KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE THIS SUMMER!

HEATSTROKE

Last year I was shocked at the number of news reports of dogs dying after being left in cars on hot summer days. Although there are no official numbers, many veterinarians estimate there are hundreds of these tragic deaths every year.

 

Cars are not the only culprit when it comes to dogs dying from heatstroke. If your dog is outside on hot summer days without shade or water, or if they are getting too much exercise in the heat, they may very well become victims of heatstroke.

Dogs do not have the ability to sweat like humans do and therefore, have a much more difficult time cooling their bodies down naturally. Brachycephalic dogs like bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Boxers etc. have an even more difficult time as they do not pant as well as dogs with longer noses. The normal body temperature of a dog is between 100 and 102.5 degrees. When your dog's body temperature reaches or exceeds 109 degrees, they have reached a critical stage and heatstroke has occurred. According to Dr. Karen Becker, at this point the body rapidly begins to shut down, the brain swells, which causes seizures, ulcers develop due to the lack of blood supply to the GI tract and irreversible kidney damage occurs, all within a matter of minutes. This is a horrible way for anyone to die.

A dog stuck in a hot car, even with the windows rolled down and even when the car is parked in the shade, can rapidly succumb to heatstroke. The internal temperature of a vehicle will be anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees higher than the temperatures outside. On a 29 degree (Celsius) day, it takes a matter of approximately 10 minutes for the inside of the car to reach 70 degrees and within 30 minutes it can reach 88 degrees. It literally takes minutes for your dog to develop heatstroke inside a car, so if you have to take your dog out on a hot day, make sure you do not have to stop anywhere that will require you leaving your dog in your car, for any length of time.

Even the most fit dogs can succumb to heatstroke within a matter of minutes and older pets, or pets with compromised immune systems are at even greater risk. Always make sure your dog has a place to cool down and lots of water available. A child's swimming pool or a sprinkler system are great ways to cool your dog down on hot days.

WATER INTOXICATION

It was not until I brought my boy Arthur home and found out he loved the water, that I found out about water intoxication. This is another condition, which progresses quickly and can take the life of your dog in a very short period of time.

Water intoxication occurs when your dog swallows too much water while swimming. Although it is rare, it is something dog owners should be mindful of, especially if you have a dog like my Arthur, who will not come of the water willingly.

Symptoms of water intoxication include lack of coordination, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils, glazed eyes, pale gums and excessive salivation. Advanced symptoms include difficulty breathing, collapsing, loss of consciousness and seizures.

Keeping your dog's swimming sessions short and making sure they are receiving frequent breaks in between is the best way to avoid water intoxication. If you suspect your dog may have developed water intoxication get him/her to a veterinarian immediately.

OTHER WATER DANGERS

I always wanted a dog who loved the water, as all of the other dogs in my life were terrified or completely uninterested in swimming, and I got more than I wished for in Arthur.

Many lakes, rivers or ponds can be contaminated by bacteria and parasites. Be sure you investigate the areas where you take your dog to swim. Ask your city or town officials if there has been any water testing in those areas.

Drowning is a danger we are all aware of and every year many dogs die as a result of accidental drowning. Certain dogs are not very good swimmers and some dogs cannot swim at all, but even the strongest swimmers can find themselves in danger if they get too tired in the water.

BEE STINGS AND ALLERGENS

Although most dogs who are stung by bees mostly only suffer from the initial sting and the discomfort that will follow. Just like with humans, some dogs suffer from bee sting allergies and will go into anaphylactic shock after being stung.

If you suspect your dog has been stung by a bee and he/she is exhibiting any signs, get them to the veterinarian immediately. Symptoms can include excessive drooling, scratching of the face, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, difficulty breathing and/or swallowing, weakness/lethargy and collapse and seizures.

Many dogs are allergic to different types of grasses, trees, pollens and many other things. Although these are not specifically dangerous to your dog, they can cause great discomfort. Regular baths with a gentle shampoo will help ease your dog's discomfort. Keep wipes on hand and make sure you wipe your dog down when you bring them inside, in order to remove any allergens from their skin.

The summer is a wonderful time for everyone but it comes with lots of dangers too. Make sure you leave your dog at home on hot days, keep him cool when you can't and enjoy a safe and happy summer with your pooch! 

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THE PAWSITIVE WELLNESS SHOP

The Pawsitive Wellness Shop is my online store for herbal and homeopathic pet products.

