Posts Tagged ‘parasites’
The Different Ways to Groom Your Cat
No cat wants to be dirty, and it’s up to you to ensure that your cat stays clean. Grooming is very important, as it helps your cat remain clean and healthy. Grooming starts with brushing, as brushing helps to keep the cats hair from becoming hairballs. Brushing will remove loose hair, and help prevent the risk of hairballs. A lot of cats have trouble dislodging hairballs. If the cat isn’t able to get a hairball out, it could result in a blockage of the intestines. Blockages are very serious, and can quickly become life threatening for your pet.
Cats that have long hair need to be brushed and combed on a daily basis, while cats with short hair need to be groomed on a weekly basis. When you brush your cat, you should always watch for lumps in the coat and skin irritations. You should start brushing along the cat’s back, going from his head to his tail. Do this a few times on one side, and then switch to the other. Each area should be brushed a few times in the direction of the way your cat’s hair is growing.
When you brush your cat, you should always avoid brushing his face and paws. If a cat doesn’t like to be brushed, you can still groom him using another tool. The grooming glove is an excellent alternative to the brush, as most cats don’t mind it at all. Starting out young is the key to grooming, as it will get your cat used to brushing and grooming. Some cats that have started grooming when they were kittens grow to love it, many of which often look forward to their grooming time.
When brushing your cat, make sure that you check his ears, eyes, teeth, and claws. His eyes should be bright and clear with nothing residing in the corners. His ears should be clean, pink in color, and no sign of ear mites. Ear mites result from dirt built up in a cat’s ears, and can result in the ears shriveling up and your cat losing his hearing. Ear mites are very annoying for the cat, and hard for you as an owner to get rid of. The best way to get rid of them – is to ensure that your cat’s ears stay clean and healthy.
Each time you groom your cat, you should always aim to go a bit further with your examinations. When your cat remains still, you should always praise him and give him a treat. If your cat doesn’t cooperate and starts to struggle, you shouldn’t fight with him, but instead let him go and try the next day. Once your cat gets used to grooming he will look forward to it each and every day.
June Sabe
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-different-ways-to-groom-your-cat-743574.html
About Ear Mites
The Different Ways to Groom Your Cat
No cat wants to be dirty, and it’s up to you to ensure that your cat stays clean. Grooming is very important, as it helps your cat remain clean and healthy. Grooming starts with brushing, as brushing helps to keep the cats hair from becoming hairballs. Brushing will remove loose hair, and help prevent the risk of hairballs. A lot of cats have trouble dislodging hairballs. If the cat isn’t able to get a hairball out, it could result in a blockage of the intestines. Blockages are very serious, and can quickly become life threatening for your pet.
Cats that have long hair need to be brushed and combed on a daily basis, while cats with short hair need to be groomed on a weekly basis. When you brush your cat, you should always watch for lumps in the coat and skin irritations. You should start brushing along the cat’s back, going from his head to his tail. Do this a few times on one side, and then switch to the other. Each area should be brushed a few times in the direction of the way your cat’s hair is growing.
When you brush your cat, you should always avoid brushing his face and paws. If a cat doesn’t like to be brushed, you can still groom him using another tool. The grooming glove is an excellent alternative to the brush, as most cats don’t mind it at all. Starting out young is the key to grooming, as it will get your cat used to brushing and grooming. Some cats that have started grooming when they were kittens grow to love it, many of which often look forward to their grooming time.
When brushing your cat, make sure that you check his ears, eyes, teeth, and claws. His eyes should be bright and clear with nothing residing in the corners. His ears should be clean, pink in color, and no sign of ear mites. Ear mites result from dirt built up in a cat’s ears, and can result in the ears shriveling up and your cat losing his hearing. Ear mites are very annoying for the cat, and hard for you as an owner to get rid of. The best way to get rid of them – is to ensure that your cat’s ears stay clean and healthy.
Each time you groom your cat, you should always aim to go a bit further with your examinations. When your cat remains still, you should always praise him and give him a treat. If your cat doesn’t cooperate and starts to struggle, you shouldn’t fight with him, but instead let him go and try the next day. Once your cat gets used to grooming he will look forward to it each and every day.
