Being Prepared - A Dog First Aid Kit

I touched upon some 'Important Pet Resources' in my August 11, 2012 blog.  In this blog, I'm continuing that thought.  Being prepared is not something you do down the road in the future.  It is something you do now, so should something occur 'down the road', you are not caught off guard.  I know the majority of us have extremely busy lifestyles....with family, school, extra-cirricular activities and entertainment, so finding time to fit one more thing in can be a challenge.  However, it is necessary to make time for those things that are important, or could even be an emergency at some later point.

In this blog I am making available to you several valuable resources for a dog first aid kit.  I cannot do it all for you, as it will require some reading on your part, but I am giving you reliable connections to get the ball rolling on your end.  Hopefully you'll never need a first aid kit for your dog.  But having one prepared and knowing how to use it could be the difference between life or death for your dog or a stray dog you happen upon.

I admit, I am a snob when it comes to my furbabies and their care.  I have personally checked, researched and reviewed each one of these recommendations....they have my stamp of approval. I hope you will utilize these resources, as you never know when they could become an invaluable necessity.  All these resources are listed in my 'Websites and Dog Resources'.  You can click on these links and it will take you directly to the web page regarding the product.

You can put your own kit together from scratch, or you can start with a basic one and add to it.  CPR Savers has a nice 63-piece kit in a sturdy bag for $18.35.  If you are interested in adding herbal products (like I am) to your bag, check out the article link from The Herb Companion, it will give you just about all you need to know to help aid naturally.  Wilderness Herbal First Aid has a spray product that is available for minor irritations that would be handy to have.  Farm Dog Products - Farm Dog Herbs in Warwick, NY has a nice website you can check out for valuable information.  The Holistic First Aid Kit is worth checking out as well.

There are a couple of stand alone products that I plan on buying for my first aid kit that I read about in the Whole Dog Journal.  EMT Gel and PAV Salve (once you are on the NATR webpage, go to 'Products' then 'Tree Resin Products').  A must, I believe for every first aid kit! Check out the links provided.

This really isn't rocket science, it's about being prepared and investing some reading time and some well spent money into knowing if your beloved pet (or a stray) needs assistance in an emergency...you will be able to help...and hopefully be a life-saver.  Don't put this off...I cannot stress it enough...now is the time...not later....the life of your dog could depend on it!

Mistreating Animals

I have touched on a similar subject just in the last week on my blog.  I had a reader leave a comment a couple of days ago about how he/she loves animals and believes they have worth.  This person also went on to say that we live in a 'throw-away society' and that our values and morals are eroded...there's exploitation of so many animals.  It's unfortunate and heartbreaking...and I agree with all these comments.  I don't understand how we can claim we are a 'civilized' society or that we're even 'human' anymore.  I think there is so much violence all around us, we have become desensitized to the majority of it.

Perhaps because we have more avenues in which to obtain news...as it is right at our fingertips, 24 and 7, we hear about it pretty much every day.  I have 'liked' many FaceBook pages for animal shelters, sanctuaries, abuse and neglect, rescues...you name it, I keep posted on many issues regarding dogs.  I have a doggie prayer journal, and I write down certain specifics about each dog I see, then I pray for their rescue or a furever home...I pray for healing of injured and abused/neglected pets.  For reasons I don't understand, pets (and all animals) seem to be 'second class'.  There are people who think they have no emotions and don't feel pain.  How wrong they are.  I've been around far too many to believe that!

It really seems like in the last year the number of abuse, neglect,  and endangerment cases involving animals, many of them dogs (and cats) have become national headlines.  Unimaginable crimes against innocent creatures...and no remorse! It sickens me....sometimes physically to see and hear of these things.  How could anyone be so mean and heartless?  I'm currently studying canine nutrition, but I have a feeling that all this awareness I'm encountering against God's innocent, blameless creation will lead me down the road to study animal law.  I do not feel that current laws are strict or harsh enough, and I'd like to see that change.  There have been some small victories over the past several months.  I believe there are enough animal lovers out there...and if the outcry is loud enough....we can make some changes in how these abusers are charged. I'd truly like to see the biblical 'eye for an eye' punishment doled out...that'd suit me just fine.  I think we'd have a lot less problems.

