Emergency Care for Pets

I received some good advice from the pet emergency care veterinary clinic near my home. When our pets are having an emergency we often don't remember what we should do. Here are some tips to post in your house in case your pet has an emergency:

1. Remain calm so you can think clearly and help your pet.
2. Call you vet first and follow his instructions and explain the nature of the emergency.
3. If your pet has been poisoned you may also want to call the local poison control. Call information for the number or better yet post it on the frig for emergencies.
4. Remember, even loving pets can bite when they are injured. Place a muzzle, towel, or blanket around their head so they can't bite you. Make sure there is plenty of room so your pet can breath.

Exactly what conditions require emergency care? Here are some conditions to be aware of:

1. Difficulty breathing
2. Unstoppable bleeding
3. Inability to urinate or defecate
4. Heatstroke
5. Bloated or distended abdomen
6. Inability to deliver kittens or puppies
7. Loss of balance, unconsciousness, or seizure
8. Pain
9. Major trauma or injury (hit by a car, etc.)
10. Shock
11. Poisoning
12. Vomiting and/or diarrhea
13. Lameness
14. Eyes: injured, sudden blindness, cloudiness or abnormal discharge.
15. Allergic reactions: swollen face, hives, red skin, difficulty breathing, severe itching or a rash.
16. Diabetic: shaking, excessive salivation, abnormal behavior, excessive vomiting, seizures.
17. General: severe lethargy, anorexia, fever greater than 104 degrees, etc.

I must put in a plug for proper feeding of your pets everyday. If your pet was born of a mother who was feed properly, it will grow up with better chances of having good health. If your pet is feed good healthy, well balanced food during it's life, it will have excellent chances of living a long life with good health.

Unfortunatly, all pet foods are not made the same. Many commercial dog and cat foods are made with toxic ingredients, contain meat by-products, artificial vitamin K3, foreign objects, and many other ingredients that over time will cause ill health and even death.

The only foods you feed your pet should be natural, organic, holistic dog & cat foods. You can find foods of this quality at www.EverythingNaturalPetFood.com along with all the pet supplements to keep your pets healthy. Many people want to cook their own pet food. You can find books full of homemade pet food recipes at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/PetEducationBooks.html. When we feed our pets proper food, we "Feed them life!"

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Save a dog or cat and have a friend for life!

Someone sent me an email today. It said, "Did you know? Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. - and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. As a result, every year 4 to 6 million animals are euthanized because there are no homes for them."

This breaks my heart. Did you know if you keep buying puppies, kittens, and purebred pets, it helps to create the lack of homes for those unwanted pets. If you want a pet, consider adoption as an alternative source. I live with three rescued dogs, two from pounds, and one from a rescue shelter. We have become a family and share a tremendously strong love for one another. I wish all humans could experience this unconditional love that pets give us. It is tremendous. You can help by:

• Adopting from a nearby shelter, rescue center, or online at www.petfinder.com
• Donate funds to your local shelter and spay/neuter programs.
• Giving your new pet proper care: natural, organic, holistic pet food; training to assure your pets proper behavior; good vet care and all necessary shots; giving your pet a place of warm shelter out of the weather; give them pleanty of your love and attention.

Another email I received today gave a link on helping to clean the inside of your computer monitor. It's quite cute:

Http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

For the best pet food, pet supplies, and books on homemade pet food, pet care & training, etc. go to www.EverythingNaturalPetFood.com

There must be quality in the pet food so you can "Feed them life!"

The Christmas Puppy Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a Creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
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The children were nestled all snug in their beds, with no thought of the dog filling their head and Mamma in her 'kerchief', and I in my cap, knew he was cold, but didn't care about that.
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When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.
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The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick, last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick. More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name. The dog ran to him, despite all of his pain.
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"Now, DASHER! Now, DANCER! Now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! On CUPID! On DONER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."
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I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year, for Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear. The gift of a dog is not just for the season, we had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of the kids a gift, there was one important thing that we missed. A dog should be family, and cared for the same. You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain.
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And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight, "You weren't giving a gift! You were giving a life!"
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Author Unknown
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We can do much better than this poem suggests. We can be responsible pet owners. The resources are here. Make sure the cute puppies and kittens that are adopted as Christmas gifts are given a forever home. They are part of your family. Teach your children to properly feed, bath, and care for their new pet; train the new pet to use the bathroom outside; walk on a leash, follow simple commands, and train yourself on how to be a good pet owner. It takes a little time but the rewards are worth it. The love of the cherished pet lasts it lifetime and they will give back more to you and your family than you could ever give to them. Believe me, I know this to be true from a lifetime of personal experience.
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Hundreds of pet education books are available at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/ in the Pet Education Section. You will find books on: Pet Food/Recipes/Diets, Homemade Pet Food Recipes, Pet Training, Horse Training/Nutrition, Birds, Small Animal Care, Reptiles, Fish & Aquarium Supplies, all pet supplies. This is where to find natural, human grade, organic, & holistic dog and cat food, pet wellness care items for health, bird food and supply's, horse supply's, wild critter supply's, Sales with lots of discounts, and don't forget to give to your favorite animal charity for Christmas. Perhaps your local shelter could use a bag of dog or cat food.
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Merry Christmas to all and to all pets, a wonderful home with a loving family who will keep you for your entire life. Love & Blessings from Everything Natural Pet Food.>

