pet dating site - pet lovers dating site

“A holistic approach to pet care is favoured by many ‘modern’ dog owners”

Alternative medicine has become popular among humans in recent years, but it is only relatively recently that it has had the same effect for dogs. Conventional medicine is by no means inferior to holistic remedies, but sometimes alternative methods of treating canine ailments prove to be more effective.

It is widely agreed that alternative medicine should be sought after the failure of conventional methods, but there is nothing to say that complimentary medicine cannot enhance the effects of traditional western medicine and vice-versa.

The term ‘alternative’ in the context of medicine means that the medical benefits are as yet, scientifically unproven.

This does not mean that they do not work, it means that the controlled scientific tests have not been carried out to the extent which satisfies the AVMA (American veterinary medical association) although they have all but given their seal of approval to the use of holistic medicine.

One of the most common forms of alternative medicine is acupuncture. This has been used on horses and dogs successfully in the past and will be in the future. It is always necessary to consult your vet before any type of complimentary medicine is performed on your dog. This is because certain practices, particularly those which involve spinal manipulation, can be dangerous.

Many pet owners have been using floral extracts in order to assist the treatment of all types of ailments. Crab apple is a popular method of ridding the body of toxins and impurities, whereas olive is very good for aiding recovery after a long illness. There are many ways of incorporating floral extracts into an already existing course of treatment. Studies performed at the university of Pennsylvania indicate that the effects of conventional medicine have been enhanced when used concurrently with other forms of treatment.

It is important to remember that conventional medicine is developing at a huge rate and there are many significant advances being made daily, like those for the treatment of localised cancer. The essence of alternative medicine is to try and use unconventional methods of treatment to enhance the effects of other types of medicine and to exploit natural remedies in order to treat illness.

An Alternative Way To Treat Aggression

Many natural canine reactions can be misinterpreted as ‘aggression’ by uneducated humans. This is generally the main problem with dogs and their owners, when a situation arises in which the dog feels threatened his natural response is to defend himself. To the untrained eye this seems like unmitigated aggression, but anybody with an ‘untrained eye’ own a dog anyway?

There are many conventional ways of treating this aggression, but a lot of the time they are ineffective due a lack of understanding of canine behaviour, If we took a step back and reviewed each and every situation in which our dogs showed aggression we would probably find that we would react in much the same way. However, there are some dogs who demonstrate various degrees of aggressive behaviour which we as dog owners need to understand and then deal with.

It is essential to understand what is likely to make a dog react aggressively. This is quite simple, if it would make you or me react aggressively then it would probably make a dog do much the same. So the first step in dealing with aggressive behaviour is to eliminate as many situations as possible where a dog may want to bare his teeth or growl. It is important to understand your dog and how his mind works to the point of knowing which dogs or other pets he would not wish to associate with.

For example, it would not be advisable to leave two dominant, male dogs together unattended if one or both of them was not used to company from other dogs. This boils down to common sense. Dogs should be able to interact with other dogs, but this needs to be done over time if you have an ‘aggressive’ dog.

Gradual introductions to other dogs should help Rover feel more at ease in the presence of Fido and Scout. But this is not to sat that there will not be problems involving aggression, because there could be. This is why it is important for dog owners to know how to read body language.

Just like humans can demonstrate aggressive body language like pointing and staring, dogs often initiate confrontation through body language. Tell tale signs include ears becoming pricked up, raised hackles and bared teeth. These are definite signs of aggression and should be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

There are many methods of treating this problem in dogs, one of the more radical yet effective ways involves the use of complimentary medicine. Holistic remedies such as the use of flower extracts offer alternative methods of correction. Used along side conventional behaviour modification techniques cherry plum extract offers an effective alternative to chemical drugs.

It helps curb aggressive behaviour and is often effective alongside a dedicated behaviour modification programme. There is however, no substitute for a good well disciplined training regime to help control the behaviour of your dog.

If your dog does not respond to conventional methods of correction it is important to look at what causes his aggressive tendencies and attempt to remove the problem at the source. A dog is very sensitive to his environment, any tension or fluctuation in atmosphere will be sensed by the dog. If he feels uneasy he could turn that feeling into aggression. Monitor his behaviour to see if there is anything causing him irritation or bother.

Trial and error is often the only way to detect the root of the problem, if this is the case and still you cannot find any cause of cure for the aggressive behaviour consult your vet who may be able to refer you to dog behaviourist.

Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. A lot of dogs are effected by their diet. Once again trial and error could reveal the root of your dog’s unwelcome behaviour. Certain foods trigger certain reactions in dogs. Allergies can cause your dog to become aggressive. Other symptoms of allergy include hyperactivity, loss of appetite and stamina.

If your dog is feeling run down or generally ill this may cause aggression. Echinacea is an excellent supplement to boost the immune system and is readily available from many health food shops.

Your dogs exercise routine may be agitating him. Does he appear exhausted or even hyperactive after exercise? Is he receiving too much or too little exercise? Once again vary his exercise and diet in order to eliminate causes of aggression.

