What Are You Feeding You Pets?

Here is a message about what you are feeding your pets.

We are assuming that you have graduated from the super market brands to the premium foods
that don't have artificial preservatives and by products. Food that have real meat as the first ingredient,
not meat or chicken meal.

Keep in mind what ever premium brand you are feeding that most are cooked at high temperatures which
destroys most of the nutritional value of the food.

One of the exceptions to this high temperature method is Flint River Ranch natural dog and cat foods which is cooked slowly at very low temperatures.

We at Happy Tales Pets recommend that you supplement your pets' diets with NuVet Plus . NuVet has all the nutrients you pet need to stay healthy and helps resolve many issues with it's immune system boosting ingredients. We use this supplement with our long haired cats, yellow lab and golden retrievers. When visiting the NuVet Labs site make sure you use 66819 as your ordering code.



Brought to you by Happy Tales Pets  distributors for
NuVet and Flint River Ranch

Your Dog or Cat is Vomiting - Natural Remedies

If your dog or cat is vomiting, you are wondering a few things. Is this serious? Is there anything safe that I can give my dog or cat to stop the vomiting now? In this article I’ll go into the detailed signs, and most common causes of vomiting in our pets. You’ll see how to distinguish between vomiting and regurgitation, and then assess whether or not it’s OK to treat your pet at home, or go to the veterinarian. Lastly you’ll find the my most effective at home remedies.

The first sign in many pets is nausea (drooling, increased licking and swallowing), followed by the vomiting with retching and contractions of the stomach. Additional signs include: abdominal pain, decreased appetite, weakness and lethargy. Often the vomited contents are frothy, with a dark yellowish tinge of bile, and occasional specks of blood. This is an indication that the stomach is irritated (ie gastritis) secondary to something your pet has reacted to, such as garbage, a plant or veterinary medication.

Vomiting can be chronic, such as the cat which throws up hair balls once a week, or acute and occurring every few hours. In general, sudden or acute vomiting is more serious, and warrants a veterinary visit if it persists for more than a few hours.

The list is large, although the most common cause is garbage gut. Your pet consumes something he should not have, resulting in vomiting. Other causes include: medications, parasites, food allergies, liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, cancer, infectious causes (parvovirus), metabolic disorders (thyroid disease or diabetes), physical obstructions (a ball or a bone), and primary motility disorders (the stomach doesn’t contract normally).

It is an important clinical distinction that most clients are not even aware of- differentiate between vomiting and regurgitation. Vomiting is active in which there is retching, gagging, and then your pet’s body throws up the stomach contents. Regurgitation on the other hand, is very passive. The food will sit in your pet’s esophagus until it passively comes out at some time.
Most pet owners think they are there one of the same. The most common cause of regurgitation in dogs is megaesophagus (enlarged esophagus). While occasional vomiting can be normal, frequent bouts of vomiting mean your pet should be seen by a veterinarian.

If your pet is vomiting persistently and unable to retain even water, wait no longer than 24 hours before you take your pet to your veterinarian. This indicates a severe problem such as an obstruction that needs to be treated with IV fluids and possibly surgery. If your pet is still drinking and only intermittently vomiting, you can try some of these home remedies.

A 24 hour fast is the most important thing you can do to allow your pet’s inflamed stomach to heal. Allow access to controlled amounts of water, but no food. After 24 hours offer bland food such as plain cooked white rice; give equivalent amounts of rice as you do dog or cat food. After 48 hours mix their regular food with rice and do not switch fully back to regular food until after 72 hours.

Drinking is important in vomiting pets, but in moderation. Do not let your dog lap up a huge bowl full of water all at once. Give it to her in smaller quantities spaced throughout the day. You can also offer ice cubes. This may encourage drinking in animals reluctant to drink. It is important to animal continues to drink to avoid dehydration.

Peppermint Tea is an old remedy used for upset stomachs in people. Brew up a strong cup of tea, but allow it to cool before offering it. Give your dog 1/4 cup per 10 lbs of body weight three times daily, give your cat 1 tablespoon three times daily.

Ginger is a tasty addition to a curry, and it is also effective for vomiting. The dried herb dose is 25 mg per lb of body weight or 1 drop per lb twice daily of the tincture. Ginger Tea is another option; peel inch section of ginger root, cut into small slices, and boil in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Give your dog or cat 1 teaspoon per 10lbs twice daily.

An easy way to treat hairballs and vomiting in cats is by using petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Place 1/4 inch in his mouth. If he is uncooperative, then you can place it on his front paws. Use twice daily for 5 days. Tastier versions are available from pet supply stores, such as Felaxin and Laxatone. These are flavored with added nutrients to make the petroleum jelly go down easier.

One homeopathic in particular has helped my pets, along with countless of other clients dogs and cats. It is called Arsenicum, and it is the major remedy for Garbage Gut and food poisoning. Dose 30C every 2 hours for 1- 2 days.

