www.5stardog.com

Is it NATURAL?

Veterinary Secrets Revealed — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From: Dr Andrew Jones Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed Website: http://www.thedogsupplement.com/webinar Re: Is it NATURAL? /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Good morning everyone - it’s probably my favorite day of the work week… Friday. FIRST… My Dog Supplement Online Seminar. There’s been a great response to it, and as of today, over 254 lines are reserved. That leaves 246 spaces… if you are wanting to attend the seminar [...]

Pet Food Recall - Knowledge is King When it Comes to Pet Food

Pets Articles At iSnare.com — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Due to current pet food recalls, several of pet owners are left feeling alarmed and bewildered as to why this incident happened Several dogs and cats were left sick and worse yet?several more died Since the many of pet owners depend solely on commercial pet food to feed their pets, they are now cynical about which brand of food to buy and what type of food that they can eat without getting sick...

What can you live without?

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I haven't been on alot in the past week. The economy is starting to scare me, and we've started making changes. I'm trying to quit smoking, we just changed the dogs food, I'm trying to learn how to become a coupon queen and cut my grocery bills in half (www.couponmom.com is a great site!), I quit having my nails done, we dumped my dh's cell phone, since he has a work cell phone too, and we've already been on a strict budget since the beginning of the year. We don't spend anything until we spend it on paper first and use cash only.

But, everything I've been watching has me scared. The amount of lost jobs just last month alone is frightening. dh works for a Fortune 500 company and it's a huge company, and we're feeling the effects of the economy there too. They're restructuring. He got a new boss and they're cross training alot of their employees. So out of my husbands group of inspection engineers, which only consists of 3 of them, they are being required to learn each others jobs and lines. Scary.

So, in dire times, if things get worse, what can you do or live without? I've already decided I wasn't purchasing the kids school pictures this year. I found an ad in the paper yesterday of a local studio that has great packages 4 times cheaper than the price of the school pictures, which aren't that great anyway.

If things get real bad, I guess I can do without a landline phone, taking our eating out to 0, cutting back on the satellite tv, letting my hair grow out, I can switch the dogs food again to a notch down the premium ladder, possibly switch to dial up (Oh Dear Lord, NO!). Selling our house probably wouldn't be an option, since nobody is buying, but I would definately put in on the market. Speaking of selling houses, I've heard of the raffle option which I think is a novel idea!

ok, your turn. Perhaps we can give each other some ideas of how to cut back, save, etc.

ETA: We're also prepping for a garage sale to earn extra income for Thanksgiving travel and Christmas.

Find the Right Veterinarian for Your Dog

Natural Pet Health Blog — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Free PDF Pet Ebook of the Day

Pamper Your Dog: 130 Recipes for Your Canine Friend

Simply Right Click and choose Save As to save to your desktop! More FREE Natural Health, Wellness and Pet Ebooks at Remedies4.com!

Just as humans need to have a regular physician in case of illness, so too a dog needs to have a qualified vet to take care of him in case anything goes wrong. How to find the right veterinarian for your dog requires a bit of research and careful consideration.

There are several ways in which you can find the right vet. First, ask neighbors or friends who are dog owners to give you a recommendation; Second, talk to pet groomers in your area to find out who they use; Third, check online by going to: http://www.pets911....vices/veterinarians/ where you can find a qualified vet in your area.

If you do check online, make a list of the vets in your area and call to make an appointment in order to determine the following:

* Are you greeted in a kind and professional manner by the staff?
* Are the waiting rooms and general surroundings clean?
* Do you find the staff to be qualified and knowledgeable?
* When you called to make the appointment to visit, were they genuinely courteous?
* Do they have parking on location?
* How many technicians and support staff do they have?
* How many vets are assigned to the clinic?
* Does the area where dogs are kept clean and relatively conducive to keeping sick dogs comfortable?
* How much does it cost for their services, i.e., vaccinations, treatment, etc.
* Do they perform emergency services?
* Obtain the names of the vets so that you can check their credentials online or through the American Veterinary Medical Association.
* Do you feel comfortable at this facility?
* Has the vet answered all of your immediate questions?
* Do they have an emergency telephone number; are they on call and what are their hours?
* Ask the vet if you can observe him with a patient so that you can ascertain how he handles and interacts with the dog.

