Can you imagine?  You go to the Doctor with an ailment and he says, "Yep, you're sick." and walks out without giving you a solution for your problem.  That would be SHOCKING!

This is the same when it comes to recommendations from your breeder, rescue organization, trainer or groomer.

Your breeder or rescue should be an expert in their field.  When purchasing a puppy or kitten, dog or cat, you should feel like they have that animals best interest at heart.  A professional trainer should talk about nutrition and how it plays a vital role in behavior.  A groomer is hands on with your pet and should see problems with skin & coat, ears and other issues that may otherwise be overlooked.

A professional will make recommendations based on their years of experience and results.  Since they want the best for their fur-babies, it is wise to follow their directions.  This will help prolong the life and health of your furry companion.

If your breeder, rescue, trainer or groomer is not giving professional advice, look for help elsewhere. The truth is, professionals make recommendations. Amateurs are afraid to commit to anything, afraid to research, and do not stand behind their product or service.

Give the food, treats and spa products from Life's Abundance a try for your dog or cat!  You will be glad you did and your pets will LOVE you for it!  

www.NaturalPetHealthFood.com

It’s the height of summer, which means that mountain trails, bucolic meadows and forested thickets are beckoning your dog to romp and explore. This impulse may be at odds with concerns about new research on Lyme disease, which may have you more inclined to restrict your canine companion’s activities to the Great Indoors. Before you put the kibosh on outdoor fun, make sure you know all the facts about canine Lyme disease.

According to Banfield Pet Hospital’s 2014 State of Pet Health Report, based on the medical data from over 2.3 million dogs, incidence of canine Lyme disease has increased 21% since 2009. As of last year, one in every 130 dogs carries the disease-causing bacteria.

The risk of Lyme disease depends on where you live. In New England, Lyme disease rates are much higher than the rest of the country. New Hampshire has the highest rate of Lyme disease cases, with one in every 15 dogs affected! Compare this with Washington and Oregon, where only 1 in 1,000 dogs carried the bacteria.

In the last five years, populations of the two species of ticks that carry Lyme disease have skyrocketed. As white tailed deer populations have escalated (chiefly due to declines of predator species), so too have the tick species that feast upon them. This is especially true in states east of the Rocky Mountains. While much smaller in stature, but just as problematic in the Northeast, the white footed mouse is another carrier of the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Greater numbers of animals that attract ticks translates to an increased likelihood that pet kids will be bitten.

Lyme disease is caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria are carried by ticks which transmit the infection when they feed on animals and humans. The disease can cause generalized illness in animals and humans. Even though about 75% of dogs living in endemic regions are exposed to infected ticks, only a small percentage develop symptoms.

Lyme disease was first discovered in 1975, when an unusual outbreak of rheumatoid arthritis occurred in the children of Lyme, Connecticut. In the U.S. today, it’s the most common disease transmitted to humans by insects, and perhaps dogs as well. Infections can also occur in horses and cattle … even cats.

The most common sign of Lyme disease in dogs is arthritis, which causes sudden lameness, pain and sometimes swelling in one or more joints. Other symptoms include fever, lack of appetite, apathy and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, the infection can lead to kidney failure, which can prove fatal, although this outcome isn’t common (thank goodness).

If your pet kid is diagnosed with Lyme disease, don’t assume that you too are contaminated. Transmission of the illness from companion animals to humans, or vice versa, is highly unlikely.

You wear sunblock to prevent sunburns, so why not take preventative measures to deter ticks? There are many highly effective veterinary products that will kill ticks before they can transmit the bacteria. Just keep in mind that the best way to avoid the problem is to steer clear of tick-infested areas, especially in the spring when young ticks are most active.

After spending time outdoors, do a thorough search for ticks, on both yourself and your companion animals. If you locate any, they should be removed carefully with tweezers, pinching the tick near the head, where they enter the skin. Researchers have learned that infected ticks must feed for about 24 hours to transmit the bacteria to a susceptible animal. That means quick removal greatly reduces the chance of contracting the illness. Fortunately, Lyme disease is easily treated in dogs with antibiotics.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

If your dog routinely chews for 10-20 minutes or more at a time, you’d better be sure that it’s something safe, as anything this repetitive can have significant wear-and-tear on teeth and gums.

Many pet parents can identify with the zoned-out expression of a dog who’s relishing a good chew experience. The benefits of blissing out on a good chew are many – exercise, mental stimulation, the promotion of dental health … some chew treats are even vehicles for superior nutrition.

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah offers up her reviews of popular chew toys and treats, revealing which ones she does not recommend, and great alternatives. By the end of this episode, you’ll be an expert on the best options available to you, to make sure that chewing time is also safe time for your sweet pup. As a bonus, we’re revealing one of our newest products, an all-natural buffalo chew that can actually help to improve dental health, and it’s on sale! View all of our new buffalo chew treats now!