Well it looks like Boston is going belly up as well. C'mon people! Can you help? I know it's tough and bloody expensive. But these dogs may be facing the gas chamber. Contact info as follows: Greyhound Friends, Inc 167 Saddle Hill Rd Hopkinton, MA 01748 Phone: 508-435-5969 ghfriend@greyhound.org

Side effects of denamarin

I have been getting many hits on this site on possible side effects to denamarin. Denamarin is a combination of Sylimarin (milk thistle) and SAMe. Denamarin is considered extremely safe if administered in the recommended dosage. One important point to make is it should be administered on an empty stomach. It has been known to cause diarrhea in some cases. SAMe can cause some dogs to vomit. But you can switch, with the advice of your vet, to standard milk thistle, liquid vitamin E and a B complex with C. The E and C enhance the effects of the milk thistle. I have taken Macy off Denamarin. Not that she was having problems with the medication, but she was doing beautifully on the milk thistle plus vitamins. She had come completely out of jaundice, was eating well and had regained all her weight. I must add it is cheaper to make your own denamarin. Here is what she gets. One 500 milligram milk thistle 2x a day, One 200 IU vitamin E soft gel (you can also find this in liquid form at a good health food store) 1x a day, Vitamin B complex with C (make sure this includes at least 50 milligrams of B12) 1x a day. You can pick the dosage you want. I tend to get the highest, 1000 milligrams. Vitamin K, 100 milligrams, 1x a day before bedtime. The vet had prescribed 50 milligrams, but the pills are tiny and impossible to cut in half. I upped the ante and watched her carefully. She has done just fine on the higher dosage. Again, I must emphasize that SAMe and vitamin E are not the same. SAMe is a biochemical produced by amino acids and used specifically for liver disease. Vitamin E is a supplement that enhances the effects of milk thistle. Partner with your vet before you make the switch and closely monitor the results. If you are noticing side effects to denamarin, vomiting and diarrhea are most common, make sure you are administering the medication on an empty stomach first. If that does not help, then ask your vet if you might try the above substitute I have found milk thistle to be tremendously effective in Macy's improved health. But the addition of vitamin B, C and E were important too. For more on that read here. I must encourage bookmarking this site for any questions on pet health or medications. They have a wealth of information in their library that is very user friendly. The other thing I like about their site is it is very balanced in it's opinion. Whenever I have a question, they are my first source of reference. Bookmark it, flag it or make me really happy and make it your home page. Merry Christmas to you all! Got lots coming up in the next few weeks, so stay tuned. We are addressing traditional heartworm and flea medications, the study just published in New Zealand on the global impact of pets and discussing more of the searches that land you on my page...successfully or unsuccessfully. This all takes a bit of work, but stay tuned. I really enjoy your feedback, so please don't be shy! Happy Holidays and all the best for the new year! Margot Hackett

December 23thd is pets day

Well I was already to bitch about a study on a pet's carbon footprint. Saving that for another day. It's Christmas and we must not ignore our four footed friends. So in the spirit of the holiday, allow me to post the following. December 23rd is called the little Christmas Eve. Time to pay some homage! A very merry Christmas to one and all and give the dog a bone, the horse an extra bale of hay, the hen a few twigs for the nest. “Little chicks, come gather near. A wondrous story you will hear.” Two white doves, on rafters high, coo a quiet lullaby: “Long ago in manger hay, the little baby Jesus lay. “Three wise men from far away, came to visit him one day, For he was born, the doves recall, “to be the greatest king of all!” Four brown horses in their stalls, snug within the stable walls, Tell of his birth: “‘Twas long foretold, by chosen men in days of old.” Five gray donkeys speak with pride, remembering one who gave a ride” “Our brother donkey went with them, from Nazareth to Bethlehem.” Six spotted calves now nibble hay, like that on which the baby lay. “They put him in a manger bed, so he could rest his sleepy head.” Seven goats, all black and white, describe the sky that holy night: “A star appeared at early morn, to mark the place where he was born.” Eight nestling kittens lick their fur. They nod their heads and softly purr: “And he was wrapped in swaddling clothes, to keep him warm from head to toes.” Nine woolly sheep, down from the hill, on Christmas Eve remember still: “Shepards heard the angels sing, praises to the newborn king.” Ten soft lambs say Jesus’ name, “He was the Lamb of God who came. He was the greatest gift of love, sent from his Father, God, above.” Eleven puppies listen well, in hopes that they, in turn, can tell The Christmas story another year, for all the animals to hear. Twelve chimes ring out from far away-the lovely bells of Christmas Day. And every beast bows low its head, for one small babe in a manger bed. And, yes, at this farm - on this night - the animals do indeed talk at midnight!

Food desperately needed

This is Pat Lambert with the Columbus Humane Society/Whiteville, N.C. and I'm writing this to beg for help with Dog/Puppy food and Cat food. We just took in 12 puppies (7 are only 3 days old) and a mother dog, and yesterday I got another dog and found out that she is preg. and we have three more to get (all coming from a breeder and all outside). This isn't counting the other 11 puppies that we have and all the Adult dogs. If anyone would like to donate a bag of Purina puppy Chow or Purina Dog food, or cat/kitten food please drop it off at : K&K Pet Grooming at 5028 Wrightsville Ave. Wilmington (they are closed on Sunday's and Monday's) or either call : Ruth Turner 910-470-5554 and you can drop off at her house, if in Whiteville then contact me: lambertpat54@yahoo.com .We are also helping with food for a feral cat colony and need food to help.We also need foster homes for the other three small dog (20-25 lbs) that are outside in the cold in a yd. that looks like a swamp. God Bless and Merry Christmas: Pat lambert

Answers to some recent questions posted on google

"Do dogs like ice water?" Yes they do but steer clear. Ice water can cause severe stomach cramps, better known as bloat, which can kill a dog. "How long can a cat take denamarin?" Good question and I will research that. To the best of my knowledge, there are no significant side effects. Stay tuned though. "Long term use of cortisone?" Not just no but Hell NO! After the immediate issue is in hand try to get them on every other day treatment. If the treatment is recommended for longer than a month, you need to find an alternate solution! "How long can a dog last in ice water?" Too many parameters to make one conclusive statement. Health, size, fat ratio and coat all play a role. Let's say as a generality, they last longer than we do but are less likely to make it to safety without help. I am thinking of the ice mountains the Great Lakes make as I write this. Friend's dog slid off and it took four men and a rope to get the dog to safety. The dog would have never survived left to it's own devices. "Can you cut up denamarin." The answer is not can you, but should you. You can get a pill cutter which will slice it nicely. You should partner with your vet if you think the dosage needs to be reduced. Took Macy off denamarin in May, but it was very helpful in her early treatment. I waited till the blood tests were back to normal. "Flea medication for a dog with liver disease?" Wouldn't recommend it or for any other dogs that clean as a normal behavior. There are plenty of alternatives. Dawn is the best flea killing bath soap I know of. Soap the muzzle and anal extremities first. Reason being that the fleas will run for cover. They will run in the eye sockets, nose, mouth and anal cavity to ride out the bath. But if you have already soaped those areas, they will probably die. Use your hands and watch the eyes. Short term prevention; vinegar, oils as follows; lavender, cedar, cinnamon, clove are all good. Mix them up with water in a spray bottle and go crazy. Use it on the dog, the furniture and the carpet. Must be applied every couple of days, but it works. Heartworm prevention is not recommended either. Use a small capful of white or cider vinegar in your dogs water. If they won't drink it try a half dropper of black walnut tincture and wormwood tincture in their water, pending on the size of the dog. This is based on three dogs, one 70 and two 50. I will explain in my next post, but it works! "Early vaccinations for aggressive dogs?" Well sorry, I have no stats for that, but I think early vaccinations are important to any dog. By aggressive do you mean the dog already is or has the potential based on character or breed? Vaccines do take a dog or cat out for a few days. They don't feel 100%, They might be more reactive just after a vaccination, but that is the only reason I can think of.

