Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Save Money When You Buy Pet Meds Online

By Martina Garrett


Pets are family members too. For health and comfort, they have an ongoing need for flea and tick medications, first aid supplies, and/or heartworm preventative, Sometimes they get sick and need prescription medication to get well. Veterinarians can supply most prescription and non-prescription medications. Retail outlets sell non-prescription supplies. Another option is to buy pet meds online. From the comfort of your home compare prices and order supplies.

Most online companies have a wide variety of drugs readily available to fill your pet's prescription needs. Generics may be available. It's convenient. Order from your computer at home at any time of the day or night. Online pharmacies will set-up an automatic renewal plan for refills. For additional cost savings, buy a 12 month supply of preventative medications like heartworm and flea and tick treatments.

Exercise caution in your search. As with any other endeavor, there are disreputable services that will sell expired or counterfeit medications. Look for a reasonable price from a company that is licensed by their state board. Ask to speak with a licensed pharmacist and be sure their contact information is real. Check shipping charges when comparing prices.

Before giving your pet medication ordered through an online service, check that the medication received is the medication ordered. Both type and dosage information should match the prescription. Read the insert that came with the meds. Know the signs of an adverse drug reaction, always a possibility with a new drug. Call your vet with questions or concerns before administering medications.

Check accreditation before ordering from any online provider. Make sure they're licensed by the state in which the company is located. Pet pharmacies in the US may also be Vet-VIPPS accredited. It's voluntary and requires the company to be licensed in all the states where they do business. This accreditation must be renewed annually. PCAB is a voluntary accreditation for compounding pharmacies, also with stricter requirements than state licensing demands.

Prescriptions can be faxed or mailed. You can request the prescription be mailed to you, or you can have it sent to your veterinarian who can check the order for accuracy. Most orders will be filled and shipped the day you place the order. Communicate and ask questions of your veterinarian. He or she may have a recommendation for an online pharmacy.

Sometimes pets need medication that is commercially produced for people only. It needs to be reformulated to an appropriate form and dose for a pet. Some pets don't like taking pills. Getting medication for a chronic condition into an uncooperative pet can be a daunting task. Compounding pharmacies reformulate medicine into appropriate dosages and flavored forms like a liquid gel or bite-sized capsule. They make bitter pills taste like fish, chicken, chocolate, or fruit. Some meds can be reformulated into an easily administered gel rubbed inside a pet's ear.

It's convenient and inexpensive to buy pet meds online. Most orders will be filled the same day and shipped promptly. Providers will contact you when it's time to refill a prescription. While you're shopping, you'll find that most companies also sell treats, vitamins, shampoos, and even toys. Don't get careless with your pets health. Your companion animal needs regular check-ups, especially when on prescription medication.




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How to cure the dog's upset stomach?

By Jerry Welsh


Considering the huge appetites as well as the indiscriminate eating habits of dogs, dog owners should not be surprised if the pet suffer from an upset stomach every now and then. Dogs are well loved pets but owners can't help but be exasperated by the pet's fondness for eating spoiled food and non-food items. Being food motivated these animals would always want to eat and when food is not available, anything interesting will be ingested.

The dogs upset stomach can be attributed to a lot of reasons. Dogs with sensitive stomach are susceptible to gastro intestinal health concerns but stomach upsets are commonly associated with the dog's indiscriminate eating habits. In some dogs, stomach upset can simply be the result of a change in diet or it can also be a symptom of an existing but undiagnosed medical concern the results to a weak immune system.

As stomach upset is a common concern, taking the dog to a vet may not be necessary. The dog's condition can be resolved at home and in a day or two the pet would be its usual energetic self again. As upset stomach is a common problem with canines, the owner would know what must be done when the dog vomits, have diarrhea and passes gas.

Due to the discomfort in the stomach area, the dog would be less energetic and would even seem to be lethargic. Because of the huge appetites, dogs would never say no to ingesting food. However, the pain in the belly would cause a dog to turn away from food . Dog owners have to carefully observe the dog as when the dog's diarrhea or vomit contains blood, a veterinarian must be consulted at once. These are symptoms of a more serious illness and not just an ordinary stomach upset.

Normally , a dog with an upset stomach is fasted. Older dogs are normally fasted for 24 hours. Young dogs are either fasted overnight or given small amounts of bland food. These measures will give the stomach a chance to rest. Dehydration is a serious concern that can results from diarrhea and vomiting thus the pet must be encouraged to drink. Drinking can worsen the pain being felt by the pet thus it would refuse to drink. The dog must be encouraged to drink to prevent dehydration. Ice cubes will be more interesting thus the dog will be encouraged to replenish lost fluids. After the stomach has rested, the dog can be allowed to have small amount of boiled chicken and rice.




