Natural Pet News - September 2007

A NOTE FROM DONNA & SQUEEK

This will be the last issue of this newsletter for a period of time.

Squeek has been very jealous of the time I spend at work so I have decided to take a sabbatical to focus on the health challenge I have with rheumatoid arthritis. Squeek tells me my program will include 3 hours a day of time with her. :-)

Seriously, many of you are on other newsletters I do and already know that I will be taking some time to focus on beating this disease. I don't seem to be able to manage my work time wisely. I love working and I'm very task-oriented, so I'm a do-it-now person.

My sweet hubby, Randal, has encouraged me for five years to do this but it's been hard to let go. I've finally "seen the Light" as they say and will choose wisdom rather than follow the easy road of doing what I've always done. Taking care of me hasn't been a big priority so that needs to change for a season.

I have a personal blog set up that I will be posting to on my favorite topics of pets, natural health, wildlife, etc. and will add you to that mailing list. Each issue will have an unsubscribe link at the bottom and a reply-to address just as this has. I hope you'll continue to join me on this journey of life.

If you're not on Dr. Jane Bicks' free monthly pet newsletter, it's even better than this. I've promoted it before. There are great articles and important information. View a sample issue here and/or subscribe now.

Thanks to Jennifer Fry for mentioning other foods that pets can't have after I mentioned a few in the last issue. The ASPCA site has has more detailed information on what NOT to feed your pets. Visit the ASPCA site and click on Animal Poison Control.

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Ingredients include MSM, Glucosamine, Alfalfa, Yucca, Boswellia, Omega 3's and 6's, and Sea Mussels. Read the success story below and get more info on Agility.

SUCCESS STORIES

Heartworms Gone Naturally

"Abby is my lovely, mixed-breed rescue. She tested positive for heartworms. The vet at the time was incredulous that I did not want the conventional treatment for her.

I found Bandit's Buddies website and a very insightful article about the hazards of treating heartworms with Ivermectin. That confirmed my decision to avoid it. I decided to try Bandit's heartworm program.

I am so thankful to those who believed in the healing power of nature. Robin's website provided the affirmation that I needed, actually finding out about other dogs who encountered heartworms and survived. These testimonies gave me courage!

Abby is now 9 years old and in very good condition. She had tested positive for heartworms for six years, but now is healthy and heartworm free! Read the full story (and other heartworm success stories) at Bandit's Buddies.com."

No Rehabilitation Therapy Required After ACL Surgery

"I want to give you an update on Joey, my baby standard poodle who tore his ACL and had surgery 8 weeks ago. Yesterday we went back to the veterinarian for X-rays and to hear the recommended rehab therapy before being able to turn Joey loose. The vet explained we were looking at the plate he had put in Joey’s knee and the joints and bones in his leg on the X-rays. He said that the knee had healed extremely well.

The doctor said “Turn him loose!” I felt like he was saying to turn us both loose since I had eating, sleeping and working with Joey and have been confined with him! I asked about the therapy Joey was supposed to have. The healing was better and faster than he had ever seen in all his years of practice and said that no therapy was required. We were to just go home, give him free run, and let him do whatever he wants.

Immediately after the surgery, Joey was on Rimadyl and that worried me because I know the dangers of Rimadyl, so along with the Rimadyl I gave Joey Agility (2 tablets a day) and SeaLogix Omega 3 Fish Oil (1 teaspoon a day). Joey weighs about 55 pounds. About a week later I stopped the Rimadyl. I’ve had surgery and usually a week afterwards, the initial pain has subsided. Within a week after getting him on the Agility and Fish Oil he was using his leg. A little weight on it, then a lot. He continued to use the leg, putting more weight on it over the weeks.

I can’t attribute his healing to anything else other than love (lots and lots of it), Agility and SeaLogix Fish Oil. The vet has done this operation many, many times over the years and Joey was the one that healed the fastest." J. Bishop

DOGS

Dog Rescued From Storm Drain After Four Days

You'll be in tears of joy by the time you finish this short video on a dog rescue. A missing 14 year old Dalmation was found in a storm drain two days after he disappeared and after two more days of digging with a backhoe they got him out. Grab a tissue and enjoy the video.

How To Teach A Dog To Play

Question: I recently adopted a dog from the shelter. He’s very loving, but he doesn’t know how to play. Is it possible to teach a dog to play and fetch a ball.

Answer: Dogs who have been kenneled most of their life or isolated from interaction with humans, often don’t understand the concept of play. Many dogs adopted from shelters have had to live on their own as strays and survival was the name of the game. Others were left tied up in backyards with minimal interactions with humans.

It’s not uncommon to adopt a dog from a shelter only to find they have no concept of how to play. It is, however, possible to teach them the joy of interacting with humans. Patience and time is what is needed.