For dogs and cats with chronic vomiting, I strongly recommend a diet change. Preferably switch to a hypoallergenic food or homemade allergy diet. At the very least, change to a premium quality food. I find that some pets respond to a more natural diet, such as Innova, Flint River Ranch or California Natural. Alternately and in addition NuVet Plus helps with many health issues without allergic reactions

Now you should have a good understanding of the common signs and causes of dog and cat vomiting. You should be able to distinguish between vomiting and regurgitation, deciding if it is an active or passive motion. If your pet is only intermittently vomiting, and able to keep some water down, then you can consider treating them at home. Some of the more important remedies include the 24 hour fast, peppermint tea, ginger, petroleum jelly and the homeopathic Arsenicum.

Brought to you by Tania Lawson

Authorized distrbutor for NuVet Plus all natural immune booster for your pets.

www.NuVet.com/66819     the code gives you my discount.

Boost Your Pet's Immune System

Boost your pet's immune system with proven, all natural NuVet Plus for cats and dogs
Nuvet Plus is made with all the ingredients needed for a happy healthy dog or cat. You
will be amazed at how glossy your pets fur will get and how healthy their skin will be.
Say Good-Bye to allergic skin conditions, dripping eyes and more.
Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied!
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You will get additional savings when you start an auto ship program which you can change at any time.

Another Pet Food Recall

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Pet Food Recall
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Los Angeles-based Arthur Dogswell LLC is voluntarily recalling 1,051 cartons of its Catswell brand VitaKitty Chicken Breast with Flaxseed and Vitamins treats because the product could contain propylene glycol from glycerin found in a vitamin E supplement used during manufacturing.

Propylene glycol in high levels causes anemia in cats. No illnesses have been reported.

Recalled VitaKitty chicken jerky treats packaging
The recalled VitaKitty treats were distributed from April 13 through June 14, 2012.

The VitaKitty cartons in question were distributed nationwide via retail and mail order outlets from April 13 through June 14, 2012.

The recalled jerky treats were packaged in a resealable 2-ounce orange plastic bag with a clear window.

The lot codes, found on the back side of each package, include:

•SEW12CH032701/03c with a best before date of 9/10/13
•SEW12CH032702/03c with a best before date of 9/11/13

The recall followed a routine surveillance sample collected by Dogswell and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“We are taking this voluntary action because it is in the best interests of our customers and their feline companions,” said Marco Giannini, the company’s CEO and founder.

Customers with recalled VitaKitty treats should return it to the store for a full refund. Online retailers should be contacted for information about return and refund policies.

Anyone with questions may contact Dogswell at 888-559-8833 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday

I recommend Flint River Ranch  http://www.FlintRiverRanchStore.com
and NuVet Plus Immune Booster http://www.NuVet.com/66819

Cat and Dog Chest Injury

Here is what you should know about chest injuries..
CALL THE VET IMMEDIATELY. The chest is well protected by the ribs, but small
dogs and cats are especially vulnerable to serious punctures that go into
the lungs.
ASSESS BREATHING. If your pet has her neck stretched out, and is taking
deep labored breaths, be concerned about a puncture extending into the
lungs. The condition in which the lungs collapse is called pneumothorax,
and this requires immediate care. Your veterinarian has to place a needle
into the chest and remove the pressure so that the lungs can begin to work again.
CONTROL BLEEDING. If there is significant bleeding, stop it. I seldom see
this in external chest wounds. The easiest way is to place a gauze square
or sanitary napkin over the wound and apply pressure for 5 minutes. If it
soaks through add another pad on top of the original one.
SHOCK. Any serious chest wound can lead to shock. Wrap your pet
in a blanket to keep him warm, place a few drops of honey in his
gums, and get to your vet ASAP. There are more details on shock on page.
WOUND CARE. Every chest wound should first be covered. If you can hear
a "sucking" noise, then the wound goes into the lungs. First cover the
wound with a large amount of K-Y jelly. Then wrap the wound and K-Y jelly
with Saran Wrap. This will seal the wound and prevent further air from
entering the lung cavity. This may give your pet the extra time you need
to rush to the vet and receive emergency treatment.
www.happytalespets.com
www.nuvet.com/66819
www.flintriverranchstore.com

Ear Infections

3 Remedies that YOU can use now for ear infections
-----------------------------------------------

Healing oils are especially helpful if your dog’s ears are inflamed and difficult to touch. You can use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil combined with 1 capsule of Vitamin E and crushed garlic. Insert that into your pets ear. Let it soak for 5 minutes, then rub the base of the ear well and wipe out excess debris with a cotton ball. The garlic is anti-fungal, so often helps with recurring ear infections.

A common remedy most pet owners have around their home are antihistamines. Benadryl is the most commonly used antihistamine. It is given at a dose of 1 mg per pound of body weight, 2-3 times a day. It is best to consult your veterinarian before using these medications. It often takes 14 days of using these to see if they are helping.

