Arthritis Treatment for Dogs
Storm and I were best friends from the day I found him abandoned and covered with ticks. About 6 years ago, however, our playtime became a burden to Storm instead of fun. He developed arthritis. The symptoms began with general slowing down of his movements. Then it became harder for him to move because of stiffness in his joints. He had trouble getting up and climbing stairs.
I took Storm to the vet and was disappointed with the arthritis treatments for dogs that were available. The vet suggested giving Storm aspirin for the pain. That did work for a while, but it didn't fix the problem. It just hid it. I stopped giving Storm aspirin after he almost died from taking it! He contracted a very serious intestinal infection. This almost tragic event sparked my desire to find a safe arthritis treatment for dogs. I wanted to find an arthritis treatment for dogs that didn't just cover up the problem, but actually helped. I found a product called Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine that claimed to be an arthritis treatment for dogs. I ordered a bottle and started to give it to Storm.
The first thing I liked about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it was easy to give. It came with a built-in measuring spout. All I had to do was measure it out and pour it over his food once a day. Storm didn't even notice that I had put it on his food. He didn't mind the taste at all. The best thing about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it didn't really have any side effects, which was a relief after the scary events with the aspirin.
Storm started to show improvement in about a month. The slowness that he had been experiencing improved and he was able to get around much easier. The stiffness also improved. Storm didn't struggle to get up and could climb the stairs again. He wasn't a puppy, but Storm and I could continue to make our trips to the park. In fact, we continued to play (although more slowly) until he passed away from old age at 15, which is quite an old age considering that Storm was a large dog. I gave him the glucosamine arthritis treatment for dogs every day and that probably helped him live a longer, healthier, more fulfilling life.
Thousands of our customers have had the same experience with their arthritic dogs as I did with Storm. Liquid glucosamine can't be beat as an arthritis treatment for dogs.
What makes liquid glucosamine work so well? The main reason that glucosamine is a well accepted and effective arthritis treatment for dogs is that it works without negative side effects! Glucosamine is not only an accepted arthritis treatment for dogs, but for humans as well. The ease of administering glucosamine makes dog owners feel at ease that they are giving the treatment correctly and makes it easier to stick with the treatment. Dogs either don't notice the taste of the glucosamine, or don't mind the taste. Out of the thousands of customers using glucosamine as their arthritis treatment for dogs, only one has reported that their dog refused to eat food with the glucosamine poured on it.
When I began to search for a treatment for Storm's arthritis, I didn't want something that would just cover over the problem as it continued to get worse. Many anti-inflammatory, and sometimes dangerous, drugs do just hide the pain while allowing the arthritis to worsen. Using glucosamine as an arthritis treatment for dogs does not hide the pain. It works by actually rebuilding and regenerating joint tissue. Glucosamine helps repair the damage that arthritis causes to joints.
Most dogs, and people, will suffer from arthritis to some degree as they get older. Because of this, we recommend giving your dog glucosamine starting with the second half of their lives because this is the time of life when arthritis begins to set in and start to cause damage. Giving liquid glucosamine is so easy and effective as an arthritis treatment for dogs that it just makes sense to stop the pain arthritis can cause before it happens.
--
Steve Weber has a degree in Natural Science Education and has worked 15 years in Oklahoma public schools. Cactus Canyon
Traveling With Your Toy Breed Dog
Traveling With Your Toy Breed Dog
Have you wanted to visit friends or relatives, or perhaps hike the trails at a scenic park? Did concerns over leaving your pet behind prevent you from going? Traveling with your pet is easier than you think.
Air travel with pets falls into two categories, in-cabin and cargo. In-cabin pets must be small enough to fit into a carrier that will slide under the seat in front of you. Pets too large to fit comfortably in a carrier must travel in cargo. If your pet needs to travel in the cargo area of the plane, you will need to check for temperature restrictions. Most cargo areas are not temperature controlled. They do not have air conditioning or heat.
