Pain Relief For Dogs

Are you ready to manage your dog’s canine arthritis pain with natural methods? The term canine arthritis holistic covers the areas of non-prescription treatments and other alternative such as home remedies and simple things you can do at home to help your dog manage their arthritis. Imagine how good you will feel when you can make them more comfortable and improve their quality of life.

You are probably tired of all of the vet bills and the side effects from medications on your dog. Did you know that 1 in 5 dogs are afflicted with dog arthritis? Additionally, that 55% of those go untreated in any method. This is a shame as there are many things we can do to help.

Here is some basic information to consider.

TREATMENT GOALS

• To reduce pain associated with arthritis
• To improve the function and mobility of the effected joints
• To encourage repair of the joints if at all possible
• To prevent further degradation of the joints
• To slow down the progression of the disease in the joints
• To increase exercise options in order to reduce weight gain and improve health

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP

• Use elevated steps (dog steps) or dog ramps to make your pets steps easier
• Use elevated dog bowls for water and feed
• Keep your dog in a warm and dry environment
• Soaking towels in warm water and applying as a heat pack 3-4 times a day
• Use a heated bed
• Use a comfort lift carrier/sling under the dog’s chest or abdomen to aid the pet in getting up and down steps and in and out of cars.

Now let’s discuss treatments.

NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR CANINE ARTHRITIS(CANINE ARTHRITIS HOLISTIC)

• Glucosamine – Safe for both dogs and cats.  Made from shellfish. The pet’s body produces natural glucosamine but when cartilage damage gets to be too much the pet’s body cannot produce enough. Glucosamine supplements are readily available at pet stores without a prescription.  Some dog foods will contain glucosamine but some studies suggest it will not contain enough.
• Chondroitin sulfate – Also available as a dietary supplement without a prescription. This product effectively reduces pain but does not lubricate the joints like glucosamine.
• Omega fatty acids – Used to reduce inflammation. They also work to reduce pain and swelling.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT HOME REMEDIES

Home remedies have some great benefits.

• Saves money on vet bills
• Reduces the chance of harmful side effects
• Most are readily available in your home already
• Well tolerated by our four legged friends
• Can also be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment
• Are especially useful in mild cases of illnesses and ailments

For other great information on pet illnesses and home remedies read on thru the last paragraph and click on the links. Great secrets await that will help with caring for your pets and saving mega bucks on vet bills.

A 2008 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention survey indicated that over 40 percent of dogs are now estimated to be obese. Exercise is proven to help prevent pet obesity just as much as a healthy and balanced diet. But what happens to those dogs that can’t exercise because they are too overweight and their joints ache with strenuous activity? Now add an ineffective diet to the mix and it can be a dangerous downward spiral for the family dog.

In many cases dogs gain weight because they suffer from dog arthritis and therefore lose the desire to exercise and enjoy recreational activities. Twenty percent of America’s family pets suffer from arthritis and a rapidly increasing number of dog owners are turning to FlexPet with CM8TM for dog joint pain relief and dog arthritis treatment for pet arthritis that are a result of pet obesity.

“Diet alone won’t help return your dog to health because obesity can severely cause dog joint pain and damage the joint cartilage from carrying too much weight,” said Tamer Elsafy, CEO and founder of Flexcin. “What’s needed is a safe pet arthritis supplement and dog arthritis treatment that can act like WD-40 for joints as well as repair the damaged cartilage and return your dog to its healthy, happy self.”

FlexPet with CM8 is manufactured by Flexcin International, Inc., the only provider of dog arthritis treatment natural supplements made with CM8. Not available in other pet supplements, cetyl myristoleate is an ingredient clinically proven to promote optimal joint health in dogs by helping to stimulate the lubricating fluid in the joints, support stronger cartilage reduce pet arthritis and increase total mobility.

Many forms of joint pain are directly related to a deficiency of healthy cartilage in the joints. The cartilage that lubricates and cushions the joints of the body experiences wear and tear on a daily basis. In healthy joints, wear and tear is repaired via a biological balancing process. In order to keep joints healthy, damaged cartilage is constantly being removed through the enzymatic deconstruction and replaced via new cartilage synthesis. This balance is crucial to good joint health.

As many people and animals age, their bodies progressively loose the ability to synthesize the glycosaminoglycans necessary to synthesize the new cartilage tissues needed to repair injuries and everyday wear and tear.

Durring times of stress (such as injury) or disease (i.e. certain forms of arthritis) the deconstructive enzymes in the joints may attack healthy cartilage or compete against new cartilage synthesis.

Where does it come from?

While Chondroitin Sulfate is found in the cartilaginous tissues of many invertebrates, the Chondroitin Sulfate utilized in health food supplements is usually derived from Cattle, Pigs, or Sharks.

What source is best?

When good quality materials are compared, it is believed that the source of the material has little to do with its effectiveness. Companies usually choose a material based upon varying economical, social and ethical standards.