Most ear infections produce red, inflamed ears, so it is important to decrease the inflammation. Aloe and Calendula can be applied topically in the ears twice daily to decrease inflammation. These have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and in many cases successfully resolve the ear infection.

We recommend NuVet Plus to prevent ear infections 

www.happytalespets.com

Ringworm

Ringworm...

It is difficult to treat, and of BIG concern to me are the toxicity of the treatments.
I have seen cats become seriously sick, and nearly die being on one of the primary conventional medications, Griseofulvicin.
You need to be aware of the potential toxicity of "traditional" medication and be aware of the alternatives.
-------------------------------------
What is it?
-------------------------------------
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection of the skin, caused by Microsporum canis.
It is not caused by a worm.
It is spread from person to person, from animal to person, or indirectly from contaminated objects.
Ringworm infects three sites: scalp, body and nails.
Ringworm is typically seen in young dogs and cats.
Diseases or medications that suppress the immune system generally make your pet more susceptible to ringworm.
Typical lesions are circular areas of hair loss (alopecia) on the hair coat; however, any change in the hair coat and/or skin may be consistent with ringworm.
The affected skin often appears scaly and inflamed.
Some pets suffer from severe skin disease while others have minor lesions, or even none at all.
What to Watch For
Circular areas of hair loss (alopecia)
Scaly and inflamed skin
--------------------
Diagnosis
--------------------
Ringworm often looks similar to other skin diseases, so it is difficult to diagnose based on skin appearance alone. Your veterinarian will run diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of the fungus. Some of these test may include:
Laboratory tests to include a complete blood count, biochemical profile, and urinalysis if immune suppression is a suspected underlying cause of the ringworm A fungal culture to provide positive identification
Woods lamp examination. If the area fluoresces under the light, ringworm is suspected. However, culture is still strongly recommended. A negative fluorescence does not rule out ringworm, as several species of the ringworm do not fluoresce.

Microscopic examination of hairs
---------------------------
Treatment
---------------------------
The treatment for ringworm can be both frustrating and expensive, especially in a multi-pet household.
Treating both your pet and the environment are of equal importance.
Many pets will resolve an infection spontaneously over several months, but treatment generally expedites cure and helps reduce environmental contamination.
Nevertheless, some infections can persist.
TOPICAL ANTISEPTIC SCRUBS. Hibitane (chlorhexadine) is a very effective topical antiseptic useful in cleaning the affected area. Purchase it at any pharmacy. Wash the area twice daily.
NEEM. This is a herb called Azadirachta indica, with antifungal and antiseptic qualities. The tincture of the herb can be applied topically twice daily to speed up healing.
CALENDULA and ALOE VERA. These two herbs are both effective at giving symptomatic relief to
inflamed skin. Either the tincture or a cream can be applied twice daily.
VINEGAR. Although it smells bad, it is an effective antifungal treatment. Wipe the affected area twice daily.

Find these ingredients at www.IHerb.com and use coupon code SOH771 for discounts

boost your pet's immune system with NuVet Plus from www.nuvet.com/66819

How To Stop Excessive Dog Barking

Dog barking is a very common behavior problem that causes serious grief for pet owners. It irritates the neighbors, scares away the postman, leads to neighborhood unrest, and occasionally lawsuits. In this article you will learn why dogs bark and the causes of inappropriate barking. You will find why the debarking surgery is never advised and is considered unethical. I will advise you on what not to do, then you will find the most important solutions to quickly stopping your dog’s barking at home.

Barking is a completely normal behavior; great for dog communication, guarding and protecting, but a big problem when it happens too much. Finding the cause of the excessive barking is key, as we can focus on this as well to help eliminate the problem barking. Some of the common dog barking reasons: play, giving a warning, from anxiety or fear, in response to the door bell, to keep visitors of your property, or in some cases just boredom. Some dogs will bark in confined spaces ( ie a kennel), being outside in response to other dogs, or just in response to environmental noise ( ie cars, people talking etc.).

Debarking,or ventriculocordectomy is a veterinary procedure in which the dog’s vocal chords are surgically removed. The procedure is outlawed as a form of mutilation in the United Kingdom and all countries that have signed the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. The surgery carries risks, such as anesthesia, excessive bleeding, secondary infections and proliferation of scar tissue obstructing the airway. Barking is how dogs communicate, and this procedure deprives them of this basic means of expression. I fully agree with the European ban on debarking surgery, and advise that you never consider this unethical procedure as an option for your dog.

So what should you not do that most people do?

First quit yelling at your dog to ‘Stop Barking’ or ‘Be Quiet’; in fact this may actually lead to more barking. Your dog is getting attention when he barks, and some dogs find that this attention is better than non at all. Shock collars are painful, and can actually make your dog more aggressive toward the person or other dog that they may be barking at. Do not give your dog positive attention immediately after barking, such as saying ‘good dog’ when he finally comes after calling him for 10 times.

