Thursday, September 8, 2016

Beagle Finds Relief from Coughing and Gagging


Daisy and Precious
"My dog Holly who was featured in a past article, passed on from a collapsed trachea.  I heard about your supplement (for collapsed trachea) about two weeks after she died to my dismay.  She had a full blood work done when she started coughing and it came back wonderful due to the supplements she was on (for liver disease).  They were amazed!  Well my other dog Daisy... has always gagged after drinking and recently started coughing occasionally when she lies down. It shook me up because that is how Holly started a year ago. I immediately purchased your ultra-flex collagen.  She has been taking it for a few weeks now and I noticed she doesn't gag anymore.  Listen she has been gagging each time she drank for 2 1/2 years and now she isn't. It is very hard for me not to think I could have saved Holly if I had only known, but I am happy I've found ultra-flex collagen for Daisy. 

I want to thank you again for another great product!"

Lori Baier-Pennsylvania 2016

Collapsed trachea is a progressive condition that affects any breed, but often small dog breeds such as yorkies, maltese, pomeranian, chihuahas, pugs and shih tzus. The disease can cause coughing, gagging and respiratory problems. Our clients have found using  Amazing Omegas and Ultra-Flex Collagen For Pets to strengthen trachea cartilage and can reduce overall coughing/gagging.

Holly




Lori first came to our website seeking help for Holly’s pancreatitis. The supplements she found helpful were in our Pancreatitis and Liver Support Kit

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Tips To Minimize Your Pet's Stress When You Travel


Taking one last trip for the summer?  It's so hard to leave our pets behind when we travel.  Here are a few tips to relieve stress on your pet:

  •  Consider a pet sitter instead of taking your pet to a boarding facility.  Ask your vet, neighbors and friends about who they use when they travel. Keeping your pet in a comfortable environment is key.  For ex: Rover.com offers pet sitters in many locations that you can research and meet beforehand. 
  • If you do have to take your pet to a facility, ask about doggie day care.  Even if your pet has never been to doggie day care, many pets enjoy the companionship and activity that doggie day care can provide.  Avoid if possible, leaving your pet in a cage with minimal contact.  See about extended walks if your dog isn't social.
  •  Bring your pet's regular food to the boarding facility (divided into normal meals). Pets have sensitive stomachs so keeping their diet consistent and providing supportive supplements such as: Power Probiotic for Pets, Soothing Digestive Relief for Pets, or K-9 Digestive Enzymes can help minimize the occurrence of problems during their stay.
  •  Make sure to leave any necessary items that will help keep your pet be calm and happy while you are gone.  (Perhaps a special toy or blanket)  
  • If you give your pets supplements, put them in separate meal baggies to make it easy for the caregiver to administer.  For ex: breakfast packets, dinner packets etc
  •  Make sure to leave all emergency numbers including:  your contact phone number, a local emergency contact, and your veterinarian.
  • Make some special treats for your pet using food they already consume (don't try new foods while you are away!).  For ex:  stuff a kong ball with canned food and freeze or bake treats from regular canned food.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Pros and Cons of Crate Training


Crate training is controversial and there are pros and cons on the subject. If you have ever had an ongoing home improvement project or traveled with your dog (planes require crates) you may understand there are benefits to having a crate trained dog, but unfortunately crates are also used inappropriately by some owners. The purpose of the crate should be for the safety of the pet; this includes preventing them from engaging in destructive and dangerous behaviors and providing a familiar place when traveling that may lessen anxiety. Dogs, especially puppies, can be inquisitive, active chewers, and escape artists; a crate can eliminate the risk of accidental ingestion of something dangerous or an unsupervised dog on the loose. An added  bonus, is it can help tremendously in housebreaking puppies (dogs instinctively avoid soiling where they sleep).  Some dogs may end up LOVING their crate and go there whenever they want to feel safe. The biggest con to crate training though stems from owners acting irresponsibly. They may be keeping the dog crated for excessively long periods of time, using a crate that is too small (limiting movement and comfort), or using an unsafe crate. For crate training to be successful, it must be a safe and comfortable space for your pet, not a place of punishment!

Tips to successful crate training
  • Pick a proper crate for your dog (consider size in the future)
  • Train your dog to go into the crate by using positive reinforcement
  • Start for short periods of time
  • Have crate in an area with the family (dogs are pack animals and the family is their pack)
  • Do not keep a dog in a crate for more than 3 or 4 hours unless absolutely necessary
  • If your dog gets anxious in the crate and becomes excessively destructive, find an alternative

Monday, July 4, 2016

Be Careful With Treats on July 4th

July 4th pic 3

WATCH THE TREATS!  
On July 4th,  it is very tempting to want to treat your pet to some of the holiday goodies.  Please be careful!  Foods such as hot dogs, baked beans, rolls and pie can be harmful to pets.  It is quite common for emergency animal clinics to be filled with dogs and cats suffering from a severe bout of pancreatitis during the holidays.  If your pet is prone to pancreatitis, give them extra Lypozyme for improved fat digestion and use lower fat treats such as fish and vegetables.
 