For example, in markets where customers are especially sensitive to the issue of BSE – Mad Cow’s Disease (such as certain European markets), a company may choose to utilize a shark material rather than one from a bovine source (cattle). On the other hand, Bovine material may be more appropriate for a customer that is interested in a material to satisfy a market that understands BSE and the precautions taken by companies such as IRMA Corporation to ensure product safety.

IRMA Corporation provides cartilage derived from several animal sources. Our representatives are prepared to answer questions regarding any other concerns and sensitivities that may arise.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the body. Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives cartilage elasticity.

Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are sold as dietary or nutritional supplements. They are extracted from animal tissue: glucosamine from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and chondroitin sulfate from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage.

What do they do?

Past studies show that some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) taking either glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reported pain relief at a level similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Some research indicates that the supplements might also slow cartilage damage in people with OA. Definitive results about the effects of these supplements are expected from an in-depth clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

A diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones is the best prescription for your dog’s urinary health. In this article you’ll learn the dietary do’s and don’ts that will help ensure that your favorite furry friend never has to suffer from the pain and misery caused by bladder crystals again.

If your pet is prone to the struvite variety of bladder crystals, then there are some simple dietary measures you can take to help promote good bladder health. First, stop feeding your dog commercial kibble. Most pet owners are unaware that for the most part, commercially prepared kibble is junk food. This type of kibble is usually full of additives, preservatives and fillers. Instead of being made with real meat, meat byproducts are often used.

Feeding your dog a diet of  junk food kibble alters the delicate pH of the bladder, making it possible for crystals and bacteria to form. This can lead to chronic, recurring problems with stones and bladder infections which can compromise your dog’s kidney function and destroy his health. This is why a diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones is so important, especially for elderly dogs and pets who are prone to urinary issues.

So the first thing you need to do is get rid of the junk food kibble. Junk food is not good for humans or for dogs. Like us, dogs need real meat, vegetables and healthy oils and grains. Chemicals and other toxins in our foods build up in our bodies and compromise organ function over time and can lead to disease, infection, stones and even cancer.

So instead of the junk food kibble, choose organic kibble instead. Yes, it is more expensive, but in the long run, it will cost you less because 1) your dog will eat less because the food will have more nutrition in every bite and 2) since good nutrition boosts immunity and prevents disease and infection, your dog will require fewer trips to the vet.  More importantly, good quality food is the best diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones because it keeps the pH of the bladder balanced which stops the formation of bladder stones and infections.

In addition to feeding your dog a healthy diet, you’ll also want to give your dog a supplement designed to prevent urinary infections and bladder crystals. Formulated specifically to promote bladder health, these supplements are made from herbs that have been clinically proven effective and are the best insurance along with a good diet to prevent canine struvite bladder stones. Of course the supplement will also be effective if you can’t always afford organic kibble, but diet and supplements are more effective when used together.

Make sure that your dog also gets daily exercise and always has access to a big bowl of clean, filtered water. Filtered water helps eliminate the chemicals in tap water. Taking these steps will ensure that your dog stays happy, healthy and active and never has to suffer again from painful bladder stones.

Our dogs are beloved companions and family pets. They can’t tell us by speaking when they are in pain, so it is up to us to read their behaviors in order to know when they need our help. The signs of arthritis in our dogs might be difficult to spot at first, but there are some signs to look for to tell if they are struggling.

When a dog has arthritis, their joints became inflamed, and they’ll experience pain, heat and swelling in the joints. As the arthritis advances, the dog will experience stiffness and immobility, so you might notice that your pet has a harder time getting up after sleeping, not playing their favorite activities, or maybe he is having a hard time jumping up to the couch or bed. Some dogs even flinch or nip when you try to pet them. Other dogs will seem depressed or grumpy or even change their eating habits. These are all symptoms that could indicate not only arthritis, but other maladies as well. Either way, it’s important to act quickly once you notice your dog acting differently than normal.

Thankfully, there are many therapies, methods and medications available to help your dog feel better and have a good quality of life despite the arthritis. The first step is to visit your veterinarian, who has the ability to properly diagnose the arthritis correctly.

Some products are the most effective if the arthritis is caught early on. To relieve arthritis symptoms, veterinarians will sometimes recommend products that contain glucosamine, perna caniculus, chondroitin, vitamins and minerals. The good news is that they are usually quite effective. In other cases, surgery may be an option.

There are many other things you can do at home to make your pet’s life a little easier. A soft, comfortable, slightly elevated (about a foot off the floor), place to sleep is one way to enable your dog to not only sleep well, but to get in and out of bed easier. A soft rubber foam mattress at least 4 inches thick, or a couch is ideal for cushioning your dog’s joints as they rest. A hot water bottle tucked in their bed could also help relieve some of the aching and pain in your pet’s joints.

