Allergies In Your Canine By Lori Matthews

Just as humans experience an assortment of allergies, many pets, such as a dog may experience an allergy as well. It is agreed among professionals that specialize in the health of dogs, that there are at least five specific allergy types that a dog may experience in their lifetime. Common types of allergies in dogs include food allergy, reactions to fleas, and various forms of bacteria. A dog may also experience allergies that are related to inhaling certain irritants. Then, there are many dogs that may even suffer from allergies related to coming in contact with certain materials such as plastic, certain types of plants, and even grass.

When a dog experiences an allergy, they may display an assortment of symptoms. One of the first signs that a dog owner may recognize is that their pet seems to be scratching a lot. When an allergy occurs, it is quite common for the dog to experience a period of time in which their skin becomes extremely itchy. The next symptom that is often recognized by dog owners when their pet is experiencing an allergy is hair loss. The hair loss may be localized to one spot on the body, or it may occur in patches over the entire body.

As you can see, the skin of a dog usually becomes quite sensitive when an allergy is experienced. Many pet owners will see their dogs licking their paws quite often when an allergy is occurring. This is a natural method that the dog uses in order to soothe the symptoms and discomfort of the allergy that they are experiencing. You may notice that your pet is starting to experience redness, swelling, and rashes on the surface of their skin when they are allergic to something. These symptoms are quite common.

If a pet owner suspects that their dog is experiencing an allergy, the first thing that they should do is research the diet of the dog. There are many ingredients that are used in various types of dog foods that may cause reactions in the pet. Most of these ingredients are included in generic or cheap versions of dog foods. Just as many humans ingest toxins as a result of the way that particular foods are grown or processed, dogs suffer from allergies as a result of foods that are processed and created cheaply in order to sell the product at a discounted price.

The digestive system of the dog is sensitive. It requires key ingredients and nutrients in order to function appropriately. When selecting food for your pet, it is important to select premium foods that are loaded with “real” ingredients that can provide the highest level of nutritional value possible. It is vital to avoid foods that contain products such as wheat and soy. If a dog experiences an allergy associated with generic and/or processed ingredients, they may suffer from some very uncomfortable symptoms.

Apart from skin irritation and discomfort, an allergy related to poorly created food products can cause serious symptoms in a dog. These symptoms include severe vomiting, an increased amount of bowel movements each day that may become painful, and diarrhea, itching in the area of the anus, dehydration, and even seizures. Problems with the ears, such as infection and inflammation, are another common and uncomfortable symptom associated with food allergies in dogs.

If you are a pet owner, there are numerous ways that you can help to prevent allergies in dogs. It is important to ensure that you provide your animal with only the highest quality in foods. A dog should receive food that contains ingredients that are not processed. Having a diet with a high amount of nutrients, vitamins, and important minerals will help to allow your pet to remain healthy.

Certain test can be done at your vet’s office or you may have to go to a specialist. From there, numerous tests can be performed to find the exact issue. Some tests will show certain ingredients in food, ingredients in cleaning products, or dust etc. It may be a process to weed out the exact cause but will be worth it in the long run for the comfort of your pet and your sanity.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=181873&ca=Pets

Gingivitis In Cats By David P Lee

A chronic condition occurring in cats that causes extreme gingivitis and tooth loss is Plasmacytic-Lymphocytic Stomatitis. This disease is usually is a result of another disease. It has been found in cats with Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency. The symptoms are salivating excessively, trouble eating, and a really foul odor in their mouth. Naturally this soreness in their mouth causes them not to eat and they lose weight rapidly.

Severe gingivitis around the back upper molars is found upon examining the mouth, and the gums will appear raw, red and easy to bleed. Untreated, the gums will recede as the tooth root becomes absorbed, thereby causing tooth loss or breakage. Lymphocytes and plasma cells are found in biopsies of such areas, this gives the disease its name. Bacterial infections have a higher than normal breeding ground with the inflammation of tissue. Whenever there is a chronic inflammation and results in secondary infections, these cells are present and can lead to a bacterial infection in the blood stream. Other organs, such as the liver, kidneys and heart can be affected, by such an infection.

