What To Feed a Dog with Diarrhea

Anything that upsets the digestive tract, from eating garbage to bacteria, parasites, or viruses can cause diarrhea.

For the first 24 hours, give your dog nothing but water. This will help flush out the bad elements present in its digestive tract. Check with you vet [...]]]>

What To Feed a Dog with Diarrhea

Anything that upsets the digestive tract, from eating garbage to bacteria, parasites, or viruses can cause diarrhea.

For the first 24 hours, give your dog nothing but water. This will help flush out the bad elements present in its digestive tract. Check with you vet though about putting young or diabetic pets on a fast.

The next morning, give your pet bland foods such as skinless, boneless chicken breasts for cats and hamburger and rice for dogs. You can also give scrambled egg (no butter or oil),
boiled egg (no butter or oil), boiled potato (no skin or flavorings),baked potato (no skin or flavorings)

Give your dog fluids and foods that are very easy to digest. Oil-free and salt-free broth with chicken bits is a good suggestion. Make the meals small and give them up to 5 or 6 times a day. Keep giving bland food until the diarrhea stops.

Make sure water is always available. Dogs with diarrhea tend to get dehydrated.

You can help firm up the stools by adding fiber to your pet’s diet. Dietary fiber soaks about water in the digestive tract which helps stop the diarrhea. Give about one-half teaspoon of fiber rich foods, such as canned pumpkin or flaxseeds with every to meal to cats and dogs weighing less than 15 pounds. Dog 15 to 50 pounds can have a teaspoon and larger dogs can take a tablespoon.

You can also give your pet live culture yogurt. Cats can have one or two teaspoons a day, spread over several feedings. Dogs can take one to two tablespoons, depending on their size.

Your dog may be experiencing cramps along with the diarrhea. You can use an antispasmodic oil such as basil or peppermint. Vets recommend diluting either of these essential oils half-and-half with vegetable oil and rubbing the solution on the tips of your pet’s ears.

Native Remedies also makes a product that helps relieves the cramping and diarrhea plus help firm stools. Pet Alive RuniPoo Relief is a 100% safe and natural remedy containing herbal and homeopathic ingredients which are carefully selected to maintain digestive balance, firm stools and healthy bowel functioning just when your pet needs it most. RuniPoo Relief comes in convenient liquid form, and the concentrated drops are easily disguised in your pet’s food or a favorite treat. TO GET MORE INFORMATION CLICK ON THE BANNER BELOW

If you dog has problems with gas or digestion see our post Preventing Dog Flatulence

Most cataracts in dogs are inherited and can occur at any age. The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years, and occur in one or both eyes. Different breeds of dogs have different characteristics of cataract development.

Cataracts occur when large amounts of proteins in [...]]]>

Advanced Cataracts in Dogs

Most cataracts in dogs are inherited and can occur at any age. The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years, and occur in one or both eyes. Different breeds of dogs have different characteristics of cataract development.

Cataracts occur when large amounts of proteins in the lenses of the eyes undergo biochemical changes, turning eyes cloudy or milky white. Cataracts are often caused by free radicals, harmful oxygen molecules in the body that gradually damage the delicate tissues in the eyes.

The second-most common cause of cataracts in dogs is diabetes (diabetes mellitus). 75% of diabetic dogs will develop blinding cataracts within the first year of being diabetic. Often, the cataracts form very shortly after the dog becomes diabetic.

The third most common cause of cataracts in dogs is a toxic reaction in the lens—the lens is “sick”, due to some other ocular disease or (much less commonly) due to a drug reaction. These are called “toxic cataracts”.

Holistic vets say that there is not much conventional medicine can do for cataracts except surgically remove them. But they say it is possible to prevent cataracts from developing and from getting worse if they are already formed. Pets with cataracts always need to be under a vets care, but there is a lot you can do at home to prevent them in the first place or slow the progress of the disease:

Get Cineraria eyedrops – Cinerairia (Succus cineraira maritima)
can help reverse cataracts that have already formed and may reduce the need for surgery. The eyedrops are available by prescription from veterinarians.

