excessive drooling, and snapping at imaginary objects. After 2-3 days, the second phase begins. It is called the "excitatory" phase. There is an exaggerated response to any stimulus. Cats may experience bizarre changes in appetite including eating and swallowing sticks, stones, and other objects. The cat may roam aimlessly, inflict trauma upon itself, and have a change in voice. There will often be vicious, aggressive behavior, even towards its owner. Seizures may occur. Sometimes there is a third form, the "dumb" form, in which the cat becomes extremely depressed. Its mouth may gape open with the tongue protruding. A progressive paralysis sets in resulting in total body paralysis.


What happens next?
Ultimately, the cat dies. Although a few, rare cats have survived rabies, these are clearly exceptional cases.

How do I know if a cat has rabies?
There are a number of diseases which can cause some of the signs of rabies. A few conditions can be very similar. Confirmation of rabies can only be made with special tests performed on brain tissue. This requires that the cat be euthanized and his head sent to a special diagnostic laboratory.
Can I contract rabies?
Yes. But rabies is only transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal to another mammal. Even then, the virus is present in saliva of the infected animal for a limited time. If you are bitten by any animal of which you do not know the rabies vaccination status, you should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Try to establish who owns the animal and whether the pet is currently vaccinated for rabies. In any case, seek the advice of your physician. Post-exposure rabies treatment with serum or vaccine may be recommended. This is very successful when begun quickly.


What wild animals are most likely to carry rabies?
All mammals can catch rabies, but some are more susceptible than others. Foxes, skunks, and raccoons are particularly prone to rabies, and one should be very careful if any wild animal seems overly approachable or aggressive


Should I get my cat vaccinated?

Absolutely (and it is required by law in many locales). Rabies vaccines are very safe and very effective. It is recommended for all cats and required by law in many locales. The public health concern is so significant that even totally indoor cats should be vaccinated. Vaccination for rabies is usually performed at three to four months of age, and then every one to three years (depending on the vaccine and the local laws) thereafter.

Cat Diseases

Today's Topic :- Cat Diseases
Adapted From :- www.healthypets.in

There are many diseases, which are common to cats. If ignored some of these diseases may turn out to be fatal. But most of these diseases can be prevented by taking care of simple things. Firstly, keep your cat indoors. Secondly, get your cat vaccinated against some common cat diseases.Some of the common cat diseases are:Upper respiratory infections (URIs).URIs are similar to the common cold in humans. Symptoms include sneezing, running nose and eyes, reddened eyes, fever, and decreased appetite. If left untreated URIs can be fatal. These airborne viruses are highly contagious; they can be transmitted to cats through human handling and through contact with other cats and with inanimate objects such as litter boxes, food bowls, and grooming tools.Separate any new cat from your other cats for at least three weeks until you are sure that the newcomer doesn't have any symptoms of a URI. Prevention is the best approach to URIs. Get your cat vaccinated. But if your cat exhibits URI symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will probably prescribe a dosage of antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and give you precise care instructions. Follow them carefully and make sure your cat eats and drinks sufficiently.RabiesRabies is a fatal and one of the more common cat diseases. It is a viral illness that is transmitted through bite wounds from infected animals and attacks the nervous system. Prevent rabies through vaccination and by keeping your cat indoors.Feline panleukopeniaAlso known as feline distemper, this is a highly contagious viral disease that can be transmitted through contact with humans, infected cats, clothing, hair, paws, food bowls, and even cat carriers. The disease comes on suddenly with vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Prevent this disease by getting your cat vaccinated against this virus.Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FeLV is a fatal infectious virus that affects the immune system and can cause several forms of cancer and other associated diseases. It is transmitted through the saliva, urine, and faeces of infected cats.Blood tests can diagnose this disease. The cat should be tested before being vaccinated. Prevention is the only cure for this disease. Get your cat vaccinated and keep it indoors.Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) FIV is similar to human acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) but the disease causing virus is different. This fatal virus attacks the immune system, causing a variety of symptoms. General symptoms include chronic, non-responding infections; respiratory problems; appetite loss; persistent diarrhoea; and severe oral infections. FIV is passed from cat to cat primarily through bites. There is currently no vaccination or cure for FIV. Keep your cat inside to prevent it from contacting FIV.Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP is deadly virus that is fatal to cats. This virus can take two forms, commonly referred to as wet (which involves fluid in the abdomen) and dry (which does not). Both forms of FIP may cause fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. There is no effective treatment for FIP. The best way to prevent this disease is to keep your cat indoors away from strange animals and remain up-to-date on vaccines

