Acupuncture for dogs is actually pretty cool and becoming more popular every day. Very wise Chinese from thousands of years ago though every thing alive contained a “bioenergy” called “QI”. QI actually sounds like “chee”. Chinese people have been using acupuncture for over 3000 years. Acupuncture for dogs unblocks their QI energy which allows the canine’s body to self heal. When you use acupuncture for dogs with healthy dog food, you give your canine’s body the best chance at healing itself.
Dr. Barbara Royal, a Veterinarian and practicing dog acupuncturist, says that dog acupuncture decreases pain, decreases inflammation, increases circulation and stimulates or relaxes brain and nerve function.
Acupuncture for dogs accomplishes what drugs and medicines sometimes cannot. It improves your furry friend’s overall health, relaxes the muscles, improves digestion, improves circulation and improves immune function which in turn, help your dog’s body heal itself from chronic pain, surgery or injury.
Common problems that have been proven to respond well to dog acupuncture are digestive disorders, arthritis, immune system disorders, skin conditions, urological diseases, liver or kidney disease and neurological problems.
The needles used in acupuncture for dogs are very small compared to other needles and your dog will feel no pain as long as its performed by a qualified dog acupuncturist. Dr. Royal says “I have found that dog acupuncture is often an effective alternative for many conditions….This happens to really be true for dogs that have multiple health problems, are older or maybe cannot have surgery or medications.
If you combine acupuncture for dogs while feeding your canine a healthy dog food and you have a pretty good combination for a naturally healthy dog. Feeding your dog a truly healthy dog food is tricky these days because of all the deceptive marketing practices major commercial dog food companies are using on us. Therefore, its entirely up to you to do a little bit of research to find out if the dog food you are feeding your canine is really healthy or just fast food disguised as healthy dog food.
Filed under Dogs by on Mar 18th, 2010. Comment. 
Vaccinations play a critical role in ensuring your pet grows up in the best of health. Much in the same way that children have to receive vaccinations at certain ages, so do puppies!
Dogs are susceptible to certain types of illnesses which vaccinations help them to ward off. A mother dog protects her puppy until around six to twelve weeks after birth. When the puppies are first born, she passes on her immunity mechanism by providing disease-fighting antibodies in her first milk. This is called the Maternally Derived Antibody (MDA), also known as “passive immunity.”
When the puppy begins to wean off of his mother’s milk and starts eating solid foods, he won’t get nearly as much antibody protection. He will have none at all after he makes the complete transition to regular dog food. Most vets recommend vaccinating puppies six weeks or older. You won’t have very good luck getting your dog vaccinated before this age as their immune systems are usually too weak to handle the vaccine. The first set of vaccines given around this age are referred to as the core vaccines, which cover distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies.
Your pup will need to return at nine and twelve weeks of age to get the second and third portion of these vaccines, and then again at fifteen weeks for an examination.
You may have heard of dogs receiving other vaccinations, commonly referred to as “non-core vaccines.” They are called this because they are usually for illnesses that aren’t as severe to all breeds of dog. Some breeds of dog are particularly susceptible to a certain illness, in which case the vet may recommend that they be given a vaccine as a preventative measure.
Some dog owners fear the side effects of vaccination for their pets. This is a valid concern, but the benefits of vaccination far exceed the risks. Effectiveness may not be guaranteed 100% but with the combination of proper nutrition and eating habits, a good and sanitized environment, vaccination is a great way to protect your dog and other of your pets as well.
In addition to getting your pet vaccinated, it’s important that you provide a healthy diet. Not all dry dog foods live up to their promise of providing the highest quality of ingredients. If you want more information about what’s really in store-bought dog food, visit Dog Food for Life to read the Confidential Dog Food Report.
Filed under Animal Info by on Nov 18th, 2009. Comment.
Taking on the responsibility of caring for a puppy is a pretty important action. Not only do you have to worry about house training, but also about ensuring that you are providing the right food for your pup.
There are many dog foods available on the market that are supposed to cater to the needs of a puppy, but many of them are not nearly as healthy as they appear. That’s why we’ve put together this article to encourage you to give homemade puppy chow/treats a try. By making your dog’s food yourself, you can rest assured knowing that your dog is only eating healthy, natural foods.
The following recipes are for puppy formulas, which will then be followed by everyday meal recipes for when your pup gets a bit older. Don’t worry—they’re easy to read and follow, and most of them can be thrown together in a snap!
Formula Recipe 1:
2/3 cup goat milk canned (or just regular canned milk)
1/3 cup water or Pedialyte
1 teaspoon Karo Syrup
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon Dyne or pediatric vitamin
Strain a couple of times to make sure there is no albumin in the mixture, although it has been used successfully without egg at all.
