Blog | Pet Reiki Tampa Bay

How to Help Your Dog Overcome the Flu

Dogs, just like people, are susceptible to flu. However, the flu strains that affect dogs is different from the human strains. In dogs, however, if the flu does not present its symptoms, and is therefore left untreated, dog flu can turn into a much more serious case or problem of pneumonia. Dog Flu which is also called ‘canine influenza’ is a very contagious respiratory condition in dogs. It’s caused by a type A ‘influenza virus’ which is labeled as H3N8.

Signs to Know Your Dog May Have the Flu

A flu usually produces the following symptoms: Nasal congestion and sometimes discharge, difficulty in breathing through the nose, occasional coughing, a mild fever, runny eyes, sneezing, general lethargy in the dog’s mood, and also the loss of appetite. Although these symptoms may and can make your dog feel relatively uncomfortable and uneasy, they are not really severe. Most healthy dogs will usually get over a common cold within, say, a week without need for any treatment, that is, as long as the dog is kept warm enough and well hydrated.

Ways To Help Your Dog Overcome the Flu:

Always keep your dog dry and warm. Limit its time spent outside during cold weather. The cold air usually makes the dog’s bronchial tubes constrict, this on turn makes it very difficult for the dog to breathe.
Provide the dog with extra-nutrition. For example, you can give your dog boiled chicken with brown rice so as to coax the dog to eat. By doing this you will ensure your dog keeps his/her strength up while also providing the dog’s immune system with support.
You can run a cool-mist vaporizer around or near your dog’s resting or sleeping area so as to help keep the dog’s bronchial tubes well moistened.
You can encourage your dog to drink some liquids, you may even have to tempt your dog with low-sodium chicken broth in order for your dog to take some liquid. This will mostly help in keeping the nasal secretions much thinner and thus less likely to clog the dog’s nose.
You can also administer some children’s flu medicine, that is, as long as the dosage and type of medicine is approved by your dog’s veterinarian. This will not necessarily cure your dog’s flu, but it will help ease the dog’s flu symptoms and also make him/her feel more comfortable and at ease.
You can also take your dog to the veterinarian. The vet can then test your dog to make sure it does in fact have the flu and prescribe the necessary medications that will make your dog feel more comfortable and at ease. A broad spectrum of anti-biotics in case of a secondary infection may also be perscribed.
Always remember to keep water near your dog. Your dog needs to constantly take water so as to help flush out/rid the flu. Though you cannot really force your dog to drink the water, simply having the water near your dog should suffice.
Don’t walk your dog when he/she is sick. Your dog, just like any other sick animal, will need to rest.
Keep all your other dogs away from the sick one. The dog flu spreads from animal to animal quite easily through the nose.

Filed Under: Dog Health

Pet Wellness – Driving Safely With Your Pets

One aspect of pet wellness is driving safely with them. Even though it may seem simple to drive with your pets, this is not always the case. For example, your pet dog or cat may get very excited when traveling and may have had a few accidents in your car’s backseat. Your pet may also behave in an undesirable manner such as jumping back and forth or may not even enjoy traveling in the first place. The following are some of the things that you can do to make it more safe, enjoyable, and comfortable to drive with your pets.

Restrain Your Pet
Driving with unrestrained pets is hazardous because they can disrupt your attention or suffer serious injury if an accident takes place. They can also be thrown about during panic braking. In order to avoid this, you should always restrain your pets in the rear seat. You can use a pet carrier or pet harness and secure it in place using the seatbelt. You can also use a cage which should be placed on the rear floor.

Make Sure Your Dog Does Not Hang His Head Out of the Window
Dogs love doing this but you should discourage it because your pet can suffer eye damage from flying dirt and dust.

Refrain from Smoking
Smoking increases the feelings of nausea in humans and this can also happen to your pet.

Do Not Leave Your Pet in the Car if the Weather is Very Cold or Hot
Hundreds of pets die every year after being left locked in a car when temperatures are extremely hot or cold.

