Happy Halloween everyone!

This looks so much like my Rosie that I had to post it. Someone is very talented.

(artist unknown)

And that's how the fight started....#6

A man tried to talk his wife into buying a case of Miller Light for $14.95.

Instead, she bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95.

Very disappointed, he unfortunately told her the beer would make her look better at night than the cold cream.


And that's when the fight started...

Contact Dermatitis Allergies in Pets

Part 2 on pet allergies will cover contact dermatitis. It is the least common allergy in cats and dogs and the easiest to cure. Pets can suffer from two forms of contact dermatitis:

Allergic Contact Dermatitis occurs when their skin over-reacts to specific allergens in the environment, such as carpet detergents and deodorizers, waxes, chemicals from dyes, rubber, wool, metals, certain antibiotics or lotions applied to the skin, and grass and weeds. It only affects pets with a hypersensitivity to the substance and takes repeated exposure to the substance before it develops, usually after 2 years of age.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis occurs when a pet's skin is exposed to irritating chemicals such as salt from the street, or poison ivy sap. It will affect each pet that is exposed to the irritant, and usually happens when curious young cats or dogs are exploring.

Symptoms for both types in dogs are lesions on skin without much hair, such as the abdomen, muzzle, lips and paws. It will be very red and itchy, with small bumps or blisters, and with irritant contact dermatitis ulcers may also appear. In cats, symptoms are itching with hives or bumps on the skin and dry itchy patches, usually on the ears, chin, abdomen, inner thigh and under the tail. Exdcessive itching can lead to hair loss.

Primary treatment of both types of contact dermatitis is to remove your dog or cat's exposure to the allergen. If that is not possible, fatty acid supplements, anti-histamines, biotin, and topical shampoos can be used to control the itching. Prednisone or corticosteroids are often prescribed. Also use glass or stainless steel food and water bowls, hypoallergenic detergent when washing pet bedding, hypoallergenic shampoos to remove allergens, and restrict walking to sidewalks and avoid the grass. Only Natural Pet Store (link at top right of page) has a full line of hypoallergenic shampoos, chemical-free flea products and food supplements for help with allergies.

The symptoms can be the same as a food allergy, so I would recommend you also change your pet's food to an all-natural formula or raw food diet in case it is being caused by the ingredients in commercial pet food. For more information on food allergies, see my post from October 8th.

Wild Cat Wednesday #6

Pumpkin chainsaw massacre....

(Photo courtesy of guy-sports.com)

Why flu hits in the Winter

According to Dr. Rowen of the Second Opinion newsletter, it's not the cold weather that causes us to get the flu in Winter as most people believe. Studies have shown people in warmer climates still get the flu in Winter. Back in 2005 a prison in California was hit by a severe flu outbreak. Only one ward wasn't affected by this outbreak, and they were exposed the same as the other inmates. However, the doctor in that one ward was giving prisoners daily doses of vitamin D.

Vitamin D protects you from many illnesses including osteoporosis and cancer, and it protects you against infections also. Vitamin D stimulates your body to make a powerful germ-fighting subsance called cathelicidin. Our vitamin D levels drop in the Winter because we don't get enough sunlight. Sunlight causes your body to produce vitamin D naturally. So Dr. Rowen advises taking vitamin D in D3 form (it's the same as your body makes) in supplement form in the Fall, Winter and Spring. It's hard to get enough vitamin D from food, but here are some foods that contain natural vitamin D:

cod liver oil (1 tablespoon contains 1,360 i.u.)
mackerel
sardines
tuna fish
beef liver
egg yolks

For more information on vitamin D, click here. So supplement your diet with vitamin D to avoid getting sick this Winter.

Mad Dog Monday #6

Why dogs hate Halloween...


(photos courtesy of guy-sports.com)

The Friday Funny....Senior dress code

Many of us 'Old Folks' (over 50, hovering near 50, or way over 50) are quite confused today about how we should present ourselves. Feeling 'young' , we try to conform to current fashions and present a youthful image.

Contrary to what you may have seen on the streets, the following combinations DO NOT go together and should be avoided:

1. A nose ring and bifocals
2. Spiked hair and bald spots
3. A pierced tongue and dentures
4. Miniskirts and support hose
5. Ankle bracelets and corn pads
6. Speedos and cellulite
7. A belly button ring and a gall bladder surgery scar
8. Unbuttoned disco shirts and a heart monitor
9. Midriff shirts and a midriff bulge
10. Bikinis and liver spots
11. Mini skirts and varicose veins

And, most importantly...at some point you have to give up the “DAISY DUKE” Shorts.


