Carbon Monoxide in Dogs

Did you know dogs can die from carbon monoxide poisoning too?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas. When it is present the gas is absorbed into the bloodstream and forms a compound that causes a reduced oxygen supply to the heart and brain.

The most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is from non-vented and poorly ventilated furnace, gas water heaters, gas/kerosene space heaters in your home or it can be a faulty exhaust system. I started thinking to about our heated dog kennels or spaces we put our dogs to keep warm are we paying attention to the ventilation also.

Also a running car in an enclosed area, smoke inhalation in a burning building, and get this a cargo area in an airplane are all places for carbon monoxide poisoning

Common signs of poisoning are drowsiness, lethargy, weakness, bright red color to the skin and gums, difficulty breathing, coma and sudden death. Now sometimes we can be exposed at lower levels on a consistent basis and we need to watch our dogs for excercise intolerance changes in their gate being wobbly when walking and disturbances in their normal reflexes. If you see any of these signs start checking the heating system and your ventilation.

Just like humans we need to protect our dogs. We need to minimize exposure by using carbon monoxide detectors They can be bought at any home improvement store and they have dual purpose detectors to that are useful. I think investing in a detector is a lot less expensive than having to take our dog to the vet or having the possibility of losing a beloved friend

PARVO the Killer continued

Ok lets continue with this look at Parvo only this time lets look at all natural preventatives and cures. Also I found other alternatives to Bleach to clean I'm allergic to bleach it gives me terrible sinus infections and I've been looking for alternatives. One of the parvo helpers is called Parvo-K It is a product carried at http://www.petalive.com/ and also at http://www.mindbodyand/ paw.com It is a blend of herbal homopathic ingredients easily dissolved. Lactose granules. One bottle lasts 1-4 weeks Theres a list of ingredients on http://www.mindbodyandpaw.com/ that tells you what each ingredient does and how it helps a bottle os 34.95 plus shipping and handling

Next is Parvaid You will find this at http://www.ambertech.com/ This is an all natural product helping to ease the stomach of vomiting and diarrhea. Parvaid calms the stomach promotes the appetite and allows fluids to pass into the intestinal track. Made in an alcohol base in order to get medicinal properties into the bloodstream quickly. There is an e-book to download there about parvo and how to help your dog to overcome it. That is a good informational tool

The last one sounded real good to me its called Parvoguard

You can find this product at http://www.parvoguard.com/ Made of natural herbs it sattacks the parvo virus within 10 minutes of entering the body. It gives your dogs body the stength it needs to deal with the virus. It provides vital support and protection for your dogs immune system It eliminates your dogs pain and suffering ends his vomiting and diarrhea. You can order it by phone at 1-800-805-1592 or on the site for 37.00 theres alot of information there thats helpful

I think I would like to keep these products on hand just in case since we raise Rottweilers Always better safe than sorry and these could be used before you can get your babies shots at 4 weeks or 6 weeks just as a preventative

Now I found several products to clean that kills parvo virus Of course theres bleach which isn't natural but we know it kills parvo. You mix 1 ounce to one quart water and clean

Next is a product you find at http://www.htproducts.com/ Its a germicide and has a more pleasant scent than bleach

Third is a product by www.lyndist.com/disinfectant They have a list of products for different cleaning needs but the ninth one down is called Spray Fresh RTU with dye and fragrance If used as directed this product kills canine parvo

The last one is from www.entireltpets.com

It kills 99.99% of viruses, bacteria,and fungi. It is biodegradable safe, and pleasant smelling. citrus scented. A ten pound pail makes 123 gallons of cleaning solution It is called Tomlyn Trifectant Disinfectant

This is the best I have found so far If I come across anything else I will let you know .

In the mean time may all our friends stay safe and healthy.

PARVO a Killer

I'm writing this blog today with a heavy heart . For I have been dealing with this killer. We have a litter of puppies that have come down with parvo and it has been traced back to a neighbor that probably brought it in on his shoes into our yard and then our female brought it into her babies. So while I am struggling to maybe keep some alive I sadly see others be put to sleep.So my mission today is to bring to you information on this killer and what it does and what we can do to avoid it or what we can do if our little ones get it. So maybe you won't have to cry like me.

PARVO

Is a viral disease. It effects our puppies. The virus grows very rapidly dividing cells in the intestinal lining This is where the biggest concentration is. The virus attacks killing good cells causing diarrhea and bleeding.The depression and suppression of white blood cells can infect the heart muscle and lead to sudden death.

