posted by Tess on Aug 31
About your pet’s paws and pads
Your dog or cat may often walk over rocks, soil, thorns and snow ,even if confined to your yard. Unlike us humans, our pets don’t have foot-protection in the form of shoes and although their paws and paw-pads are much tougher than our feet, they do sometimes suffer from cuts, wounds, bruising, cracks and even burns. You should check and care for your pets’ paws regularly to treat any injuries and prevent infections.
What is PetAlive PawPaw?
PetAlive PawPaw contains a blend of natural, healing and cleansing ingredients in a soothing olive oil base to effectively condition the paws and pads as well as treat any small wounds or injuries to the paw pads.
Cleansing with PetAlive Clenzor is recommended.
Use PetAlive PawPaw To:
* Condition and protect pets’ paws and pads
* Prevent infection of small wounds on the paws
* Encourage healing of small cuts and wounds
* Prevent bruising and cracking of your dog’s paw pads
* Reduce inflammation and soothe the paws and pads
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posted by Tess on Aug 28
Ingredients:
* 7 oz water
* 3.3 oz full fat buttermilk
* 4.2 oz lye
* 5 oz coconut oil
* 8 oz palm oil
* 8 oz olive oil
* 8 oz soybean oil
* 2 oz neem oil
* 1 oz emu
* 2 Tbsp neem powder
* 2 Tbsp powdered rosemary
* .5 oz rosemary essential oil
Directions
Makes 2 pounds. My dogs inspired this, and not because they can dance. It removes ‘eau de doggy’ and is great for doggy dermatitis. I imagine it would be a decent flea repellant as well. Fine for humans too. Combine water and lye, cool a bit, then add buttermilk.
Set aside 1 oz of neem and emu oils. Melt solid oils in microwave, add to crock pot along with liquid oils. Add lye water/milk and proceed as usual. Just before pour, combine neem and rosemary powders, neem and emu oils and rosemary oil, then add to soap. Mix and pour.
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posted by Tess on Aug 23
What are anal glands?
Anal glands, or anal sacs, are two small glands present in both dogs and cats situated just below and either side of the anal opening. These glands produce a substance that is secreted through ducts just inside the rectum when pressure is put on the glands- most commonly by the passing of feces. This substance has a strong odor which is very unpleasant to humans but was probably useful to animals, especially in times gone by, for marking their territory.
What can go wrong with anal glands?
In modern-day domestic pets, anal glands can often cause health problems. Sometimes the anal gland secretions are not released naturally and build up - leading to thickening of the secretion, clogging of the duct and sometimes even infection and abscesses. You may have seen your pet with his tail up, dragging his behind across the floor. This is an attempt to relieve the pressure and discomfort of impacted anal glands and is called scooting. Scooting can cause damage to the anus and indicates that your pet is having trouble with his anal glands and needs some type of intervention.
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posted by Tess on Aug 21
So you’ve decided to keep tropical fish! Welcome to this unique and fascinating hobby. But before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to realize that aquariums can be a lot of work. You have to keep the water in your aquarium clean and aerated, the fish have to have enough food, if you use live plants they will need light and nutrients, and you have to keep the algae under control.
It may take a lot of work sometimes, but this hobby is very rewarding as you’ll soon see.
Okay…enough talk, let’s get to the point: If you’re just starting out, you need to know what you need to buy to get started. Here’s a list of the essentials that you need, no matter if you keep saltwater or freshwater fish:
An aquarium – To keep you fish in.
An aquarium stand – To support your new aquarium.
Filtration equipment – Filters can be chemical, mechanical and biological.
Lights – To help live plants grow, and to enhance the colors of your fish.
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posted by Tess on Aug 17
Prostate problems in pets
By far the most common condition involving the prostate in pets is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). As in humans, this is often found in older pets and is a widespread problem in male animals. The glandular tissue of the prostate increases in size with age and puts pressure on surrounding structures (e.g. the bladder) causing urinary and defecation problems. Although BPH is not an infection nor is it cancer, it can cause very troublesome symptoms and may worsen very gradually, with increasing age.
What are the symptoms of BPH in pets?
* Pain or discomfort on urination
* Frequent, strained attempts to urinate
* Painful and strained defecation
* Abnormal gait: you may notice your pet walking with very small steps and his rear legs straight and stiff
* Discharge from the penis
Although the above are common symptoms of prostate problems in pets, it is important to consult a trained veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.
What is the conventional treatment?
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posted by Tess on Aug 16
One of the simplest toys to make is a ball. All this requires is some of those leftover odd or holey socks that seem to accumulate in most households. You can make a ball of any size depending on the number of socks you use. These balls are soft so can be used indoors and out.
They can also be thrown in the washer and dryer. If your dog likes to chew on them till they’re shredded, you can make more in just a few minutes.
For a basic Sock Ball, use 3 or 4 socks:
* Take your longest sock with the least number of holes for the base
* Roll and stuff the other socks inside
* Tie a firm knot in the base sock above the stuffed area
* Double the end of your base sock back over the entire ball
* Tie another knot and double the remaining end back over the ball
* Repeat until you run out of sock
* Trim off the remaining end
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posted by Tess on Aug 12
Minor injuries in pets
Both dogs and cats often fall victim to minor cuts, scrapes, bites and stings- especially those with outdoor lifestyles and adventurous natures! Cuts and scrapes, abrasions, insect bites, fights with other animals - all can result in a miserable pet with consequent risk of infection. Like people, animals can also suffer from allergies and reactions to plants like Poison Ivy and Poison Oak.
Most of these little injuries heal fairly quickly on their own and without long-term adverse effects, especially in healthy pets with strong immune systems. However, the immediate pain, discomfort and swelling can be unpleasant and debilitating for your pet and it is important to care for these wounds appropriately. Also, there may be a high risk of infection in otherwise minor wounds if they are not properly cared for.
How can natural remedies help?
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posted by Tess on Aug 10

The Dog Whisperer: Beginning and Intermediate Dog Training
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posted by Tess on Aug 3
How do I know whether my pet has an eye infection?
Common signs and symptoms of eye infection in pets include:
* Squinting of the eyes
* Watery or mucoid discharge
* Red or swollen conjunctiva (the pink part just inside the eyelids)
* The iris (colored part of the eye) may also appear dull or cloudy
What causes eye infections in pets?
Infections of the eye and surrounding structures are common in pets and usually involve the conjunctiva, leading to conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” Causes of infections include various bacteria, viruses like the Herpes virus, foreign material or irritants in the eye and even Lyme disease. Eye infections may become chronic if not treated and can cause permanent damage if neglected.
Conventional treatment usually involves aspirin, corticosteroids, or other anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief - as well as eye drops or ointments and topical or oral antibiotics.
What is PetAlive Eye-Heal?
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