June Sabe
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-different-ways-to-groom-your-cat-743574.html
Skin and Coat Problems in Dogs and Cats
The skin, your pet’s largest organ, acts as a barrier against harmful invasions from the environment. As an organ of elimination, symptoms of disease often show up in the skin and the body rids itself of toxins
Skin problems are probably the most common ailments seen in dogs. Usually they are not a disease in themselves, but a symptom of another underlying problem.
The most common reason for skin problems in both dogs and cats is an allergy. Foods, pollens, dust or medications may cause signs of allergy. Problems can also show up due to dietary deficiency or poor diet in general. Symptoms include such as itching, redness, and poor coat quality.
If no other reason for the problem can be found, it is time to look for food allergies. Changing to a premium or home-made dog food can usually make a big difference in a short time. Often simply adding raw meat to the diet is enough to see an improvement.
If the problem persists, or the pet is already on a healthy diet, then you must look at the specific ingredients in the food. Beef, chicken, corn and soy are the most common allergens, but cats and dogs, like people, can be allergic to anything. Try eliminating the above four things first, if that doesn’t work a more drastic “elimination diet” may be necessary. This usually takes at least 6-8 weeks to get a good reading.
If no food allergy can be identified, or if eliminating an offending food has not solved the problem, then you must look to the environment – inside as well as outside. Once an allergic reaction has been allowed to continue for some time, the immune system is taxed and the body may become sensitive to other irritants.
Play detective! Ask yourself if anything has changed in the house recently; new carpeting, new cabinetry, fresh paint? These things can all give off chemicals which may cause illness. Are the symptoms seasonal? Pollens are a common allergen, and difficult to avoid, especially for a dog. Did the symptoms start suddenly? What happened just before they appeared – vaccinations? Other illness? Emotional upset? Finding and eliminating the cause can be a long and difficult process.
Essential Fatty Acids, also known as Omega-3 and Omega-6 are important nutrients for the skin and coat of dogs and cats. You might also consider certain herbs, such as Milk Thistle or Dandelion, which support the liver and help the body detoxify. There are many natural topical products that can be used to calm the symptoms.
Bathing is not always the answer. If the dog’s coat is dry, bathing may just make matters worse. If you must bathe, use a gentle shampoo. For dogs or cats with itchy skin, look for oatmeal as one of the ingredients in a pet shampoo.
Another common cause of itching and redness for dogs and cats is flea bite dermatitis. Not all animals are allergic, but fleas will at least cause scratching or biting in all pets simply because they are annoying! Flea allergies however, cause the pests to be more than just an annoyance. Symptoms of flea allergy include hair loss, redness, and sometimes sores kown as “hot spots”.
If you suspect your pet has fleas but you haven’t actually seen any, look for the tell-tale black “specks” at the base of the hairs. Fleas particularly love the areas at the base of the tail, ears and hind legs (where they meet the belly). To determine if the specks are flea dirt (dried blood) and not just dirt, put some on a white paper or cloth and wet them. If they turn red, you’ve got fleas.
Some diseases cause symptoms of the skin and coat. Thyroid imbalances may cause dull, flaky or greasy coat and sometimes hair loss. Skin and ear infections are common with Cushing’s Disease.
There are some specific skin diseases as well. Mange is caused by a mite and causes lesions and hair loss, usually around the mouth and eyes. This most often clears up on its own, but some dogs and cats cannot rid themselves of the mites and have a more severe case. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungus affecting cats, dogs and people (especially children). It shows up as circular lesions that are raw, hairless and scaly. The disease spreads rapidly.
Boredom or anxiety can cause a dog to lick its paws repeatedly and constantly, resulting in “lick granulomas”. These are raised nodules, often rough and scaly. There is also a group of autoimmune diseases called Pemphigus which cause scaly skin, scabs and pustules. Some breeds are particularly susceptible to the disease.
Elyse Grau
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/skin-and-coat-problems-in-dogs-and-cats-250087.html
More about Ear Mites.
Getting Pet Health Insurance for Cheap
You dear your pets. They are the first gear you see when you arouse up in the morning. They lay at your feet while your eating breakfast, they run with you as you get your early morning problem, they look middle destroyed when you desert them behind, when you get home from a long day at work they are so glad to see you that they can scarcely confine their joy, they listen attentively as you rant and rave about the trails and tribulations of your day, at night they crawl into bed with you and keep the nightmares at bay while you siesta. What they don’t do disparage you, expert you, or abandon you.