Essential to beginning any treatment, a careful cleaning under anesthesia, while cleaning below the gum line with a long acting good quality disinfectant gel is vital. Temporary relief while keeping bacterial infection from worsening the gums is provided by the use of antibiotics. Although, this is not long-term answer, a variety of treatments has been tested such as anti-inflammatory therapy with cortisone and immunostimulants such as immunoregulin.

The only long term treatment that seems to relieve the symptoms and get the cat back to good health is removing the premolars and molars. In the meantime while trying to get the cat back to a healthy animal there are several high calorie, nutritional cat foods on the market that are soft and require very little chewing. Due to the nature of this disease cats are quite reluctant to eat as they are in severe pain. It is imperative that they get nutrition.

Sadly response to treatment for this disease is very poor. Prevention is the best way to avoid chronic gingivitis. Calicivirus seems to be a factor that contributes to this disease, so it is of the utmost importance that upper respiratory infections in the household be controlled. Kittens should receive vaccinations for this disease at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks. They should be kept away from other cats and kittens until this series of vaccinations are completed. All other cats should be kept up to date on their vaccinations. Tests should be done routinely for FIV and feline leukemia. If any cat tests positive they should immediately be removed and isolated from the other cats.

In 1997, two new products became available, designed especially for preventing and controlling gingivitis and tartar. Hills, TD feature a dry food that aids in fighting the build up of tartar and plaque. Vrx pharmaceuticals, Chews feature a freeze-dried fish food that has antibacterial enzymes which offers an abrasive cleaning action while fighting gingivitis. These products are obtainable from your veterinarian. Such products are an essential key in preventing feline chronic gingivitis, thereby keeping you cat from tooth loss and keeping your cat from getting such a painful and life threatening disease.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=181025&ca=Pets

A Pet In Your Life By Jean DAndrea

I can't imagine a life without pets: can you? Even when I was a child, there were always animals around. Perhaps just a goldfish, or a rabbit, but animals just the same.

Pets are great for teaching children how to care for something properly. Of course, you'll have to make sure the child keeps up the care after the novelty wears off! It's good to get them to be responsible, and a pet is, after all, another life. That's a huge responsibility!

Pets will also teach your child about mortality. It's heartbreaking when a much loved pet dies, or has to be put down, but that's also a lesson best learned early. I remember being very upset at five, when Snowy, my rabbit, died. We buried her in the garden, and said our goodbyes - a good way to teach a child closure.

Many hospitals and retirement homes now have pets, either resident or visiting. They are great therapy for the patients, calming them, and giving them an interest in life. Sometimes the animal visitors are the only reason a patient will speak!

You may find, when you go to a Doctor or Dentist, that there is a tank of fish in the waiting room. Not just for decoration - it's been found to be very relaxing. Personally, I get very uptight visiting the dentist. Watching fish swimming peacefully in their own little world does help me to cope with the thought of that drill and those horrible instruments.....

Pets often have personalities of their own, and are very rewarding to watch and interact with. At the moment, I have two hens, who love to be let out of their pen into the garden. They are currently redesigning (i.e. wrecking) everything to their own satisfaction, unfortunate for the plants, but the hens are having a terrific time! They're particularly fond of snails, and will steal them from each other with alacrity.

I also have an ageing cat, Tia, who believes she owns the house, and me, her slave! When I'm working in my study, Tia will come and meow continuously at me to come and let her out. All very well, however, she has a perfectly adequate cat door, and is very capable of letting herself out. She just prefers my attention and door opening abilities. Just call me a cat valet!

You've heard the saying, 'Dogs come when you call, cats take a message, and might get back to you'? Well, that just about covers it!

I don't have a dog now, but they are completely different in personality to cats - they want to be with you, and be your friend all the time, whereas cats choose their moments, and your moment had better suit them! Don't know what that makes me, but I much prefer cats - perhaps I'm an independant person too?

Whichever animal you choose to have in your home and your life, they will bring you much pleasure. Sure, there is some work involved in having a pet, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In my opinion, of course, but then, I'm a pet lover, and have been all my life.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=115830&ca=Pets