Parvo is not an airborne virus.It is carried by infected dogs without showing signs The virus is shed in diarrhea and can live for 9 months in the environment Its highly contagious. A human or a dog ,bird ect. steps in the excrement and contamination occurs It can be brought home on shoes, hands, even tires of a car. It can live on a dog outside its body for many months.

Parvo is extremely hardy withstanding a wide temperature fluctuation and resists most cleaning agents. However chlorine bleach is the most effective and inexpensive

Once parvo has been introduced into your puppies environment and he has contracted it It will take 7-10 days for symptoms to start showing. It begins with a high fever,lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, Then diarrhea with blood in it, vomiting. It ends with dehydration, shock and death.

The first thing I noticed with my little ones was not eating and just sitting in a corner quietly not playing. They also wanted to be held like they didn't feel good.

What the virus does is it causes the body not to be able to absorb nutrients and liquids and the rest takes over.

Also the diarrhea will smell foul like nothing you've smelled before.

Now you have your puppy at the vet what can they do for it?

The only thing they can do is keep it hydrated by IV and watch it The virus has to take its coarse They can make it through it but its very difficult there is no cure only PREVENTION A parvo shot can be given as early as 4 weeks paticularly if parvo has been in your area otherwise the recommended time is 6 weeks old.

Also a puppy that has survived parvo can get it again.

Keeping the puppies area clean is vital Keeping feces away from puppies is vital. You can clean the area with bleach. Our vet told us also you can wash your female with mild water and bleach and rinse really good making sure her feet are cleaned with bleach and water and rinsed and her nipples where your puppies suck. cleaniness is the most important part and puppies parvo shot as soon as possible.

In my next blog I will be writing about the natural cures and prevention I have found researching trying to understand this killer and how to eliminate it.

Thank-you to www.drfostersmith.com

www.nativeremedies.com

www.petalive.com

and my own vet for information on this subject and numerous other books and articles that I've read.

DOG ARTHRITIS

I found something interesting a checklist for arthritis for dogs Sometimes we don't know what to look for and this might help
ARTHRITIS CHECKLIST

Does your pet limp after excercise

Is your pet reluctant to jump up into the car

Doesn't want to go for a walk or gets tired easily on walks when he or she never did before

stiff after sitting for awhile

rests more than before

is in pain in cold weather

doesn't want to climb stairs

won't jump on sofa or bed anymore

has lost interest in food

does not want to sit or stand would rather lay down

bites at certain joints on leg

seems depressed

has decrease in muscle mass

is uncomfortable when touched on hips or tail

is not comfortable when squatting to eliminate

I did find a natural solution I have not tryed it on my dogs and I do have a female I believe is starting to have trouble
It is

Muscle and Joint support
It treats symtoms of existing arthritis
improves ease of movement
reduces stiffness and pain fo swollen joints
reduce toxins and acid buildup
ensure healthy strong muscles, tendons, cartilage, and bone
cleanse and purify system

I know I keep mentioning http://www.petalive.com/
its because they have so many great products for dogs and alot of research has gone into their site
In future blogs I will be researching more natural remedies and places to go for help other places to look
In the mean time lets keep our pets healthy
Thanks

http://www.ambassedorrottweilers.com/
http://www.petalive.com/
http://www.nativeremedies.com/
http://www.vonsederhausrotts.com/
http://www.petsbynature.com/
www.drfostersmith.com

Round worms

Ok I know YUCK! But we have to deal with them for our dogs But theres something else you need to know

PARASITE FACTS

Thousands of people become infected with roundworms in the United States every year. How do people become infected you ask? Large numbers of eggs can accumulate in the soil where dogs are allowed to defecate. The eggs are sticky and collect on objects, the hands and under fingernails of people. Children and others who may not have good hygiene are most prone to becoming infected.

So wash your hands wash your hands wash your HANDS. wear shoes and keep the kids clean.

Now that were done with that tidbit lets go on to how our dogs get them and how to prevent it and eliminate it.

Of the three types of roundworms affecting dogs T. canis has the most complex life. It begins when the worms eggs pass out in the dogs infected feces. These eggs survive in the environment and are later ingested by other dogs. The larvae are released from the eggs and enter the wall of the new host small intestine and eventually migrate through the circulatory system or to other organs and tissues. They finally re-enter the intestines where they mature and mate, and eggs are passed again through dog feces.