Although I truly enjoyed my job selling natural pet products, I just could not continue with the retail environment or hours any longer. So, I decided to look for products I trusted and could sell online in order to continue doing what I enjoyed so much, on a more personal level.  

What We Sell

 

PET ALIVE HERBAL AND HOMEOPATHIC PRODUCTS

Pet Alive is the companion animal line from Native Remedies. Located in Boca Raton, Florida Native Remedies and Pet Alive Products are manufactured according to the highest pharmaceutical standards, in FDA registered facilities according to the principals of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

As the market-leading brand for natural remedies for pets, they ensure the highest level of quality, safey and effectiveness. They are a trusted source of natural remedies with expert formulated, chemical free herbal and homeopathic products, which are made using their trade mark Full Spectrum method of extraction. 

BACH RESCUE REMEDY AND FLOWER ESSENCES

Almost 100 years ago Dr. Edward Bach began developing his Bach Flower Remedies. His remedies are known world wide and have been a long time favourite of pet owners, for their stressed pets. Many pets find relief with the use of Rescue Remedy, whether they are animals in shelters, going to new homes, recovering from surgery, suffering from variuos anxieties, grieving over the loss of a loved one, Rescue Remedy may be the answer and it is safe for everyone.

COMING SOON!

I will soon be adding a variety of other pet related products including crates, carriers, car seats and covers, cat posts, litter boxes and other items.

Please feel free to send a message through the website if you have any questions or concerns, or if you are having problems viewing the site.

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EASING YOUR DOG'S ANXIETY FROM THUNDER AND OTHER STRESSFUL SITUATIONS

Spring is here, but with the good weather comes the bad and soon many dogs will be finding themselves hiding in bathtubs, closets and under beds to escape the frightening sounds of thunder storms and inevitably, fireworks when the holidays roll around.

Many dogs suffer from anxiety whether it is from loud noises, people, other dogs, children, bicycles and the list goes on and on. How they develop these anxieties varies. Sometimes it's the unintentional actions of the owner who is not aware they are encouraging a behaviour, sometimes it's an unfortunate, negative experience and sometimes, although rarely, it is just the dog's nature.

My girl, Tailey, was fine with everything until I went on vacation one summer and left her with a friend whose dog was afraid of thunder. When I got back Tailey was also afraid of thunder and she remained afraid of loud noises from then on, until the day she passed away. 

Thankfully, there are a variety of products available which can be used to ease your dog's anxiety, but because all dogs are individuals, it will be a matter of trial and error to find the right product for your pooch! 

Bach Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy is a well known, trusted product and has been used by pet owners for many years. Rescue Remedy is a blend of five different Bach Flower Remedies and is safe and gentle to use on your pet in times of stress. You can purchase this product directly from The Pawsitive Wellness Shop!

The Pawsitive Wellness Shop

PetAlive - PetCalm

PetCalm from PetAlive is a safe, non-addictive 100% natural homeopathic remedy registered with the FDA and formulated especially for pets, to relieve acute symptoms of fear and nervousness, helping to calm and soothe your pet back to balanced mood. The convenient, dissolvable granules are safe and easy to administer, have a pleasant taste and can simply be sprinkled on your pet's tongue where they will be rapidly absorbed in the mouth. PetCalm can also be purchased at The Pawsitive Wellness Shop!

 The Pawsitive Wellness Shop

The Thunder Shirt

When my dog, Tailey, was very ill, just before she passed away, she began having panic attacks in the middle of the night. It was a very scary experience, for both of us I have to assume, and we had many sleepless nights. I purchased a Thunder Shirt although I was skeptical about it's effectiveness. The next time Tailey began to have one of her attacks I immediately put the Thunder Shirt on her. She calmed down within seconds, fell asleep and we never looked back. I was selling the Thunder Shirt at work as well and customer after customer came back with the same results, whether their dog was fearful of thunder, fireworks, driving in the car or just plain nervous, the Thunder Shirt was making a difference. You can purchase the Thunder Shirt for dogs or cats directly from their site: http://www.thundershirt.com/

Other products used for easing your pets' anxiety are pheromone collars, sprays and plug-ins. Several of these products are available for cats and dogs, with varying degrees of success reported by owners. 

Certain herbs can also be used to calm your pet and as I have mentioned in previous posts, any time you are going to use a herb or natural product on your pet, make sure you do your research and ask your veterinarian.