Looking for a pretty blue heeler

Looking for a pretty girl to mate with my boy. He has no papers, I found him when he was 6 months old. I believe he is full blood ACD. He has one spot on his hindquarter and a muddy Hall's heeler mark. But the best temperament you could ask for. I am breeding him because I want a pup to replace him. Deal is, the lady must have a sweet temperament, be a blue heeler and live within the continental U.S. You and I get first pick of the litter. The rest get adopted or sold, you get the profit. I know 12 people that want a pup out of this dog. He is a admirable gent! If you or a friend is interested, please let me know! I want to meet the lady before I breed him, but that can be worked out.

Annual pet vaccinations, how much is too much and what are the risks?

For as long as I can remember, we have taken our pets in for their yearly vaccinations. Veterinarians recommend it, States mandate it and boarding and daycare facilities require it. But are our pets getting too much of a good thing? If you are hoping to find justification on this page for never vaccinating your pet, sorry! You won't find it here. But you will find justification for questioning the frequency of vaccines your pet receives in it's lifetime. In March of 1993 The University of Wisconsin published the findings of Dr. Ronald Schultz, professor and chair of pathobiological sciences for the School of Veterinary Medicine. Shultz, who has been studying the effectiveness of vaccines since the 1970's,has learned that an animals immunity, once established, can last a lifetime. His findings led a community of veterinary experts and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to revise the schedule of vaccinations needed in an animals lifetime. This new standard, published first in 2003 and revised in 2006,has still not been embraced by the common practitioner. Most practicing Veterinarians still stand behind yearly vaccinations. The AAHA recommendations break down into three categories; trienially, annually and never.

What AAHA recommends For many vaccines the recommendation is still to vaccinate adult dogs annually. Other vaccines have proven safe and effective following a triennial administration. Puppies are a different story. Appropriate vaccine administration is considered "absolutely the most important," says Ford. As a result, AAHA recommends veterinarians follow all prior vaccine protocols for puppies. For example, the committee universally stipulates that canine parvovirus vaccines should be given initially at six to eight weeks, the second dose at nine to 11 weeks and a third dose at 12-14 weeks. "The guidance provided by the vaccine manufacturers, the ones that have been in place for years and years are still being advocated (for puppies)," says Ford. Booster vaccines The previous rules don't apply when the puppy reaches adult stage, according to the AAHA guidelines. "It's recommended, not required, that veterinarians place vaccines in one of two categories when developing a vaccine protocol for their practice: core or non-core," says Ford. The new categories are an attempt to segregate the vital vaccines from the more discretionary, according to the taskforce. The core vaccines, of which there are four, are to be administered triennially. These are vaccines to prevent against high-risk, highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases. Noncore vaccines, to be administered under the discretion of the veterinarian, would follow an annual schedule. "We're trying to encourage veterinarians to look at the science behind the vaccines and to develop a vaccination protocol that is rational as well as effective," says Ford. Of the core vaccines, the taskforce recommends that the adult dog receive rabies; canine parvovirus vaccine; canine adenovirus-2 (hepatitis vaccine); and distemper vaccines every three years. The caveat to the recommendation, says Ford, is that there is good evidence that the protection conferred in adult dogs by both canine distemper and canine parvovirus exceeds five years. Three years seemed a conservative, happy medium for all parties involved, according to the taskforce.

For more on the AAHA recommendations, read on.

Didn't make the cut What may catch some veterinarians off guard is the taskforce's third classification, recommending against certain vaccines. Those are: * Giardia. Reason: no test is available for the disease; vaccine has not been proven to prevent infection, only reduces shedding. * Canine adenovirus-1. Studies found that the vaccine can cause visual impairment in dogs. * Coronavirus. "We're not recommending it because the disease isn't significant. The vaccine is safe, there just isn't a disease to go with it," Ford says.

In laymen terms, here is a good explanation of core vs optional vaccines. Canine vaccines can be broken up into two groups: core vaccines, and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are vaccines which are strongly recommended for all dogs, while non-core vaccines are optional canine vaccines which are administered on an individual basis. For some dogs, the core vaccines are enough, while other dogs, such as dogs which board frequently, traveling dogs, and dogs who work outdoors, should receive some of the non-core vaccines as well. One of the core vaccines, rabies, is often required by law, due to concern for the well being of wildlife and people. In addition to rabies, the core vaccines include canine distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus. All of these diseases can be fatal to dogs, and they are also very common, especially in kennels, making protection at an early age crucial. Non-core canine vaccines include bordetella, leptospirosis, lyme, and coronavirus. In addition to these vaccines, dogs who work outdoors can also receive rattlesnake vaccines, in which they are exposed to rattlesnake venom so that they can develop antibodies. The use of rattlesnake vaccines is a topic of debate among veterinarians; some feel that it is not advisable, while others are willing to administer these vaccines, as long as dog owners understand the increased risk.

Adverse Reactions to Dog Vaccinations At the very least, vaccinations put stress on the dog's immune system for several days. It is common for dogs to be sluggish and generally not feel well while their system is recognizing and responding to the diseases that have been introduced. Additional stress to the dog’s body, such as surgery, should always be avoided during this time period. Dog vaccinations should never be given to a dog who is ill or injured as this will only make it harder for the body to heal. Some dogs have severe allergic reactions with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, whole body itching, collapse, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or legs. If such symptoms occur, the dog should receive immediate medical attention. In recent years, veterinarians have begun to link both immediate and long-term health problems to vaccinations. Serious health problems resulting from dog vaccinations include: Cancer Inflammatory bowel disease Arthritis Chronic allergies Auto-immune diseases Aggressive behavior Hip dysplasia Liver, kidney and heart problems Even a single vaccination carries risks, but most vaccine-related health problems are caused by over vaccinating. Higher vulnerability to diseases such as parvovirus have been passed down in dog breeds that have regularly been over-vaccinated through many generations. While some veterinarians have concluded that vaccinations are ineffective, unhealthy and unnecessary, most still believe in vaccinating but on a much more limited basis than has previously been the standard. The American Veterinary Medical Association continues to stand firm to the tried and true schedule, though their stance has softened to admit that many vaccines afford years of protection. "For many years, a set of annual vaccinations was considered normal and necessary for dogs and cats. There is increasing evidence to support that immunity triggered by some vaccines provides protection beyond one year while the immunity triggered by other vaccines may fail to protect for a full year. Consequently, one vaccination schedule will not work well for all pets. Your veterinarian will determine a vaccination schedule most appropriate for your pet." This is encouraging yet fails to take into consideration that a regular vaccination schedule accounts for 33% of a Veterinary clinic's annual revenue. There is also a fear of the new on the part of much of the Veterinary community. Understandable from a liability standpoint. If the vet recommends a triennial schedule and the dog gets rabies either by fluke or because the client wasn't up front and honest about the dogs activities, the vet is now prone to a nasty suit. They prefer to take the "better safe than sorry" approach. In conclusion, the choice of whether to vaccinate yearly, triennially or not at all; is a choice for each individual owner to make. There is always the option of the titer test, that checks the animals immunity to disease. By no means cheap, you can expect to pay around $200 for the test. Whatever you choose, I hope I have given you some solid information to assist you in making that decision. One last point You have the final decision in regards to your dogs health. But your Veterinarian has years of knowledge on animal disease and treatment at their finger tips. Self study is crucial, it helps you ask the right questions and make informed decisions. But I recommend that your Vet be a partner in these decisions. Finally, once you have made the decision, stick to your convictions. It is as bad to be spoon fed as it is to point the finger of blame at someone else!

Macy Gray, story of a dog with liver disease

It was less than two weeks ago that I posted that Macy was on the downturn. Prior to that I have spoken about proper dog nutrition twice. Once in february, and once in March. Took her into the vet and her blood samples and urine are stellar! She is an eight year, old large breed and I have been so obsessed with her illness, that I may have taken natural aging signs and panicked. the vet told me she had never seen a dog with liver disease improve that quickly and maintain it's health. Keep it in your heart that it can happen. Even when you get the worst diagnosis from your vet, which I did in January. Don't give up hope!

Protect your dogs from electircal shock while on your walk. A few common sense strategies everyone should know

I have heard of this happening before. Dog's electrocuted on a daily walk and their owners failing to take the simplest of precautions. Though I rarely, if ever, have tied my dogs to a lamp post, it is something we as owners need to think about. Electricity runs in the neighboring yard, under our feet and over our heads. Countless dogs die every year from electrocution. It tends to be more common in larger cities, but can happen in a small town as well. This not for profit community watch site, can give you lots of helpful tips to avoid these pitfalls. Pitfalls including yard lights that are old, construction sites, metal plates, or grids and street lamps. Dog boots increase an animal's chance of a shock. This web site might just save you and your dog's life!