I can't say it enough...we are their voice....we have to stand up and speak out for them.  I see so many pictures of sad, scared faces and visible rib cages with skin clinging to them because of starvation.  This is nonsense...there is no reason for it.  I have said it before...if you see abuse...don't walk away...do something...call 911...something...let someone know! I pray for continued victories, and I am indebted to those who are out there in shelters, rescues and vet offices helping these sweet babies, directly involved in many cases emergency situations with these lovable creatures.  We can all help...we can all do something....I hope we chose to.

Blog Response to Cesar and Freshpet Fresh and Natural Pet Food

Feeding our pets is conversely as important as feeding ourselves.  Junk in is junk out.  Considering that dogs are carnivores, meaning they are meat eaters, we must realize this is at most a basic need.  Besides meat, fat is also an important nutritional source….but not just any fat…not all fats are created equal.  Learning what our canine companions need in their diet, having not only the understanding, but applying that knowledge is a first step in truly nurturing our beloved furry critters.   That is why I created this blog…to help educate dog parents, empowering them with tools to utilize that will get and keep their dogs healthier and more resistant to illness and disease.  Believe me, you won’t learn this or hear this advice from the majority of the pet food industry….they don’t want you to know this, otherwise their profits would suffer.  I’m not about profiting myself….I’m about caring for my dogs and teaching other people to care for theirs….that’s my goal.  I have no problem calling out these companies…it is what it is, and if you don’t like what I’m saying…then change your ways, because I’m not going to back down and I’m not going to tolerate it…and I don’t and won’t apologize for that.  This attitude comes from a heart of caring and unconditional love for a species of animal that I am an advocate for.  Our domesticated pets do not know what their needs are.  It’s our responsibility as human beings because we are their caretakers and have brought them from a natural, wild environment into our toxic surroundings, and they rely totally on us to do many things for them…i.e., provide proper food and fresh water, let them out to pottie, keep them in a safe environment, etc.  It is a big undertaking, and one that should not be taken lightly. 

Getting back to nutrition, be wary of the use of the word ‘natural’.  I believe my definition, and that of the ‘industry’ differs greatly.  To me, natural means, unaltered, and as little processing as necessary, as understandably there has to be a certain amount of processing at times to make products useful to us.  However, what method has been used to get it to this point is my concern. I believe the ‘industry’ definition is adding man-made synthetic ingredients and processing procedures to ‘water down’ that natural, and pump up the imitation to gain monetarily.

I have researched a comment/question from my blog from a reader regarding Cesar dog food and Freshpet refrigerated dog food.  I love to explore these things, as this is how I continue to learn, and there is much information available on the websites of these dog food companies. However, knowing how to decipher that information can be confusing and overwhelming if you don’t know what it means.  Before I go into detail of my findings, understand that my comments are in no way meant to be derogatory or condescending toward anyone, especially one of my readers.  I am here to help you and your dog(s); I love you guys.  I am not placing blame or fault on any consumer, only the majority of the pet food industry for misleading and deceiving an unassuming and trusting pet owner,  which by the way angers me. My conclusion from the study of Cesar dog food is that I would only feed mine this food if they were on the verge of literally starving and this was all that was available to me.  And I am about to explain why.  I perused through all the moist foods listed and studied the ingredients.  Anybody can view this, it is available to the public.