Holistic remedies, although effective are no substitute for a well trained dog. They are most effective when combined with other behaviour modifying measures.

Canine cancer:

Quite possibly one of the most fearful experiences a dog owner could have is discovering an unusual lump or bump on their dog. Although this is always worthy of further investigation, (always by a vet) it does not always mean that your dog has been struck down with cancer. In fact, in more cases than not, the discovery of a lump on the dog leads not to cancer, but will turn out to be a wart, cyst or some other unwelcome growth. This does not mean that all growths are not cancerous, but that panicking and worrying is sometimes undue, at least until further investigation is complete.

Frequently inspecting your dog is essential. This is not just to detect cancerous tumours, as many other canine maladies come in the form of a bump or boil. It is, however, extremely important never to leave a discovery to just go away. Because, if it is cancer, then every second is valuable to ensure that treatment starts in earnest.

Fortunately, research into the treatment of canine cancer is continuing at a furious rate, and has been for the past twelve years. Scientists at the University of Cincinnati have developed new treatments for certain types of cancer in dogs, and other new treatments are constantly under development. Radiation treatment has been implemented with high levels of success. However, at present certain cases are more suitable for treatment than others. The treatment has been working more successfully in cases where the tumour was localised. (A localised cancer is one that has not spread) The radiation treatment prevents the cancer from spreading by sterilising the cancer cells so they don’t reproduce. This may not result in a reduction in the actual size of the lump straight away, but it will ensure that cancer is unable to affect the rest of the body.

This particular method of treatment is more suited to low grade cancers. (Low grade cancers do not begin to spread until the latter stages of the illness) It is also more effective on smaller tumours, because larger tumours will need to be removed before radiation treatment can begin. Cancers on the limbs, chest, face and mouth are more suited to this treatment, whereas cancers affecting the brain, spinal column and intestines are not.

It is highly important to accept that not all tumours are cancerous and that not all cancers are tumours. A tumour may be benign, in which case it will not spread and will not cause illness, but it is always wise to keep an eye on such things in order to monitor any growth or change in shape or texture. A tumour may also be malignant, in which case it is going to, or already has, spread and caused cancer. A cancer may develop from a neoplasm. A neoplasm is a new growth on the body. If a neoplasm is malignant, then it is cancer.

For a dog to receive the radiation treatment he will need to be in an otherwise good state of health. This is so that his body will be strong enough to tolerate the radiation. Although the treatment is painless for the dog, it does have certain side effects such as hair loss, skin burn in the treated area and skin ulcerations.

A dog diagnosed with cancer will be referred to a specialist for treatment. Before treatment commences the dog will undergo certain examinations to ensure he is in a fit state. They include a blood profile, a chest x-ray and urinalysis. The treatment will last for a total of three weeks. The radiation is administered in six minute sessions each week day, but the dog is required to remain at the treatment centre for a further ninety minutes for monitoring. The entire treatment programme will cost $1150.

Certain dogs are more prone to cancer than others. The unlucky breeds include; Boxers, Boston Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Airedales, Border Collies and Scottish Terriers. Un-spayed bitches and un-neutered dogs are also at higher risk. Cancer is more commonly found in older dogs and since modern medicine is lengthening dog’s lives, statistics indicate a sharp rise in canine cancer which can be misleading.

Certain types of cancer are more commonly found in certain breeds or type of dog. Large dogs are prone to bone cancer. Short nosed dogs are prone to cancer of the skin, breast, testicles and brain. Long nosed dogs such as Labradors and Dobermans are prone to cancer of the nose. Boxers are susceptible to cancer of the skin, testicles and bone. They are also prone to lymphoma, an aggressive cancer which attacks the lymph nodes. Darker coated dogs are more likely to develop skin cancer than lighter coated dogs. Cocker Spaniels are prone to cancer of the skin, anus, mouth, throat and breast. However it is worth noting that these cancers are not peculiar to these breeds.

If your dog has to undergo any form of cancer treatment it is important to ensure that he is well nourished throughout the whole illness. This is important for many reasons, one of which is concerned with the behaviour of cancer cells inside the dog’s body. In order for the cells to grow, they need nutrition. They steal the nutrients they need from the dogs food intake, particularly glucose and fats. It may seem like an option to reduce the intake of these nutrients in the dogs diet and replace or supplement them with other ones that will not encourage the cancer to grow. However, fats and glucose are essential to help the dog to fight the disease. A reduction in the processing of these nutrients (i.e. he takes in the nutrients but they are processed into energy by the cancer cells and not by him) will result in a reduction in the dog’s sense of smell and taste. Also it is likely that liver problems will develop if his food intake is not sufficient to feed both him and the cancer cells. These nutrients are essential to the body so that it can perform HOMEOSTATIC mechanisms. This means the body will simply not function correctly without fats and glucose, which is why people and animals become weakened by cancer. If necessary, force feed or tube feed your dog to ensure he is receiving sufficient nourishment. If this does not happen a downward spiral of energy wastage, weakness and weight loss will occur. Any element of that downward spiral can result in any other element occurring, but remove one element and the symptoms should lesson.