Foster home desperately needed, eastern NC

URGENT! two 8wk. old pups, foster home needed or will go to pound. C.H.S. Please we need foster homes for these two babies, the woman called last night and said that her mom was going to take to them to the pound, but she has asked her to wait to see if Columbus Humane Society can find a foster home. We have until Sunday and then she will call the pound. We have no where for them to go, we will provide all medical, food for them, just need a place for them to be safe until we can get them a home. She said that they look like beagle mix and might even have Jack R. but who knows. They are just babies and I don't care what they are, they just need not to go to that Hell Hole of a pound. If we can get foster or permanent home then we can get them adopted and their adoption will include, first, second shots, bordatella, worming and spay/neuter. I don't know what sex they are but I'm trying to get the mom to go and look. Please contact: lambertpat54@yahoo.com if you can help - Hope someone will take them soon - My mom wanted me to call the pound - but just don't want to. They are very playful - Don't know a lot more about them - Haven't had much time to be w/them.

Pitty lab mix needs home

Sorry, no photo on this one. Owner is heading off to armed duty and can't maintain the dog. Contact info is below. Pitt lab mix free to good home. I'm going to basic training in Jan and can't take care of him. His name is Jack and he is 1 year and 7 months old. He has web feet and looks like a pitt. He is good with other dogs and loves people. Very friendly! Loves to swim and ride in a car, very smart, house trained, and neutered. He will come with leash and kennel. If you are interested, I'm not going to let him go with just anyone. I love him dearly and don't want to let him go. Send me an email at eyeofngt@yahoo.com. My name is Lisa

Save a Greyhound from Wisconsin

Dairyland Greyhound Racetrack in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will be closing on December 31, 2009. Nine hundred greyhounds need to be adopted or they will be euthanized. Please help me get the word out - we only have six weeks to get this task done. Contact Operations Director Joanne Kehoe @ 312.559.0887 or Dairyland Racetrack Adoption Center @ 262.612.8256. Editors Note: Greyhounds make wonderful family pets. Gentle, mellow, loving and generally good with children. Perfect starter pet. So if you are thinking of a dog for Christmas, please consider one of these dogs! Wouldn't it be a wonderful Christmas if we could save them all! Please pass this on to everyone you know.

Gar the boxer. Try not to cry...I double dog dare you

There is a small, old-fashioned ice cream parlor in the pleasant little town of Urbana, Ohio. Decades of existence give Kerr's Sweet Shop a comfortable, well-worn atmosphere, like the feel of your favorite pair of jeans. Urbana is such a tiny town that most everyone knows everyone else personally. As a matter of fact, they usually don't just know you, but your father and grandfather and perhaps they even knew your great-grandfather. There was once a young boy who visited this ice cream parlor quite often on his way around town with his Boxer dog, Gar. Gar was short for Gargantua, named after the famous giant because he grew to be such a big dog -- "ninety-seven pounds of pure muscle!" the boy proclaimed proudly. Whenever he visited the ice cream parlor, which was almost daily in the summer, the boy always ordered two ice cream cones -- a chocolate one for himself, and a vanilla one for Gar. The boy was a self-proclaimed "chocoholic," and he felt bad that Gar always had to settle for vanilla, but he knew that chocolate is dangerous for dogs. Gar didn't seem to mind; he wagged his stubby tail gleefully when the boy held out the vanilla cone for him to lick as they sat together on the steps outside the ice cream parlor. The boy half-kiddingly said that if they could find a way to harness the energy of that tail to a generator, they would have enough power to light all of Urbana for weeks on end. One time the boy was sick with the flu and wasn't able to leave the house to go to school, much less the ice cream parlor. After four days, or maybe a full week, when he was well again, the boy took Gar out for their routine walk around town. The dog trotted happily beside him, no leash required, only stopping a few times to sniff at bushes and hydrants and trees. When the pair came into view of Kerr's Sweet Shop, Gar suddenly left the boy's side and dashed across Main Street. Pausing at the far corner, he glanced back, as if imploring his owner to follow. So the boy did -- he followed Gar right up through the door into the ice cream parlor. The boy walked up to the counter, asked for "the usual," and sifted through change in his pocket to pay. But instead of "the usual" ten cents -- a nickel for each cone -- the man working as ice cream scooper said the boy owed a quarter. The boy was confused. He ordered only two single-scoop cones: one vanilla, one chocolate, just as he always did -- that should be a dime. The man smiled and said, "Well, your dog there's been comin' in the past few afternoons around this time, and he kept barkin' and barkin' and wouldn't stop. We figured since you always get a vanilla cone for 'im, and he likes 'em so well, that we'd just give 'im some ice cream even if you weren't with 'im. So we've sorta been keepin' a tab for 'im here. I hope that's okay." The boy laughed and assured the man it certainly was. In fact, he told them to keep the tab running if Gar came in again by himself -- which the dog occasionally did. Even years later, the boy still got a kick out of telling the story about his crazy dog with its very own charge account at the local ice cream parlor. *** My grandpa -- "Gramps" I affectionately call him -- was that young boy and his story about Gar and the ice cream parlor is one of my favorites. Ever since I was a little girl, I have begged him to tell that story over and over again, wishing I had a Boxer dog just like his beloved Gar, a dog I would raise from a puppy and take for walks around town and get ice cream with, a dog who would sleep at the foot of my bed at night and be my best friend. My dad grew up listening to the same stories, and while he was open to the idea of getting a Boxer, we lived in a small condominium -- way too cramped for a big dog that loves to run around and play. Then, during the summer before I went into the third grade, we moved to a bigger house -- with a backyard -- and suddenly my dream of owning a Boxer seemed wonderfully within reach. That year, as with previous years, a Boxer puppy was at the top of my birthday wish list. I never really expected to get one, at least when we lived in the condo, but when my first birthday arrived in our new house -- I was ten years old -- Gramps came over for dinner to celebrate. He gave me the last present himself: a book about caring for your Boxer puppy. I lifted the cover to find a note written inside: "The real thing will be coming in a few weeks." And sure enough, on a sunny spring day a short time later, I played fetch with my new puppy, Gar, for the first time. Gar soon lived up to his namesake's reputation as quite a goofy character. He doesn't much care for ice cream, but he does love oatmeal cookies -- not chocolate chip, though, because Gramps was quick to tell me that chocolate is bad for dogs. And Gar often "works on his tan" while napping on the porch in the afternoon sunshine. Gramps refers to Gar as my "brother" and spoils him like he is indeed another grandchild, and so it is no surprise that Gar absolutely adores his "grandfather." Another thing Gar adores is going for walks around the neighborhood. If I even whisper the word "walk" he will immediately start jumping around frantically, scratching at the front door in excited anticipation. If I am later than usual in asking, he lets me know he's ready to go by whining at the cupboard drawer where his leash is kept. Every evening, I take Gar out for a two-mile walk around our neighborhood, and though I tell him I am doing him a favor, the truth is it has become one of my favorite parts of the day, too. It is time all to myself, to escape from the hectic routines of the day and take a few minutes to think and reflect upon my life and my dreams. Gar and I walk on a path that runs alongside an orange grove, with a view of rows upon rows of green trees stretching towards the distant hills and shimmering Pacific Ocean. My favorite time of the day to take a walk is just before dusk, when the sun is beginning to set and the California sky is filled with warm, soothing pinks and reds and golds. Some teenagers' special place is their room or a specific hideout, but my sanctuary moves -- it is anywhere beside my dog. Walks with Gar keep me grounded and sane and content, able to enjoy the quiet moments of life that make it so miraculous: a tiny yellow flower blooming through a crack in the sidewalk; the innocent, gleeful laughter of children playing in the neighborhood cul-de-sac; the slobbery wet kiss of a dog as he looks at you with unconditional love and devotion. Especially when I am worried or stressed or sad, walking along beside -- or rather, being pulled along behind -- my wacky, exuberant, eighty-six "pounds of pure muscle" somehow always makes me feel better. It is a place for me to reflect upon my many blessings and be thankful for all I have. Sometimes it is easy to get sucked in by the nerve-wracking, unimportant minutiae of life while forgetting about what's really important: the love of family and friends, the freedom to be yourself, the quiet tranquility of evening walks with the best birthday present ever -- and, yes, the occasional chocolate and vanilla ice cream cones.

