Ironically, the list of what could go wrong reads like a who’s who of cat health problems such as bladder stones, kidney stones, urinary tract blockage, and bacterial infections. This would likely account for the unsettling statistic that amongst pet owners, with pet insurance, the number one claim filed was that of urinary tract infections.

There is another consideration when discussing urinary tract health in pets and that is age. With age so many things can go wrong in this sensitive area which can lead to major quality of life issues both for your beloved animal and your family. Examples would include such things as urinary leakage, incontinence, increased risk of infection and bladder or kidney issues.

So ultimately our goal is to avoid infections and keep the urinary tract in tip top working order as long as possible. To do this we don’t need to pull out our slide rule, calculator, or dictionary, we simply need to implement a number of simple steps before we are faced with a problem that does require a calculator and/or a dictionary.

Water consumption: It is easy to overlook this simple step. After all we assume our pet is drinking enough water. But an under hydrated animal is a disaster looking for a place to happen. Water is vital in keeping the urinary tract free from infection by flushing bacteria before it has a chance to gain a foot hold. Water also is critical in eliminating crystals before they have a chance to bond and form urinary stones. Most veterinarians suggest slight over hydration as a vital tool for maintaining general health.

Avoid confinement: Sometimes we must leave our animals alone. This can be especially dangerous for those pets that have arthritic joints. They simply will not void as often due to the challenges involved with their painful joints. If possible ask a neighbor or friend to take your pet for a walk or check on them to make sure they are doing their business often enough.

Diet: This is a tricky one. While supplying your pet with proper nutrition is vital to good health some nutritional formulas actually increase the chances of bladder and kidney stones. The most common examples of this are pet food formulas high in calcium and magnesium. Check with your veterinarian he/she may have some excellent suggestions.

Additionally, supplementation for urinary tract health can prove to be a great addition to any prevention plan. While there are many excellent supplements for urinary tract health and pets perhaps the most high regarded is homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies contain natural tonics that are effective in strengthening, conditioning and maintaining a healthy urinary system. Also, there is a substantial amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting their effectiveness in fighting off bacterial infections. If you have been searching for a safe natural option homeopathy is an area worth considering.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about natural pet health visit Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_D_Hawkins

ShareThis

Arthritic joints in pets may begin during the first half of life, with the symptoms not becoming apparent until much later with the primary symptoms being stiffness and lameness. It is not unusual for older pets with degenerative joint disease to be very stiff early in the morning, only to improve as the day wears on. Also, when the weather becomes cold and/or damp the condition tends to worsen making such simple tasks as making it to the litter box on time or racing to meet you when you get home from work a challenge. Next let’s explore the condition itself and try to find a few helpful solutions.

Degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis in pets. It is often noticed in dogs, cats, and other pets around the age of 11 or so. As you may know 12 cat years is equivalent to 59 human years. Generally speaking when a pet is experiencing arthritic or painfully sore joints it is often a sign that the cartilage that has so effectively protected the connecting joint bones from rubbing together for years is starting to wear thin. As the cartilage degeneration continues the underlying bone develops a roughened surface that damages the joint. Pets whose joints have been subjected to overuse, severe stress, dislocation, or fracture are the ones most likely to develop arthritic joints at an early or premature age. Degenerative joint disease may be suspected but your veterinarian will probably need to take an X-ray to confirm the existence and severity of the disease.

Once the condition has been recognized it is important that swift action be taken to prevent lameness and continued loss of joint mobility. There are no magic solutions that will make severely arthritic joints in old pets disappear. That said, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce the damage and make your pets life more enjoyable.

