Pet Goddess

Animals and emotional health

It is clearly in the realm of emotional health that pets can apparently impart the most benefits for their owners. In one study, Drs Sandra Barker and Kathryn Dawson examined the use of dogs as therapy for patients suffering from mental disorders.

They concluded that dog-assisted therapy, in which dogs related to the patients in therapy sessions, significantly lowered anxiety levels in patients with a variety of psychiatric problems, such as psychosis (including such diseases of the elderly as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia).

In fact, the reduction in anxiety was twice as great as with recreational therapy. Traditional recreational therapy, such as art and music, only lowered anxiety levels for patients suffering from mood disorders.

The authors stated that using dogs for therapy seems to be one of the most cost-effective methods of helping people with mental disorders.

Other health benefits of pets
A recent report represents a curious pet-related phenomenon that may have possibly useful consequences. It describes how dogs have detected certain undiagnosed skin cancers, and enabled physicians to treat patients before the cancers have spread.

They conclude that this ability should be investigated and research carried out to see if dogs can detect other difficult to diagnose diseases.

Stil other dogs can work as service dogs to help the deaf or visually impaired, or to  predict when a person is going to have an epileptic seizure, and go get help.

I saw one of these dogs in action one time at a very crowded convention. The seizure was so bad, the woman eneded  up in the hospital for 2 days afterwards. One can only think how bad things might have been had the dog not alerted us in advance.

Conclusion

Research points out that having a pet, especially a dog, is one of the keys to good health. It is no wonder that humans in different cultures throughout human history have always had pets. So, indeed, it seems that a owning a pet can help good health prevail, particularly for the elderly.

Even more exciting is the possibility that dogs will soon be used to help diagnose certain diseases. Certainly, more research on the use of pets in medicine should be undertaken to see what measureable improvements to human health can be demonstrated.
And of course, we need to keep in mind how essential we are to the dog’s well-being.

Related Books
 Creature Comfort : Animals That Heal by Bernie Graham

Companion Animals in Human Health (Paperback)
by Cindy C. Wilson (Editor), Dennis C. Turner (Editor)

The Healing Power Of Pets: Harnessing The Amazing Ability Of Pets To Make And Keep People Happy And Healthy

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Posted March 27, 2008 Comments(0)

Pets and human health-the evidence:

The beneficial effect of pets on general health has often been observed, but it is only recently that proper research has been carried out to establish such a relationship.

The results of this Japanese study are the most recent of several convincing reports.

Some of these have been summarized in an article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Here are just a fewo f the ig

Pets and health:
An Australian study of 8,000 people showed that pet owners had significantly lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than people who didn’t have pets.
People who had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) and had a dog were shown to have a 1-year survival rate six times higher than those people who didn’t have a dog.

• An English study showed that people who acquired a pet had a significant decrease in minor health problems within a month of getting the animal. For those who got a dog, the improvement proved to be sustained.

• In the United States, research has shown that, among Medicare patients, those who had pets (especially dogs) visit doctors much less often than those who don’t have pets.

• Other studies showed that the presence of animals, especially dogs, reduced the anxiety of people facing stressful situations, such as dental surgery.

The article quotes the conclusion of two researchers, Alan Beck and Marshall Meyers, who stated unequivocally that “preserving the bond between people and animals, like encouraging good nutrition and exercise, appears to be in the best interests of those concerned with public health”.

Continued in Can owning a pet improve your health? Part 2 

Posted March 24, 2008 Comments(0)

Human beings have had pets as companions since the evolution of our species. Companion animals have been used for thousands of years for specific purposes, such as hunting or herding.  But it also seems obvious that people seem to enjoy the companionship and loving comfort they provide.

In 2001, three Japanese scientists conducted a study to analyze the effects of the companionship of pets on the ability of a group of older people to live full lives (using a scoring system called Instrumental Activity of Daily Living, or IADL), and on their general health.