Get rid of free radicals – Vitamins E and C are known as antioxidant vitamins because they block the oxidizing effects of free radicals. Give pets with cataracts 50 IUs of vitamin E for every 10 pounds of weight. Also give 100 mg of Vitamins C twice a day for every 10 pounds body weight. Use the powdered form but watch out for diarrhea. You may need to modify the dosage.

Try Cod liver oil – Cod liver contains lots of Vitamin A, also an antioxidant. Give 1/4 teaspoon to pets under 15 pounds, 1/2 teaspoon for pets between 15 and 50 pounds and a whole teaspoon to pets larger than 50 pounds. Just mix the cod liver oil in with their food. Too much Vitamin A is dangerous so check with your vet to make sure you have got the right dosage.

Get a Billberry Supplement – Billberries are European blueberries (Vacinium myrtillus) and they are a good source of the antioxidants know as flavanoids. When taken in capsule form they form a sort of shield and protect the eye. One study done on humans found that billberry flavonoids mixed with vitamin E were able to stop lens clouding in 97 percent of people with early-stage cataracts.

PetAlive makes a product called GlucoEnsure which is a natural remedy to help maintain normal insulin levels and blood sugar (glucose) ranges in dogs and cats. The first ingredient listed in GlucoEnsure is Bilberry. GlucoEnsure not only supports normal blood sugar levels in healthy pets but also promotes overall pancreatic and liver health, supports the function of the pancreas in producing adequate insulin, maintains healthy distribution of insulin in the bloodstream, supports a healthy immune system, supports healthy circulation and cardiovascular health and promotes healthy digestive functioning.

GlucoEnsure would also be good preventative measure if your pet’s breed is prone to developing diabetes. To get more information about GlucoEnsure click on the banner at the top or bottom of the post.

Cataracts can be prevented and helped from getting worse if your pet already has them. No one wants to see their pet suffer. Many of these remedies have other benefits besides preventing cataracts so consider trying some of them.

Dogs Immune System Adrenal Gland Support

Your dog’s immune system protects him from illness, fighting off bacteria, killing viruses, and eliminating toxins from his body. In terms of prevention, strengthening your dog’s immune system is one of the best things you can do for them. A weak immune function can leave your pet [...]]]>

Dogs Immune System Adrenal Gland Support

Your dog’s immune system protects him from illness, fighting off bacteria, killing viruses, and eliminating toxins from his body. In terms of prevention, strengthening your dog’s immune system is one of the best things you can do for them. A weak immune function can leave your pet open to fungal, bacterial and viral infections, and have serious long-term consequences for your dog’s health.

There are two main types of immunity; innate and acquired. Innate immunity is the body’s built in system of resisting disease including the skin, lining of the gastrointestinal tract, mucous secretions, and stomach acid.

Acquired or adaptive immunity involves the immune system’s memory. The immune system remembers each disease it encounters and is able to quickly recognize and defend against that particular disease when it comes along again. The immune system memory is the rational behind vaccinations for various canine diseases.

Symptoms of a weakened immune system include skin infections, recurring parasitic infections, and initially mild infections or illnesses that turn into more serious problems because your pet’s body can not protect against the bacteria or disease. For cats, frequent upper respiratory infections are often a symptom of a weak immune system.

Diet is very important is building a strong immune system. If your dog does not get good food, his immune system get’s depleted just trying to get rid of the toxins from highly processed pet food.. Plus additives in highly processed foods can trigger allergies.

Allergies as you may know are caused by a hypersensitive reaction of the immune system to certain allergens in the environment.These reactions differ in severity and may include itchiness, lesions, blocked sinus, asthma, eczema and contact dermatitis. There are natural treatments which are effective in treating pet’s allergies. See our post Natural Cures for Pet Allergies

Often vets give pets antibiotics for bacterial infections when the animal’s immune system cannot overcome the infection. If your pet’s immune system was stronger they would be less prone to infection eliminating the need for antibiotics which can depress the immune system.

Certain herbs have been found to strengthen the immune system which allows your pet’s body to naturally fight off infectious agents – without the drawbacks of antibiotic therapy.

