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Holistic Dog Health

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Problems

  The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an adorable breed that many people love to own. If you are planning to adopt a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, it is important to know about Pembroke Welsh Corgi health problems in advance so that you know how to deal with these various disorders if the need arises. The earlier the canine sickness is detected, the more options for treatments are available for your dog. Pembroke Welsh Corgi Fortunately, there are not a lot of Pembroke Welsh Corgi health problems that are life threatening. This a sturdy breed with fairly good genetics. If you give him a good diet and regular exercise, corgis are able to live for up to 15 years. Pembroke Welsh Corgi Eye Problems Many corgis seem to contract eye problems. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary disorder that affects the rods behind the retina tissues of the eye. The eye will look cloudy and the dog will experience vision impairment eventually leading to blindness. Fortunately, although this is still untreatable, it is not painful or life threatening to dogs. Hip Dysplasia in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi There are several breeds that are prone to hip dysplasia, and the corgi is one such animal. Hip dysplasia can be caused by abnormal skeletal formation, or improper treatment of trauma sustained by the dog in his limbs. Inflammation in the joints and cartilage can be very painful and the dog will show signs like lameness, limping and intolerance to physical activity. The best way to impede the progress of hip dysplasia and canine arthritis for that matter, is by feeding your Pembroke Welsh Corgi healthy food and keeping his weight low. Corgis gain weight easily so ensure that you do not overfeed him. Take him out for daily walks to maintain ideal weight, as well as giving him a constructive release for excess energy. He will be healthier and your home will be cleaner when you do. If you look after him well, your Pembroke Welsh Corgi will be less prone to health problems. For other breed information, go to www.akc.org

• How to Prevent and Treat Canine Bladder Stones

  Dogs can suffer from bladder stones at some time in their life. Those which are over the age of two years, particularly those with ages between 5 and 12 are even more susceptible to this condition. It also seems that some breeds are more prone to contracting canine bladder stones including Shih Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa apsos, Miniature Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers. Canine oxalate bladder stones are believed to have a genetic link. The formation of these stones is caused by the production of defective nephrocalcin, a substance in the urine which naturally hinders the formation of urinary stones. The stones can also be caused by the accumulation of minerals in the urinary tract, which could be caused by infection or other urinary problems. This condition is most common in males although this could also happen in females. Often, the treatment for this problem in pets is simple but may differ according to the kind of stone that is present which are usually either oxalate or struvite. However, there are also instances that the animal would have to undergo surgery or other medical procedures in order to get rid of the stones. The first step in treating canine bladder stones is to take the dog to the vet. The vet will perform appropriate tests to determine the real cause behind the problem. When the vet has come up with proper diagnosis, it is then that he will provide proper treatment. The treatment will depend on what kind of stone is present in the bladder. If the bladder stones are small in size, the vet may just prescribe certain medications and prescribe a change in diet that could help soften the stones. The vet may also perform a procedure where he will squeeze the dog’s bladder to induce the stones out of the pet’s system. In instances where the stones are big, surgical procedures may be needed. Even after surgery and treatment, canine bladder stones can occur again. Thus, it is imperative that owners take precautionary measures to address the problem. Here are some ways to prevent and treat canine bladder stones: 1. Change your dog’s diet. If you have been giving it processed food, start giving it organic food or you may cook your own homemade recipe. Processed food may have ingredients that can contribute to the formation of bladder stones and it will surely help if you will stop feeding the pet with that kind of food. 2. Provide ample amount of clean filtered water everyday. As everyone knows, water flushes out any unwanted organisms and toxins inside the body. It also prevents the formation of urinary stones and helps keep the urine pH at a certain level. 3. Give natural supplements daily. Natural supplements such as UTI-Free products have ingredients that can strengthen the immune system and which can help prevent the formation of stones in the bladder. These products also have ingredients that can help treat the occurrences of urinary problems in pets. Regular use of these natural supplements can boost the overall good health of pets. Bladder stones are life-threatening if not treated immediately. However, they can be prevented and treated with the help of proper medications and natural methods such as stated above.