There is another factor that you should know about when dealing with a vet. Oftentimes, and depending upon the vet, they may advise you to buy certain dog food at their premises; whether it’s due to a condition your pet is experiencing, or for some other reason.

It should be noted that the cost is quite high. If the vet indeed tells you to use a particular brand, do not buy it from him but go to your local pet store or a club outlet where you can purchase the food in bulk. Dog food is quite expensive and sometimes vets prescribe a certain food because they are getting a percentage of the sale.

While we, as humans, can change doctors if we do not care for the way they practice medicine, dogs can’t tell us if they are not being treated well. Finding the right veterinarian is not only important for you, but for your dog as well.

Excessive Eating

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am going to throw this out there. It is not for my lab, it is about a friends dog (non lab). This dog is currently 15 years old, a Husky. This dog has always been mule headed, and has always like to counter surf. My friend has never been able to crate this dog, it BUSTS out (bends the bars ruins the crate).

Anyway earlier this week she blocked the dog she thought successfully out of the kitchen and left for work. When she got home (end of day) the dog had broken past the barrier, gotten into the trash, eaten it, took everything off her counters, ate that, got into her basement found the bags of dog food (she has 4 total dogs) ate that, and ate the used chunks of kitty litter and the cats food. By the time she got home her dog was SICK!!! And had diahhrea everywhere! Off to the vet. Well the dog is fine now after $500+ and a 2 day stay at the vet. My friend says the dog is STILL ravenously hungry.

So heres my question. Has anyone ever heard of a dog (older) getting say a neurological problem that makes it think it is constantly hungry? This dog can not really be hungry enough to eat all that, so I think it is a physical malformity. I don't know what if anything she could do or would want to at the dogs advanced age, I was just wondering.

I remember my lab being very hungry but that didn's seem abnormal as she was ALWAYS very hungry throughout her life. My Shadow NEVER went on a feeding frenzy like this though. WHOA! I always heard horses would eat them selves to death, they are one of the few animals that will. I didn't know dogs would do this. I know about bloat, that can happen from overeating, but this was excessive.

Thoughts?

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Google Blog Search: pet health care — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you are a pet owner who is concerned about the impact which commercially produced dog biscuits may have on the health of your pet, then you should try making your own homemade dog biscuits. For more fabulous dog food recipes, ...

Best Ingredients For All Natural Dog Foods Using This Simple Homemade Dog Food Recipe

Pets Articles At iSnare.com — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Making your own homemade dog food with this recipe is easy and will give your dog the best all natural dog foods available Just remember that in the wild your dog would catch small prey and eat the whole thing This consisted of the meat, bones, organs, even the heart, brain and eyes (which are high in taurine)...

Playlist 10-10-08

Roger Catlin | TV Eye — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Was planning on a 90 minute show; it lasted an hour longer than that.

Fair enough. Lots of new stuff to play, from Mercury Rev, Deerhoof, Raphael Saadiq, Oasis, Wire, Ron Sexsmith, Lambchop, Joseph Arthur and especially the new double CD of relatively recent unreleased and alternate takes of Bob Dylan released under the "The Bootleg Series" moniker.

The stuff from a remake of the soundtrack for "The Nightmare Before Christmas" had more to do with the Yuletide, mistakenly, than Halloween. Oh well.

