Looking After Pets

It just doesn’t seem fair.Your furry friend has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, and now he seems to be going blind.  Unfortunately, cataracts in dogs are extremely common in dogs with diabetes.  In fact, most canine diabetics will develop cataracts within a year of being diagnosed with this disease.

Basics Of Cataracts

A cataract forms when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and opaque.Once it loses its transparency, the animal can no longer see through it.Blindess is the result.

Cataracts in dogs are common.They can occur in any age or breed of dog, but diabetic dogs and older pets are most prone to developing them.

Why Are Cataracts Common In Diabetic Dogs?

All cataracts develop in the same way, whether the pet has diabetes or not.  The lens in your pet’s eye is normally in a dehydrated state, compared to the rest of the body.The lens remains clear as long as this delicate balance between water and protein is not disrupted.  

If this balance is upset, more water is absorbed into the lens, which causes it to become cloudy and opaque.One of the insidious effects of diabetes is that blood glucose levels rise in all organs of the body.Excess glucose in the eyball is absorbed by the lens.  In turn, this causes the lens to absorb more water, which causes the cloudiness and vision loss in cataracts.

The process can happen in as short a time as a few weeks.This symptom is often the first warning that a pet has canine diabetes.

How Are Cataracts In Dogs Treated?

Cataracts are treated with surgery.A dog who has cataract surgery usually regains his vision.  If you decide not to have the surgery, your pet will become blind.  

Believe it or not, blind dogs do very well.  It’s usually more of a problem for the owner than it is for the pet.  Blind dogs adjust quickly, and can live long, happy lives.  You will need to have your vet monitor your pet’s eyes to prevent any other complications.

Can Natural Remedies For Dogs Protect Your Pet’s Eyes?

Bilberry has a long history in folk medicine an an herb that can stop, or even reverse, the formation of cataracts.A close relative of the blueberry, bilberries are filled with anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants.  These antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from damaging the eyes.  

Would a remedy that contains bilberries help prevent blindness from cataracts in dogs?  It just might.  In any case, it wouldn’t hurt to try it, especially if bilberry is combined with goat’s rue, astragalus, fenugreek, and chromium, which have been proven to lower blood glucose levels in pets.   

It’s essential to purchase a remedy made by a company that formulates only the safest and most effective natural pet remedies.  You’ll want to know your companion is receiving the right combination of herbs that will naturally regulate his blood glucose while protecting his eyes at the same time.

Don’t wait any longer.  While it’s still fresh on your mind, learn more about how natural remedies for dogs can protect your diabetic dog’s eyes.  Just click on any link in the article to learn how to help your furry friend.

Dog urinary infection is a surprisingly common problems for our canine friends.  After being caught off-guard, many dog owners have questions about dog bladder infection.  Here are answers to your questions.

What Causes A Dog Bladder Infection?

A bacterial infection of your dog’s bladder is the culprit behind canine urinary tract infection.  Your vet may refer to it as an “ascending” infection.  Most of the time the bacteria that cause dog bladder infection come from the dog’s own intestinal tract.  The bacteria start out at the skin around the anus, and “ascend” through the urethra to the bladder.

Are There Other Causes Of Canine Urinary Tract Infection?

Yes.  Your dog may have bladder stones, which can make it easier for him to develop bladder infection in dogs.    

If your dog is unable to empty his bladder completely, or has a bladder tumor, or has diabetes or Cushing’s, these things can predispose him to bladder infections.  If your dog is being given drugs that suppress the immune system, like cortisone or chemotherapy, he may be more prone to a bladder infection.

What Symptoms Of Dog Urinary Infection Should I Be Watching For?

Bloody urine, frequent urination, and straining to pass urine are common signs seen in dogs with bladder problems.

But sometimes it’s not so obvious.  If your dog is acting restless and wants to go out all the time, or starts urinating all over the house, this may not be a behavior problem.  It could be signs of a canine urinary tract infection.

How Does Your Vet Diagnose Dog Bladder Infection?

Ideally, your vet will run a urinalysis first to determine if there are bacteria or bladder stones in your dog’s urine.  If bacteria are present, the next step should be a dog urine culture and a sensitivity test.  

A urine culture is necessary to identify which bacteria are present.  The sensitivity test tells your vet which antibiotic is the best one to do the job.  

Do I Really Have To Give My Dog ALL The Antibiotic?

Absolutely.  If you stop treating bladder infection in dogs too soon, the infection can come back.  Plus, stopping the treatment too soon encourages antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.  