Get a Safety Harness
There are many types of safety harnesses available for pets of all sizes. Ideally, you should look for harnesses that are made from soft, strong nylon webbing and are designed to restrain pets around their necks and bodies. They should also be nonirritating and adjustable. When your pets wear such a safety harness, they can sit up, lie down or stand since they are safely restrained. Safety harnesses are compatible with all automobile seatbelts and some of them
serve dual purposes.

Use a Pet Seat Cover
This pet wellness product is a layer of cloth that is designed to cover your car seat. Pet seat covers come in a wide variety of materials, sizes, and colors. They are very useful for ensuring that the hair your pets shed does not fall onto your car seat. They also help protect car seats made from soft leather.

Use a Pet Car Barrier
Most pets love to have freedom to move from the back of a minivan, SUV or crossover to the front passenger seat. However, this can be dangerous and you can ensure that your pet does not get to the front seat by using a pet car barrier. This pet wellness product is usually made from wire and it adjusts to fit different vehicles. If your pet is stubborn you can purchase an extender that you can use along with the wire barrier to keep it at bay.

When you start using products such as safety harnesses, you may find that pets, especially dogs, will chew on them. However, you should be patient and use reward treats. This will help your pet become comfortable with the new arrangement and enjoy traveling while retained.

Filed Under: Pet Safety

4 Characteristics Of Pet Insurance That Make It Attractive

Pet ownership numbers are on the rise and this shows that many people are deriving their comfort and companionship needs from animals. If you are a pet owner or intend to become one, you need to know about pet insurance and get some as soon as possible. Whatever benefits you derive from your pet will cease if suddenly your pet becomes sick or gets an injury. You can also run into problems when your pet causes harm to other people and their property. Here are the characteristics of pet insurance that make it a worthwhile purchase.

1. Reimbursed coverage

Unlike ordinary insurance policies that compensate you as soon as the unfortunate risk event occurs, pet insurance requires you to pay first and claim later. In case your pet becomes ill and you have insurance coverage, you will first need to come up with the total sum due to the veterinary facility. After you pay your bill, you will then present the receipts to the insurer for compensation. This arrangement is the standard practice used by all pet insurance providers. Luckily, most vet procedures are affordable and you can always treat your pet in stages that allow you to pay with subsequent compensations.

2. Variety of Policies

You may opt for comprehensive coverages that include animal surgery in case of illness or accidents. Other forms of coverage will take care of specific aspects of pet health risk. If it suits you, then you can opt for a combination of different policies to create your unique comprehensive coverge. Most policies will deal with general illness, surgery, damages to people and property, and general health checkups.

3. Many Service Providers

You can choose among different service providers in your city that are convenient to your home so your pet doesn’t have to ride in the car for long. A search on the internet should yield at least three local results for any big city. From there, you can proceed to get quotes and choose your preferred vet. The large number assures you that a willing policy provider for any kind of protection you may need exists irrespective of the health status of your pet and his or her age.

4. Affordable Policy Premiums

The presence of many providers ensures that the premiums payable for most of the available coverages remain within reach of most pet owners. You can spend an average of $15 per month for coverage. It is also possible to lump many pets into one policy and pay a single monthly premium. This option reduces the inconveniences associated with getting insurance and claiming compensation for different pet expenses.

Do not fall into the temptation of overlooking pet insurance for your beloved animal. You do not want to regret having to pay regular vet and surgery bills. After going through the features and benefits of pet insurance discussed above, you are now in an informed position about the subject. It is only right that you make a wise choice while protecting yourself from the expense liabilities that are bound to manifest in the lifetime of your pet.

Filed Under: Pet Reiki

Could Magnetic Therapy Help Heal Your Pet?

Our pets share not only our lives and homes, but also some of the medical problems, such as kidney disease, arthritis, joint problems, and immune system disorders, and so on. This not only leads to the deterioration in the quality of their lives, but also mounting vet bills. Sadly, conventional treatments are not always successful. It has been observed,, however, that magnetic therapy for pets has proved to be an inexpensive and safe method of managing most of these ailments.

The main principle behind magnetic therapy is scientifically sound and simple. A magnetic can align molecules in one direction, and it’s the same “attraction” that we see when a magnet is placed over any metal object. Since living beings, including animals are made of billions of tiny molecules, the use of magnets over specific body areas can help in aligning the molecules, stimulating the circulation, and speeding up the healing process.