Here's what I played on the radio this morning:

Friday Morning Rock 10-10-2008 9-11:30 a.m. WRTC 89.3 FM

"In Me Canoe," Shakers n' Bakers
"The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker theme)," Weezer
"Dreamin' of You," Bob Dylan
"Red River Shore," Bob Dylan
"Most of the Time" (alternate take), Bob Dylan
"Everything is Broken" (alternate take), Bob Dylan
"Slipped Sissolved and Loosed," Lambchop
"This Is How I Know," Ron Sexsmith
"Temporary People," Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts
"People are so Unpredictable (There's No Bliss Like Home)," Mercury Rev
"I'm Outta Time," Oasis
"Sit and Wonder," The Verve
"One of Us," Wire
"Gamma Ray," Beck
"Floating," Laika and the Cosmonauts
"Golden Age," TV on the Radio
"100 Yard Dash," Raphael Saadiq
"Obama - The Time is Now for Changing," Farris
"Carpetbaggers," Jenny Lewis
"The Fact Remains," Juliana Hatfield
"Say Aha," Santogold
"Little Bit," Lykke Li
"Jacki Obsession," Sparklehorse
"Town Meeting Song," The Polyphonic Spree
"Can't Wait for Long," Brian Wilson
"Midnight's Another Day,"
"Thank You Too!" My Morning Jacket
"Snoopy Waves," Deerhoof
"Not the One for Me," All Girl Summer Fun Band
"Sex on Fire," Kings of Leon

Listen to Friday Morning Rock weekly at 9 p.m. EDT in Hartford at WRTC 89.3 FM or online at www.wrtfm.com.

This is why, I have a new vet.

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

First, last year, when I tried to adopt a dog, the shelter called this vet, and they were given wrong information, so I couldn't adopt the dog.

Second, they were absolutely no help, what-so-ever when we were taking Daisy to them. I remember, the last time I was in that office (after the specialist said Daisy had a spinal tumor) I asked the vet if there was a special diet I could put Daisy on, or any supplements that might help her. This vet stood next to Daisy in her wheelchair and told me that she didn't think that was necessary, because all dog foods have all the supplements a dog needs...UNLESS THE DOG HAS SOME DISEASE OR SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM. I still can't believe she said that, I felt like leaning over and slapping her on the head and saying DUH!!!

Third, I gave this vets info to the Abby's foster mom, rather than my new vet, because they had more information . Plus I called them first to make sure everything in the files is correct info. Well, I just got an email from Abby's foster mom, she called the neurologist(everything was good there), she called the vet and they told her they were too busy to talk to her she'll have to call back. She's sure there won't be any problems, but, with this vet's office I'm not so sure. I'll be really happy to be completely done with them.

Trying Rocky Back on Raw Again

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Some of you may remember a few months back I had to take Rocky off the raw diet due to constant poo issues (runny/high bacteria content/high fat content). I thought after he got a bit older I'd try it again, and he's had some bloating issues lately, so we tried him on chicken quarters the last two nights (he's still getting small kibble breakfast and lunch) and I am happy to report.......

FIRM POOPS!!!
:rave:

Throwing up in the night

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Well, we woke up to that icky sound of Halligan puking at 2 AM. He had eaten at 6 PM and had a treat before bed at 9:30 PM. When I cleaned up the mess it was mostly liquid with one bit of kibble in it. He has done this about 3 times in the last 2 weeks. We have always given him a treat before bed because he used to throw up that yellow bile stuff and the treat helped. Could he have reflux? DH is freaking out thinking Halligan is going to get sick and die, I am a little better about it. Any thoughts?

Timeline of the 2007 pet food recalls

Google Blog Search: dog news — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Both the centralization of the pet food industry and the speed and manner of the industry and government response became the subjects of critical discussion. MORE>> Dog Food harbinger of the Chinese "Milk Powder" issue....