When you make your plane reservations ask if the airline will accommodate your pet. Some airlines do not take pets. If you purchase your airline tickets through the Internet, make sure your pet will be able to travel with you. You will need a reservation for your pet as well as yourself. You will need to inquire of the airline's specific requirements such as plastic crate or soft-sided carrier. Ask the airlines what size will be required for your specific pet.
Airlines have restrictions on the number of pets they will carry in order to provide safe travel for all. Therefore, making your pet's reservation at the same time you purchase your ticket is a good idea. Extra charges for both in-cabin and cargo pets will be assessed.
You will need a health certificate from your veterinarian. Health certificates are good for ten days. If your trip will be longer than that you will need to purchase another health certificate for the return trip. Cost of a health certificate varies by location and vets. Cost can be anywhere between $15 and $45.
Most airlines require a soft-sided carrier for in-cabin pet traveling. Some soft-sided carriers come with wheels just like luggage, which makes it easier to transport your pet through the airport. A soft-sided carrier also reduces the amount of "pet space" under the airplane seat. Window and middle seats have more room underneath than aisle seats due to seat configurations.
Toy breed dogs traveling in cargo will need an airline-approved crate. Generally, these are hard-sided, non-collapsible crates. The airlines usually require the toy breed dog be able to stand and turn around comfortably in the crate. Some airlines will not allow toys to be inside the crate. You may have to pack your toy breed dog's toys separately with your own luggage. Be sure to ask about the airline's requirement of toys inside the crate when you make your reservations. If the airline does allow toys, it is nice to supply your toy breed dog with at least one companion toy for the trip. The crate will also need to have one water dish and one food dish attached to the front of the door. Most airlines will require you to place a bag of food on top of the crate and some inside the food dish. You will also need to provide soft, absorbent material for the bottom of the crate. A soft blanket with your scent works well.
Be sure to provide your toy breed pet Nutri-cal before the flight and as soon as you able to reunite with your pet regardless of whether or not they ride in the cabin with you or in the cargo area. The Nutri-cal will help keep their blood sugars level. Toy breed dogs are more susceptible to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar attacks), which sometimes occur during the stress of traveling. Do not give your toy breed dog tranquilizers.
The motion of the airplane has a soporific effect, which may cause your pet (and people) to drift off into a sleep. Once in the air your toy breed pet will probably sleep most of the trip.
You will probably want to train your toy breed pet before the trip to make your pet a better traveler. There are many resources available that will show you how to accomplish this. One way to help your pet get use to traveling inside a hard-sided crate or a soft-sided carrier is to pack the crate or carrier just as you would for the airplane trip. Take your pet for several trips in the car before you actually go on the airplane trip. Take your toy breed pet to the vet in the same carrier or crate you will be using for the airlines. A soft blanket with your scent is nice to place in the bottom of the crate for your toy breed pet's comfort. Time spent training will definitely pay off for you and your toy breed pet.
Don't hesitate to travel by air with your toy breed pet. A little preparation and planning before the trip is all that is usually required. Flying with your toy breed pet is safer than traveling in an automobile. Don't forget to check with your motel to see if pets are welcome!
Author: Connie Limon. Please visit us online at: http://www.abouttoydogs.com We are an article and dog training resource directory all about toy breed dogs. Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletters.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Basset Hounds: Ten Things to Know About this Lovable Pet
Basset Hounds are among the most companionable and lovable dogs on the planet. Here are ten characteristics of the breed you need to know before bringing a Basset into your life.
1. Bassets seem to love everyone
It's difficult to imagine a sweeter, gentler or more peaceful dog. An adult basset on a walk in the park will try to make friends with almost everyone. Strangers seem drawn to him, will want to pet and coo over him. Emotionally, he sometimes seems almost human. His temperament is very well suited for a family setting. He's really good with children and other dogs. He loves to play. Aggression is very rare. Don't expect him to be a guard dog.
2. Sense of Smell
His sense of smell is second only to the bloodhound. Bassets were bred for hunting small game. His nose can lead him into danger. He's an escape artist and a wanderer. It's advisable to keep him in an enclosed area and on the leash during walks. Left to his own devices, he'll follow his nose wherever it takes him.