How the study was carried out

The scientists randomly selected 400 people living at home aged 65 and older in the small village of Satomi in Japan. These people were asked to fill out a questionnaire to determine if they could carry out the seven activities that comprise the IADL and if they had a pet. If someone couldn’t carry out all of these daily activities, he or she was classified as having an IADL disability.

Using these data and a statistical procedure called logistic regression analysis, the scientists examined the relationship between having or not having a pet, and having a disability compared with general well-being.

The results
85% of those receiving the questionnaire responded.
36% of these people never had a pet.
37% had a pet at the time of the questionnaire.
Presumably, 27% had a pet in the past, but not at the time of the questionnaire.

The people who had dogs had 47% less IADL disabilities (a 0.53 odds ratio) than those who never had a pet.
Those people who considered that their pets were their “best friend” had 52% less disabilities (0.48 odds ratio) than those who never had a pet.

The odds ratios tended to decrease in direct proportion to length of time the person had a pet.

In other words, dogs significantly helped older people to lead healthy lives and the longer a person had a pet, the better.

Continued in Can owning a pet improve your health? Part 2

Posted March 21, 2008 Comments(0)

A Habitat for Your Gecko

The bottom of the cage should have some kind of paper toweling so that it can be changed easily in order to keep the cage clean.

You might want to try cedar shavings or dirt as well, or sand, to give it the feel of a more natural habitat.

One really important point about raising reptiles is to keep the area sufficiently warm. Geckos thrive best when the daytime temperature is in the eighties, up to eighty-eight degrees.

Nighttime temperatures can get to the middle sixties without causing any health problems. If your house is normally cooler than that, a lamp with a forty-watt bulb over the top of the cage should create enough heat to keep the gecko warm.

There are also hot rocks that you can buy and put in the cage to keep your gecko warm and give him areas to crawl and play.

Keep the cage out of direct sunlight (because it will get too warm) and have a screen cover for the top if you have small children or cats in your household, and to keep in the crickets for the gecko’s dinner.

Leopard geckos come in a variety of colors, and you can keep several in the same cage as long as there is only one male in the group (most geckos that are sold are female).

They eat mealworms and crickets, and correct care and feeding should be discussed at length with the seller. A well taken care of gecko can live as long as twenty years.

Many large pet stores will help you put together (and spend a lot of money on!) a lizard starter kit, but why not just start with the basics we have outlined above, and add on as you go and get to know your pet’s needs better.

Raising a reptile can be a fascinating hobby whether you are eight or fifty-eighty years old. Leopard geckos are among the easiest to raise, are easily tamed, not expensive, and are always beautiful and interesting pets. If you are thinking of a lizard, consider a gecko for your next pet.

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Posted March 18, 2008 Comments(0)

You may have admired the unusual looking lizards at your local wildlife center, or perhaps a neighbor may have an iguana in their back room.

The non-stop ads for a certain car insurance company have also boosted people’s interest in having a small lizard or two as a pet

If you are just starting out with reptiles, a good choice for an easy to raise lizard is the leopard gecko.

The leopard gecko has two very big advantages. First, it does not get very big. Second, a leopard gecko has been kept and bred in captivity since the 1920s, and is among the healthiest lizards and easiest to keep.

A juvenile gecko is quite active, but as they mature they become rather quiet and tame, and can be held and will take food from your fingers.

The adult gecko does not get larger than nine or ten inches, and can be handled by older children. Even younger children can hold them, but make sure they are supervised to handle the gecko gently and to avoid picking them up by the tail, or holding the tail tightly.

As with other lizards in the reptile family, their tails can break off easily. It is not desirable, but it is not a major disaster either. The tail will re-grow, though it will never look exactly the same as the original tail

Leopard geckos are easily kept in an aquarium or other plastic cage, as long as each gecko has at least ten inches square of floor space. The cage should be a minimum of twelve inches high.