* Provide a warm place for your pet to sleep and rest
* If your pet is overweight a diet plan should be formulated
* Moderate exercise may prove helpful in maintaining joint flexibility
* Consider hydrotherapy if possible
* Consider ways to make your pets life easier (stair steps, litter box placement)
* Check with your veterinarian for new medications to treat pain and inflammation

Additionally, many pet owners are opting form natural pet arthritis formulas to rebuild lost cartilage and support joint health. These supplements have proven to be very effective in most cases and are an option worth considering.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about homeopathic natural health visit Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_D_Hawkins

ShareThis

Arthritis is a general term referring to inflammation of the joint. The most common form of arthritis in pets is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease. This common condition is most often found in large animals but can affect animals of all sizes. It is characterized as loss of cartilage (the shock absorbing gel like material between the joints) and joint degeneration leading to pain and lack of mobility.

Pet degenerative joint disease initially can be difficult to recognize. Joint stillness after a nap, or an extended period of rest, are common signs of its onset. As the disease becomes more advanced, your pet may not have the enthusiasm for certain playful activities they once had. In severe cases they may not be able to make it to the litter box or through the pet door in time to do their business.

Supplements for osteoarthritis in pets is a topic of great interest for most pet owners with either aging animals, those with birth defects that exasperate the condition (hip dysplasia), and those who have overused their joints.

The goal in slowing, stopping, and ultimately revering osteoarthritis in pets is to find supplements which include ingredients that have been shown to be effective in reversing the condition.

Let’s cover a few of these:

*Glucosamine: As pets age many lose their ability to manufacture adequate amounts of glucosamine to keep their joints moving freely and absorb the shock of running, jumping, and playing. This ingredient should be one included in any pet osteoarthritis supplement.

*Chondroitin, Bovine cartilage extract – While some joint health benefits have been derived from the use of chondroitin or bovine cartilage extract they do not seem to be as effective as glucosamine when used alone; due to their low absorption rate. Nevertheless, these are supplemental ingredients that should be considered.

*Vitamin E – Research studies support the idea that vitamin E is beneficial for osteoarthritis in pets. The benefit was thought to be due to vitamin E’s membrane stabilizing actions and antioxidant properties.

*B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – Some research suggests that a deficiency in this obscure B vitamin reduces cartilage growth.

In summary, we have just touched on a small number of helpful supplements for osteoarthritis in pets. Your next step is to locate a well respected supplemental formula to treat osteoarthritis in pets. Additionally, all pet owners should make a good effort to keep their pets weight under control. Excess weight is one of the primary causes of degenerative joint disease.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural pet health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about homeopathic and natural pet health visit Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_D_Hawkins

ShareThis

Since you never know when your dog or cat may be affected by parasites, it is important to treat them regularly for fleas and ticks. When animals are not properly treated, it could lead to serious health conditions due to diseases carried by parasites. These same parasites can also cause harm to humans as well. Your infested pets can pass parasites to their pet owners and can cause diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

The best treatment is monthly applications with a topical flea and tick repellant. Flea collars can also be used. Also it is important to use the product designated for a canine or a feline, as these products are not interchangeable. Always follow the product’s instructions so that your pets are safe during the treatment process.

In order to keep your family safe from parasites, you should treat the entire house every time you find fleas on your pet. If your pet is allowed to come indoors at any time, then you will need to start immediately. Flea powders and sprays are available to use throughout your home especially on carpets, fabric and furnishings to eliminate all fleas. Your pet’s carrier, pet’s bed and sleeping area should be treated thoroughly. It would be best to repeat use of the products several times to ensure that your home is clear of parasites and your family is safe from potentially harmful diseases.

Article brought to you by Shirley McNeal, retired social services administrator and owner of My Southern Home Place…The Bargain Store for Wholesale Gifts & Décor located at: http://www.mysouthernhomeplace.com We celebrate families, children, health and home and our business reflects these core values. We have a passion for bringing you affordable products you will enjoy using and sharing with your friends and family. We invite you to come by anytime and shop with us.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirley_McNeal

ShareThis

If you suffer from any type of allergy, you know how miserable it can make you feel. Our pets can suffer from allergies too, and it can make them just as miserable. Allergies occur when the bodies immune system overreacts to a substance. Unlike people, pets don’t suffer from sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. They are more likely to suffer from itchy skin and hair loss.