Just like us, dogs need exercise to stay healthy. If your dog has developed arthritis, you’ll need to encourage exercise, but limit it to gentle, short walks, a few times a day. Our joints work the most effectively when we are at a healthy weight, and our dogs are no different. Help your dog maintain an ideal weight by feeding them a healthy dog food and always make sure they have a good intake of water each day. If you are unable to easily locate your dog’s ribs when you feel for them, then he might need to lose a few pounds.

Find a good source of Dog Nutritional Supplements that are created to bring about the best results with an added focus on ease of administration.

Feline ear infections are different in a lot of ways than dog ear infections, in that while outer ear canal infection is not very common in cats, the middle or inner ear infection is.

These infections can be caused by several things such as allergies, especially food allergies, parasites, micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, plant awns, excessive moisture in the ears, hereditary immune conditions, and tumors.

However, again very much different than dogs, these infections in your feline are primarily caused by ear mites.

The symptoms of these infections will be an almost continual scratching or rubbing of the ear, redness and or swelling of the ear canal, shaking of pets heads as they are trying to get the infection out, and pain around the ears.

In advanced stages of these infections, there will also be a yellow or black discharge in the ears and your cat may have behavioral changes such as irritability and even depression. There will also be an unpleasant odor coming from your cat’s ears as the infection increases, and this raises the risk of middle or inner ear infections. These sections of the ears are separated from the outer ear by the ear drum.

You can not see these portions of the ear visibly, unless the ear drum has become ruptured. If this happens, you need to contact your veterinarian immediately.

These two portions of the ear are what coordinate the control mechanisms and the hearing functions of your feline. If left untreated, it could cause permanent damage and deafness in your feline companion.

Most causes of infection in the middle and inner ears are a result of extenuating circumstances involving an original infection of the external ear. If caught in the early stages, these infections involving the middle and inner ear can be treated very effectively. Again, these infections almost always are caused by ear mites.

The symptoms that you can watch for and immediately identify as an ear mite infection would be a black discharge coming from your cat’s ear. If you look for this discharge closely it is very easy to spot. Ear Mites are very tiny organisms that are very infectious.

They will closely resemble small ticks, and are very difficult to spot with the human eye as they are so small. They will appear as a white dot, when you can spot them.

Their infections will leave a trail of a dry black discharge that looks like small coffee grinds, but it is actually a mixture of blood, ear wax, bio-chemicals, and the ear mites themselves.

Ear mites will live on the surfaces of your cat’s ear canal skin, although they occasionally go to the head or the face of the cat. They will lay eggs which are hatched in about four days. Once hatched, they feed on your cats ear wax and skin oils.

These ear mites can live up to two months and it that time frame can cause very serious infection to your pet’s ears.

Ear mites also resemble head lice, in that they are very easily transmitted from another animal that your cat has been around, most likely another cat. These infections can also be caused by allergies, and in most cases, the actual ear infection may be a sign that indeed your cat does have allergies.

Yeast and other bacteria may be the cause, but it is not to the same degree the cause as it is in dog ear infections. Parasites, especially in kittens, may also be the cause of these infections.

The parasite, most likely an ear mite, causing the kittens to so violently scratch at their own ears, that it produces a trauma effect, which adds to the infection. Much like dogs, cats can also get this infection from stick-tights, known as plant awns. These are small twigs that stick to your cat’s fur and work its way into the ears.

If your cat or kitten plays outside a lot, especially in wooded areas, checks their ears for this small intruders.

The final potential cause of these infections may be from your cats hereditary. Various hereditary diseases especially melanomas and tumors can cause ear infections.

Diagnosis of the actual cause of the infection is best left to your professional Veterinarian, as there are so many potential causes. Swabs within the ear can be taken very easily and the true cause can be determined.

In cleaning your cat’s ears, it is important to remember that their ears are more L-shaped than ours. Why is this important? Because most of the debris, the infections, or the parasites will start to form in the corner of the “L” and this is the first place you should clean.

Cleaning your cat’s ears with ear cleaners that are slightly acidic but not to the point that they sting or hurt your cat’s ears is the most recommended. Massaging the basis of the ears for short periods to release any caught debris is also recommended.

The key to preventing these infections is keeping your cats ears clean.

There are natural antiseptics that will also help in keeping your cats ears clean, especially from ear mites. Green tea, (make sure it is cool, not hot), applied to the ears will help the cleaning process.

Also, 3-5 drops of a mineral oil, olive oil, or almond oil will also help kill the ear mites, as it actually starves them.

Garlic mixed into the oil will give it even more strength. Vitamin C supplements, especially liquid forms because of the superior absorption, are effective in helping to reduce the inflammation that these infections, especially those of ear mites, can cause.

There are several very good over the counter traditional and natural products that can assist in keeping your feline companion free of ear infections.

Several of the articles that I have written can be seen at my website:

Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets

http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/