Pet Goddess

Like their human companions, dogs and cats can also lose their vision to glaucoma.
Fortunately, veterinary medicine now offers treatments that can preserve an animal’s sight.
It is important for owners of senior pets be aware of the symptoms of glaucoma and to act on them quickly, because the disease can quickly damage the eye and lead to vision loss.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is abnormally high pressure in the eye. It is often triggered by high blood pressure.
A normal pet eye constantly produces and drains a watery fluid known as the aqueous humor. If a problem develops with the drainage, pressure inside the eye can build up. High pressure within the eyeball (also known as intraocular pressure) causes damage to the optic nerve, which, in turn, can result in vision loss.

Posted July 8, 2008 Comments(1)

Frontline Plus Frontline & Frontline Plus
Frontline and Frontline Plus are well-known, highly effective flea and tick preventives with a high margin of safety. Frontline kills ticks (carriers of Lyme disease) and adult fleas for a full month. Frontline Plus provides even more complete protection, since it also contains an insect growth regulator (IGR), which prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing. Both Frontline and Frontline Plus provide water-proof protection, making them the perfect choice for dogs that swim or are bathed frequently.

Program for DogsProgram
Unlike the other monthly products mentioned here, Program is an oral pill rather than a topical solution. Program is designed to prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing so it is often used with a product like Frontline, which eliminates adult fleas. Program, by itself, will NOT kill adult fleas.

Capstar
Capstar is another oral flea product which is fast acting. It can kill adult fleas on your dog in 30 minutes. Available in tablet form, one dose lasts for only 24 hours and is especially useful in situations where pets are more likely to be exposed to fleas, such as in dog parks or at shows. It may also be used prior to surgery, boarding, or grooming, or in any situation where you fear sudden infestation.

When to START and END flea prevention

The time to start your flea prevention program depends on where you live. In the Midwest and Northern states of the USA, we recommend starting your pet on a prevention program in early March and stopping after the first hard frost.
In warmer climates, such as in the South, you really need to use flea prevention year round. Talk to your veterinarian if you’re not sure if you should use flea prevention throughout the year. Many people sat Indian Summer (starting around September) is their peak time.

Products such as flea and tick collars, shampoos, and sprays can be used with oral or topical solutions to ensure your pet, your home, and your yard remain flea and tick free. In areas where tick infestation is heavy, for instance, the Preventic Tick Collar can be used to protect your pet from transmission of tick-borne illnesses and flea infestations.

Environmental products such as the bioSpot Home Protection Kit can be used to eliminate fleas and ticks indoors. Other products, like lawn sprays, can be used to eliminate fleas outdoors where they live.

Before using more than one flea and tick product on your pet, speak with your veterinarian about the best treatments to help keep your pet healthy and flea free for the summer.

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Posted May 12, 2008 Comments(0)

Now that the weather is improving throughout the country, it is likely that you and your pet will be spending more time outdoors.

That being the case, now is the time to think about flea and tick protection.

Heartworm protection should do without saying in this day and age. Heartguard is so easy to administer, as a beefy tasting chew, and so inexpensive now, there is really no reason to not just give it to your dog all year round, to protect it from this horrific disease.

For your flea and tick protection options, monthly topical protection you can apply directly on the pet’s body is the most popular choice, with oral protection second.

They are both convenient and effective, and also safe providing that you make sure you  follow the instructions for appropriate use.

bioSpot SPOT ON® for Dogs provides your dog with complete flea, tick, and mosquito protection for a full month. It is a tick preventive that offers complete protection against all stages of the flea life cycle. In addition, bioSpot SPOT ON® for Dogs effectively kills and repels ticks (carriers of Lyme disease), and also repels mosquitoes (potential carriers of Heartworm and West Nile Virus). It tends to be the least expensive of all the products mentioned here.