Owners of all dogs should be vigilante of possible cancer in order to reduce the risk of cancer developing to untreatable stages. Any suspicions should be dealt with as priorities. But do this in a calm and rational manner to ensure that nobody worries unnecessarily and nothing problematic is overlooked.

Some owners hold onto a misconception that dogs will never eat or drink something that isn’t good for them. They’re wrong. This is a myth. Dogs make the choice of what to eat or drink on what appeals to their nose.

They have little or no concept if a substance is harmful or poisonous until they taste it, by which times it could be with deadly consequences. Household products can prove fatal but knowing what to do in the event of an emergency could save your dog’s life.

Dogs can expel rotten or toxic substances more quickly from their digestive systems than we can since their vomiting reflex is quicker than ours. The less time a substance stays in the system, the less chance it has to create ill effects. Here we’ll outline some emergency treatments in the unfortunate event that your dog is poisoned.

Rat Poison: Rat poison can be found in the city and on the farm. Rats are everywhere. So is rat poison. Rat poison is designed to be attractive to rats and, unfortunately it’s attractive to dogs too. If your dog has ingested rat poison, call your vet immediately. Rat poison can cause your dog to bleed from his mouth, nose and rectal area. If not treated quickly, your dog can bleed to death. If your dog happens to eat a rat that has been poisoned, your dog can be affected depending upon the amount of poison the rat ingested. Play it safe by calling your vet immediately. Never leave it in the hope that the dog will somehow be able to sleep it off.

Household Cleaners and Disinfectants: If your dog has ingested household cleaners or disinfectants, then read the instruction label on the back to see if vomiting needs to be induced. You shouldn’t induce vomiting on certain products because this can irritate the oesophagus. You can induce vomiting by putting your finger down your dog’s throat, if you are comfortable doing this. Otherwise, give your dog a hydrogen peroxide solution (one tablespoon per 30 pounds of your dogs body weight). Instructions on how to do this can be found later in this article but remember, all of these tips are designed to save your dog’s life in emergency situations where you absolutely can not get access to veterinary care.

House Plants: There are numerous household plants that are toxic for your dog. Some of the popular houseplants that are toxic include philodendrons, azaleas, rhododendron, Easter lilies, amaryllis, fox glove and Japanese lilies. Consult with your vet if you have any questions about house plants that you may have in your house.

Chocolate: Many vets get calls from panic-stricken owners who are educated enough to know that chocolate is toxic dogs and have discovered that their own pet has eaten a small chocolate bar. One small chocolate bar the size of say a Mars or Snickers bar is really not enough to hurt your dog. Your dog has to ingest quite a bit of chocolate to feel any negative effects. The caffeine and bromethalin in chocolate that is poisonous to your dog. Dark cooking chocolate is most toxic to dogs since it contains a higher amount of caffeine and bromethalin.

Anti-Freeze: Streets and garages can prove the perfect home for collections of small puddles of anti-freeze. The winter months are guaranteed to see anti-freeze use increase and we all know how easy it is to spray it all over the place. Licking anti freeze, even a small amount, can be quite lethal. Just a teaspoon is enough to kill a small dog, so it doesn’t take more than a few laps. Dogs really like the sweet taste; they have been known to chew through plastic containers that hold anti-freeze. Take the precaution and store anti-freeze in areas where your dog can’t easily get to it. On the street, keep your eye out for it, especially in late fall and winter, and use the “Leave it” command to keep your dog away from it.

Ethylene glycol is the toxic chemical in anti-freeze. If your dog has ingested even a small amount, call your vet immediately. As an emergency measure give your dog some bread to absorb the anti-freeze, your vet will most probably try to induce vomiting and if the anti-freeze is partially absorbed, it can help.

In an extreme emergency, if it is absolutely impossible to get to a vet and you believe your dog’s life is in immediate danger, you can use the following remedy for anti-freeze poisoning: Induce vomiting in your dog by giving them hydrogen peroxide. The rule of thumb is one tablespoon per 30 pounds of your dog’s body weight. Remember, this is for extreme emergency where you believe your dog could die and you absolutely can not get professional help. Hydrogen peroxide can be given by pulling up the fold at the side of his mouth and squirting the solution into his mouth with a syringe. Once vomiting has occurred, make your dog a Bloody Mary - a shot of vodka and tomato juice. In fact, any alcoholic drink (gin, vodka) will do the trick. The alcohol ties up the ethylene glycol so it doesn’t precipitate into the kidneys. Give your dog one mixed drink per hour until you can get to a vet’s office. For smaller dogs, use a half a shot of alcohol. Again, this treatment should only be given when you absolutely can’t get to a vet’s office. And under no other circumstances, except for anti-freeze poisoning, should dogs be given alcoholic beverages.