Have a shallow bowl for water that doesn’t spill as the lizards crawl into or over it. The food bowl for the gecko can be something about the size and shape of the lid for a gallon jar, a larger flat area.

You will be using crickets or other insects as food, and it is better if the food remains in the food bowl. You can buy live crickets at most pet store very inexpensively, though it is not a sight for the squeamish.

Continued in Owning a Reptile as a Pet Part 2

Posted March 15, 2008 Comments(0)

After posting my vaccination articles and getting such positive feedback, I was looking at other topics to blog on, and came across my new cat edition of the Foster and Smith catalog.

Imagine my surprise when I saw that you can now buy vaccinations for your pet through the catalog.

Now, I am all for saving money, but injecting your cat yourself? I mean, really, we don’t do it to our own children for measles, now do we?

For one thing, the  vaccines should be kept fresh in an appropriate environment.

But the main objection is, a regular annual check-up is a must for most people, and so it should be for our companion animals as well.

The vet will be able to put his or her hands on  the animal, look at eyes, ears, teeth, coat, perform an abdominal exam, and generally get a base-line as to what the animal’s overall health is.

As I also discussed in this series, some vaccinations are not safe to give all on the same day, and should never be given to an animal that is already ill.

If the cost of shots is a hardship, why not discuss it with your vet? Many vets are willing to give  multipet discounts, and you can even show them the catalog and ask them to let your pet have the shots at near or close to wholesale price. Or even at cost price.

I remember once, my cat was given a fiber supplement, 30 pills,  $30, so I went to the healthfood store and bought 1000x more for $4.57. Vets DO mark up on shots and frontline and so forth.

By all means, get your frontline from a catalog, or comparison-shop on line. But don’t try to vaccinate your own cat, kittens, dog, or puppies.

Posted March 12, 2008 Comments(0)

A HAPPY PET IS A HEALTHY PET
Your dog’s overall health will also be affected by your mesh of personalities.

A bichon may look like an adorable powder puff, but it is easily one of the most domineering breeds you could ever come across.  Plus, it requires extensive grooming, and is very sensitive in terms of both health and personality.

Cocker spaniels are more laid back, but very possessive of toys, food, and their families. They can become allergic, and often get bad ears, and skin problems as they age. Their coat is lovely, but can take time to maintain, particularly if they have a more curly coat.

We have already talked about huskies and golden retrivers. They are lovely dogs, but if you are not prepared to put in the work, choose a less ‘high maintenance’ breed.

All of these breeds mentioned have specific health problems you will need to look out for if you decide to get one, so again, check with your vet about vaccinations, and any preventive steps you can take to try to avoid these diseases or healthcare issues.

Personality is also key when thinking about the general health of your dog.  From a young age, you need to be the boss, and not let the puppy get spoiled.  You should handle your pet’s head and ears, brush its teeth, and handle its rear end. That will make it a lot less snappy at the vet, and also be a real blessing if you ever have to medicate your animal. There is nothing harder than trying to get a pill into a dog with ‘lock jaw’ because he won’t open his mouth.

Fortunately, a lot of dog vitamins and heartworm are in palatable chewy treats now.

Your vet will also be able to give vaccinations more easily, and take your dog’s temperature, if your dog is not ‘butt shy’.

Part of owning a pet, especially a dog, is to provide it with love and attention.  . Proper care on a daily basis will lead to a lot fewer problems down the road.  Establishing a routine wit your pet, be it a routine feeding time or visiting the vet for the proper vaccinations is a must.

Dog Vaccinations: A Final word

Vaccinations can affect the longevity of your dog just like a proper diet and exercise.  They are essential to their overall care, and an ounce of prevention is worth thousands of dollars of (attempted) cure.  If you want to take your dog to an outside groomer, a puppy play date or day care, or if you want to board you dog, or travel with your dog, you will always need up to date vaccinations certificates from the vet. If you want to ever show your dog, you would need the same vaccination certification.