Many herbs have proven results with respect to the immune system. Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion) is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, D, C, various B Vitamins, iron, lecithin, silicon, potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese. Echinacea purpurea is well known for its positive benefits for immune functioning and for its antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties.

You can take a proactive approach to your pet’s health and keep them healthy longer by giving their immunity system a boost with an herbal supplement. PetAlive Immunity & Liver Support capsules contains several of the above mentioned herbs. Used as a general tonic, Immunity & Liver Support capsules will help to keep your pet in peak health.

The liver is the second largest organ in the body and is often seen as the most important one. In traditional Chinese medicine, a healthy liver is seen as the most critical element in the body’s natural ability to fight disease and function optimally. PetAlive Immunity & Liver Support is safe for cats too. Find out more about helping strengthen your pet’s immune system by clicking on the banner at the top or bottom of this post.

Dachshunds have a very long spinal column and short, crooked legs. Because of the way dachshunds are put together their joints and discs between vertebrae degenerate early.

In a dog with a healthy spine the discs are like flexible cushions between vertebrae. As the dog gets [...]]]>

Spinal Problems in Dachshunds

Dachshunds have a very long spinal column and short, crooked legs. Because of the way dachshunds are put together their joints and discs between vertebrae degenerate early.

In a dog with a healthy spine the discs are like flexible cushions between vertebrae. As the dog gets older the discs lose their flexibility and harden. This condition is called Inter vertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and usually occurs between 3-6 years of age.

The risk for this disease is increased by obesity, jumping, rough handling, or intense exercise. Vets recommend keeping your dachshund from becoming overweight. Also, keeping them from jumping on or off furniture, and climbing stairs.

Regular exercise is important but don’t let them do things that stress their back such as sitting up and begging. You can also let them use a ramp to allow access to furniture. Many dachshund owners says though that is difficult to get their dog’s to use the ramp.

Rough play can also increase the possibility for Dachshund back injuries. Both your child and your dog get excited playing together. You will need to talk to your children and explain to them that rough play might cause injury to the dog’s back and ask them to play more gently.

Here are the symptoms of IVDD:

Up to 78% of dachshunds recover in time from IVDD without surgery. They should be confined for at least six weeks. Water therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments help. Treating IVDD is expensive, pet insurance is recommended.

Alternative treatments for IVDD are

Acupuncture – Simple injuries or problems may only need one acupuncture treatment, but if a problem is slightly more complex, it may take more than one treatment to improve the issue.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin - are helpful in repairing and strengthening damaged cartilage.

Antioxidants – Vitamins C, A and E are effective antioxidants and are beneficial for dogs with back problems.

A preventive measure you can take is to give your pet a supplement which will help support their skeletal system and joints PetAlive Muscle & Joint Support is specially formulated for pets and contains a unique formula combining an herb with biochemic tissue salts and nutritional substances all well known for their support of the skeletal system, including muscles, joints, cartilage and tendons.

Muscle & Joint Support is a 100% natural remedy. Regular use will help to maintain health in the muscular skeletal system without known side effects. PetAlive Muscle & Joint Support promotes muscle and joint health, encourages strong healthy bones, contains Glucosamine and Devil’s Claw, supports liver function and comes in easy to administer vege capsules.

Get More Info on PetAlive Muscle & Joint Support For Relief of Pet Arthritis, Rheumatism and Joint Disease Click on the banner below and help your dachshund stay strong and supple for life.

Incontinence, which is defined as involuntary urination, is fairly common in dogs, especially spayed females, where approximately one in five dogs (20 percent) is affected. In addition to being frustrating for owners, incontinence can be very psychologically distressing to dogs that are housebroken, and can [...]]]>

How to Prevent Incontinence in Dogs Following Neutering

Incontinence, which is defined as involuntary urination, is fairly common in dogs, especially spayed females, where approximately one in five dogs (20 percent) is affected. In addition to being frustrating for owners, incontinence can be very psychologically distressing to dogs that are housebroken, and can also lead to urinary tract infections and other health problems.