There is very little you wouldn’t do for your pets. That’s what you think almost everyday of the year but on the time you have to take them to the vet and pay the obligatory document you have to amazement. All your cat had done was a therapy for a mild situation of ear mites. And your dog had been a yearly rabies vaccination. The totality processes for both pets took excluding then fifteen resume. How could it workable detriment so much?
You might be able to see the profit of pet vigor indemnity. You might slobber at the idea of not trade with the ginourmous vet bills you get every six months ago. You might even muse about the day you don’t dread the monetary repercussions of charming your dog or cat the vet. Nevertheless right now you simply don’t think you can allow to monthly check a pet fitness assurance debit would put on your resources, after all its not like having pet shape indemnity would make the vet bills completely expire, more then possible you would still have to pay the workplace trip.
You might not think you can provide pet shape insurance at the minute but don’t tread away from an agreement, not yet. Looking at a procedure does not mean that you have to stagger away from it. If you are a bright bargain customer there are customs to find pet fitness insurance at a low expense.
If you have more then one pet you doubtless automatically soften for a decrease premium. Much pet vigor insurance companies deal many pet discounts. There is one little knock, a lot of the companies only suggest compound pet discounts if the pets are the same species. In other words if you have two cats that you cover you will pay a decrease premium but if you have a cat and a dog masses of pet wellbeing insurance companies will respect it two completely different accounts.
Are you initial to despair? Don’t anxiety two much, while many companies don’t think pets of secede species ground for a multiple pet disregard a lot of those same companies have a procedure that offers discounts to customers who supply more then procedure with the circle. The multiple procedure lowered regularly takes about ten percent off the full statement but the good bargains shopper can find companies that offer superior discounts all they have to do is being willing to fritter the time to shoe around.
Jason Richards
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/getting-pet-health-insurance-for-cheap-711417.html
Learn more about Ear Mites.
Effective Allergy Relief
Your nose is running, your eyes are itchy and watery and you just want to crawl out of your skin. What you wouldn’t do for effective allergy relief.
There are many different types of allergies and just as many different types of allergy relief products some more effective than others. You’ve probably tried a few over the years and probably had mixed results.
The big problem is not only finding effective allergy relief but also not going broke in the process. It’s not unusual to get soaked a $20 bill for maybe a dozen antihistamine time release pills. That’s expensive.!
You might be surprised to discover that your allergies are because you are actually suffering from food allergies with gluten sensitivity being the most common. We understand if you find it hard to make the leap from grains to allergies but natural medicine has scientifically documented and clinically proven that gluten sensitivity is responsible for many problems other than allergies – IBS, Fibromyalgia, Child hood ear infections which are so commonly treated with antibiotics and tubes, sinusitis, migraines, Celiac disease, arthritis, and asthma.
Another underlying reason for allergies is an immune system that is misfiring and you might be surprised to discover that the number one reason that your immune system is not up to par is toxicity in the body. A good detoxification program and a good immune boosting program and you might be surprised to see your allergies disappear.
According to NIAID one in ten Americans suffers from hay fever and is search of effective allergy relief. The numbers are climbing and the seriousness of the allergies are also climbing. In fact more and more children are being faced with life threatening allergies such as the peanut allergy that is plaguing the country. In fact according to JACI and AAAAI in just five years from 1997 to 2002 it has doubled.
Stop and think back 20 years, heck 10 years what do you recall about peanut allergies? Didn’t hear about them much did you? Ever wondered why? Is it because we are using peanuts in everything which is over stimulating the body’s reaction? Is it because our bodies have become so toxic? It’s not just peanuts but the effective allergy relief for peanuts is generally an EPI Pen after all this is a serious allergy.
These days all of seem to suffer from some type of allergy that we are seeking effective allergy relief for. It seems everything causes allergies these days and I do mean everything – trees, weeds, grasses, pollens, dust, pets, dander, dust mites, foods, gluten, chemicals found in cleaning products, bleach, and well the list could go on and on.
So instead of looking for an effective allergy relief you might want to delve a little deeper and try to figure out what’s changed so much in such a short period of time. Let’s see the trees, grasses, even the dust mites are probably the same as they were a decade ago but what has changed a lot is our exposure to toxins and when our body itself needs to be detoxified we can begin to develop allergies to just about anything.
So besides looking for a temporary effective allergy relief maybe the time has come to dig deeper and find out just what is going on.
Steve Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/effective-allergy-relief-115587.html
Learn more about Ear Mites.