Round worms live in the hosts intestines and can cause malnutrition, diarrhea, vomiting, and pot-bellied appearance Heavy infestation can lead to pneumonia and obstruction of the intestines.

It is recommended to have your vet check for worms on a scheduled basis. If worms are found de-worming products which are used is prowormer-2, or safe guard granules These treatments anesthetize the mature woms allowing them to exit with feces Two or three treatments are required 2-4 weeks apart to rid the dog completely of worms as they mature.

You must remove and dispose of stool in order to control the spread of roundworms Also watch your dog so they don't pick up dead rodents or infected things to eat.

Now those are vet medications for worms there is always natural remedies one is again parasite dr from www.nativeremedies.com Alot of prevention is keeping your dogs are clean

When I'm done with the parasite series I'm going to get all the natural remedies together and write a blog on those and places to find them

But for now keep yourself clean and your dog for pevention

Itching

Have you ever seen your dog sit down and scoot his butt along the ground? Or trying real hard to chew his butt.
Well theres several reasons why that might be happening.
Dogs have glands just inside their anus opening that can fill full of fluids and become impacted if not emptied or relieved.
Wild dogs normally emptied these glands by marking their territory and roaming. But our dogs have become house dogs and many don't mark or roam. So their marking glands can fill full and create all kinds of problems .They itch and burn hence the scooting trying to at least give them temporary relief.
You can help them yourself by putting on a surgical rubber glove and inserting your finger to "milk the glands on each side. Which by the way smell really obnoxious or take him to the vet and let them milk them and aleveate the problem.
In reading about this I also found a really good product to use called "anal glandz" made by pet alive . It will take away the itching and break up impacted glands. I'm not saying not to take your dog to the vet don't let him suffer but this product can help and perhaps you won't have to take your dog to the vet for this problem as often.
Another reason anal itching ocurrs is worms always have the vet check for worms they need to be eliminated as soon as possible. tapeworms , and others can cause these symtoms.
Also yeast infection can cause itching I feed our dogs yogurt the plain kind with no fruit or sugar, natural it balances the friendly bacteria in the intestines and creates a healthy environment. Just like for humans I find my dogs love it
You can find the "anal glandz" at http://www.petalive.com/ it doesn't take much and your poor itchy friend will feel better

WARNING Garlic can be hazardous to your dog

This is Rusty and Peanut our little min-pins They think their big just like our Rottweilers

I've given my dogs powdered garlic for years and fresh garlic in their food to enhance their health and deter fleas and its worked most of the time. I always thought I was doing good for them until now when I found an article on www.petsbynature.com by Laura Murphy about the dangers of garlic. So I went on line and found more articles about garlic and studies that made me think. So I want to share this with you and let you decide what you think is best for your dog.

Its been thought for a long time that garlic provides many healthy benefits. When fed regularly it stimulates white blood cells, prevents tumors,decrease blood cholesterol. Vets have suggested to us for years to use garlic as treatment for allergies, asthma, diabetes, cancer,infections, intestinal parasites, and kidney desease also for natural control of fleas and parasite repellent. Now with that kind of review wouldn't you add it to you pets diet? Of course you would.

Now lets look at the new studies on garlic.

Garlic is part of the onion family along with leeks and shallots. research indicates onions can be harmful, if not deadly to our pets. More and more studies are being done on garlic and all indicate that it to can pose serious health risks when fed to cats and dogs. It is indicated that its toxic when given in excessive amounts. The problem is what is excessive amounts how do you judge that. Unfortunately no one knows what excessive amounts really is.

Garlic is used as flavor enhancers in food. This enhancer can cause Heinz body anemia, resulting in a break down of the red blood cells and anemia, studies indicate garlic shouldn't be fed to dogs.

The effects of garlic include vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, tachycardia "irregular heart beat" weakness, liver damage, allergic reactions,asthmatic attacks, contact dermatitis, and gastrointestinal damage.

There are many forms of garlic fresh raw, cooked,dryed, oil of garlic all are a serious risk.The bulbs, bublets, flowers, and stems are all poisonous

Many over the counter dog foods have garlic in them If you feel you don't want to feed your dog garlic you will have to check ingredient labels before purchasing.