Winter Pet Gifts - Give them Warmth for Christmas

It's freezing outside! What are you doing to keep your pets safe from the cold? Here are some ideas and where you can find them. Give your pet the gift of warmth for Christmas.

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Snuggle Safe Heat Pad: Perfect for all pets. Provides 12 hours of warmth. The temperature remains stable at 123 degrees for 5 to 6 hours then slowly drops off. 5 min in microwave and place under pets bedding. Also use to keep hot foods warm when transporting. $24.47 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Supplys, page 10.

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Weatherbeeta Landa Deluxe Dog Blanket: Nine sizes and two colors available. Dog blanket coat with collar for extra warmth and a leash hole for easy walking your dog. 600 Denier outer shell on coat is waterproof & breathable. Full nylon lining, optional leg straps, touch tape closure, safety reflective stripes, and is washable. $31.95 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Apparel, page 1.

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Red Fleece Reflective Safety Jacket: Brushed Fleece outside and lined with heat retentive polyester Fleece inside. Two reflective stripes on the back for night time visibiltiy. Red with grey turn down collar. Adjustable velcro closures at neck and stomach. Leash hole and storage pocket on back. Sizes available. $18.99 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Apparel, page 1.

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Iglo-Style Lectro Kennel Cover: Attached to the Iglo-Style Lectro Kennel Cover Pad for additonal heat. Sizes in small and medium. Faux Lambskin, washable, weave design to allow heat to penetrate. $13.99 - $15.99 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Kennels and Carriers, page 5.

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Wenzel Padded Pet Beds: Orthopedic padded pet beds for use inside kennels, carriers, or just on the floor. Washable with mild detergent and gentle cycle, two sided plaidwith Sherpa cover, zipper removable cover, 24 inches by 35 inches, two colors available, $12.99 Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Beds, page 1.

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Everything Natural Pet Food sells natural, human grade, organic, and holistic dog and cat pet foods and complete pet supplies (dogs-cats-horses-small animal-birds-fish-reptiles). Shop for Christmas gifts at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/

My Dog Ate Chocolate! - What to do

My Basset Hound Goober got into my shopping packages and found a one pound box of See's Candies. He ripped it open and bagan to eat it. My Black Lab knew it was wrong and began barking for me to follow her. I did. She led me to Goober who had eaten all but two pieces of chocolate before I found him and removed the box. I immediatly began to panic. In the past, I knew somones dog who had died from eating his family's Halloween chocolate. I knew I had to act fast. I thought to make him vomit the chocolate. My medicine cabinet did not have any Syrup of Ipecac so I drove to the pharmacy. The Pharmacist said they did not make that product any longer. They had nothing else to make my dog vomit. I rushed home and called poison control.

Poison control asked me how much chocolate he ate and how much he weighed. There is a formula for figuring out if they ate enough to be toxic. They worked out the formula. It came out that Goober would have to eat three boxes of milk chocolate for him to have toxic results. They informed me he would be all right but would have a tummy ache and possibly vomit on his own. Luckily, he only had a tummy ache and laid on my lap all evening and sometimes letting out little groans. I was so thankful he was all right. I was so thankful for the quick thinking of my Black Lab.

However, I did learn something very important about what kinds of chocolates are very toxic to dogs. It is mostly the bakers chocolate and then the dark chocolate candies. Chocolate containes an ingrediant called "Methylxanthine" which is made up of caffeine and the alkaloid theobromine. This is not toxic to humans in the doses found in candy and bakery items. However, if your dogs eat bakers chocolate, it can be lethal in the right dose. So, if your dog eats a chocolate cake, it can be in trouble. You have to either get it to vomit using the Peroxide formula below and/or rush it to your Vet or Vveterinary emergency clinic. Even though your dog won't die from small amounts of milk chocolate, it is not a good idea to give it to them as a treat. It can make them vomit or have a bad tummy ache. Give them natual, human grade, organic, holistic dog treats. Never feed dogs chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes or raisons as they all have toxic effects.