Ingredient lists on dog food packaging is often long and in small print.  Most pet owners assume that dog food manufacturers know what our dogs need, and that’s what is in the foods they make.  Buyer beware…this is mostly NOT the case.  It is typical that in moist, canned (or pouch) food that water would be the main ingredient used for the processing…this is usually the first ingredient.  I’m okay with that.  However, when you follow that with ‘by-products’ such as beef, meat and chicken….that troubles me.  What is a ‘by-product’ in dog food? Well, one would like to think perhaps these are protein sources.  Well, actually it is not a good protein source, and contains little if any meat.  It is the parts of animals left over after meat has been stripped away from the bone.  Chicken by-product can contain the head, feet, entrails, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, stomach, bones, blood and intestines, and other parts not fit for human consumption.  These parts can come from ‘questionable’ sources such as zoo animals, road -kill and 4-D (dead, diseased, disabled and dying) live stock.  This can also include dogs and cats…imagine that….feeding your pet somebody else’s pet!  Moving on…added color.  From what source? Perhaps beets? Probably not…most likely something synthetic. Next carrageenan…which comes from Irish Moss and is added to processed foods to make them more palatable, which has been linked to side effects such as colon cancer, inflammation, and depressed immune system issues.  Xanthan Gum…a natural sugar derived from corn.  Bear in mind, most dogs are allergic to corn….so not a good ingredient for dog food.  T-bone steak flavor and rotisserie chicken flavor…I can guarantee you these are not the drippings off the real meats, but a synthetic made flavoring.  There are also a few ‘fragmented’ vitamin sources such as A, D3, E and B1…definitely not a vitamin complex, which would be the whole vitamin.  Then there’s soy flour, starch (don’t know the source of that), wheat flour and wheat gluten…again allergy sources for most dogs.  Still more….Red #3, Yellow #5, Yellow #6….these are artificial dyes that are contaminated with known carcinogens (meaning they can cause cancer).  Smoked bacon (It would be a rarity for me to feed my dogs any smoked meats, like ham or bacon). Egg product….hmmmm….not real eggs, but a ‘product’.  I imagine that’s why the Yellow #5 and #6 are added….eggs are yellow because of the yolk, so an egg product would lack this natural color that comes from using a real yolk.  Animal liver….okay, from what animal? This should be specific as to what source it comes from, not just ‘meat’ or ‘animal’.  See by listing ‘animal’ liver, pet food manufacturers can use whatever animal is available to them at the cheapest cost at the time.

As far as the Freshpet Fresh and Natural pet food, in reviewing it, it seems to be a decent product, as it uses whole meats and real eggs as ingredients.  It is available in my area at Kroger grocery stores.  You can go to their website (http://freshpet.com) and find locations around you.  They do add minerals to their product, which is not uncommon, however, my only concern about this is the ratio of the minerals added, are they balanced as they need to be? I am beginning to learn in my advanced canine nutrition studies about the importance of minerals in the canine diet and how improper ratios can cause problems.  I will be addressing this in future blogs as I know more.  I was unable to obtain pricing on this product on Kroger’s website, but I imagine it is rather on the pricey side, which would be a deterrent to many pet people. 

Addressing the use of Atopica or Sulfadene (for itchiness) as was in this comment, my suggestion is this…if it is not a life or death situation, there’s an herb for that…or a truly natural remedy. Bear in mind, herbs take weeks to several months to work through your dog’s system to do their job…so be patient.  I have said in past blogs, there is a time and a place (although not that often in my opinion) for  man-made products.  Please read my blog from August 12, 2012 titled ‘Natural Help For Itchy Skin’.  It has a great recipe for external itching.  There is also a product I use for one of my dogs who came to me with severe allergies and numerous trips to the emergency vet for allergic reactions.  In speaking to her vet (which is also a vet I take my dogs to), the source of her allergies had not been determined.  So, I began at the nutritional level (getting her off the low-fat prescription dog food), and utilized a Seasonal Allergy Support product from Vet’s Best (www.vetsbest.com) which contains a plethora of herbs.  This will assist in working from the inside out.  I will be writing a future blog (Turning Around Maebelle’s Allergies) explaining how I improved a perpetual allergy issue with this dog, and successfully enriched her health.  I think you will be amazed at how what I used did the trick, and pulled her out of a cycle of allergic concerns.

I realize this has been a long blog, understand it is difficult to address such big issues in a short article.  There are many factors that enter in when dealing with nutritional issues, it is very complex, and cannot be easy to explain or work with.  I am also beginning to learn about fur analysis, and will definitely be posting more about this as I gain more understanding of this valuable tool that is more accurate than a blood profile.  As a final conclusion to this comment/question, my answer is, no…I do not believe that a dog would benefit from a diet of Cesar dog food.  Considering what this reader is probably spending on purchasing it (about $ .75 to $1.04 per 3.5 oz. serving), you’d fare much better on a home cooked diet for about the same price, and greater benefit to your dog.  Even picky eaters (like my aforementioned Maebelle), will gobble up chicken, steak, pork, etc., as I’ve not met a dog that did not like meat…which should be the mainstay of a natural diet for canines anyway.  I hope my findings and advice will be of great assistance to the reader who posted this comment/question and to my other blog readers as well.  You love your dog as family, and they deserve no less than the best…that doesn’t mean that it has to cost an arm and a leg to fund, this can be done on a reasonable budget.  I do not make near big money, and I have a multi-dog household, and I can afford to do it.  Perhaps it comes down to where your priorities are.  If you think it is ‘just a dog’, maybe you should reconsider owning one.  I am here to be their voice….their advocate…I hope you will join me in my pursuit of providing proper nutrition to keep your canine companion well. <3