Valerian is a herb I have used for many years for my dogs, which works very well. Naturpet makes a product specifically for pets called Home Alone, which contains Valerian root along with other calming herbs. Naturpet is located in British Columbia, Canada and all of their products are manufactured there as well.

 



Using a tiny bit of lavender essential oil on your pet's collar or near their bed can also help calm their nerves during stressful times.

 

Although many trainers state you should not pay attention to fears in your pet, I disagree. No parent would ever turn their back on their fearful child and leave them to deal with it. A gentle pat or stroke and a calm and gentle tone to let them know you are there and they are safe is more than alright.  

 

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RAW AND HOME COOKED DIETS - WHAT TO FEED PART 3

I started feeding raw and home cooked foods to my pets shortly after I adopted my dog, Tailey. She suffered horribly from food allergies, ear infections and regular hematomas in her ears and I was spending a fortune at the vet clinic, but nothing was fixing the problem. A friend of mine suggested I try feeding a raw diet and I thought she was crazy. I had cooked for my pets in the past, here and there, but I had never fed raw meat. I decided to try a premade raw venison diet and low and behold within just a few weeks, I had a new dog. Six months later, she was barely affected by anything she ate, as long as we stayed clear of chicken. Tailey only ever had one more hematoma and only a couple of ear infections over the following eight years before she passed away in December 2010.

Tailey June 2010

What I saw happen with Tailey by simply changing her diet, opened my eyes to the importance of nutrition and what an enormous role it plays in the health of our pets. Like most people, I thought I was doing the right thing by going to the grocery store, buying the kibble that was advertised on television and never changing my pets' food. After I changed all of my pets over to a natural diet, I began to see the changes. My cats hardly shed at all anymore, none of my pets drink excessive amounts of water and my cats have not thrown up their food in years.

When I began learning about and selling natural pet foods I dealt with countless people just like me, who were feeding their pets poor quality kibble and they were watching their pets suffer from allergies, immune dysfunction and other health problems. One of the most rewarding parts of my job was hearing them come back after switching their pets onto a better quality diet, whether it was just a better quality kibble with some canned food or a raw or home cooked diet, and hearing about the changes. In the seven years I worked in that store I never had a customer come back and tell me their pet got worse after changing to a better quality diet.

Raw or Home Cooked? 

Although there are no official studies regarding the feeding of raw and home cooked diets for companion animals, common sense should tell us that from the countless studies conducted on the effects of processed foods on humans, the same can be said for their effect on our pets' health. 

Arthur eating a raw meaty bone

Whether you choose to feed raw or home cooked really depends on your comfort level and what your pet does best on. You may not want to switch entirely to a raw or home cooked diet and maybe just want to supplement your pet's diet with one or the other. All of these options are fine and whatever works for you and your pet should be what you base your decision on.

Some dogs do better on home cooked rather than raw and visa versa. It is difficult to get most cats onto a new diet, especially a raw one, but I find they do best on raw. Because cats require specific amino acids and other nutrients, which they get from meat and bone, cooking their food may mean you need to add more supplements to ensure they are getting everything they require. 

Switching your pets to a raw or home cooked diet can be an overwhelming task. It is a very controversial issue and there are so many varying opinions on how to feed, what percentages to feed and how much, many people don't know where to begin. A lot of people end up jumping into feeding these types of diets blind and because there is so much bad information out there, I would caution anyone going this route to do your research!

I am not going to get into recipes and percentages here as my goal is to simply provide information and resources that will help anyone who wants to learn more about feeding a more natural diet. I feed on a variety basis because that is what works for my pets and it makes the most sense to me. So, I do not feed just raw or just home cooked, I switch back and forth or I do a mixture of both. Sometimes I add vegetables and sometimes I don't. I always add organ meat, fish oil, kelp and occasionally tripe. I use variations of proteins as well and I also feed raw meaty bones instead of bone meal.

What I will say, feeding chicken backs and organ meat is not enough and don't let anyone tell you it is. The calcium/phosphorus ratios are extremely important when you are feeding a natural diet and too much of either can be just as dangerous as not enough. Be very careful where you get your information.

I will list some really good resources at the end of this post for anyone who wants to do more research.