There are four ways pets can be exposed to allergens. A common allergy for cats and dogs is from flea bites. It does not take an infestation, one flea bite can cause a reaction. Your will notice your pet scratching, licking and chewing at his skin as well as patches of hair loss. When you treat your pet for fleas, it is important that you also treat your home as well.

Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction caused by a substance touching the skin. Some things that might cause an allergy are, grass, wool, plastic, and chemicals from lawn care or carpet cleaning. Contact dermatitis is the least common cause of allergies in dogs and cats, but it can be the easiest to prevent.

Just as they do in people, inhalants can cause difficulty in breathing for pets. Inhalant allergies are known as Atopy and are the most common cause of allergies in dogs. Your dog or cat will also likely suffer from the itchy and irritated skin. This particular allergy can be seasonal because it can be caused by mold spores and pollen. Other sources for inhalant allergies are dust and smoke.

Veterinarians have several methods of treating your pets allergy symptoms. The vet may prescribe an antihistamine, the same as the ones you would use. Your vet could also prescribe a steroid treatment. This could be given as a pill or topically. Steroids have more of a chance of side effects, including increased thirst and urination. Just as is the case with people, steroids are not usually a long term treatment. Another option to treat allergies in your dog or cat, is desensitization. Over a period of time, your furry family member is given an injection under the skin of the allergy causing substance. This will build up the animals resistance to the substance.

The most difficult allergy to diagnose in dogs and cats is from food. The main symptom of a food allergy is itchy skin and the problems that result from constant scratching. If none of the other causes of allergies can be confirmed, you will need to work with your vet to figure out which ingredient in your pets food is causing the problem. The most common foods that cause allergies are beef, soy, chicken, milk, corn, wheat and eggs. Unfortunately, these are the main ingredients in most commercial dog foods. You will have to change your pets food to a special formula which your veterinarian can recommend, or you will have to prepare a homemade diet. This allows you to control everything your dog or cat eats. Whichever feeding method you choose while you are trying to find the culprit, your pet can have no other food at all, including treats. It takes up to 12 weeks to determine if the diet change has eliminated the problem.

Recent research has shown that certain dietary components can help dogs and cats in the treatment of allergies. Omega 3 fatty acids are known to be good for the skin and coat, but now it has been determined that these fatty acids can work in the skin to help reduce the histamines released in response to allergies. It takes several weeks or even months to notice a significant change, but Omega 3 fatty acids are very safe. Another dietary component that helps with dry, itchy skin is Biotin. Biotin is a B vitamin. You can find these dietary supplements in an all natural, human grade pet vitamin.

We don’t like to see our four-legged family members suffer with allergies. A visit with your veterinarian can help eliminate the problem so your pet will be happier and healthier.

Joseph M. Sabol is a world class Doberman breeder. Please go to http://petvitamins4u.com or to http://theroadhousedobes.com for further information

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_M_Sabol

ShareThis

This condition is generally caused by a hypersensitivity (or in other words, an allergy), to certain types of bacteria.

While it is believed that this is caused by a pets immune system over reacting to Staphylococcus (or Staph bacteria on the skin), which will than result in the skin reacting in dramatic measures to the presence of Staph, it is caused by the pet scratching itself intensely.

Pets that have become affected with this condition will scratch themselves so hard and so intense, that they will develop hair loss, scale like skin, and even red sores on their skin.

What will first surface and appear to be only small individual sores, will than enlarge and join together.
Once they have joined together, this will than result in much larger area of the skin being exposed at thus at risk. These sores have been observed several times to actually look like a “bull’s eye” on a target.

They will have red outer areas and than a very dark center. The symptoms of this skin condition in your pet are very easy to spot.

The skin of your pet will become very red. There will be pustules (a small elevation in the skin that contains inflamed cells), and large vesicles that are filled with fluid development on the skin.

Pustules are basically small bumps on the skin that are filled with pus, and if the bumps develop into a larger forms, they than become abscesses. If these small bumps on the skin contain a clear fluid, they are referred to as vesicles.