Which Allergy Treatment Should You Use?
Allergies seem to be on the rise for many different reasons. In fact 1 in 3 people will suffer from some type of allergies. If your allergies are severe you may have to see an allergist or an ear, nose, throat specialist but many times you can get your allergies under control on your own.
If you are unsure of what you are allergic to the doctor can perform what is called a skin test which is done by placing a light scratch on you and then injecting a tiny amount of the suspect allergen. If a hive appears it would be assumed you are allergic to that particular allergen which makes it easier for you to form a workable plan to help keep your allergies under control.
Environmental factors have become a big problem causing all kinds of allergic reactions. Sometimes your allergy treatment can be as simple as avoiding the environmental factor you are allergic to which can significantly reduce the number of reactions.
There are many medications that can be used to help treat your allergies. A common allergy treatment might be a decongestant or antihistamine or a combination of the two which can reduce the symptoms. There are many over the counter formulas.
If you are looking for an allergy treatment that is much more natural you will be happy to know that there are some excellent homeopathic and natural medicine formulas worth trying. Many work on boosting the immune system so that it can better handle the allergies without assistance.
Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids are also used. They can be a very useful allergy treatment for airways that are inflamed and corticosteroids are often found in nasal sprays.
Another allergy treatment is the allergy shot which is used for people suffering with allergies in the moderate to severe range. It is frequently used if the substance is almost impossible to avoid or that occurs all year round. They are usually given weekly and contain a small amount of the allergen designed to help build the patients immune system against the allergen.
Each week the amount of allergen is increased slightly and this allergy treatment is generally given over as many as 5 years. This is a very old type of treatment and there may be better ways to accomplish this by simply building ones immune system.
If you are a wine drinker you may be drinking more than just grapes. Your wine might include egg and fish proteins as well as traces of milk. They may also contain traces of nuts, wheat, soybeans, and fish all of which are common allergens and some such as nuts can be very dangerous. The only allergy treatment here may be to avoid your favorite wine. The government is looking to pass legislation so that wine products come with a standard warning – this product may contain traces of…. Many people have food allergies but few would think to look in their wine.
Dust mites are one of the major causes of allergies and asthma. These little creatures are microscopic and found in carpets, upholstery, and bedding. They are even more common in humid and coastal climates. The allergy treatment for this type of allergy can include using HEPA filters, vacuuming frequently, using allergen covers on the mattresses and pillows, and reducing the moisture in the air since dust mites can’t live in dry air.
There are many causes of allergies and the best allergy treatment will depend on the allergy itself. However as a first line of defense why not try natural products which are far less invasive to the body and many work great!
Ramone Stevenson
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/which-allergy-treatment-should-you-use-120831.html
Learn more about Ear Mites.
Common Pet Health Conditions of the Eyes, Ears and Nose – How to Heal These at Home
The way I discovered the material covered in Veterinary Secrets Revealed was by learning from many people. I read books-hundreds of books. I went to seminars and conferences, and still do. I consulted with holistic specialists- Homeopaths, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Massage therapists, Chinese Medicine practitioners and Herbalists.
I tried these remedies on my clients- and they often worked. I recall one of my first clients 15 years ago, a sweet little Jack Russel named Jessie.
Jessie came in to the clinic feeling sick. Blood tests, X-rays and a liver biopsy showed that Jessie had a severe liver disease that was ‘incurable’. I put her on all the conventional medication – It did not help one bit. As she got sicker, I felt helpless as to what to do.
So, I talked to an herbalist. She suggested trying an herb called Milk Thistle. I was skeptical, being a new graduate from Vet school – but I thought, why not try it? My boss thought it was a waste of time and money.
But it worked. Jessie recovered from the liver disease and her blood tests showed normal liver function 3 months later after taking it.
From that moment on, I was hooked. I incorporated alternative medicine into regular veterinary practice.
After treating thousands of pets for a variety of problems, I wrote my book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed.
Jessie is just one example of the many pets I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from. And it is the result of her successful recovery, and so many others that all went into ‘Veterinary Secrets Revealed’. In my book, I tell about every single at home remedy that I have used for every pet health problem imaginable.
Examination and treatment of common conditions of the Eyes, Ears and Nose
The Eyes
The surface of the eye (cornea) should be clear. The middle of the eye (pupil) should respond to light. You can shine a light into your pets’ eyes and see the pupil constrict. The right and left pupils should be equal size.