Variation: 1 can of Condensed Milk rather than goat’s milk (it may be too high in protein and put a strain on the puppy’s kidneys) and 1 envelope of Knox unflavored gelatin in addition to other ingredients (helps keep stools solid).
Formula Recipe 2:
2 cups hot water
1 can Evaporated milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons Karo syrup
2 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin
Mix thoroughly to get the gelatin working.
Meat and Potato Meal:
12 ½ cups of potatoes, chunked
3 pounds beef heart, cut into chunks
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup zucchini, squash, carrots or peas
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label, it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)
In a large pot, boil the potatoes until they become soft. If you choose to cook the meat, pour out half the water and add the beef heart chunks. Then simmer until they are no longer pink. Add the remaining ingredients. If you are feeding raw, pour off all of the water after you cook the potatoes, and just add the beef heart with the remaining ingredients.
Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day
Chicken and Barley Delight:
2 ½ cups barley
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
¼ cup dog oil supplement
1 cup peas, cooked celery, or squash
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label; it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)
Heat 7 ½ cups of water in a large pot until it comes to a boil. Add the barley and cook until it softens. If you choose to cook the meat, add it now and boil it just until the pink color disappears. Then, take the pot off the heat and add the remaining ingredients.
Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day
The Dog Food for Life eBook has plenty of other great recipes, as well as vital information regarding diet, health, and hygiene that are a must-know for any dog owner. Visit Dog Food for Life Here
Filed under Animal Info by on Nov 18th, 2009. Comment.
Click here to visit Dog Food for Life
If your dog hasn’t been in the pinnacle of health lately, you might consider taking a look at his diet. Have you switched dog food brands lately? You might be surprised to learn that many commercial dog food brands are not supplying the nutrients that your dog needs to function in top health.
The first step in re-evaluating your pet’s diet is to understand which ingredients are necessary to promote good health, and which ingredients can be destructive to your dog’s health. We’re going to discuss the nutrients that your pet food should contain, as well as ingredients that are unhealthy or even harmful for your dog.
The most common nutrients your dog needs are protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, as well as water. These nutrients have to be supplied in the right amounts so that they are properly digested and absorbed by the body. Remember that your dog, or any dog for that matter, is a carnivore, meaning his body mainly uses meat. Many dog foods on the market today contain large amounts of grains or vegetables, which are not nearly as beneficial to your dog as the protein found in meat. Any dog food you purchase (or make yourself) should contain, at the very least, forty percent meat. However, there are other sources, aside from meats, that dog food companies can derive the necessary protein from, such as plants and grains like corn, wheat, and soy.
The Dog Food for Life eBook contains tons of great DIY recipes for treats, everyday food, and even desserts for your dog!
Many dog food brands—even the top competitors—contain items that are not only inefficient as a source of nutrients, but down-right dangerous for your dog. If your dog’s food simply states that it contains “meat,” you might need to brace yourself for what you’re about to read next. The term “meat,” as it pertains to the dog food market could mean anything from euthanized animals from vets/shelters to road-kill. Other things to watch out for are unidentified fats, BHA and BHT, artificial colors, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate, Propylene Glycol, Brewers Rice, Cellulose, Ethoxyquin, Propyl Gallate, and Gluten.
To get a good grasp on which items make up the bulk of your dog’s food, remember that ingredients are always listed from largest percentage to smallest . If your dog’s food is primarily made up of chicken and lamb, those ingredients will be listed first, followed by the next item of significant quantity, and so on.
Now that you know what your dog’s food should consist of, take a look at the package to determine whether your dog’s diet is in need of change. If you are afraid your pet may be in poor health due to his/her diet, consult with a veterinarian immediately.
If you would like to learn more about dog food ingredients and which brands to avoid/pursue, go to Dog Food for Life.
Filed under Animal Info by on Nov 16th, 2009. Comment.
Educating yourself about dog training is the first step one takes before actually training your dog. There are plenty of sources you can go to, but at times it becomes information overload.
Canine training is not really all that difficult. One thing to remember is that many dogs simply want to make their owner happy. The issue is communication. Obviously dogs and humans can’t talk to each other, and you need to get your pet to figure out what you want.
Canine training can be summed up with just a few tips. Lets take a look at some of the methods that I have used in order to train my dog, making both he and I happier.
Try to avoid the negatives that often come with training. Hitting or striking your dog, either by hand or with an object will only teach the dog to fear you. A stern verbal NO, is OK, but don’t go any further than that, or you risk alienating the animal. Focusing on praise and rewards when your dog behaves as it should is the better way to go.
