In the Swim: Dog Water Safety

There’s nothing like a refreshing swim in a pool, ocean or even the nearby swimming hole to cool yourself off and really get into summertime swing of things, not to mention give yourself a decent aerobic workout. But when you decide to take a dip, do you leave your dog at home? Perhaps you should reconsider, and bring him along. If you do, though, be prepared to teach him how to swim.

“Some dogs don’t know how to swim,” explains Kelly Armstrong, a trainer who teaches doggie swimming lessons every summer at Camp Gone to the Dogs in Marlboro and Stowe, Vermont. “They will only paddle with their front legs. When this happens, their rear sinks, they become totally vertical and increasingly frantic, and can actually drown.” In addition, some breeds have bodies designed for swimming, while others are built in ways that make swimming more of a challenge.

That said, almost any dog can be taught to at least tolerate the water, and often to really enjoy it. Here’s how to help yours do so safely:

No sink or swim. “Definitely do not just throw your dog into the water,” warns Armstrong. “Dogs can drown. Be positive and don’t be frustrated if your dog doesn’t seem to enjoy the water as much as you’d like him to.”

Make it a group effort. Some dogs will go into a pool, pond or other water body without hesitation the very first time they see one, but many others need a little help from their friends. “For some dogs, just letting them play in a gently sloping pond or pool with steps with dogs that love to swim is all it takes,” says Armstrong. “Other dogs will follow their owner into the water with encouragement, food or toys.”

Float his boat. Dense-bodied, short-legged dogs such as Pugs and Bulldogs may have trouble staying afloat. For these breeds and any other dog who’s floatationally challenged, a life jacket can help. “Quality canine life jackets provide greater visibility, greater buoyancy and a means to control or lift a dog out of the water in an emergency,” says Deborah Lee Miller-Riley, an instructor who teaches swimming and water sports to dogs and their people in Monroe, Connecticut. Life jackets are also important if you and your dog are boating; if he goes overboard unexpectedly, the handle atop the jacket will help you hoist him out of the water.

Help him out. A dog may have a great time swimming in a pool but be unable to figure out how to leave that pool. Grab his life jacket handle or direct him to the pool steps or ramp so that he can make his exit. And no matter where he’s swimming, watch for signs that he’s getting tired, such as heavier breathing or increased splashing while paddling.
Hose him down. Remember how your hair and skin feel if you don’t rinse chlorinated water or salt water off your hair and skin after a swim? Your dog’s coat and skin may feel equally icky — dry, gummy hair and irritated skin — if pool or ocean water dries on them. After every dip in the pool or splash session in the ocean, rinse your dog thoroughly and towel him as dry as possible.

Ever since Susan McCullough introduced her Golden Retriever, Allie, to the joys of swimming, they both hit the water whenever they get the chance. They live in Vienna, Virginia.

This information was brought to us by Susan McCullough

Blood Pressure Lowered By Beetroot Juice

It has been statistically proven that people with animals have a greater chance of having lower blood pressue.  However, we can still do much to help improve our health with some of the miracle foods that nature provides for us.

The nitrate content of beetroot juice is the underlying cause of its blood pressure lowering benefits, research from Queen Mary University of London reveals.

The study, published online in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, found that blood pressure was lowered within 24 hours in people who took nitrate tablets, and people who drank beetroot juice. The research will be welcome news to people with high blood pressure who might now be able to use a new ‘natural’ approach to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (including stroke and heart attacks) – the world’s biggest killer.

Study author Amrita Ahluwalia, Professor of Vascular Biology at Queen Mary’s William Harvey Research Institute, said the investigation was able to demonstrate that the nitrate found in beetroot juice was the cause of its beneficial effects upon cardiovascular health by increasing the levels of the gas nitric oxide in the circulation Professor Ahluwalia said. “We gave inorganic nitrate capsules or beetroot juice to healthy volunteers and compared their blood pressure responses and the biochemical changes occurring in the circulation.

“We showed that beetroot and nitrate capsules are equally effective in lowering blood pressure indicating that it is the nitrate content of beetroot juice that underlies its potential to reduce blood pressure. We also found that only a small amount of juice is needed – just 250ml – to have this effect, and that the higher the blood pressure at the start of the study the greater the decrease caused by the nitrate.

“Our previous study two years ago found that drinking beetroot juice lowered blood pressure; now we know how it works.”

The results of the study could pave the way for a natural approach to lowering blood pressure that ultimately may help reduce the currently massive burden of cardiovascular disease on the NHS.

