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Some Basic Information on Dog Allergies You Should Know

July 1st, 2009 · pet health

There are four types of dog allergies. These include airborne allergies (atopy), flea allergies, food allergies and contact allergies. Dog allergies result in uncontrollable itching, and forcing the dog to lick and scratch himself until sores develop on his body. These sores can grow to be infected, accumulate pus and become very agonizing. With persistent attacks, some dogs eventually end up with their hair falling out. By giving regular baths to the dog with cold water and shampoo, this allergy can be arrested.

 

 Some dogs experience watery eyes which has a home remedy. Cotton ball, some boric acid, ophthalmic solution, some Visine moisturizing eye drops and a wash cloth would be adequate. Wet the cotton ball in the boric acid solution, and with very light strokes, wipe across the centre of the closed eyelid from the inner corner to the outer corner. This will lessen the suffering.

 

Common Labrador allergic diseases are ear infection. Ear infections will make the dog miserable. What makes this worse is that dogs have a heightened sense of hearing and an untreated ear infection can cause hearing loss. One of the best ways to circumvent Labrador allergies that result in ear infections is to dry the dog’s ears after bathing and frequently clean its ears with a cleaning solution in consultation with a veterinarian.

 

Some dogs suffer from skin atrophy as well. Symptoms are reddening, hair loss, blisters, and skin ulceration. Slowly, the affected skin becomes scarred. Treatment can be given by a composition comprising of at least one thyroid hormone compound together with a pharmacologically adequate base suited for topical purpose. Faces get swollen due to infection, allergic reaction, acetaminophen toxicity, hematoma, cancer, muscle inflammation. Countless dogs with allergies rub their faces on the ground after eating, grind their feet, rub themselves along fences or will roll on rough ground to scratch their backs. As a result of the allergy, they may also develop bacterial or yeast infections of the skin. Such skin allergies can be naturally cured. Feed the puppy a nutritious diet and practice an exercise program appropriate for the dog.

 

 A few important oils which are prescribed for such allergies are Bergamot for ear infections; Carrot Seed for dry, flaky, sensitive skin which is prone to infection; Cedarwood for skin and coat conditioning and dermatitis of all types; Chamomile for skin irritations, allergic reactions, burns; Clary Sage for nerve calming and nervous system sedation; Geranium for skin irritations, fungal ear infections; Ginger for motion sickness, aids digestion; Lavender for many common animal ailments; Helichrysum for healing of scars and bruises and effective for pain relief; Niaouli for ear infections and skin problems caused by allergies; Peppermint for arthritis, dysplasia, sprains and strains.

 

 Most of the pet danders are set in motion by allergies and asthma, leaving no breed completely safe. All dogs create dander, yet there are some breeds which create less than others. Miniature Schnauzers are affected by sick sinus syndrome. Fainting is the main symptom. It is characterized by sinoatrial node dysfunction and often includes atrioventricular node disease and bundle branch block. The major sign is fainting.

 

 To learn more about dog allergies, be sure to check out our site today.  Article by Jamie Eve.

 Debbie Foster is the owner of Pet Beds Unlimited and Pet Prattle and Products. You’ll find a wide selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, cat beds, cat carriers, small dog beds, large dog beds, pet strollers and more at http://petbedsunlimited.com.

 

Till next time …

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Electronic Dog Enclosures - The Pros and Cons

June 29th, 2009 · dog beds

There are considerable advantages but a few disadvantages to having electronic control fences for both the dog attached to it and their human owners. Electronic fences have several components working together to limit a dog’s ability to wander from the yard. An underground wire runs along the yard’s edge emitting a signal, receivers in the dog’s collar pick up that signal when the boundary wire is approached too closely and produces a discouraging noise, a shock or an unpleasant scent spray.

There are very few options when you live under the rules set by your city ordinances or your community associations forbidding you to use regular fenced-in-yards other than using an expensive electronic fence. E-fences are a good choice when there are no regular fences allowed by strict housing rules or when you do not want an actual fenced-in-yard.