Myths About Feeding Raw and Home Cooked Diets

Salmonella is always a concern for people when feeding raw meat is concerned. Although it is not a myth, as clearly salmonella and other bacteria exist, the fear involved in contamination is, in my opinion, over exaggerated. First of all, dogs and cats were designed to handle bacteria. Salmonella is commonly present in gastrointestinal tract of healthy animals. Humans are exposed to salmonella more often than they realize, but our bodies deal with it. Bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli become dangerous when compromised immune systems are involved; with that being said, I have fed raw diets to four sick animals, two with cancer, and I have never had a problem with salmonella or E. coli. That's not to say it could never happen, but with all the recent food recalls, human and pet, with non-raw product, it seems to me the salmonella issue is a crap shoot regardless what you feed your pets or what you eat, yourself. 

There is some really good information on this site regarding salmonella and other bacteria, if you scroll down http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjhomemade1.html

Another myth is the issue of variety. For years people have been told they should not change their pets' diet. The problem with this, as mentioned in my post about commercial dry foods, is that when an animal is fed one thing day after day for long periods of time, they are not getting a complete and balanced diet. Animals fed this way are not getting the variety of nutrients that would otherwise be available to them. I have always said that the issue of changing a pets' diet can be compared to a situation where someone eats salads every day for several years and then one day decides to try a steak. It's likely that person is going to experience some gastrointestinal discomfort, but because we are conditioned from the time we are babies to eat a variety of foods, most people are able to handle all kinds of food products. Of course there are situations in people and animals where food intolerances and allergies play a role, and this is something that has to be kept in mind when feeding our pets. For the most part however, dogs and cats benefit from variety in their diet as much as we do.

It is also okay, for most pets to add a bit of fresh foods to kibble. Although it's a common myth that this is bad many people mix different whole foods to their pets' kibble without difficulty.

As mentioned previously, there are so many opinions about feeding pets it is a lot to take in. There is a great deal of good information out there though, so educating yourself is very important.

Start slow and do not overwhelm yourself or your pet when beginning a raw or home cooked diet. The same applies if you are only planning on supplementing with these foods.

Cost

Many people are afraid to go the raw/home cooked route because of cost. This is understandable if you are purchasing premade raw foods from pet supply stores. It can cost you upwards of $200 a month, or more, to feed one medium to large size dog. There are butchers who sell products for pets, which cost less and this option allows you to purchase foods locally. More and more private sellers of raw food products for pets are popping up as well. These individuals purchase raw meats directly from meat plants and provide buyers with a large variety of meat proteins, with or without bone, organ meat and treats. When purchasing from these types of business, make sure they are getting their products from federally inspected plants, ask questions about their products and their safety handling methods etc.

I encourage anyone with pets to feed as much fresh whole foods as possible, to their pets. That being said, make sure you do your research. There is so much information out there and if it is done properly your pets will benefit from the variety and nutrients fresh foods provide. 

Some excellent resources for anyone looking to enhance their pets' diet:

Mary Straus is a researcher and columnist for The Whole Dog Journal. The information on her site is very well researched and valuable: http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjhomemade1.html

The Whole Dog Journal is an excellent resource for anyone looking for unbiased information on anything to do with pets: http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/

Monica Segal is certified in Animal Health Care through the University of Guelph. She has a couple of really good books with recipes and loads of information, as well as DVDs and E-books for a variety of conditions and feeding guidelines: http://www.monicasegal.com/about-us.html

B-Naturals is an online newsletter filled with oodles of information from supplements, raw and home cooked diets and so much more: http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/


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DEHYDRATED AND FREEZE DRIED FOODS - WHAT TO FEED PART 2

Dehydrated and freeze dried pet foods have become more and more popular over the past 10 years. People are becoming more aware of their pets' nutritional needs and this is a great diet for anyone who wants to feed a more natural diet, but does not want the hassel of handling raw meat or cooking meals for their companion animals.

Although they are still processed, dehydrated and freeze dried foods maintain much more of their nutrients after processing. They also have a long shelf life, they are easy to use as you only have to add water and they provide your pet with many of the same benefits as raw and home cooked diets.

The main issue with these foods is the cost. Although they are convenient and a much better choice than feeding dry kibble, they are pricey and unless you have a small or medium sized pet, they may be best served as a supplement to your pets diet. 

When I bring foster dogs home I will add some dehydrated or freeze dried foods to their kibble as a supplement. This provides them with variety as well as the moisture that is so important for their health, and also freshness in their diet.  Most dogs are also excited about their meals when you add a bit of dehydrated or freeze dried as a supplement. If you have a pet who has gone of their food, this is a great way to get them to eat while at the same time, adding extra nutrition to their diet.