Praising your dog will reinforce the correct behavior. Loving or petting your dog for acting positive behaviors is of course nice, but experience has shown even better results occur when food treats are given out at the time the behaviors observed. Think about it, food motivates humans, so to it works with our four legged friends.
Body language can also influence your pet’s reactions. Many canines can actually can actually sense and read your body language before any verbal communication is given. A method that works well in doing this is to match an audible command with a specific movement of either the hand or arm.
Refusing to give up is the final key to successful dog training. Sure at times it is frustrating. It would certainly be easier to give up, go sit on the couch and watch your DirecTV, but you need to persist in your training. Your dog is not going to train himself, and training always takes longer than you would like. It is so important to keep this in mind when things are difficult with your dog. Things will not always fall into place, so do not give up at the first sign of trouble.
Training your dog can be both a difficult and rewarding experience. Keeping these brief tips in mind will help you keep on track in your natural dog training efforts.
Filed under Animal Info by on Apr 30th, 2009. Comment.
Dogs should be vaccinated against the following diseases;
Young puppies should have a combination vaccination known as DHLP-P which will give them protection against parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, distemper and parainfluenza. It is also necessary that they receive a booster injection every year.
Distemper is an extremely serious disease which can lead to death unless the animal has been vaccinated. It begins with respiratory problems in the animal which can be followed by seizures and lead to the dog dying.
Leptospirosis is a disease that affects the organs of the animal namely the liver and the kidneys. This disease is not prevalent in dogs.
Parvovirus which attacks the immune system of the dog by destroying the white blood cells is a deadly disease. The Doberman and Rottweiler breeds of dogs are particularly susceptible to contracting this disease and in smaller dogs especially the mortality rate can be as high as 1 in 4. Continuous retching and bloody stools as well as severe hydration are serious consequences of this disease.
It is important to have young puppies vaccinated against rabies when they are between 4 – 6 months of age. Older dogs normally would receive a rabies vaccination on a yearly basis. This is a viral disease that is deadly on the central nervous system of the animal and is a public health threat if not contained.
Dogs that are boarded at kennels on a regular basis or who often come into contact with other dogs e.g. at grooming parlors should be given a bordetella vaccination as a protective measure. This disease also known as kennel cough affects the respiratory system of the animal and causes it cough. It is a highly contagious airborne disease
Booster injections are also available as and when they are necessary. Consult your veterinarian as to how often they should be given.
Vaccinations against Coronavirus should be given to young puppies and an annual booster injection should follow. This intestinal disease leads to peritonitis.
It is always best to consult your veterinarian for dog health advice as to how often vaccinations should be given depending on what has already been administered and at what age. It should not be underestimated how essential vaccinations for certain diseases are. Neglecting them or the follow up booster injections could have devastating and fatal consequences for your animal.
Related Information on Shots for Dogs
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Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 18th, 2009. 4 Comments.
One must be extremely careful about medicines purchased from your drugstore being given to your dog.
Aspirin is dangerous to dogs especially when used indiscriminately.
Depending on what the dog is suffering from there are circumstances where aspirin could be given.
It needs to be stressed however that it is absolutely necessary to have the dog examined and assessed by a veterinarian before any medication purchased over the counter at a drugstore is administered to the animal. Even then the dosage would have to be strictly controlled by someone knowledgeable such as a veterinarian.
A large number of dog owners whose animal are suffering from arthritis and are in pain believe that aspirin can help with the easing of the pain. If this is in fact the case aspirin would help if it is administered by a veterinarian and the correct dosage is given. One should note that aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, non steroidal substance and dogs are extremely susceptible to the side effects of this drug when it is in their gastrointestinal tract.
Effects such as bleeding, development of ulcers or pain and other dog health problems could occur if overdosed with this drug due to the susceptibility of their abdominal area.
At all costs giving aspirin to a dog that is pregnant should be avoided as this action could result in birth defects within the litter. There are safer alternatives then aspirin such as glucosamine and chondroitin which are more preferable to use. Note also that aspirin if given is a substance that can react with certain other drugs in the dog’s body that the animal may be taking such as cortisone, phenobarbitol and certain antibiotics.
In the case of arthritis in dogs the drug cosequin has been known to be effective in cases in helping with the arthritis and any joint difficulties the dog may have. If treating the dog yourself the best bet is to avoid aspirin completely.
Tylenol, Advil and Nadproxen can all cause different problems for dogs so avoid giving them these medications. Liver or kidney disease and ulceration of the dog’s stomach could well result from the indiscriminate use of these medications.