This is critical to know for the sake of your pet as these conditions, than known as lesions, can become very painful and spread quite rapidly if not treated. The severe itching that your pet, especially a dog incurs to itself, may further damage the skin through even more rigorous scratching and even biting in some cases.

Atopy, which is an allergy to several types of inhaled pollens like cigarette smoke, pollen, and heavy dust mites, will most likely be the cause of your pets bacterial hypersensitivity.

This skin condition in pets will best be diagnosed by your veterinarian, using bacterial cultures and examinations of a biopsy sample, bacterial cultures and examinations of a biopsy sample; as well as intradermal allergy tests, which looks specifically for cellular immunity.

Treatment:

This skin condition is best treated by properly treating the underlying causes of this disease, or condition.

Hypothyroidism or flea dermatitis’s conditions can also be checked by a series of tests by your veterinarian, and some pets may need to be placed on antibiotics or immune stimulants on a long term basis to prevent the Staph infections from spreading and thus causing this condition.

Preventive measures are possible with this disease.

If an allergy is suspected as the cause of the bacterial hypersensitivity, as with other allergies, isolating the cause is something you can try do on your own.

Regular spraying, dipping or bathing your pet and looking for any type of flea that might be the cause of this allergy like condition, is something you also can easily do. There are several very good brands of sprays and dips in today’s markets to assist you in preventing this condition.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a “mutt” that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.
He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.
After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.
After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.
Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.
I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.
Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website;
Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets: http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Will

ShareThis

There are many medications on the market for arthritis currently. There are some new drugs that have been introduced in both human and veterinary medicine that have fewer side effects as well as contain natural ingredients.

The most common drugs being used for arthritis are called Non Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory drugs known as “NSAIDs”. These stop pain by inhibiting inflammation around and in the joint. However, they do have some severe side effects including kidney disease, gastric ulcerations and bleeding.

Recently, there have been new ideas for how arthritis should be treated. Doctors are trying to incorporate safe natural drugs called Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Agents (DMOAAs). DMOAAs are split into two categories called Nutraceuticals and Chondroprotectants. These supplements have not been found to have any side effects and increased research is showing that they are as effective as NSAIDs. When these supplements are used in combination with NSAIDs they decrease the amount of NSAIDs needed to help with pain.

Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Agents can:

• Rebuild cartilage and stop destruction of the joint surface
• Decrease inflammation which causes pain in arthritic patients
• Remove free radicals which can be damaging to joints
• Provide vital nutrients for rebuilding damaged cartilage

These drugs have also been shown in numerous studies to have:

• Anti cancer effects
• Cure common skin diseases including itchy (pruritic) and flaky skin.
• Prevent cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)- Alzheimer like syndrome

These drugs can be purchased over the counter and should be started at a young age to decrease the chances of irreversible arthritic changes. Make sure to only purchase name brand products since there are not regulated by the FDA and the active ingredients differ greatly between products.

Some of the most common supplements being used are:

- Sam-e(S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
- Omega-3 fatty acids

Visit PetVetWisdom.com to find out more about Pet Arthritis or to purchase veterinary recommend treatments.

Petvetwisdom was created by veterinarians to help our pet owners save money on veterinary care and find information on common diseases. We have veterinarians on staff to answer any pet questions via email for no charge.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Fredrick

ShareThis

The litany of symptoms and problems your pet will encounter with this disease range from pain and swelling and eventually arthritis if not treated, to the most severe cases which could cause kidney failure and sudden death. This disease is much more common in dogs than in cats, but because it has become so widespread, cats are also more at risk now than ever before.

This disease has been recorded in 49 of the 50 states as well as Scandinavia, all of Europe, the former Soviet Union, Japan, China, and Australia. In the United States, it is much more predominate on the Pacific Coast, the Midwest, and Atlantic Coast states. In these areas, over 75% of dogs and a growing number of cats are exposed to this disease.