Spay incontinence refers to a condition where the change in estrogen levels after spaying are responsible for incontinence. It is the most frequent cause of involuntary urination in dogs. Though one would think it only happens immediately after spaying the time span is much longer. Spay incontinence can happen up to ten years later. The average of all occurrences being around three years.

Low estrogen levels and other factors can lead to a weak bladder sphincter, resulting in drips to complete emptying of the bladder, usually while sleeping or resting. Leaking can happen daily or just periodically. Large breed dogs are more commonly affected than small breeds, and German Shepherds, Boxers, Spaniels and Doberman Pinschers appear to be more at risk than other breeds.

If the cause is a weak bladder sphincter you can use a homeopathic bladder control treatment PetAlive Better-Bladder Control is a homeopathic remedy that temporarily relieves incontinence and strengthens the bladder. Taken internally, the ingredients in Better-Bladder Control address acute symptoms such as frequent leaking and ‘accidents’, while also supporting the health and integrity of the urinary system and helping to maintain bladder control. In addition, routine removal of waste and detoxification is also supported.

Because Better-Bladder Control is 100% homeopathic, it gets to work quickly after just the first dose to address acute symptoms such as frequent leaking and ‘accidents’ and to strengthen the bladder. While some animals begin to show an almost immediate improvement that increases over time, others will begin to see results after 3-5 days

If you want more information and reviews of the product PetAlive Better-Bladder Control Click on the highlighted text or the banner below.

Incontinence can occur for many other reasons, including urinary tract infections, bladder stones, congenital structural defects (e.g., ectopic ureters), spinal cord disease, and excess water intake. Excess water intake can signify other problem such as diabetes. Older dogs, overweight dogs, and dogs with neurological problems may develop a weak bladder sphincter. These causes of incontinence can affect dogs of both genders, whether intact or neutered.

The most important things is to find out what is causing your pet to urinate involuntarily. From there your vet will be able to help you consider your options. For more information on Urinary Incontinence in Dogs see our previous posts titled Dog Urinates Too Often and Urinary Incontinence in Male Dogs

Most cats are unable to groom themselves inside their own ears. Even though your cats probably won’t be happy about it you need to clean out their ears to prevent infection.

Some cats may be more prone to developing ear infections than [...]]]>

My Cat Itches All the Time and Gets Frequent Ear Infections

Most cats are unable to groom themselves inside their own ears. Even though your cats probably won’t be happy about it you need to clean out their ears to prevent infection.

Some cats may be more prone to developing ear infections than others. Cats with thick hair in their ears such as Persians are more likely to get wax build up which can cause infection. Cats with allergies, excess moisture in their ears, or tumors may be also be more likely get infected ears.

In general what causes feline ear infections? Many of them are caused by yeast and bacteria. Cat’s ears normally contain some yeast and bacteria cells, problems occur when the yeast or bacteria multiplies and gets out of control. The problem is very similar to humans who get yeast infections. While dogs often suffer from bacterial ear infections which can be picked up through activities such as swimming in lake water, cats more commonly suffer from ear infections caused by yeast.

Wax build up, thick hair in the ear canal can also cause ear infections. Very hairy cats such as Persians are more prone to this problem.

Another very common causes of feline ear infections is ear mites. Ear mites are tiny little insects that infest cats’ ears, feeding upon ear wax and oils. They often leave behind a rust-tinted crust in and around the ear. Ear mites make your cat really uncomfortable and you will see them scratching and shaking their heads. It is essential to treat ear mite infestations as quickly as possible before your cat suffers from permanent hearing damage

Other possible causes of feline ear infections are autoimmune diseases, foreign bodies like tumors or the bristle from grass, environmental irritants, diabetes mellitus.

In addition, humid climates and over cleaning of your pet’s ears can also increase your cat’s chances of having an ear infection. Occasionally, ear infections are a sign of another condition, such as a hormonal abnormality or a hereditary disease.

What Are the Signs of an Ear Infection in a Cat?