Click on the link to donate food for shelter pets

It isn't rocket science, but I am not sure how this works. Only sure that it does. Hi, all you animal lovers! This is pretty simple... Please ask ten friends to each ask a further ten today! The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ I rescued a dog that was close to death from hunger. I have never seen a dog as emaciated as this little guy was. Took a small fortune to get him back to health but he is the healthy, happy cattle dog you see below. I have no end of respect for what shelters do. But we need to do everything we can to help them out. Donate pet food, old newspapers, old toys or blankets, whatever you can. Or click on the link above. The life you save may be your next puppy or kitty.

Please help us find a home for this Boxer

This is a sweet boxer who needs a home. If you know anyone who is interested please let me know. I found this dog in my front yard and he was skin and bones. He is being fostered by a wonderful friend. He has been to the vet and is approximately 1. He does have two issues. He is partially blind. Vet thinks the poor puppy was choked. He also has early stage heartworm. He was too underweight to do anything about the heartworm but has since gained some weight and will need the two shots in the future. This puppy is so very sweet, he gets along with other dogs. He attempts to chase cats but since he can't see them so he doesn't get close. He is very affectionate and really needs someone to love him. Please let me know if you or anyone you know might be interested. If you are interested in taking this puppy please email pdalton@nmrs.com or respond here.

All about Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle is tremendously helpful for the liver with, or without other treatments. It protects and rejuvenates the liver and is more potent taken with other herbs; dandelion, artichoke and licorice, better known as Milk Thistle Plus. The effects are almost doubled with regular dosage of vitamin E and C. Milk Thistle is very helpful in protection and regeneration of the liver, by stimulating the growth of replacement liver cells. But, Milk Thistle cannot cure stages of cirrhosis. It can support parts of the liver that are healthy and working. Milk Thistle can be taken in conjunction with Denamarin and Denosyl. It is very safe, even in high dosages over a long period of time. It can be taken with your current medication. Take care and love your pup!

Fall color with your Pup? How about Barkwells mountain resort?

What better time to weekend with your dog in the North Carolina mountains? Located near Brevard, North Carolina, Barkwells offers all the fall color you ever dreamed of with plenty of pet friendly activities. Cabins range from $210 to $310 a night and include some if not all of the following ammenities: gas fireplaces, high speed wireless, dvd, radio, cd player, fully equipped kitchen, fenced yard, enclosed porch, hot tub and charcoal grill. Fall color will be peak in two weeks. What are you waiting for? For reservations contact Barkwells: 828-891-8288 or stay@barkwells.com. For more information visit their website.

Prednisone, cortizone and other steroid use and side effects in pets

Most of us familiar with steroids from the constant references to steroid use by athletes, better known as an anabolic steroid. The common steroid prescribed to animals and humans are catabolic steroids. The difference is that anabolic steroids increase the bodies supply of sugar fats and proteins and catabolic do the exact opposite. Catabolic steroids break down the body's reserve supply to be used in times of great body stress. Great for inflammatory illness, they have side effects both temporary and long term and must be used sparingly. My two experiences with steroids are as follows. I had a severe drug reaction to antibiotics in my early 30's and was prescribed cortisone. As bad as I felt from the reaction, nothing compared to how I felt on cortisone. I was listless, constantly thirsty, bloated and constipated. Luckily I was only on it for 4 days which brings me to my second experience with steroids. My first dog, Natasha, was terribly allergic to fleas, mosquitos, grass...you name it. Every summer she would lose her coat and get hot spots I won't describe here. This was in the early to mid 70's and we have come a long way in dog nutrition. But in the day, regular cortisone shots were the only answer. Cortisone administered over a long period of time had a deteriorating effect on her bladder retention and in a very unscientific observation, burned her kidneys out over time. We had to put her to sleep after 6 summers on the medication. She was a shell of the dog she once was. When the emergency clinic recommended Prednisone as an appetite enhancer for Macy and suggested she would need it everyday, I balked. I searched every avenue available for an alternate resource. I have the same issue with Rymadyl! There are so many alternative options in place, but you need a vet that will work with you. I believe that steroids can be useful in extreme situations...sparingly. Daily use over long periods of time should be avoided. For more about prednisone and other steroids read on. This is a very useful link and I love Mar Vista because they provide such an amazing library of facts for pet owners. Hope this helps!

The gift of nothing

Hey I get it, it is that time of year. You are looking at an ever shrinking 401 K and wondering how you will get through the holidays. Maybe you can't afford to donate even the minimum amount, but can you afford 2 to 3 hours a week? Most shelters would be thrilled with that donation. All it costs you is a few hours on a weekend and you get paid with tons of puppy/kitty kisses. If you can't do that, perhaps you might try the following. Ever notice how the things you really need exceed the price of a birthday present and how all the things you do get are a bit silly? How about asking that someone donate to your favorite charity, in your name, instead of the door warmer or snuggie this year. You'll contribute to a great cause and feel all warm and squishy inside to boot. My cousin Heidi started this two years ago. We tell each other what charity we would like the money donated to and that is all there is to it. No shipping, no hassle and no wondering where that depression era, remake candy bowl is going to go. Plus you are giving a wonderful present to a not for profit agency, rather than trying to find the right present for someone you haven't seen in 5 years. Most larger institutions give a card to the beneficiary acknowledging your gift. But if they can't afford it, they possibly really need it! I think this is a wonderful solution! Hope you do too!

Be a guardian angel for the Spartanburg Humane Society.

I want to be a Guardian Angel People often assume that because the Spartanburg Humane Society has an in-house veterinary clinic we also have the resources to treat all sick or injured animals regardless of their condition. In actuality, the financial demands of providing excellent care for nearly 18,000 animals a year and the extra cost of special veterinary treatments limit our ability to meet unique medical needs. The Guardian Angel Fund was established by SHS staff, volunteers, and friends as a way to cover expenses for treatment above and beyond the regular veterinary services animals receive while in our care. Through gifts ranging from $2.00 to $1500 (yes, every dollar can make a difference), Guardian Angels have helped the SHS cover the cost of treatment for heartworm disease, injuries, illness, and long-term neglect – removing these conditions as barriers for pets finding a good home. When confronted with so many innocent dogs and cats who do not have a second chance, the Guardian Angel Fund is truly a blessing . . .to deserving animals, to the families who adopt them into their homes and hearts, and to all of us at who celebrate every life saved. To donate to a injured or sick animal, click here.

Signs of liver disease

1 Animal refuses to eat or eats sparingly and or gags while trying to eat. 2 Animal drinks more water. 3 Animal seems depressed or disparate. 4 Constipation, diarrhea or vomiting. 5 Urine is orange, red or brown in color and or frequent. (urine color can also be caused by food or medication.) 6 White of the eye turns yellow. 7 Gums turn whitish, brown in color. 8 Animal's abdomen seems bloated and or sore to the touch. 9 Animal trembles or spasms 10 Stools are white, white tinged, runny or nonexistent. These are a few and in the best order I can give you. Keep in mind any of these symptoms could signal other problems and are not exclusive to liver disease For more information see this link. One more very good link on canine liver disease and it's causes. Read on!

