Does Heartworm Treatment Hurt Puppies

Can you imagine anything cuter than a puppy?  Well, maybe a kitten, but I guess that all depends on whom you ask.  Nothing is as satisfying as raising an animal from infancy to adulthood, and having it be a part of your family its’ whole life.  Taking care of it and protecting it becomes your responsibility, just as if you were its’ parent.  Maintaining pet health becomes a major concern, as well as finding the best medicines to achieve this goal.  Since heartworm is a common disease in dogs, as a canine owner, you would have to ask yourself, does heartworm treatment hurt puppies?

Granted, I am not a veterinarian, nor do I claim to be.  However, the general consensus among vets is that a preventive heartworm treatment does not hurt puppies anymore than it would any older animal.  Sure, puppies won’t appreciate getting poked with needles and vaccinated, no one does.  But it is sometimes necessary, so accept it.  And most pain from vaccinations and blood screens is very temporary.  Most medicines that prevent heartworms are chewable, and available for every stage of a dogs’ life. Puppies as young as six weeks may begin these treatments with little to no pain whatsoever.

The best thing to do is spend a little time and research the preventive medicines that are available.  Find out which ones will provide the best protection for your pup.  Inquire about which heartworm medicines also prevent against other diseases, like hookworm and roundworm.

Request a recommendation on heartworm prevention from your vet.  Ask which ones are proven to be most effective, and maybe even inquire about which one is your vets’ personal favorite. Your vet will probably be very happy to recommend a medication that will meet the specific needs of your puppy.  You can do all of this when you take your young canine in for a heartworm test.  Heartworms can be a fatal disease if not treated in time, so early detection will be beneficial to stopping it in time to insure a complete recovery.

Symptoms of Heartworms

Any and all dogs can get heartworms, no matter where you live.  Cats can too, but it is more common in dogs.  Heartworms are a disease that causes actual worms to grow inside the major organs of the canine.  The worms grow to be about seven to fourteen inches, and some organs can be home to as many as three hundred worms.

Heartworms tend to be found in the more important organs, and usually damage the organ tissue.  This may cause noticeable problems involving the heart, lungs, liver, and even the kidneys.  Apparent symptoms of heartworms will be coughing, anemia, and an overall weakness in your dog.  Canines will display a severe lack of energy, because the worms will clog the heart and major arteries.  This will cause restricted flowing of blood to the major organs causing lethargy.  The valves of the heart may also be affected, causing the same result.

It may take up to two years for your dog to start showing symptoms of heartworm disease.  At first you may only notice a slight cough on occasion.  As it progresses, the cough will get worse and your dog will be very sluggish.  There may also be abnormal sounds coming from the lungs.  When the disease becomes severe, all these symptoms will become much worse.  Because the flow of blood to the brain will be so poor, there may be frequent, temporary loss of consciousness. Liver enlargement will occur, as will fluid build up in the abdomen.  Abnormal heart beats, severe weight loss, lack of stamina, and even death may occur if treatments are not started in time.

It’s much healthier for your dog if you prevent heartworm disease than it is to treat it.  It is much cheaper too.  Some of the heartworm prevention medications also have possible adverse effects, so you may want to seek information on natural remedies.  If you have a dog, it is important to take him for regular veterinary visits, so the doctor can assist you in making sure your dog has a long and healthy life.

Flea Home Remedies

I am sure that most pet owners have had to deal with the problems caused by fleas at one time or another.  You probably love your dog or cat, and are truly bothered by seeing them scratch and wiggle around from being bitten over and over again by fleas.  Some pets are even allergic to fleas, so you want to get rid of them, but don’t want to use flea powders and such that may have toxic ingredients in them. Yes, there are a few flea collars that you can get from pet stores and veterinarians that are safe and effective, but they are usually expensive.  It really starts to add up if you have multiple pets, and since I do, I have looked into alternative and less costly methods that can be done at home.

One method is putting some garlic and/or brewers yeast into the food of your cat or dog.  The theory is that fleas don’t like it and after it gets into the bloodstream of your pet, the fleas won’t want to bite them anymore, and will either starve or leave for greener pastures.

