Cooking for Sick Pets

Nothing is more frustrating than a pet with diarrhea or constant vomiting - I know, I have experienced these messy problems for one long month. I adopted two kittens from a large chain pet store. No more than 15 minutes into our journey home, adorable little Lulu had diarrhea. I thought it was related to the car ride, but after a few days of scooping wet, runny poop from both kittens I knew this was a health issue.

I took the kittens to the vet, and even though they may have been given shots, my vet suggested they were too young and not properly immunized. I told him about their diarrhea - they had very healthy appetites and were drinking water. My vet gave them their shots, prescribed medication and home we went.

The medication was difficult to give and it didn't seem to help. I put canned pumpkin in their food. It didn't really help. I added psyllium. It didn't help. I went online and began some research. And I found Vitality Sciences - a company founded in 1991 to help people with GI problems.

I read their research, I read their testimonials then I called and ordered the feline diarrhea vomiting combo. Because I didn't have a specific cause of the problem, I needed to try a few product combinations. Within the week Pearl had normal stools. Lulu, the other kitten, took a bit longer to treat but is now diarrhea free. So for treatment resistant diarrhea or vomiting, these six products can be combined to fight the infection, cure the disease and get your pet back into health.

So what did I do for their food? I cooked for them, of course! I found that they like the Shelton brand of frozen minced turkey the best. I add enough distilled water (buy it at the grocery - especially if your pet may have Giardia) to completely cover the thawed turkey. I cook the turkey until the juices run clear. This is the experimental part and it works for most dogs and cats.

For diarrhea, I started with 1 Tablespoon of canned organic pumpkin to one cup of cooked turkey. For dogs, you may want to add 1/2 cup cooked long grain rice. I fed 1 tablespoon of this food to my kittens and about 2 tablespoons to my adult male cat three times a day. (My adult male loves plain turkey and hated the pumpkin after a while.) I fed a small amount of dry food and clean, distilled water is out all day. Once the turkey is thawed (properly, please, no need to give food poisoning on top of other GI problems) the cooking time is about 10-12 minutes. The cooling time is another 10-20 minutes and then I promptly refrigerate any unused portion. I then took some of the cooked turkey and mixed in the Comfort product - either canine or feline, depending upon species - and this added a different kind of fiber. I alternated this mix with the pumpkin for the kittens - it worked great for Pearl.

I, along with my vet, thought Lulu had Giardia. I found that giving the herbal supplement and then the skullcap supplement stopped the diarrhea within two days, along with the food choices from above.

The comfort products also work exceptionally well for vomiting. I suggest that if your kitty has hairballs, add a little pumpkin to their food. If you use the ground turkey, be sure to have a mix of white and dark meat, there's a bit more fat to help hairballs.

I have also heard great results with this diet for animals on chemotherapy and radiation. Again, use distilled water to help clear toxins.

If you cook once week, like me, take 20-30 minutes out of your day and cook for your pet. I put enough food for four days in a plastic container. I freeze the remainder of the cooked turkey (I add the other ingredients once it is unfrozen) in small containers and take them out as I need them.

Cooking for your pet really is easy and it makes treating difficult problems so much easier!



Julee Roth has been a life-long animal lover and pet industry veteran with over 12 years experience helping people and their pets. Hundreds of thousands of puppies, kittens, cats and dogs have benefited from her advice and well chosen pet products. To ask her for more pet advice, email her at juleeroth@yahoo.com.




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Pet Quote - How to Find Affordable Low Cost Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is something that we often do not think about until it is too late. Most of our pets are extended members of the family and when they get sick we want to take them to the vet to get better. It can be expensive is they need any kind of surgery so make sure you find affordable insurance.

Talk to you vet and see if they offer any type of dog or cat insurance coverage. They may have a plan through a larger provider where you can get coverage on your pet. If you wait until they are sick it may be too late. Make sure you shop around and find the best low cost insurance option.

Check online to get an insurance quote. You can compare prices and find an option that will fit into your budget. There are many sites that will give you multiple quotes to make it easier to compare price and policies.

We never know when our pets may get ill and having pet insurance coverage can be a good option for you to not worry when they do become sick. Pet insurance is not very expensive and you may find that your regular insurer may have a policy that will help them to be covered in case the worse happens.