3. Intelligence
Because of his clown like demeanor, laid back attitude and a streak of stubbornness, there are those who stereotype the basset as dumb. Don't believe it. On the contrary, he's a past master at getting his way. Clownishness, soulfulness and contemplative assessment of any situation are all part of his arsenal to win you over.
4. Puppies & Housebreaking
Admittedly, housebreaking is difficult. If patience is not your long suit, you may want to consider a grown hound from rescue. In housebreaking a basset puppy, gentle tolerance and persistence, with plenty of positive reinforcement, will yield success. During his first year, refrain from allowing him to go down long stairs or jump off couches. His lengthy back is prone to problems during the formative stage if too much stress is applied.
5. Drool
OK, he drools. Some bassets drool more than others. You'll accept drool, because you just love him to death.
6. Weight
Since he's prone to weight gain and bloat, as is common among all deep-chested breeds, he should be fed reasonable portions only twice a day. Bassets tend to overeat. Remember that they're long and low, and excess weight can lead to back injury. At a minimum, a daily walk is a must.
7. Ears
Bassets' long ears do not provide good air circulation and are prone to infection. Cleaning weekly and application of an ear wash solution from a veterinarian are required. While frequent baths are not necessary, the ears drag in everything and may need scrubbing more often.
8. Care and Maintenance
With the exception of the ears and drool, bassets are easy to keep clean. His short, dense coat repels dirt and water. Bassets do shed, but regular brushing and removal will keep it to a minimum. Bathing about once a month is all that's needed.
9. Compact Big Dogs
His short stature is deceptive. Most bassets weigh in the range of 50 to 65 pounds. He has more bone for his size than any other breed. Because of his short legs, he may have difficulty jumping into some vehicles.
10. Barking
Bassets are not given to excessive barking. Since he is very much a pack animal, he may howl if left alone for long periods. He's vocal and often makes a variety of sounds in keeping with his mood, especially when excited about the prospect of a walk or play.
If you're looking for a gentle companion that's easy to care for and gets along well with everyone, you'd be hard put to do better than a basset hound. Please consider rescuing a basset. Just do a search for "basset rescue" on Google to find dogs in your area.
I took Storm to the vet and was disappointed with the arthritis treatments for dogs that were available. The vet suggested giving Storm aspirin for the pain. That did work for a while, but it didn't fix the problem. It just hid it. I stopped giving Storm aspirin after he almost died from taking it! He contracted a very serious intestinal infection. This almost tragic event sparked my desire to find a safe arthritis treatment for dogs. I wanted to find an arthritis treatment for dogs that didn't just cover up the problem, but actually helped. I found a product called Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine that claimed to be an arthritis treatment for dogs. I ordered a bottle and started to give it to Storm.
The first thing I liked about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it was easy to give. It came with a built-in measuring spout. All I had to do was measure it out and pour it over his food once a day. Storm didn't even notice that I had put it on his food. He didn't mind the taste at all. The best thing about this arthritis treatment for dogs was that it didn't really have any side effects, which was a relief after the scary events with the aspirin.
Storm started to show improvement in about a month. The slowness that he had been experiencing improved and he was able to get around much easier. The stiffness also improved. Storm didn't struggle to get up and could climb the stairs again. He wasn't a puppy, but Storm and I could continue to make our trips to the park. In fact, we continued to play (although more slowly) until he passed away from old age at 15, which is quite an old age considering that Storm was a large dog. I gave him the glucosamine arthritis treatment for dogs every day and that probably helped him live a longer, healthier, more fulfilling life.
Thousands of our customers have had the same experience with their arthritic dogs as I did with Storm. Liquid glucosamine can't be beat as an arthritis treatment for dogs.
What makes liquid glucosamine work so well? The main reason that glucosamine is a well accepted and effective arthritis treatment for dogs is that it works without negative side effects! Glucosamine is not only an accepted arthritis treatment for dogs, but for humans as well. The ease of administering glucosamine makes dog owners feel at ease that they are giving the treatment correctly and makes it easier to stick with the treatment. Dogs either don't notice the taste of the glucosamine, or don't mind the taste. Out of the thousands of customers using glucosamine as their arthritis treatment for dogs, only one has reported that their dog refused to eat food with the glucosamine poured on it.