(original author unknown)

Pet Friendly "Green" Household Cleaners

The following is a guest post by Christine Howell on the Top Ten "Green" Household Cleaners that are Pet Friendly.

As a general rule, if a household cleaner is considered to be "green" then it is safe to assume that it is pet-friendly as well. Due to the item's intentional lack of chemicals, most any non-toxic home cleaner will be safe to use in a home containing animals. Of course, that doesn't mean you shouldn't consult with a veterinarian if your pet consumes an excessive amount of any cleaning material, but for regular use your beloved animal friends should be safe and sound. Here are ten of the best pet friendly household cleaners.

Bon Ami - A trusted name, Bon Ami has been green before green was cool. A consistently impressive track record on pet safety, Bon Ami products are great for the pet filled home.

Mrs. Meyers - This small company has earned a name for itself as a no nonsense, no frills house hold cleaning company. Bleach and solvent free, all of their detergents and kitchen cleaning materials are safe for pets and children. All products are biodegradable as well, making this an excellent example of a green, pet friendly cleaning product line.

Seventh Generation - Created as a kid friendly laundry detergent, Seventh Generation products are equally pet friendly. Composed entirely of non-toxic chemicals, Seventh Generation is a perfect choice for anyone looking to avoid bringing any dangerous chemicals into the home.

Bona - Another well known company, Bona's floor cleaning products are great choices for pet owners worried about a change in air quality that might occurs are a result of home cleaning.

Nature's Miracle - Specifically designed for pet owners, Nature's Miracle is designed to help resolve all pet related household cleaning issues. The floor cleaners are pet-friendly and avoid toxic chemicals. In addition, they also offer a robust line of disinfectants designed to specially remove bacterias and other diseases which effect animals.

J.R. Watkins - Promising to be free of all abrasive chemicals, J. R. Watkins household cleaners are perfect for avoiding any dangers in a pet filled home.

Ecover - Another green product, Ecover lacks many of the dangerous chemicals that can harm dogs and cats. It promises all natural, organic cleaning materials.

Method - Method home care products are 100% "green", which in this case means it comes from only all-natural ingredients. Pet owners shouldn't have much to worry about with these cleaners free of caustic chemicals.

Simple Green - Simple Green products are safe for casual use around pets. The website specifically says, however, that consumption of the product can cause diarrhea in animals, so make sure there are no puddles around the animals.

Petganics - Petganics products are especially designed to be safe for owners. Organic and safe, pet owners won't need to worry when using Petganics.

Christine Howell is a writer who regularly writes about Online Degrees and college related topics for Online College Guru, an online college directory and comparison website.

Wild Cat Wednesday #5

Follow your heart wherever it takes you...

Natural ways to fight the H1N1 virus

The following are some ways to protect yourself from the H1N1 virus that you may not have heard of, but it just makes good sense when you stop to think that the only portals of entry are the eyes, nose, mouth and ears:

• Frequent hand washing (we've all heard this but it bears repeating)
  
  
• Keep hands off your face, particularly the eyes, mouth, nose and ears.
  
  
• Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or use Listerine if you don't want to use salt water. The H1N1 virus takes 2 to 3 days after infection in the throat or nasal cavity. Gargling prevents the proliferation of the virus.
  
  
• Clean your nostrils at least once a day with warm salt water for the same reason. Blowing your nose once a day and swabbing both nostrils with a cotton swab dipped in warm salt water will effectively bring down the virus population.
  
  
• Drink plenty of warm liquids such as tea, coffee etc. Warm liquids have the same effect as gargling, only in reverse by washing away proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive or do harm.
  
  
• Boost your immune system with foods high in Vitamin C (citrus fruits), and if you use Vitamin C supplements, also take Zinc to boost absorption.
  
  
• Put a couple drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear. For more information on why this works, read my previous post HERE.

If you live in a northern climate, it's also a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement in the cold weather months because we don't get enough sun exposure for our bodies to make vitamin D naturally. Just make sure you take vitamin D3 - a good source is cod liver oil.

Mad Dog Monday #5

Why dogs bite their owners...
Ah,the humilation-cute though isn't he?