Additional Articles of Interest:
Dog Arthritis is a degernative joint disease that afflicts them, usually when they get older, just like with humans. There is another common related arthritic condition called hip dysplasia. This is caused when the back hip joint starts.
Natural Ways to Treat Dog Arthritis
Be it dogs or human beings presently there is no permanent cure available for arthritis. According to research studies alternative or natural remedies are much better and effective as compared to dog arthritis medications.
Health problems of the larger dogs like arthritis are more common. Arthritis is noticed more in larger dog than the medium sized or small sized dogs, as the weight of the larger dogs is the predisposing factor.
Rimadyl and Dog Arthritis. By joeyhaney6219. Are you familiar with Rimadyl for Dogs? Dogs can’t convey to owners whether they are in pain, hence it is the caretaker’s duty to be alert of changes to behavior of the dog.
Dog Arthritis Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment
Statistics say that in US about 25% of pets are affected by arthritis. As a dog owner and lover, you should pay attention that your non-human friend is always in good mood, playful and that it eats well and healthy food.
Dog arthritis, a canine illness characterized by a pain in the joint, is a common problem among senior or old dogs. It comes with age and mostly affects large dog breeds. A dog with arthritis or hip dysplasia faces difficulty in moving.
Dog Arthritis Medicine, Glucosamine
Glucosamine as a dog arthritis treatment is now recognised after some research as a safe and effective option.
Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 17th, 2009. Comment.
Canine Heart Disease
Heart disease affects dogs as well as humans. While many dogs have an acquired heart defect or murmur at birth, many other canines develop heart problems when they are middle aged or older.
In dogs, two particular heart diseases have a tendency to occur. One difficulty that occurs is a problem with the heart valves of the dog which do not close effectively thus creating blood flow difficulties.
The other heart condition that is problematical occurs when the walls of the heart muscle in a dog’s heart lose their thickness and become weak and fragile. These occurrences take place over a period of time and can result in the animal having canine heart failure if untreated.
It is estimated that over 3 million dogs in the United States who are treated by veterinarians have an existing heart condition for which they are being treated.
If the heart is unable to pump blood to the body at the rate at which it is required an increased amount of pressure is placed on the heart to meet this requirement. As a consequence of this further harm can be done to the heart.
Dog Heart Symptoms
Heart diseases in dogs can be detected on examination by a veterinarian. In the early stages of heart disease, x-rays would show if the heart was enlarged. Other symptoms such as coughing, the dog laboring when breathing and a general sluggishness in the dogs mobility could be indicators of a developing or existing heart condition.
As with any other dog diseases, early detection of canine heart problems could prevent serious heart problems in the dog before it’s too late. Owners should therefore be encouraged to have their animals checked out at regular intervals by a veterinarian.
Regular exercise, good nutrition and a well balanced diet are important factors in keeping your dog’s heart healthy. A dog in good shape that has been well cared for and is in good condition will give its owner many years of happiness and companionship.
More information on canine heart failure:
Dog Health Information: Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Dogs are man’s best friend and there is nothing more important than our dog’s health. Today’s topic will cover congestive heart failure. We will learn to know and understand what it is, what it does and how we can prevent such a disease.
Dog Sicknesses Symptoms & Diagnosi
Being an animal the dog cant communicate its health related problems so it’s up to the owner of the dog to keep a regular watch over it and diagnose its sickness or any health related problem just after observing a few of its symptoms. … Ear Scratching(Dog Ear Infections, Fleas and Dog Allergies); Eye Infections / Problems / Discharge (Distemper, Canine Eye Infections, Conjunctivitis, Entropion, Kennel Cough and Dog Allergies); Fainting
If your dog is in the early stages of this disease, naturopathic treatments are likely to be very effective. If the disease had progressed further, I’d recommend going with your vet’s recommendations for conventional drugs.
Holistic Vet and Pet Nutrition Journal
These can include pancreatitis, anemia, heart disease, liver issues, allergies, etc. It is not advisable to use a recipe or commercial diet intended for any pet with kidney disease because it may not be the right one for your pet.
Break-through Drug for Heart Failure in Dogs Reaches Market
CHF is one of the most common heart problems in dogs, especially older, smaller breeds. Heart disease affects up to 11 percent of the almost 75 million dogs in the United States, and the incidence of heart disease could be as high as 60
Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipe for pets with Heart Disease
When our beloved pet is diagnosed with heart disease, a special diet is always recommended. This healthy homemade dog food recipe should meet with your vet’s approval and benefit your family pet.
Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 10th, 2009. Comment.