Be protected by getting insurance for your dog or cat. If you are on a tight budget then search to find a low cost option that you can afford. This type of insurance is more common than it used to be and you will find that you can get coverage and not break the bank at the same time.



Find: Cheap Pet Insurance

Buy Cheap: Pet Insurance Online

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Discount Insurance.




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How Can You Keep Your Pets in Shape

Most families have pets. These pets stay in the house as an important member of the family and not just like an animal. Proper care is taken so that they don't get sick. At times parents are not very fond of pets but they keep them because their kids love them.

Following there are some tips you can use to take perfect care if you have recently got pets so they stay healthy and in good health. The pets are treated like babies even if they get very old. It is very essential for your pet to feel loved. When you get your pet for the first time let it roams around your house and feel that he has got the freedom. He would eventually start getting used to it when the smell becomes familiar. You should realize that he also feel nervous when he comes to your house for the first time.

Give proper comfort to your pet. Make arrangements for their sleeping area and provide them with high quality food. It is also very important to train them so they don't dirty your house inside out. In order to pamper your pet you can even put in some pillows, blankets and toys in his sleeping area. Tell him with proper guidance the places he needs to go for his food and to pee.

You need to maintain their health. If they are furry then you would have to vacuum and shampoo their hair. Proper cleaning would keep them away from insects and they would look beautiful especially if they have white shiny fur. There are many animal products that you can use in their bath. They would love their bath sessions and would also play with you.

Remember to go for positive reinforcements whenever the pet behaves badly or poops at the wrong place. It is better not to punish them for bad but treat them good whenever they do the right thing. This would help them and encourage them to learn things more quickly.

If you feel that your pet is catching some disease or is not as energetic as before then you should not wait for too long. You must consult the Vet as soon as possible to order ensure his quick recovery. Make them feel important and they would always love you. With time they became a part of your family and you really can't live without them.



Thomas is new to writing articles, and hopes that you enjoyed his work. You can read more of his work dealing with pet products about bags on board dog [http://www.bagsonboarddog.com/] which includes information on the bags on board leash [http://www.bagsonboarddog.com/bags-on-board-leash.html].




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FAQs About H1N1 Influenza Virus and Pets

The H1N1 influenza virus has received publicity worldwide and has researchers, health care officials and health care providers all scrambling for vaccines, treatments and general information about the disease. More recently, it has become evident that this virus can also affect our pets, leaving many pet owners concerned about the health of their dogs, cats and other animals and asking questions about how to deal with the situation.

What is the H1N1 influenza virus? The H1N1 influenza virus is the virus responsible for the flu strain originally known as "swine flu". The infection has been diagnosed throughout the world. Flu-like respiratory symptoms are the most common sign of the disease. However, complications can occur with this influenza strain and it has been deadly for a great number of people worldwide.

Which species of pets can become infected with the H1N1 virus? As of December 1, 2009, the H1N1 influenza virus is known to be able to infect dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs and turkeys. Other species may also be found to susceptible in time. This is an emerging disease with new information becoming available on a regular basis.

What signs will my pet show if he is infected with the H1N1 virus? Flu-like respiratory symptoms are characteristic of H1N1 infection. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, heavy breathing and/or a nasal discharge may be seen. As with people, it is possible for complications to occur causing the virus to be fatal to pets. For this reason, it is vital that your pet be examined by a veterinarian if any of these symptoms are noted. Because there are numerous other diseases which may cause similar symptoms, diagnostic testing may need to be performed to properly identify the cause of your pet's illness.

Should pet owners consider getting rid of their pets? No, there is no need to panic. It is obvious that the H1N1 strain of virus can be passed from people to pets. Infections have occurred in this manner for most if not all of the sick pets. However, we do not know whether the virus can be passed from pets to people or how likely this is to occur. Either way, the danger of exposure to the virus from your pet is no greater than the danger of exposure from other people.

How can pet owners protect their pets? Pet owners should monitor their pet's health closely and have their pet examined by a veterinarian if respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing or a runny nose develop. Adequate hygiene and sanitation, including washing your hands frequently and covering your cough, will help protect your pet in the same way it helps protect other people. If possible, avoid contact between your pet and sick people, especially those with flu-like symptoms.