What works then to stop your dog from barking?

The most important way to start is to go back to dog training basics and teach your dog to come when called. Start when you can almost guarantee that your dog will come, not when they are barking. Begin anywhere with no other distractions, and use tasty treats as a positive reward. Always ensure that positive reward is given every time your dog comes when called, never anything negative. If your dog runs out after a neighbor barking, and will not come, go get him as opposed to calling to come at first. You want to set it up that every time you call, he comes, and then gets rewarded with positive attention, petting, and a treat.

The next step in using training to stop barking is to call your dog to come when they are barking. When he comes, give him positive attention and a treat; you want to pet him which will lower his anxiety, decreasing adrenalin which is part of the cause of the barking. Keep the pattern of call, come, praise give a treat, and pet him consistently every time there is barking you want to stop.

Keep your dog away from the places where he barks- in other words set him up for success. If your dog constantly barks when you leave him outside, then avoid these triggers by keeping him inside, especially while you are retraining. If the barking is in response to your doorbell, then remove the doorbell. Make it a priority to never let your dog bark constantly while being outside, and if the come when called command isn’t working, immediately bring your dog inside.

Adequate exercise is one of the big keys to resolving many canine behavioral problems; this gives your dog a purpose, and allows them to better regulate their own emotions. Incorporate the come when called training command while walking, and make it a priority to exercise your dog for at least 30 minutes twice a day. Have them retrieve or run as this elevated heart rate helps produce the calming, sedating hormones that can lead to less barking.

Bark spray collars, such as the citronella spray collar, can be helpful if your dog resists training, and is outside unsupervised for short periods of time (and still barks). The collar emits a spray of non toxic citronella in response to the noise of the barking, and causes most dogs to immediately stop. Some of the problem dogs at the animal shelter adjacent to my veterinary practice responded well to the citronella collar; it stopped their barking at the grumpy neighbor, and did not make them in any way aggressive ( except of course to that grumpy neighbor).

A type of therapeutic touch, called Tellington Touch may help your barking dog. The most effective area is the ear. Gently hold the ear flap between your thumb and forefinger. Gently stroke from the base of the ear to the ear tip; repeat the motion several times covering different sections of the ear. Use the same fingers to draw tiny circles at the base of the ear. Try both of the techniques on your dog when he is calm. If he reacts well, then try it the next time he is barking.

There are a number of over the counter anti-anxiety supplements. The most popular one is one called Calm Pet, which contains Melatonin, Kava Kava, St John’s Wort, Valerian and Chamomile. Use as directed on the label. Bach Rescue Remedy is a very safe alternative medication that may calm your anxious pet. Place 4 drops on your pet’s gums prior to leaving.

Dog barking really can be controlled, especially when you understand why your dog is barking. The causes are varied, but ultimately you must accept that it is a normal dog way of communicating; your dog just needs to bark when it’s appropriate. Debarking or ventriculocordectomy is a dated unethical veterinary surgery that can cause harm and should never be considered as an option. Go back to basic training, starting with teaching your dog to come when called. Consider the use of a citronella spray collar if your dog is outside unsupervised, then look at trying some of the holistic anti-bark options in conjunction with training.

Dr Andrew Jones, DVM

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http://www.thenaturalpetsplace.com

Cat Vaccines Pros and Cons

This article will help you understand what cat vaccines are; you will find some of the reasons for vaccination. I will go over the new cat vaccine recommendations by AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners), and share my suggested vaccine protocol. I’ll reveal the chief alternative to vaccines, and highlight the current risks associated with feline vaccination. Ultimately the decision to vaccinate your cat can have serious implications, and I suggest that you carefully read this article, making an informed decision that is fully discussed with your veterinarian.

Vaccinations have their effect by stimulating your pet’s immune system; their primary benefit being to protect against infectious disease. Vaccines cause the immune system to produce a type of immunity called humoral immunity. This type of immunity is the protection with small protein substances called antibodies. Antibodies attach to so called pathogens (ie viruses) to disable them, preventing them from replicating and doing harm to your cat.

In the past, the conventional approach was to get annual ‘booster shots’; the primary thought was that vaccines only provided immunity for approximately 1 year. For decades the practice of going to the vet to get ‘annual shots’ has been maintained, although lately, times have changed. A number of scientific studies have shown most feline vaccines give immunity for several years. These include the core vaccines such as feline panleukopenia ( feline distemper), and feline herpes virus vaccine which have been traditionally given every year. New vaccine guidelines advise giving most feline vaccines every 3 years following the series of kitten boosters.