• Kennel Cough Symptoms

  Generally speaking when pets are in close proximity to each other, and one contracts Kennel Cough, then a large number of the others will come down with the symptoms as well, since this is so easily communicable. Yes, highly contagious describes Kennel Cough. It is caused by a virus that infects the upper respiratory tract. It can also lead to a bacterial infection, which is why vets sometimes prescribe antibiotics for Kennel Cough treatment. Cats and dogs can contract Kennel Cough in public places such as the grooming salon, doggie day care, dog parks, puppy mills, boarding facilities, and catteries etc. The problem is, as with almost all viruses, there'll be no clue that anything is wrong until your pet becomes sick since you can't see the virus with the naked eye; and with the incubation period being anywhere from 2-14 days, you may have a hard time tracing back your foot steps to calculate just where your cat or dog may have picked up the virus. The Kennel Cough symptoms that you should be on the look-out for are as follows: * A constant, dry hacking cough that may resemble a "honking" type of noise * Gagging or vomiting after minimal physical activities or on pressure on the windpipe * Sneezing * There may be a watery, runny discharge from the nose * There may also be fever * Lethargy is less common, but can be present, and may indicate a severe case of kennel cough. All of this sounds bad, but the one good thing is this generally is NOT a life-threatening issue. You will be able to get your pets better again by using a simple Kennel Cough home remedy that is easy to use, requires no specialized equipment, is needle-free, and organic. There are several kennel cough treatments available, but make sure to find out if they are chemical-based drugs - if that is what they are, then don't be surprised to see side-effects (both short- and long-term), and this will just make matters even worse as you'll now have additional problems to deal with. No worries, we found a safe, effective natural Kennel Cough remedy that will have your pets back on their feet (or under your feet) in full spirits again after a few treatments of easy drops that you put in some fun foods or liquids they like. Just two times per day for a week and those hacking coughs will be gone - in fact, a couple of doses is often all you need to see some relief. Learn more about this little hidden gem of an organic Kennel Cough treatment and get your cat or dog some greatly-needed relief today.

• Blue Nose Pitbull Care Tips

  If you’re reading this, chances are you have in your home a beautiful blue nose pitbull—good choice. Blue pitbulls are fantastic family pets that are worth every second and penny spent on them. They are loving, affectionate and great with people—and as the responsible owner that we are, we need to know what we can do to ensure their quality of life as long as they are in our care. Read on and use these super helpful blue nose pitbull care tips for your pet’s best health. You have to see to it that your pet receives periodic physical check-ups with the vet. When you do this, you are lowering the risk of him acquiring a canine disease that might escalate to a more serious matter when not detected and treated early enough. Pitbull terriers are a pretty healthy bunch but don’t neglect necessary health precautions like yearly vaccinations and using the healthiest, natural products on them. Give them food that are healthy and of excellent quality. Experts maintain that the best diet for pitbulls should include a lot of meat and a generous serving of the freshest vegetables and fruits. The high levels of energy of this animal demands that he has enough protein and fat in his system. Dogs also will benefit greatly from a strong immune system from moisture laden fare that will ward off bacterial infections that often try to attack them. Some people assume that pitbulls are dangerous because they are always so vigorous and they have the image of being aggressive fighter dogs. Let us clear this misconception right now. Pitbulls may not get along really well with other dogs, but they have a great relationship with people. When you see domineering and aggressive pitbulls, or any canine for that matter, it is the result of the lack of socialization skills taught them. Train your pet to be sociable early by bringing him around new places and people until he is comfortable with them. Blue pitbulls are known for their vivacity and sometimes extreme energy. This makes him fun to be around with but it can be detrimental because if he stays too long not doing anything, he can release built-up energy in destructive forms. Bring him out for some physical activities for 15-30 minutes each day to avoid this from happening. Keep your dog well-groomed at all times. It doesn’t take a lot to groom pitbulls because they are not too fussy and they have shorter hair that do not shed too much. Give him a thorough bath about once or twice a month with products containing natural ingredients and a mild formulation. Comb their hair daily. This not only encourages better blood flow, it stimulates the natural oils found underneath the skin—giving his coat a nice shine to it. Blue pitbulls are just some of the most awesome pets one can ever have. Find the best blue nose pitbull care tips here. With proper blue nose pitbull care, you can expect an average of 12 years of happy and healthy living for your pet. Use these great tips to get your pet ling out his best life right now—it will be an investment well worth it!