However, there are various possible disadvantages of having electronic fences.

Regardless of any other type of training, dogs need careful instruction on how to deal properly with an e-fence. Dogs do not automatically understand the strange noises or shocks. You have to teach them to associate the noise or shock with their allowable limit of movement.

Usually strikes of lightning or more often some careless digging around the perimeter will short out a system. Boundary flags are initially installed, however after training the dog you may want to remove them. Sometimes they are left in place and can be knocked down and by lawnmowers, children playing and other reasons. While in place, their tips point up and pose potential puncture hazards.

Some assertive or forgetful dogs may chase prey and run past their boundary unmindful of the temporary shock. While on the wrong side of the fence, they become discouraged by the shock from returning home voluntarily.

Some individuals do not agree with the use of electrical shock techniques to get the desired behavior from their dog.

Life comes with risks. Dogs who are confined indoors or are always on the leash do not have the opportunities to run. Some areas have dog parks and other locations for running free which is a definite advantage, but not all areas do. Dogs have a natural, strong desire to run; when they become frustrated with their continuous confinement they can become unstable.

Large dogs may be able to clear the usual height in fences; however, accidents do occur and the animal may become injured or punctured badly by wooden planks and chain links. Dogs tend to bite and scratch at even minor wounds causing them to become infected or creating a hot spot. This means a visit to the veterinarian office. There are times when using an electronic fence is less dangerous.

No one solution can satisfy everyone and every circumstance, every breed or training technique, or every individual dog. You need to know the facts as well as any specific mental or physical health requirement of the dog you will train.

Just in case the electronic fence does more actual harm than good, prepare yourself to disable it.

Article contributed by Greg Stannionis. Learn more information, tips, and techniques at Dog Training and Care. Also learn about choosing the right Dog Bedding for your dog.  Visit Pet Beds Unlimited for a great selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, cat beds, cat carriers, small dog beds, large dog beds, pet strollers and more. 
Till next time …

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Natural Flea Remedies For Your Pet

June 25th, 2009 · pet health

Fleas are a headache. The best way to deal with fleas is to prevent fleas. There are several natural flea control methods you can try. Let’s face it, people are always looking for natural healthy ways to treat fleas.

Flea prevention using all natural methods is, for the most part, cheap and easy. Some people use a citrus repellent which is clearly derived from the potent citronella effects on mosquitoes. To create such a repellant for your pet, cut up a lemon and place it in a pot. Cover the lemon pieces with boiling water and let them soak for 10 hours. After they have soaked, transfer the lemony liquid into a spritzer bottle. You now have dog friendly all natural flea repellent. Spray your dog or cat all over remembering to pay special attention to behind the ears, around the base of his tail and under your dogs “armpits”. Be careful of your pet’s eyes when spraying as citrus can sting.

Some dog owners use an aromatherapy repellant. By using 10 ml. of sweet almond oil as your base and adding 5 drops of cedarwood essence and 10 drops of lavender essence . Shake the potion generously and spread a few drops over the skin, especially around your dog’s neck. Repeat this treatment as needed or at least a few times per week. Admittedly, these ingredients can be a bit pricey and hard to find but this repellant really does work.

Lastly, an all natural flea collar can be created by rubbing a few drops of citronella, lavender eucalyptus oil, Tea Tree Oil, or geranium essence onto your pet’s ordinary rope webbing or rope or cloth collar. A bandanna would also work. Re-apply the oil at least twice per week.

Another helpful and common sense suggestion is to reduce your dogs exposure to fleas. You may want to begin by getting rid of dog fleas outside your home. A failure to do so will result in your pets continually getting infested. One way to get rid of them outside is to install a Purple Martin bird house. Purple Martins will eat the dog fleas, thus keeping the outdoors flea free.

