A Pets Health Today, Pets Health Problems

Posts Tagged ‘Antibiotics’

I have two cats. One was just diagnosed with a UTI. =( He's on antibiotics. I also went and bought a bag of Purina Urinary Tract Health cat food, since I heard it's good. I read on the website that you're not supposed to mix it with other types of cat food. In other words, you're only supposed to feed your cat the Purina Urinary Tract food for maximum effectiveness. So my question is, should I just put down the Purina and take up the regular food? Is it safe for me to do that? Thanks guys. Any other tips on how to help my kitty feel better are welcome. This is his second UTI. (I think he's stressed b/c we just moved. ). What I found out was – I have a Maine Coon who has had a few bouts with UTI's and gave her antibiotics. I used the Purina one and for a while it worked great but this last time the vet suggest a prescription diet for this condition, I have a male cat too and he eats the same thing it won't hurt him, but may protect him from the condition. I have no way of making sure each eats only out of their own bowl bowl so the eat the same the best for the sick one.

	Health Pet Food Station Feeder Dogs Cats Other Pets Stainless Steel Dish Nib Dishes &Feeders - Health Cat Food

	Iams Proactive Health Original Flavor Cat Food Trial Size Bag With 3.00 Coupon!! Food &Treats - Health Cat Food
	Lot Of 4 Bags Iams Proactive Health Dry Cat Food With Chicken- 2lbs Each Food &Treats - Health Cat Food

	Purina One Urinary Tract Health Formula Cat Food, 3.5-Pound Bags (Pack of 6) Purina One Cat Food helps maintain urinary tract health by reducing urinary pH. Provides low dietary magnesium and is 100% complete and balanced for adult cats.

What So, are the Symptoms?

Kennel Cough is normally characterized by a hacking cough that people describe as, "A cat trying to cough up a hair ball" or as, "Something is stuck in my dog's throat. " Kennel Cough is not contagious to humans, but is contagious to other dogs, depending upon the stress level, vaccination status, and length of exposure of the dog.

How did my dog become infected?

Kennel cough is highly contagious among dogs and can be spread at such places as dog parks, dog beaches, groomers, boarding kennels, and other typical meeting areas. The incubation period for Kennel Cough usually ranges between 2 – 14 days.

What kind of medical treatment, if any, is necessary?

	Intra-Trac 3 - 2 x 5 Dose Vial (10 Doses) Intra-Trac 3 vaccine is recommended for use as an aid in the prevention of disease associated with canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in healthy dogs 3 weeks of age or older. These agents have been implicated as playing a role in the etiology of the condition known as canine kennel cough.
	Parvaid - All-Natural Parvo Aid for Dogs (1oz) Parvaid: ULTRA CONCENTRATED! An aid for Parvo, vomiting, diarrhea (bloody), loss of appetite, gas, bloat and intestinal cramping. This formula can also be used as a preventative to stimulate and support the immune system when a dog may have been exposed to any health threatening condition (rather like an all natural "herbal immunization").

Although some cases of Kennel cough can go away without medication, recovery can be hastened with the use of an antibiotic such as Clavamox, which directly kills the Bordatella organism. Alternatively, Kennel Cough may also be treated with cough suppressants to provide comfort during natural recovery. Sometimes antibiotics and cough suppressants can be combined.

Could there be a way to prevent this condition?

A bordetella vaccine injection is commonly given to dogs to prevent kennel cough. I put emphasis on the word "prevention" because like the flu shot in humans, the Bordetella vaccine is a prevention – not a cure. All my puppies receive their first Bordetella vaccination at 8 weeks (before they leave my care) and all my adult dogs receive boosters every 6 months.

I have read that some people believe that kennel cough is not life threatening, is self-curing, and self-limiting and therefore they do not believe in vaccinating their pets with the Bordetella vaccine. I, on the other hand, believe in the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. "

I have personally seen cases where a simple bout of Kennel Cough left untreated soon developed in to more serious conditions such as upper respiratory infection and in some cases pneumonia. Both of these conditions are serious, cost hundreds of dollars in medical bills, and caused their owners heartbreak as they watched their beloved pet suffer.

Can I vaccinate my dog myself?

The Bordetella vaccine comes in two forms; a nasal drop and a vaccine that in injected. The nasal form goes to work faster but diminishes faster. The injection form goes to work slower but also diminishes slower.

If you are thinking about vaccinating your dog yourself, but you are squeamish about needles or not skilled at giving injections, you can purchase the nasal form of Bordetella at several online pet medication websites. The treatment comes in two parts – part one is sterile water that is mixed with the dry Bordetella vaccine (the second part). Once the two parts are mixed together, the solution is squirted into one nostril of your dog (no need to do both nostrils) and that's it. Don't be surprised if your dog sneezes some of it out, this is normal, and is anticipated therefore treatment quantity is a little more than is actually needed.

Cats with gingivitis are all too common. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. One of the main reasons for this in cats, is the lack of raw bones in their diet. A cat who has daily bones, such as chicken necks or chicken wings, to crunch up, rarely has gingivitis.

Raw bones in a healthy cat's diet serves at least four purposes:

* bones keep the teeth clean, preventing tartar building up

* bones massage the gums, keeping them healthy

* the crunching of bones keeps cats happy – it's how they evolved

	Miracle Care R-7 Oxy-Dental Pads, 90-Count R-7 Oxy-Dental Premoistened Pads helps promote healthy teeth and gums through regular use. Reduces Plaque and Bad Breath.
	Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste Dog Poultry Flavor, 6.2-Ounce Enzymatic Toothpaste Dog Poultry Flavor 6.2-ounce

* ingesting bones are a natural, balanced mineral supply for building healthy bones

Sadly, many people don't feed their cats a raw meat and bones diet, so mouth problems are rife. The normal treatment of antibiotics and teeth removal does nothing to enhance such a cat's already badly damaged immune system.

Once the problem has started, it seems an endless round of continued and regular damaging treatment.

Is there an alternative? Is it too late to introduce a raw meat and bones diet?

There are always alternatives to everything. And it's never too late to try anything.

Cats with gingivitis often respond very well to homeopathic treatment. The medicine Mercurius is almost a specific for this condition in both humans and other animals.

But, as with all homeopathic medicines, it's best to have more than one strong symptom which matches the medicine, for a positive resolution. A homeopathic animal practitioner may be your best option, if you are new to homeopathy. But if you already know a bit about it, you might like to try Mercurius, as long as you can see some of the medicine's strong keynotes in your cat's gingivitis.

The strong keynotes of Mercurius are:

* symptoms are worse for heat or cold (so food straight from the refrigerator is likely to be refused)

* symptoms are worse at night

* your cat may have excess saliva which feels slimy to the touch

* your cat's breath may smell foul, offensive

* a history of repeated antibiotic treatment

Once your cats gingivitis is sorted out and pain is not experienced on eating, then you can start introducing a raw meat and bones diet. In the early stages, it's best to cut up the necks or wings into bite size pieces. This makes it easier for an older cat, or one entrenched in old ways.

	Miracle Care R-7 Oxy-Dental Spray, 4-Ounce R-7 Oxy-Dental Spray helps promote healthy teeth and gums through regular use. Reduces Plaque and Bad Breath.