September 2014 archive

24
Sep
2014

Using Wheat Bran to Treat Hairballs in Cats

categories: Cat Hairballs

Healthy digestion and bowel regularity are both important to the health of your cat, no matter what its age. Unfortunately, cats that suffer from frequent hairballs may experience constipation, which can ultimately result in kidney damage and other health problems. Still, there are many remedies for hairballs in cats, including the use of wheat bran.

Homemade Wheat Bran Treatment

If you’re looking for a natural remedy for your cat’s hairballs, try mixing the following ingredients together:

  • one tablespoon of wheat bran
  • one teaspoon of rice bran, or two teaspoons of canned pumpkin

Add this concoction to your cat’s regular food or serve as a treat on the side (many cats enjoy the taste of canned pumpkin). You can repeat this meal once every few days, but you shouldn’t feed your cat this too regularly, as it can be high in calories and fattening. In fact, this recipe is best for cats that are an average weight already and suffering from hairballs.

How does this work to help your cat get rid of hairballs? Essentially, it’s a way of adding a large amount of fiber to your cat’s diet. Since fiber helps stools pass, this homemade wheat bran recipe is a great way to help your cat pass hairballs through the digestive tract.

As a result, your cat will receive the relief it needs from constipation while also expelling hairballs that could otherwise be dangerous. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy finding fewer hairballs coughed up by your cat. It’s a win-win situation for everybody.

There are many treatments for constipation in cats, especially constipation caused by hairballs. However, if you’re looking for a natural treatment that you can whip up with just a couple simple ingredients at home, this is definitely one worth trying.

23
Sep
2014

Testimonial Tuesday: Bladder Crystal Edition

categories: Testimonial Tuesday

kidney-bladder-2

I have been through the “bladder crystal” routine with our local vet before, and after over $3000 in operations on the poor dog I was forced financially to make the decision to put him down anyhow. Once this new patient (my six-year old male Yorkie) was diagnosed with the same thing but in the beginning stages, I refused to let the vet proceed down the same route. I found you on line and after reading other testimonials on the product, decided to give it a shot. After almost two months of treatment, I am happy to report hat my boy is doing just fine. After the pills are gone, I intend to take him to another vet and have a urinalysis done to verify the results and will report at that time to you the results. For now, I am viewing your product as a “life-saver” and I am extremely grateful I found you when I did. I questioned the vet on their lack of knowledge of these homeopathic medicines especially when their are no other cures but surgery that generally have poor results for the outcome. As expected, they were mum on the subject but did say they would investigate. Thanks again for now and will follow up when meds are finished.

Shop Allergic Pet’s Kidney and Bladder Treatment for pets today!

17
Sep
2014

Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

categories: Dog Urinary Tract Infections

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from urinary tract infections (UTIs). Fortunately, UTIs are easy to treat in dogs as they are in humans. Most cases clear up after a simple round of antibiotics.

UTIs occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract. Dogs with compromised immune systems from a previous illness, stress or another cause, are more susceptible to developing UTIs. Serious complications can occur if the infection is left untreated.

How to Tell if Your Dog has a UTI

These infections are uncomfortable, so your dog will show signs of distress. The infection may occur in the urethra, bladder or kidney. Symptoms include:

  • Blood in the urine – if the blood occurs at the beginning or end of the stream, the infection is most likely in the bladder. If blood is continuously present, the infection is probably in the kidney.
  • Difficulty urinating – your dog may strain to urinate or cry out while urinating.
  • Frequent attempts to urinate
  • Accidents around the house
  • Excessive licking
  • Bad smelling, cloudy urine

If the infection is serious, you may see symptoms like:

  • Weight loss
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of appetite
  • Fever
  • Tenderness in the lower abdomen
  • Lethargy

Because these symptoms are similar to other conditions, a urinanalysis will need to be performed by your veterinarian to confirm a UTI. If your dog is acting abnormal and showing signs of distress, give your veterinarian a call.

 

10
Sep
2014

Common Household Products That are Not Pet-Friendly

categories: Natural Health

Pet owners cannot assume all household products are safe for use. Not only are many common cleaners toxic to humans, they are actually more harmful to our pets. Factors like curiosity, higher metabolism and closer proximity contribute to higher exposure for animals. Here is a list of household products and their chemical ingredients to watch out for.

Flea Control and Pet Shampoo Products – Any flea repellent product containing the chemical d’Limonene can be considered harmful to cats, as well as Tea Tree and Pennyroyal essential oils. Many pet shampoos can be found to contain the chemical formaldehyde.

Outdoor Products – Products often used for fertilizing lawns containing 2,4-D herbicide should be avoided as well as the chemical metaldehyde, which is used in many herbicide and insecticide products. De-icing salts containing sodium chloride should also be avoided.

Household cleaners – Many oven, glass and stainless steel cleaners contain ammonia. You can find chlorine in most disinfectants, bathroom cleaners and dishwashing detergents, even laundry detergents. Glycol ethers, also toxic to animals, can be found in glass cleaners, carpet cleaners and spot removal products. Formaldehyde is also used in soaps and cleaners. Using floor cleaning products such as Pine Sol creates toxic exposure from lasting vapors.

Home Furnishings – The chemical formaldehyde can be found throughout the home in some construction materials, laminate flooring, wood paneling and any item made of particleboard, plywood or medium density fiberboard. It can also be found in new fabrics, such as clothing and bedding.

Drain Openers – Although the products is not used on any open surface in the home, the toxic emissions left over after use can be harmful to your pet.

Mothballs – Mothball fumes are toxic to animals and ingestion causes poisoning. The chemicals to look out for are naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene.

The best way to avoid exposing your pet to these chemicals is to use non-toxic alternatives. Always make sure any products mentioned are safely stored. Avoid using products when you animal is in the area and always make sure to ventilate your home post-use.

 

03
Sep
2014

Can Dogs Outgrow Seizures?

categories: Dog Seizures

A sick pet can be a difficult thing for any pet owner to handle, and when that sickness comes in the form of seizures, an otherwise healthy dog can suddenly be a fountain of need. But is there any hope for such circumstances? It turns out that the answer is yes… maybe.

Seizures can occur in dogs for a variety of reasons, ranging from poisons that have crept into them, including lead, and pesticides, to fatigue, hyperventilation, and bright lights, to hypoglycemia or genetic factors. In some of these cases, handling the attacks can be as simple as eliminating the stimulus. If your dog is being poisoned, it can be as simple as stopping the poisoning, and while maybe “growing out of it” isn’t the right term for that, the seizures can subside.

In the case of hypoglycemia, in puppies especially, the dogs can simply grow out of it on their own. Studies have shown that Boxers, Poodles, and terriers are the most commonly struck by this kind of seizure, but it has been noted in several toy breeds. If hypoglycemia is the cause of your puppy’s seizures, the dog is likely to outgrow them, and in the mean time they can be treated with what is essentially sugar-water. This sort of condition is often caused by malnutrition, or the presence of parasites.

Unfortunately, not all causes of canine seizures are grown out of. Genetic deficiencies do persist throughout the life of the animal, and while there are treatments that exist which can reduce the frequency of the seizures, or eliminate them entirely, the treatments need to be administered on a continuing basis.

Ultimately, the best course of action is to consult a veterinarian for specific advice on your dog’s condition, and the best treatments for it, but there is cause for hope in doing so. Some dogs really do outgrow their seizures.