Caring For Your Pet Naturally and Holistically
Mar 16 2010
Symptoms and signs of cancer in pets and humans depend largely upon the organ or the tissue that has developed cancer cells. For example, the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs and cats are far removed from the symptoms of oral cancer. Cats with cancer of the digestive system will show signs of vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia while a lump in the peripheral skin indicates lymph cancer.
Some cancers are highly progressive and spread very fast. The first tool in your hands is to educate yourself and be aware of all the symptoms properly. Timely approach to treatment is the only way to prolong and make life comfortable for your cat.
Cats should be groomed regularly. Stroking and petting all over the body serves two purposes – it lets you know of any abnormal changes that might be occurring in your cat’s body and it helps in building an emotional bond between you and your cat.
Older cats should be taken to a specialist for annual check ups. There are ten signs that are commonly understood to be indicative of cancer, including feline cancer and on noticing them they should be brought to the notice of a veterinary oncologist without fail.
Mar 15 2010
The immune system in a cat’s body has a committed task. It is a complex interconnected system of white blood cells, antibodies and other substances that are released to combat infections and eliminate foreign proteins. On recognition of a foreign invasion, the system releases antibodies which chemically bind with antigens to destroy them.
The important part of the immune system is that it is supposed to recognize foreign substances and respond immediately to destroy them. Unfortunately it does not happen like this always. Certain disorders cause the controlling mechanism of the immune system to fail and it produces antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues. These are known as autoantibodies. The resultant disease is known as an autoimmune disease. Even though it is known that an autoimmune disease is caused by production of these autoantibodies, the underlying causes are complicated and not thoroughly understood.
Symptoms of autoimmune diseases vary depending upon the organ or system that has been affected. In certain cases multiple organs and body systems are affected. Autoimmune diseases occur in both cats and dogs, producing relatively similar symptoms.
Mar 13 2010
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?
Because of the risk of infection, pet wounds are often treated with antibiotics – taken internally or applied as a cream to the skin. They may also be treated with topical corticosteroid creams. While these can be effective in the short term, many holistic vets believe that they may also compromise your pet’s health by affecting immune functioning. Topical antibiotic, corticosteroid and antiseptic creams are also often licked off by pets and can contain substances that may not be good for them to ingest.
Mar 11 2010
Man’s Best Friend has been a trusted protector of our homes for thousands of years. Their keen senses and awareness, along with a pack mentality, have made dogs a valuable asset to man in his effort to keep his home secure.
In today’s world, home protection dogs are more valuable than ever. They can deter break-ins, assaults, and give real world protection in situations where lethal force is not an option.
Of course, a trained protection dog is not a panacea and they are certainly not for everyone. Weighing your options is very important and there are many things to consider before your purchase.
1. COST
The cost of a trained dog can be astronomical. A trained protection dog can cost as little as $1500 and as much as $50,000! While the old adage,”You get what you pay for,” is generally true, the more expensive dog is not always the better one. Investigate costs from reputable trainers and compare your needs to your budget. Decide what you can afford and discuss this with your vendor. Some may even offer financing or payment plans.
2. BREED
Mar 11 2010
When a cat is allergic to something, common indications will be itchy skin, coughing and/or sneezing, or vomiting or diarrhea in the case of a digestive allergy. Allergies to fleas, foods, things inhaled, or something they have come in contact with are the most likely allergies in cats.
Contact allergies generally result in a fairly localized reaction on the skin. The cat may scratch a lot or there may be an indication of irritation at the place of contact. Most common causes of contact allergies in cats would obviously be items with which they come in close contact such as flea collars, bedding, toys, etc. The simplest cure is to remove the contact.
Flea allergies are very common in cats. A normal cat may simply bite or scratch for a while and then go on to other things, but a cat with a flea allergy may scratch, chew, and worry at the spot until large amounts of fur are lost.
Inhalant types of allergies are probably the most common in cats. Your cat can be allergic to the exact same allergens that you are. Tree pollens, grass pollens, and weed pollens along with the rest of the items we humans fear; mold, mildew, dust mites, and dust itself can all trigger allergic reactions in cats.
Mar 9 2010
Although there are not as many cat breeds as there are of dogs, it still can be quite important to choose the right breed for you. Different breeds of cats have unique characteristics and various personalities.
Some cats are long-haired, like the Persian, and some are short-haired, such as the American Short-hair. And, there is even a breed that appears hairless (the Sphynx). But, the different types of cat coats are not the only thing that sets one breed apart from another. Some of the breeds have unique personalities that are associated with them. If you consider the Siamese, you will know what I mean, as they are often considered sly, aloof and tend to have a loud full-throated voice.
Cats, though, make great pets. Although they are often thought not to have as much personality as a dog, that is simply not true. Each cat is an individual and, as such, has his own character. It is true that many cats are more independent than dogs, but many are very human-oriented. These cats love to cuddle with their human companions and can be very social creatures.
Mar 3 2010
Although many people believe that a cat is a cat, cats, just as dogs do, also come in different breeds. There are long-haired cats and short-haired cats, and even a hairless variety (the Sphynx) although it is not really hairless but is covered with a very fine down-like fur. In fact, many people who have cat allergies seem to be able to tolerate the Sphynx cat.
Here are a few characteristics of some of the more popular or well-known breeds of cats:
American Short-hair – This cat is believed to be the most popular breed of cat in the United States. They are a medium-to-large cat with dense short fur. The American Short-hair cat is a very affectionate, long-living, creature and is disinclined to behavioral problems. These are ideal cats that get along well with others in the family, including dogs. They have a sunny and gentle disposition which makes it ideal for families with small children.
Persian – Some of the long-haired cat breeds require a lot of extra care in grooming. The Persian cat due to its long thick fur is not capable of grooming itself properly and must be brushed daily, as well as bathed often.
Mar 2 2010
Sinus infections
The sinuses are bony cavities in the skull that meet up with the nasal cavities and are prone to infection, especially after a cold or other upper respiratory tract infection.
In cats and dogs, sinus infections may be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses and are sometimes even associated with tooth abscesses. Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) may also be caused by non-infectious ailments such as allergies.
How will I know if my pet has a sinus infection?
Typical signs of a sinus infection are sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, coughing or gagging and a postnasal drip. If your pet has never had such an illness before, it may be wise to have your vet investigate with X-rays or other tests to confirm a sinus infection.
If your pet has had sinusitis before, you will probably recognize the signs. Cats with a sinus infection may stop eating due to a decrease in their sense of smell.
How are sinus infections usually treated?
Sinus infections are usually treated with antibiotic drugs which are prescribed long-term in order to achieve penetration of the drug into the sinuses. Anti-inflammatory drugs are sometimes also used. Pets who are prone to recurrent sinus infections may be prescribed chronic medication for prevention.
Feb 23 2010
Cat clicker training – Sammi learning ‘SIT’ for the first time and Isla learning by observing clicker trained Sammi DO his thang ![]()
Feb 23 2010
What is Diarrhea?
When your pet has diarrhea, the number of stools passed may or may not be increased but each stool will be much looser and more watery than normal. Diarrhea in pets can be related to something they have eaten, a viral infection, bacterial infection, worms, a foreign object they have swallowed and even diseases affecting other organs such as the liver or kidneys. It can be very serious in young puppies, kittens and in elderly pets as they can dehydrate extremely quickly. If your pet has diarrhea, make sure they have plenty of fresh water available at all times. If you have a very young or very old pet that is affected, or if you are at all concerned in any other way, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
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