HOLISTIC LIVER TREATMENT

Adapted from
www.healthypets.in
Todays Tips-Holistic Liver treatment
Natural treatments ensure liver health for your dog.
A partial list of the day-to-day chores a dog’s liver must accomplish includes removing toxins, aiding digestion, facilitating the immune system, producing antioxidants, processing hormones, converting proteins into amino acids, producing blood-clotting factors, and metabolizing and storing vitamins and fat. It is no wonder the liver can become overwhelmed on occasion.
When a practitioner uses alternative medicines, he may use one or more methods for diagnosing disease. Most holistic practitioners still rely primarily on Western diagnostic techniques.
For liver problems, then, the practitioner would observe physical signs (jaundice, for example) and laboratory results (such as an elevated alanine aminotransferase, or ALT) to indicate liver dysfunction. A practitioner using acupuncture would also link certain emotions and seemingly unrelated physical symptoms to diagnose a liver that has, in terms of Eastern medicine, an excess or diminished flow of chi (energy).
Natural medicines for the liver. Because the liver has a multitude of functions, and because there are many ways to diagnose its problems, there are many natural directions we can take to help keep it healthy.
Quality nutrition helps make the liver’s task of digestion easier, and some specific nutrients are believed to promote liver health. The amino acids arginine and carnitine are important in liver metabolism as are the supplements choline and inositol.
Antioxidants help the liver with its task of detoxification, and they can be found in many culinary herbs (spices), fresh vegetables, and fruits. Make sure your dog is receiving appropriate dietary levels of the vitamins A, C, E, B-1, B-6, and selenium.
Perhaps the best thing you can do for your dog’s health is to persuade him that some daily fresh vegetables and fruits would be to his benefit. Fresh foods are an excellent source of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants.
Whenever we use nutrients or supplements to help maintain the health of the liver (or any organ system), it is essential to maintain a balance of the nutrients being used. An excess of any one nutrient or an imbalance between nutrients that act synergistically can cause more harm than good. Check with a qualified practitioner who knows how to balance nutrients before you try to manipulate your dog’s diet.
Herbal remedies. A host of herbal remedies enhance liver function, help keep the liver healthy, and help repair damage to liver cells. They include dandelion, milk thistle and artichoke.
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is one of the strongest-acting cholagogues known. A cholagogue is an agent that increases the production of bile by the liver, and dandelion does so by more than 50 percent. In addition, it has a direct effect on the liver, causing an increased bile flow to the gallbladder (cholerectic effect). Clinically, dandelion has been shown to benefit patients with colitis, liver congestion, gallstones, and several forms of liver insufficiency.
• Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herb that works by acting on liver- cell membranes to prevent the entry of toxins. It also enhances protein synthesis in cells, making it an effective treatment for hepatic inflammation. Its toxin-fighting ability is illustrated by the fact that it is the only known remedy that is effective for treating poisoning by the deadly amanita mushroom (which has such common names as Death Cap and Destroying Angel).
• Artichoke (Cynara scolymus). The leaves of artichoke enhance the regeneration of damaged liver cells and stimulate the production of bile. In addition, the herb is a potent antioxidant, further helping the liver in its detoxification role.
The beauty of using herbs is that they often provide multiple benefits. For example, dandelion is a liver and kidney tonic and a potent diuretic, making it an excellent choice for treating both liver and urinary conditions.
For herbal remedies, I prefer using the whole herb, and for most dogs, a maintenance dose of the herb can be hidden in a meaty treat or even sprinkled over the food several times a week. For therapeutic dosages that can be administered via capsules or tinctures, it’s best to check with someone who has experience using herbal medicines for pets.
We can help the liver accomplish its chore of removing toxins by helping enhance the flow of lymph. Along with herbal lymph cleansers such as yellow dock (Rumex crispus) and cleavers (Galium aparine), massage is an excellent way to accomplish this.
I like massage because it can be used on several different levels. At its most basic level, massage is nothing more than rubbing with focus and intent. To move lymph, focus your rubbing movements so they gently massage from the extremities toward the heart. Massage can also be directed to helping the liver, as with acupuncture. If you want a quality massage for your dog, you can go to a massage therapist trained in animal care or to one of several massage schools where you can learn the techniques yourself.
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that uses thin needles specifically placed along meridians of energy (chi) flow to treat a variety of conditions. Organ systems are associated with the meridians, and the liver meridian begins at the top of the dog’s inner toe of the hind leg, runs along the medial aspect of the hind leg, courses through the abdomen and liver, and connects with the lung meridian in the chest.
Acupuncturists who note a stressed liver or one that is not functioning correctly, as evidenced by physical signs or emotional symptoms such as anger, would place needles to help balance the flow of chi through the liver meridian. For home care, you can massage the dog’s inner thigh and abdomen, especially along the lower and mid-rib areas along the line of teats. A second area good for the liver and gallbladder is along the back, just lateral to the spine, at the level of the lower ribs.
Flower essences (Bach Flowers). Flower essences are remedies that are used primarily for emotional problems, so they fit into the mold of thinking about the liver as an organ that is disturbed by anger or frustration. Impatiens is an essence that applies to dogs that are quick to anger, and Star of Bethlehem would apply to the animal that is angry as a result of being abused. Essences are extremely safe to use, and they can be administered in a dog’s water, directly into its mouth (via droppers), or diluted and spritzed over its body.
Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is another alternative method that may be helpful for combating liver ailments, especially when we view liver conditions as a consequence of emotional problems. Aromatherapy uses aroma for healing and works on many levels, both physical and emotional.
Aromatherapy can be used for dogs by wafting the aromas into areas where the dog stays (using plug-in atomizers, for example) or putting a small dab of the oil on the back of the dog’s neck where he can’t lick it off.
The oils of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) are calming and relaxing, and azulene, a chemical component of the plant, stimulates liver regeneration and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Other aromatherapy remedies that may be helpful include Rosemary Verbenon (a chemotype of rosemary), reputed to offer liver and gall bladder support, and thyme, which is a liver stimulant.