Tips for denosyl, denamarin and vitamin K and other vitamin approaches to dog health

Latest question on stat counter is; "Do I have to give my dog Denosyl at the same time everyday?" I really think that is the choice of the dog owner. I find with all the things I have to do, a structured time is best and easiest to remember. The key thing with Denosyl, Denamarin and vitamin K is it should be given on an empty stomach, either a few hours after the last meal or an hour before. I tried morning for a while, but found it easier to give at bedtime. Really depends on the frequency of the feedings on how you want to do it. If you feed twice a day, with the last feeding at 7, you could give them a pill at bedtime. Otherwise, I would suggest first thing in the morning, an hour before feeding. All other vitamins go in the food bowl with a dollop of fat free yogurt to cover. Macy gets the following: Milk thistle 240mg extra (dandelion, fennel and licorice) 2x a day, Super B complex with vitamin C (look for high values of B12)-morning, 200iu vitamin E-morning(you can find this in liquid form at most natural food stores or in a soft gel at any grocery or drug store). For flea and mosquito control, she also gets 1000 mg of garlic 2x a day and brewers yeast according to package directions and the dogs weight. Macy is a 70lb dog. Please note that the preceeding recommendations are based on a dog of 70lb weight. Please note that you need not spend the extra money to get these from the vet. All of these are available at a good health food store and most are available at your drug or grocery store. I spent 40 dollars for chewable vitamin K at the vet and $12 for vitamin K at the health food store. The vitamin K from the vet lasted me a month, the health food variety lasted 6 months Get yourself a pill splitter at the drug store and get creative with pill hiders. My dogs love fat free yogurt, but you can use low fat or no fat cottage cheese, cream cheese, soft fruit or nut butter. Just steer clear of excess fat, citric acid and any sugar and salt. One other note: If you are home cooking for your dog, it is a good idea to include Taurine in their diet. If you are feeding them on a kibble, prescription or other, check the ingredients. Taurine is a basic amino acid found in the muscle meat. It prevents serious heart and eye disease and has benefits for heart , vision, cell, circulatory and kidney health. However with the advent of the extruder, less and less protein can be used in kibble dog and cat food. It has long been known that cats need this supplement, but recently discovered that not all dogs can make their own Taurine as was once believed. Read the ingredients on the bag. Taurine is always called Taurine, so there is nothing to slip you up. If you do not see Taurine on the label, you can buy supplements at any health food store. I use 500mg 2x a day. For more about Taurine read here. Dick Van Patten makes a wonderful food available at all Petco locations. It is called Natural Balance and has a formula that is perfect for recovering patients of liver disease. It is the fish and sweet potato formula, but do not start it until the blood tests are completely clean. All the Natural Balance foods include Taurine. Just keep the protein as digestible as possible and the starches as low in sugar as possible for a liver disease dog. For more on starting your dog on a healing diet read here. Final note for liver disease: If you do not walk your dog on a regular basis, you must patrol the yard daily. Stools that are runny, white tinged or completely white are a warning sign. . Runny, something you are giving them may not agree. White or white tinged stools means they need a vet's attention. You need to test the blood and urine every three months if you choose to go this method. Urine should be some color of yellow. Dog's and Cat's urine color can be changed by medication, food coloring, hydration or age. If your animal's urine color is brown, orange or red in color, you are more than likely seeing evidence of blood and the animal needs to be seen as soon as possible. Pale yellow to deep yellow is OK. Once again, feel free to post or email if you need help. I hope this answers your questions, but if it doesn't email me at the address under "Upstate lost and found board." I have been given an amazing blessing in my life. It is still day by day, but anything I can do to help makes me happy!

Columbus County Wine and Cheese Fundraiser

The Columbus County Humane Society is having its annual Wine and Cheese Fundraiser October 22 at 6:30pm at Interim Health Care across from the FoodLion near Bojangles [301 Liberty St.] There will be food, soft drinks, wine and beer and a fundraising auction. There are 2 Nascar pit tickets for auction that can be used at any race. Tickets are $20. All the money goes towards the medical costs, etc of the animals. Please consider buying a ticket even if you do not attend the event so these local animals can get what they need to be healthy and adoptable. Make the checks out to CHS. Contact Kim Small marshmallowbunnies@yahoo.com or Pat Lambert lambert pat 54@yahoo.com. Donations may be mailed to the following address; Columbus Humane Society - P.O. Box 742, Whiteville, NC 28472 phone: 910.640.3700 or donated via paypal at the following link.

Greenville Humane Society fall volunteer orientation schedule

Interested in volunteering for the Greenville Humane Society? We conduct an orientation for new volunteers every month. Please join us at one of the following volunteer orientations listed below. * October 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM * November 17, 2009 at 6:00 PM * December 15, 2009 at 6:00 PM The location for these orientations will be in the lobby of adoptions. All volunteers must go through orientation before they can start volunteer work at the Greenville Humane Society. Your volunteer schedule will be based on availability of the time slots you prefer (usually a two-hour time period). Once you have received your volunteer time slot, it will remain yours for as long as you are here unless you need to change it. If you are interested in pet therapy, you must be at least 18 and be able to volunteer the same day and time each week (Monday - Friday); children are allowed to participate in pet therapy work if accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Pet foster parents and adult dog walkers must also be at least 18. To volunteer in the puppy/kitten room you must be at least age 13. No one under the age of 13 is permitted to volunteer at the Greenville Humane Society. For more information, contact Paula Church. Greenville Humane Society 328 Furman Hall Road Greenville, SC 29609 Tel: (864) 242-3626 Fax: (864) 242-0380 greenvillehumane@greenvillehumane.com

Happy Howl-O-Ween in Greenville, S.C.

Spooky Trails Trick or Treat! Join us October 31st from 3 pm until 5 pm! Bring your children (4-legged children count, too) for a safe place to find a treat. GHS along with Greenville County Animal Care Services and Author Jean Hunt welcome you for a fun adventure! Visit our special barnyard guest and take a fun, spooky tour of the pet cemetery. Cat Tails and Spooky Trails is available for purchase for only $13. Again, children and pets are welcome and there is no charge. So come out and join us! Greenville Humane Society 328 Furman Hall Road Greenville, SC 29609 Tel: (864) 242-3626 Fax: (864) 242-0380 greenvillehumane@greenvillehumane.com

Need volunteers and creative thinkers in Brunswick, N.C.

Hi, everyone. You may know by now CHTA (Coalition for Humane Treatment of Animals) decided, for several compelling reasons, we could not take on managing the County facility as a Humane Society at this time. However, it certainly was not for lack of volunteers who came forward to help so we know animal lovers are everywhere!! We haven't given up the goal of having a Humane Society here in Brunswick County, but for now, we'd like to focus on keeping animals OUT of the county facility as well as any other shelter. That means reducing the number of animals being born and/or working out ways to keep pets in their existing homes (or finding them new ones). We know there are many other important animal issues in this county that need addressing, but we've decided the biggest impact would come from setting up a spay/neuter clinic, so, that is our current focus. We need volunteers to help us with ideas and do some research in the beginning, then eventually develop a plan for accomplishing our goal. Get in on the ground floor and help shape this project! We envision the clinic would be open to everyone, including shelters, rescue groups, other county's groups, and even our own county municipal facility if they want to take advantage of it. Cape Fear Spay Neuter Clinic is doing well and New Hanover Humane has a waiting list, so we KNOW this will be successful! Wouldn't it feel great to say, yes, we have a spay/neuter clinic in BC and I helped make it happen! Think of the many animals you've helped find homes for and those you adopted as strays or out-casts. Now multiply that number by thousands or people who are struggling to save lives because no one spayed or neutered their animals! Please, you can do a little or a lot, but do help us make this dream a reality! BC euthanizes THOUSANDS of cats and dogs EVERY YEAR! Preventing births prevents deaths. Please, please consider participating on our "Nippit Team." If you or anyone you know may be interested in brain-storming ideas, surfing the net or making research phone calls--or any other kind of help, WE NEED YOU! Once our "Nippit Team" is assembled, we'll meet in person and start planning. If you can't find time to meet in person, send us your ideas, thoughts and concerns ANY TIME! Send me an email if you--or anyone you know--may be interested in joining our "Nippit Team." We plan on starting to work on it in late October. (We know the holidays are coming, but this is something you can do at your own pace!) Thanks very much for helping to save precious lives! Margarete O'Leary President, CHTA advocates4animals@gmail.com

More about urine color and blood tests

I have gotten a lot of hits on urine color in the last few weeks, so I thought I would go more in depth than I have in the past. Urine should be a shade of yellow, darker yellow is a more concentrated urine that can often be found on a hotter day, paler yellow is ideal. Brown or red urine is usually a sign of bleeding. This can be caused by a variety of things, but the appearance of blood in the urine should not be shrugged off. Your vet should see your dog within 24 hours I found a wonderful vet link that not only adresses the above topic but also gives a great advice on reading and understanding a blood test result. Normal parameters for each level aren't included here but will be on your test result. I always request a copy of my dogs test results and keep them in a file with all my vet records. The vet keeps these on hand as well, but I like to keep my own personal file. That way, when I change vets, move or have to take a dog to the emergency clinic I have them handy.