Mixing four parts borax and one part salt together and sprinkling it over your carpet is another popular method.  This mixture works by settling down in the carpet where the fleas are.  It kills the fleas by dehydrating them, and also kills the eggs they lay.  Then you can just vacuum it all up in a few days and be done.  It is important to leave the mixture in the carpet for at least a few days though, so it will have time to properly dehydrate the fleas.  Some people prefer to not let toddlers and small children on the carpet while this is being done, even though it is said not to be toxic to animals.

You can also put rock salt into small trays and put it under the furniture.  Make sure you put it out of sight and out of reach of pets and small children.  And it is not terribly effective against eliminating fleas, but it will slow down the rate at which they multiply.

Other more tedious and less effective methods are also available.  Combing the carpet for fleas is very slow and time consuming, and only works on the immediate problem.  Putting moth balls in your vacuum cleaner bag may kill the fleas and eggs that happen to get caught in there, but also isn’t very effective.

Cat Arthritis Remedies

It is in feline nature to be climbing and bounding around.  They seem to have an unlimited supply of energy, and appear to be so happy while they leap and run all over your home.  With this in mind, you know you want to do whatever it takes to keep them healthy and happy for as long as you can.  So when you see signs that your pet may have a joint problem, you’ll want to know what you can do to make them feel better, and hopefully get them back to normal.

Arthritis is basically the inflammation of one or several of the joints.  It can be caused by an infection, or even by the cats’ owns immune system.  The two most common arthritic forms that affect felines’ are Traumatic Arthritis, and Osteoarthritis.  No actual cure for these ailments currently exists, but there are treatments that may lessen the severity of the symptoms, and work to vastly improve your cats’ ability to get around.

If your cat is over-weight, the extra pounds that they carry may contribute to the development of feline arthritis.  If you put your cat on a carefully monitored diet, it may go a long way to helping your cat to overcome the pain and discomfort that comes from arthritis.

You can also promote joint health and increase your cats’ mobility by using supplements.  You may wish to use supplements containing Glucosamine, Condroitin, and Omega Three fatty acids to help keep the cartilage well lubricated and moist.  They also stimulate the cells of the joints and repair the damage done by the arthritis, and act as a pain reliever to help with the stiffness and discomfort.  It may take a month or two before you are able to notice the benefits of these supplements, but they are very safe, and the positive effects that they will have on your cats’ health will be apparent, and help greatly in the long run.

Why Do Cats Cough Up Hair Balls?

Many people share their home with cats, and you may have actually thought that you needed to give your cat the Heimlich Maneuver the first time one starts hacking up a hairball.  If you are a first time cat owner, you probably had no idea that was going to happen. You might think that the cat is choking to death.  You may have thought that you just barely averted a tragedy when it was all over and the cat was still alive. There is no need to fret because this is a normal occurrence. Below are some tips on how to make this event more tolerable for your cat and yourself.

Unlike dogs, cats groom themselves by constantly licking themselves, top to bottom.  That is why you rarely have to give them baths.  They have tongues that are like sandpaper, and when they lick their fur, it pulls the hair and everything on it into their mouths and stomachs.  Because they do this, they have a lot of undigested hair in their insides, which eventually has to come out.  Not only do they groom themselves, but also in situations involving multiple cats, they may even groom each other.  Needless to say, that is a lot of hair to deal with.

There are a few ways you can help to alleviate this problem.  One very simple one is to regularly brush your cat’s fur.  Some cats don’t like to sit still, be handled, or be held, which may make this difficult.  You may have to get creative, and do something like brush them while they eat.  Other cats will love the attention and let you brush them for what seems like hours.  It may turn into a bonding opportunity between you and your feline friend.

Another way is to purchase the cat food that contains a hairball remedy.  Many people have used this product and noticed a slight drop in the number of hairballs to clean up.  Some cat treats also boast this formula and you could have similar results with it.

The method that seems to work best for many cat owners is to put some type of digestible oil on the tops of their paws.  It doesn’t matter if you use front paws, back, or both; they will lick the oil off almost immediately.  They can’t stand the feel of it on their fur, and swallowing it sends it to the stomach where it is used as a coating that makes the fur more digestible.  Many people use canola oil but most cooking oils will work.