Thanks to Drew Kaplan for brining us this valuable article!  http://healthfreedoms.org

Arthritis in Cats

Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM, shares with us some alarming statistics.

Studies have shown that 30% of cats over 8 years of age, and a stunning 90% of cats over 12 years of age, have arthritis. These figures should give the veterinary community, which doesn’t give nearly as much thought to arthritis in cats as it does to dogs, something to think about. What is generally perceived as “slowing down” or “a little stiff” may be a sign of significant joint deterioration, and probably causes some degree of discomfort in most older cats.

Arthritic cats often gradually stop jumping up as high as they once did, and may be reluctant to use the stairs. (Arthritis can cause litterbox problems if there is not a box on every level of the home!) Providing “steps” (a box or stool, for instance) up to a bed, chair, or other favorite high spots may be greatly appreciated by an older cat.

Cats cannot adequately metabolize many of the arthritis and pain medications commonly given to dogs, such as carprofen (Rimadyl). Moreover, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxyn (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are all highly toxic to both cats and dogs. Meloxicam (Metacam) is a newer NSAID that is commonly used for post-operative pain but only for a short time. Some experts claim it can be given long-term at a very low dose, but others are wary of the significant potential for kidney damage in cats. Aspirin can be used, but the dose and schedule are extremely limited; never give your cat aspirin without your vet’s advice.

The good news is that there are simple, inexpensive nutritional supplements that are very effective and, most important, very safe. Supplements for arthritis include: glucosamine sulfate (250 mg per day), and MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) (200 mg per day). Both of these supplements have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Glucosamine supplies the basic building blocks of cartilage and helps maintain the fluid that cushions and nourishes the joints, and MSM provides elemental sulfur for the body to make certain amino acids and other compounds. But they are not quick fixes—it may take 3-5 weeks for improvement to be noticeable (MSM may take less or more time), and they must be given daily without fail to prevent return of pain. They may not work in all cats. But many guardians notice significant improvement in their cat’s activity and flexibility. Glucosamine is often packaged together with chondroitin, another cartilage compound. However, the evidence is less clear that chondroitin is effective, and it is much more expensive. Plain glucosamine (sulfate only, not hydrochloride) appears to be adequate in most cases.

Another cartilage building block, hyaluronic acid, is also available in oral form. This is the basic ingredient of Adequan, a drug commonly injected directly into affected joints. However, these injections need to repeated regularly and there is always a risk of infection. Hyaluronic acid now comes in oral capsules, but the most effective form appears to be a saline-based liquid called “Hyalun.” The best deal we’ve found is www.horsewarehouse.com, but it is a large bottle and quite expensive. A cat would need at most a few drops per day, although if you also have dogs (or if you have joint problems yourself!) it is a good way to go.

Some herbs, such as Boswellia (frankincense), appear to be effective anti-inflammatories, but few herbs have been thoroughly studied for safety in cats. Boswellia is traditionally used in combination with other herbs in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Since some herbs can be extremely toxic to cats, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian trained in the use of western or Chinese herbs (see below).

The antioxidant algae blend, BioSuperfood may also minimize the inflammation and pain of arthritic joints. Omega-3 fatty acids also have excellent anti-inflammatory properties; we recommend Nordic Naturals pet products for their purity and safety.

From a holistic viewpoint, no physical condition is simply physical. In energetic terms, disease, including arthritis, starts on the energetic plane and progresses through the mental and emotional spheres before manifesting itself in the physical body. One way to address this is through the use of flower essences, which can heal the imbalances on the mental and emotional planes. Another way to look at this is that mental “stiffness” ultimately contributes to stiffening of the physical joints. Our sister company, Spirit Essences, has developed an essence remedy called “Creak-Away” that’s designed to keep the animal mentally and emotionally “flexible” and minimize the energetic stresses that contribute to the development of arthritis.

Acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs, homeopathy, specific nutritional strategies and other holistic treatments may also be helpful for arthritic cats. For a practitioner in your area, visit www.holisticvetlist.com or call the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association at (410) 569-0795.

Pet Heat Stroke Guide

Summer delivers myriad opportunities for Frisbee, pool, and vacation fun with your pet. But along with temperatures, the risk of pet heat stroke spikes during the summer.

Heat stroke, the medical name for a pet’s inability to regulate her own temperature, is not just uncomfortable for your dog or cat; it can cause both temporary and permanent organ damage.

With the help of Nancy Peterson, cat programs manager at The Humane Society of the United States, we’ve compiled a guide to pet heat stroke.