Is it safe to eat pork or poultry since these species have been found infected with H1N1? Yes, there is no reason to believe that there is any danger from eating pork or poultry which is properly prepared and thoroughly cooked. Proper preparation of the food and hygienic food handling techniques remain important, as always, to prevent food-borne disease of any type.

I've heard some wild animals may be infected. Are wildlife parks and zoos safe for people to visit? There is a report of a cheetah which may have been infected with the H1N1 virus. However, there is no need to avoid visiting wildlife parks or zoos.

What else is known about the H1N1 virus? The H1N1 virus was originally dubbed "swine flu" because of its resemblance to the influenza virus that infects pigs. It also bears similarities to other strains of influenza viruses which infect people and avian species. However, it is distinctly different than other strains of virus and is unique.

Why is it so worrisome that this virus can infect so many different animal species? Researchers and health officials are concerned that the ability to infect many different species will give this strain of influenza virus access to an extremely wide gene pool which could increase its ability to mutate into a much more virulent strain of influenza, potentially becoming more deadly than it is currently. Influenza viruses in general are well-known for their ability to mutate easily and quickly.



Lorie Huston is a pet health and pet care expert and has been a practicing veterinarian since 1986. She is the feature writer for pet care at Suite101.com and is the National Pet Health Examiner at Examiner.com. Her blog, the Pet Health Care Gazette, informs pet owners about numerous pet health care topics.




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Nursing Your Sick Dog Back to Health

If you have a dog that is injured, sick or having health difficulties, then prepare yourself for a bit of extra work when taking care of your pet. Nursing your sick pet back to proper health will take a lot of time, patience and in some cases money. When your dog becomes sick, it simply cannot do all the same stuff it did before, and you as the owner will need to compensate for this. Yes. You must take additional care to the dog if it becomes sick.

Nursing your sick dog is frequently considered to be an art form or skill and shouldn't be taken as a causal measure.

When pets are ill, they may have special requirements such as restricted diets, special sleeping accommodations, or surgical protective collars that keep getting in the way. These can present problems for the unsuspecting owner.

For example, if your pet sleeps in a crate, but now has a cone collar on because of a surgery, it will make turning around inside the crate almost impossible for your pet and can actually cause your pet to become stressed and anxious. When your pets cannot sleep in the crate you will need to have or make other accommodations for this pet, or risk taking the collar off. Taking your dog's protective collar off could mean they will chew through the area where they had the surgery, causing even more problems.

Providing some medications or ointments, such as ear drops, might cause your pet to struggle, This could be because of medication smell, burning or just aggravating an injury or painful area. Such dogs should be kept in a calm place after medications are taken and shouldn't be annoyed. It is a good idea to spend a few moments with the dog who has taken the drug or been medicated as the animal only wishes to be comforted and loved by the owner.

Safety is to be given more priority when nursing your sick dog. You would not want to re-injury or further aggravate any problems because your dog doesn't want the medication. Find alternative methods to nursing your pet that does not require force or restraints. If you need to, enlist the aid of another family member to help.

Make sure your sick pet gets plenty of warm liquids. When a pet is sick, a small bowl of soup broth works well for them. They will enjoy it too. Keep your pet warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and pay attention to their specific health concern.



Learn how to protect your dog from getting sick be reading about dog illness symptoms.

Life long dog owner and pet advocate, Derek Wood breeds and trains large dogs through the use of healthy and humane techniques. He studies both animal behavior patterns as well as the human/animal interactions and uses this insight to better understand how to train and deal with our four legged friends.

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Pet Health Insurance - Don't Visit the Vet Without It

When you get your pet, you should get pet health insurance too.

Pets are often like children, they get into all sorts of problems all the time, and sometimes you cant be there to prevent a mishap form happening. If your pet is injured, or even if he gets sick, you will have to come up with the money to pay for the vet´s services.

When there is an accident, your pet gets sick or something happens you can hope the problem goes away (it usually doesn't).  You can take your pet to the vet and pay for the expenses with your credit card or from your savings. And in worse case scenarios you can put your pet down.  Most people opt for paying for health care with their credit card or with savings.

