Pets World

Pet owners always wish that their cats and dogs had that perfect sheen on their coats. And for many years, pet owners have given fatty acids to their dogs and cats to change a dull, dry coat into a more glossy one. Recent research has shown that fatty acids play important roles in other areas of skin and coat health.

The diet of cats and dogs differ in many respects. While dogs like us are omnivorous, cats are carnivorous. In spite of the difference in diets, it is a known fact that one of the necessary elements of a health promoting diet for us humans, for dogs, and for cats is fats. Fatty Acids are important for a wide array of cell structure components and for many chemical reactions in the body. They play a vital role in establishing a healthy lipid barrier in the skin which blocks irritants and infections. The bottom line is that without Fatty Acids in proper ratios, your pets are in trouble!

Cats and dogs can produce some of the fatty acids they need, but not all of them. The liver and other tissues can make many fatty acids that are required for the body’s chemical reactions to go on. In dogs, though, there is one that they cannot make themselves: Linoleic Acid (also called Omega6 Fatty Acid). In cats there are two essential fatty acids: Linoleic and Arachidonic Acids. The fatty acids that they cannot produce themselves must be obtained through their diet or supplements and are called essential fatty acids.

Proper diet can be a source of essential fatty acids but the fatty acids in foods are subject to degradation. These fatty acids are vulnerable to heat and overcooking can destroy them. Heat, either by processing or cooking, destroys Essential Fatty Acids creating free radicals as a result. Also, improper storage or a sub optimal amount of antioxidants in dry food may result in rancidity and a subsequent deficiency in fatty acids.

Essential Fatty Acids supplement for dogs and cats replenishes the essential fatty acids that are easily destroyed by normal processing of commercial pet food. Hair coats, which are dull, brittle, and dry, respond favorably to supplementation with essential fatty acids. Supplementing your pet’s diet with essential fatty acids will produce the following visible results in just a few weeks:

• Glossy and softer coat
• Reduced fleas
• Improved tolerance to fleabites and other allergens
• Less hair shedding
• Healthier and smooth skin

Give your pet, the glossy coat that it deserves and you only dreamt of by supplementing its diet with Essential Fatty Acids. Your pet deserves the best!

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So, you have a pet bird and are now worried about its potential danger of contracting the Bird Flu and passing it to you or your family? Or maybe you were thinking of buying a pet bird but may now go with a hamster instead for fear of bringing the Avian influenza virus home.

Well, what are the real chances of it affecting you or your pet birds?
The answer is practically none.

There are many facts involved in this answer:

1. It is chiefly a waterfowl and poultry disease.
2. There is no cases in the USA in poultry or otherwise
3. Strict quarantine laws greatly hinder the possibility of an outbreak occurring (30 day quarantine)
4. There is not a case of human to human transfer yet .
5. The H5N1 strain is the only strain to affect humans.
6. Influenza viruses do not persist in environments outside the hosts for long period of time (ideal condition about a week)

Now, I’m not going to tell you that it will never happen. In medicine and viruses there is no absolute. But, there are so many factors against it that the possibility is a thousand times less than being stuck by lightning. Let’s examine this in more detail. This is mainly a Chinese strain that is effecting humans since 1997. It has not yet passed on from human to human but with those people working with fowl, swimming in infected rivers, playing in an area where carcasses were buried, or breathing air near a poultry processing plant, can lead to infection. Unfortunately, Asian environments often involve people living in close quarters with poultry even running into houses. It is not uncommon also for the oriental diet to include raw duck livers and other unprocessed poultry products.

Bird flu has been around for more than a century and this is the only known strain to have mutated to affect humans. Studies show that with viruses like this that it is far more likely, like SARS, that if this does develop further, a person were more likely to contract this disease from an infected international traveller than from a pet or wild bird. It is also unlikely that migratory birds will carry it east to west since migration is primarily north to south.

