April 3rd, 2009 by admin

Concerned about gingivitis in dogs and cats? Dr. Jan Bellows, a veterinary dental specialist, says on his website (www.dentalvet.com) that some form of periodontal disease occurs in over 85% of dogs and cats over the age of four.

He adds, “Despite a decade of heightened awareness of the importance of veterinary dental care on the part of veterinarians and pet owners alike, periodontal disease persists as the most common infection seen in veterinary practice today.“

A dog or cat begins life with a healthy mouth. A healthy mouth should include pink gums that tightly grip the teeth. They should be firm and not swollen. Over time, plaque begins to form a thin layer across tooth enamel. If left on the teeth with no intervention, plaque will slowly become tartar, a hard, brown, bacteria-laden layer that not only becomes harder to remove but also begins to inflame the surrounding gums. This is how gingivitis in dogs and cats begins.

You will notice that once tartar becomes prevalent on your pet’s teeth, his gums will begin to redden, swell, and bleed if touched. The condition will progressively worsen and increase in pain. Your pet may drool, refuse to eat or have difficulties eating, and produce foul breath. These are all signs of dental decay. Gingivitis in dogs and cats is reversible in the early stages before it becomes periodontitis, which is differentiated from gingivitis by bone loss and succeeding tooth loss.

Preventing tooth decay and gingivitis in dogs and cats is as simple as creating and following a home dental care plan. Here are a variety of suggestions for gingivitis prevention:

1. Clean your pet’s mouth. Moisten a small washcloth with warm water and gently rub across all the tooth layers. This will remove the food debris each day. If your pet doesn’t mind, you can also brush with a soft-bristled brush and pet dental toothpaste.

2. Pets cannot floss, so appropriate things to chew on are recommended. There are special dental treats made specifically for this purpose. You should avoid using rawhide bones as they are hard to digest and can be choked on. Raw food believers swear by raw meaty bones of appropriate size. Never give cooked bones of any kind as they splinter when chewed. Always supervise your pet when chewing on treats or bones of any kind.

3. Supplements: Dr. Andrew Jones, veterinarian and author, shares that there are supplements that might prove beneficial for dogs or cats susceptible to gingivitis (http://www.theallineed.com/home/07033181.htm). He suggests lactoferrin added to food. Propolis is another recommendation for gingivitis. He says this natural product of honeybees acts as an antiseptic to soothe inflamed gums.

Tamara Jankoski notes in her web article The Remarkable Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract that grapefruit seed extract is a favorite among holistic doctors and has shown remarkable abilities to work as an anti-bacterial. Doctors have found it to work considerably well in a number of areas including gingivitis in dogs and cats and people (http://www.appliedhealth.com/AHS-Journal/Newsletter/The-Remarkable-Benefits-of-Grapefruit-Seed-Extract/).

4. If your pet does not like having its teeth brushed, there are natural productsthat combine supplements like grapefruit seed extract, propolis, and others into a beneficial spray or gel that can be directly applied to teeth. Even if you brush your pet’s teeth, these sprays or gels are a great addition to your dental care plan.

A home dental care plan for your pet can be easy to create and follow. Consistently done, gingivitis in dogs and cats should never be an experience you share with your best friends.

April 3rd, 2009 by admin

Non-toxic worm remedies are popular these days because worms are one of the most disgusting things a pet owner can encounter.

Most owners do not realize their pet has worms until the pet actually passes the worms to the outside. Signs are often present like thin, potbellied, ravenous appetite among others, although not all cases of worms present themselves the same.

Once you find your pet has intestinal worms, you need to rid your pet and home of them quickly. Numerous types of worms can be transferred from pets to humans rather easily, and children are often the victims of accidental worm transference.

There are several steps one should take to rid a pet of worm infestation and prevent future occurrences. Here are some of the steps to take:

1. If your pet has a severe case of worms already, even many holistic vets will recommend a de-wormer available at your vet’s office. While these are chemically based (not non-toxic worm remedies), many feel it is warranted to clear the pet’s intestinal tract quickly and then work to restore your pet’s gastrointestinal tract with friendly bacteria. (Zucker 1999, 216).

2. However, if you would rather steer clear of chemical de-wormers altogether, there are non-toxic worm remedies that are perfectly natural. Some of the most common herbal remedies include neem and/or clove. If the herb is too bitter tasting for your pet, you can wrap the powders into cheese balls or bacon “sandwiches” for easy administration. To avoid formulation errors when creating herbal de-wormers yourself, there are natural products available as well. Whatever method you select should be approved by your veterinarian or a Master Herbalist.

3. In addition to herbal, non-toxic worm remedies, there are other supplements available. Sandy Arora in her book titled Whole Health for Happy Cats suggests ground up pumpkin seeds or pureed carrots added to each meal. This method works to flush out tapeworms. She also suggests different kinds of digestive enzymes like bromelain and papain (Arora 2006, 137).

4. Most holistic veterinarians agree that a truly healthy pet is not a good host for parasites. Another suggestion some have for increasing the vitality of your pet is to add probiotics to its meal. During an interview with Pat Lazarus for her book titled Keep Your Cat Healthy the Natural Way, Dr. Neal K. Weiner touted the importance of probiotics to encourage friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract. “When you get the intestinal flora working properly, the worms just get flushed out—no matter what type of worms they are,” he said (Lazarus 1999, 223).

