Care

itchy skin: in a clean jar

Coyotes aren't the only canines that can benefit from the healthy attributes of Rosa species, and in fact, wild roses aren't the only varieties with healing powers. In fact, all species of rose are useful, including domestic varieties in the garden. The astringent tannins contained in the twigs, bark, and roots of the plant help reduce minor inflammations of the skin and digestive tract, making the herb useful in a broad variety of applications. …

I was so excited to read your article concerning urinary incontinence in the spayed female. For the first time in many years of owning spayed females, I have a Labrador who at four years of age had symptoms of this problem. Not wanting to use hormone replacement therapy, I looked for an herbal combination containing the best herbs for menopause in women. I have been using “Women’s Menocaps” from Wise Woman Herbals for over a year now, two capsules a day. They contain dong quai, burdock, black cohosh, motherwort and licorice.

We know from innumerable modern research studies that a person's immune strength and resistance can be improved through a positive mental outlook, and that people who are happy heal more quickly than emotionally depressed people. Stated simply: emotional states can affect the physical body. Most veterinary health care professionals would probably agree that the principle is true for animals, too. For example, most healthy dogs are usually happy dogs – or is it the other way around? And have you noticed how, just as with people, very often an anxious or angry dog also tends to be prone to more injuries and illness than a content and cheerful dog?

Why does my dog have a tattoo on their tummy? Animal shelters and spay/neuter clinics routinely tattoo dogs with green or blue ink after spaying or neutering.

Hot weather spells trouble for dogs. Because they can't release heat by sweating the way humans do, heat and humidity can raise canine body temperatures to dangerous levels. Heat stroke kills, and heat stress (a less severe condition) can take a serious toll on a dog's health. Unfortunately, heat-related problems are among the most common summer canine ailments. Conscientious caregivers plan ahead and do everything they can to keep their dogs safe in the heat. Here are some strategies and products for helping hot dogs chill out.

The secret to happy chewing is variety. Be creative… think rubber, plastic, rope, wood, body parts (pizzles, pig ears, cow ears, chicken feet, chicken necks), fuzzy things, leather things, carrots, oranges, and more. There are advantages and disadvantages to each – they can all break, splinter, shred, be ingested – so it pays to have a chat with your vet about what to watch for when you choose your chews. …

Taking your dog with you on a long car trip this summer? Then she’ll benefit from these easy acupressure techniques, which help prevent joint stiffness and muscle soreness. The ancient healing art of acupressure offers our senior friends a lot of relief from the aches and pains of aging. It is very common for a dog to suffer the same difficulties we do as their years advance.

Vaccinating your dog for the most common causes of kennel cough is the most important preventative strategy, but there are management steps that will help protect your dog, too.

Owners sometimes want to give their dogs some almond milk, coconut water, orange or cranberry juice, or broth. Which liquids are safe for dogs?

Intestinal blockages in dogs are a surgical emergency – but the dog’s prognosis is good if veterinary attention, diagnosis, and surgery are promptly provided.

In mainstream medicine the mechanisms of detoxification are often viewed as unpleasant symptoms of illness that need to be remedied. Eye drops are administered for goopy eyes, dandruff shampoos for flaky skin, surgery for removal of cysts, and so forth.