The lens, which sits behind the pupil, should be clear. If it appears cloudy, then your pet may be developing cataracts. This may be normal for an aging pet, or may be a sign of disease, such as diabetes.
The area around the eye, the white tissue, is called the sclera. It should be a clear white color. In cases of liver disease, it will become yellow (jaundiced).
The pink tissue around the eye is called the conjuctiva; it is normally a light pink color. In infections, it becomes a darker pink and the eyes will produce a white or greenish discharge. There are a number of home remedies to treat conjunctivitis.
TO THE KITCHEN. Tea is more than just a drink. It has a product in it called tannins, which are anti-inflammatory and have antimicrobial properties. Brew up a strong cup of black tea and place 3-4 drops in the affected eye three times daily. It should be made daily to prevent contamination. More details are found in my book.
The Eyelids should be free of any lumps or bumps; older pets commonly develop benign eyelid tumors, which may need removal by your veterinarian.
There should be no discharge from your pets’ eyes; excessive tearing may indicate a blocked tear duct.
The last part of the eyes to examine is the 3rd eyelid. It sits in the corner of the lower eye closest to the nose. It is not usually seen. In cases of conjunctivitis, it may become very red. It contains a gland that can pop out (prolapsed 3rd eyelid gland). This may respond to anti-inflammatory medication or have to be treated surgically.
The Ears
Your pet should not be shaking their head; if they do there may be an ear infection.
The outside of the ear (pinna) should be a light pink and palpate as being flat. Any thickening could indicate an ear infection, allergy or a blood blister in the ear (aural hematoma).
The inside of the ear (ear canal) should be easy to see and free of discharge. A small amount of light yellow discharge is probably normal wax. Any foul smelling odor indicates an infection. A yellowy discharge often indicates a yeast infection. Hard black debris in your cats’ ears likely indicates ear mites. If debris an odor are present, then clean your pets ears.
A safe home remedy involves a 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water. Drop the mixture in the ear canal, rub the base of the ear well to loosen up the debris, then wipe out the excess by placing a cotton ball as deep as you can into the ear canal. Repeat the cleaning until the debris appears removed from the ear. One home remedy involves garlic soaked in olive oil for 12 hours. Remove the garlic clove and apply 5-6 drops into the ear twice daily for 7-10 days. As ear infections are often a result of an allergic reaction, products that modulate your pet’s immune system will help.
Nose
Check for any signs of discharge from the right or left nostril. The occasional clear discharge is normal for some pets, but ongoing discharge indicates a problem, such as an allergy.
Your pet may benefit from a hypoallergenic diet, which can be bought commercially.
Home Allergy Diet for a 50 lb Dog
Boiled white fish or canned tuna 1 cup
Boiled potatoes or Cooked rice 4 cups
Calcium carbonate or Tums 1 teaspoon
Corn Oil 1 tablespoon
Potassium chloride (light salt) 1 teaspoon
One-a-day multivitamin 1 tablet
Mix all ingredients together and divide into equal portions, feeding 2 1/2 cups in the morning and 2 1/2 cups in the evening.
Feline Home Allergy Diet for a 10 lb Cat
Canned Tuna in Fish Oil 1 cup
Cooked White Rice 1 cup
Cod Liver Oil 1 tablespoon
Calcium Carbonate or Tums 1/2 teaspoon
Potassium Chloride 1/4 teaspoon
One-a-day Vitamin 1/2 tablet
Taurine 500mg
Mix all ingredients so they are well blended together. This will make 2 cups of food, enough for 2 days. Feed 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening.
Whatever food you choose, it must be fed for 12 weeks. If after 12 weeks your pet it still scratching, then she probably doesn’t have a food allergy.
Any purulent (thick, whitish) discharge is abnormal and indicates a bacterial infection in the nasal cavity or sinuses.
Feel that air is flowing through both nostrils by placing a hair in front of each nostril. An abnormal growth in the nose can block airflow into the nostril.
The nose may appear dry or wet; a wet nose means that the glands in the nose are producing more fluid. This is not a sign of disease.
The nose and end of the muzzle should be black or light pink. If it becomes inflamed and red, then your pet may have a condition called Collie Nose; this is a localized type of immune problem in which the immune system attacks the end of the nose.
Two simple home remedies involve removing plastic dishes if they are being used for feeding and applying a very safe topical herb, Aloe Vera.