Many dogs are indifferent to toys. You will need to find a toy that will really entice some interest. A rope toy or a floppy stuffed toy designed for dogs is a good place to start. You may want to make the toy tasty with a little chicken broth to help entice the dog to take the toy in his mouth. If he does take the toy, praise him. You may want to put this on command by saying “Take it” every time the dog puts his mouth on the toy, and really praise him each time.

Get down on the floor and play with the toy yourself. Show the dog how much fun you are having. So, you look a little silly, who cares? If the dog doesn’t show an interest in the toy, you’ve at least had a good time and probably brought a few smiles to those watching!

Note: Never leave a dog alone with a toy until you have determined how safe the toy is - a dog that ignores a toy when you are there may tear it up when you are gone and possibly ingest it.

Second-hand dogs often come with a lot of baggage from their past life. You must be patient and loving and let things come on the dog’s own timeline, not yours. Some of your expectations may have to change. The dog may never fetch a ball, but I’m sure he has other wonderful qualities that you can enjoy for years to come. Take time to celebrate every minor accomplishment in the dog’s life. Show this furry fellow how great humans are to be with, and one day he may surprise you by picking up that ball and dropping it in your lap - slobber and all!

Source: Center Hill School

Ask About Your Pet's Behavior Problem

Cheryl Falkenburry has traveled the world helping people make sense of mind-boggling animal behavior. Working with animal behaviorists in Tucson, Arizona and England, majoring in psychology, and becoming a certified parenting educator prepared Cheryl to teach both humans and animals. Phone and email consultations available.

HERBS FOR PETS

Online Catalog by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Natural Remedies
Natural Heartworm Programs

CATS

Kitten Rescued From Concrete

Construction workers at a school were shocked to find a small kitten trapped beneath concrete that was being poured to secure a set of stairs. It was treated for dehydration, shaved and released. The worker who found it decided to take the kitten home and name it 'Stone.' Read the whole story here with photo.

Cat Peeing On Bed

Question: I have a really big problem. I adopted a cat about six weeks ago, and she has started peeing on my bed. Two of the times I was packing to go on a trip, but another time I was right there in the house. She was doing so well until now, what can I do? I don’t want to return her, but I can’t keep cleaning my mattress.

Answer: The very first thing that comes to mind is a potential urinary tract infection (UTI). Any time an animal starts doing something out-of-the-blue, I like to eliminate health problems first. Get the cat to a vet and have her checked out. Often the stress of a new home can bring on a UTI.

Once you have eliminated that option, then it’s possible she’s peeing on your bed due to stress. People often mistakenly think that their animal is doing this out of spite. Animals, unlike people, don’t think in terms of revenge (thank goodness).

When an animal pees on a bed (and there are no physical ailments), it’s usually because the animal needs to relieve stress. The bed smells most like their human; it’s a place they go to relax; and urinating relieves stress.

You need to find out what the stress is. Your cat may be upset that you are leaving. A packed suitcase has come to mean being left alone for a longer period of time than just when you go to work. Just the process of packing can start the stress. You can help eliminate this kind of trigger by packing your bags at other times when you aren’t leaving. Pretty soon a packed suitcase doesn’t have a negative meaning for your cat, and it won’t trigger a stressful response.

Animals who suffer separation anxiety begin the stress cycle long before their human leaves the house. Everything the human does to get ready - showering, shaving, putting on a coat, picking up keys, builds anxiety in the animal. It’s important to desensitize the animals to these triggers - pick up your keys and put them back down when you aren’t going anywhere. Put your coat on and take it off again. The triggers suddenly don’t mean the same thing anymore.

Also be sure to leave your animal with something to do. Dogs often enjoy having a stuffed Kong or a BusterCube to work on when their human first leaves the house. This keeps them busy for the first 30 minutes - the time when most of the damage is done. Cats may enjoy a timed feeding dish where there are different treats that are available at different times throughout the day. Put a catnip toy in one of the dishes so when it pops open there’s something new to explore.

There is an article on the website (www.centerhillschool.com) that gives further ideas for helping animals with separation anxiety. Because this particular cat urinated on the bed when you were home, I’m leaning more towards the idea that this is a medical problem, so please be sure to take her to a veterinarian for an assessment.

Source: Center Hill School

Ask About Your Pet's Behavior Problem

Cheryl Falkenburry has traveled the world helping people make sense of mind-boggling animal behavior. Working with animal behaviorists in Tucson, Arizona and England, majoring in psychology, and becoming a certified parenting educator prepared Cheryl to teach both humans and animals. Get details on phone and email consultations.

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The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If your pet has amedical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a veterinarian. All stories and information content that is passed along in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily endorsed by its editor, Donna L. Watkins, its sponsor, HealthyPetCorner.com, or its owner, Sunshine Life Center, Inc.

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