Cool Cats and Damp Dogs
Keeping your pets cool and hydrated is the cornerstone of keeping them healthy during hot weather. Always be sure plenty of fresh water is available to your pet, both indoors and out. Place water bowls in a cool, shady place when you play with your pet outside, and don’t tie up or confine your dog outdoors, since it can prevent him from finding the coolest spots in the yard.

Peterson also suggests putting ice cubes in your dog or cat’s water bowl. The cubes can excite your pet’s curiosity – and, of course, keep the water cool and inviting.

If you jog with your dog, do so only during the coolest part of the day, and on the shadier side of the street. “Check the temperature of the asphalt, which can be hot on your dog’s paws,” Peterson reminds runners.

Pets and Parked Cars: A Dangerous Combination
Pets left in a parked car on a hot day face great risk of heat stroke. Our best advice: do not leave your pet in a parked vehicle, even for a short time.

“Even if you think you’ll be back to the car in a minute,” warns Peterson, “even if you’ve cooled the car down with the A/C, the car can heat up very rapidly when you turn the engine off.”

Cracking open the window is inadequate to keep the car cool–plus it exposes your car and your pet to risk of theft.

“If you see a pet in distress in a parked car and can’t find the owner, contact a local animal care agency or the police,” Peterson adds.

When to Worry and What to Do
Obese pets, pets who have suffered heat stroke in the past, pets with respiratory or heart problems, very young and old pets, and pets with short muzzles have an increased chance of heat stroke.

However, all pets experience higher risk when they are dehydrated, overexerted, or in poorly ventilated spaces.

Excessive heavy panting in either cats or dogs can be a symptom of heat stroke.

Your pet may be suffering from heat stroke if her gums change color from bright pink to a brownish pink, or if her tongue becomes deep red or purple. Pets suffering heat stroke often act confused, weak, or disoriented, “almost like they’re drunk,” as Peterson puts it. Their eyes often glaze over, and their heart rate is more rapid than usual. They may vomit or pass out.

If you suspect your pet is suffering heat stroke, bring the pet to a cooler place, if possible.

Apply cool water (but not ice) to the pet’s body, put cool towels on the head, neck and chest, and offer the pet cool water. Don’t force your pet to drink if he is unable or unwilling, and don’t let him drink an excessive amount of water, but only a little.

“Remember,” Peterson advises, “you are trying to lower your pet’s body temperature gradually, not all at once. You can have your pet lick ice cubes to cool off slowly.”

Finally, bring your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. “Even if your pet seemed to respond well to the cool water and towels,” says Peterson, “don’t take any chances. Make sure she is thoroughly checked over by a vet.”

We appreciate Talia Argondezzi bringing us this vitally important information on how to support our animal friends in this summer season, www.petside.com

Respiratory Disease In Foals

When I came across this article by Dr. Fairfield Bain, DVM, I thought it brilliant, and I wanted to share it with those of you who are fellow horse lovers!

Question: What is the first thing I look for to tell if my foal has a respiratory problem, and what are the best things to do to prevent pneumonia and other problems from happening in the first place?

Answer by Dr. Baine:  The most important signs of respiratory disease in neonatal foals are an increased respiratory rate (breathing hard), occasionally a cough, sometimes discharge from the nose, and fever. Some of the foals might be weak and have a difficult time getting up. These signs will all vary depending on the severity of the respiratory problem.

When a foal is born, you should run your finger along the roof of his mouth to check and see if the foal has a cleft palate. That congenital abnormality can cause the foal to get milk in its trachea and result in aspiration pneumonia. Some of these foals will have milk running out of their nose, another warning sign that pneumonia might occur.

Premature foals are at greater risk because they have poor lung development. You might notice that they have poor rib cage excursions, or their rib cage does not move in and out as well as that of a normal foal. Along with this goes poor expansion of the alveoli in the lung.

Poor colostrum absorption in any foal can lead to respiratory disease. The respiratory system can be a primary site of septicemia (caused by bacterial toxins in the blood).

With orphan foals or foals being fed on a bottle, make sure that the foal has a good suckle reflex and keep the bottle below eye level of the foal. This will help prevent milk from running down into his trachea and possibly causing aspiration pneumonia.

Older foals have the same clinical signs as neonates–difficulty breathing, coughing, nasal discharge, and fever. With any age foal, it’s time to call in your veterinarian if you see the foal is having difficulty breathing and/or is coughing and has a fever.