The best thing about vaccinations is peace of mind. Your dog should be your best friend, and you want to have as long and enjoyable a life with it as possible. If your dog has been kept up to date on vaccinations, then even if he should be unfortunate enough to become ill, you will be able to rule out a lot of conditions simply because you know he has been vaccinated against them.

So do your research on your breed, their health issues, the vaccinations they need, and know you are doing your best, as you would for a child, to help them live a long, happy and healthy life by immunizing them against dangerous diseases.
The Importance Of Regular Dog Vaccinations As Part Of Your Dog’s Overall Care Part 55 parts,
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Posted March 9, 2008 Comments(0)

OUT AND ABOUT WITH YOUR DOG

Once your dog is properly vaccinated, you can properly socialize it with other dogs. Your vet will give you guidelines on when this will be permitted, but usually depends on the first and second battery of vaccinations having been given.

Then they can go out onto the street, but be vigilant—don’t let them sniff or lick pee or sniff or lick other dog poop, and certainly be very careful of anything on the ground like a twig or bone. Puppies are like children-they ’see’ with their mouths!

Dogs require a lot of attention and exercise to help keep them healthy and in top condition from head to tail. After all, you won’t be in good shape if you don’t hit the gym from time to time. Most dogs can thrive with a walk several times a day. Breeds such as huskies, bichon frises, or golden retrievers require special care.

For example, huskies are bred as working dogs, and need a lot of exercise as well as play time with their owners. My friend got a harness and a sled on wheels so the dog could tow him, instead of him trying to walk him and getting his arm pulled out of his socket.

Golden retrievers are social animals, and they will feel lonely, and rejected if left alone for too long. Loneliness and bordom are two of the main reasons why a dog will start to chew or generally misbehave in the house, or even become destructive.

Other breeds, though social animals. may not react in the same manner as a golden. Many are happy with a large yard and or run. But even if you do have a yard, you should still walk your dog regularly as part of your bonding time with the pet.

If you live in an apartment, you might paper train or pee pad train your dog, especially if it is a small one, but remember that regular walks will help keep it fit and healthy, its toenails down, and its bowels regular from the exercise. Teacup Yorkies are all very well and fine, or the designer chihuahua, but it is a living creature which needs fresh air.

Paper training is not always easy, though, as dog’s tend to be den animals and don’t like to soil their home. But accidents do happen–you can hardly blame it if you are at work all day, and it wants to pee. Just YOU try not going to the bathroom for 10 or 12 hours and see how you feel.

Get a dog that suits your circumstances, and how you can manage in case of illness. There is no sense in having a 50 pound standard poodle if you live in a 4 storey walk-up.

Your dog will also be welcome on puppy play dates and doggy day care if it has all its vaccinations, and of course, you will be able to travel on public transport, particularly planes, with your dog as well.

The Importance Of Regular Dog Vaccinations As Part Of Your Dog’s Overall Care Part 5 deals with vaccinations and other dog health care aspects you need to consider.

Posted March 6, 2008 Comments(0)

GROOMING FOR PET HEALTH

What your dog eats will directly affect the condition of their coat and nails, their paw pads, their skin and ears.  Keep an eye on all these parts of your dog, especially as they get older.  With any changes, check with your vet to see if this is normal. You go out every day well-groomed and trying to look your best. It should be no different for your pet.

Grooming also gives your dog an emotional lift. They do know when they look and smell nice, and certainly feel refreshed after a bath. Our elderly Westie used to act like a puppy after every bath, she was so happy. She was an animal who had been neglected for 14 years until we rescued her.  She was so matted with fur when we got her that when we washed her, the entire bottom of our large tub, to a depth of about an inch, was filled with her fur.  Her toenails were growing in to her pawpads.

And our 12 year old cocker spaniel was in the same condition and had to be shaved down, plus, her years were in a terrible infected state and had to be cleaned out every day, twice a day.