1 Year old Lab Switch Food

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I want to switch my Lab off of Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy food and onto an adult formula. I was wondering what good ones out there are recommended. I read so many different things. My local holistics dog food store recommended ABADY or Orijen. Has anyone used these? I think they have a lot of protein in them and I don't know if they would be good for him right now.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Considering a new food

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While Hubby and I like California Natural Chicken and Rice formula very much, we were introduced to Organix Canine Formula, produced by a local manufacturer, during a SAR conference we just attended. I'd like opinions on the food's analysis;

Quote:

Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Chicken Meal, Organic Peas, Organic Barley, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Oats, Chicken Fat preserved with Mixed Tochopherols (form of Vitamin E), Salmon Meal, Organic Whole Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Liver Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Whole Egg, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Choline Chloride, Organic Carrots, Organic Apples, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Yeast Culture (Sacccharomyces Cerevisiae), Dried Enterococcus Faecum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longbrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract and Fermentation Solubles, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate.

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein (min)25.00%
Crude Fat (min)13.00%
Crude Fiber (max) 4.50%
Moisture (max)10.00%
Calcium (min)1.00%Phosphorus (min)0.90%
Omega 6 Fatty Acid* (min) 2.00%
Omega 3 Fatty Acid* (min)0.28%
Glucosamine* (min)150 ppm
Chondroitin Sulfate* (min)75 ppm

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
AAFCO Statement: 100% Complete and Balanced ORGANIX® Canine Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

Kelly

Food Strategy/Issues

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We are in the process of changing food for our 1 year old male. He was on Purina Pro Plan - and was doing fine with a healthy appetite. We gradually transitioned him over to Innova large breed puppy (over the course of 10 days) and he is now refusing to eat the new kibble. Its troublesome because Cooper has never shied away from a meal, until yesterday. He has eaten a little bit but just doesn't seem interested in the Innova and is also having softer stools than usual. I'm trying to determine whether the Innova is too rich for him (he seems to have a sensitive stomach) or if he just doesn't like it. I was told to expect some level of difficulty with the transition but was not sure what to expect. Does this sound normal?

The plan was to switch him over to Innova lg puppy for the next 6 months or so and then switch to an EVO food. If this keeps up though he is going back on Pro plan.

Help For Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

Pet Medicine | medication |health |Largest pet portal — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What should you do if you suspect urinary tract infections in dogs? The old cliché “don’t panic” can certainly apply here, as urinary tract infections in dogs is not the death sentence for canines, nor is it necessarily going to be an expensive veterinarian rescue. Before considering the different treatment for urinary tract infections in dogs first consider what the condition is. UTI is a bacterial infection that starts in the dog’s urinary tract and then spreads throughout the body, perhaps even to other organs. UTI does not always require medical attention; some infections can be healed naturally. However, if the infection is severe it will gradually get worse until the dog feels great pain. Rather than subjecting your animal to the risk of severe infection, it’s better to get it checked out early on. What are some of the symptoms that you have to watch out for?

First and foremost, you should observe whether the dog is in any pain or is showing signs of difficulty in urination. Make note if the dog is urinating frequently or in larger volumes. It’s not pleasant to examine any pet’s urine up close, but at this time you have to play nurse so you can report back to the veterinarian. If you see any crystals, blood or pus in the animal’s urine this could mean either urinary tract infections in dogs or a related condition, such as kidney problems. Do not conclude that a veterinarian will always bring back bad news. It’s possible that only light medication will be needed. Some mainstream vets are even getting into the habit of recommending holistic treatment instead of traditional medicine.

What Do I Have To Do?

What will you be expected to do when urinary tract infections in dogs has been diagnosed? The veterinarian may want you to buy antibiotics if the case is severe. Usually, the more severe the infection, the more complicated and expensive the treatment will be. However, most trustworthy vets will give you a choice of treating the pet with more cost-efficient methods. Some vets have even prescribed small portions of human medication to animals. Now don’t most veterinarians frown upon this practice? Not necessarily. What they advise against is human owners taking it upon themselves to dose pets with powerful human medications. Unless you have had vet training you really don’t know if your dosage could hurt the animal or cause other serious side effects.

After the initial anti-biotic or anti-microbial treatments, you will still have to offer your pet attention and support. You must monitor the dog to make sure that its condition remains stable, even after the initial recovery. You may have to arrange for regular vet checkups or even keep a log of the dog’s activities. More importantly, you have to give some attention to dieting and “doggy lifestyle.”