You will see your cat scratching or pawing at his ear or shaking or tilting his head in the direction of the painful ear. Other symptoms to look for include:

* black or yellowish discharge
* redness or swelling of the ear flap or ear canal
* waxy buildup on or near the ear canal
* discharge from the ear that resembles coffee grounds means ear mites
* strong odor
* hearing loss
* loss of balance or disorientation

Routine and thorough cleaning of the ear canal is one of the best preventative measures for ear infections. Cleaning your pet’s ears is not hard to do and will save you some expensive trips to the vet plus make your pet comfortable and happy. A good natural herbal product we recommend is called PetAlive Ear Dr. for Ear Infections and Ear Mites.

PetAlive Ear Dr. for Ear Infections and Ear Mites. drops help keep ear canals clear and free from blockages, maintain health and harmony in the middle ear structures, soothe and conditions ear passages to prevent common itching and scratching and maintain normal balance of flora in the ear canal (prevents yeast infections).

PetAlive Ear Dr. for Ear Infections and Ear Mites. is designed for treatment and prevention.

Just like their human owners, pets need to have their teeth cleaned on a regular basis. If your pet gets a significant build up of plaque and bacteria they could develop gingivitis. If the gingivitis progresses without treatment, your pet can have trouble chewing their food and [...]]]>

My Dog Has Very Bad Breath

Just like their human owners, pets need to have their teeth cleaned on a regular basis. If your pet gets a significant build up of plaque and bacteria they could develop gingivitis. If the gingivitis progresses without treatment, your pet can have trouble chewing their food and may need to have teeth pulled. So it is best to get the gingivitis treated right away. Check for red and swelling gums or bleeding gums. The bacteria makes a bad smell in your dog’s mouth hence the bad breath.

Sometimes bad breath is a result of what the dog has eaten. Canned food is more likely to cause bad breath than dry kibble. Also check if your dog is fond of eating out of trash cans, this can also cause their breath to be stinky.

There are also some non-dental causes that should be the cause of greater worry as these may be more dangerous for the dog. These may include any of the following: diabetes, uremia, rhinitis, sinusitis, neoplasia, megaesophagus, neoplasia, lip fold pyoderma, pharyngitis, tonsilitis, neoplasia, open fractures, infectious agents including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, autoimmune diseases, and eosinophilic granuloma complex.

Ideally you should brush your dog’s teeth daily but a lot of owners don’t have the time or the patience to do this. Large dogs have less trouble with plaque build-up than small dogs. Here things you can do to help keep teeth and gums healthy:

Carrots – Give your dogs raw carrots. It’s mildly abrasive and helps remove plaque. The more your dog chews, the higher saliva production it makes. The saliva washes away loose food particles inside the mouth and around its teeth.

Parsley – Human can chew on parsley after a meal to clean their breath. Dogs probably won’t chew on parsley so you need to make your own dog breath spray by immersing several stalks of parsley in hot water. Remove the parsley from the water and allow the tea to cool. If you can’t get your dog to drink it spritz the parsley tea in your dog’s mouth.

Yogurt/ – Combat bad dog breath with a mixture of yogurt, raw carrots, and raw turkey.

Settle the stomach – Since bad breath is often caused by indigestion you may want our pet some ginger, which helps calm an upset stomach. Vets recommend to give your pet one tablespoon of fresh sliced ginger to a cup of hot filtered water and letting the tea cool. Strain the tea and give pets under 15 pounds 1/2 to one teaspoon of the tea, using a dropper or needle less syringe. Give one teaspoon to one tablespoon to pets weighing 15 to 50 pounds and one to three tablespoons to larger dogs

To improve your pet’s digestion try PetAlive Digestive Support which is an excellent digestive system tonic and contains three carefully chosen herbs in therapeutic dosage to soothe and support the stomach lining, esophagus, and entire digestive tract. Using a digestive remedy really does help your pets digestive system work more efficiently which helps reduce gas and makes them feel better. If you want to find out more about the product click on the Pet Alive banner at the top or bottom of the post.

Raw Meaty Bones – Because of their mildly abrasive texture and their ability to flex around the teeth, raw meaty bones can help remove plaque without using harsh toothpastes and chemicals.

Do not ever attempt to use any oral bad breath products for human on dogs. The formulation of these products may be too harsh for your dog. It is best to consult with your vet on oral solutions as one of the cures for bad dog breath.

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