Pet Health Guide

Let’s think about this for a minute: God did not design our animals to eat pre-packaged, kibble or pellet-like food. In the wild, dogs don’t tell each other, “Hey, I’m hungry, let’s go to the pet food store and grab us some lunch.” As if!

No, together, they go out and hunt down their food, then dig right in while it’s still warm. Sorry about the graphic image, but well, that’s nature for you! They also do not stoke up a campfire and sit around singing Kum Bi Ya while the meat gets cooked. Nope they just have at it in the natural raw form.

Now you might be thinking, “Yeah but that’s wild animals, not our sweet kitties and dogs.” Think again. They are and will always be carnivores. They need raw meat and bones to be healthy with a fully supported immune system. Also the raw, non-weight bearing bones such as the shoulders and backs give dogs and cats strong, clean white teeth eliminating the need for dentals done under anesthesia at a veterinarian’s office, something that is not only much riskier but much more expensive than feeding your dogs and cats what they were designed to eat: meat.

Your other pets such as horses, guinea pigs, birds and rabbits also need natural raw food in order to thrive. They do not forage for pellets, let me tell you. Many birds are omnivorous so they’ll eat fruits, veggies and meat. While our other furry and feathered friends need to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

Kim Christopher states, “Proper diet is among the more important considerations in the health maintenance of your pet and essential in the management of many diseases. To feed correctly, a knowledge of dietary nutrients and their availability is important.”

And Dr. Russell Swift,”Carbohydrates are not needed by dogs(or cats). Carnivores cannot maintain long term production of the quantity of amylase enzyme necessary to properly digest and utilize the carbohydrates. In addition, the proteins in grains are less digestive than animal proteins. As a result, the immune system becomes irritated and weakened by the invasion of foreign, non-nutritive protein and carbohydrate particles.”

So just what do you think most packaged pet foods commonly know as premium kibble contain? Grains. Byproducts. Toxic preservatives.

The question would then arise, if pet food manufacturers know this (they must because they’re in business to know) why are these things added to our pet food and why are we told that these packaged foods are so good? Even our mainstream veterinarians are selling these foods to us.

Good questions. Part of the reason is because it’s cheaper to use grains and byproducts. Byproducts can be anything we’d normally throw out such as beaks, feathers, feet/hooves, euthanized animals, road kill, you name it. It all gets rendered and added into our packaged pet foods.

Oh but it gets better. These foods are then baked. Here is what Dr. Betty Lewis stated on her website, “What’s wrong with commercial foods? The number one item which makes commercial foods inappropriate for pets is that these foods are cooked. No one has ever reported seeing wild animals routinely barbecuing their meals! Raising the temperature of food above 118

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Travel is fun and frolic especially if you are going on a vacation. But some people just cannot think of travel. New born puppy care is more important than the travel and the pet is too attached to them. An advert like pet reptiles for sale amazes some people. Some people do buy exotic animals for pets. The questions usually are: If we travel who is going to look after the pet? What will happen if we leave him with people he/she is not familiar with? Movie scenarios will appear better than what runs through the mind. Others will feel that the pet will get stressed out and cannot make a journey.

People do take pets on journeys and that is why the government and travel companies issue regulations on the pet travel. Those who decide to take their pets along on a vacation do so with professional advice and care. Arrangements for the comfort of the pet and various other precautions are given due diligence.

Airline Pet Travel

Travel with your pet on a chartered airplane, if the whole family is vacationing. The costs would be lesser and regulations concerning your pets would be negotiable.

Travel with your pet on a commercial plane and the regulations are more stringent. You could avail the services of a professional pet transporter to take care of picking up your pet, finding a good place in the cargo of the flight and uniting your pet with you at your destination.

Regulations

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines and restrictions govern air travel for pets. The regulations verify if you have a pet health plan and if all pet illness diagnosis has been carried out. A USDA approved vet must fill E9.45 Veterinary Certificate. You send it to the USDA for endorsement. In additions to these some airlines have different regulations as well. The best airlines have written rules for pet travel that are evidence enough that your pet will be transported safely. Ask your airlines for these guidelines when you buy your ticket.

Small Pets can be crated and taken on-board with you

Larger animals will have to be in the cargo area.

The travel crate must be large enough for the pet to lie down comfortable, stand up and turn around freely. Placing an old towel or blanket will add to the comfort.

The crate must be marked with “this side up” and “live animal” it should include your address and contact numbers. In case of loss or misplaced transit; contacting you will be easy.

Choosing pet travel crates according to the guidelines given by the airline is always better.

Age of your pet is another factor. It should be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned.

Illness, physical distress or a violent pet is not allowed on the flight.

Your pet should not be sedated for air travel.

