Browsing: Health & Safety

Dogs bags of blueberry energy snaps from organic pet boutique
Organic Pet Treats

From time to time we have the privilege of trying and testing pet products. The folks at Organic Pet Boutique asked us to sample their Blueberry Energy Snaps dog treats on our staffs pets.

Since the FDA has been saturated with recalls for not only pet food but also pet treats. It has made pet owners all the more concerned on what we are feeding out furry friends. We were more than willing to test a treat that would eliminate the threat of salmonella.

Salmonella is quite unsettling not only for all pets but also for us humans. Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. Humans exposed can experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Dogs vet checking a dog's heart
Protecting your Dog from Heartworms

Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are so-called because they mainly live in the right chamber of the heart. Dogs are commonly considered hosts of heartworms. Being a mosquito-borne disease, Heartworms can easily be transmitted from one susceptible dog to another via mosquito bites. Heartworm incidence has been recorded in all 50 states of the United States with higher prevalence in places with higher elevations.

How is Heartworm Transmitted?

When a mosquito feeds on a dog harboring Heartworms, it sucks the larvae up with the blood. Inside the mosquito’s body, the heartworm larvae develop into the infective form. When the mosquito bites another dog, it is able to transmit these larvae as it feeds on the dog.

Inside the dog’s body, the larval heartworms slowly migrate throughout the dog’s body until they will arrive in the heart where they mature into adults. This period of growth and development occurs within a period of several months. Aside from the heart, adult heartworms also occupy the lungs and the major blood vessels associated with the heart and lungs. As mature heartworms mate, the offspring called microfilariae are released into the blood circulation.

Cats dog getting a bath
Dealing with Fleas

by Augie Bering The common flea is a pernicious little beastie that loves to feed on our pets. When you discover that your dog or cat has fleas, the first…

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