(photo origin unknown)

The Friday Funny....7 degrees of blonde

FIRST DEGREE
A married couple were asleep when the phone rang at 2 in the morning. The very blonde wife picked up the phone, listened a moment and said 'How should I know, that's 200 miles from here!' and hung up. The husband said, 'Who was that?' The wife answered, 'I don't know, some woman wanting to know if the coast is clear.'

SECOND DEGREE
Two blondes are walking down the street. One notices a compact on the sidewalk and leans down to pick it up. She opens it, looks in the mirror and says, 'Hmm, this person looks familiar.'

The second blonde says, 'Here, let me see!' So, the first blonde hands her the compact. The second blonde looks in the mirror and says, 'You dummy, it's me!'

THIRD DEGREE
A blonde suspects her boyfriend of cheating on her, so she goes out and buys a gun. She goes to his apartment unexpectedly and when she opens the door she finds him in the arms of a redhead. Well, the blonde is really angry. She opens her purse to take out the gun, and as she does so, she is overcome with grief. She takes the gun and puts it to her head.

The boyfriend yells, 'No, honey, don't do it!!!' The blonde replies, 'Shut up, you're next!'

FOURTH DEGREE
A blonde was bragging about her knowledge of state capitals.
She proudly says, 'Go ahead, ask me, ... I know 'em all.'

A friend says, 'OK, what's the capital of Wisconsin ?'

The blonde replies, 'Oh, that's easy ... it's W.'

FIFTH DEGREE
Q: What did the blonde ask her doctor when he told her she was pregnant?
A: 'Is it mine?'

SIXTH DEGREE
Bambi, a blonde in her fourth year as a UCLA Freshman, sat in her US Government class. The professor asked Bambi if she knew what Roe vs. Wade was about.

Bambi pondered the question; then, finally, said, 'That was the decision
George Washington had to make before he crossed the Delaware.'

SEVENTH DEGREE
Returning home from work, a blonde was shocked to find her house ransacked and burglarized. She telephoned the police at once and reported the crime. The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio, and a K-9 unit, patrolling nearby, was the first to respond.

As the K-9 officer approached the house with his dog on a leash, the blonde ran out on the porch, shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the steps. Putting her face in her hands, she moaned, 'I come home to find all my possessions stolen. I call the police for help, and what do they do? They send me a BLIND policeman!'

Benefits of Pet Massage

The following is a guest post by veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright on the topic of massage for your dog. I'm sure the same principles would work well for a cat as well.

Many veterinarians are seeing the benefit of massage in the treatment of orthopedic and arthritic conditions in dogs, and are including it as part of their treatment plan. Massage will increase circulation to the part of the body being treated, and improve flexibility. Apart from that, it makes dogs just feel better in themselves.

As with people, your dog should only receive deep tissue treatment from someone who is specifically trained in dog massage. Having said that, there's no reason you can't give your dog a gentle massage - it will make him feel very secure, and spending quiet time stroking him will enhance your bond. On a more practical level, a regular massage will enable you to detect any lumps and bumps that shouldn't be there, and have them treated quickly.

There is evidence that touch is definitely healing -it reduces levels of stress hormones in the blood, and increases the amount of the feel good chemical, dopamine, in the brain.

The same techniques that are used in people can also be effective in dogs.

Those long slow strokes with the open hand are called effleurage, and they're a good way of warming up the tissues and increasing blood flow. When you perform effleurage, make sure that before you lift one hand, you have started the next stroke with the other hand. This means you're touching your dog at all times.

You'd be familiar with percussion - drumming on the body with the open hand, fingers or knuckles. The third technique that's commonly used is petrissage, or kneading. This is often used on the muscles, and relaxes and loosens them.

When you massage your dog, you can massage their whole body, or concentrate on acupressure points. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that the body's life energy flows through channels which pass through these points, and at times that flow can become blocked. Stimulating these points is thought to unblock these channels, and restore the body to health.

Keep in mind that all dogs won't like being massaged, and if your dog is one of them, don't do it. There are lots of other ways you can spend quality time with him.

A massage should take 10-15 minutes, until you see how your dog is going to respond. He'll probably enjoy some types of touch more than others. Percussion may not be one of his favorites. You can develop a routine and technique that suits you both, but you can use this as a guide.