Consult your veterinarian on the issues that could come up related to the travel of your pet and carry all the necessary medication and take all the necessary precautions advised by the veterinarian.

Your pet should have all the necessary vaccinations, health certificates and documentation.

Professional pet transporters services must be checked with proper regulatory agencies such as IPATA, AATA or PHA.

Train Pet Travel

Dogs and cats may be taken on the trains. With relation to your particular pet you may need to contact the travel company to find out. In many states and even in European countries (PETS: Pet Travel Scheme) there is a fee for the pet and also conditions on how the pet is to be transported. Other conditions exist and are more specific to the travel mode and company.

The pet must be fitted with a microchip with identification details of the owner. It should meet ISO-11784 or 11785 standards.

The vaccination record and booster vaccination dates must also be fed into the microchip. Also treatment for diseases if existent should be carried out before the travel.

Also a blood test to prove the efficacy of the vaccination must be included.

Once the documentation is provided a passport for the pet is issued. Different countries have different departments dealing with it.

Do not let pets prevent you from travel. You can experience the enjoyment of travel along with pets as well.

myhappypets.com is regarding the attention you need to give your pets. New born puppy care .etc is described in detail, which includes information on grooming and vaccinations as well. Also find information on selecting good food for your pets.

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Vaccinations are important, even for indoor pets. Some diseases are airborne or can be acquired by contact with fecal matter that might be brought into your house on your street shoes. Diseases that affect pets are present in the environment, and some diseases can spread to humans.

Any animal that goes outdoors should be vaccinated annually for rabies. This includes ferrets and bunnies. If you have a small house dog, or your dog is at low risk for contracting Leptospirosis, your vet may determine that this vaccination is not necessary. Aged animals should only be vaccinated on the recommendation of your vet.

Vaccinations protect your beloved pet from painful and often fatal diseases. They help ensure a long and happy life for your pet, with many hours of enjoyment for you with your animal companion. The cost of vaccinations is very small, compared to the cost of treating a disease or of losing your pet altogether. Many communities have vaccination clinics where you can get free rabies vaccines for example. Check with your local animal shelter or veterinarian to find out when a free vaccination clinic is scheduled.

Your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, environment, and geographic location can all affect the vaccination schedule. Ask your veterinarian about the most appropriate vaccines for your pet.

Vaccination Schedule

Cat

Vaccine: Panleukopenia, Herpesvirus and calicivirus (combined)

When: As early as 6 weeks, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until at least 12 weeks of age

Booster: Every 3 years

Cat

Vaccine: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
When: Begin at 4 months old, repeat in 2-4 weeks
Booster: Every year

Cat

Vaccine: Feline distemper
When: At 9 weeks old and 12 weeks old
Booster: Every year

Cat, Dog, Ferret, Bunny

Vaccine: Rabies
When: At 3 months for initial protection, and again at 1 year
Booster: Every 1 to 3 years

Dog*

Vaccine: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (combined DHPP), Leptospirosis, Adenovirus
When: At 6 to 8 weeks, 9 to 11 weeks, and 12 to 14 weeks
Booster: 1 year after last puppy dose, then every 1 to 3 years depending on vaccine type

Dog

Vaccine: Rabies
When: 3 months
Booster: 1 year after puppy dose, then as required by local authorities

Dog

Vaccine: Coronavirus
When: 6 weeks of age, then every 2-4 weeks until 12 weeks of age

Dog - if it will be exposed to ticks

Vaccine: Lyme
When: 9 to 11 weeks, and 12 to 14 weeks
Booster: Every year

Dog - if it will be boarded, or going to dog shows or obedience classes

Vaccine: Kennel cough (Bordetelle)
When: 16 weeks
Booster: Every year

Dog - outdoor dogs; can spread to humans

Vaccine: Giardia
When: 12 weeks, 15 weeks
Booster: Every year, if indicated in your area

* Not a vaccination, but dogs should receive heartworm prevention starting at between 8-15 weeks of age, continued for life, with annual heartworm blood tests.

After the vaccination, it is important to watch your pet for the next couple of days for any signs of a reaction to the shot. Possible symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite

• Minor fever

• Irritability, expressed as biting, growling, or unwillingness to be with people

• Unusual sleepiness, lack of energy

• Swelling or redness around the injection site

If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian. If you observe a lump on your cat for more than 3 months after it has been vaccinated for rabies or feline leukemia call your vet. This could be a sign of a vaccine-associated tumor.

Reactions to vaccines happen from time to time, but for the most part, having your pet vaccinated, and given a health checkup once a year, is the safest way to protect them and help them live a long, happy life.

Sources: American Animal Hospital Association and Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, Ontario, Canada

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