Natural Cures for Cat Coughing

Asthma is caused when pathways in the lungs are constricted and inflamed.  According to most veterinarians, coughing and wheezing is sign of asthma in cats.  It is usually caused by pollen and dust in the air that collects in the lungs, making it difficult for air to get through.  While it is sometimes possible that a cat may need medication, there are some natural cures for cat coughing that you can do at home to make sure your cat breathes a lot easier.

If your cat is overweight it may worsen its’ coughing brought on by asthma.  Cats that have been spayed or neutered have a greater tendency to become obese, but if you slowly decrease the volume of their food intake, it will help them lose weight and help control the cough.

Felines that are “indoor cats” seem to be affected less by cat coughing from asthma.  If your cat is allowed outdoors during the spring , or the heavy pollen season, then hayfever may be making your cats’ asthma worse.  Try to keep them indoors more, at least in the early morning and late afternoon, when the amount of pollen in the air is at its’ highest.

Humidifiers and air purifiers may also help with cat asthma, especially if someone in your home is a smoker.  Most pets are very vulnerable to the effects of smoke, cats included, so either confine your smoking to an area of the home with an air purifier, smoke outside, or quit altogether.  Also use a humidifier or vaporizer to get your humidity levels between 30 and 40 percent.  Be careful not to exceed those levels though, too much humidity may cause the growth of dust mites and mold, which may also cause asthma attacks.

Controlling what products you use in your home may also help lessen cat coughing.  Using dust-free kitty litter or sandbox sand would cut back on airborne particles, as well as using vinegar or baking soda based cleaning products.  If you’re cleaning an area that may have mold spores, use a diluted bleach solution and then rinse it well.  Also try to clean and dust more, but keep your pet out of the area until you are done.

If your cat just recently started having symptoms of asthma, you may need to see if you recently changed perfumes, shampoos, or detergents on yourself, or have recently purchased furniture that may have some chemical on it that is affecting your cat.  Felines have sensitive noses, and may be affected by very subtle changes. One of the most natural cures for cat coughing is for the owner to change or replace some everyday items around the house.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Just what is Kennel Cough? It is an upper respiratory infection that is caused by certain bacteria and viruses.  It may also be called “infectious tracheobronchitis”.  It is usually contracted when animals and pets are confined, as they are when they are in kennels or veterinary offices.  It is spread when animals are around other animals, much like the spread of illnesses among children when they attend school. Sharing air, water, or objects (like toys, etc.) can, and usually do, spread viruses and bacteria.

Kennel cough displays itself by causing an infection and swelling of the dogs’ throat or airway.  This will usually cause a repeated dry, hacking cough, or a severe, deep, and harsh cough.  This may also bring about gagging and the discharge of foamy mucus from the animal.  The symptoms of kennel cough may be apparent as little as three to four days after the infection occurs, but may also take as long as two weeks.  A cough that goes back and forth from being severe, to being less, and then back to being severe again is common.  Some normal activities, such as drinking water, running, and playing, may cause the cough to get worse.  Changes in the temperature of the dogs’ environment may also cause the coughing to get worse.  With the exception of this coughing, some dogs may appear to be normal, with no change in appetite, while some other canine may run a fever, eat less, and have a runny nose.

Antibiotics may be used to treat this canine ailment.  They will work to eliminate the bacteria causing the cough, but the viruses will have to be worked out by the animals’ natural immune system.  Ironically, antibiotics have a tendency to lessen the dogs’ immunities, so be careful to use as little as possible.  You may also try an herbal remedy to eliminate the bacteria, to avoid the weakening of the immune system.  Holistic veterinary offices can usually provide such remedies, lessening the chance of other long-term problems caused by a weakened immune system.

Hopefully this information has answered the question, “What is Kennel Cough” for you  in a satisfactory manner.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough

People who keep their dogs and pets in kennels, board them, or have them at veterinary offices for extended visits run the risk of their canines getting kennel cough.  Because bacteria and viruses cause kennel cough, it is easily spread among animals being confined together with other animals.