But what if your son was playing with the puppy and he stepped on the pups paw and fractured the bone. This could cost as much as $3000 to $4000, and emergencies like this can quickly get expensive.

The above reasons are why it is such a good idea to get pet health insurance. When you buy pet insurance then you will always be prepared for the unforeseen event.

Misconceptions about Pet Health Insurance

Some people believe that pet insurance is only for sick pets, but the truth is you want to purchase the insurance before your pet gets sick, otherwise it is considered a predisposed condition and wont be covered under the pet insurance.

Other people believe that owning pet insurance is a real hassle and difficult to apply for compensation when something does happen. In reality its pretty simple, you pay the vet and then submit the bill to the insurance company and they send you the money, if the  bill is for something that the policy covers.

Many people don't choose pet insurance because they believe that pet insurance is very expensive. The truth is that there are different insurance plans for different people, and plans will vary depending on the company, the age of the pet, the type of pet, and the plan you get. Most of the time, these policies run you about $30 a month, which is about the price of going to the movies.

Pet owners can also choose plans that are less expensive but that have higher deductibles, or lower limits. Even though plans will vary from company to company rates are still reasonable.

Give your self peace of mind, without having to dig deep in your pockets. Pet insurance is something you should really look into getting especially if you are thinking of getting a new pet.



Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.pet-health-insurance-advisor.com
Pet Health Insurance




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Understanding Early Warning Signs Will Save Your Pet From a Serious Illness

Cat and Dog Health Statistics suggest that the percentage of pet owners whose pets never get sick is quite low. Catching illnesses early on will save you and your pet many agonizing nights, and add many happy and healthy years to your companion's life.

When a pathogen enters your pet's body your pet will exhibit warning signs that its' immune system is under attack. During this time, your pet is likely to; sleep more, have less energy when awake, have foul breath, excessive gas, constipation, diarrhea, and/or dry skin. They may also yelp or seem uncomfortable when petted or groomed, from inflamed nerve endings caused by the toxic nature of the invader, and its' waste products.

Needless to say, it is very important to pay close attention to your pet's demeanor.

Your Pet's Stool Provides Important Clues

Checking your pet's stool may seem unpleasant, but educating yourself on what healthy and unhealthy stools look like is invaluable to catching illnesses early on. Stools that are dry, runny, or contain mucous are signs of illness.

If the early warning signs are overlooked, resolution becomes much more involved. At this point it may be tempting to use pharmaceutical drugs; but pharmaceuticals should always be a last resort.

Instead of supporting your pet's immune system, pharmaceuticals work by overriding it. Long-term use of pharmaceutical drugs causes immune system atrophy. Once that happens, your pet is sentenced to a lifetime of medication, which will reduce their quality of life, as well as shorten it.

Scientific Evidence

Natural Pet Health experts believe supporting immune strength is much safer, healthier, and more effective than pharmaceutical drugs, as they are intended to nourish the overburdened immune system back to health, or at the very least boost it during times of stress.

Science shows that compromised immune systems respond positively to supplementation; both to restore optimal health, and to maintain them. The sooner a sick pet is given the natural supplements and remedies it needs, the sooner recovery will happen.

Even when your pet is healthy, boosting their immune system with natural supplements will minimize the risks of your pet ever developing a chronic illness.

The Parasympathetic Healing State

Even though your pet shows signs of recovery, it can regress and experience the symptoms that occurred during the illness. Don't let this discourage you: As long as you are boosting your pet's immune system, the duration of sickness should be much shorter, and milder. The ideal approach is to continue administering supplements, even after health has been restored.

Much like small children, animals cannot tell us when they feel ill. This is why it is important to keep an eye on your pet's demeanor and disposition.



The author of this article is Robert Hart, has articles published in Fido Friendly print magazine, Ani-Med, The Pet Professor/Pet Style, The Truth About Pet Food, Barkley and Paws- on-line pet portals, and pet newsletters. His company formulates scientifically proven remedies and Longevity Programs to restore and maintain pet health for cats, dogs, kittens and puppies. To learn more about their products http://www.vitalityscience.com.




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