These types of diets are available for cats as well, but I would caution anyone using them to ensure they are not loaded with grains. Because cats require higher levels of protein, from meat, some companies try to compensate with grain.

Animals with food intolerances and other health issues, sometimes do much better on raw and homecooked diets, but for anyone who does not want to go that route, these diets can be just as beneficial.

If you have any experience feeding these types of diets I would love to hear about it! 

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DRY COMMERCIAL PET FOODS - WHAT TO FEED PART 1

I spent seven years in a natural pet food store selling commercial pet foods and other products. For the last 10 years or so, I have fed my own pets everything from raw, kibble, canned, dehydrated, freeze dried and home cooked meals. Having pets with health problems made me seek options outside what the grocery stores were selling. I have been travelling the path of natural health and nutrition ever since. My eyes were opened and I was introduced to a passion I had no idea was inside me.

More and more people are questioning the diets they are feeding their companion animals, especially in light of several recalls over the past few years, and this is good news, but we still have a long way to go.

A Little History

I am not going to start at the very beginning because, as we all know, in the beginning dogs ate what they caught or what was provided to them by hunters, cats caught prey and that was pretty much that. As time went on and humans became more civilized, dogs and cats began living more as pets and were fed table scraps and other homemade meals.

The first commercial pet food was developed in 1860 by James Spratt of Cincinnati, Ohio and was called Spratt's Patent Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes. This food was a biscuit made of wheat, beet root, vegetables and beef blood. It wasn't long until other companies jumped on board and more dry foods were on the market and things spiralled from there. The depression in the 1930's left people looking for less expensive ways to feed their pets and it was at that time more cereal products and grains were introduced to pet foods. By the 1940's canned meat was introduced for pets, followed by dehydrated foods in 1943. 

 

 Eventually the waste products from mills, like wheat mill run/middlings, as well as meat which was not fit for human consumption, was added to pet foods. Of course things led to companies using diseased meats, unusable parts etc., after time. These were then mixed with grains and cooked for long periods of time to kill any bacteria, turned into pellets and sealed in bags. But what it came down to was not that raw or fresh meat was bad for our pets, it was simply much less expensive to feed commercial pet foods and much more convenient for people to toss a few pellets into a bowl and be done with it. The pet food companies began labelling their products as complete and once the veterinarians jumped on board, the deal was sealed.

There are far more detailed explanations on the history of dog food, I just wanted to provide a quick background as to how we ended up feeding our dogs dry, processed foods and why.

Pet Food in the Present

Pet food is now a multi billion dollar industry. Convenience, cost and fear mongering led pet owners to believe dry, processed kibble was the best thing to feed their pets. In recent years things have changed, pet owners are asking more questions, the Internet has made it possible for people to find information they otherwise would not have available to them, and thank dog for that!

I for one was shocked to learn, many years ago now, veterinarians take very little nutritional training and what they do learn is taught by big pet food manufacturers of one company or another. This fact horrified me, almost as much as I was horrified years before that when I found out the food I was purchasing off the grocery store shelves was not good for my pets!!

There are literally thousands of pet foods on the market today and it's overwhelming and confusing for many pet owners.

Aside from the significant difference between grocery store pet foods and pet foods you find in smaller retail and privately owned stores, many factors are usually left out when people are feeding their pets.

What Matters Most

As I have said in a previous post, I would love to see all pet owners start cooking for their pets or feeding a proper raw diet, but I know that is unrealistic. So how can you enhance the diet of your kibble fed pet?

1. Don't buy into the "complete and balanced" propaganda! Extruded kibble is cooked at such high temperatures, nothing nutritional can live through it. A premix is then added to the kibble after the heating process. Each time your pet eats his/her food they are getting the same ingredients over and over again, the vitamins and minerals of which are minimal at best.
   
   People typically eat three meals a day. Each meal consists of various food items, which contain various vitamins and minerals and that is how we meet all of our nutritional needs.
2. Variety is the spice of life. Just as humans benefit from a variety of different foods and the nutrition they provide, so do dogs, cats and all other animals. Any animal forced to eat the same food day in and day out for most or all of their life, is likely to feel, at some point in their life, the effects of that lack in nutrition.
   