Just like bacteria and viruses in humans, the symptoms of kennel cough present themselves in many different ways.  Obviously, one of the symptoms is coughing.  This may seem to be a dry, hacking cough, or a rough, harsh cough.  It usually shows up about seven days after exposure, but may appear in as little as three days, or may wait until two weeks have gone by to present itself. A swelling or inflammation of the animals’ airway causes the cough, and may even cause shortness of breath or wheezing.  In the midst of one of the coughing spells, gagging may occur, and the dog may spit up phlegm and mucus.  You may also be fooled into believing that the cough is getting better, because it has a tendency to be severe, and then almost stop for a while, only to re-occur again shortly after.  Because it is an upper-respiratory problem, activities such as running and playing may make the coughing worse.  Drinking water and a change in the animals environmental temperature may also cause sever coughing to occur.

Other symptoms of kennel cough are fever and runny nose.  Some dogs may have a fever of up to one hundred and five degrees, but not always.  Some animals may have no other symptoms than the constant coughing.

Another symptom is loss of appetite.  Just like in a human, the fever and inflamed throat may make your dog not be interested in eating.  However, just like the fever sometimes accompanying this problem, it may not always be an issue.

In mild cases of kennel cough, the problem may be solved by the animals’ natural immune system.  If not, antibiotics or natural remedies may need to be used.  Do try to quarantine your dog as soon as you notice the coughing or other symptoms.  A quick separation of the infected animal from the others in the group may keep the sickness from being spread to all of them.

How to Treat Kennel Cough

Viruses and bacteria may sometimes cause illness in canine called “kennel cough”.  It may be identified by its’ pervasive cough, and also fever, runny nose, loss of appetite, gagging, and excessive amounts of phlegm and mucus.  It usually appears in animals kept together with other animals in kennels or one back from an extended veterinary office visit.  It may be a mild case or be very severe, but it is usually very treatable.

Some very mild cases may improve on their own, but if they don’t, some sort of treatment may need to be administered.  There are more than a few opinions on how to treat kennel cough, and one popular way is with antibiotics.  The antibiotics address the problems that are caused by the bacteria that have invaded your dog or pet.  Moderate use of antibiotics can usually quell the animals’ coughing problem within a short period of time with no problems.  However, over-use of antibiotics may weaken the canines’ immune system, possibly causing other long-term problems.  Since antibiotics only solve bacterial problems, the animal’s natural immunities are needed to take care of the viral infections.

Another popular view on how to treat kennel cough is through holistic methods.  This involves the administering of herbal or natural medicines in an attempt to cure the problem.  Natural remedies are believed to be able to solve the same problems that antibiotics do, without their tendencies to build up toxins that weaken your dogs’ natural immunity.  Herbal methods are also believed to bolster the immune system, helping get rid of the viral infections that usually come with kennel cough.  Bryonia and Phantago Lanceolata are popular herbs that may help with cough and mucus.  Echinacea Purpurea is reportedly good for eliminating viral infections, and Ferrum Phosphates are supposed to send iron and oxygen to build up blood cells.

Keeping your pet healthy is one positive way to maybe avoid illnesses.  Regular exercise and a healthy diet of raw and unprocessed foods are very good preventive measures.  Avoiding pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides, smoke and maybe even the stress of being boarded may also help to keep your animal healthy and provide a long life.

Home Remedies for Ear Infections in Dogs

When we are growing up, our Mothers’ always tell us to make sure our ears are clean.  This is because it is very easy for harmful bacteria to get into the ear canal.  Dogs are really no different, and since they are usually outside a large portion of the day, may also have bugs or insects that have managed to get inside the ears.

If your dog shakes his head often, scratches at his ears, or rubs them along on the ground, it is possible this is a sign of and ears infection.  Infected ears may also have a foul smell, and a yellowish or black discharge may be produced.  Redness of the canal and flap of the ear is also a common sign.

If you decide to take your canine to the veterinarian, he will probably prescribe some drops that will have to be administered over at least a few weeks to solve this problem.  If he sees that insects are the problem, your dog may have to be sedated while this taken care of.

Some veterinary offices may be practitioners of holistic or homeopathic medicines.  While it is always wise to consult your vet before trying some new method, it is possible he can tell you of natural herbs that can be bought at your local grocery store that may help with the problem, and how to use them.

There are many natural substances that have great benefit to animals suffering from inflammation, pain, and irritation.  Marigold, Tea Tree Oil, Myrrh, and Chamomile are often used because they have natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Some of these also have uses to include topical pain relief, and some have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.  Most of these substances can be combined to have a positive result in helping with your pets’ pain and discomfort.