K9 Advantix for Dogs is relatively new  and combines two effective ingredients for total once-a-month topical protection from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. In addition to killing flea larvae, K9 Advantix kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs, and stops them from biting within 5 minutes of application.
K9 Advantix is also effective on ticks – repelling and killing up to 98.5% of them before they can attach. Mosquitoes are also no match for K9 Advantix; it repels and kills them before they can bite. This topical treatment, available for various sizes of dogs, is also excellent for dogs who love to swim, and those who require frequent bathing. It resists water and can be effective up to six weeks. K9 Advantix is designed for dogs only, and SHOULD NEVER BE USED ON CATS. It is also recommended that if you live in a multipet household, you never use it.

Advantage for Dogs is an excellent product to use for flea control alone. While it is not designed to kill ticks, Advantage kills adult fleas rapidly and also kills flea larvae in only 20 minutes, preventing them from developing and reproducing. Because Advantage is water-resistant, this is another good product for dogs who love the water.

Posted May 11, 2008 Comments(1)

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)

Pet vaccinations are an important part of responsible pet ownership.

When you were a child you had to have vaccinations at certain points in your life, in order to build up resistance to certain diseases such as measles, tetanus, and other shots.

This is important for your pets as well. Your dog can fall prey to many serious diseases throughout its life if you don’t take essential steps to prevent these common dog illnesses through vaccination, or regular treatments for things like heartworm, fleas and ticks, which can bring diseases with them when they infest your dog.

In this article, we will specifically look at dog vaccinations, and as you read, keep in mind that some of these shots will be the same for cats as well.

VACCINATIONS
Dogs need to have vaccinations to guard against disease. When your dog is a puppy they can fall prey to some very serious diseases which can often be fatal. Or, even not not fatal, expensive and life altering for both of you.

An ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure when it comes to dog vaccinations. They are very inexpensive compared to trying to treat the illness after the fact.

Your puppy will need a distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and corona combination between six to eight, nine to eleven, twelve to fourteen, and sixteen to seventeen weeks. They will also need these shots again every twelve months.

The next vaccination is a bordetella administered at fourteen weeks and every six months. Rabies must be given at sixteen weeks and again every twelve to thirty- six months.

Vaccinations protect your dog and other pets from human diseases as well as other. Make sure you visit your vet according to the right schedule.

Another vaccination is the giardia at fourteen and seventeen weeks, with a yearly dose.  Lyme is another type administered at fourteen and seventeen weeks as well as yearly, particularly in areas where it is most common, like the North-east.

Some of the basic dog vaccinations are now combined. Sometimes the vet might want to give them all at once as long as you are there in the office. But word of warning: SOME breeds of dog, like the Bichon Frise, can DIE of an allergic reaction to having them all given at once.

Remember that a vaccination can be a live or dead extract of a virus, which you are putting in the dog’s body in order to try to get it to trigger its own antibodies to fight the disease the next time it is ever exposed to it.

Often, the vaccinations can result in the dog having symptoms and generally feeling under the weather for several days after the shots, so do keep an eye out for them.

Also, do not give the vaccinations if the animal is manifesting any symptoms of illness.
We lost a 4 year old cat, and a 4 year old dog, my prize Irish terrier, exactly the same way, several years apart.

They both had diarrhea, the vet said, “Oh, as long as you’re here, you might as well get their shots done,” and both developed an autoimmune disorder where they started to destroy their own red blood cells, and were dead within weeks.

You are far better off doing them on separate visits, than ending up with an animal with a high feaver and not knowing which one of the viruses is affecting it most aversely.

These are the general guidelines for dog vaccinations, but occasionally state regulations will require a different administering chart. It is best to speak with your vet about the correct vaccinations for your state.

Also, you might want to ask him about any vaccinations particular suitable, or unsuitable, for the breed. As we said above, some breeds have been known to suffer from allergic reactions so serious, they can result in death.

But that is a small percentage compared with the number of dogs who benefit from vaccinations.  Your dog should be your “best friend” and thus it is important to give proper care that includes regular medical treatment.

The Importance Of Regular Dog Vaccinations As Part Of Your Dog’s Overall Care Part 2 will discuss the cost of vaccinations, and the basics of a regular routine for your dog’s health.

Posted February 27, 2008 Comments(2)