There are no guarantees that whatever you do can prevent your pet from getting a serious disease, however you can certainly lower risks. One of the most proven ways to prevent certain cancers is by spaying/neutering your pet before its first heat cycle. The older dog can still benefit, however it virtually eliminates the risks of getting certain cancers by doing this early on.
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
A letter posted to us on our bulletin board 9/26/00 from 'Karen' We have a Lhasa Apso almost 14 years
old. We are going through some very trying times since this past March trying to
figure out what is causing him to pace, circle and loose his balance. |
SPAY AND NEUTER: EXCUSES, MYTHS. . . AND FACTS "It's better to have one litter first." Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures. "But my pet is purebred." So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred. "I want my dog to be protective." Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones. "I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male." Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. "It's too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered." The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost—a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly, it's a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets. "I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens." You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his/her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time. SOMETIMES THERE'S JUST Consider these facts: WHAT DOES PET OVERPOPULATION PET OVERPOPULATION IS A (above info courtesy of http://www.hsus.org)
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HOUSEHOLD and EVERYDAY DANGERS The Following is just a PARTIAL LIST of Everyday Dangers. For a complete list please visit AMVA Pet Poison Guide Plastic Bowls always put water in STAINLESS STEEL or GLASS BOWLS, Not plastic! Plastic deteriorates no matter how often you clean or change water. Research shows that when plastic containers, such as cups and dishes are filled with water or other liquids that they will gradually dissolve. This could be hazardous to your pet's health. (from Dr. Michael Fox's column in the NY post) Email questions to pets@nypost.com Nose and Mouth Cancers are becoming more prevalent because of animals sniffing and eating items off the floor. Try to use natural product to clean floor and remember not to use insecticides around pets and when you do use toxic substances wipe floor surfaces after with a natural cleaner. Also remembering if you smoke- so does your pet- you not only are damaging YOUR health but your pets. Consider quitting for the both of you! Chocolate Poisoning Lots of goodies around your house? Many dogs and some cats enjoy chocolate, too, and if given the opportunity will engorge themselves. Unfortunately, more harm may be done than the loss of your dessert.
This article courtesy of Pet Health Library Diet Along with REGULAR EXERCISE and an OMEGA 3 SUPPLEMENT A DAY (or a bit of FLAX SEED OIL in their food-make sure you feed your pet a high quality food and feed in stainless steel or ceramic bowls only. NEVER GIVE SUGAR and Avoid CORN or ONIONS. Corn is high in sugar and onions have a compound in it that depletes red blood cells. Cooking doesn't alter this so best to avoid, this can encourage cancer and tumor growth- The Best Pet Store Brands are: Abady-California Natural-Cornucopia-Innova-Natural Life-Solid Gold (H/F)-Pet Guard-Precise-Wysong's-Flint River- or Basically Brands that are ALL NATURAL and made with HUMAN GRADE Meats etc. Read your list of ingredients. Contrary to what many say table food IS good for your dog provided it's the RIGHT food! You can give your dog a mix of store food and fresh. Try to avoid supermarket brands. They are mostly filler and contain things that will shock you (read below). You will get more waste with a lower quality food from your dog as lower quality food has more junk and lowest nutrition. In the long run you spend the same money as you need to feed more to get the vitamins your dog needs. You can feed less of a higher quality food to get the same amount of nutrition. This article will help you understand why what you feed can make a major difference in your pets health. Yearly Check up: It is most important that you have a check up and blood work (a CBC ) yearly. And possibly every 6 months over the age of 7 as Diabetes, Cushing's and Cancer which can be found in it's early stages this way and successfully treated. Vaccine Dangers: We urge you to read more on the internet of the dangers of over vaccinating. Rabies may be required by law but other than that much research has shown that the 'standard' yearly boosters can harm more than help. Most dogs will have lifetime immunity after their 1st year of shots. Please read our page on VACCINE DANGERS. And also visit Shirley's Wellness Cafe for the many views of vets from around the country, before you give your dog it's next vaccine: Rawhides are ok as an occasional treat but it is important that if you do give them that they are of the highest grade and US manufactured. Most rawhides have chemical that cause cancer. Therefore make sure you buy ones made in the USA and are UNBLEACHED. Do not buy the white ones as they are full of chemicals. Good quality rawhide should only get gooey and gum up when chewed, never chip off. If they chip and not goo the chips can get lodged in the little dip in their esophagus and they can choke on that. As many as 40% of all dogs are allergic to cow skin rawhide chews. For more on Rawhides click here. NEVER give COW HOOVES! They splinter and sharp peices have killed many dogs. Better alternatives are pig ears, nylabones, and American made bully sticks. Avoiding Arthritis One of the most common problems of older and larger dogs is arthritis. Many dogs are encouraged to JUMP for the ball when they are young. This causes jolts to the back legs and brings on early arthritis. By all means PLAY ball with your dog but don't let the JUMP - throw the ball 'lower' so your dog can catch it but doesn't leap up into the air. Also as your dog starts to get older discuss with your vet the possibility of adding some GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE, MSM and Omega 3 oils to your pets diet. Don't forget puppies and young dogs love to chew. Keep them clear of wires and electrical outlets. For teething pups try ice cubes or a thick frozen hand towel that doesn't shread easily!