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What must be done if a stray dog is found

By Jerry Welsh


A lot of stray pets are seen roaming the streets. An obviously lost dogs wandering around the neighborhood is not an uncommon occurrence, so if you found one would you be a Good Samaritan and help in reuniting the dog with its owners or would you ignore the pitiful sight and go on your way? Dogs get lost all the time as these animals are lured to wander by interesting scents and sounds. Some stray dogs though were dumped by dog owners that are either overwhelmed with the unmanageable behavior of the dog or simply uninterested with the pet.

Not all dogs are friendly to strangers. You may have good intentions in helping a stray dog but be aware of the fact that you may be helping an aggressive dog. Be cautious if you want to help a stray dog. Approach the dog with caution as a cornered animal can turn aggressive. Bear in mind that the stray dog's vaccination status is unknown thus the risk of infections is high. You can only approach and secure the dog if it has not shown aggression. But if the dog is aggressive, your only recourse would be to notify the animal control authorities.

A naturally friendly stray dog will follow any person. Strays are commonly hungry and the sight of food can make an aloof dog docile. Gentle coaching and the offer of food would make an aloof stray dog submissive. The first thing that must be done is to check for identification tags so that the owners can be notified.

A lot of dogs do not have identification tags thus you can decide whether to keep the stray temporarily in your home or leave it in an animal shelter. If you have decided to take the stray home, it would be best to take the dog first for vaccinations and blood and fecal exams to rule out any canine diseases and parasite infestation. Stray dogs that were not examined by a vet have to be isolated as they could be carrying parasites and other disease that can be transmitted to other pets.

The stray can be lost or it can really be homeless. Strays that are not owned can be easily distinguished because of their gaunt appearance. Although scruffy looking, an owned dog that become a stray would still retain its groomed appearance. Owners of dogs that have strayed are surely looking for their pet. Extend a helping hand by informing the Animal Control people that you have found a stray. It would be a great feeling to be able to help an owner be reunited with the pet.




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Treatments for dog hypothermia

By Jerry Welsh


For comfort and for other reasons, people would ensure that they are adequately protected from cold temperatures. Cold weather would spur people to take out cold weather clothes from storage. These measures are done as protection against frostbite and hypothermia. Dogs are protected by the all-weather coats. Although thick and long coated northern dogs are accustomed to the extremely cold weather, these dogs would still need protection lest they succumb to hypothermia. Humans and dogs will be affected by freezing temperature so that the body temperature falls down and hampers the normal functioning of the vital organs of the body. If long and dense coated dogs succumb to hypothermia, small and short haired dogs will be affected as well.

A dog's normal body temperature is from 100F to 102F. A dog will start to shiver if the temperature drops to 90F. Shivering is an involuntary reaction of the muscles spurred by the body's attempt to generate heat to be able to normalize body temperature. In an effort to fight hypothermia, the body will raise the hair to trap the layer of air between the hair and the skin. The warm air will serve as a layer of insulation. Cold extremities are signs of hypothermia. A drop in body temperature will cause the dog's system to direct blood flow to the vital organs and in so doing, the extremities will be have insufficient blood supply.

Drastic drop in body temperature can result to shock. If first aid treatment is not administered the condition can result to the death of the dog. Aggressive first aid treatment that will normalize the body temperature of the dog is very necessary. Take away the pet from the cold and use warm blankets to normalize the dog's temperature. Place towel wrapped hot water bottles in the armpit, groin and in other body parts less covered with hair. Warm water bottles on the legs and on body walls will help in keeping the dog warm.

Use a hair dryer to increase the body temperature of a chilled dog. This first aid method though can burn the skin of the dog of the heat of the dryer is directed to one area of the body for a few minutes. Severe hypothermia can cause a dog to go into shock. Karo syrup rubbed on the gums of a shocked dog is an effective first aid treatment.

After the first aid treatments expect the dog to be in pain as the tissues begin to warm up. Because of the pain, a well tempered pet can become aggressive. To be safe, exercise caution in approaching the revived dog.




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Cat Connection Has Years Of Experience Making Furniture Cats Love

By Robert Baker


If you want to get something special that your furry friends will really enjoy, Cat Connection has some pieces that are worth looking at. These are high quality products which are made by hand especially to benefit cats. They have been doing this for more than 25 years.