Have your dog lying comfortably on a mat next to you. Start at his head and stroke his face. Firmly massage his temples with your fingertips, moving them in small circles. Use effleurage on his neck, then gently knead his neck muscles. Walk your fingers down both sides of his spine, to relax his back muscles. Effleurage is also effective along both sides of his body, and down his limbs. To finish, firmly massage and knead the muscles of his limbs. You may find that it relaxes him so much, he falls asleep.

You may find that you and your dog enjoy massage so much, you'd like to learn how to do it properly. There are courses you can take that teach you the correct way to massage your dog. You never know, it could lead you into a whole new career as a dog masseur.
___________________________________________________

The guest article is brought to you by Electric Dog Fence DIY's staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY takes you through all the steps of using an electric fence for dogs including installation, training, and how to find the best system for your pet. There is a wide variety of pet containment systems at the best prices.

Wild Cat Wednesday #4

Bunk beds - kitty style.

(photo origin unknown)

Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

The next time you feel a cold or flu coming on, try putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ears. It's been found to be effective about 4 times out of 5 if done when symptoms first appear. Results usually occur within 12 to 14 hours. The following is an excerpt from an article on the use of peroxide:

In 1928, Dr. Richard Simmons hypothesized that colds and flu virus enter our bodies through the ear canal. It was Dr. Simmons' hypothesis that, contrary to what we have been taught, we usually can catch the two via the ear canal and not through the eyes or nose or mouth as most of us believe. Dr. Simmons' findings were dismissed by the medical community.

According to Dr. Simmons, keeping your fingers out of our ears will greatly reduce our chances of catching colds and the flu, but we need to keep in mind that these 2 are microscopic and can be air-born and may land on/in our ears. Once these microscopic bodies have entered the inner-ear, they then begin to breed, and from there they have access to every avenue throughout our bodies to travel, and infect and make us sick.

To read the entire article, click here.

Mad Dog Monday #4

"Oh crap, I thought this was the way to the kitchen!"

(photo origin unknown)

Diet or regular soda pop?

A recent study done by Purdue University found that the artificial sweeteners in diet soda pop can actually cause you to gain more weight than drinking soda pop sweetened with real sugar.

Apparently when you ingest sugar, your body's metabolism is increased. However, with artificial sweeteners, the taste buds taste something sweet but there's no calorie load that comes with it to increase your metabolic rate. This causes a mismatch in our bodies which changes our brain chemistry in some way. Even 1 diet soda a day can increase your weight.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

Food Allergies in Pets

Part 1 on pet allergies will cover food allergies. Over the next few weeks, I will cover all of the allergies that plague our pets: food, contact, flea, inhalant, and bacterial allergies.

Food allergies in cats and dogs have become one of the most common allergies in pets. They aren't usually born with a food allergy, but develop it after eating the same food for years. An allergy occurs when the pet's immune system over-reacts to an otherwise harmless substance.

Symptoms of a food allergy can include soft stools, periodic vomiting, itching of the top part of the body such as the face, licking of the feet, hair loss from over-grooming and scratching, red itchy ears or recurrent ear infections. It can also appear to be another kind of allergy. For example, food allergies can cause respiratory distress, so you may think your pet has an inhalant allergy when it actually could be food-related. In the case of my dog Abby, it began seasonally. She itched and licked constantly and I thought she had fleas or a flea bite allergy but always showed negatively for fleas at the vet, so it was diagnosed as a contact allergy. The steroid Prednisone helped relieve her symptoms, but it didn't fix the problem. Eventually her allergies were no longer just seasonal, and the ear infections reared their ugly head. First you need to rule out other causes, such as sarcoptic mange and fleas, and whether the itching is a seasonal problem or occurs year round. A food allergy test can be done by your vet.

If you're feeding a dry kibble formula, a prime candidate is the wheat or corn in their pet food. Try switching to a different formula: example, if you're feeding a beef and wheat formula, try chicken and rice or lamb and rice, or better yet try a grain-free formula. Grains account for the majority of food allergies in pets. With all the preservatives and by-products in pet food, cats and dogs are developing allergies at a younger and younger age. Cats and dogs with allergies do best on super-premium, raw, or homecooked diets. The highest quality kibble contain no wheat, corn, gluten, preservatives, or other harmful ingredients or fillers. You don't need an expensive allergy-specific food if you feed an all-natural healthy food. Supplementing with probiotics and fatty acids can be very helpful in treating your pet's allergies as they help build up the pet's immune system.

