Monday, November 12, 2012

GOD AND DOG

GOD and DOG . . . 
I look up and I see God
I look down and see my Dog
Simple spelling G O D
Same word backwards D O G

They would stay with me all day
I'm the one who walks away,
But both of them wait for me,
And dance at my return with glee

Both love me no matter what
Divine God and Canine Mutt

I take it hard each time I fail
But God forgives
Dog wags his tail

God though up and made the Dog
Dog reflects a part of God
I see love from both sides now
Its everywhere Amen...Bow Wow

I look up and I see God
look down and see my Dog
And in my human frailty, I can't match their love  for me!

CONSTIPATION

Dogs develop constipation often by eating grass, or swallowing bones.  For very furry dogs, sometimes soft stool form mats in the long fur around the rectum, and blocks the rectum.  Dogs with this problem drag their bottoms against the ground or bite at their rear ends.
The longer waste remains in the body, water is 
pulled-out, therefore becomes drier, and difficult to pass.


Enemas could be dangerous, so your Veterinarian should be contacted for appropriate enema.


Mega-colon is a condition when the rectum stretches with hard fecal mass affecting the nerves and muscles...this would for life, require medical care.


Severe constipation whereby dogs stop eating, vomit and have stomach pain will probably need to be sedated for the Veterinarian to remove the fecal impaction.


IMMEDIATE ACTION:
        1.  Clip if any, the fur for long-haired dogs.
        2.  Dampen a soft cloth with warm water


               1.  Clip if any, fur for long-haired pets.
               2.  Dampen a soft cloth with warm 
                    water, and clean the outside of anal
                    that's blocking.   Or, a spray bottle 
                    filled with warm water may soak
                    fecal  matter free and prompt your
                    dog to move his bowels.  If, after 24
                    hours, your dog does not defecate, a  
                    visit to your Veterinarian is
                    necessary for your dog to be treated.
               3.  The skin around the rectum after 
                    clipped and/or washed, may be
                    sensitive, so best to  an antibiotic
                    ointment Neosporin 3 times a day for few
                   days until inflammation subsides. 
    


PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
Adding fiber to your dog's food will help prevent constipation who have a mild condition.
                    1.  Use a high-fiber commercial food
                    2.  Mix unflavored Metamucil into
                         canned food.  CHECK LABEL,
                         to be sure it has 2.4 grams of 
                         soluble fiber per dose.
                    3.  Use 1 teaspoon per meal for each
                         10 to 25 pounds of body weight.
                         
  
THE PUMPKIN PREVENTION:
This for me is the healthiest way!  Try it.
Why?  Pumpkin has very high and water content.  Both important factors for regular bowel movements.  Most wonderfully, dogs
(my dogs) love the taste!
      1.  Mix canned pumpkin into your
                           dog's   food.
      2.  Add per meal:
           1-2 teaspoons             less than 15 lbs dogs               
           2 Tablespoons           15-35 lbs dogs
           3-5 Tablespoons        Larger dogs


Be aware...if your dog's feces aren't formed and
have soft-life consistency, just cut-back on the 
amount of pumpkin.

CONSTIPATION


"...I'm so tired of trying to poop..."

Dogs develop constipation often by eating grass, or swallowing bones.  For very furry dogs, sometimes soft stool form mats in the long fur around the rectum, and blocks the rectum.  Dogs with this problem drag their bottoms against the ground or bite at their rear ends.
Dragging bottom against the ground!
The longer waste is in the body, the more water the colon pulls out of  it,   therefore becomes drier, and difficult to pass. 


Enemas could be dangerous, so your Veterinarian should be contacted for appropriate enema.


Mega-colon is a serious condition when the rectum stretches with hard fecal mass affecting the nerves and muscles...this would for life, require medical care by your Veterinarian.


Severe constipation whereby dogs stop eating, vomit and have stomach pain will probably need to be sedated for the Veterinarian to remove the fecal impaction.


IMMEDIATE ACTION:
        1.  Clip if any, the fur for long-haired dogs.
        2.  Dampen a soft cloth with warm water
             and clean the outside of anal that's
             blocking, or use a spray bottle filled 
             with warm water to help soak fecal 
             matter free, and prompt your dog to 
             have a bowel movement.  If after 24
             hours, your dog does not defecate, a visit
             with your Veterinarian will be necessary
             for treatment. 
            
