Help for Parasites

There is no single treatment that will kill all parasites, but there are a number of different products that will help keep parasites in check and treat any infestations. Remember that prevention is the key and all pets should be on some form of preventative treatment to keep parasites away.

Conventional Treatments

There are a number of products such as Frontline Plus, Revolution, and Advantage that will help to keep your pet free from external parasites like ticks and fleas. Make sure you use only trusted products as harsh chemicals may be harmful to your pet. Conventional treatments for internal parasites vary depending on what parasite your pet has. There is no single “de-wormer” that can kill all worm-types and caution should always be taken when administering these medications to your pet.

Over-the counter de-wormers are generally less effective and more dangerous than veterinarian prescribed de-wormers, however even prescription de-wormers have the potential to cause unwanted side-effects and dangerous interactions with other medication. While treating and preventing internal parasites is important, make sure you know the facts and alternatives before giving our pet any new medication.

Natural Remedies  Read more... (527 words, 2 images, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

What are Parasites?

A parasite is an organism that gets its nourishment by feeding either on or within another animal and it is fairly common for our pets to become the unhappy hosts to a number of unwanted organisms. Parasites can be broken down into two main groups, the external parasites such as ticks, fleas, and ear mites, and the internal parasites such as worms which live inside the body and can affect a number of organs. Examples of internal parasites include heartworm, roundworm, and tapeworm.

External parasites, especially fleas are a worrisome problem for pet owners and their pets alike. Getting rid of fleas is no easy task, and sensitive pets may even develop an allergy to flea bites resulting in a condition called flea-bite dermatitis. Other parasites such as mange and ticks can be incredibly harmful to our beloved pets, but the good news is that most external parasites can be avoided to a certain extent with preventative treatments and thorough grooming.  Read more... (667 words, 2 images, estimated 2:40 mins reading time)

How to choose a vet

One of the most important dog health questions any dog owner will ask is, “How do I choose a vet for my dog”? Your vet is a pretty significant figure in your dog’s life – and thus, in yours. Hopefully, you’ll only ever need him or her for routine checkups and preventative procedures; but just in case, it’s worth taking the time to develop a good relationship with a suitable vet, before you need their services.

WHERE AT LOOK

Sure, you could just pick a vet at random from the Yellow Pages or from an Internet search; but having the right vet is crucial to your dog’s health and happiness (and, presumably, this plays at least some part in your own happiness and peace of mind as an owner, right?)

Think about it this way: if you were trying to choose a doctor for yourself, would you be happy to just select one at random from an impersonal list?  Read more... (1161 words, 4 images, estimated 4:39 mins reading time)

How to Wash Your Dog

Even if you’ve got the most easy-care dog in the world, she’ll still need some attention to be paid to her appearance every once in a while – so it’s worth spending a bit of time learning the best techniques for easy, stress-free grooming.

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER GROOMING MY DOG?

Not so long ago, the average American’s approach to canine grooming was somewhat cavalier. Dogs were seen as something that lived in the yard (usually in a dusty, hard-floored kennel), ate whatever was put in their bowls, and existed as a sometime-playmate for the household’s children.

Today, we tend to care for our dogs a lot more, and view them more as members of the household than the Thing in the Yard.

Ever since this rise in the estimation of our beloved pooches became widespread, grooming has been increasingly recognized as an important facet of your dog’s regular health-care. It ensures that any skin-care problems are minimized (because grooming distributes the natural skin-oils evenly throughout the coat), and assists you in monitoring your dog’s overall condition – if you groom on a regular basis, you can’t help but notice the presence of any unusual lumps or bumps.  Read more... (1256 words, 4 images, estimated 5:01 mins reading time)

External parasites and their treatments

WHAT IS A PARASITE?

External parasites are pretty common among dogs. A parasite is an organism that lives off the resources your dog has to offer: namely, fresh blood (which most parasites drink) and a warm place to stay (in and on the skin and fur).

What are the common parasites that might affect my dog?

There are a wide range of parasites that affect dogs:

- Fleas
- Ticks
- Mites
- Lice

All of these parasites cause adverse reactions in your dog: typically, itching and inflamed skin, a dull coat, and bald spots. In advanced cases, your dog may develop anemia (blood loss) and become generally debilitated (particularly if he or she is very young, very old, or suffering from another condition).

In addition to this, many parasites convey secondary and internal parasites to your dog – for example, fleas usually carry the common tapeworm (which causes constipation and flatulence), and ticks can cause a variety of much more serious problems like Lyme’s disease and paralysis.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about fleas including what they are, how to tell if your dog’s affected, and how to get rid of them.  Read more... (1256 words, 4 images, estimated 5:01 mins reading time)