The following foods should not be given to pets:
* Chocolate
* Grapes or raisins
* Onions (cooked or raw)
* Sweets (cookies, pie, etc.)
* Rolls/bread (many pets are allergic to gluten)
* High fat foods such as butter and ice cream
* Cooked bones (they can cause choking and tearing in the GI tract)

Feeding pets raisins and chocolate is strongly discouraged and considered harmful due to the toxic substances present in these foods for animals, particularly dogs.

Raisins and grapes can lead to severe kidney damage in dogs, even in relatively small amounts. The exact compound responsible for the toxicity is not yet identified, and the reaction can vary among individual dogs. Ingesting raisins or grapes can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and, in severe cases, it may lead to kidney failure, which can be fatal.
Friday, May 27, 2016

Honoring our American Heroes For Their Sacrifices

On this Memorial Day weekend, we send our sincere gratitude to all those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation. Their unselfish acts have allowed us to continue to enjoy the freedoms that our country was founded upon. However, it is not only the heroic men and women of our military that has sacrificed, but also their canine counterparts who performed their duties with loyalty and honor.

Here are a few facts about these  American canine heroes you might find of interest:
  • The United States military has approximately 2500 dogs in active service today with about 700 being deployed overseas.
  • They undergo extensive training in tracking, attack maneuvers and bomb, weapons and drug detection. Only approximately half the dogs make it through training and the trained K-9s are extremely valuable (likely worth over $100,000). However, their real value is in the lives they save. With  98% accuracy in their detection skills, the peace of mind they provide to the troops is priceless.
  • Dogs in service aren’t all German Shepherds. Highly trainable Labrador Retrievers and Belgian Malinois are often used.
  • The dogs mourn the loss of their handler and their handlers mourn the loss of them. They have a special bond; many dogs will act depressed and will often reject a new handler during this mourning period. For those military pups lost in combat, the squad will turn their feeding dishes upside down, hang up their leashes, and leave the kennel door open to symbolize their loss. The poem Guardians of the Night will also be read to honor them for their sacrifice.

 Military Working Dog Teams National Monument


Saturday, May 21, 2016

Award Winning Filmmaker JD Disalvatore Trying to Make Los Angeles a "No Kill" City


“I was not only captivated by the ingenuity, bravery and gumption of the rescuers, but also completely sucked into the world of the animals themselves. I feel compelled to share that with everyone…”
JD Disalvatore

JD Disalvatore, an American LGBT award winning film and television producer/director and gay rights activist, was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. As anyone knows who has been touched by cancer, it can be overwhelming, but during this difficult time (and only thinking of herself) she has made it her mission to save the dogs of Los Angeles and turn it into a “no kill” city.
Her passionate journey began when she began volunteering for the East Valley Animal Shelter and saw firsthand the reality of dogs and cats being euthanized. However, the experience also introduced her to the passionate people, rescues, and organizations that are fighting to save these precious beings from euthanasia. Those experiences led her to make the documentary called “How to Save a Dog”, and it will showcase the incredible effort it takes to rescue a dog. She will also include a series of 20 to 30 educational videos for social media to help educate the general public and different subjects (i.e. How to Foster a Pet, etc). For more information on her project visit the official website here

Ms. Disalvatore is an inspiration to us all!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

New Guinness Record for Oldest Cat Alive!


Scooter, a 30 –year old Siamese cat from Mansfield, Texas, has just set the new Guinness record for being the oldest cat alive.  He was born on March 26, 1986 and has lived a happy active life (including visiting 45 of the 50 states) with owner Gail Floyd. To obtain the record, evidence had to be submitted to prove the cat’s longevity (videos, witness statements, etc). He still has a way to go to obtain the record of the oldest cat to have EVER lived. That record is held by  Creme Puff who lived to be 38 years and 3 days old.

Scooter is in good health, other than recovering from a broken leg suffered over a year ago, and his veterinarian says “Scooter is quite an amazing cat, with a strong will to live’. The best way to help your pet have a long and active life is to provide them with a healthy diet and supportive holistic supplements such as: Amazing Omegas for Pets, Power Probiotic for Pets, Renelix and Oxicell.