Eating, Drinking and Exercising After Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

One of the first things a doctor will tell you is to stop buying cheap dog food and start buying a specialized diet. You must buy healthy foods that will build up the immune system. Additionally, you will have to provide more water-fresh and clean water-to your pet so that you can increase the speed and frequency of urination so as to resist urinary tract infection. Be sure to let your pet outside a few times a day, perhaps even taking him or her out for a walk, to encourage exercise and increase the frequency of urination. These will be your responsibilities after a UTI diagnosis.

For more information visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

My name is Einar Eskeland. I am a norwegian medical doctor and homoeopath. I promote several high quality sources of knowledge and products for self improvement, health, evolution and growth as a part of my practice as a doctor, and as a help for my patients in their struggle to regain health and balance. http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Einar_Eskeland

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Pet Food To Maximize A Dog's Health

Google Blog Search: pet health care — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Innovations are taking place with the typical pet food. All-natural, holistic, and high-end dog food products are currently offered to improve your dog food's quality. You might not realize what ingredients some of the various dog food ...

Pet Food: Making The Right Choice For Your Dog

Google Blog Search: pet health care — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It can be really hard to find the perfect pet food for your dog. How can you tell what your dog really needs? What will your dog like? If you don't know what you are searching for, it can be hard to do a dog food comparison. ...

Dog Food: 5 Extraordinary Types of Commercial Dog Food You Might Want to Consider

Pets Articles At iSnare.com — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A few short years ago, feeding your dog was so much easier as compared to today's nutritional advice I remember when my father?s dog ate whatever the whole family would eat, including apple cobbler In addition to table scraps, he also enjoyed eating commercial dog food...

Dog Food: Organic Is Worth The Hunt

Google Blog Search: pet health care — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are certain types of food for your dog that do not have any chemical additives that would be detrimental to your pooches health. Realistically, whole pet foods are not changed at all. What is done instead is make them using things ...

Dog Information: The Best Dog Food

Google Blog Search: pet health care — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Give a few foods a try, but don't go crazy or you could cause damage to your pet's health. A dog's diet must be well balanced; raw meat, which contains high protein content, is a necessity in a balanced diet. Calcium that is needed to ...

DZULKIFLI ABDUL RAZAK: Politics of dog food and moral virtues - New Straits Times

dog - Google News — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

DZULKIFLI ABDUL RAZAK: Politics of dog food and moral virtues
New Straits Times, Malaysia - 1 hour ago
Putting the controversies aside, the question of people eating dog food or pet food is not entirely new. Rather than dying of starvation, pet food serves as ...

Tough Love: Helping Your Dog Lose Weight

Pets Articles At iSnare.com — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are a number of different factors that can cause a dog to become overweight Overindulgence on the part of the owner plays a large part in pet obesity We all want our pets to be happy, and sometimes an extra handful of kibble does the trick...

Dry Skin

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am sure this has probably been addressed but I couldn't find it.

Baz has dry skin this morning. Weather is changing... We have not used any dry heat. When we switched his food it cleared up. This is something that has just started happening again.

Could it be the weather? We have been using his old kibble has treats... Could this be the problem? How bout fish oils do they work? can someone recommend where to get them or a brand? He eats healthy... No junk.. all natural treats... chicken occasionally.... and ummm ( ok I am guilty of not chasing all the food that I drop on the floor... but its never anything bad ).

We are using Wellness and like I said it really cleared up his coat for a few months.....

Any help will be appreciated.

Eric

California Natural: Setting the record straight

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Since California Natural seems to have crept into every dog food thread in this section, and I have felt the need to correct, amend, disprove, etc. some of the claims being made about it by some people, I wanted to take the opportunity to set the record straight on my personal opinion of California Natural.

I think California Natural is a very important food. It is one of the only options remaining for those of us who choose to feed simple foods or those of us who have very sensitive dogs and have no other choice but to feed a limited ingredient diet. Especially those of us who want to try it when prescription diets may be too economically out of our reach.

