Pat, Cat & Dog

Posts Tagged ‘pet health’

At times when your vet prescribes medication to your dog or cat, you will have to choose between the options available like fluid or tablet? Commercial or holistic? Your vet may suggest to you a few choices but it has to be your final decision.

Factors to think about:

While no vet would prescribe medication that’s harmful to your pet, some medications are more problematic than others.It is a good idea to ask the vet the optimal duration of the medication necessary for the best result for your pet.Do not forget to mention any other medication your dog or cat might be already taking or any kind of allergy your canine or feline companion has in order to avoid side effects of the prescribed medication.Do not forget to ask your vet about the variety and options regarding pet meds available in the market which suit you the best.Some medications are not user friendly so keep them out of the reach of children and be attentive.

What are the best pet meds?

You need to look after the medication chart for your pet, so be sure to ask your vet to give you only those medications for dogs which fit in with your daily routine and allow you to manage to administer in a timely manner for better health of your pet.

Choosing the best pet treatment:

The ideal dog or medications for cats is one that has few, if any, side effects or long- or short-term health implications.It should be safe to administer and cost effective, but always consult your vet regarding the breed, sex and age of your pet before any giving any medication.Don’t forget that there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to meds, like comparing other brands or even opting for home natural remedies including a more balanced diet for your dog or cat.Knowing what medications will work against a particular ailment is often a bit hit and miss, so if you don’t think they are working properly, stop and try something else rather than sticking with those meds for too long.

Advice on safety:

With pet meds, as with your own, always read and follow label instructions. For example, often dog medication is designed for dogs within certain age, breed, or weight range. Review the instructions carefully.For topicals, apply them in a place where they can’t be licked or washed off easily. Keep all pet medications out of the reach of children and never use vet meds to treat a human condition, even if the symptoms are the same.While commercial medications may not be all they are made out to be in some cases, holistic medications can also fail to live up to expectations.Always consult with your veterinarian before giving any holistic medications or supplements to your dog or cat just to be on the safe side. It is well known, as an example, that cats are a lot more sensitive and prone to serious complications if given natural remedies such as herbal extracts.

A pet can make the house a homely place to be and there are more and more pet owners in the UK today. Choosing a right and healthy pet can create a special and lasting relation for both of you.

Being an important member of the family, your pet will bring joy and happiness to those around you, but you have to look after its health and make sure it lives as long as possible. You want looking after your pet to be easy, take a note of pet health and do your research online.

Although a pet can bring many benefits to your family, you should also make sure that it isn’t going to harm your health. Every pet carries some germs and these may affect your family in the form of allergies for example, so it is important to try and minimise the health issues animals pose to your family.

There are a wide range of pet problems that can surface, from fleas and allergies to more serious conditions like cataracts and arthritis.

There is a cost-effective way to cover veterinary bills if the time comes, and that is with the use of an insurance company that can provide you with pet health insurance. Now you can take care of your pet properly and also ensure pet health routine care is covered. After browsing online, you will be sure to find a number of different quotes that you can deliberate over and decide which pet plan to go for.

Contact a vet for advice before you get your new pet so that you can make sure you have everything sorted in advance. The Internet is a great place where you can study about pet health care and find information on how to keep a healthy pet in your house.

Pets are the loves of many lives, so be sure to look after yours and make its life a long and happy one.

zoonotic disease in pets

Salmonella and Our Pets -With the recent Peanut Butter Recall,  Salmonella once more has become headline news. Salmonella is a  bacterium that can affect both humans and animals and can be passed  from human to animal and animal to humans (reverse zoonotic disease).  Most infections occur through ingestion of contaminated food or water  or through close contact with an infected host. In the Peanut Butter  recall, contaminated peanuts were used as a flavoring or an additive in  products including pet food and treats. Luckily, most dogs and cats  infrequently develop disease, but handling the infected treats and then  handling food or not washing your hands after handling infected  products can transmit the bacteria to humans.
Salmonella infection can result in acute diarrhea, vomiting  and dehydration. Some humans and pets may not show  signs of illness, but can harbor the bacteria for months and  accidentally pass the bacteria. The disease can cause severe debilitation and sometimes  death in those that are most vulnerable. Salmonella is most often  found in raw meat, poultry, eggs and sometimes vegetables

Cooking  products to the proper temperature kills the bacteria. Most often,  infections occur with cross contamination, such as cutting raw meat on  a cutting board and then cutting vegetables for the salad on the same  cutting board or handling a contaminated product then eating or  handling food without washing hands. Most disinfectants and dilute  bleach will kill the bacteria. Feeding raw meat, poultry or eggs to  pets can result with Salmonella infection in our pets. Since some pets  may not develop symptoms but harbor the bacteria, they may pass  Salmonella in their feces for months and may cause infections in  humans.

What can you do to reduce your exposure to Salmonella?

1. Always  cook food thoroughly. Do not ingest drinks or foods containing raw eggs  (This includes licking the beaters when making cake mixes, a bad habit  I am most guilty of)
2. Wash hands after handling raw meats, poultry,  and pets: especially turtles, baby chicks, reptiles and pet feces.
3. Wash your hands before eating. (Mothers are always right)
4. Wash utensils, cutting  boards and plates after handling raw meat and poultry. (When grilling,  always use a different plate when taking the cooked meat off the  grill.)
5. Do not feed pets raw meat, poultry or eggs.
6. Wash hands  after handling pet treats (pig ears, rawhides, peanut butter treats) or  after playing with pets, especially turtles, birds, baby chicks and reptiles.
7. Washing hands after changing diapers, or  handling raw foods, will prevent cross contamination.
8. If  you are served undercooked  meats at a restarurant, do not hesitate to send it back for further cooking. Also, you  may want to ask for fresh salsa if it looks like it may have been left  out too long. Salsa dips have been a source of Salmonella infections in  the past.
9. For extra protection, carry a  hand sanitizer in your purse or car.

   I have more tips and links to web  sites concerning the Salmonella Peanut Butter recall at LuvUrDog.com/ You can also view Facts about Salmonella at CDC.org.