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What do veterinarians think about commercial pet food and its impact on companion animal health? From the API (Animal Protection Institute) Winter 1998 Issue Last spring API and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) developed a survey to answer that question. Most veterinarians who responded share API's concerns about the quality of commercial pet food and its influence on companion animal health. Cause of Disease Respondents to the survey rated nutrition as having a moderate to strong influence on a number of health problems in dogs and cats. Developmental bone disease in dogs and lower urinary tract disease in cats were also seen as being strongly influenced by nutrition. "Clinical experience tells me many medical problems are caused by commercial diets"' offered one vet. Another commented, "I believe that the incredibly poor quality of commercial pet foods is largely responsible for the continued increase in chronic, degenerative diseases in dogs and cats". More than 90% of veterinarians responding to the survey said they have concerns about pet foods. "If the American public knew what went into their dog's and cat's commercial food, you'd see some major changes in purchasing choices". "Ingredients not fit for human consumption- how can these be good for our pets?" asked on veterinarian. Greater than two-thirds of the vets said they didn't think pet food companies provide adequate information about their products. The Most Frequently Cited Concerns Poor quality of meats/fats/grains (42%) Preservatives (18%) Other additives (18%) Misleading claims (13%) Source of protein (diseased, downed, dying, dead animals) (11%) By-products (rendered roadkill, euthanized pets) (11%) Inadequate labeling (9%) Over processing (8%) Contaminants (6%) Inconsistent ingredients (5%) Excess protein and fat (5%) For the complete story please visit www.api4animals.org and look under "What's Hot" section. Although you won't find it on any pet-food label, many brands of pet food contain dog
and cat remains. Each year, millions of dead dogs and cats are processed along with
billions of pounds of other animal materials by companies known as renders. "When you read pet-food labels and it says meat meal, that's what it is - cooked and converted animals, including some dogs and cats," said Eileen Layne, of the California Veterinary Medical Association. "Thousands and thousands of pounds of dogs and cats are picked up and brought here
everyday," said one employee of Sacramento Rendering. "The small animals are a
big part of the company," confirmed an ex-employee. The two estimated that California law states that rendered dogs and cats must be labeled as "dry rendered tankage," but is often sold out of state labeled as "meat and bone meal." "For years we sold Ralston Purina meat meal and they had dogs and cats in their product for years and didn't know it until somebody squawked," said a rendering plant executive. Ralston Purina apparently tried to avoid using dog and cat meat thereafter, but, said the executive, "I don't recall any other pet food manufacturer saying they wouldn't buy it." For more info: http://www.newveg.av.org/animals/petfood.htm Animal Death Camp (the above info courtesy of http://www.lovemypets.com/) |
Are you a gourmet? Want to make your own pet food? Mixture---Puppies 50-75% Meat/Fish + 25-50% Veggies & Grain Meat and Poultry should be slightly boiled but NOT OVER COOKED! RARE is 'good' NEVER give Pork (especially Raw) and NEVER give KIDNEY unless it is from certified organic animals, otherwise they contain too many toxins-especially heavy metals. Use ORGANIC LIVER only occasionally. It is good for anemic pets but should not be given daily. Fish should be frozen 1st since the freezing process will kill parasites. Do not give fresh water fish too often. Avoid TUNA. Canned Sardines (no salt), Mackerel and Salmon are wonderful. Some people feel raw poultry or whole eggs are OK. This is a choice but we feel slightly cooked is the safest. You can give YOLKS raw but WHITES must always be cooked. VEGGIES & GRAINS: Cooked or better raw- if you 'juice for yourself' then save the pulp for your pups and add to their food. Just make sure you have washed and cleaned the veggies thoroughly before you juice. Alternatively you can slightly cook them if you prefer. Use a mix of fresh or frozen veg, not canned. Not too much spinach, kale or cabbage. Try ideally to mix daily, 1/2 green veg with 1/2 root veggies. No CORN or ONIONS. Corn is high in sugar and onions have a compound in it that depletes red blood cells. Cooking doesn't alter this so best to avoid.. KASHA, carrots (no carrots for cancer dogs see info on cancer diet at top of page) , brussel sprout etc are wonderful for and highly recommended. Grains should be measured after cooking for portions or you will give too much grain. Use brown rice- oats (soaked) whole wheat pasta or millet. Add DAILY 2 Items- (1-4 teaspoons according to size): (i.e. small dog 1tsp./med. dog 2 tsp./ large dog 3tsp/extra large dog 4 tsp.)
For TREATS- Cheeses can be given -such as cheddar etc. Along with Fresh Fruit and RICE CAKES (no sugar added ones!) Cancers thrive on refined sugars and high carbohydrates- keep your pet off them! Fresh GARLIC-contains numerous compounds with demonstrated protective effects against various cancers MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum) seeds are very useful in supporting proper liver function. It's active constituents include Silymarin, a flavonoid complex, that has antioxidant effects. NEVER GIVE SUGAR OR COMMERCIAL DOG TREATS most contain CORN SYRUP which will fuel cancers. Corn syrup is only for dogs in emergencies who are hypoglycemic. Foods to always AVOID Food items dangerous to pets include onions, onion powder, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk, dark), alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans, tea (caffeine), grapes, raisins, salt, walnuts, macadamia nuts,(other nus in LIMITED amounts)- (Peanuts and Peanut Butter is SAFE but always use ORGANIC and SALT/SUGAR FREE as Peanuts are high in chemical sprays)- hops (used in home beer brewing), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), tomato leaves and stems (green parts), rhubarb leaves, avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats), cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, moldy or spoiled foods. BONES raw and cooked are dangerous. Please check this complete list of FOODS TO TOTALLY AVOID! As there are many dangerous ones - some might surprise you. Rawhides-only from time to time and most
importantly - buy only made in the
USA
as others are dusted with arsenic during processing.
Arsenic builds up in the body & is toxic over time causing
health problems.
Avoid RAW
Spinach, Swiss Chard, and Rhubarb: While these are not toxic, they Details on why to avoid the above- click HERE FOR MORE
If your animal ingests anything toxic or suspicious call immediately the ANIMAL POISON CONTROL HOTLINE 1-888 426-4435 Learn PET CPR here Your HOME EMERGENCY KIT
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