Magnetic therapy for pets is mainly successful because cats and dogs possess a much faster blood circulation than humans, and the magnetic field is easily absorbed in the body. This treatment has been tried by thousands of pet owners and most of them have reported positive changes in their pets within days.

Magnetic therapy can also be used along with other medical treatments, without any adverse results. Research has shown that magnetic therapy offers good results with skeletal and muscle issues, such as arthritis in the knees and the elbows. In most of the cases, there is marked improvement in hip dysplasia with the use of magnetic therapy for pets. As magnets speeds up the healing process, they help in healing the injuries more quickly.

Magnetic therapy for pets also relieves all types of pain due to organ disorders and reduces the effects of epilepsy. It is also great for treating strains and sprains. The biggest challenge with this therapy is to devise ways to keep the animal in contact with the magnets. The best way to accomplish this is with the help of a magnetic bed. Numerous pet owners report that their arthritic cat or dog has shown remarkable improvement by sleeping on these types of beds.

Some pets instinctively seek the magnetic therapy treatment and lie on the bed throughout the day. Maybe, they appreciate the relief they get upon using this therapy and want more! Large dogs and horses can also benefit by using a magnetic blanket that is wrapped around them. For use on specific muscle or joints, small magnetic strips can be applied by wrapping a gauze around them. In some cases, a magnetic collar is a best idea as magnetic properties are easily absorbed through the carotid artery of pets.

Best thing about magnetic therapy for pets is that is cost is quite reasonable. The number of magnets to be used and their strength depends upon the size of pet and its medical condition. Of course, small animals would need smaller magnets with a strength of around 750 gauss/80m Tesla to be successfully absorbed in the pet’s blood stream. There are absolutely no side effects of this therapy, and the theory behind the use of various magnets has been amply proved. Our pets rely on us and it’s our duty to keep them healthy and safe. Magnetic therapy for pets is the most cost effective and the safest way to do just that.

Filed Under: Cat Health, Dog Health

DIY Holistic Flea Shampoo for Pets

We love our dogs and we want them to be happy and healthy all the time. Fleas, not only cause our pets discomfort, but they cause them to have to go through a harsh flea removal process and application of chemicals that are not good for them. Some dog owners even have to repeat the process of washing their dogs with these chemicals just to get the fleas out. These harsh chemicals are not good for our dogs; and as it is with humans, natural ingredients are always the safer choice for their well-being.

The best way to counter the problem of fleas on your pet’s body is to create a DIY flea shampoo, made of natural ingredients, that are not only effective, but also very safe for your pet and safe for you when you make the application.

Here are three DIY flea shampoo recipes that you can make to get rid of those unwanted fleas on your pet.

1. Basic Dog Flea Shampoo
This is a very simple recipe that requires just 3 things from your kitchen: filtered water, an unscented and dye-free liquid dish soap, and an apple cider vinegar. You just need to mix a cup of each and put the mixture into clean bottles. You can use it on your dog the same way you would an ordinary dog shampoo. Just remember to let your pet soak for 5 minutes before rinsing off the suds. This will ensure that the fleas will evacuate your pet’s coat in that amount of time.

2. Organic Dog Flea Shampoo
For this DIY shampoo, you may need to visit a nearby grocer or a health food grocery store. You will need to boil three teaspoons of the soap wort root. Add a cup of dried lavender, 1/4 cup of citronella or lemon grass, and a half cup of peppermint. After boiling, turn off the heat. Make sure to soak the dried herbs for an hour and wait for the mixture to cool before straining out the herbs. You can then put the liquid in a bottle and shake well before using it on your dog.

3. Itch Reliever Dog Flea Shampoo
This recipe uses ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Dissolve 2 vitamin E tablets in one cup of hot water. Add one tablespoon of lavender oil, a tablespoon of orange oil or lemon, a tablespoon of aloe vera juice, a tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal, and a half cup of unscented and dye-free dish soap. Once all of these ingretients are completely dissolved into a mixture, pour them into clean bottles.