Our options are dwindling in the Limited Ingredient Diet sector alarmingly. Especially for those of us who have dogs who's chronic ear infections are not relieved by grain-free foods (potatoes are included in the list of foods to avoid in yeast-starving diets, and I personally know dogs who found resolution of their chronic ear infections on rice-only foods but not on potato-based foods).

Furthermore, I have no problem with Natura. I think more harm is being done to Natura by claims from fans who use misinformation, omission, and scare tactics to push it as an alternative to other foods being discussed or considered on this board.

In fact, I've had the opportunity to discuss factually-erroneous claims about their foods made on this board, making sure they understood I have no personal prejudice against ANY of their brands but also that I was not one of their customers, and they were more than willing to straighten out fact from fiction, and thanked me for taking the time to do it, as I thanked them.

I have read about many dogs who do beautifully on California Natural. I have also read about many dogs who have done poorly on it.

Just like any other food.

In conclusion, I don't now and have never used California Natural, so I can't offer any first hand experience with it. And while that doesn't stop me from considering it a valuable tool for our dogs, or prevent me from recommending it, I think it's unfair to use it as the "Gold Standard" to which every other dog food available should be held, and any claims made about it should be confirmed with Natura themselves if they don't ring true.

Here's their phone number: (800) 532-7261

Re: Grain free kibble -what age?

Big Paws Only — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Gunner steals bites out of Kira's bowls(she is on Wellness Core, original) or cleans them up if she leaves any behind!
But he isnt fed that(YET) as his main food source. He has tried to make me feel bad and not eat his food and camp out at Kira's food...

Dog Dental Care

Holistic Dog Health and Supplements for Dogs — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For more on dog teeth cleaning and in particular, keeping your dog's teeth clean without the need for actual brushing, click here.

Pet Dental Care Begins at Home

Author: Kim Marie Labak

An archive of Pet Columns from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is available online at http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and a great time to start home dental care for your pet. Dental health is important for overall health. Combined with the dental component of your pet's annual wellness examination, a home dental care regimen can prevent pain and expense in the long run.

Brushing your pet's teeth may sound like a tiresome task, but Dr. Bill Krug, a resident in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, says, "Please try it. Think about how you'd feel if you went one or two days without brushing your teeth; now think about what your teeth would be like after eight or nine years without cleaning."

Like humans, pets can get bacterial and tartar buildup on their teeth, leading to deep gum disease, or periodontitis. The gums and underlying bone recede as a consequence of the untreated infection, resulting in loose, painful teeth, inflamed gums, and exposed roots.

"We see a lot of cases of severe damage and discomfort that could be prevented with regular dental hygiene," says Dr. Krug. If the task of tooth brushing seems daunting at first, he suggests taking "baby steps" toward a dental hygiene routine.

Start gradually by holding your pet and looking into its mouth. (Of course, if you think you may get bitten, don't put yourself in danger, and find an alternative to brushing.) Lift the lips so you can examine the teeth. As your pet gets more comfortable with this, try putting some veterinary toothpaste on your finger and rubbing it on the teeth.

Some pets may find this a pleasant experience, since most veterinary toothpastes are flavored, and they may like the petting and attention. Many veterinary toothpastes fight bacteria and tartar by activating antibacterial salivary enzymes.

After your pet gets used to your rubbing its teeth and gums, you can try wrapping gauze around your finger or using a soft rubber finger brush on your index finger. This can help get more food debris off the teeth. With small strides like these, Dr. Krug says, your pet may let you brush its teeth with a regular pet toothbrush within a few weeks.

Brushing is the most effective way of removing food debris, thus minimizing bacterial growth and tartar formation. It takes a good deal of patience and persistence, but the few minutes a day you invest can prevent future discomfort, disease, and expense.

Dental disease is painful and can become costly to treat; untreated, it can lead to systemic problems such as kidney, liver, and respiratory infection as bacteria travel from the mouth through the bloodstream. Tooth and gum infections can weaken the facial bones and mandible, predisposing your pet to mandibular fractures and eye infections.