   For animals who have been fed the same food continuously for years, transitioning to a new food should be done slowly, over at least a seven day period. However, most food companies now make a variety of different foods within their lines, which pet owners can utilize as a way to add variety to their pets' diets. Adding a good quality canned food at each meal will also provide variety, as well as moisture.
3. Moisture. No animal should ever be forced to eat nothing but dry, processed food their entire life. As I mentioned in my post "People Food vs. Pet Food", imagine if you had nothing but dry cereal to eat at every meal and a glass of water. A dog or cat would eat a minimum of 70% moisture in their natural habitat, even when foraging on garbage and scraps, a dog would still get more moisture in his/her diet than they will from plain kibble. Adding a bowl of water is great, but, dogs and cats especially, count on the moisture from their food for proper organ function and health. Adding whole foods like vegetables and meat will provide your pet with the moisture and added nutrition he/she requires.
   
   When adding vegetalbes to your pet's diet make sure raw veggies are chopped up nice and fine for better digestion and if you boil them, add the water to your pet's meal as well.
4. Supplements. All animals are unique and although pet foods claim to be nutritionally balanced and complete, many times the percentages of certain vitamins and minerals is not enough. In addition, the premixes added to kibbles come mostly from overseas and quality can be questionable. Any dry commercial food, which lists things like glucosamine and chondroitin, contain minimal amounts at best and not enough for therapeutic results. Because some animals have a hard time processing dry kibbles, digestive enzymes and other supplements may help them to digest and utilize the nutrition that is available to them in their food. Omega fatty acids provide additional support to the skin, heart and brain function. They also provide protection against cancer and other illnesses. 

Most non-conventional veterinarians and some of the newer conventional veterinarians, have taken the time to learn more about nutrition through self education. I have not heard a single veterinarian who has continued their own education in nutrition say that a dry processed diet is the best thing for your pet, not ever. Many illnesses, including kidney disease, diabetes and certain cancers, have been linked to poor quality nutrition or lack of proper nutrients etc. Other health issues like allergies or food intolerances are also related to poor nutrition and execessive feeding of the same grains and poor quality proteins over generations. Providing your pet with additional support, like the things I listed above, will give them the added nutrition they need to live long and healthful lives.

There are many people out there who are dead set on feeding only raw or only home cooked, in my house it's all I feed, but that is my choice. I do know, from first hand experience, we are never going to see every pet owner cross over to home cooking or raw feeding. Many people simply cannot afford it, others do not have the time and many others just cannot be bothered. The best we can hope for is that pet food companies continue to improve and pet owners continue to learn and turn their backs on inferior products for their pets and start adding fresh whole foods back into their pets' diets. 


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HEARTWORM AND YOUR OPTIONS

I have a pretty strong opinion about using chemicals, in general and my opinion gets even stronger when I relate the use of chemicals to my dogs and cats. I do my best to not use chemicals around my house and at the very least, I do not ever use chemicals around my pets. That is a choice I made after dealing with serious illnesses and compromised immune systems in my own pets.  

That being said, I also believe everyone has the right to choose how they care for their companion animals, but those choices should be informed decisions.

Regardless of the route you take, whether it's conventional or non-conventional, heartworm is a real threat if you live in areas where it is prevalent. Recently I was speaking to a friend in Calgary who was preparing to take her dog to the vet and she asked me what I thought she should do about heartworm prevention, if the topic came up during the visit. So, I was curious and looked into the threat of heartworm in Calgary. What I found is, there is very little risk in the Province of Alberta for heartworm, it's literally a handful of dogs and to date, apparently, all of those dogs were imported or had visited areas with a high prevalence of heartworm. 

A study completed in 2010 by the University of Guelph actually shows a low incidence of heartworm throughout Canada, with the highest incidence in Southern Ontario. The study can be found here: http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/heartworm/2010/ 

So, does that mean you can rest easy and be certain your dog (or cat) will not contract heartworm? Of course not. Heartworm should be taken very seriously, as it is a potentially fatal infection. What is important is that pet owners take into consideration the risk involved for their pets both for heartworm infection and for the use of chemical preventatives. 

How Heartworm is Spread

There are a lot of factors that have to come into play in order for your pet to be infected with heartworm. These steps have to take place during very specific conditions and with perfect timing, in order for your dog or cat to be infected.