        3.  The skin, around the rectum, after 
             clipped and/or washed, may be sensitive,
             so best to apply an antibiotic ointment
             such as  Neosporin 3-times a day for a
             few days until inflammation subsides.


PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
Adding fiber to your dog's food will help prevent constipation of  a mild condition.
             1.  Use a high-fiber commercial food
             2.  Mix unflavored Metamucil into
                  canned food.  CHECK  LABEL to be
                  sure it has 2.4 grams of soluble fiber
                  per dose.
             3.  Use 1 teaspoon per meal for each
                  10 to 25 pounds of body weight.
                         
  
THE PUMPKIN PREVENTION:
This for me is the healthiest way!  Try it.
Why?  Pumpkin has very high and water content.  Both important factors for regular bowel movements.  Most wonderfully, dogs
love the taste!
     1. Mix canned pumpkin into your dog's food.
     2. Add per meal:
           1-2 teaspoons..............less than 15 lbs dogs               
           2 Tablespoons.............15-35 lbs dogs
           3-5 Tablespoons..........Larger dogs


Be AWARE...if your dog's feces aren't formed and have soft-life consistency, just cut-back on the amount of pumpkin.


"...what a relief to be cleansed...!!" 


"...please use preventive measures  from now on...!"



CHOKE CHAIN vs PINCH/PRONG & MARTINGALE COLLAR


The basic function of  collars is the same. These training collars work to grab the attention of the dog by providing an unwanted stimulus. In the case of the choke chain, a tug on the leash tightens the collar around the neck, while the pinch or prong collar provides a sharp pinch of the skin with the same action. The primary difference between the choke chain and the pinch/prong collar is in terms of function.  The prong collar can only tighten enough to provide a pinch, while the choke chain can tighten to the point of cutting off the dog's ability to breathe.









  1. CHOKE CHAIN 

                         

    PINCH  or  PRONG 



    SAFETY

    Safety is the largest concern when considering a choke chain or a pinch collar. Both collars are capable of providing a correction in training, but the pinch collar is a safer option because it can only tighten to a specific point. Choke chains are designed to tighten as far as they can when the leash is pulled, so a dog that is pulling hard on the leash can cause damage to its throat or hamper its ability to breathe. The pinch collar, on the other hand, has a limited slip amount. That means it can tighten enough to cause a pinch of the skin between the prongs, but cannot tighten any further, preventing harm to the dog.


    TRAINING   CAPABILITIES

    • Both collars provide training capabilities because they provide what is known as a correction. When a dog misbehaves, such as pulling on the leash while walking, the trainer can sharply pull the leash, creating this correction. The pinch collar correction is more than enough correction to gain the dog's attention and incite the desired reaction, getting the dog to stop. The choke collar can cause harm to the dog before it stops pulling. The pinch collar has a menacing appearance because of its prongs, but only causes a pinch of the skin and does not dig into the dog's skin when being worn.

    EASE OF USE

    • Another difficulty with choke chains or slip collars is that they can be put on incorrectly, which causes more problems when using them. If you put a choke chain on backward, it will not release once it has been tightened , and has to be released manually, otherwise it may choke the dog. A pinch or prong collar cannot be fitted backward. It will always release after a correction because of the nature of the "slip," which is the chain connecting the two ends of the collar together. This means that as long as a prong collar is properly sized, there is no danger of choking the dog.



                                       MARTINGAL
      How A Martingal Collar Works:
      A martingale collar is a special type of dog collar that helps a dog stay comfortable while being completely secure on their leash

      ILLUSTRATION OF HOW MARTINGAL WORKS
                                                            
      A martingale collar is made with two loops.  The large loop is placed around the  dogs neck and adjusted to fit loosely.  The leash is then clipped to the D ring on the small loop.  when the dog tries to pull their head out of the collar, the tension on the leash pulls the small loop taut which makes the large loop smaller and tighter on the neck, preventing escape.  When adjusted properly the dog is never choked, but the collar stays snug around the dog's neck (just behind the ears)  until  the pressure is comfortable.
      Martingale Collar
      (Greyhound is the breed Martingale collars were
      first made for because of their small neck, but recognized now  as a collar  good for any neck-size dog)



                           
                                         
      Martingale Collar
      The advantages of Martingale collar over other standard collars:
      The problem with standard buckle collars is that for the collar to be tight enough that it can't slip over the ears when pulled forward by a dog backing up, it must be uncomfortably tight all the time.  The martingale collar allows the dog to wear a comfortably loose collar that is only tight when it needs to be tight.