Adopt or foster Honey the pit bull

Columbus County Humane Society I found this pit bull running along the highway. She is very sweet [like Honey so that is what I have called her]. She is beautiful. She is spayed and has all her first shots. She is 100% healthy. I can't keep her. I already have 3 and my one females plays with Honey then attacks her randomly. I need a safe foster home for her. Any Pit Rescues out there Near Whiteville/Wilmington NC? Call Kim 910.616.1190

Adopt Shiloh the chow shepherd Mix

Please we need a home for this little guy, he was adopted when a baby and now owners can't keep and we are all full and have no foster home. They have said they will take to pound if no home is found. He needs to go into a home with no children and needs a fenced yd. Read below what the owner have to say about him. Please help save him. We have had our puppy (part chow/part shepard) since he was a baby. He is now 1 1/2 years old. He is a lot of fun and has a great personality. He loves to catch objects but needs work on giving them back. He has a little pool and loves to go swimming. He is very playful and likes to be chased, ran, and walked. He is a very loyal companion and sleeps right outside our bedroom door. The problem is that he is very posessive. He does not do well with meeting strangers, which will make it hard to find him a new home. This is a perfect opportunity for dog trainers or pet lovers to get a great dog that has one serious flaw. The reason we are getting rid of him is because we have a new baby that will be leaving the NICU soon, and cannot take any chances there. We will give this dog and all accessories free to a good home. He needs a fenced yard where he can have plenty of room to run around, and gets plenty of attention. He is a beautiful dog , has been neutered and is current with all shots and heartworm free. With the dog we will give his pool, igloo, and house crate for free. Please help to keep this great dog alive. If interested, please contact: lambertpat54@yahoo.com I did forget to mention that he had somehow torn the ligament in his front left leg. This is completely managed by taking 2 Dasuquin pills every day. He likes the taste of them so giving them to him is not a problem. He does like men and women- and gets along with everyone once he gets to know them. He also unfortunately, likes to be dirty-- buries all of his bones and sometimes even rolls around in dirt. Sometimes he grabs a shoe or magazine- something laying around- puts it in his mouth and runs. This is not because he will start eating the object-- he is being playful, and wants you to chase him for it. He has been a joy to us, and can be for someone else as well. Editors Note: This is not a mix for the novice dog owner. I emailed Pat Lambert and here is what she had to say: "Margot, the dogs name is Shiloh and he was adopted as a baby and now they are wanting him gone, he is very protective over them and so he might need to go into a home without children and they have a newborn that is coming home (after a mth.) from the hospital. Please pst him and help me find a place for him. Would be nice for him to have a fenced yd. and he does get along with other dogs, he does need to get by himself (a little food aggresive, I have a dog like that). He is up to date on all shots, neutered and heartworm free. I really don't know about the other dog, could you send me a copy of the post?" In a nutshell, this is not a dog for a home with young children. Whereas I am of the Cesar Milan viewpoint of never say never, this dog clearly needs some work and supervision. Sounds like he could be a very good companion for a more experienced dog owner and he is as cute as a button! Shelter is Columbus County Animal Shelter located at 288 Legion Dr Whiteville, NC 28433. Phone #910-641-3945. Adoption fee is $25. These guys need to all be out by 5 pm on Thurs 9/24. Petfinder is updated, here is the link: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC467.html.

Urine levels and Liver Disease

I love stat counter. I can see just what you are looking for when you encounter my site. One seeker asked (paraphrasing) "My dog is urinating less, does that mean he/she is getting better? Liver disease does cause a lot of water consumption and frequent urination. Unfortunately that is one of the last signs to leave the dog and is hard to measure, especially if the dog is up in years, it's hot or you have a multiple dog family. But, in general, it is a good sign! Focus on appetite first, jaundice signs second stool and urine color third and general demeanor fourth. Meaning: the dog should have an appetite for food without steroid intervention like prednisone. The appetite should be the same as it was before. Ravenous eating can signify a problem. The dog should have pink gums and clear eyes, this is the first sign the dog is recovering (dogs who are in the grips of liver disease develop yellow in the whites of their eyes and their gums turn a whitish brown color. In advanced cases they develop blue cataracts that are easily seen when the light is in their eyes.) Stools should be well formed and brown in color and urine should be some shade of yellow. If the stools are white or white tinged or the urine is brown, you need to contact your vet. This requires extra vigilance for those who keep their dogs in a yard. If you are home cooking, the stools should be easy to locate. But you need to walk the yard twice daily to see. Finally have they perked up or are they lackluster and depressed. Keep in mind that this is something you will always have to deal with. Dogs will have their good days and their bad days. These four traits will tell you more than all the blood tests in the world. Do keep watch on water consumption and urine levels though. That can be an early sign that something is amiss. That being said, resign yourself to the fact that you need to take your dog in for blood tests four times a year. I never appreciated how crucial the liver is in the entire well being of the system, until I had a dog with liver disease. A malfunctioning liver can lead to all sorts of problems including kidney failure. That is not as easy to see without regular blood tests and urinalysis. Stay strong, find a vet that will work with you on a holistic approach, ask questions and keep me posted. This is hell to go through, trust me I know. When I got Macy's prognosis I cried for three hours, debated if battling the disease was fair for her, was I being selfish, vain or irresponsible? Stayed up a fair few nights over that. But she had pluck and the will to live, so I gave her everything I had. Macy is not over the disease, she never will be, but is living well with the disease. She has clean blood tests and has the vim and vigor I always expected. She eats well and is the dog I always knew and loved, rather than some shell of a dog waiting for the end. I was told three to six months and she is close to superseding the last. She is happy, healthy and full of piss and vinegar. She went from a gaunt 54lbs to her normal 72 pounds. As long as she is up for the battle, I am determined to be by her side! Stay strong, research and talk to others that have the same issue. Think of it as group therapy for those that have dogs with critical illness. I still cry everytime I think of that phone call. But being in touch with all of you makes a difference. I hope I do the same for you!

It's been two years now and Vick has served his time. I should be happy, but I am not. First, he is scooped by Philadelphia, second I don't feel contrition. Don't know how I feel about that. Can't imagine the Tate family taking Charles Manson's pleas any better. But hey, we have a quarterback, a name and the ability to sell a lot of jerseys! We need to get past out love of sports and respect our gut feeling of what is right and wrong. Never will forget finding Sydney. I was asked what I would do if the owner showed up to claim the dog. I told the person that posed the question "I hope he/she does so I can kick their ass." I don't negate Michael a second chance. Only one not so publicly followed and revered!

Strut your mutt in Asheville

As if you needed an excuse to drive to the mountains, the Asheville Humane Society is hosting it's annual Mutt Strut on October 10th at Carrier Park. Information is on line at the following link, and registration is available here. Get yourself a hound and make that doggie proud, cause that's what it's all a bow, wow wout!

Dogs need homes in Whiteville,NC

Hi guys here is what is at the shelter Monday. A lot of strays whose time is now up and coming up today. We really need help getting them out, foster homes are full here. Please spread the word and help these guys. If you post, please make sure you give the address, getting a lot of complaints that they don't know where the shelter is. Shelter is Columbus County Animal Shelter located at 288 Legion Dr Whiteville, NC 28433. Phone #910-641-3945. Adoption fee is $25. These guys need to all be out by 5 pm on Thurs 9/24. Petfinder is updated, here is the link: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC467.html.