The entire article can be viewed at www.petsbynature.com and thank-you Laura for allowing me to use parts of your article in my blog.

I don't know about you but I've decided to quit using garlic for my dogs because no one knows exact amounts that will cause illness to my dogs Its not worth the risk for me to possibly harm my dogs What do you think?

Warning Flea Control can be Dangerous

I don't know about you but I've tryed all kinds of flea control from store bought to vet bought to natural control to spraying my yard. Fleas and ticks are an on going battle.
What I didn't know was theres a difference in store over the counter flea control and what your vet sells you.
Products like advantage and Frontline are topical flea control products sold by vets.
Pet supply stores and grocery stores sell numerous"look alike"products.
Each product is sold in packages of several tubes that contain indivitual doses to be applied to the dog's skin. It is reapplied every one to three months. Although the packaging and labeling is similiar the products are definitely different.
Advantage and Frontline contain a solution that remains topical and kills fleas that contact the skin. These two products interrupt nerve transmission in the fleas "short circuiting" their nervous system, causing death. The nervous system of the animal is not effected.
The products sold at pet-supply and grocery stores contain concentrated doses of insecticides similiar to those found in many flea sprays, dips, and shampoos. These insecticides not only kill fleas but also affect the nervous systems of our pets, our children and ourselves. Toxic reactions to these products can be serious.
I watch children and have for 25 years and I've always had dogs .It worries me that I may have used products on my dogs that could have hurt those children. Because the kids were always hugging and wrestling with my dogs. They could have been affected.
If you have children or even for yourself its something to think about.
I have found some all natural flea controls and will share them with you in up coming blogs

Good sites for dogs and information
www.ambassedorrottweilers.com
www.petsbynature.com
www.vonsederhausrotts.com
www.thedogfoodconspiracy.org

POISONED PET FOODS ?????

Many of us are unaware of the risk factors of feeding our beloved dogs over the counter processed dog food. If we were aware most of us would be sick and look to alternatives.
Heres something I dug up while doing some research and it scared the fire out of me. So I wanted to pass this on.
Mycotoxins are metabolic by products of fungi which are toxic to both humans and animals.
Mycotoxins contamination is most often in wheat,wheat products, corn, corn products, soybean meal and hulls,barley and oats. The toxins can develop prior to harvest, between harvesting and drying or during storage. Once produced the toxins cannot readily be extracted.
Health problems resulting from these toxins can be cancer, liver desease, desease to the immune system, reproductive problems, and they can adversely effect fetal development.
Even if the processed food we buy is not contaminated when we buy it. It can be contaminated after we open it. Every time we open our dog food we allow oxygen to get in. Oxidation of fats has been shown to cause cancer and other health problems. Warm moist air causes mold to grow on food and Mycotoxins are a by product of mold.

Now we know what the toxin is and where it comes from and hopefully we won't buy a bag thats contaminated but what can we do to keep from contaminating what we open. I did the research and this is what I found.

When you look for your bag of dog food make sure of the date and thats its not opened. All cans and bags of dog food should be labeled with an appropriate shelf life. All expired food should not be used. Once can and bags are opened they should be used within a reasonable time to prevent spoilage by mold, oxygen, bugs, moisture and uv light. Poorly stored pet food will become contaminated with mycotoxins and infestation of bugs, and mites. These contaminates use up the nutrients in the infested food. To limit the exposure to our dogs of mycotoxins we should purchase dog food in sufficient amounts for one week of feeding and the shelf life and manufacturing dates should always be checked.

Dog food should be kept in a cool dry environment and larger bags stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Opened cans of food should always be refrigerated.

Always look at the quality of the food before feeding. Never use off colour food rancid, moldy. or off flavored food

If your pet suddenly doesn't want to eat what you have given him or her trust them and discard the food your pet has a good nose.

They know when something isn't right. We have many other alternatives to this bagged over the counter dog food and I'll be writing other blogs with recipes and ideas among other subjects . In the mean time I don't know about you but I think its " move over bacon " time in my refrigerator the dog foods coming in!

I would like to thank Laura Murphy from www.petsbynature.com for giving me her permission to use some information from her articles on poisoned pet food. I appreciate her kindness Laura has many good articles that she writes and she also makes her own fresh dog food for herself and others. I'm sure she will continue her good work.

Other places to find information and great dogs

www.ambassedorrottweilers.com

www.vonsederhausrotts.com

www.petsbynature.com