12
Jun
2013

All-Natural Dog Seizure Treatment

categories: Dog Seizures

You watch as your dog becomes unconscious, perhaps stops breathing, and most likely suffers from legs that go rigid or are paddling in a jerking fashion. He is most likely suffering from a seizure. When your dog is suffering from seizures, it is a terrifying experience for the both of you. One of the first things you can do about seizures is to understand the common causes. Secondly, did you know that there are natural remedies that help treat seizures in dogs? Learn more about the causes and treatments so you are better able to handle this situation.

Common Causes of Dog Seizures 

Anytime your dog suffers from a seizure, the first thing you should do is consult his veterinarian for a checkup to ensure there are no other factors contributing to this situation. While only 1 percent of dogs suffering from seizures are epileptic, several other medical situations are related to dog seizures.

Age Related Causes:

  • Dogs that are less than 12 months old and that are experiencing seizures typically are also suffering from a bacterial or viral infection.
  • Dogs that have reached 7 years of age and that suffer with seizures commonly have an age related illness, such as liver disease or a brain tumor.
  • For healthy dogs ages 1 to 7, seizures are normally related to epilepsy.

Other Causes: 

  • The ingestion of poisons, such as chocolate, lead and strychnine, can cause seizures. 
  • Drop in blood sugar or low blood calcium levels will trigger a seizure.

 

Natural Treatments for Seizures in Dogs 

After you have diagnosed your dog with having seizures, there are natural remedies that can help including:

  • Acupuncture
  • Dietary changes
  • Herbal remedies, such as mouth drops and supplements

Consider a natural dog seizure treatment in place of a chemically derived anticonvulsant. Prescribed medications, such as Valium, phenobarbital and potassium bromide or Clonazepam, have substantially harsh side effects. Also, these medications do not get to the root of the problem but simply ease the onset and side effects that accompany seizures in dogs. By implementing dietary changes and the holistic remedy of acupuncture, you are able to manage seizures without adding dangerous and toxic drugs to your dog’s diet.

12
Jun
2013

Allergy Symptoms in Dogs

categories: Dog Allergies

Although most people aren’t aware of it, dogs can suffer from allergies. Surprisingly, they are often affected by the same allergens as humans. If unaware of this, it could be easy to overlook or miss the signs of a dog dealing with an allergic reaction.

The most common dog allergies involve the skin. Scratching is common in dogs, but If a dog is scratching excessively in a specific area he could be dealing with more than the occasional itch. Other common symptoms of skin allergies in dogs are excessive chewing or gnawing on their paws and excessive licking. Any, or all, of these behaviors can result in inflammation of the area or red, moist and even scabbed areas of skin. In addition to dog skin allergies, other dog allergy symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, snoring and runny or itchy eyes.

For a dog exhibiting any of these symptoms, discovering what is prompting the allergic reaction is the key to effective treatment. Just like people, dogs can be allergic to pollen, mold, dust mites and dander from other pets. Certain things used in the home, such as perfume, cleaning products and cigarette smoke, can also be the culprit. A food allergy is another thing to consider, although it may be harder to diagnose since most dog foods contain a combination of ingredients.

There are medicinal remedies for pet allergies but many dog allergies can be treated naturally. A natural dog allergy remedy can be as simple as an oatmeal bath for itchy skin, increased brushing and grooming, frequent washing of the dog’s bedding or changing dog food. Allergy remedies that require medication can be effective at alleviating the dog’s symptoms and discomfort. However, reducing or eliminating exposure to the allergens is more effective and provides longer lasting results.

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