Remember, fleas make your treasured pet very uncomfortable and they are no fun for the dog owner either. If you want to prevent dog fleas, then the best offense are the tried and true flea remedies.

Provided by by Rick Jonson.  Find out more on dog fleas at get rid of fleas.

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Prisons and Puppies

June 22nd, 2009 · pet news

Yes, that’s right, puppies in prison. Currently, there are prison programs in place that select inmates to prepare puppies to help the disabled population. There’s an expected change coming in the number of the disabled population, with the thousands of wounded veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This will create a higher demand for these assistance dogs. Whoever thought of this really had great foresight!

There are some low and medium security prison facilities where inmates are chosen to take a puppy to raise. These inmates are non-violent and have demonstrated a good behavior record. The puppies are with the inmates all the time … when they eat, when they work out and when they sleep. The puppies sleep in dog crates in the inmates’ rooms. Yes, rooms. These facilities are not cells, but rooms with doors, to better acclimate the puppy for the real world.

The inmates, along with a professional dog trainer, put the dogs through a challenging program to prepare them for advanced training classes at the National Education for Assistance Dog Service (NEADS) in central Massachusetts. NEADS is a non-profit organization that provides assistance dogs for the deaf and disabled. They have more than 80 puppies in eight correctional facilities around the northeast.

The puppies complete their training in four months and are then provided to members of the disabled population through a waiting list. There are some 85 people currently requesting assistance dogs.

The prison atmosphere has also benefited from having the dogs there. The puppies seem to bring out the best in the inmates and their very presence diffuses tension. After all, who doesn’t love a puppy! The inmates selected to raise the puppies benefit from the distraction from where they are and get unconditional love in the process …. not typically found in a prison setting. The puppies benefit as they get undivided attention and affection.  A real win-win situation.

Till next time …

Debbie Foster is the owner of Pet Beds Unlimited and an avid animal lover. You’ll find a wide selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, cat beds, cat carriers, small dog beds, large dog beds, pet strollers and more at http://petbedsunlimited.com

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Cat Skin Allergies

June 18th, 2009 · pet health

When I first came down with cat skin allergies, it was a major drag. You see, most people who are allergic to cats simply do their best to avoid felines from then on, but I did not have the option. We had a senior cat and we were very much attached to her, so adopting her out was just not a possibility. Even if we had wanted to, it would have been cruel to do. She had been a good pet and member of the family for all of her life. I had to figure out a different way to treat my cat skin allergies.

The ironic thing about it was that she was actually a cat with skin allergies. Although many people don’t realize it, allergies are almost as common among pets as they are among humans. Pets, of course, can’t complain when they are allergic, so they often go undetected. Nonetheless, they can be a major source of discomfort for your average animal companion. When she had had her own cat skin allergies years before, it had been an expensive ordeal. We had to take her to several different veterinarians before we were finally able to unravel the problem. The problem was that she couldn’t complain. We had to watch her carefully for the excessive scratching she had been doing. When she finally stopped scratching her skin bare, we knew that the cat skin allergy treatment had had an effect.

In my case, it was a little bit easier to treat my allergic problem. Although some allergy treatments can take up to a month to get started, there is always a definite timeframe. You can tell whether they are working or not and, if they don’t work, try something else. I would say that within two to six weeks, my cat skin allergies started to make a little bit of improvement. It took about a whole month, however, before I really started to feel better. It was a full two months before the cat skin allergies were gone altogether.

There are many different cat skin allergy treatments. In my case, I used a combination of different resources. I started off with antihistamines to take the edge off the allergic reaction in the short term, and confined the cat to one room for the first few weeks while keeping the rest of the house dander free. Meanwhile, I was taking allergy shots which can take a while to build up. Once they started to work, I was able to gradually ease off the antihistamines and let Pepper (my cat) roam more freely. It really took awhile, but it was definitely worth the wait. Nowadays, I’m cat skin allergy free, and enjoying the company of my Pepper as much as ever.

Till next time …

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