The normal foal’s respiratory rate is about 30-40 breaths per minute, although in hot weather it can go up to 60-80 breaths per minute in a normal foal. Also, if the foal has a discharge from its nostrils you should have him examined by your veterinarian. Remember to check his oral membranes–they should be bright pink. If they are discolored, it might be a sign of poor oxygenation.

In all cases, diagnosis is made by listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, and occasionally with X rays and ultrasound examination. Sometimes in young foals it is difficult to hear abnormalities because they normally have loud lung sounds. With the X rays or ultrasound, we are looking for consolidation or abscesses in the lungs. In severely affected young foals we might check their arterial blood gases. This measures the lung function–how well the oxygen and carbon dioxide are being exchanged. That’s usually only done with cases severe enough to be hospitalized.

One of the main causes of respiratory disease is the bacterium Rhodococcus equi. There are many other bacterial agents that can cause respiratory disease, including Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Streptococcus equi, as well as Escherichia coli and Salmonella.

Preventing respiratory problems in foals starts before they are born with routine vaccination programs for pregnant mares. This is extremely important to protect young foals from equine viral rhinopneumonitis. It is also important to make sure the foal nurses well so that you know he got the antibodies from the mare in the colostrum. With older foals, make sure they are on a good vaccination program to help prevent viral infections.

In areas where Rhodococcus is a problem–and it can be endemic on some farms–avoid over use of congregating areas where dust builds up. That is a prime area for the transmission of Rhodococcus.

It should go without saying that a clean environment for the foals is extremely important. Make sure that stalls are kept as clean as possible because dust and ammonia can injure the cells lining the respiratory tract of a foal and cause decreased clearance for debris.

(Article retrieved from:  www.thehorse.com)

4 Words That Silently Kill Relationships

It has been my experience that a great amount of the stress that occurs in a home/family situation comes from a lack of trust, or an inability to communicate effectively.  Your animals are ALWAYS directly affected by this type of stress.  Consequently, your animals may form behavior issues in an effort to deal with the stress in the home.

When I read this article by Susie and Otto Collins I thought that they did a wonderful job of boiling the core message of mistrust into some simple to understand statements.  And, they give some great tips on how to overcome mistrust in your relationships.

By Susie and Otto Collins

There are four words that almost NO one actually says out loud but millions of men and women sure think this about their spouse or partner.

What’s underneath these four words can literally suck the life and passion out of an otherwise good relationship. That’s why we say these four words are silent relationship killers. We know this sounds dramatic and we know what you’re probably thinking…

If they’re almost never spoken, how do they kill relationships? Good question. Glad you asked.

They kill relationships because they represent the predominant thought one person has for another–and what isn’t spoken can be just as powerful or even more so than what is spoken.

What are these 4 dangerous words?

They are, “I don’t trust you.”

Before you think all we’re talking about is what happens because of an affair, infidelity or one or both partners cheating on each other…

We’ll tell you that you certainly might feel like that if you’ve been lied to or cheated on but there’s much more to it when it comes to those four little words…

“I don’t trust you…”

What we’re talking about is taking you a little deeper into the whole idea of trust in an intimate relationship. The idea of “I don’t trust you” and a lack of trust can play out in a million different ways in a relationship.

For example…

*I don’t trust you to bring home your share of the money to pay our bills.”

*I don’t trust that you’ll be home on time for dinner as you said you would.”

*I don’t trust that you’ll not spend us into debt.”

*I don’t trust that you’ll watch the kids the way I do.”

*I don’t trust that you’ll do the laundry and not ruin my shirts.”

*I don’t trust that you’ll be open to making love with me tonight.”

*I don’t trust that you’ll be honest with me.”

You get the idea…

And if you’re honest with yourself, you can recognize where you’ve had those thoughts over and over about the person you love–we certainly have. While these thoughts of “I don’t trust you” are pretty normal, it’s important for you to become aware of them because of how they can negatively impact your relationship.

Early in our relationship, Otto would tell Susie every now and then that she didn’t trust him in certain ways. She denied it, but it turned out that when she really looked at her thoughts, it was true.

She didn’t trust him in certain ways that had nothing to do with him cheating. But her mistrust could have driven a huge wedge between the two of us if we hadn’t talked it out.

If mistrust becomes your predominant thought about your partner, you’re automatically building walls between the two of you. The other person feels your doubt and can withdraw or become angry, leaving the two of you with a lot that’s left that’s unsaid. And these walls affect your communication, your openness to intimacy, and whether your love grows or dies.