If your dog has side effects from the antibiotic, contact your vet.Don’t just stop giving your canine friend the antibiotic.

Why Does My Pet’s Dog Bladder Infection Keep Coming Back?

It’s possible that it’s the same infection that was never completely eradicated.  A dog urine culture and sensitivity test should be done before you treat him again.  After treatment is over, you can see if it was successful by repeating these tests.

Can Natural Remedies For Dogs Help?

People have been using safe, effective, natural treatments for bladder infections for centuries.  Many pet owners ask if natural remedies for dogs can help dogs with canine urinary tract infection.

The answer is yes.  But you do need to be sure you’re using remedies gentle enough for animals, not people.  Do your homework and purchase your remedies only from a company with a great reputation for producing the highest-quality herbal remedies for pets.Prevent bladder infection in dogs in the first place with safe, effective remedies that you can easily give your pet every day.

If you’re tired of watching your pet suffer from dog urinary infection, click on any link in this article to learn more about natural remedies for dogs.

Dog incontinence is often the first sign of serious health problems for your pet.  If it seems like you’re always letting your dog out, or you’re finding puddles of urine all over the house, start paying attention, especially if the first thing he does when he comes back in is to head for the water bowl.

How Much Water Should My Dog Be Drinking?

A dog normally will drink about about three or four cups of water per day for every 20 pounds of body weight.  This means a healthy dog that weighs sixty pounds will slurp down up to three quarts of water a day. 

An easy way to see how much water your dog is drinking is to measure out a set amount of water and put it out for him in a bowl.Make sure other sources of water, including the toilet or a leaky faucet, aren’t available to him.Measure how much water is left at the end of the day, and subtract this amount from what you began with.Do this for a few days to make sure your dog didn’t just have a thirsty day.

If you find out that he really is drinking more water than normal, take him to the vet for a checkup. 

What Causes A Dog To Drink Too Much Water?

Obviously, he’s drinking a lot of water because he’s thirsty.  But if he’s too thirsty, he’ll drink an excessive amount of water.  Your vet calls this “polydipsia.”  This leads to “polyuria,” a fancy term for frequent urination in dogs.  When your dog drinks a lot of water, he makes a lot of urine, which may cause dog incontinence problems.

Polydipsia and polyuria are symptoms of some serious canine diseases.  These include:

* Canine diabetes
* Liver disease
* Kidney failure
* Pyometra, or an infection of the uterus (often seen in older unspayed females)
* High blood calcium
* Pituitary gland problems
* Cushing’s Disease

You can see that if your buddy is drinking too much water, he may have a serious condition.  It’s also possible that the problem is as simple as a canine urinary tract infection, which is easily treated.

Natural Remedies For Dogs Can Prevent Dog Urinary Incontinence

Across the centuries, people in many cultures have used natural remedies to treat bladder and urinary problems, and also to support the immune system.  Now these herbal and homeopathic remedies are available for pets. 

The number of natural remedies for dogs that are on the market today can be overwhelming.  How do you choose the best one? 

First, be sure the remedy is formulated especially for pets, not people.  Second, purchase your dog’s remedies only from a reputable company that has been in business for many years.  This company should have a reputation for manufacturing only the highest-quality products for companion animals.Make sure you can find testimonials from other pet owners who are satisfied with the products. 

If you’re stuggling with the problem of dog urinary incontinence, click on any link in the article to learn about a natural remedy for dogs that can help.

If urinary tract infections in dogs are a problem for your canine companion, perhaps you should consider using natural remedies for dogs to treat this problems.  Interest in herbal and homeopathic treatments is increasing all the time, so it’s only natural that dog owners would be wondering about natural treatments for canine urinary tract infection. 

Two Well-Known Herbal Treatments For UTIs

Barberry, also known as Oregon grape holly, has been used for centuries in Europe, China, and North America to treat all kinds of urinary tract disorders.This herb contains berberine, an anti-inflamatory agent, which is also an antibacterial that’s effective against staph and strep.  With these properties, barberry is extremely useful in treating these infections.

Uva ursi has a long history in the traditional folk medicine of Europe for treating bladder problems.  This herb is a strong diuretic that also tones the urinary system.  Like barberry, it has an antiseptic effect on the bladder, plus it soothes inflamed tissues.

