Supplements pt.2

Glucosamine and Chondroitin : B

Glucosamine and Chondtoitin and I’ve said is amazing for joints. I had a boxer who tore his cruciate ligament slipping on ice about 5 years ago when he was 2. The surgery to fix the one knee was going to cost about $5,000 and being an active large breed dog the vet told me he would tear the other knee within 6 months of surgery. BUMMER! So then I was faced with a dog that needs $10,000 of surgery that may or may not work 100% and hold forever. I talked to the vet about non-surgical treatments we could pursue and he pointed to glucosamine&chondroitin along with fish oil twice daily. Toby (my dog) continued to live out the rest of his days happy and healthy. The supplements really did wonders for his knees.

Supplements pt.2

Glucosamine and Chondroitin : A

First, what is glucosamine? Glucosamine is a combination of an amino acid and sugar. Glucosamine is found in cartilage and connective tissues.

Now, what is chondroitin? Chondroitin is much like glucosamine in that it is a naturally occurring enzyme that decreases the activity of enzymes that break down cartilage in a joint.

You can find these supplements most commonly together, if you prefer to use one or the other they can be found separately.

Glusocamine and Chondroitin are excellent supplements to use if you have a pet that is experiencing arthritis or any other joint/spine related issues.

60 mg per 10 pounds is the proper twice-daily dosage for your pet.

125 mg per 10 pounds is the proper once-daily dosage for your pet.

Supplements pt.1

Fish Oil

Many animals, seasonally and with age develop dry and flaky coats. Fish Oil is an amazing little supplement you can add to your pets diet morning and evening.

This little pill does more than just give your pet a pedigree sleek coat but also helps to keep eyes healthy and moist. Fish oil is also a great joint supplement. It aids in keeping the cartilage in the hips and knees nice and supple and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

On average you can start your pet on 1500 mg of Fish or Cod Liver oil twice daily.

Yeast Infections Pt. 3

what caused this problem?

Ear yeast infections can be caused by a number of problems.

1. Weather Changes

This refers mostly to seasonal changes. Ears tend to flare up when our allergies do, spring/summer. Pollen and other factors play into ear infections. Also, dry to wet seasons push ears into a frenzy.

2. Water

Water is the #1 culprit of ear infections in pets. Most commonly the water is introduced from baths. There is nothing wrong with bathing your pet, its healthy and normal. It may also be due to your dog being a swimmer.

To keep water out of the ears:

· Put cotton into the canal to absorb moisture. If you have no cotton, use a tampon (applicator removed).

· Don’t wash your pet’s head. Don’t get water anywhere near the ears. If you want to wash the face, use a baby wipe or damp washcloth.

3. Diet

Many animals experience allergic reactions in the ears from a diet change. Main food, new treats and table scraps count as a diet change when it comes to ears.

4. Thyroid

Normally we think of thyroid imbalances as meaning your have a hippo for a Chihuahua or a skeleton of a lab. Ie, a fat or skinny dog. Thyroid also causes ear infections, skin infections and organ function issues.

Yeast Infections Pt 2

treating bread in the ears.

Once your pets ear infection has been diagnosed as yeast you can start treating. Of course, ask your veterinarian if they feel holistic treatment would work for your pet. Remember, yeast infections, especially ones that have gone on a long time, are PAINFUL! It can be explained as a burning itch.

Holistic ear treatment is a course of white or apple cider vinegar and water.

1. Make a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water.

2. taking roll cotton (found at most stores) and rip long thin strips.

3. soak strips in mixture and stuff into ear canals. (remember your pets ear canals are MUCH longer than yours.)

4. While grasping the entire ear, rub vigorously.

5. Remove and repeat with new cotton until your strip comes out mostly clean.

6. Finish with one last dry strip to remove most excess liquid (which is what caused it in the first place)

Repeat once daily for 7 days. If not improved, see your vet again and seek other treatment.

Yeast Infections Pt 1

understanding the problem

Many dogs (and cats) get ear infections. Some are chronic and extremely painful. Many veterinarians will treat ear infections with antibiotic or anti-fungal ointments. In some cases this is necessary, but not always.

Any ear infection will present with the following symptoms:

1. Odd smell, cheesy/bread-like/foul

2. Debris or Wax filling the ear canal and the inner part of the ear.

3. Persistent ear shaking and/or scratching.

4. A minor to severe head tilt.

It is irresponsible for any owner to treat an assumed problem without having it tested first!

If you suspect your pet has an ear infection, take it to the vet. They will do a Ear Cytology in which they take a sample of wax from deep in each ear canal, place that wax on a slide and look at it under a microscope.

Most likely, your pet has a yeast infection. Once diagnosed you can start treating!

Raw Diets or Raw Deal? Pt 2

Pros & Cons

Ok, so now that you know what you’re getting into let’s delve into the pros and cons of cooking for your dog.

Pros:

1. You have known quality control over what your pet consumes.

2. It allows for further bonding between you and your pet. As Cesar teaches, if your dog sees it coming from you, it further establishes you as the pack leader.

Cons:

1. First and foremost, it is NOT a sound diet unless you get the recipe from a trained animal dietician.

· Animals who are fed a diet that is not structurally sound are set up for serious health issues.

*Anemia, severe weight loss, GI upset, diabetes, pancreatitis (painful inflammation of the pancreas and gallbladder) among other issues.

2. Cost

· Feeding your pet for one week can easily surpass what you spend on yourself in one week.

3. E-Coil and Salmonella i.e. BACTERIA!!!

· Raw food = raw bacteria. These bacteria, especially for a dog with a sensitive digestive tract can prove to be a big issue. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common side effects.

· Concern of these bacteria is not over once your pet consumes the food. These bacteria are not digested and pass on through the stool.

*You should wash your hands thoroughly after picking up after your dog.

* Keep pet waste out of communal areas where children will be playing.

* Dogs will harbor these bacteria in their mouth; keep your pet from licking you in the face and especially children.

Raw diets do have their place in the world of dog food, however you may want to consider if you are prepared for the serious responsibilities that come along with cooking for your pet.