Just like the first dog flea shampoo instructions, make sure let the solutions soak into your pet’s coat for 5 minutes. One important tip to remember is that peppermint and oils from lavender and lemon are important ingredients in repelling not only fleas, but also mosquito and other insects. So, if you’re thinking of switching from a chemical based, dog flea shampoo to a natural, holistic, home-made one, then these DIY flea shampoos are your best bet.

Filed Under: Dog Health

Taking Care of an Orphaned Day-old Kitten

Taking care of a day-old kitten is not as easy of a task as most people have come to find out. When kittens get orphaned or are left by their mothers, it is usually up to the owner to provide everything needed for healthy growth. This task can be both intensely rewarding and heartbreaking. If you are not strong enough to deal with potential loss of new born kittens, then it is wise that you leave the job to someone else. A day-old kitten is very fragile and needs proper care in order for them to survive. Here are some tips on how to take care of a new born kitten without a mother.

A day-old kitten will still have its eyes closed with its umbilical cord still attached. With a mother, kittens at this age won’t have much to worry about since they are provided with everything they need. Things however get complicated when you are expected to give them the same attention they were getting from the mother cat.

The first thing you will need to do is arrange a nest for the kittens. Place clean towels in either a cardboard box or a carrier for more comfort. If there are other cats in the house, be sure to keep your kittens in a separate room. Kittens can carry diseases that can be spread to the rest of the cats in the house and thus should be isolated.

Newborn Kittens’ Basic Needs

Warmth - Cold can easily kill newborn kittens and this is considered a veterinary emergency. If your kitten has been exposed to cold, hold them close to your skin or use a heating pad with the temperature set to “low”. The nest should not be entirely warm as kittens will shift to a cooler surface when it gets too hot. Avoid feeding a chilled kitten as this can kill them. Instead, wait until they are all warm again before giving them any food. Normal newborn kitten temperature is usually 95° F to 99° F.

Nourishment - Get a K.M.R. and a feeder from your nearest pet store. The feeder can be anything from syringe, bottle or eye-dropper. The K.M.R. comes with special instructions on how to feed different kittens with varying weight. Newborn kittens are required to have up to 12 meals a day in order to grow healthy.

Nurturing - Nurturing kittens involves performing various tasks that the mother normally whould be doing, including bonding. This is probably the most difficult part of taking care of a day-old kitten. The mother cat will lick the kitten’s belly and butt most of the time. This is not only for affection but also helps the little kitten get regular bowel movement. Take a damp towel and gently stroke these areas to help it stay healthy. You’ll know you are doing the right thing when you are rewarded with a bowel movement after every meal.

Be sure to take your newborn kitten to the vet for a check up. Since these ones are not getting the right attention from the mother, you might want to have them examined for fleas and other parasites common in kittens.

Photo credits: thetejon on Flickr.com

Filed Under: Cats, Kittens

Should You Give Pets As Christmas Gifts?

Owning a pet is a great responsibility for the whole family, even more so than having a baby. This is because eventually babies grow up to become teenagers, then adults who don’t need constant supervision throughout life. Giving pets as Christmas gifts may seem like a good idea at the time; all you can think of is how the kids will enjoy having a little fur ball to play with. Christmas is the season of love and giving, and puppies and kittens are so adorable but do they make good Christmas gifts?

Gifting a Pet to Your Own Family

Before deciding on gifting a pet for Christmas, discuss it with your family first. Find out if the kids want a dog or cat and if they are ready to be responsible for it. Make it clear that a pet is a living thing that has needs to be taken care of. Raising an animal can be high maintenance and you must consider the financial obligations involved like feeding, training, grooming, medical bills, toys, and some other accessories like bedding, collars, restraints, etc.

Another thing to consider is whether someone in the family is allergic to pets. Allergic reactions like itching, sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy nose is as a result of animal hair or dander (small scales from animal skin). This is a common problem and should not be overlooked because it can also make other health conditions like asthma become worse.

Adoption

When considering the idea of getting a pet as a Christmas gift, think about adoption. This is because pet adoption agencies care for the pets in their possession. They try to make sure you understand what you are getting into by bringing an animal home, what your responsibilities are as a pet owner, and other implications. They are concerned about the welfare of the animals because they have seen how poorly these animals are treated and want to avoid a repeat situation. You can find information online with pictures and descriptions of pets available for adoption in your local area.