Homeopathic Remedies For Bladder Infections

Homeopathic remedies help the body heal itself, while relieving the urgency and pain of a bladder infection.Cantharis and Staphysagria are two remedies especially recommended for bladder infections.

Cantharis relieves the symptoms of a bladder infection, which includes urgency and burning.  It also helps to get rid of the feeling that the bladder is still full, even after it’s just been emptied.

Staphysagria is useful for the burning pain as well.For cases where a catheter has been used, this remedy promotes healing.

Are These Herbs And Homeopathic Treatments Available As Natural Remedies For Dogs?

Cystitis in dogs is about as common as cystitis in people is.  The question is, are natural remedies for urinary tract infections in dogs as common as they are for people?

Yes, they are.  But there are some things you should be aware of.  If you use one of these remedies, and it doesn’t help within 24 to 36 hours, take your dog to the vet.Cystitis can sometimes travel to the kidneys very quickly, so take your dog to the vet if you don’t see improvement within a day or two.

There’s no problem with using natural remedies for dogs if you’re giving your pup an antibiotic too.  In fact, these therapies work well together.  The antibiotic kills the bacteria causing the infection, while the natural remedies support bladder health without interfering with how the antibiotic works.

Do I Need To Give My Dog Four Different Treatments?

The good news is that these four safe, effective treatments have been combined into one easy-to-use product.  Just sprinkle the granules on the back of your dog’s tongue and let them dissolve.  No more fighting to get a pill or bad-tasting medicine down your dog’s throat!

Be sure to buy your remedy from a company with a great reputation for producing only the highest-quality products for pets.  It’s important to use a product that has been formulated especially for companion animals, not for people.

To learn how natural remedies for dogs can help your pet with a canine urinary tract infection, just click on any link in this article.

Even though canine diabetes is becoming more and more common, many dog owners don’t know the symptoms of diabetes in dogs.  But ignorance is not bliss for your canine friend.If diabetes in canines is not treated, blindness and infections are the result, and the dog will eventually die. 

Anyone who has a canine companions should know these seven symptoms seen in dogs with diabetes.

1. Drinking Lots Of Water

Don’t ignore this symptom.  A dog who suddenly becomes very thirsty and is drinking lots of water may have high blood sugar levels.  In an attempt to flush some of the extra glucose out of her system, her body will be demanding more water.

Some dogs increase their water consumption so gradually that you may not be aware of it until she starts urinating a lot more often.

2. Urinating More Often Can Be A Sign of Canine Diabetes

If your pup is having accidents in the house because she can’t wait to get outside, or if she’s asking to go out more often, diabetes in canines may be the cause.

3. Her Get Up and Go Got Up and Went

A formerly peppy pup doesn’t want to do anything but lay around.  She seems weak and lethargic, not like her usual happy self.  She seems to have lost her interest in life.

4. Sudden Weight Gain Or Loss

If your dog has a sudden weight gain or loss, especially if she’s ravenously hungry, canine diabetes may be the reason. This is espcially true if she’s always hungry, but is losing weight.

5. Her Breath Smells Sweet

“Dog breath” has been replace with a sweet smell.  This indicates that your dog has high blood glucose levels.  Take her to the vet right away.

6. Shivering or Shaking

A dog with the shakes may have hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.  Your pet needs immediate veterinary treatment.

7. Infections That Never Seem To Go Away

A pet who has recurring urinary tract infections, gum infections, or fungal infections may have canine diabetes.  A decreased resistance to infections is one of the symptoms of diabetes in dogs. 

You May Not Notice Any Of These Symptoms of Canine Diabetes

Sometimes dogs with diabetes don’t show any of these symptoms because the disease changes their bodily functions so slowly.  This is why canine diabetes is known as the “silent killer.”

Can diabetes in canines be prevented?  Yes, it can.  Here are some suggestions:

• Keep your dog slim and trim
• Avoid feeding dry dog food.  Feed her a high quality canned food that’s high in fiber and low in fat..
• Having her spayed will prevent the high estrogen levels that can sometimes interfere with insulin production.
• Regular exercise will keep her in good condition, as well as helping to keep her blood sugar at normal levels.

Can natural remedies for dogs help?  Research has shown that certain herbs and dietary supplements may play a role in normalizing your pet’s blood glucose levels.  A pet with canine diabetes will need insulin for the rest of her life.  Prevention is definitely the best cure.

Don’t continue to believe that ignorance about canine diabetes is bliss.Knowing the symptoms of diabetes in dogs will protect your pet.  Click on any link above to learn more.