      WARNING
      When using any type of training collar, it is of vital importance that you receive proper training in fitting and using the collar for the best results. All training collars, including martingale collars, prong collars and choke chains, must be fitted correctly in order for them to be safe and effective. Consult a veterinarian, Canine Massage Therapist or a professional trainer to make sure that you are using your training collar correctly in order to best benefit your dog

Monday, February 20, 2012

DIAGNOSE BEFORE TREATMENT



                         Allergic Dermatitis                                   



 

Challenge to diagnose, and once identified it can be resistant to attempts at treatment. All the other categories of dermatitis must be ruled out (especially those elusive Sarcoptic mites) before a diagnosis of Allergic Dermatitis can be made. Food ingredients, synthetic and natural fibers, medications and pharmaceutical products, plant material and even dust all can trigger an Allergic Dermatitis.


Even common bacteria on the dog’s skin can provoke an allergic reaction to themselves! These cases of sensitivity to normal resident bacteria are very challenging to correct. No matter what kind of allergic dermatitis afflicts the dog, the ultimate cellular cause of the inflammation and resulting "itch-and-scratch-bite-and-lick" activity has a common cause … the release of histamine from skin Mast cells, the deposition of antigen/antibody protein complexes within tissues, the dilation of some blood vessels and constriction of others, the release of toxic chemicals from broken intracellular structures, and chemical and physical irritation of sensory nerve endings.

To what are dogs allergic? Take a look around you right now. Odds are that your dog could be allergic to half-a-dozen different substances in the very room you sit; that doesn’t even include microscopic substances in the air you and your dog breath! Food, carpeting, blankets, dust mites, mold spores in the air, pollen, plastic food dishes, furniture stuffing and ornamental plants all have the potential to trigger an allergic reaction in your dog. Food allergies are so common that pet food manufacturers have invested millions of dollars in research, development, promotion and delivery of “antigen specific” diets to help in the therapy of dogs with food allergies.

How to allergies develop? Each individual’s biochemistry is determined by millions of genetic variables. On occasion, an individual’s various immune responses may over-react to a certain material and "learn" to recognize this substance in case of future contact with it.

The offending agent is called an antigen. Flea saliva is a good example of an antigen that triggers "flea bite" hypersensitivity. When an antigen makes contact with the dog, the dog’s immune defenses - all primed and ready for a fight since it has previously identified the antigen as an enemy - set to work to disarm the antigen.

Unfortunately, during the course of the battle (called an antigen/antibody reaction) side effects of the battle can cause tissue irritation, inflammation, swelling and cell destruction. That’s when we notice the dog going into the "itch-and-scratch-bite-and-lick" mode! There’s a biochemical war going on within the dog!

Immunologists have classified a number of different types of allergic reactions. Skin and blood tests are common methods of attempting to identify what the patient is allergic to. Probably the most common type of Allergic Dermatitis seen in dogs is Atopic Dermatitis. This situation is triggered by a number of antigens including inhaled substances such as molds, dust, pollens and other static and airborne microscopic organic substances.

Dogs with Atopy lick and chew at their paws  and scratch their face, eyelids and ears. This disorder can be very troubling for dogs and frustrating for the owner. One minute the dog may look and feel normal, the next it will chew its paw or face raw from the intense itching and scratching. There is a new product available to treat Atopic Dermatitis in dogs called Atopica. For many patients, this medication has truly been a "life saver."

Treatment of Allergic Dermatitis includes topical medicated soothing baths, ointments and sprays. The use of oral antihistamines can neutralize some of the destructive effects of internally released histamine.

More effective in alleviating the discomfort of allergies is cortisone. This potent hormone, normally secreted by the adrenal glands, can be manufactured commercially. Numerous derivatives of cortisone are used in pill, injectable, spray, liquid and ointment form. Caution: If you are sent home with a prescription for cortisone, or your dog has simply been given "a cortisone shot to stop the itching," your dog may ultimately be worse off than before if the true diagnosis happens to be an unrecognized case of Sarcoptic mites!

Be patient, yes, but be persistent, too. If your dog is itching, scratching, and licking, or if the skin and coat are not healthy appearing, you and your dog need a diagnosis before treatment is started.

A key point to remember is this: There is no cure for allergies! All we can do is avoid the food, material or parasite that is triggering the immune response, desensitize the patient through immune modulation techniques, and assure that the patient is eating a high quality diet. There are a number of products that address allergies in dogs and allergies in cats that may help: Hypo-Allergenic Food, Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo, Hypo-Allergenic Dog Treats, Hypo-Allergenic Cat Treats, etc.