The signs of chocolate poisioning can show up to hours after they have eaten the goodies. Your dog could be vomiting, frequently urinating, have diarrhea, rapid breathing, weakness, seizures, and go into a coma. Usually death occurs from cardiac arrest.

What to do according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" written by Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, Liisa D. Carlson, DVM, Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, and James M. Giffin, MD is: "If you know your dog has eaten chocolate within the past six hours and he has not already vomited, induce vomiting. Record the type and amount of chocolate ingested (sweet milk chocolate and semisweet chocolate in candy bars is not nearly as toxic as baking chocolate). Then call your veterinarian for further instructions."

Inducing Vomiting: Give the dog hydrogen peroxide. 3% solution is effective. 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. Repeat every 15 to 20 minutes, up to three times until the dog vomits. Walk the dog after each dose to stimulate vomiting.

For emergencies have two things: 1. the phone number to poison control in a handy location, and 2. a good book like the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" which can be found at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/ in the Pet Education Books section and click on Pet Wellness Care. I refer to this book often for my dogs care. It has everything from first aide to emergency care. If you have a dog you need a book like this.

Everything Natural Pet Food is a location for natural, human grade, organic, holistic, and vegetarian pet food and pet supplies for dogs, cats, birds, horses, small animals, reptiles, and wildlife. If you need something and can't find it, let us know and we'll find the resource for you. Remember, to keep your pets healthy, "Feed them Life!"

Arthritis in Pets

When your dog, cat, or any pet has arthritis it is painful and their movement becomes limited. Using drugs for pain long term can have other devasting side effects. Some of those drugs have been taken off the market like Vioxx and Bextra due to the harmful side effects.

Two drugs that are clinically proven to relieve pain and increase mobility in the joints are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. It is said to be safer and better than pain killers. Here is a quote from the GAIT study: *The "GAIT" Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial - Glucosamine Effectiveness (13 Universities - United States Study)Highlights: After five years of recruiting, testing and analyzing, this trial excitingly reports, “Combination glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is effective in treating moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoarthritis.”

These studies were done on 1,500 osteoarthritis sufferers. The participants were given daily doses of Glucosamine Hydrocholoride and Chondroitin Sulfate daily. Some also had painkillers and some had a placebo. The effects of Glucosamine Hydrocholoride and Chondroitin Sulfate were amazingly more effective than acetaminophen for joint discomfort. Other studies had the same results.

Types of Arthritis in Pets

Acute Traumatic Arthritis in pets: usually caused by trauma to the joints, has swelling and they become lame. It requires surgery to prevent osteoarthritis.

Auto Immune Arthritis in pets: is rheumatoid arthritis. The immune system attacks the joints, the synovial membrane swells and the pet is looses mobility.

Degenerative Joint Disease in pets: known as osteoarthritis. a destruction of cartilage in the joints in cartilage and have bouts of inflamation. One of the most common types of arthritis in pets.

Hip Dysplasia in pets: a type of osteoarthritis that affects the hip joints. Caused by injury or normal wear, or intection. Hip dysplasia can spread to other joints as it progresses.
Hypertrophic Arthritis in pets: is the development of bone spurs. While moving, the joint is being irritated by these bone spurs and is very painful.

Infectious Arthritis in pets: is seen as lameness and sore joints due to an underlying infectious element. Occurs as a result of trauma and secondary infection to the joint. Antibiotics should be used for this type of arthritis. See you vet.

Inflammatory Arthritis in pets: is not as common as other forms of arthritis in pets. Except when infectious agents are present, the causes of most inflamatory arthritis types is unknown.

Osteochondrosis in pets: the cartilage deteriorates and causes an osteoarthritic like condition and may be genetic or caused by bad nutrition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in pets: is the body attacking itself or an infection is present. The body is confused and attacks the joints of the body. This is both extremely painful and debilitating. No known cause has been discovered.

Food for the Arthritic pet.

Treats should be real food treats. Eliminate all pet or human food with artificial coloring, preservatives, hormone containing meats and onions, garlic, grapes, grape seed, raisins and chocolate. Fruits (except grapes) and vegetables are great treats and have many health benefits for pets.

Dog and cat food should be the hightest quality but mostly natural, human grade, organic, or holistic brands of pet food. Read the labels and make sure there are no hormones, artificial preservatives or ingredieants that your pet may be allergic to. Vegetarian food has also been recommended for people and pets suffering from arthritis. If the pet is overweight, reduce the daily intake of food until the weight comes off. Extra weight is very painful and stresses the joints.