If you are not satisfied with adopting, you can always visit a pet store and buy a puppy or kitten or any other pet of your choice. Always make sure to get some history about the pet you choose before the purchase.

Gifting a Pet to a Loved One

One should also consider the above information if you are thinking of giving a pet to a loved one. Think of the person’s lifestyle; are they always on the road, do they work long hours, do they have roommates or are they living with family, are they patient, loving and caring, and most of all, does the person want a pet? From there you can determine what type of pet you can get them, if any at all.

Matching a pet to a person can save a lot of distress in future. If, for instance, the person likes jogging, getting a golden retriever or German shepherd will make a good match. If the person has a happy energized personality, then a Jack Russell Terrier might be suitable.

In the event that your adorable Christmas pet is no longer wanted, instead of abandoning it, it is best to return it to the animal shelter or better, find a loving home for it.

Filed Under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Adoption

How To Behave Responsibly In “Pet Friendly” Accommodations

If you are a pet owner who has decided to do some traveling, you may want to take your furry or feathery friend along with you. You’ve called ahead to make sure your hotel is a “pets allowed” accommodation, you’ve found out what their policies are about your pets stay at the hotel, and now you’re on your way to a fun filled time. How do you make sure that your pet behaves himself while at the hotel, and what do you need to do to make your stay as pleasant as possible for everyone involved (including your pet)?

A good place to start is to make sure that traveling with your pet is a good idea. Some pets, for example, a small bird, a nervous cat or dog, or a small animal like a hamster don’t do well on trips, so it’s probably best to leave them at home with a pet sitter or board them. If your pet travels well, make sure that you take along the supplies that you’ll need to make your pet feel comfortable and “at home”. Bring along food, their favorite toys and blankets or bed, treats, and a cage or crate. Also, it’s a good idea to make sure that your pet has his tags or other identification in case he gets lost.

Once you’ve arrived at your hotel and checked in, confirm the hotel’s pet policies. Once you’ve done that, take your pet to your room and let them become accommodated to their new environment. Give them lots of attention and praise, and let them eat and have a drink. Don’t let them scratch or chew on the furniture or furnishings of your room. The hotel policies may require that your pet not be left alone in your room, or, if they are allowed to be alone, that they be crated. It’s probably a good idea to do so anyway, just in case the housekeeping service needs to enter your room. You don’t want your pet running off or jumping up on them. When your pet is roaming free in your room, make sure to put the “do not disturb” sign up on your door so that no one will enter the room unexpectedly.

When traveling with your pet, it’s important to keep the other hotel guests in mind. Don’t let your pet bark or be noisy. You may not mind the sounds you pet makes, but a tired person trying to sleep in the next room may not find them enjoyable. When you have your pet out of your room, keep them on their leash or in their carrier at all times, and don’t take them into areas of the hotel where pets are not allowed. If your pet relieves himself where he shouldn’t, make sure to clean it up right away. While traveling with your dog, make sure he gets lots of exercise and clean up any mess he may leave when you take him outside. Please keep in mind that although you may love your pet and he may be wonderful, other people may not not be quite so fond of him. They may have allergies or they may be afraid of dogs, cats or birds. Be respectful of that, and everyone will be happy.

Traveling with your pet can be a lot of fun if you just keep these simple rules in mind. If you are responsible with your pet and respectful of others, you and your pet will be welcomed back anytime.

Filed Under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Safety

Traveling With Pets on Your Vacation

If you are considering traveling with pets during your vacation, then the following tips may indeed prove to be quite useful in making the entire journey a little bit easier for both you and your pet. Some animals love traveling and they will pose no problems whatsoever; however, there are others that can get extremely stressed and upset at the entire thing. The following tips are aimed more towards the latter group.

By the time you are at the stage of going through these tips you should have already identified where you are going to be staying and checked the reputation they have in dealing with pets. Do spend time finding out what other pet owners say about the places as they will give honest opinions. Doing so will allow you to feel quite confident in having your pet staying there as well.