Vaccine risks are many and varied; they are underreported by veterinarians. These include acute, or short term effects of lethargy, pain at injection site, lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever. Then there are the serious side effects of sudden vomiting, seizures, respiratory distress, and collapse. Immune mediated diseases can occur, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, allergic skin disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney failure, and neurologic conditions. Lastly there are links with vaccines and cancer, such as leukemia, and vaccine induced sarcoma in cats. This is best explained via the immune system responding inappropriately. Your cat’s immune system can turn and attack itself, such as in autoimmune disease, or react at the injection site causing vaccine induced cancer. It is a long list of potential problems.

A safer way to make the decision on if you should be re-vaccinating your cat, and be made by assessing your cat’s antibody levels with titers. These titers when measured at a certain level give a good indication if your cat has adequate antibodies to be protected against feline panleukopenia, feline herpes virus, and rabies. Following the series of kitten boosters, antibody titers are a good way to see if your cat is in need of revaccination.

Homeopathic nosodes are the main alternatives to vaccines. Nosodes carry the mirror image of the disease; these are miniscule amounts. Nosodes sensitize your cat’s immune system and helps it get ready to defend it against the disease. Homeopathic nosodes are very safe, with virtually no side effects, but the actual effectiveness has come into question. The cat owners that use them claim they seem to offer some level of protection by lowering the severity of these diseases if your cat is exposed to these infections. The specific vaccine regimen I advise is based in my own research and experience in veterinary practice.

Kittens only are in need of a series of two vaccine boosters, one at 8 weeks then repeated at 12 weeks. The most critical time to prevent transmissible infectious disease in kittens is while they are young. Preferably in small kittens I suggest to wait until 12 weeks. If not legally required, I suggest delaying giving the Rabies vaccine until 6 months. Kittens should be vaccinated for the respiratory viruses and Panleukopenia (FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) (MLV). Feline Leukemia (KILLED) vaccine should only be given to ‘high risk’ cats – those in multi-cat households or outdoor cats surrounded by a large cat population. Give Rabies vaccine (KILLED) at 6 months. Ensure that the vaccines are given in the subcutaneous tissue on the lateral sides of the right and left legs.

Currently I do not advise vaccinations for FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), Feline Bordetella, FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and limited use of Feline Leukemia vaccine in Cats. My current advice is to give the feline vaccines at 1 year, then every 3 years until the age of 10. As new research progresses, this may even become more infrequent.

Cat vaccination is an issue fraught with controversy; there are a large number of conflicting opinions. Vaccines offer real benefits, but unfortunately risks, such as short term not eating/drinking, to serious diseases such as vaccine induced cancer in cats. Fortunately organizations such as AAFP are now advising longer intervals between feline vaccines, although the frequency and number of vaccines is being debated. You should look a my suggested vaccine protocol, and educate yourself as much as possible about the cat vaccines and cat diseases where you live. It is your responsibility to make the decision about vaccines for your cat; your veterinarian should be making this decision in conjunction with you. A path to health in your cat should involve a diet high in nutrition: fresh food, fatty acid supplements, some raw meat and minimal carbohydrate. Avoid disease in your cat by boosting your pet’s immune system with increased exercise, and lots of positive interaction by you spending quality time with your cat.

Dr Andrew Jones, DVM

Suggested Immune Boosters By Happy Tales Pets

www.happytalespets.com/nuvetstore.com

Hyperthyroidism in Cats - Natural Treatments

If you have an older cat with increased appetite, but also with weight loss then they likely have hyperthyroidism. This is a very common cat disease, primarily affecting middle aged to older cats. In this article I will explain what hyperthyroidism is, going over the most common signs and causes. I will then cover your options for treatment, including the most effective natural solutions.

This is a disease that occurs only in cats. Your cat will usually be over the age of 10. She will have an increased appetite, but will be losing weight. Her coat will be sparse. She may be urinating more often. She will have evidence of muscle loss. You may be able to feel an enlarged thyroid gland beside her Adam’s apple. Her heart rate will be elevated (greater than 200 beats per minute).

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland enlarges and produces an excess of thyroid hormone. This speeds up your cat’s entire metabolism, producing the signs of weight loss, increased appetite, elevated heart rate and often high blood pressure.

The disease is diagnosed based on a veterinary exam, and in many instances enlarged thyroid glands can be palpated on either side of your cat’s trachea (windpipe). High heart rate, and elevated blood pressure point towards hyperthyroid disease. A chemistry panel measuring thyroid hormone (T4) can confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.

One of the safest and most effective ways to treat your hyperthyroid cat is with radioactive iodine. Your cat will be given one dose of radioactive Iodine that selectively targets the abnormal thyroid cells. It requires a specialized licensed facility, and can only be performed at a few referral practitioners.

Surgery is a potential option, but based on the risks of hypocalcemia, and anesthetic concerns in older cats, it is seldom performed.