Neurogenic Dermatitis


This group presents a major challenge to diagnose and treat. As a veterinarian I know I have classified a number of cases as "Neurogenic" simply because I have ruled out all the other categories! There’s nothing left but to blame the poor dog for all that incessant licking and chewing at itself! 

Although rarely seen in cats, in the dog something creates an impulse to lick at a specific area of skin. Characterized by persistent, obsessive licking and chewing at the target area, lick granulomas may have an unknown origin.

Commonly, though, most cases have a suspected cause such as boredom, separation anxiety, frustration, confinement, or even a minor physical origin such as a tiny abrasion that captivates the dog’s interest. The dog persists in traumatizing the area, which is usually confined to an easily accessible forelimb, carpus (wrist) or ankle area, and never allows the skin to heal.

Repeated episodes of self-mutilation, partial healing, then repeated trauma and healing, result in severe and disfiguring scarring. Deep bacterial infections are common and permanent skin damage results. A specialist in dermatology and a behaviorist may be the dog’s best friends in these cases of Neurogenic Dermatitis.

DON'T TAKE "TREATMENT" FOR GRANTED

Tiny or Large...our bodies need to be cared for!
I have lots of folds on my face, so extra care to
check between the folds are important !
I hardly have much of a coat, so it is easier
to see if any bugs, are intruding my skin.
Sometimes it helps, but my dog owner still
need to be CAREFUL for me!



Parasitic Dermatitis – Ticks and Fleas


The most common response a pet caretaker makes when they see their dog scratching and 
biting at itself is “I think he’s got fleas”. And sometimes this guess is correct. Dark, copper colored and wingless, and about the size of the head of a pin, fleas are big enough that they can be seen scurrying along the skin surface trying to hide within the sheltering forest of fur. 

There are a number of highly effective and safe flea preventatives. Fleas are ubiquitous, but an understanding of their life cycle, where they hide in the dog’s environment, and utilizing modern pharmacology breakthroughs, no dog needs to be "driven crazy" with itching and scratching, hair loss, scabs and infections as a result of flea infestation.

Repeated exposure to fleas can trigger a hypersensitivity (an abnormal, excessive reaction) to the bite of even a single flea. Every veterinarian has been fooled into making a diagnosis of “allergy”, not even suspecting fleas, simply because no fleas were discovered at the time of the physical exam. This is a classic example of a Parasitic Dermatitis (flea bites) triggering a complicated Allergic Dermatitis (due to the flea saliva).

Interestingly, the all-too-common parasite 
called the tick rarely triggers itching and scratching or allergic reactions, but on occasion will leave an ulcerative lesion that is notoriously slow to heal.

Chiggers, deer flies, and gnats (sometimes called No-See-Ums) can be considered nuisances and generally do not create remarkable systemic skin problems. Local treatment with first aid ointments generally is successful.

Cheyletiella mites look like tiny spiders under a magnifying glass and are often called "Walking Dandruff" because upon close inspection it seems like little flakes of dry skin are actually moving about. Partly because they live on the surface of the skin, these tiny critters can be eliminated easily by using any common flea shampoo. And here’s a creepy thought … Cheyletiella mites can be transmitted to humans where they create, just like on the dog, alopecia (hair loss) with a dry, flaky, slightly pruritic skin surface.


Sarcoptic mites are nasty critters! Also called scabies or red mange, they create very intense itching and scratching, alopecia, and inflamed skin with multiple small scabs often present. Sarcoptic mite infestation, more than any other entity, is frequently misdiagnosed as Allergic Dermatitis by even very competent and experienced veterinarians. 

Many veterinary dermatology specialists will not accept an uncontrolled "Allergic Dermatitis" referral case unless the referring veterinarian has first ruled out Sarcoptic mites by actually treating the dog for scabies. Do as many skin scrapings as you like, you’re not going to find these little rascals because, unlike most skin parasites, these burrow right down into the skin. (Even ticks simply hold on to the surface of the skin while they feed; ticks do not burrow into the skin.)

Unfortunately, many dogs are treated with cortisone for a supposed allergic dermatitis when in fact these Sarcoptic mites are the cause of the pruritic, inflamed skin... the unnecessary cortisone eventually worsens the situation.