5. Good housekeeping is also necessary for prevention. Make sure to pick up all waste in the yard immediately. Scoop out litter boxes everyday. After a bout with worms, throw out all used litter and wash the box in hot, soapy water followed up with a bleach solution. Fill with new litter.

These are the most effective tips for ridding your pet of intestinal worms and parasites. An ounce of prevention works wonders, and you’ll be able to keep your dog or cat happy, healthy, and worm free.

References:

Arora, Sandy. 2006. Whole Health for Happy Cats. Gloucester, Massachusetts: Quarry Books.

Lazarus, Pat. 1999. Keep Your Cat Healthy the Natural Way. New York: Ballantine Publishing Group.

Zucker, Martin. 1999. The Veterinarians’ Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats. New York: Three Rivers Press.

April 3rd, 2009 by admin

What is Dog Dental Care?

Dogs just like humans need regular care and maintenance of teeth and gums to ensure healthy, long lasting teeth and overall wellness. A common misconception among owners is that because their dog chews on toys, treats, and occasionally things they should not, their teeth get a good enough cleaning. This is just not so. Your dog’s teeth need proper care and cleaning on a regular basis.
Good oral health takes conscious effort for dogs just as much as it does for humans. Think about it: you chew your food, your fingernails, gum, and even your pen tops everyday, but that does not clean your teeth or freshen your breath. If you don’t clean your teeth, tartar builds up causing gum irritation and bad breath (better known as gingivitis), which will eventually cause tooth decay and tooth loss.

From Your Dog’s Point of View

Have you ever wondered why your dog licks his butt? I bet your think it’s because he is cleaning himself, right? No, no, no. He is cleaning himself when he is sitting up with his hind feet jacked in the air and dragging himself by his front legs while scrubbing his butt across your new carpet, in front of houseguests! He licks his butt because it tastes better than all that nasty bacteria growing and multiplying in his mouth.
If your dog could talk he would probably say, “Hey man, my teeth hurt, my gums ache, and my breath stinks; won’t you help me out and give me something to clean my teeth?”

What Happens When Dental Care Goes Neglected?

When dental care goes neglected, dog problems occur. Harmful bacteria that are always present in your dog’s mouth begin to grow and multiply at a rapid rate. Tartar then forms on their teeth, their gums become swollen and irritated, and their breath smells rotten. Toxins released by the bacteria eat away at the periodontal ligament, which holds your dog’s teeth in their gums, causing irreversible damage. Your dogs’ teeth ache and throb, and become loose, eventually falling out.
Bacteria now roams the body freely through the blood stream, attacking vital organs such as the heart and kidneys. Damage to these life-sustaining organs is inevitable and, without a transplant, your beloved pet could die.

April 3rd, 2009 by admin

Fleas and ticks are two parasites that pet owners love to hate. They can cause itching and lots of scratching as well as secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Ticks create diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis. Like everything else, prevention is the best medicine. Here are some of the best tips to prevent problems with fleas and ticks without having to resort to chemicals:

1. Keep your pet healthy. A healthy pet is not as susceptible to parasites. Holistic vets often recommend a natural, whole foods approach to feeding our pets to create a more balanced, systemic energy.

2. Use a flea comb. This is a special comb with very closely spaced teeth. Comb your pet every day. Since fleas are not able to escape the comb, and you can easily see if your dog or cat has any. Plus, if they do, you will be able to remove them. But be quick. Fleas can jump quite high!

3. Groom your pet each day. In addition to the flea comb, regularly feel your dog or cat’s body. This will help you find fleas and ticks. It is important to remove ticks within 24 hours, so everyday do a thorough check. Ticks like to go to certain spots on your pet more than others. Be sure to carefully check the armpits, around the ears (inside and outside), around the bottom and under the tail, and around the neck.

4. Trim the overgrown hair on very furry dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors: less hair for parasites to hide in.

5. Use a natural herb or plant oil based insect repellent. Products developed with scientific use of natural repellents not only smell great on your pet but work to keep fleas and ticks at bay.

What if you already have fleas and ticks? Here’s what to do.

1. Bathe your pet. Apply shampoo thickly and allow it to sit for 5 to10 minutes. Fleas drown in water and heavy shampoo. You can then go back over with your flea comb for extra measure.

2. Have a pair of tweezers handy to fully grasp and remove ticks. Make sure to remove the entire tick. Removing them alone does not kill them, so make sure they are dead when you dispose of them.

3. Wash pet bedding in hot water. This will kill and remove fleas and ticks plus their eggs.

4. Fleas can quickly inhabit the house. Use a vacuum cleaner with a bag and thoroughly vacuum your home and furniture. Throw bag away in an outdoor container. You might want to double-bag it so they do not escape.

5. One last suggestion for the house comes from Sandy Arora in her 2006 book titled Whole Health for Happy Cats. She suggests making a natural flea trap with a shallow pie plate. Fill with water and swirl in a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Place pie plates in areas around the pet’s bedding or where fleas hide. Place a lamp so it shines over the water. Leave the lamps on overnight with no other houselights on. Fleas are attracted to the warmth and light and will jump into the water and drown.

These simple measures to rid yourself of fleas and ticks will get you through the warm, moist times in which these parasites thrive. Just as important, you won’t have to deal with toxic chemicals.

Reference: Arora, Sandy. 2006. Whole Health for Happy Cats. Gloucester, Massachusetts: Quarry Books.