On a personal note - as mentioned above, my dog Abby had been on Prednisone for several years and became overweight because of the medication. No amount of measuring food and withholding treats made any difference, and in time it got to the point where the medication wasn't very effective any longer. Steroids also come with side effects such as kidney damage, and ulcers in the stomach and intestines. I've also read that pets on steroids shouldn't be vaccinated because steroids suppress the immune system, preventing the immune system from responding to the vaccine, something I was never advised about by my veterinarian. After learning this and looking into diet as a possible cause for Abby's allergies approximately 2 1/2 years ago, I made a food change and the results were amazing. After about a month, she no longer needed Prednisone and has remained off all medication. Eventually her chronic ear infections also cleared up as well. We started by giving her one meal of an all natural, grain-free kibble and the other meal a raw food mixture. She and Rosie now eat the raw food mixture solely with no kibble and they are thriving. Abby's weight has returned to normal from 33 pounds back down to 25 pounds, and both dogs have such a soft coat. It takes a little effort to prepare it, but in the long run it is cheaper than kibble and I know I'm feeding them the very best.

If you decide to start feeding raw food to your pet, do your research. Read all that you can find on the subject, and make the change gradually over a 2 week period. It's also recommended that you not mix kibble and raw food in the same feeding to avoid stomach upset.

Wild Cat Wednesday #3

Make your own kind of music

Mad Dog Monday #3

Good friends are hard to find. Cherish the good times together so you have the memories to get through the bad times. Go give your dog or cat a big hug right now.


(photo origin unknown)

In loving memory of our sweet cat Jackie, who passed away a year ago on October 2nd, 2008. She was around 11 years old when we adopted her in 2000, and we had 8 wonderful years with her. We miss you Jackie! Rest in peace sweet girl.

And that's how the fight started....#5

A man took his wife to a restaurant.

The waiter, for some reason, took the husband's order first.

'I'll have the strip steak, medium rare, please.'

He said, 'Aren't you worried about the mad cow?'

'Nah, she can order for herself.'


And that's how the fight started...

Natural Therapies For Your Pet's Health

This is a guest post by Dr Susan Wright, a veterinarian who writes for Dog Fence DIY. Dog Fence DIY can supply everything you need for your own underground dog fence http://www.dogfencediy.com, and show you how to install it.

Throughout history, people have used natural therapies to maintain their health. Their popularity is now on the rise, and those who depend on these therapies to keep themselves well, are looking for the same options for their dogs. Many conditions can benefit from natural therapies; because of this, you may find vet will offer your dog acupuncture along with antibiotics.

What exactly is a natural therapy? They are basically treatment methods that don't rely on surgery or drugs. People who use these treatments believe in their dog's ability to self heal, if the right conditions are met. Research conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association found that 42% of pet owners had used natural therapies on their pet. They felt it was safer, with less risk of side effects than conventional treatment.

There are several natural therapies available to dogs. Veterinarians can undergo further studies in chiropractic care, herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. Another natural therapy that can make a big difference to our dog's well being is nutritional therapy. A high quality diet will give our dogs all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, and recover quickly from illness or injury.

Sometimes the boundaries between conventional medicine and natural therapies are blurred. The drug aspirin was developed from an ingredient found in the bark of the Willow tree. Can it then also be classed as an herbal remedy?

Keep in mind that just because a treatment is natural, it may not be completely safe. Many people rely on tea tree oil to control fleas in their dog, and it's a commonly used antiseptic for wounds and abrasions. However, it can be extremely toxic, and dogs have died from inadvertent overdose. Whether or not a chemical has been extracted from a plant, or created in a laboratory, if it has an effect on your dog's body, you need to take care with it.

There are still many veterinarians who don't offer natural therapies as an option for your dog. If that's the case, and you'd like to investigate these treatments, ask your own vet for a referral to a colleague.

Veterinarians can undergo post-graduate training in a range of natural therapies, however you may find that the best practitioner for you isn't certified. Some vets become skilled through their own study and practice, and they may well be able to help your dog.If your own vet can't refer you to someone who practices natural therapies, you can turn to the internet for help. The American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association has a website where you can search for a suitably qualified practitioner in your area.

Whether or not you use natural therapies on their own, or in combination with conventional treatments, they can certainly help to restore your dog to health. Don't rule them out.