Legal pet bird trade is safe. Quanantine periods and local breeding has further helped stop many illnesses from being past around. It is admitted that Illegal pet trade is an X factor but strict laws have reduced considerably the illegal trade, with most of the trade coming from South America to North America instead of Asia.

Remember, unless it is an exotic large pet bird, it is more economically feasible to breed them locally. Even large birds are being breed here. Also the chance of them getting in contact with a infected fowl is slim. And the chance of your indoor pet bird drops off the map. So would I be afraid to buy that companion pet bird from your local pet store. I’d have to answer No, there just no evidence so far to warrant any cautionary measures

(NewsTarget) Alternative and complementary medicine is gaining public acceptance and popularity among people, and now some Britons have decided that what is good for people is good for their pets, according to a Direct Line Pet Insurance study.
“Britain is a nation of dog lovers,” said Chris Price, spokesperson for Direct Line Pet Insurance, which covers alternative therapies recommended by a qualified veterinarian. “So in some respects it is no surprise that they are willing to try different therapies and treatments to keep their pet in the best possible mental and physical health.”

The study revealed that more than 750,000 pet owners (around 14 percent) had tried alternative or complementary treatments such as homeopathic nutrition, herbal remedies, massage, reflexology and acupuncture. Thirty percent of those had tried the treatments on the recommendation of their vet.

According to the study, dog lovers are not reluctant to drop money on their pet either — they spent 29.6 million pounds ($56.4 million USD) over the last two years on the treatments. Forty-four percent reported that their dog was physically better after using the therapies, and 23 percent claimed that they cleared up their dogs’ symptoms altogether.

The results have apparently pleased the majority of British dog owners, as 89 percent said they would use the treatments again in the future. Price said that medical insurance for pets was indispensable either way.

“There will always be cases where medical assistance will be required, whether complementary or traditional,” he said.

When you think about purchasing health insurance, you probably
only think about your children, your spouse, and yourself. You
either buy into the health insurance package offered by your
employer or your spouse’s employer, or you seek an individual
health insurance policy based your needs and the needs of your
family.

But how many of you have thought about your pets when it comes
to health insurance? Pets are, after all, members of the
family, too. Do not feel ashamed if you have not thought of
health insurance for your pets; when it comes to pets, most
people choose to deal with health issues as they arise. While
this may work for some pet owners, it won’t work for all pet
owners. What happens if your pet suffers from a health
condition that a quick trip to your local vet’s office just
won’t fix? Do you let your pet suffer, or have him put to
sleep, because you can’t afford to help him?

No. You purchase pet health insurance and protect your pets the
same way you would protect all of the members of your family.

Pet insurance policies can cover a plethora of health needs for
your pets, including, but not limited to:

• Treatments for accidents, cancer, and other illnesses.
• Protection against fleas, heartworm, and other vaccinations.
• Hospitalization, surgeries, MRI, CAT scans, and X-rays.
• Basics such as annual check ups, prescription medication, and
even having your pets spayed or neutered.

Some pets may live their entire lives needing only to be
neutered and to wear flea collars; however, other pets may also
be involved in serious accidents, such as being hit by a
vehicle, or suffer severe health conditions, such as cancer.
Don’t just cross your fingers and hope your pet is one of the
few who will remain healthy all his life. Purchase pet health
insurance and be sure you can protect your pets.

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If you suspect your dog is sick then taking your dog’s temperature is important. It is not difficult, but it is a task best performed with two people. Have someone hold the dog still, preferably someone the dog know and likes.

Apply petroleum jelly to the head or bulb of a rectal thermometer.
Slowly slide the thermometer into the dog’s rectum about 1 inch deep.
Wait 2 minutes for a mercury thermometer.
Remove slowly and read the thermometer. Shake down the thermometer and clean it after every use.

A dog’s normal body temperature ranges between 100.5 Fahrenheit (38.1°C) and 102.5 Fahrenheit (39.2°C).

A dog’s temperature below 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2°C) and temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40°C) are considered extremely serious and your dog should be brought to a veterinarian immediately.