The furniture is made for cats so that they have places to sleep, to play and to sharpen their claws. It is a fact of nature that cats need to scratch and if you don't give them an appealing place to do it, they will use your carpets and furniture. This is clearly going to make everyone in the house stressed.

Each of their pieces are made by hand from high quality sisal rope, carpet and wood. Attention is paid to these details so that the furniture is better looking will last for a long time. They're made to put up with years of both scratching and being jumped on constantly.

The pieces are made in many styles and sizes so you can pick what will work best for your household. If you've got more than one kitty in the home, for example, you might want a larger one that's got more places to sleep. The products available include perches, posts, tunnels and more. Some of the pieces are more simple, such as a plain scratching post.

If you have older cats or ones who are infirm, you can choose a piece of furniture that is low to the ground. If your cats are quite large, you will need to take that into account as well. Cats can be very particular but all of them have the instinct to sharpen their claws so these products are likely to make them happy at that level, even if they aren't the type to enjoy hiding in tunnels.

Cat Connection offers everything from simple posts to complex towers for the needs of any kitty loving household. There are pieces that are ready to assemble so they can be shipped directly to you. By cutting out the middleman, you get the chance to have a high quality product for much less than it would be in retail stores.




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Finding The Best Cat Furniture

By Robert Baker


There are many advantages to buying cat furniture. It means that your adorable little pet will no longer be leaving hair on your bed or favorite chair. It also means that they will love you that little bit more for giving them somewhere to relax, as cats are very independent and private animals.

Give your beautiful pet a place to relax and enjoy. It needs to be comfortable and interesting to them. Find something that will not look out of place in your home, but that your pet will enjoy. Using catnip to get them to use it the first time is an excellent idea and will teach them good habits.

Choose something that suits the personality of your pet. If they are very laid back and secretive then choose something with a secret compartment and plenty of padding. If she is adventurous then choose something with different levels and different attachments for toys and treats.

Depending on whether your pet is playful or prefers to relax there will be something to suit. There are many variations on the comfortable pet bed, or there are much more exciting climbing houses that look like a miniature tree-house. Choose something that you like the look of.

As with most things in life these sets will need to be taken care of. Regular cleaning is essential to keep them looking new and to prevent a build up of bacteria. It will also prevent fleas or other bugs from breeding in the lining of the material and spreading to the rest of the house.

Buying some cat furniture is by no means a waste of money. It is the perfect way to allow your pet to get some exercise. They will feel like they have their own space, which is very important for territorial cats. It feels good to pamper them and they certainly enjoy it too.




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What must be done after being bitten by a dog

By Jerry Welsh


Dogs are viewed as man's best friends not only because of their loyal and affectionate nature but also because of the fact that dogs are seen wherever man goes. Sadly, about 5 million people in America alone get bitten by dogs. Some dog bite victims have injuries that can be treated at home while others people's bite wounds would need medical attention.

Dog domestication was achieved by man for thousands of years. These animals form a strong bond with their human families. Dogs will always be protective of their young and anything they consider as theirs because of their territorial nature. Being hunters by nature, dogs would show its aggressive temperament when provoked. Aggressive dogs have the tendency to bite. An aggressive behavior is not always the reason why dog bites as dogs can injure people during playtime. In spite of the close ties, humans are bitten by their own dogs.

Before any treatment is done be sure to remove the victim away from the dog to prevent further injuries. Medical attention is necessary even if the sustained wound is not serious so that infection will be avoided. Medical assistance is especially necessary if the victim was bitten by a stray dog as the vaccination status of the dog is unknown. In most cases people bitten by stray dogs have to undergo rabies treatment.

First aid treatment must be given to a dog bite victim as it would take some time before professional help can be given. Profuse bleeding can be stopped by applying direct pressure on the wound. After the bleeding is stopped, the wound must be thoroughly washed with soap and water. Allow the water to run through the wound for several minutes to remove bacteria and prevent infection. Before applying antibiotic make sure that the bite wound area is dry.

It is necessary to report a biting incident to the authorities. Reporting the incident is particularly necessary if the dog is a stray as it has to be captured to prevent it from biting other people and more importantly, the stray has to be observed for signs of rabies. If the dog was identified, reporting the biting incident to the proper authorities will be necessary as dog bites have legal implications. The dog bite victim has to be indemnified not only for all the medical bills but also for the pain suffered and for the loss of earnings.




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