posted by Tess on Jun 28
Buying a Pet ID tag is like buying insurance - you do so with the devout wish that you’re never going to need it. The “possible cost” of not having a pet ID tag is more expensive than the “actual cost” of buying the pet tag itself.
The type of pet identification tag that you buy is important, so take 5 minutes or so to think it through. Impulsively choosing a collar tag because it’s cheap or cute often proves to be unwise, long-term.
Consider the following before purchasing any pet id tag: 1.What is the level of risk to your pet? Lost pets are certainly common - we’ve all seen “Lost Dog!” signs tacked around town, or dead pets lying by the side of the road. If your pet is a master at escaping the fence, or a breed of dog that cannot resist following a scent, or a young pet that’s full of energy, or a new pet that isn’t properly trained, the risk of a lost pet is high.
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posted by Tess on Jun 27
As dog owners, we must be alert to items that are toxic to our animal friends. Regular household items that may not harm us may cause our pets illness and even death. The Human Society and the ASPCA both have comprehensive websites with articles about household toxins. Let’s delve into some of them here. We’ll look at both non-food and food items.
Obviously, over-the-counter and prescription medications, including vitamins, should be kept well out of reach. Even a very small dose can be lethal. Household cleaners should be stored in cabinets with closed doors. Cleaners containing pine or citrus oils are toxic.Plant food, fertilizers and other garden products are lethal. Do not leave them lying around!
Although every winter we hear the warnings about antifreeze, I feel it should still be addressed. It contains a substance called ethylene glycol, which has a sweet taste. It is very attractive to pets and, even in tiny amounts, is fatal. One teaspoon can kill a several pound dog. Fortunately there are safe alternatives on the market. Look for products that contain propylene glycol.
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posted by Tess on Jun 25
Use this topical blend to soothe inflamed or infected skin on dogs.
* Lavender 10 drops
* Tea Tree 10 drops
* Peppermint 4 drops
* Chamomile 3 drops
* Helichrysum 3 drops
Blend this into a 20 ml of aloe vera or evening primrose. Apply to affected area or use the blend of essential oils in a lavender floral water and mist the skin.
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posted by Tess on Jun 22
Symptoms of UTI infection in pets
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are uncomfortable and extremely painful. They tend to be more common in cats than dogs and can be caused by bacterial infection, bladder stones or urolithiasis (stones in the urinary tract).
UTIs often recur and can lead to more serious kidney infections if left untreated. Symptoms include
* Straining to urinate
* Obvious pain or discomfort when urinating
* Constantly licking their genitals
* Frequent urination without passing much urine
* Urinating in unusual places
* Cloudy or bloody urine
* Fever and loss of condition
What is the conventional treatment?
Conventional treatment of UTIs will depend on the specific cause of the problem. In many cases, antibiotics are prescribed which invariably relieve the animal’s symptoms rather speedily.
However antibiotics tend to have a general weakening effect on the immune system which can cause further problems, especially in the long-term and particularly if they are prescribed regularly for recurrent infections.
What is PetAlive UTI-Free?
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posted by Tess on Jun 20
* 1 cup of spring water,
* 1 rounded teaspoon of yellow dock (dried)
Steep 15 minutes and then strain thru a sieve. Cool to lukewarm and wash out cats ears once every three days for up to three to four weeks.
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posted by Tess on Jun 17
These are great for giving herbs to animals reluctant to eat the herb when it is mixed with their food. Also, you know exactly how much of the herb the animal is getting. I especially like these for giving herbal worm formulas to kids (young goats) and dogs becasue most of the time they love them and beg for more which makes it so easy to administer.
Herbal Dosage Balls For Livestock
Mix together:
* 1/2 cup (8 Tablespoons) powdered or finely crushed herb
* 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons) powdered Slippery Elm Bark (Slippery elm acts as a binding agent to hold the herb mixture together.)
Add:
* 1/4 cup Honey or Molasses
With your fingers (or in a food processor), mix and kneed into a dough. Break into 16 even pieces, shape into balls and then roll the balls in a little bit of Slippery Elm powder just to coat. Each ball equals a 1/2 Tablespoon dose.
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posted by Tess on Jun 13
What is Canine Distemper and what are the symptoms?
Canine distemper is a highly contagious, extremely serious viral disease which occurs in dogs and other wild canids (e.g.. foxes, wolves and coyotes), raccoons, skunks and ferrets.
It is an airborne virus, which affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system of the animal. Puppies between three and six months and elderly animals are particularly at risk.
Symptoms grow increasingly severe as the disease progresses, they include:
* Conjunctivitis (a watery, pus-like eye discharge) and inflammation of the eye
* Fever
* Nasal discharge
* Pneumonia (Coughing and labored breathing)_
* Lethargy
* Reduced appetite
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Seizures
* Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as pain or touch)
* Muscle twitching
* Progressive deterioration of mental abilities and motor skills
* Complete or partial paralysis
What is the conventional treatment?
There is no doubt that Canine Distemper is a serious illness. According to conventional veterinarian treatment, about 50% of dogs that contract it will die. Those that survive will often be left with debilitating conditions like permanent digestive problems, neurological problems, seizure disorders, deformities of the paw pads, etc.
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posted by Tess on Jun 7
For ear mites, or infections of bacterial or fungal origin.
Mix Equal Parts:
* Mullien Oil
* Oregon Grape Root Oil
* Garlic Oil
* Marshmallow Oil
* A couple capsules of Vitamin E to act as a preservative and to aid in skin healing.
To use:
apply 6 -12 drops to the effected area of the earflap or ear canal. Flooding the ear canal is not necessary
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posted by Tess on Jun 5
Ingredients:
* 8 oz coconut oil
* 6 oz olive oil
* 1.5 oz castor oil
* 3.5 oz lye
* .25 oz jojoba oil
* .5 oz aloe vera gel
* .25 oz eucalyptus eo
* .125 oz peppermint eo
* .125 oz citronella eo
* .25 oz T-50 Tocopherol
* 6.5 oz palm oil
* 3 oz canola oil
* 8.5 oz water
* .25 oz neem oil
* .25 oz lavender 40/42 eo
* .125 oz lemongrass eo
* .125oz tea tree oil
* .125 oz cedarwood eo
Directions
I make this in my 6qt crockpot. Add lye to water & set safely aside. Heat coconut, palm, olive, canola & castor oils till completely melted. Add lye water & stir till light trace. Put the lid on the crockpot. I stir every ten minutes till vaseline stage, keeping an eye out for volcanos in between. After the cook, dump the soap in a ss bowl.
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posted by Tess on Jun 2
What is Lyme Disease and what are the symptoms?
Lyme disease is an infectious tick-borne disease that mainly affects dogs, although it is not unknown in cats and other animals. It is caused by a type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.
Studies suggest however that only about 10 percent of animals exposed will actually contract the disease and the severity of the disease appears to vary with the animal’s age and the strength of their immune system.
Arthritis may develop in the short to long term and a few dogs develop severe progressive renal disease, which often leads to death.
The most common initial symptoms of Lyme disease include:
* Fever
* Joint Swelling
* Lameness
* Lethargy
What is the conventional treatment?
The conventional treatment of Lyme disease usually involves antibiotics (usually for a period of between 14 to 30 days, but sometimes extended antibiotic use is recommended). In fact, a notable symptom of Lyme disease is that it does usually respond to appropriate antibiotics.
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