Diabetes in Pets

Posted on December 21, 2007December 21, 2007 by Admin

Diabetic Pets

Diabetes is a result of the Pancreas not producing Insulin any more. This means that the sugar in the blood CAN’T be used for Energy and you get the resulting signs of Increased Drinking, Urinating, Increased Appetite, Weakness, and some serious secondary metabolic changes ( Keto-Acidosis)

If you are to have your pet diagnosed with Diabetes, Chances are You will be told that there are NO ALTERNATE TREATMENTS that you can consider.

Not necessarily true, read on!

DIETARY CHANGES – This is most important for cats. Recent studies have shown that cats benefit greatly from higher protein, lower carbohydrate diets. These resemble diets that they would eat in the wild. Purina and Hills now make specific feline diabetic diets. You can also purchase canned food that fits this requirement at the grocery store. Specifically go for the kitten food: an example is Friskies canned tuna which is very high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

Natural Health for Pets – Holistic Veterinary

Posted on October 15, 2007October 15, 2007 by Admin

Holistic Veterinary Medicine does not differ much from the human version of the approach. It is likewise concerned with the whole picture, rather than a mere part of it.

It is not just concerned with diagnosing and treatment of a particular disease. It covers every aspect of the pet’s life, and utilizes both the holistic and conventional methods in administering the treatment.

In fact, there are situations wherein surgery and other medical procedures have to be done together with the alternative methods so that an effective treatment may be achieved. Treatment of a particular disease is not the only purpose of the various holistic methods. The hidden causes of such disease have to be determined and addresses to, so that a better level of health is within reach.

Going for the holistic approach does not mean you’re supposed to be trashing the conventional means. To be holistic means being aware of the real needs of your pet. Practices that involve all facets of your pet’s existence must be followed. Ask yourself questions like, “Am I feeding him the right food in the right amount, at the right time?” or “Am I being a master or a friend?” After all, holistic veterinary does not only exist to treat diseases, rather, their greatest aim is to prevent the onset of all types of diseases and to make optimal health within reach.

Preventing the Number 1 Pet Killer Today, Cancer

Posted on October 8, 2007October 8, 2007 by Admin

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in pets.

More than 50% of dogs and cats over the age of 10 will develop cancer.

It often doesn’t respond well to the more traditional medical treatments, yet there are a number of at home pet care remedies.

SIGNS
Signs for you to watch for include, a firm lump that grows and does not go away. Some pets have an increased appetite but continue to lose weight. Others have respiratory problems and may show overall weakness if they are becoming anemic.

The most common malignant types of cancer ( cancer that spreads) in dogs are lymphoma and mast cell tumors. The most common malignant type diagnosed in cats is lymphoma, often secondary to Feline Leukemia Virus infection.

CAUSES
It is usually a disease of older dogs and cats. It causes over half the deaths of pets 10 years and older.

Ear Problems in Pets and the Solutions

Posted on October 4, 2007October 4, 2007 by Admin

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

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

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

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

Cancer in Pets – Don’t Just Take it Laying Down!

Posted on September 16, 2007September 16, 2007 by Admin

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

Cancer in Our Pets

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

Here are some common warning signs of cancer;

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

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

What Can We Do?

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

Some ‘Myths’ Vets Tell You – DeBunked!

Posted on September 14, 2007September 14, 2007 by Admin

Veterinarians, like any doctors, depend on their client base to make money and generally, the more clients, the more money. Now I’m not saying that all vets only think about the bottom line, but to be honest I am seeing this more and more.

A friend of mine has a little Cocker Spaniel with a myriad of medical problems. These problems, such as Cushings, chronic staph infections and allergies, just to name a few, have been tested and diagnosed but it seems that every time my friend takes her dog to the vet they want to rerun a bunch of tests and do a complete blood work-up, running into hundreds and hundreds of dollars. And this went on every couple of months! She recently found a new vet for her pooch and when he looked at the chart he couldn’t believe the overwhelming number of tests that had been run and rerun, again and again, unnecessarily!

Natural Health for Your Pet – Healthy Bacteria – Probiotics

Posted on September 13, 2007September 13, 2007 by Admin

Does your pet suffer from loss of energy, bad gas, bad breath, itchy skin, constipation, bouts of diarrhea or vomiting, urinary tract problems, or loss of appetite? All of these problems may actually be symptoms of a compromised gastrointestinal tract – too much “bad” bacteria and not enough “good” bacteria.

“Good” bacteria? Never heard of good bacteria you say? Ever heard of “probiotics?” The word “Probiotic” simply means “for life.”

A probiotic is an organism which contributes to the health and balance of the intestinal tract. A probiotic is also referred to as the “friendly”, “beneficial”, or “good” bacteria which when ingested acts to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and help fight illness and disease.

Cancer – A Pet Owner’s Nightmare!

Posted on September 12, 2007September 12, 2007 by Admin

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in pets.

More than 50% of dogs and cats over the age of 10 will develop cancer.

It often doesn’t respond well to the more traditional medical treatments, yet there are a number of at home pet care remedies.

Arthritis Help for Your Dog, Naturally

Posted on September 11, 2007September 11, 2007 by Admin

Is your beloved canine companion getting a little older, moving a little slower and more painfully? Chances are that they may be suffering from arthritis.

Just like arthritis in humans, your pets can and do suffer from this painful and often degenerative joint disease.

A common type of pet arthritis is osteoarthritis. This disease slowly progresses due to cartilage destruction. As cartilage continues to break down, the bones loses its ability to absorb impact so they start grinding against each other causing the pet pain. The bones will also become inflamed. Osteoarthritis, in both pets and humans, reduces flexibility and mobility.

Another common pet arthritis is degenerative joint disease in pets, which is very similar to osteoarthritis. Pets with this disease suffer from the breakdown of parts of its joint, typically concentrated on the cartilage. The pet may also experience periodic inflammation.

Acupressure for Pets?

Posted on September 10, 2007September 10, 2007 by Admin

Acupressure, related to acupuncture, has been used to thousands of years with amazing result on people, so why not on pets? Scientific studies have shown that pressure on specific point of the body release brain chemicals, endorphins that ease pain.

There is actually a mapping of the acupressure point for dogs and cats. Most acupressure points are located in depressions between muscles and bones. When you pet your cat or dog, feel for depressions in the tissue; this is likely an acupressure point. You may detect subtle changes in temperature over these areas. A hot point often indicates something acute, such as a muscle spasm. Acupressure is very safe! Even if you do not press on the exact point, coming close to it will provide some relief, and definitely you will do no harm.