Most cats are treated with a conventional medication called methimazole, but the medication has drawbacks. First medication must be given at least daily, usually twice a day- and this can be a challenge. 15% of cats have some type of side effect, typically GI ( vomiting, diarrhea, innapetance). Some can have allergic type reactions ( ie facial scratching). A small percent will have serious liver disease, and some can have their bone marrow affected ( this happens in 2-4% of cats on medication).

Carnitine is a supplement that has been found to be effective in reversing the signs of hyperthyroid disease in people. The starting cat dose is 250 mg a day.

Bugleweed Lycopus europeus) and Melissa (Melissa officinalis). These are two herbs that have been used in combination to combat the effects of hyperthyroid disease. Bugleweed has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels in rats 24 hours after administration. The standard dose is 1 drop per lb of body weight of the tinctures given twice daily.

Nat Mur is a homeopathic used for thyroid hormone reduction. Alternate practitioners’ favor Nat Mur 30C as the remedy of choice. In fact a clinical trial with this homeopathic gave impressive results, treating the hyperthyroidism in many of the cats. Give 1 tab every 12 hours and assess the response after 30 days.

This very common cat disease, hyperthyroidism, has some fairly classic signs of increased appetite, with accompanied weight loss that all cat owners should be aware of. The cause is due to overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland, and the diagnosis is fairly simple with a blood test measuring T4. There are 3 primary conventional treatments, but the most common one ( a drug called methimazole), produces side effects in 15% of cats, some very serious. Fortunately there are a few specific holistic options for you to consider, and they have helped many a hyperthyroid cat.

Dr Andrew Jones

Buy your herbal supplies at www.IHerb.com and use coupon code SOH771 and get $5-$10 off.

Keep your pet healthy with NuVet Plus Immune System Booster www.nuvet.com/66819

When Your Pet Dies At The Vet

When pets die at the vet.

By Laura Parker, USA TODAY

The patient had dental surgery, there were complications, and he died. Now his family members are accusing the doctor of negligence and claiming that the episode caused them emotional distress.


It's a typical medical malpractice case -- except in this 3-year-old dispute, the patient was a sheepdog named Lucky.

Barry Silver, the attorney for Lucky's owners, says that when the case goes to trial this year in Broward County, Fla., he intends to ask jurors to award hundreds of thousands of dollars to the dog's owners, Adam Riff and his mother, Ellen.

If Silver is successful, Lucky's case would join a series of recent court decisions that essentially have treated animals as human under the law. In a reflection of the special place that pets have come to hold in Americans' hearts, U.S. courts are bucking centuries of legal decisions that have defined animals as property.

In recent years, courts in New York, Maryland and Texas have resolved custody disputes involving pets by deciding what's best for the pet. Judges in 25 states have administered financial trusts set up in pets' names.

And as Lucky's case indicates, there has been another turn in animal law: Courts have begun to take claims of veterinary malpractice seriously.

Since 1997, courts in Kentucky and California have awarded damages to pet owners for loss of companionship, emotional distress and other factors that go beyond the way courts have long assessed animals' worth: by their market value.

That's the standard the Riffs are challenging in their lawsuit against the Welleby Veterinary Center in Broward County.

"I loved Lucky like he was my son, my little boy," says Adam Riff, 26, an Internet marketing salesman.

So for Riff, it was painful to hear an opposing lawyer's argument to a judge, during an unsuccessful attempt to get the lawsuit dismissed, that Lucky "had depreciated" in the eight years after Riff had bought him for $300.

"Like a car," Riff says.

Veterinary malpractice cases have not involved the staggering sums that can be associated with claims against doctors who treat humans.

The largest judgment in favor of a pet owner has been $39,000, which a jury in Orange County, Calif., awarded last year to Marc Bluestone.

His mutt, Shane, died of liver failure after a misdiagnosis. In a verdict that is being appealed by the vet, the jury awarded Bluestone $30,000 for the dog's "unique value" to his owner, and $9,000 for vet bills.

Treating pets like humans

Critics of such judgments sound much like those who warn that multimillion-dollar medical malpractice verdicts for human patients are driving up the cost of health care.

Richard Cupp, a Pepperdine University law professor, says that if courts routinely start to award emotional damages to pet owners, veterinary care will cost more, leading to "more suffering" among pets because "fewer pets will get sent to the vet."

He also fears the movement to treat pets more like humans under the law could lead to an avalanche of far-fetched animal rights lawsuits, such as claims on behalf of beef cattle headed for slaughter or monkeys used in medical research.

The emergence of veterinary malpractice lawsuits is driven not just by Americans' deep emotional bonds with their pets but also by advances in veterinary medicine that have raised expectations that pets will live longer.

The USA's 64 million pet owners now spend more than $18 billion a year on pet health care, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, which says that the owner of a typical American dog will spend $11,500 on the animal during its lifetime -- half of it on medical care. Pet hospitals now have specialists such as cardiologists, neurologists and oncologists.