First, you need to prepare for the trip. This means bringing enough water and food, something to keep them cool or warm, and perhaps even their favorite toy to keep them entertained during the journey. It is also advisable to plan ahead and search for a list of veterinary clinics in the area you will be going to so you know where to take them should they fall ill during your vacation. Also, look at having them either microchipped or equipped with an ID tag just in case they go astray, as this will make it more likely that you will get them back.

Another important thing to do is to make sure that they are familiar with what they will be traveling in. This is much easier if you have a cat as they will tend to be used to going in their holder and they should be quite comfortable in doing so. However, with dogs, you need to get them used to the kennel or car seat well in advance of you leaving as this will make sure that they are less stressed. The best thing to do is to introduce them to it for a short period of time at first, and then slowly build this up until they are comfortable being in there for as long as needed.

Before leaving, it is advisable to take them to your usual veterinarian for a check up and also to make sure that all of their injections are up to date. Also, discuss the trip with the veterinarian and get their advice. It may then be decided to give your pet a mild sedative for the journey if they are naturally nervous. If you decide to go this route, try the medication beforehand and observe their reaction. Doing so will prevent any surprise reactions during the trip. There are also natural alternatives to consider for calming your pet down prior to travel.

Those are some of the things to think about when you are considering traveling with pets, especially when it is over a reasonable distance. By using them, you should find that the journey is a lot easier for them and they will not be as worried or upset by the change. A happy pet results in a happy owner!

Filed Under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Safety

Signs of Pet Anxiety

Most of our beloved pets have the tendencies to suffer from several types of anxieties. It is actually some of the biggest complaints among many pet owners. Identifying a pet’s traits when they are under stress is very necessary. The background of your pet(s) is very important in identifying the anxiety in them. Pet owners in such case should acknowledge the disorders and treat them appropriately. Common sources of anxiety will include: separation, which results to loneliness when the owner is not around, changes in households or changes in lifestyle.

Listed below is among the most common signs of anxiety in pets.

When your pets become so destructive, they could be suffering from anxiety. They will normally tear up furniture or anything in their surroundings.
On the other hand, you may find your pet chewing itself. Other pets such as doves and other bird species may start plucking off their feathers.
Sudden change in behavior is a strong indicator of anxiety. When a dog or cat starts urinating on the floor or carpets, they could be stressed.
Your pet could start losing focus. Sometimes, your dog may stop responding to your instruction. On the other hand, they could be having a hard time listening to the caregiver, which is a strong indicator of anxiety.
When a pet shows a lot of aggression towards people or even to fellow animals, your animal may be suffering from anxiety. This symptom is majorly associated with dogs and cats.
To end the list, your pet may sometimes seem hyper or even restless. A sudden change of behavior resulting to restlessness is brought about by anxiety.

Here are some of the ways that may help in resolving pet’s anxiety.

Supplements

The use of supplements is very important. The use of bee pollen, Valerian and ginger root are best known in relieving anxiety. On the other hand, the right nutrition for your pet could be a solution to your pet’s anxiety.

Talk to Your Pet

One of the most effective ways of decreasing your pet’s anxiety is talking to the pet. Upon identifying the source of anxiety, try communicating verbally with your pet. Try assuring them you will be back, if the anxiety is resulting from loneliness. Giving them extra amount of love and support will help them cope.

Color Therapy

Color therapy works wonders. Research through muscle testing has proved that baby pink seems to work wonders. Other colors such as baby blue and baby yellow works wonder. These colors give a calming effect to animals relieving anxiety.

Flowers

Animals with anxiety could be aided by flower remedies and essences. Large varieties of flowers such as the Bach flower are vital in relieving anxiety.

Massage

Massage is another well known remedy to curb anxiety in animals. The relaxing effects brought about by massage have lasting beneficial effects. Animals such as the rabbits and chinchillas are easily cured by head massages.

It is vital that you identify whether your pet has other related medical conditions. Conditions such as bladder infections will usually cause your pet anxiety. Before going the extra mile on the above remedies, it is advised that you consult your veterinarian for detailed examination.

Filed Under: Cat Health, Cats, Dog Health, Dogs