Natural Flea and tick control

The thing I was most afraid of has happened...fleas!!! We were doing really well until I agreed to watch a friends dog for the weekend. Now all three are infested. As most of you know, who follow this blog, I have a dog with liver disease. That means any form of chemical control, either applied to the dogs, the house or the yard is not recommended. So what do you do when fleas invade your home and how do you prevent it from happening? Well, I hope I can address both! If you want to address all natural flea prevention, here are a few tips that were working quite well for us until the introduction of a dog riddled with the little pests. Fleas and mosquitoes hate a clean blood stream. Immunity support is crucial if you go with a non chemical approach. The best dog food your money can buy is crucial. Look for good protein and no grain dog foods. Never assume a dog food is good before reading the label. For more about selecting a good dog food, read here. Vitamins and herbs are necessary for this approach. See previous posts for amounts but all get a multi B/C blend, vitamin E and a garlic/ brewers yeast powder. All have tremendous effects on the heart and blood stream and allow the natural defenses against fleas, ticks and heartworm to do their best. In addition, I do the following. In their drinking water a put a capful of Black Walnut Tincture and a few drops of Wormwood Tincture (available at any health food store.) Both are essential for cleansing the blood and the dogs love it! If fleas are already an issue, bathe the dogs in Dawn. Start at the head and work your way down. Leave them soaped up for 5 to 10 minutes. I tie a leash to my soap stand so they can't evacuate. Rinse them and spray them with 2 1/2 cups of water mixed with oil of lavender and oil of cedarwood. Shake well to mix. Same spray can be used on rugs furniture and bedding. Flea combs are helpful too for day to day maintenance, but I can't even imagine using it on a thick or long coated dog. Very tight teeth and I have a hard enough time with my short coated dogs. At any rate, we have the fleas under control, but the dogs' skin are so aggravated, that we need to calm the bites. Hearing liquid aloe vera is good for this, so I will keep you posted!

Foster Homes Needed in Eastern North Carolina

The Columbus County Humane Society is seeking foster homes for their dogs. Columbus county is located in the southeast corner of North Carolina, near Wilmington. You do not need to live in Columbus County to foster an animal until it is adopted. Interested parties may contact Pat Lambert at (910)317-1606 or email her at lambertpat54@yahoo.com. Please open your home to a pet that needs your love.

Dawn: it's not just for wildlife anymore!

Who would have thought that Dawn Dishwashing Liquid makes an excellent shampoo for flea control.

The oils in it will suffocate the fleas, keeps the eggs from sticking to the hair follicles, and also keeps your dog’s skin/fur from drying out. When using it, just make sure to soap up the dog’s neck first and this has to be done quickly, otherwise the fleas will swarm to the dog’s face and crawl in theirs ears, and nose to hide. You will notice many fleas crawling around their eyes when you bathe them if your dog is heavily infested with fleas. The trick is to completely soap them up, and then keep them saturated for at least 5 minutes. Rinse well, and most of them will be gone, or go away soon. You may have to follow up in a week or so to get rid of any remaining stragglers.

Dawn does little to prevent fleas from coming back however. To stick with a non chemical approach Mix 2 drops of oil of lavender and two drops of oil of cedarwood, easily found in natural health stores, to 600ML (roughly 2 1/2 cups of warm water) shake and spray down your dog being cautious to avoid the eyes. I usually spray a small amount in my hand to treat the face and rub it in carefully. For more about flea and tick control check this site.

Carbohydrate and fat choices in a liver disease diet

Dogs on a low protein diet need carbohydrates and fats for energy. But many grain choices can be problematic and caution is recommended. Grains, do break down into sugars and can result in yeast overgrowth. Grains are also high in glucose and bombard the liver, the very thing you want to avoid in a dog with liver disease. Grains, as well as dairy based products, are mucus forming (toxic fungal growth) and may contribute to health problems such as allergies, ear infections, skin problems, bloating, joint problems, malabsorption and digestive disorders. For this reason, grains are not recommended for regular use in your dogs diet. Then only organic, freshly cooked grains that have not been refrigerated for more than one day. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are very good for dogs, despite previous beliefs that they were toxic. They also contain healing powers. Potatoes are a cancer preventative and maintain blood pressure. Sweet potatoes prevent cancer and heart disease and assist in cleansing the blood. Wash well and cook with the peel on. I do mine in the microwave for 4 to 6 minutes. Potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for three days in a air tight food container. Barley is one of the few grains that has nutritional benefits. It prevents cancer reduces blood clots and improves digestion. Always use organic and refrigerate left overs for no more than one day. Pasta can also be used and is a good choice in the early stages when the diet needs to be as bland as possible. Cook to direction and refrigerate no more than three days. Note: When refrigerating grains or carbs, always refrigerate them separately, never mixed with other vegetables or meats. High levels of fat are discouraged in the diet of a dog with liver disease, but some fat is essential to their health. Seeds and nuts are a good source of protein and fat and are best digested fresh, raw and unsalted.They add needed fat that is hard to get on a soy based diet. Sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds or flax seed are all good choices. Oils are another good choice for the needed fat in a diet. Extra virgin olive oil, soy oil, flax seed oil or safflower oil are all good choices. Oils must be cold pressed. Final Note: Although I have only one dog with liver disease, I avoid grain diets in all three of my dogs. Besides the reasons outlined above, most commercial dog foods use low quality grains that are often the end result of the milling process. They do this because it keeps cost down, but there is absolutely no nutritional value to the grain. It is merely a filler. The sad truth is the FDA has few regulatory standards for the quality of grains used or how the grains should be stored while awaiting shipment. Some of you may remember the Diamond Pet Food scare in 2006. Dogs were dying of liver failure at an alarming rate. The reason was the corn used in the food had gotten wet while in storage and had fermented. Customers were feeding their dog the kibble equivalent of grain alcohol. Higher end pet food companies, tend to use whole grains but always read the label!

Flea and Tick control for dogs with liver disease

Well it has been almost a year since my precious girl was diagnosed. She is doing beautifully. Switched her back to kibble. I am using Blue Buffalo or Dick Van Patton's white fish and sweet potato. She did show some kidney problems on the last blood test, but her urinalysis was clean. However, she finally got fleas. My fault! I agreed to watch a dog for the weekend and all the dog have fleas now. Here are some tricks to use. Sentry makes an organic flea spray and powder that you can use on the dog and the home. Available at Petsmart. It is called Natural Chemistry. Smells great and the active ingredients are cinnamon,clove and cedar oil. Bathe the dog on a weekly basis and keep them wet for 15 to 20 minutes...drowns the fleas. Wash all dog bedding on a weekly basis and spray all uphpolstered furniture and rugs. If you vaccuum, the bag must be pitched. Royal pain in the you know what, but if you love your dog enough to home cook it is doable. One step at a time is what I tell myself. Almost past flea season now, but some of us never get past it. Cider or white vinegar helps the skin. Brewers yeast and garlic, pill form, keeps the fleas off...mosquitos too. Oil of lavender will keep the bugs from infesting your furniture and rugs..smells nice too! Few tips to help you out. Now I must go and wash the dogs.

Adopt Dixie the gorgeous lab mix. Columbus County, NC

My name is Dixie and I so thankful for being alive, you see I was ran over and had to be taken to the animal hospital and had surgery on my leg. Now I do have a limp and I sometimes get tired from walking so much but I do love to sit on my foster moms lap and be given attention. I was never given any attention until I got ran over and now I have so many people loving on me, one person that I would love to thank is my first foster mom and her name is Heather and she wks. at Cape Fear spay/neuter. She was always raising money to take care of my medical needs and she gave me so much love and I do love her dearly. Now I'm in another foster home and she loves me also and she has a little boy and I love the both of them. I'm a little bit on the shy side at first but after getting to know you I perk right up. I would love to have a fence yd. to be able to exercise in and I'm very sure that I would like to take trips to the beach and play in the sand and water. I'm still a young puppy and I'm so very close to being a pure breed lab. My adoption includes all shots, worming and spay and I'm housetrained and yes I know that there is someone that will take me even if I do limp, just because I limp doesn't mean that I can't return the love that you might could give me. If interested please contact: lambertpat54@yahoo.com

Dogs to be adopted in Eastern North Carolina

These dogs are at Animal Control in Columbus County. Click on the following link. http://www.columbusco.org/DotNetNuke_2/Default.aspx?alias=www.columbusco.org/dotnetnuke_2/animalcontrol

Diet and nutritional support for dogs with liver disease, continued.