Sarcoptic mites happen to have preferences … certain types reproduce and thrive on dogs, but they do not thrive on other species such as humans. Nevertheless, Sarcoptic mites from dogs can infest humans so if your dog has signs of scabies and you are itching and have little scabs, make sure you see your dermatologist (MD, not DVM)!

Mention your concern about scabies mites. If your physician makes a diagnosis of scabies, your next call should be to the veterinarian to make an appointment to discuss the possibility of Sarcoptic mites in your dog (the one that’s been getting all those cortisone shots for "allergy").

Then there are Demodex mites -- also called "mange." These little rascals do live and reproduce just under the skin surface in the tiny hair follicles and oil glands of the skin.

Unlike Sarcoptic mites, Demodex mites can be seen on a skin scraping viewed under the microscope. They look like tiny cigars with stubby legs stuck to the front half of their body.

Demodex is most commonly seen in young dogs. In adult dogs, Demodex cases seem to be associated with individuals that are stressed from disease, poor nutrition, immune disorders or a harsh environment.

There is evidence that many cases of Demodex have a genetically transmitted immune protein deficit underlying its manifestation; the dog’s breeder should be informed of any cases of Demodex mites.

If the dog is otherwise healthy, there are effective treatment protocols for Demodex. On the “itch scale”, Demodex causes very little itching and scratching. On the “baldness scale” Demodex creates mottled and patchy alopecia.

Infectious Dermatitis

Bacterial, fungal and yeast organisms are notoriously obnoxious skin and coat pathogens. Fungal organisms are called dermatophytes. One type, called Microsporum canis, causes non-pruritic, circular patches of hair loss, often calledringworm. Transmissible to other dogs (and occasionally some strains of fungi can be transmitted to humans) your veterinarian can diagnose and treat skin fungal infections in the office.

Yeasts, most notably a of common contaminant of inflamed and environmentally stressed skin called Malassezia pachydermatitis, can irritate an already diseased skin surface. Especially notorious for creating long term, low-grade external otitis, Malassezia does cause itching and scratching and inflammation.

Yeast infections typically create greasy, odorous and pruritic signs in affected dogs. The skin is stressed by the waste products  by releasing histamines -- which triggers further inflammation, itching and scratching and cell damage.

If a yeast infection is diagnosed, there’s generally something else going on such as hypothyroid   a dietary deficieny.                                                                

Bacterial dermatitis rarely occurs spontaneously. Normal healthy skin has tremendous numbers of a variety of bacteria present all the time. If something upsets that balance, such as antibiotics eliminating one or two types, the remaining types have a free-for-all! Anything that damages the normal, healthy, intact skin will hamper the skin’s defense mechanisms. Any Environmental Dermatitis, such as contact with grass, plastic, an abrasion or moisture, can adversely affect the skin’s defensive barriers and opportunistic bacteria then have their way. Parasitic damage to the skin will allow invasion by bacteria and trigger the body’s healing defense mechanisms.

A common affliction of dogs, Infectious 
Dermatitis often is so irritating that dogs will lick continuously at the lesion and undo any healing that has taken place. A moist, sticky, inflamed skin lesion along with hair loss is characteristic of bacterial dermatitis. These can spread rapidly and even be transposed to other areas of the skin through biting, licking, and scratching of previously uninfected areas.

The treatment for Infectious Dermatitis often includes clipping the hair from the area to allow the air to assist drying. The application of gentle topical medication is helpful as is the administration of oral antibiotics to fight the organisms that are deeply invading the skin.

Yes, cortisone may assist in alleviating the stinging or itchy sensation, but may also suppress normal healing processes. Whenever an infection is present, the decision to use cortisone needs to be very carefully evaluated. 
A better choice may be antihistamines orally.







SIX CATEGORIES OF DERMATITIS


Please HELP ME be comfortable 


Is your dog continually scratching, biting and 
licking at itself, and is driving you crazy….and you don’t know why??? Well … take comfort, you are not alone.

There are really six main reasons why dogs and cats 
will itch and scratch. The bottom line is... don't let 
them suffer! There IS a diagnosis to be made and then you and your veterinarian will be better able to select the proper treatment plan.

Itching and scratching in dogs: One of the most common calls made to any animal hospital in America goes something like this: "Doctor, I’ve got to get this dog in right away. He’s driving us nuts. All he does is itch and scratch, bite and lick and he’s keeping us up all night!"

My thought is that if the pet’s caretakers are being driven “nuts” by the dog’s scratching and licking, how awful must the poor dog feel?

