Canine Friend Archives - Edie MacKenzie

Ways To Cure Dog Joint Pain

October 5, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

There are numerous kinds of arthritis cure for dogs that are recommended by veterinarian experts. Your pets are quite precious and you do not want to watch them getting affected by this debilitating disease. One could purchase one of the arthritis remedy for dogs of the numerous available, which can be categorized into mainstream treatment, dietary supplements or non-ingestible forms of treatment solutions. Among the many variety of mainstream medical treatments that are available, putting them on aspirin medication is one of the most straightforward options. Although dog arthritis aspirin can provide immediate relief to your pets, at least as far as the reduction of the pain is concerned, it has a couple of uncomfortable side effects associated with it, which involves vomiting and diarrhea, to name but a few.

Carprofen is yet another major and modern medication, which is used as an arthritis cure for dogs. It also has the effect of minimizing pain within the earliest possible time. However it also comes with uncomfortable side effects associated with it and can turn out to become traumatic on your pets. Independent of the mainstream treatment options available in the market, there are a variety of dietary supplements which act as an arthritis remedy for dogs. Glucosamine is among the effective supplements which can be used in this regard.

Glucosamine effects include the release of water, and as such, it acts as a great shock absorber, as far as the joints are concerned. If the pets are fed with the supplements of glucosamine, the pain they feel decreases considerably with no known side effects. One such glucosamine dietary supplement is Flexpet for arthritis relief that can assist your canine friend eliminate dog arthritis quickly and supports healthy joints from the inside out.

Chondroitin is also yet another effective dietary supplement employed as an joint inflammation remedy for dogs. It provides the much needed nutrients that are essential for cartilage of the pets that are struggling from arthritis. The consumption of Chondroitin helps to make the cartilage stronger in every way, and diminishes the pain, similarly with no known side effects.

Yucca dietary supplement also plays quite an effective role in the treatments for arthritis in dogs. The Yucca supplement is made from natural plant roots, which consist an abundance of saponins. Saponins, for a start, can increase the ability of the body to make cortisones. The cortisones maintain the cartilages of the pets strong and reduce inflammation of the joints related discomfort.

Arthritis cure for dogs can certainly be attributed to other types of solutions, for example exercises. It is really perhaps the best ways to keep pets healthy and fit. They can even be taken for long strolls and even swimming, which will keep their joints and muscles strong.

Five Dog Fleas Natural Remedies

August 19, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

If there is anything in the world that you can’t think of any positive attributes to describe, it will be pests. Pests are damaging. They can risk the health of humans and animals. Fleas are considered as pests. The favorite prey of fleas are dogs and cats. Then again, they can infest people as well. Fortunately, there are so many things that you can do to get rid of these parasites. You can choose to use commercial anti fleas products or home regimens. They are equally effective. Although commercial products may be slightly costly. Cited below are some of the most effective anti fleas regimens that you can try at home.

Liquid Soaps
Liquid soaps are chiefly used in the kitchen as it can remove hard to wash grease and soils. But did you know that liquid soaps are also very effective in killing fleas? Truly, liquid soaps like Dawn Lemon Scented Liquid Soap is a great flea repellent. To use as flea killer, mix the soap in a basin of warm water. Bathe your canine friend. Ensure that you wear clean gloves before you wash your pet to guard yourself from fleas.

Flea Free Diet
Prevention is very important. One way to prevent fleas infestation is to sprinkle garlic to your dog’s every meal. Adding Sulphur to their diet at least once a week can significantly help as well. Black Walnut Hulls are also good for pets since it help repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. You can buy Black Walnut Hulls in capsule form. They are on hand in various health food stores and even online.

Herbal Shampoos
There are herbs that are very strong in combating fleas. Rosemary, lavender, pine cedar, eucalypus and geranium are very prevalent herbs that are useful in getting rid of fleas. Find a commercial shampoo that contain these herbs in your local grocery or explore online.

Always wear clean gloves when washing your dog. Pour a smal amount of shampoo unto your hands and create a lather. This is important to note. As soon as the shampoo gets in contact with the dog’s fur, inevitably fleas will try to breakout. The lathered up border will trap and kill the fleas that are trying to get out. So after creating a soapy lather, proceed to washing your pet. Pay special attention to the neck and head region. To achieve its maximum effect, be sure that you leave the shampoo for at least fifteen minutes prior to rinsing. Rinse your dog carefully and dry well especially when it is chilly and cold to prevent draft.

Vinegar
Vinegar is a general kitchen ingredient. Add vinegar to your pet’s bathtub and you’ll see that the flea count is greatly reduced.

Use Avon’s Skin So Soft
According to researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Avon’s Skin So Soft is a marvelous flea repellant. Avon’s Skin So Soft is available in the premier groceries and online stores. Make a wash solution. Carefully mix 1 ½ ounces of Avon’s Skin So Soft bath oil to a gallon of water. Soak your dog in this special bath. Based on the study, a considerable 40 percent drop in the flea count was observed after using this remedy in just one day.

As a dog owner, you ought to be responsible in looking after your pet’s health. Certainly, fleas are difficult to eliminate. Still, don’t belittle them because they are damaging. Try the home remedies above and see which one works for your dog. Cheers.