One of the agreements the two of us made at the beginning of our relationship was that if we were upset with something that the other had said or done, we would talk first with him or her and not first with people outside our relationship. That wasn’t always the case in our previous relationships and we paid the price of disconnection and the eventual end of those relationships. We didn’t trust that our previous partners would listen to what we had to say and that we could calmly talk about whatever we needed to–so we talked to other people instead of our partners.

So, what do you do if you have the thought that you don’t trust the other person to do or not do whatever it is that’s your issue–and you have good reason for your mistrust? You may have had that experience with this person in the past and you can’t turn your back on the idea that it will probably happen again. Or your lack of trust might have nothing to do with your partner, but rather experiences you’ve had in past relationships and as you were growing up.

How can you stop saying to yourself “I don’t trust you” when you really don’t trust him or her? If you’ve identified some places in your relationship and in yourself where you don’t trust and you don’t want to continue to allow this mistrust to come between the two of you–even something very small…

1. Identify what and who you really don’t trust. Look within for the real issues of your mistrust which may have started long before your current partner.

Take out pen and paper and write the words “I don’t trust you because…” and then keep writing anything that comes into your mind. Just keep writing and see what comes up.

2. Identify the source of your trust problem. If it turns out that you need to do some forgiving of someone in your past, remember that you are forgiving for YOU and not condoning what the person did–assuming that you are no longer being subjected to those actions anymore.

Actively choosing to no longer be tied to these wrongs that were done to you can be extremely freeing. You may need the help of a qualified therapist or coach to support you in this process.

3. In order to start trusting another person, you have to get in your mind what he or she has to do to become trustable to you. So start making your list and be specific.

4. Be courageous and talk with your partner about what’s been holding you back and ways you’ve been mistrusting him or her. Create some agreements and plans to move from mistrust even if it’s about something very insignificant.

One of issues of trust for us has been keeping our home straightened up, especially with Otto’s 21 year old son living with us. One of the “Magic Words” phrases that we use is “Tell me your plan for _______.”

Instead of worrying about whether whatever is in question will be put away or not., this phrase opens up communication instead of resentment.

Our suggestion to you is to make sure you don’t allow hidden mistrust to silently kill your love for each other. Take action and bring more love into your life.

If you would like to learn more about their Relationship Trust Turnaround program please visit http://budurl.com/k2k4

Quick Tips for People Suffering from Allergies to Animals

Having allergies doesn’t mean you have to give up your pet right away.  There are a number of solutions that can be attempted first.

*Rather than giving the animal free run of the house, restrict them to only certain rooms or increase the amount of time they spend outside.

*Make sure that the litter box is out of the way.

*Make the bedroom of the affected person completely off limits to the dog or cat.

*Run HEPA air filters and clean your home, especially carpets, often.

* Have the person with allergies avoid as much contact with the animal as possible, assuming there are other family members who can still love on and play with the animal.

* Give the animal frequent baths to remove dander, dust, pollen, dirt and spores, which are likely the cause of the allergy.

If these tips don’t work, you may have to entertain the idea of allergy shots, or simply having another type of animal in the house that doesn’t have dander, mold spores or other allergens.

Recipe for Dog Treats

What you need:

10 cups organic rye flour

6 cups organic barley flour

8 ounces organic apple puree

2 tablespoons organic cinnamon

6 cups of water – may vary a bit depending on weather

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and lightly grease cookie tray.

2. Mix all ingredients together, roll out to desired thickness, cut into bone shape biscuit, cookie shape, vegetable or shape of your choice. Place on lightly greased tray. For a shiny biscuit, brush with an egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 teaspoon of water)

3. Place in pre-heated 325 degree oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on how thick or thin you roll out the dough.

4. Cool thoroughly and store in cookie jar, no refrigeration needed. Thoroughly baked, they store for a very long time and usually last for a full year.

Yield is about 5 pounds of treats. Number of treats vary, depending on the size and shape you cut them. The whole house smells great while you are baking these!

Enjoy!

More Proof that Pets are Good for Our Health

New Study Finds Animals Are MUCH More Complex Than We Thought

The ACCAW (Animal Communicator’s Coalition for Animal Welfare) announced a new study that shines light on the fact that animals are much more than the average preconceived notion that they are less intelligent and have fewer feelings than we humans.

To the scientific community, an animal is essentially still perceived as nothing much more than a robot with an array of chemical processes, without the ability to register much more than the crudest pain or fear–certainly none of the more complicated human feelings such as excitement, boredom, annoyance, anger or suspicion. Click on the link and read about a new study that debunks this, and tells what we already know.

http://www.theintentionexperiment.com/feeling-like-an-animal.htm