Natural, human grade, organic, holistic, and vegetarian pet foods & treats can be found at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/. Many of these foods contain Sulfate and are far better natural choices than many commercial grade pet foods.

Exercise is important just like a good diet is critical for healthy joints and joints suffering from arthritis. If you can't get your pet outside due to poor weather, play games in the house to exercise your pets. My dogs love to chase me around the kitchen and living room or have me chase them and pretend I'm going to get their bones. Be iminative and have fun with your pet. You'll both get some qualtiy time together.

Supplements to the diet & pet arthritis friendly products:

A wide assortment of pet products including supplements wtih Glucosamine/Chondroitin are available at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/ on the Wellness Care section. Choose Arthritis and you will see many items for your pets.

This includes a ramp to your van or car for dogs with arthritic joints. Jumping up into the car usually is no longer an options for painful arthritic joints. However, walking up a portable ramp is doable and a great solution. Find the ramp by clicking Arthritis.

What about your pets bed? Is it warm and cushioning? Pets with arthritis do better indoors during cold weather. A thermal bed that is soft to lay on is kinder to painful joints. You may find bedding like this at: Wellness Care section. Choose Arthritis; also http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/PetEducationBooks.html and choose pet beds for a heating pad for the pets bed.

If you suspect your pet has arthritis, take them to the vet. Quality Vet care along with good nutrition and exercise will help your pet last years longer.

Remember, "Feed them Life!"

Winterize Your Pets

Fall is here and we are slipping into cooler wether. Depending on what area of the country you are in, there may be some freezing nights and cold days. I live in Washington state where winters are milder than other northern United States areas. No matter where we are, we have to prepare our pets who go outside in the cold. This picture is of "Sally", who is a very special dog who lives with my friend Jodie. You can tell it is getting cooler by the picture. Fall leaves on the ground and Sally in her special coat. Not all dogs are equiped to handle the cold and need some help from their human companions.

There are a variety of coats online and in the pet stores. This is the time to look for your dogs winter coat now. If you live where it is not too cold you might start with an old sweatshirt. I go to Goodwill and buy sweatshirts for $3.00. I cut the arms off and leave just enough to cover their shoulders and upper arms. Then for the boys dogs, I cut out part of the bottom so they can go to the bathroom. By the way, sweatshirts fit dogs best if you put the front on their backs and the back on their tummies. That way, their neck area fits better. Then I either safety pin up the loose baggy areas or sew it to fit. As it gets colder, I put two shirts on them. And of course, the winter coat when necessary.

My dogs are outside most of the time during the days. Each dog has a dog house with lots of blankets and foam bedding to lay on. The bottom of dog houses are very cold to lay on without lots of padding. It is too cold and hard for arthritic dogs or dogs with joint problems. With their shirts, coats, and layers of cushy bedding, they can cuddle up and stay warm. For very cold areas you can buy dog houses that have heating units. Some people put light bulbs inside to raise the temperature. It is very important to keep out the cold winds which chill the dog and can make them sick. Igloo dog houses sell swinging doors and floor padding. You can assemple a wind block with strips of heavy carpet and nail them to the door top of wooden dog houses. That way the dog can go in and out but it keeps out the cold and wind. Face the dog house entrance away from the direction of the wind.

Water dishes need to have the ice removed daily and fresh water filled. Keep food and water dishes under a area where rain, wind, and snow cannot get into them.

Never leave a dog chained up outside in the dead cold of winter. That is cruel and you can go to jail for that. All dogs need proper shelter. If at all possible, in the coldest of winter, keep your dogs in the house. Prepare a place for them to keep warm. Remember to let them outside often to relieve themselves. If properly potty trained, they won't make mistakes in the house and you won't mind keeping them inside in the cold winter.

Don't forget your cats. They should not be outside in extreme weather either. Find a warm place inside during the winter where they can be warm. Keeping your pets healthy means winterizing their surroundings for the cold. By dong these simple things, you can save yourself lots of vet bills. Unless your dog is a sled dog from Alaska and is outside a lot, the chances are they are not used to the cold and can get sick or die if left unattended.

Make sure the nutrition is full of enough calories, vitamins and minerals to keep your pets healthy in winter. Feed them all natural, human grade, organic, and holistic pet food. You can find some of the best brands at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/NaturalDogFoods.html. Remember, our animal companions depend on us for proper care so "Feed Them Life!" Have a warm winter.