Well it has been over a month since Macy has been on the diet described in my previous post. Her blood panels came back completely clean. The only elevated panel was the amount of bile in her blood. This panel should be between 0 and 2. At the height of Macy's illness, this panel was 18. It has dropped to 6. I have tweaked the diet a bit. Her primary carb source is now yams. Yams have tremendous effects on the blood and are high in vitamin A, vitamin C and trace minerals. I am trying to steer clear of any grains whatsoever, a reason which will be explained in my next post. I am only using organic vegetables and meats, free of pesticides, hormones and steroids. The reason for this is any chemical weakens the system and you never want to introduce chemicals into the system of a dog with liver disease. Vegetables are primarily steamed carrots, kelp, artichoke hearts, spinach or green beans, again organic. I am keeping her on tofu and white fish until her blood panels are completely clear. As for immunity support, I have taken her off Heartworm and will not put her on any flea and tick medications. These weaken the dog's immunity over time and and place tremendous strain on the heart, kidney and liver. Interestingly enough, there are no known instances of wolves or wild canids with heartworm disease. It is believed by a growing number of vets that heartworm is a man made disease caused by over vaccination, poor nutrition and ingestion of chemicals, pesticides, steroids and growth hormones. These chemicals compromise the dogs natural defense system that would kill parasites in the blood before reaching the heart. Nutritional support has been adjusted as well. She still gets the vitamins listed in the previous post...these are essential. To find a natural supplement that would assist her in cleansing her blood, boosting her immune system and killing intestinal parasites I have put her on ActiPet Wormwood Therapy. Another good formula is Parasite Doctor.. I have also purchased a black walnut tincture. It is important that there is either no alcohol in the tincture or that the alcohol is taken out. See this link. Many of the supplements, or similar ones can be found in a good health food store, such as Garners. I have also looked into natural flea and tick support and the best I have seen is Flea Free. It is extremely important in a multi dog household, that a dog with liver disease not be around dogs with commercial flea and tick applications or collars. All dogs need to be on a natural, non chemical approach. You must also be terribly careful about fertilizers, pesticides and lawn treatments in any outdoor area they inhabit. Finally vaccinations need to be addressed. A puppy or adolescent dog needs to have vaccinations, but not as frequently as most veterinarians suggest. For example, the rabies vaccine lasts two years even though most states require yearly vaccines. There is growing awareness within the veterinary community about the problem of over vaccinating. Titer tests, which determine the dog's built in immunity to disease such as rabies, distemper or parvo are available. Often once a dog matures, it has developed an immunity to many of these diseases. Ask your vet for a titer test prior to vaccinations. If he or she balks, find a vet that will work with you. More information on vaccinations. Links: http://www.preciouspets.org/articles/natural-heartworm-prevention.htm http://www.cupofdog.com/2008/03/19/heartworm-prevention-naturally/ Best of luck and as always, feel free to comment with any questions.

Nutrition and diet for a dog with liver disease

God knows I googled this again and again, hoping I would find some answers. My internist told me to limit her protein, but I have found that not always to be true. I found a great book, "Hope for healing liver disease in your dog," which is a must have if you have a dog stricken by this disease. Generally, your vet will put your dog on vitamin K, denamarin or denosyl and antibiotics. Initially, the antibiotics are helpful for inflammation and infection, but I would ween your dog off it as soon as possible. Here is a rough time capsule of Macy's illness. Jan 15th, 2009: My sister told me Macy had been refusing to eat and seeming despondent. She thought she was missing me, at the time Macy was staying with her until I could find a dog friendly apartment. I took her that night and she hardly seemed glad to see me. Needless to say she didn't eat. I took her to the vet the following morning who discovered she was jaundiced. I admit I am embarrassed I didn't notice, but it was late and I was tired from refinishing floors all day. He took blood tests and x-rays and suggested we go to the specialty clinic here in the upstate. They gave her an ultrasound and determined that based on her blood tests and ultrasound results, it could be Leptospirosis. They kept her for a day and a half to keep her quarantined and give her IV's of antibiotics and fluids. She was released with prescriptions of Denamarin and Ampicillan. In the meantime, she was still showing little to no interest in food, although she seemed hungry. The Lepto tests came back negative, so the hospital recommended a biopsy. The results of the biopsy came back a week later with canine hepatitis as the result. In the meantime, Macy barely ate and when she tried, she would drop her food and open her mouth as if she was gagging. It had been close to 4 weeks and she was terribly gaunt. I told the doctor this and was written a prescription for Prednisone (appetite enhancer with multiple side effects), Metoclopram (anti nausial ) and Tramodol for pain. I only gave her the Prednisone and the Metoclopram once. I was home cooking for her and the ampicillan had cleared up some of her distress so she started to eat like a house on fire. As long as she was eating, I refused to give her the Metocloram and the Prednisone. I continued with the Ampicillan. Macy started to gain some weight. In the meantime, I wanted to make sure I was giving her a balanced diet and the right food. I called the internist, who gave me a protein to fat to carb ratio, but I still felt I was missing something. I continued to search on the computer until I found this book. Would strongly recommend buying this book but here is what i am doing. Macy is on a home cooked diet. The rough percentage ratio is a third protein, a third vegetable and a third carbohydrate. Macy is normally a 70lb dog, although she lost close to 20 lbs with all this. Here is her diet for the next two or three weeks: Protein: Tofu, non fat yogurt or non fat cottage cheese Vegetables: Spinach, green beans, carrots, broccoli, squash, celery, peas, beets or kelp Seeds/Oil: Flax or pumpkin seeds, fish or extra virgin olive oil. Carbs: Potatoes or yams, brown rice, kidney beans, barley, oatmeal or brown rice Fruits: Banana, berries and pineapple (in small amounts because of the citric acid) If your dog is experiencing severe signs, bloating, jaundice, white stools, spasms etc, consider distilled water for the first few weeks as drinking water Macy's meal: (this she just loves and does really well with) Tofu: three thin slices cubed and sauteed in a tablespoon of olive oil and a bit of garlic powder until browned Veggies: Pick two to three of the list and steam gently Carbs: Prepare as directed. If you are using potato, keep the skin on and bake in the microwave. Combine the three and shake some flax seeds on the top. Mix in a tablespoon or two of nonfat yogurt. you can add a bit of fruit if you like or save that for treats. Prunes and figs are good too and great pill hiders. Meds: Denosyl/Denamarin and Vitamin K (50 mg): In the morning 1 hour before breakfast. Mix with a food hider...no salt peanut butter or cream cheese. Milk thistle extra with dandelion, fennel and licorice (240mg) 2 to 3 times a day. I put it in her food. B complex with C (make sure it includes the daily recommended supply of B12) and a 200 IU vitamin E softgel. Mix in food. Try this for the first two weeks. Also, if your dog is not eating, try some salt free beef or chicken broth, a bit of white fish (cod, whitefish, flounder poached) or a small bit of skinless chicken boiled with no seasoning. Break meals down in to small portions fed 2 to 3 times a day. Finally, keep an eye on their behavior. If they are lethargic, stool eating or ravenous, the dog may need a bit more protein and more frequent, smaller meals. If the dog seems nauseous or depressed, lower the amount of protein and also break the meal portions into multiple times during the day with less food. Also keep an eye on the stools. Are they brown and well formed, runny, white? Your probably feeling terribly overwhelmed at this point. I know I was, but don't. Your dog will tell you how they feel. The recipe above has Macy looking and feeling good. You may have to play around with it a bit to find the right mix for your dog. But it's not that hard. I bulk cook and freeze what I don't need for three days or so. Get frozen veggies and frozen fish which saves time and waste. The other good news is in the week that Macy has been on this diet, the jaundice is almost completely gone. Haven't taken her in for her blood retest, but the physical signs leave me no doubt her panels will be much better. By the way, my internist told me the jaundice would likely be permanent....HA! Stay upbeat, stay positive and stay in touch.

Living with hepatitis

Hi all, It's been a damn long time since I have posted on this site. My apologies, but between my family and my eldest dog, things have been a bit crazy, Macy Gray was diagnosed with hepatitis. An earth shattering revelation for someone who just made a major move and has yet to find full time work. God bless my parents who have helped me financially to keep her alive. If tears were dollars, I would be very wealthy by now. Macy is doing well, I have been given a 4 to 6 month prognosis for her, but she continues to not only persevere but continue with vim and vigor. I purchased a book in my process to understand this disease better, which encourages nutritional support. The book is called, "Hope for healing liver disease in your dog" by Cyndi Smasal. The book encourages nutritional and vitamin support, rather than pharmaceutical support. Having owned a dog with severe dermatitis, whose kidneys were burned out by cortisone, I am very open to this option. In two days, I am already seeing improvement. So I will keep you posted and dedicate this site to dealing with liver disease. I will keep you posted.