Steve Wise, a Boston lawyer who has taught animal law at Harvard Law School, notes that veterinarians who help to foster the attachment between owner and pet also benefit financially from it.

"For a vet to charge $1,000 to do a procedure on a dog who has a market value of $10, the only reason anyone would consider paying it is, they don't care what the market value is," Wise says.

Duane Flemming, a veterinarian, lawyer and past president of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, says vets who promote the emotional bond between owner and pet are hard-pressed to go to court and claim the animal had little value.

"It's a hypocrisy to say, 'Spend more money on animals because they are worth more,' and then not be willing to award more when there's a loss," he says.

Flemming, who practices in Concord, Calif., is an ophthalmologist who says he once performed eye surgery on a one-legged duck.

"You used to go to the vet and get a bill for $20," he says. "Now you go ... and you've got an $18,000 bill. If your dog died, the only possible explanation is that someone did something wrong."

In Houston, Fritz the (late) Persian cat was a patient at an animal hospital that has so many specialists it has an entire wing for aviary care.

"They run out with a gurney and put the animal on" it, says Jeffrey Dorrell, a Houston lawyer who is suing Gulf Coast Veterinary Internists on Fritz's behalf. "It's almost theater. They deliberately raise expectations with the magnificence of their facility."

Fritz was diagnosed with pancreatitis and a cancerous mass in late 2002, the lawsuit says. Gulf Coast vets wanted to treat the pancreatitis first. Two months and many procedures later -- including a failed effort to help Fritz gain weight -- the tab topped $7,800, the lawsuit says. Then Fritz's owner, Jennifer Beegle, was told to take him home to die.

'Nothing to do' with fee

"The case has nothing to do with what they charged us, although my father is a retired physician, and I will tell you, you pay more to have an MRI done for your animal than what would be charged at the very finest hospital for a human being," she says.

Beegle is seeking a refund of her vet fees. At Gulf Coast, she says, "I saw grown men sobbing and pulling out three and four credit cards. Luckily, my parents had a $50,000 limit on their card. That was the first thing I was asked: What was the limit on my credit card?"

But Beegle, 36, says she would have paid more to save Fritz. She also says she wishes someone would have told her upfront that Fritz should have been put to sleep. "If he was not able to be saved, I never would have put him through this," she says. "I am suing them because he suffered. He had feelings. They will not profit off my cat's pain."

Gulf Coast's attorney, David Knight, says his clients dispute nearly all of Beegle's allegations. He says the conversation about the credit card limit never occurred.

Knight also says the vets who treated Fritz gave "appropriate care under the circumstances, consistent with the appropriate standards of care."

Dorrell, who plans to begin taking depositions this month, says he expects the case to be just as complex as a human malpractice case.

There are other parallels between veterinary malpractice and malpractice cases involving human patients.

Like doctors who treat people, vets express concern that lawsuits will drive up the cost of their malpractice insurance. So far, though, the price of vets' insurance has been stable for a decade, usually at less than $200 a month.

The parallels have not been lost on Dan Bachi, the lawyer representing vets Jeffrey Sands and John Willie in the Florida case involving Lucky the sheepdog.

"If society is at a point where we need to limit damages to people, should we as a society be awarding money for the loss of pets?" Bachi asks.

"And where do you draw the line? Is it dogs, cats? Is it horses? Is it frogs? Is it my pet snake?"

Other big cases

Courts have seriously considered veterinary malpractice cases only in the past few years. Besides the $39,000 judgment awarded to Bluestone in Orange County, two decisions stand out:

- In 1997, a Kentucky jury awarded $15,000 to the owner of a German shepherd, Sheba, who bled to death after surgery. The jury was instructed that the dog could have an intrinsic value beyond its market value, much like an heirloom.

- In 2000, a judge in Costa Mesa, Calif., awarded almost $28,000 in general and other damages to a woman whose Rottweiler, Lonnie, had to have its teeth capped after a bungled dental surgery.

Bluestone may hold the record for an award in a vet malpractice case, but he has spent more than $350,000 taking it to court.

"Any sane attorney would not take veterinary malpractice cases," Silver says. "You spend a long time and a lot of money, and you get nothing back." He says he supports animal rights and takes such cases in order to represent "those who can't speak for themselves."

Bachi says the case is "a significant endeavor financially and emotionally" for the vets.

So why don't the warring parties in Lucky's case find a way to settle?

"These doctors worked hard to save this animal," Bachi says. "They feel victimized by this. They feel falsely accused."

The vets want a jury to decide whether their work fell below accepted standards of care. They say Lucky died from a pre-existing condition that went undiagnosed.

Adam Riff says he has spent $10,000 on the case. His lawsuit alleges that Willie was "defensive and indignant" when the Riffs asked him what went wrong with the anesthesia. Riff says that rather than continue to treat Lucky -- who was in an oxygen tent after the dental surgery -- Willie sent the Riffs and Lucky to an animal emergency center because it was closing time at Welleby, "and the next day was (Willie's) day off."