In order for your dog to be infected he/she has to be bitten by a female mosquito of a certain species and it has to be a species that feeds on mammals. That mosquito has to have bitten an animal infected by Stage 1 larvae. Over the next two weeks, those larvae will mature into Stage 3 larvae, but that is dependant upon specific temperatures, which have to be maintained for the entire two week period. The infected mosquito then has to bite your dog and deposit the Stage 3 larvae. In another 3 or 4 months those larvae will become Stage 4 and 5 larvae. If those larvae make it through the blood stream into the heart and lungs, they will grow to full maturity, Stage 6 heartworms, at which point they can be up to 6 inches for males and 12 for females.

There are more detailed explanations regarding heartworm, their growth and how they are spread and I have included the links at the end of this post. 

Because heartworms rely on very specific temperatures to develop, Canada is not an optimal place for them to thrive. This is why they are almost non-existent in Alberta, because of the temperatures and the dry climate.

What are the Options?

Weigh your risks first. Find out what the prevalence or lack thereof, of heartworm infections is in the area where you live. Keep your dog or cat inside the house during times when mosquitoes are most active and use natural bug repellents when they are outside. 

There are all kinds of non-chemical ways to provide your dog with protection. Diet is extremely important as it works to strengthen the immune system and keep your pet healthy from the inside out. Immune function is critical in keeping any type of parasite or pest away from your pet. Adding herbs like Hawthorne Berry, which is used to strengthen and stabilize the heart and co-enzyme Q10, which also supports the heart and is high in antioxidants, as well as things like omega 3 fatty acids, will help keep your pet's heart healthy and strong and boost the immune system. Products like food grade diatomaceous earth and black walnut kill all kinds of parasites inside the body. (As I have mentioned in previous posts, I would recommend speaking to your vet about the use of any medications or herbs)

You can also have a heartworm test done twice a year to check for infection. Dr. Peter Dobias wrote a great article recently about his opinion on heartworm preventatives and some treatment options. I have included the link at the end of this post.

If your pet has a compromised immune system giving them heartworm preventatives or any other chemicals, can be a slippery slope. Keep in mind, the although they are called preventatives, giving your pet any kind of heartworm "preventative", whether it's conventional or not, does not mean they will not become infected. Prescription heartworm "preventatives" are meant to kill larvae at the early stages, after the animal has been infected. If you want to know more about heartworm products, contact the companies ask them to send you information on their products, including their studies.

For anyone wanting to avoid using chemical preventative medications on their pets, I would suggest contacting a holistic veterinarian or a conventional veterinarian who is opened minded about alternative therapies. 

There are no studies on the use of natural treatments for heartworm. However, there are also no studies on the effects of the long term use of prescription heartworm preventatives. So, giving heartworm preventatives for more than the couple of months when temperatures are at their best for heartworms to thrive, does not much sense, especially in Canada.

Giving your dog or cat heartworm prevention a couple of months out of the year is likely not going to hurt them. The fact of the matter is, heartworm is dangerous regardless which side you are on, and there are risks with both conventional and non-conventional treatment and prevention.

The best thing pet owners can do is ask questions, get a second opinion if you have to, do your research and take the route best suited to you and your pet. Special consideration should be taken when dealing with pets who have a compromised immune system or any type of serious illness.   

For me, I take putting chemicals on or inside my pets very seriously. So, since the study completed in Canada in 2010 shows in the town I live in there were 590 dogs tested for heartworm, 66 of which were not on preventative medications and only 1 dog tested positive, I opt out of conventional prevention treatments. It was also indicated the infected dog had been imported from another area. Now, I am aware there are far more dogs than 590 in my area. I live in a farming community and most everyone I know owns more than one dog, we have 3 in our household alone. The human population of the town is approximately 28,000 so for me, odds are pretty good my dogs are not at high risk for heartworm. I still take precautions and use bug sprays (natural ones), bug repellents outside, I try to keep my dogs inside during times when mosquitoes are most active and I have them tested for heartworm.

Here is a list of some links with great information regarding heartworm and information on preventions and options.

http://peterdobias.com/community/2012/04/are-drug-companies-honest-about-heartworm/

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/03/why-havent-pet-owners-been-told-these-facts-about-heartworm.aspx

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/

http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjheartwormtreatment.html

http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/heartworminfo.htm

http://www.caninecancer.com/bladder.html

http://www.vetinfo.com/causes-of-bladder-cancer-in-dogs.html

Some recommendations for further information and for repelling mosquitoes, which can be purchased at Amazon: