Holistic Pets

Ringworm is often a misdiagnosis for other conditions, especially numular eczema and pityriasis rosea.

Remember that athlete’s foot is unusual in preteen children. These children often have Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis or a contact dermatitis when they have an itchy red rash on their feet. Ringworm is only mildly contagious, so children undergoing treatment may continue to attend school or daycare. In addition to infected people, you can get ringworm from infected cats and dogs, so examine your pets if someone in your family develops ringworm.

Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine. The medicine can be in taken in tablet or liquid form by mouth or as a cream applied directly to the affected area.

The treatment for ringworm is one of the many effective topical antifungal creams, such as miconazole (Tinactin) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin). Several of these antifungal creams are now available without a prescription. Treatment may require several weeks. Only by treating for at least one week after the resolution of symptoms can one guarantee eradication. As soon as treatment has begun it’s fine for her to play with others, but it’s best not to share clothing or to let other children rub the patch of ringworm.

Ringworm is difficult to prevent. The fungus is very common, and it is contagious even before symptoms appear.

Steps to prevent infection include the following:

Educate the public, especially parents, about the risk of Ringworm from infected persons and pets.

Keep common-use areas clean, especially in schools, day-care centers, gyms, and locker rooms. Disinfect sleeping mats and gym mats after each use.

Do not share clothing, towels, hair brushes, or other personal items.

Infected persons should follow these steps to keep the infection from spreading:

Complete treatment as instructed, even after symptoms disappear.

Do not share towels, hats, clothing, or other personal items with others.

Minimize close contact with others until treated.

Make sure the person or animal that was the source of infection gets treated.

Low cost heartworm treatment can take two different forms. There can be traditional based medicine which contains insecticides to treat heartworms or there can be natural prevention techniques to prevent and treat heartworms. Imagine being able to use low cost heartworm treatment and prevent harsh side effects caused by traditional medicine today.

Are you looking for a generic traditional medicine to keep the cost low? If so we will discuss Nuheart which is the generic form of Heartgard and is reported to be 40% to 50% cheaper than Heartgard.

NUHEART HEARTWORM MEDICATION

Nuheart is the generic form of Heartgard Small sized beef flavored tablet Australian made product approved by Australian Veterinary Medicine Authority Can be dissolved in water and poured over dog’s food Available online without  a prescription Reported to be 50% cheaper than branded products Uses active ingredient ivermectin in the same volume used in Heartgard One dose per month just like Heartgard

The only FDA approved heartworm medicine for cats that I found in my research is Heartgard for cats.

SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATIONS

Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet’s body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.

Now if you are looking to prevent heartworms in the first place let’s take a look at what causes heartworms in our pets in the first place.

 WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORMS IN OUR PETS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals.  A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans.  When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can be found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

LOW COST HEARTWORM TREATMENT

Low cost heartworm treatment can be as simple as the use of garlic. Garlic is being used as a preventative for mosquito bites. When your pet consumes garlic it causes the animal’s skin to put off a pungent odor which repels fleas for example and is now being used to prevent mosquito bites. If you can prevent the bite you can prevent the larvae from getting into your dog or cat’s skin.

There is no need in this tough economy to spend a fortune on commercial products to treat our pets when you can treat your pets and home and save big dollars in the process. Read on through the last paragraph and click on the links to find out how.

Organic Lawn Care Programs -

Give your lawn the organic advantage. That is what countless lawn service providers around the U.S. are doing for their customers. Organic fertilizers and other lawn maintenance products allow effective lawn care practices while keeping a conscious mind for the environment. With organic lawncare programs, environmentally mindful customers can nourish their lawns all season long using 100% natural fertilizers.

In addition to the environmental benefits, these products are also kid and pet friendly. There is no need to worry about letting the dog out while the lawn maintenance crew is working. Now entire families can enjoy their lawn when they want, without having to wait for a certain period of time after the products are applied.

The best part about organic lawn treatment programs is that these products work on any type of grass in any kind of climate. No matter where you are you could be enjoying a lush, green lawn all year round that is safe for your pets and children.

Organic Lawn Treatments: 100% natural nourishment for your lawn -

One of the biggest keys to making your lawn thick and lush is the use of fertilizers. These are typically chemical compounds which change the chemical composition of the soil, allowing the grass plants to obtain better nutrients. However, 100% natural and organic fertilizers exist that can be nearly as effective. Below are a few examples of natural organic fertilizers that can be used in place of the chemical varieties.

*Manure
*Peat moss
*Seaweed
*Compost

Compost is a great organic fertilizer because you can make it yourself with the existing vegetation in your own yard.

A good organic lawn care program will also feed your lawn with 100% natural organic lawn food. Just like flowers and other flora need plant food, so does grass — remember, grass is a plant! Over time, lawn food will help you develop a thicker, greener lawn the natural way.

Organic Targeted Weed and Pest Control: Organic fertilizer with targeted non-organic weed and pest control -

Pest control is another huge part of proper lawn maintenance. While organic fertilizers and plant food are available in several different varieties, organic pest control products are less abundant. Most organic or “natural” pest control product lack the effectiveness of inorganic options. Because defending your lawn from pests helps keep your lawn healthy and disease free, this is not a good option.

Other pest control products claim to be organic yet still contain potentially harmful ingredients, both to the environment as well as to your children and pets. The ideal pest control product is one that is both safe and effective.

Contact your lawn care specialist for more information about where to obtain these products and to confirm if they are appropriate for your lawn. Only with a professional lawn care service provider can you be 100% sure that your lawn will be green for you and your family while also being “green” for the environment.

The best heartworm treatment for our pets can take two paths. One is with the use of conventional medicine and the other is with alternative natural prevention and treatment. You are smart enough to know that heartworms can be serious and also that the side effects from traditional medicine can also be serious. The choice is yours so we will discuss both methods, however, imagine being able to effectively prevent heartworms without risking the harsh side effects for your pets.

I’ll get straight to the point on the best heartworm treatment.

HEARTWORM MEDICATIONS | PREVENTION

Revolution – This is a broad spectrum medication that has been reported to be the top of the list for dogs. This medication also protects your dog from flea infestations. Interceptor – This medication is reported to prevent heartworms, hookworms, whipworm, and roundworms. Heartgard – This medication is widely available that prevents heartworms, hookworms and roundworms. Very few side effects have been reported with this medication. Iverhart Max – This medication is used for heartworms and tapeworms. There do not seem to be many reported side effects with this medication.

Active ingredient in Heartgard and Iverhart  is ivermectin. The active ingredient in Interceptor is milbemycin and the active ingredient in Revolution is selamectin oxime. These medications work as a preventative in the sense they are actually using chemicals to kill off heartworms in their early stages. So while some say they are preventative they are also treatment.

SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATIONS

Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet’s body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.

Some of you at this point may decide that the best heartworm treatment is to use the traditional approach while other may decide that the best heartworm treatment is the natural approach in order to sidestep many of the potential harsh side effects for your pets.

ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORMS

Because many veterinarians now recognize that long term use of preventative medications can cause side effects in our pets many people are turning to alternative methods to prevent heartworms. The methods will help overall but you should discuss using them with your vet.

Provide a healthy diet. Many people are now avoiding commercial pet food and feeding their pets natural vegetables, fruits, and raw meat Boost your pet’s immune system Strengthen your pet’s heart and circulatory system In areas where heartworms are prevalent think about regular de-worming Black walnut extract and garlic are also being used as preventatives Prevention is much cheaper than treatment at the vet’s office

There is no need in this tough economy to spend a fortune on commercial products to treat our pets when you can treat your pets and home and save big dollars in the process. Read on through the last paragraph and click on the links to find out how.

Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com

Mud fever, greasy heel and cracked heels are all problems experienced by horses and ponies that are kept outside in wet, muddy conditions.

In this article I will outline the underlying problem, symptoms and signs, and management of this illness.

As the feet are continually exposed to the elements, the heels and the skin below the fetlocks become increasingly red and inflamed, and there may be a pus-stained discharge and crusting. Greasy heel and cracked heels can occur in winter or summer, and may be related to allergy.

Mud fever occurs mainly in the winter, and can affect the leg further up to the knee or hock. With mud fever the hair becomes matted, and the animal may become lame and unwell. The main culprit seems to be the organism Dermatophilus congolensis.

Signs that your horse is suffering from mud fever include: inflamed skin, matted hair, crusting, lameness and discharge.

Prevention is always the best treatment; so keep the animal’s legs dry and warm if possible; ensure they have access to a dry area; ensure bedding is dry, and reduce over-washing your horse’s legs; rotate paddocks and if possible gateways; cordon off the muddiest areas with electric fencing; disinfect all equipment and stables periodically to reduce the chance of Dermatophilus spores remaining.

There are a variety of western treatments currently in use. You may need to clip some of the hair to gain access to all of the affected area. Gentle bathing is needed to remove the scabs before other treatments will reach the affected area; a mild antiseptic such as dilute chlorhexidine is very useful. You may need to soak the area to ease away the worst of the scabs. Dry with a hair dryer, as it is essential that the legs are not left damp. Topical creams such as zinc and castor oil (as a barrier) or anti-inflammatory creams can be helpful, as long as the leg is dry first. Keep the horse’s legs dry ‘ bandaging may be needed. Waterproof leg wraps are available for turnout. Antibiotics may be needed.

Complementary Therapies can hasten and aid the healing process.

A variety of herbal remedies may be helpful. Barrier creams may be enhanced if they contain tea tree oil, aloe vera, honey, Vitamin E, MSM, calendula, hypericum, and/ or sulphur. Feed supplements containing cod liver or soya oil, anti-oxidants and seaweed (not in pregnant mares) may help promote a healthy skin.

Aromatics and Aromatherapy are frequently found to be helpful. Garlic, thyme, lavender, yarrow, Roman chamomile or German chamomile aromatic oils can be offered for a horse to self select by inhalation or licking, or if added to an aloe vera and water base can be applied to the affected area 1-2 times daily.

Healing with Reiki or Spiritual healing can help calm a horse and bring in her own self-healing abilities, reducing pain and helping the affected skin to heal. The effect may be enhanced with the use of crystals, such as amethyst. Healing is also likely to be aided with the use of magnetic therapy.

Selection of appropriate Bach flower remedies depends on the personality and current mood of your horse, so it is better to seek expert advice to get the optimal remedy combination.

Rescue remedy, which contains star of Bethlehem, rock rose, cherry plum, impatiens and clematis, is ideal for use in emergency situations. Homeopathy works best if you consult a trained veterinary homeopath, as the specific remedies can be targeted to your horse.

Mud fever is common in our climate, but with good care can be prevented and with a combination of veterinary and complementary therapies, treated when it does arise.

Looking for natural dog worms treatment remedies? Ever wonder how dangerous all those drugs your vet keeps telling you to give to your dog are?

We all want our pets to be healthy. They are part of our family and we would not want anything less than the best for a member of our family.

When it comes to their health we would not want to do anything to harm them. That is exactly what we could be doing. All the chemicals you give your pets could be killing them.

Worms in canines can have serious side effects and could even lead to death. The types of worms your dog could get infected with include heart worms, round worms, hook worms, whip worms and tape worms.

Here are 3 ways to treat worms without the cost of dangerous chemicals:

(1) Garlic

Most parasites cannot stand garlic. Giving your dog garlic with his food with help get rid of internal parasites like worms. Also effective in keeping fleas away from your dog.

(2) Cayenne Pepper

Another natural ingredient that worms just can not stand. Sprinkle a little on your dogs food to expel their worms.

(3) Pumpkin Seeds

You can grind up pumpkin seeds and sprinkle them on your pets food. Some dogs even like to eat pumpkin seeds whole. These are great to prevent worms in the first place.

Natural choices for dog worms treatment can make a big difference in your dogs overall health. If I were to tell you that all the chemicals you are giving your dog could actually kill him would you think twice about forking all that money over to your vet.

I am not saying to stop using your vet. There are circumstances when a vet is a necessity. I just believe there are things in nature that can get the job done that are just as effective or maybe even better than the dangerous chemicals we have been using for years.

If your beloved dog is having a problem with fleas or ticks and you need to find a treatment that works well for them.  It is always best that you start with your veterinarian because in many cases they know what works best for your pooch. As the springtime comes around your dog may be playing outside and will be more likely to pick up fleas and ticks.  Do not worry there are many solutions that you can use that will help get rid of this problem.  There are also natural solutions that you can use that can help your dog as well.  You may want to consider using olive oil as many people have found this to be a great natural treatment for your dog.

Get Free : Dog Treatment Tips

First thing you want to do is wrap your dogs coat in oil and then make sure you wash it off thoroughly. This will allow the fleas and ticks or your dog has picked up to be killed or retracted because they hate olive oil.  There are also many other remedies that you can use that work very well but make sure you check with your vet to see if they approve of them.  You don’t want to give something that could be harmful for your dog.

How to : Rid Fleas Ticks

Remember that this time a year is more likely that your dog to get fleas are ticks so make sure you check with your veterinarian and find a treatment that works for them.  You can use over-the-counter products or you can choose to find a natural remedy that will help get rid of any fleas or ticks that your dog might have.

Heartworm treatment for dogs generally takes the form of giving heartworm tablets. These tablets are referred to as preventative but they are also treatment. This is because the tablets are being given to kill heartworm larvae that are already in our dog’s bloodstream. So while referred to as treatment they are also referred to as preventative medications. Because many pet owners are trying to avoid the harsh side effects that can occur from these preventative medications they are turning to natural prevention techniques instead.

Imagine being able to prevent heartworms in the first place and then being able to save a little money at the same time. I will give some links at the bottom for some great home remedies for our pet’s ailments and illnesses but first to heartworm treatment.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORMS IN OUR PETS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals.  A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans.  When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can be found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM TREATMENT FOR DOGS

Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet’s body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.

ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORM TREATMENT FOR DOGS

Because many veterinarians now recognize that long term use of preventative medications can cause side effects in our pets many people are turning to alternative methods to prevent heartworms. The methods will help overall but you should discuss using them with your vet.

Provide a healthy diet. Many people are now avoiding commercial pet food and feeding their pets natural vegetables, fruits, and raw meat Boost your pet’s immune system Strengthen your pet’s heart and circulatory system In areas where heartworms are prevalent think about regular de-worming Black walnut extract and garlic are also being used as preventatives Prevention is much cheaper than treatment at the vet’s office

Want time tested ways to treat a lot of your pet’s illnesses and ailments without having to pay a vet bill? If so, then click on the links below and get some great home remedies that will save you a lot of money.

You may be surprised to learn that the best treatment for dog with crystals in urine is not antibiotics. In this article, you will learn why drugs are not always the best route and which safe and effective treatment options you should consider instead.

<b>Crystals in Urine of Dog & the Disadvantages of Antibiotics</b>

If your dog has the Struvite type of bladder stones, then these crystals can be dissolved using natural remedies or prescription medications. With all the controversy over the use of prescription drugs in humans, it’s time we took a hard look at the downside of using antibiotics on our beloved pets. First of all, it’s important to note that antibiotics are drugs and no drug is without its side effects. Bladder stones are very painful and since your dog is already suffering, you don’t want to compound this with side effects caused by the very medication that is supposed to be a treatment.

Second, even if this treatment for dog with crystals in urine works, it can lead to problems in the future. This is because the overuse of antibiotics has led to the development of bacteria-resistant strains which means that if your dog gets an infection or something else that must be treated with antibiotics in the future, the drug may not work. Add to this the fact that antibiotics do not heal the cause of crystals in dog urine, but only curb the symptoms with the hope that the body will heal itself and you begin to understand how ineffective these drugs can really be.

This is why pet owners all over the world are turning to homeopathic remedies. These remedies contain proven herbs that heal the cause of the problem, restore the bladder pH (so infection cannot grow and bladder stones cannot form) and also soothe and heal inflamed tissues, quickly reducing pain. Best of all, they are effective, gentle enough to use every day (for aged pets or those that are prone to urinary problems) and are completely safe.

Of course, it goes without saying that some supplements are better than others. Look for one that contains herbs that have proven effective in clinical trials like Staphysagris, Cantharis and Uva Ursi. This is the best way of treating crystals in urine of dog on the market today because it works, your dog will not build a tolerance and there are no painful side effects.

In addition to giving your pet a natural remedy, make sure your dog is eating a healthy diet (organic kibble is best), has lots of fresh clean water (dehydration can lead to urinary problems) and gets lots of love and daily exercise. Following these steps means that your dog will heal and quickly get back to his or her old self.

A flea trap may be the perfect solution for those who want to get rid of a flea infestation without the use of harmful chemicals or strong medications. These traps are designed to attract, capture and prevent fleas from escaping. This results in the death of the flea, removes their ability to reproduce, and allows you to live in peace.

A flea trap can come in many forms. The preferred type uses no chemicals, and attracts fleas through light and heat. As fleas can sense body warmth, the flea trap emulates the temperature of a living creature in order to attract the fleas. When the flea gets close to the flea trap, they are caught in it. Once captured, they die, preventing the cycle from renewing.

Selecting which flea trap is right for you can be a challenge. The type of trap you select is often dependent on how widespread the infestation is. A common trap will have a range of roughly 25 feet, allowing one trap to cover an entire room. If you have an infestation, you may need to buy several traps to place around your home to make certain that all of the fleas are killed.

Unlike flea foggers, Front Line, Advantage, Borax soap and other remedies, all that you need to make use of a flea trap is a power outlet and pads for your specific trap. The pads are designed to prevent the fleas from escaping, and can be removed when it has captured the amount of fleas it is designed to handle. By replacing the pads frequently, you can make sure your trap remains effective.

A good flea trap will be durable, and have a screen that protects the pad from being accessed by children. While the pads are not toxic to children or pets, it takes time for the fleas captured on them to die. As such, you do not want your pets to have access to this pad, as it is possible that they may be able to free the fleas and get bitten in the process.

As fleas can be carriers of disease and cause discomfort for up to two weeks from just one bite, you will want to make certain that you take all of the necessary steps in order to prevent bites. A flea trap is one of the easiest, safest ways that you can remove fleas.

It is suggested that you make certain to treat your pets with flea medications, as a flea trap will not be able to protect your pets from fleas that they get from the outdoors.

Get your free guide, learn secrets of flea treatment and other nuggets on natural flea prevention, natural flea control, best flea prevention, flea control product, flea medication, dog fleas

http://www.findpethealth.com

Matt Le Tutla