Although Dr. Krug insists that brushing is the best preventive measure against dental disease, he acknowledges that some pets just won't stand for it. For those pets, alternatives such as rinses, chew toys, and special diets can help. Dental rinses that you can add to your pet's drinking water can help reduce bacterial and tartar buildup.

Chew toys, such as rope bones, nylon bones, and crocheted "mice," can help scrape food debris off teeth. Rawhide chews, too, can help clean teeth, but Dr. Krug advises against cow bones and pig hooves available in some pet stores, since they are hard enough to cause painful tooth fractures. Special dental chews, such as C.E.T. treats for dogs and cats, are infused with enzymes that help kill bacteria.

More brands of foods now offer "dental" formulas, and Dr. Krug explains that the strategy behind some of these diets is a larger size kibble that can scrape the teeth clean as the pet bites into the food.

Good dental care begins at home and can save pain and expense in the long run. For more information about a home dental care regimen, contact your local veterinarian or visit the Web site of the American Veterinary Dental College at http://www.avdc.org.

And for more on dog teeth cleaning and in particular, keeping your dog's teeth clean without the need for actual brushing, click here.

Linda Eder: Linda Eder Returns to Her Roots and Shows the World 'The Other Side of Me' on Her Highly Anticipated Verve Debut

Market Wire - Full Feed — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES, CA (MARKET WIRE) Long established as one of America's premier interpreters of pop standards and classics from the Broadway songbook, vocal icon Linda Eder takes a 180 degree turn, unveiling "The Other Side of Me" on her eagerly awaited Verve debut. Produced and arranged by Eder and veteran songwriter/keyboardist Billy Jay Stein, the 12-track collection, due September 30, brings the singer back to her often overlooked country roots, offering a looser, more intimate country-pop sound that's ideally suited to the thoughtful, mostly introspective songs she's chosen for the project.

Alternative for Hill's Prescription Diet Dog Z/D ULTRA Allergen-Free Food

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am having huge problems with my labs stomach. The vet just switched him to Prescriptive food. They are just guessing that it is a food allergy. Very soft poop constantly. If any one has any alternatives to the above food I would really appreciate it. For an 18lb bag it's 56 dollars. Really hard for me to afford it. Any suggestions are welcome. thanks

Dog Soup

Dog Obedience Training — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Combine 1 chicken liver, 1 giblet, 1 chicken heart, 1 chicken neck, 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley.

Cover and simmer until the giblet is tender.

Chop all the meat for dogs removing bones and mix with kibble; for cats, you may want to grind the meat in the blender.

As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give your dog or cat the best care possible. And caring for your pet means feeding him the best diet you can.

Animals, because they are color blind, choose their foods by smell. Most dogs like gamey flavors best, as well as liver, fat, garlic, onions, horsemeat, lamb, beef, cheese and fish. Cats enjoy chicken,liver, fish, turkey, lamb, and yeast, and prefer fresh to aged flavors.

Remember that cats are fussy eaters and it is not wise to continually feed them their favorite foods. Soon they will refuse to eat anything else; it is your job to see your cat has a balanced diet.

Animals do not need salt added to their diet as the natural salt in the food is enough for them.

Dogs may eat any vegetable they want, but cats should not have any starchy veggies, like peas and corn. Some dogs and cats even enjoy fruits!

It’s a good idea to always add a grain, such as Kibble, wheat germ, cooked oatmeal or whole wheat bread to meat dinners. For dogs use 75% carbohydrate foods (grains and vegetables) to 25% meat;for cats use half carbohydrate foods to half meat.

You will find, once you begin making your own pet foods, that it is really relatively simple and you will save some money as well. remember that all pet foods should be served at room temperature;don’t serve food cold from the refrigerator nor hot from the stove.

Incidentally, you should know that cats should be fed three times a day, while an adult dog needs only one meal a day.

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