Author: Animal Dogtor
Does My Dog Suffer From Anxiety? How Can I Tell?
What Causes Anxiety in Dogs?
What are the Signs of Anxiety in Dogs?
What Should I do if I Think My Dog has Anxiety?
A Wound Care Guide for Dogs
How do I Know If My Dog’s Wound Needs Veterinary Care?
How Can I Care for My Dog’s Wound at Home?
How Do I Care for Their Wound After They’ve Seen the Veterinarian?
Wound Care for Dogs at the Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro
February is Dental Awareness Month. Why You Should Get Your Pet Dental Cleaning.
Why are Regular Veterinary Cleanings Important?
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
Common Dental Issues in Pets
Homeopathic Remedies That Will Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy
Looking for a natural way to care for your pets? Consider homeopathic remedies! At the Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro, we’ve put together a guide on some common homeopathic remedies you can use to keep your pet healthy and happy!
Common Homeopathic Remedies for Pets
Whether your dog gets an upset stomach or gets into something they shouldn’t, there are natural ways to treat them until you get them to the vet. We recommend remedies such as:
Baking Soda
Many people trim their dog’s nails at home to save time and money, but sometimes, you may accidentally cut your dog’s nail too close to the quick, which can lead to bleeding. You can pat the area with a little bit of baking soda to help clot the blood and stop the bleeding.
Hydrogen Peroxide
If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, you need to call your vet or an emergency vet to speak with them about the situation. Sometimes, they may ask you to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide. You should only induce vomiting when instructed to do so by a veterinarian.
If they instruct you to do so, you will want to use the 3% pharmaceutical hydrogen peroxide, not the hair dye type. If it has been longer than two hours since they ingested the poison, then it has already moved through their system to the small intestine. You shouldn’t induce vomiting if the poison is bleach, petroleum distillate, or drain cleaner, as these will cause secondary burns they come back up.
To administer the peroxide, you will use only one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. This will be given orally, and you must walk the dog around. You can expect them to begin vomiting shortly afterward.
Epsom Salts
If your pet has a slight limp rather than an emergency injury, you can use Epsom salt baths to ease their pain before their scheduled vet visit. To do so, you must use one-half cup of Epsom salt in a warm bath twice daily. If your dog does not enjoy bathing, you can soak a warm washcloth in Epsom salt and water and gently apply the cloth to the affected area.
Ginger
If you have a dog that gets car sick or has an upset stomach, you can give them ginger to ease their discomfort. This can be given as a ginger cookie or a few natural form capsules of ginger. For car sickness, try giving your dog a ginger cookie or two, depending on their size, about one-half hour before the car ride to keep their stomach settled.
Coconut Oil
If your pet has dry skin issues, try coconut oil. This works well because it works inside and outside of your dog to resolve the problem. This is a great remedy for dogs who have seasonal or situational dry skin issues, not for those with allergies. If your pet has allergies, be sure to take them to the vet for proper treatment.
For instances where the central heat dries their skin, or you need to soother their skin before a vet visit, coconut oil drops on their food or applied to the skin can make a major difference in reducing dryness. You can also apply coconut oil to wounds since it is antibacterial.
Schedule Your Pet’s Checkup Today!
For more information on homeopathic remedies for your pet or to schedule your next appointment, contact the Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro today!
Post-Pandemic Pet Strategies
- Vocalization
- Destruction
- House soiling
Ways to Ease Post-Pandemic Separation Anxiety in Your Pet
Depart the Home Quickly
Create a Place in the Home Where They Feel Safe
Keep Your Pet Active in Both Mind and Body
Turn on the TV or the Radio
Maintain a Consistent Routine
Leave Your Scent Behind
Want to Learn More About Separation Anxiety? We Can Help!
Tips to Calculate Your Dog’s Meal Portions Properly
Figure Out Your Dog’s Conditioning Score
Don’t Rely on the Label.
Determine Your Dog’s Daily Energy Requirements
- Weight
- Body Conditioning Score
- Species
- Spay or neuter status
Be Sure to Measure Out Their Portions
Keep An Eye on Your Dog’s Weight
Don’t Forget About The Treats
Call Your Veterinarian at Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro
What Should I Do If Another Dog Bites My Dog?
Is Your Pet Afraid of the Vet? What You Can Do To Calm their Nerves
Tips for Preparing Them Before the Appointment
- CBD oil
- Calming supplements
- Pheromone sprays
- Pressure wraps
- Herbal supplements
- Calming collar
How Can I Prepare Them for the Day of the Appointment?
Let Your Dog Exercise
Avoid Petting Your Dog
Bring Along Their Favorite Treats
Ready to Make An Appointment? We Can Help!
Treating Your Pet’s Allergies
What Types of Allergies Can My Pet Have?
- Flea or insect allergy– Some dogs can have an allergic reaction when bit by an arachnid such as a spider or tick and insects such as bees, fleas, flies, ants, hornets, mosquitoes, etc. Flea saliva is the most common insect allergen for dogs and causes flea allergy dermatitis, which causes minor irritation in the area of the bite. Dogs will experience severe itching that could result in loss of hair, particularly near the base of their tail. The broken skin may also result in a bacterial infection.
- Inhalant allergies– This refers to tree pollens, weed pollens, grass pollens, dust mites, mildew, and mold. Dogs can show signs of allergic rhinitis or bronchitis, but those affected will typically have skin irritation.
- Food allergy– A food allergy or food hypersensitivity typically develops in response to dairy, protein (beef, chicken, lamb), gluten, wheat gluten, chicken eggs, and soy. This allergy can present with itching, digestive problems, and respiratory issues.
How Can I Tell My Pet has an Allergy?
- Ear Infections– While not all ear infections are caused by allergies, this is a common sign your pet is having a reaction to an allergen. Since the inside of the ear contains skin, it can become infected and inflamed due to allergens. If your pet has been rubbing or scratching their ears, they may have an ear infection caused by allergies.
- Itchy Skin– If your dog is itching more than usual, it may have allergies. In some cases, they may just be itchy in one spot, whereas in other cases, they could be itchy in multiple areas such as the groin, armpits, face, ears, rump, and paws. You may notice your dog licking these areas excessively if they have allergies.
- Asthma– While not common, some pets may experience coughing or asthma due to allergies. Wheezing may also show up, but typically skin issues are more prominent.
- Rashes/Hot Spots– Inflamed areas on the skin called hot spots can show up due to allergies which are caused by infection from bacteria penetrating the skin. These spots may lose hair and become sensitive to the touch; You will typically see these spots in the chest or hip area, and your pet may lick or itch them due to discomfort.
- Stomach Issues– You may notice that your pet’s anal area is red and itchy due to allergies. You may also notice diarrhea, flatulence, and vomiting that could be caused by allergies. Additionally, your pet may lose its appetite if suffering from allergies.
- Sneezing/Watery Eyes– You may notice redness on the face, tears, and sneezing caused by allergies in your pet. Typically, you will see redness in the body and paws, indicating allergies.