Manage fleas with Frontline for dogs. Learn more about Frontline products and go to the site now.

Dog Fleas – How To Handle This Parasite At Home

July 25, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Do you own a pet dog? Apprehensive about fleas? Worry no more. This article is all about dog fleas. Its causes, symptoms to watch out for and a couple of helpful home treatments that you can try.

If there is one thing pet owners dreaded the most, it is dog flea. Fleas are yucky. It can trigger mild to severe itching and scratching to its host. They are not easy to eliminate. They measure approximately 1.5 to 3.3 mm long. They do not have wings. They suck on blood. There are about 2,000 species of fleas, but the most common is the Ctenocephalides felis, also known as the cat flea. Dogs are their linchpin prey.

Causes of Dog Fleas

Did you know that a dog can still fall victim to fleas though it stays at home all the time? Yes, your pet can get fleas particularly in a hot and humid weather. Since fleas are so miniscule, they can come into small screens or windows. But the most common way of transmission is via direct contact with other pets.

Fleas are generally found in dogs and cats. Tragically, human beings are not spared. When a pet is out or is already gone, fleas can plague humans. Without pets at home, fleas are in a hunt for a new host and this is when they begin to attack humans. They normally bite humans at the waist area, ankles, and armpits.

Symptoms To Lookout For

Can you identify if a pet is suffering from fleas? In fact, you can tell right away if the dog is suffering from flea infestation with just one look. First, you will see your dog itching and scratching. Then the affected skin of your canine friend may turn red and inflamed as a result of flea bites and the continual scratching and biting. Also, flea dirt is evident on your pet’s skin, on its sheets and bed-dings, or in other areas where your pet frequently hangs out. Flea dirt looks like little dark specks. Flea dirt is a mixture of desiccated blood and flea fragments.

To check if your dogs have fleas, get your pet’s comb and carefully run it through your little friend’s fur. If you spot tiny black insects finding its way back to your dog’s fur then it is confirmed. Your dog is infested with fleas.

Home Treatment For Dog Fleas

After confirming that your dog has fleas, do not lengthen your dog’s agony. Do something about these infuriating little critters. Following are some of the most common household treatments for dog fleas.

Avon Product – Skin So Soft
According to one analysis conducted in the University of Florida in Gainesville, this extraordinary bath oil, is an excellent flea repellent product. Basically cleanse your canine friend in the solution of Avon’s Skin So Soft. Your dog will surely be relieved in an instant.

Rosemary
Rosemary has anti-inflammatory property. It also helps stimulate the growth of hair. With constant scratching and biting, your dog can experience mild to severe hair loss. Restore your dog’s natural fur and use rosemary consistently.

Brewer’s Yeast
This commercial product is not yet proven nonetheless according to many pet owners this product can help keep fleas away.

Seeing your pets suffer because of flea infestation is very sad. Yes, fleas in dogs are very common. On the other hand there is something that you can do to deal with the condition. Follow the tips above and your pet will be relieved from fleas in no time.

Control ticks with Frontline for dogs. Frontline for Dogs treats all types of fleas and ticks and kills them quickly.

Scenting Ability – The Remarkable Nose Of Your Dog (Part 1)

May 16, 2009 by admin Leave a Comment

Whether you own a 160 lb St. Bernard, designed to track down and hunt people, or enjoy the company of an adorable little Chihuahua, every dog has an incredible nose that can pick up the most uncanny of scents.

Your canine friend may not have as good eyesight as you do, but his sense of smell is far superior to any human. It is through his acute ability to pick up on scents that he knows and understands the world around him. Whenever your dog dashes off and escapes outside, he is not wandering off on some sightseeing adventure. Instead, he is roaming on a scenting delight.

And when those country-living hunting dogs head out into the open field, their nose sets a rapid pace with all of his other senses to help direct him on the exact way to go towards hunting down his prey. These dogs are aware of people, things, animals, food, vegetation, literally everything, all through the amazing sense of smell.

How A Dog’s Nose Works

The physical makeup of a dog’s nose is suited specifically for his laser targeted scenting talent. A dog picks up on an odor by drawing in several short breaths into the nasal passage. This odor mixes with the air and comes into contact with a mucous membrane which covers the olfactory nerves. Dogs have a much larger smelling membrane surface than people do.

Every living thing around us gives off molecules of odor. When a dog inhales these molecules, they are dissolved onto the mucous membrane. Once this happens, the scent is ready for the dog’s highly sensitive smelling equipment to take over. There are tiny nerves that relay the message of an odor, which travels to the olfactory nerve, and then signals directly to the brain.

Once the completed message is picked up by the brain, the dog’s scenting ability is so precise in interpreting the odor, that he can distinguish each one from hundreds of other similar type smells. For example, if a stick is marked and touched by a dog’s owner, the trained canine can individually single out this same stick out of hundreds of other sticks.

Dogs also have the ability to remember each scent it comes across and match it to the experience the brain produced. This memory to last a dog’s entire lifetime. A particular odor of a dog picked up could be remembered 8 – 10 years later in a dog’s life.

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