I have over 1 thousand at-home remedies in my book. There are no other comparable Veterinary books out there.
Veterinary Secrets Revealed will provide all the information you need to keep your pet healthy or to improve the health of a sick pet.
In addition, Veterinary Secrets Revealed does it without medical jargon, without complicated procedures, and without an eye on the pharmaceutical companies’ bottom line (yes, we Vets face the same pressures as human doctors.)
Veterinary Secrets Revealed will help your pet.
To Your Pet’s Good Health!
Dr. Andrew Jones
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/common-pet-health-conditions-of-the-eyes-ears-and-nose-how-to-heal-these-at-home-111560.html
Learn more about Ear Mites.
Tips on Common Pet Health Problems
Even though all pets whether they are cats or dogs have their own personalities and traits they have some things in common. Sooner or later all pets will probably end up having fleas, worms or ear mite. There are common problems that occur throughout your pet’s life time. Listed below are some tips that a pet owner might find useful if their pet develops one of these health related problems.
Fleas
Fleas are nasty little critters that can infest your home and make your pets miserable. To rid your pets and home of fleas you must attack them from all sides. To combat fleas you have to make sure that you treat your pets and all indoors and outdoors of your home. You can begin by using a product that prevents the flea pupa from leaving the egg. You can get this type of medicine from your vet. It is usually prescribed in tablet form which is given to your pet once a month. This treatment prevents flea breeding but does not kill fleas.
You will want to also use a product which will kill adult fleas; some type of topical insecticide. These types of products are usually in aerosol form. They work by dissolving into the fatty skin tissue of your pet which means your pet will still be protected after shampooing. Some of these products last up to 3 months. You can also use flea powder and flea collars on your cats and dogs. You should also use a flea spray for your home. Make sure it is the kind of spray that takes care of both adult fleas and their larvae. Most of these types of products last up to 7 months. The most important step is to vacuum thoroughly and often. Vacuuming is very effective and should be done daily.
Worms
A person should have their cats and dogs wormed regularly. The reason for this is that worms carried by cats and dogs can be a health risk to other people and animals. There are many different types of worms and parasites that your pet can be infected with. Since young animals have a lower resistance to infection and unborn pups and kittens can be infected while in their mother’s womb. It is important to start worming pups and kittens at about two weeks of age.
There are different types of worms, including; roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Since all of these types of worms are common in pets it is hard to prevent them from getting infected; but you can control them by worming your pet on a regular treatment schedule. Usually the doses can be giving orally in powder, liquid or tablet form. By using preventive care and making sure that your cat or dog is wormed at least every three to four months you can control infestations.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are very small parasites who infect the ears of cats and dogs and live in the ear canals. Ear mites are highly contagious among animals. Ear mites can be seen using a magnifying glass or by looking at a sample of tissue from the ear under a microscope. These types of parasites are not always easy to see with the naked eye.
Unfortunately, if one of your pets has ear mites then the rest of your pets probably do too. Ear mites easily spread between animals. It is also a good idea to use flea products on their bodies as well, such as flea powder or flea shampoo. Ear mites can be found on other areas of the body besides the ears. It is also recommended that you wash the pet’s bedding. The type of treatment for ear mites depends on how severe the infestation is. Your veterinarian can prescribe ear medications with anti inflammatory ingredients which will give your pet relief. If the ear mites are severe you may need your pet’s ears cleaned along with ear medication.
Today with things such as the cost of medical treatment and veterinarian visits for your pets at an all time high and still increasing; a smart move is to buy pet insurance. This will give you piece of mind and the ability to take care of your four legged family members incase of a medical emergency or injury. You can get pet insurance on older pets too. They don’t have to be puppies or kittens to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.
Karen Corey
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/tips-on-common-pet-health-problems-712190.html
Learn more about Ear Mites.
Dog Health Care Article: How To Avoid A Dog Ear Infection Or Other Canine Ear Problems
In this article, “How To Avoid A Dog Ear Infection Or Other Canine Ear Problems”, we investigate the some causes of ear infections and other related ear problems as well as providing some pratical advice on how to keep your dog’s ear in good working order.
Regular examination of your dogs ears should be another integral part of your grooming routine. Your examination should not only be checking for dirt, excessive wax, offensive odors, but also for tears and swellings. There are three main parts to a dogs ears: the outer flap (the pinna), the ear canal, and the middle or inner ear.