When I began to search for a treatment for Storm's arthritis, I didn't want something that would just cover over the problem as it continued to get worse. Many anti-inflammatory, and sometimes dangerous, drugs do just hide the pain while allowing the arthritis to worsen. Using glucosamine as an arthritis treatment for dogs does not hide the pain. It works by actually rebuilding and regenerating joint tissue. Glucosamine helps repair the damage that arthritis causes to joints.
Most dogs, and people, will suffer from arthritis to some degree as they get older. Because of this, we recommend giving your dog glucosamine starting with the second half of their lives because this is the time of life when arthritis begins to set in and start to cause damage. Giving liquid glucosamine is so easy and effective as an arthritis treatment for dogs that it just makes sense to stop the pain arthritis can cause before it happens.
--
Steve Weber has a degree in Natural Science Education and has worked 15 years in Oklahoma public schools. Cactus Canyon
Traveling With Your Toy Breed Dog
Traveling With Your Toy Breed Dog
Have you wanted to visit friends or relatives, or perhaps hike the trails at a scenic park? Did concerns over leaving your pet behind prevent you from going? Traveling with your pet is easier than you think.
Air travel with pets falls into two categories, in-cabin and cargo. In-cabin pets must be small enough to fit into a carrier that will slide under the seat in front of you. Pets too large to fit comfortably in a carrier must travel in cargo. If your pet needs to travel in the cargo area of the plane, you will need to check for temperature restrictions. Most cargo areas are not temperature controlled. They do not have air conditioning or heat.
When you make your plane reservations ask if the airline will accommodate your pet. Some airlines do not take pets. If you purchase your airline tickets through the Internet, make sure your pet will be able to travel with you. You will need a reservation for your pet as well as yourself. You will need to inquire of the airline's specific requirements such as plastic crate or soft-sided carrier. Ask the airlines what size will be required for your specific pet.
Airlines have restrictions on the number of pets they will carry in order to provide safe travel for all. Therefore, making your pet's reservation at the same time you purchase your ticket is a good idea. Extra charges for both in-cabin and cargo pets will be assessed.
You will need a health certificate from your veterinarian. Health certificates are good for ten days. If your trip will be longer than that you will need to purchase another health certificate for the return trip. Cost of a health certificate varies by location and vets. Cost can be anywhere between $15 and $45.
Most airlines require a soft-sided carrier for in-cabin pet traveling. Some soft-sided carriers come with wheels just like luggage, which makes it easier to transport your pet through the airport. A soft-sided carrier also reduces the amount of "pet space" under the airplane seat. Window and middle seats have more room underneath than aisle seats due to seat configurations.
Toy breed dogs traveling in cargo will need an airline-approved crate. Generally, these are hard-sided, non-collapsible crates. The airlines usually require the toy breed dog be able to stand and turn around comfortably in the crate. Some airlines will not allow toys to be inside the crate. You may have to pack your toy breed dog's toys separately with your own luggage. Be sure to ask about the airline's requirement of toys inside the crate when you make your reservations. If the airline does allow toys, it is nice to supply your toy breed dog with at least one companion toy for the trip. The crate will also need to have one water dish and one food dish attached to the front of the door. Most airlines will require you to place a bag of food on top of the crate and some inside the food dish. You will also need to provide soft, absorbent material for the bottom of the crate. A soft blanket with your scent works well.
Be sure to provide your toy breed pet Nutri-cal before the flight and as soon as you able to reunite with your pet regardless of whether or not they ride in the cabin with you or in the cargo area. The Nutri-cal will help keep their blood sugars level. Toy breed dogs are more susceptible to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar attacks), which sometimes occur during the stress of traveling. Do not give your toy breed dog tranquilizers.
The motion of the airplane has a soporific effect, which may cause your pet (and people) to drift off into a sleep. Once in the air your toy breed pet will probably sleep most of the trip.