With this disease, a vector illness simply means that any animal is capable of transmitting diseases that are carried by mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, mites, or rats, or more commonly, from host to host. The host in this case, is a tick referred to as Lxodes ticks.

This disease in your dog or cat is caused by spiral shaped bacteria refereed to as “Borrelia burgdorferi” or a spirochete. Although this is classified as a “zoonosis bacteria”, which means it is capable of transmitting a disease from an animal to humans, it is important to note that this disease cannot be transmitted from dog to dog, dogs to cats, or either pet to humans. In order for your dog or cat to catch this disease, the tick must have bitten your pet directly, and the tick than transmits the bacteria into the hosts (your dog or cat) bloodstream when it feeds on their blood.

The most common sign of this disease is arthritis, which in turn can cause pain in one, or in some cases, several of your pets joints. This can be followed by swollen lymph nodes, deep dehydration, mild to very high fevers, and a sudden loss of appetite. In severe cases of this disease, your pet’s kidney may start to fail, which may lead to the death of your pet, although this is very rare.

Humans will develop a skin rash that looks very similar to a “target” when infected, but this is rarely, if ever, seen in pets.

As with most in any disease that is carried by bacteria, the best preventive measures you can take as a pet owner, is in building up your pet’s immune system. In helping to prevent many of the issues caused by this disease, it is important to build your friends immune system over time.
In the production of antibodies, your pets bodies utilize many of the B vitamin family, especially B6, in building up the immune system. The essential mineral zinc also plays a very important role in a robust immune system, as does Vitamin A, Bets-carotene, and vitamin E, because of its effectiveness as an anti-oxidant.

The bacteria that cause this disease live on mice, deer, and other small animals and are transmitted to your pet by the Lxodes ticks. Ticks are bloodsucking invaders of your pets, but it is also important to remember that ticks don’t cause the disease, they just spread the disease. While the actual bite of the tick to your pet is inconsequential and does them no harm, the bite carries viruses and or bacteria. Of the two families of ticks, the hard ticks and the soft ticks, the Lxodes tick (hard tick) is potentially more dangerous as it attaches to your pets for several days.

It is extremely important that you check you pet frequently, especially if they have been in wooded areas, as research has shown that ticks must be attached for at least 12 hours to actually cause harm to your pet.

Cats that have become infected with this disease may show symptoms of lameness, unusual breathing, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and potential eye damage. However, many cats, although they are infected, show no symptoms at all.

Dogs infected with this disease, in some cases, are affected much more severely than cats. They may show symptoms after only a week of a very high fever between 103 to 105 degrees, as well as becoming very lethargic and may demonstrate a complete loss of appetite.

Dogs with this disease may also experience lameness and start shifting from one joint to the next, and they may also, in the severest of cases, experience kidney damage or failure, as well as heart disorders or neurological disorders such as aggression, confusion and even seizures. Or, they may show absolutely no symptoms at all, making this a very difficult disease to diagnose correctly.

Pets Lyme disease is also very difficult to diagnosis as it resembles several other bacteria caused diseases, and diagnosis is quite often made initially on the geographic area that your pet would live in as well as signs of arthritis. There is a blood test that will measure the antibodies to the amount of bacteria, but most dogs will naturally have a high reading, and a positive test indicates only that your pet may simply have been exposed to the disease.

Treating this disease early is extremely important as it can hide for extended periods in your pets bodies in clinically latent states. This is why your pet may have recurring symptoms that can happen in cycles and flare up after months, years, and in some cases, even decades.

Treatment of this disease, however, once diagnosed, responds very rapidly to antibiotics, and symptoms that do surface, will also regress very rapidly. If the disease remains untreated, it can and it most cases, does, become chronic.

Prevention is the best treatment, and protecting you pet from potentially tick infested areas, examining your pet thoroughly for ticks 2 to 3 times per week, providing them tick collars, and supplementing them properly to build their immune system, is recommended for all pet owners.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a “mutt” that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.

After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.

Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website;

Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Will

ShareThis