Riff says that "if he had just told us what happened and said, 'I'm sorry, forgive me, it was an accident,' we wouldn't be doing this."
__________________________________________________________________________


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Best wished for the health and happiness for your beloved pets  ~ Tania Lawson

Prevent and Treat Dog Ticks Naturally

So what do you do to prevent and treat dog ticks naturally? First you’ve got to regularly check for ticks on your dog, especially after walking in the dense grasses, and during the peak times of infestation ( in the spring). Carefully look in the cracks and crevices, such as behind your dog’s ears. If you find a tick, you want to remove it immediately. Use tweezers, and grab the tick at the mouth parts where it is attached to your dog. Pull slowly, but firmly straight out, not twisting it, and if some of the skin comes off, that is fine. Clean the area with a disinfectant scrub ( such as chlorhexidine or black tea), and dispose of the tick being careful that you don’t touch it.

Shampooing your dog with some of the holistic anti-tick shampoos can eliminate ticks. You need to look for shampoos that contain these ingredients: Neem oil, Eucalyptus and Cedarwood oil. Ticks are extremely resistant to most products, but these essential oils appear to have some effect on preventing their life cycle.

A relatively non-toxic natural substance, has been shown to be effective in the eradication of ticks in dogs is cedarwood oil spray. I encourage you to be cautious in spraying excessive of essential oils on your small dogs. It is best to only lightly mist them; following that use a flea comb to spreading the spray. A cedarwood oil spray that I have had success with tick treatment in dogs is: Triple Sure Natural Flea and Tick Spray made by Natural Wonder Products.

Keeping your grass short, and reducing the amount of dense vegetation around your home is one of the easier, and simple ways to lower your dog’s chances of getting ticks. Ticks prefer tall grasses, and low overhanging bushes while waiting for their next host to feed on. Regularly remove fallen leaves (leaf litter), and create a natural buffer by putting down wood chips between your lawn and the wooded areas to keep ticks away. Lastly consider discourging deer and mice from coming into your yard, as the deer tick is the carrier of lyme disease; motion controlled water sprinklers can be very effective.

Then there are the use of natural topical outside, such as Diatomaceous earth- it consists of the skeletons of microscopic algae. Spread the diatomaceous earth at the edge of your lawn, acting as another natural barrier preventing tick infestation.

Ticks are a rather difficult external parasite to prevent and treat, but there are many things that you as an involved dog owner can do. There are a few very potent conventional tick medications, but concerns of side effects of these has lead many a dog owner to try some of the holistic options. These include common sense environmental ones, such as keeping the dense vegetation down, and maintaining a natural ‘tick’ barrier with wood chips. Lastly there are the specific shampoos, such as Neem oil, along with effective sprays containing cedarwood oil.

I find adding organic apple cider vinegar to my pets' water discourages fleas and ticks.

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Hot Spot Causes and Treatments

Acute Moist Dermatitis

I was pleased to try out a new remedy that
worked well on my own dog- and it was in my kitchen.


SIGNS

A very itchy, smelly, oozy area on the skin.
There may be more than one spot. They often
form on the face and at the base of the ears.
They are often very painful.

CAUSES

The technical name for a hot spot is acute
moist dermatitis. They are a local area of
bacterial infected hair follicles. They form
most often during the warm summer months. Any
scratch or wound can cause the skin to become
infected and develop into a hot spot. Most
hot spots are secondary to some type of skin
allergy.

SOLUTIONS

REMOVE THE HAIR. This is the most important
thing to do in order to allow hot spots to heal.
Use a pair of blunt nosed scissors to trim as
much hair as possible on and around the spot.
If you have clippers use them for trimming.
These can be very painful and some dogs will
not let you trim much hair.

CLEAN THE AREA. Use a mild, non-perfumed
antiseptic soap (Hibitane) to clean the skin.
Gently dab it on the spot, lather up and rinse
well.

A CUP OF TEA. The key to curing hot spots is
to get them to dry out. A very effective
antiseptic drying solution is tea and aspirin.
Brew up a strong cup of black tea and dissolve
an aspirin tablet in it. Soak a cloth in this
brew and apply it to the area for 5 minutes
four times daily.

Another very effective remedy:

Apple Cider Vinegar. It can be applied directly
to the Hot Spot- 4 times daily. I soaked it in
a cloth and wiped the clipped area. It has anti-
bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

As an aside, it is also high in potassium, making
it beneficial for older, sometimes potassium
deficient pets. As well, it can be consumed orally
( after all it is fermented apples)- and it
can give your pets an overall immune boost.


I use organic apple cider vinegar sweetened with organic honey in water to keep
myself healthy. It's great for dogs too. Also helps protect against fleas and biting flies.

I also recommend 

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