This kind of call to the veterinarian refers to a fairly 
serious case of puritus. In reality there is a wide spectrum of causes and severity of itching and scratching in dogs with skin and coat trouble. Some dogs can spend hours romping through fields, digging holes, and rolling in the grass and still have no after-effects at all. Others, kept indoors and fed an excellent diet, may have severe skin disorders.

Let’s see if we can make some sense of this complicated and aggravating situation and try to 
answer the question "Why does my dog itch-and-scratch-bite-and-lick?"

There are six main categories of dermatitis we veterinarians have to consider whenever a "skin case" is presented. Most skin and coat abnormalities can be defined by or placed in one of these categories:

  • Environmental
  • Nutritional
  • Parasitic
  • Allergic
  • Neurogenic
  • Infectious

Keeping in mind that there are entire textbooks written about these categories, you might understand why veterinarians often take a deep breath before entering the exam room wherein awaits a patient with a "skin problem." Let’s look at each category, starting with the simplest (Environmental Dermatitis) and finishing with the most challenging (Neurogenic Dermatitis).

Environmental Dermatitis

Patients in this category are physically and nutritionally normal, but present with signs of itching and scratching, hair loss and skin irritation. By careful discourse with the owner regarding diet, activity, medical history and environment, and by performing a thorough physical exam, the veterinarian can rule out the other categories of dermatitis. Through the analysis of the patient’s history, the veterinarian will discover that the patient spends time swimming or excavating gopher holes or romping through fields where thistles seem prevalent.

Many dogs are very sensitive to simple lawn grasses. And by matching what is visible on the patient’s skin with a probable environmental irritant -- the cause of the skin problem can be determined and corrective measures taken.

An example is Moist Eczema, often called a "Hot Spot" moisture on the skin surface from rain, pond or lake water. Minute scratches on the skin from, for example, a clipper blade, may trigger other cases. Especially in dense coated dogs or dogs where there is an accumulation of mats or shedding hair, moisture on the skin may remain long enough to allow superficial bacteria to reproduce (sort of like an organic soup!) and create an infection.

Some cases of Moist Eczema will spread very rapidly and require rather aggressive therapy to correct. Contact with plastics can also cause environmental dermatitis.

Nutritional Dermatitis

When food is the issue, correction of these cases of dog and cat itching and scratching should be a "no brainer," but even today, many veterinarians and pet owners really believe the "Complete and Balanced" statement on pet food labels.

Unfortunately, many dogs and cats live their entire lives in less than optimum health because their caretaker feeds the least expensive food they can find … and feels secure in doing so because of that "Complete and Balanced" statement.

In my thirty-five years of practice, I have seen hundreds of dogs and cats whose lives changed dramatically, and where the pet’s caretakers were shocked and surprised at the remarkable difference in their pets, by the simple act of providing the pet 
with a high quality, meat-based diet.
We are worth being taken-care of....Trust us, we
will ALWAYS be grateful!


Without proper nourishment this dog’s entire body, not just its skin and coat, will be continuously in a state of stress. High quality (more expensive!), 
meat-based dog foods seldom, if ever, create the kind of skin and coat irritation in most animals.

If you feed dry commercial dog food, be certain that the first ingredient listed is meat such as beef, poultry, lamb or fish. Specialized diets are widely available that are generally better than others in several key categories:

Quality Dog Food
    * All Natural Dog Food
    * Grain Free Dog Food
    * Organic Dog Food
    * Veterinary Prescription Diet Dog Food
Quality Cat Food
    * All Natural Cat Food
    * Grain Free Cat Food
    * Organic Cat Food
    * Veterinary Prescription Diet Cat Food

Will supplements help? Absolutely! But if the diet is a high quality, meat-based brand, the need for supplements is much less critical. It has been my experience that supplements such as Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamins and table scraps will always help a dog that is eating a generic, commercial dry dog 
food; and on occasion, supplements may even show positive benefits in a dog eating a high quality diet.

Many types of dermatological problems are avoided if the dog or cat is consuming an optimum diet. In some cases, adding a supplement, such as an omega fatty acid supplement, is the key factor in
avoiding repeated episodes of hot spots and other skin afflictions.

If your dog or cat seems to lack good coat and skin health, consider upgrading the diet to a meat-based ingredient formula and adding a supplement.




My name is Mushu
and there are many people
who try to help me NOT  to be
itchy and scratchy, and I am 
Thankful...and have Patience.
My Mommy bought me this
t-shirt, and somehow it helps.