Our bichon started to bleed from his rectum one day after a bowel movement; his anal glands had impacted. Depending on which professional groomer you use, they will often check the ears and anal glands and clean them out. But many just go for the cosmetic aspects of grooming, so do ask, and if they don’t do it, make sure your vet checks them at every visit.

A regular schedule of grooming as well as vaccinations, is essential for the overall wellbeing of your dog. That should also include tooth brushing—remember, they can’t do it themselves. What you think YOUR teeth would look like if you didn’t brush for 5 to 15 years?

Again, once your dog is properly vaccinated, you do not have to worry about it being in public with other dogs, such as at the groomers.
The Importance Of Regular Dog Vaccinations As Part Of Your Dog’s Overall Care Part4 will deal with other key issues regarding vaccinations and the dos and don’ts of dog health care.

Posted March 4, 2008 Comments(0)

DOG VACCINATIONS-THE PRICE OF PET CARE

If you get a dog as a puppy, you might consider pet insurance to help offset these costs.  We generally recommend it for pedigree dogs because these puppies can be prone to all sorts of issues due to inbreeding. And to particular health issues. They can also catch illnesses from their parents, particularly the mother, such as intestinal worms.

You mey not be one for going to the doctor much yourself, but vaccinating your pet regularly and being observant about its overall health and condition will help keep your expenses down.

Vaccinations as part of your dog’s overall health care
Other good dog care care besides vaccinations, depending on your breed of dog,  should include regular proper baths, toenail clipping, checking ears and anal glands, and feeding your dog properly.

You’ve see the ads for 1800PETMEDS. There you can get supplies for their heartworm treatment, definitely a must in addition to dog vaccinations. It can be given once a month easily, since it resembles a liver or beef treat.

Flea and tick protection has never been easier, and protects you and your family as well. It comes in a little ampule that you squeeze between the shoulder blades, onto the animal’s skink, not fur.

Just make sure you follow the instructions, and don’t bathe your dog too close before the treatment, or for several days after. We would also recommend not sleeping with the dog for a day or two after (we don’t generally recommend sleeping with them anyway, see more about Pet Crates inour articles on that topic).

KEEPING AN EYE ON YOUR PET’S OVERALL HEALTH

I am haunted by a poster at my vet’s of a gorgeous dog, which says HOW DO YOU KNOW IF HE IS ILL? I looked at it the day I brought my Irish terrier in for what seemed ordinary diarrhea, and within 6 weeks she was dead. As I already said in this article, giving her vaccinations when her immune system was already bad caused her to destroy her own red blood cells.

But most of the time, vaccinations are safe. It is just a case of being vigilant, and keeping an eye on your pet.  How do you know if he is ill-there can be a lot of little signs, but the most obvious ones are changes in food, water, or bowel habits. There can be many reasons for these, but again, vaccinations and a watchful eye is a big help to you and your dog.  If you know the dog is up to date with its shots, you will have peace of mind to a certain extent, that they are not suffering from the nasty diseases a dog is prey to.

Most health problems arise in a dog that is either genetically susceptible or environmentally susceptible, such as allergies, or poor nutrition.

Before you get your puppy or dog, if it is a pedigree, research the breed to see what diseases it is prone too.  Be observant once you get your dog. Do you see it chew its feet? It could be alleergic to grass. Grass seed is very bad for pets too-it can work its way into paw pads and even ears and nostrils, and can become dangerous.

The phrase “you are what you eat” is especially true of dogs. They can develop allergies or sensitivities to foods, and so you should try a good commercial dog food first,and never give table food. There are diets for allergic dogs as well now, or if your dog is really sensitive, you can learn how to cook healthy meals for your pet according to guidelines your vet can give you, and depending on what the health issue is.

The Importance Of Regular Dog Vaccinations As Part Of Your Dog’s Overall Care Part 3 will deal with more key aspects of vaccinations and your dog’s health.

Posted March 1, 2008 Comments(2)