The pinna can either be pendulous (floppy) or erect. It can be covered in long hair in breeds such as spaniels and setters or with short hair in breeds such as shepherds and terriers. The ear canal is L-shaped. It starts of at a vertical angle and then makes a horizontal turn. Because of this shape we can only make a cursory examination. A veterinarian can make a complete examination using a device called an otoscope. Using the otoscope the veterinarian can also check the inner ear.
A dog which shakes its head, scratches or rubs it head against the floor or furniture is indicative of a dog with a possible ear problem. Offensive odors could also be indicative of an ear infection. These as well as tears and swellings on the outer ear should be checked and treated by a veterinarian.
Cleaning of the ear canal can be accomplished by using various solutions. There are cleansing solutions, ear-wax loosening and removal solutions and ear drying solutions available through your veterinarian and pet stores. Before putting anything in your dogs ears, consult with your veterinarian.
If the ear flap is dirty, it can be cleaned with a soft moist cloth or gauze wrapped around a finger tip. Q-tips can be used inside the small outer crevices. Gentleness is essential so as not to cause trauma to the outer ear or cause wax or dirt to be forced down the ear canal. Dogs with excessive hair such as spaniels should have the hair on the underside of the flap removed by trimming it, thus causing adequate ventilation and drainage. A build-up of dirty waxy hair can seal off the ear canal creating an environment suitable for bacterial growth such as yeast infections, or a breeding ground for parasites such as ear mites.
Another good time to check your dogs ears is when you come home from exercising in open fields or in the forest (hunting or tracking). Check for bugs such as ticks and for tears. A good brushing and bathing can remove dirt, bugs and allergens, which can also affect the ears.
Because of the shape of the dogs ears damage to the ear drum is rare but caution should be exercised when cleaning the ears. Again, never put anything in your dogs ears unless advised by your veterinarian and use extreme gentleness when cleaning the ears. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.
Terrie Simpson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-health-care-article-how-to-avoid-a-dog-ear-infection-or-other-canine-ear-problems-748790.html
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External Cat Parasites – Lice, Mites And Mange
External parasites live on a cats skin. They not only cause irritation, but sometimes carry other diseases. As you groom your cat, examine its coat for any evidence of parasites. You want to look carefully for these parasites and see your vet if you find anything unusual. Sometime your cat will scratch to tip you off – othertimes there might be no telltale signs of infection.
Lice are rare in cats and do not spread to humans. Serious infection usually occurs because cats are poorly nourished, neglected and live in unsanitary conditions. Infected cats should be isolated and treated with any of a number of commercial products in the form of dips, sprays or shampoos. Be certain the label states that the product is safe for cats. Always read and follow label directions. Because lice do not live long off the host, a single thorough cleaning of the cats environment should be adequate. Discard vacuum cleaner bags and cleaning rags.
Mange is a general term for parasitic diseases caused by any of several microscopic mites. Signs of mange include excessive shedding, fur loss in patches and bald spots around the eyes, nose or ears. A veterinarian should diagnose and treat a mange infestation as soon as possible.
Cheyetialla mites produce an extensive dry, scaly dust suggestive of dandruff. Other signs include a rash and itching. An affected cat should be isolated from other pets. A dip, powder or shampoo should be used as recommended by a veterinarian. The cats environment should also be treated. In many instances humans are also affected. Treatment by a physician is recommended.
Ear mites are one of the most common ear problems in cats. The mites live on the surface of the skin and pierce the skins surface to feed, causing considerable inflammation and discomfort. The skin-piercing is accompanied by an accumulation of dark brown granular material composed of dried blood and wax within the ear canal.
Scratching the ears, head shaking and brown debris inside the ear are signs of ear mites. If left untreated, ear mites cause serious problems such as secondary bacterial infections, torn and bleeding ear tissues resulting from excessive scratching, and, in extreme cases, loss of hearing.
Cats who spend considerable time outdoors have a greater incidence of mites than those housed inside. Young kittens can get mites from their mother. Although mites are not transmitted to people, they can be transmitted to other household pets. For all mite infections, your veterinarian can provide diagnosis and effective treatment.
Taking your cat to the vet on a regular basis can help prevent or treat these pesky cat parasites.
Tristan Andrews
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/external-cat-parasites-lice-mites-and-mange-93840.html
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