You will probably want to train your toy breed pet before the trip to make your pet a better traveler. There are many resources available that will show you how to accomplish this. One way to help your pet get use to traveling inside a hard-sided crate or a soft-sided carrier is to pack the crate or carrier just as you would for the airplane trip. Take your pet for several trips in the car before you actually go on the airplane trip. Take your toy breed pet to the vet in the same carrier or crate you will be using for the airlines. A soft blanket with your scent is nice to place in the bottom of the crate for your toy breed pet's comfort. Time spent training will definitely pay off for you and your toy breed pet.
Don't hesitate to travel by air with your toy breed pet. A little preparation and planning before the trip is all that is usually required. Flying with your toy breed pet is safer than traveling in an automobile. Don't forget to check with your motel to see if pets are welcome!
Author: Connie Limon. Please visit us online at: http://www.abouttoydogs.com We are an article and dog training resource directory all about toy breed dogs. Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletters.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Basset Hounds: Ten Things to Know About this Lovable Pet
Basset Hounds are among the most companionable and lovable dogs on the planet. Here are ten characteristics of the breed you need to know before bringing a Basset into your life.
1. Bassets seem to love everyone
It's difficult to imagine a sweeter, gentler or more peaceful dog. An adult basset on a walk in the park will try to make friends with almost everyone. Strangers seem drawn to him, will want to pet and coo over him. Emotionally, he sometimes seems almost human. His temperament is very well suited for a family setting. He's really good with children and other dogs. He loves to play. Aggression is very rare. Don't expect him to be a guard dog.
2. Sense of Smell
His sense of smell is second only to the bloodhound. Bassets were bred for hunting small game. His nose can lead him into danger. He's an escape artist and a wanderer. It's advisable to keep him in an enclosed area and on the leash during walks. Left to his own devices, he'll follow his nose wherever it takes him.
3. Intelligence
Because of his clown like demeanor, laid back attitude and a streak of stubbornness, there are those who stereotype the basset as dumb. Don't believe it. On the contrary, he's a past master at getting his way. Clownishness, soulfulness and contemplative assessment of any situation are all part of his arsenal to win you over.
4. Puppies & Housebreaking
Admittedly, housebreaking is difficult. If patience is not your long suit, you may want to consider a grown hound from rescue. In housebreaking a basset puppy, gentle tolerance and persistence, with plenty of positive reinforcement, will yield success. During his first year, refrain from allowing him to go down long stairs or jump off couches. His lengthy back is prone to problems during the formative stage if too much stress is applied.
5. Drool
OK, he drools. Some bassets drool more than others. You'll accept drool, because you just love him to death.
6. Weight
Since he's prone to weight gain and bloat, as is common among all deep-chested breeds, he should be fed reasonable portions only twice a day. Bassets tend to overeat. Remember that they're long and low, and excess weight can lead to back injury. At a minimum, a daily walk is a must.
7. Ears
Bassets' long ears do not provide good air circulation and are prone to infection. Cleaning weekly and application of an ear wash solution from a veterinarian are required. While frequent baths are not necessary, the ears drag in everything and may need scrubbing more often.
8. Care and Maintenance
With the exception of the ears and drool, bassets are easy to keep clean. His short, dense coat repels dirt and water. Bassets do shed, but regular brushing and removal will keep it to a minimum. Bathing about once a month is all that's needed.
9. Compact Big Dogs
His short stature is deceptive. Most bassets weigh in the range of 50 to 65 pounds. He has more bone for his size than any other breed. Because of his short legs, he may have difficulty jumping into some vehicles.
10. Barking
Bassets are not given to excessive barking. Since he is very much a pack animal, he may howl if left alone for long periods. He's vocal and often makes a variety of sounds in keeping with his mood, especially when excited about the prospect of a walk or play.
If you're looking for a gentle companion that's easy to care for and gets along well with everyone, you'd be hard put to do better than a basset hound. Please consider rescuing a basset. Just do a search for "basset rescue" on Google to find dogs in your area.