Recent Comments

I received a couple of comments just the other day, and I wanted to post to let my readers know I will be addressing these over the weekend.  I am thankful for my readership, and value your comments, and always want to address your questions.

I will be researching information on Cesar dog food and Fresh Pet, and will have some advice and suggestions concerning that.

I recently wrote a blog about the plight of the abused, neglected and unwanted dog.  I received a comment the other day (which came about from a different blog) regarding how our society has become so eroded.  I would like to make a few more points in this area.

I believe those who read my blog are animal lovers, as I am...I love all animals.  I have very strong opinions regarding them, and I do not apologize for that.  I have zero tolerance for abuse and neglect on any level, whether it's animals or people...young or old.  I would think most would agree with my viewpoints, but I'm sure there are those also who would disagree.

Again, thank you for reading, and I will be addressing these two comments this weekend.  Be safe out there and give them furbabies a kiss and hug! <3

Natural Help For Itchy Skin

It's that time of year...the heat, sun, humidity and bugs of late summer are taking their toll, and many dogs begin to get the 'itchies'.  I know my poor dogs haven't had much real grass to lounge in because it has been so dry, the grass is in a dormant state.

The book I have listed on my 'Suggested Reading' titled 'Raw & Natural Nutrition for Dogs' by Lew Olson, PhD, has a good homemade recipe to help with this.

Mix a three to one solution (i.e., 3 Tablespoons Witch Hazel to 1 Tablespoon aloe vera) of witch hazel and aloe vera gel and apply to the itchy areas as needed.  The witch hazel will temporarily stop the itchiness and kill the bacteria, the aloe vera will cool the skin and aid in healing.

Now, that said....please don't use cheap products for this. Most low cost aloe has artificial synthetic colors added. I like quality products, and organic ones.  Don't worry, these are very reasonably priced, and I'm going to tell you where you can purchase them.  Really, these should be something you always have in your pantry, they come in handy for a lot of things for pets and people.

One of my favorite websites I've ordered from for years is Mountain Rose Herbs.  They're in California, and they have top quality products...the biggest percentage are organic.  You can view their website at: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com.  You can get both of these ingredients for your 'Anti-Itch Doggie Potion' from them.  The aloe vera they carry is an 8 oz. container for $4.25 (see, very reasonable!), and the reason I really recommend their witch hazel is because it is better than commercial witch hazel,  which contains more alcohol than actual witch hazel and is only distilled once.  Mountain Rose Herbs is double distilled and contains only 14% alcohol base, with 86% witch hazel, and it's organic.  A 16 oz. bottle is just $6.25.

You can also purchase the aloe vera from the Vitamin Shoppe, I'm fortunate to have one of these stores on my side of town.  They carry Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera Gel, a 4 oz. is $7.95, and you can many times find it on sale.  Their website is: www.vitaminshoppe.com.

Keep in mind when you purchase products to use externally such as these, that your skin and even that of your dog is your largest organ...whatever you put on it, it is absorbed, so you want to use products with the least amount of ingredients and the best ingredients.  This means less chance for an allergic reaction, especially for your dog.

Note: For dogs with a thick coat/undercoat, mix this up and put it in a spray bottle, and spray as close to skin as possible and massage it in.  Refrigerate unused portions for later use.  This will also add more 'cooling' to your product.

There are many easy recipes that you can make at home that are natural and will work well for your dog.  It just takes a little planning ahead to have the products on hand.

Important Pet Resources

I like to provide useful information to my blog readers.  There are many resources available, and I want to share some of them with you.

Have you ever considered taking a dog first aid class? Especially if you have a multi-dog household, it's really a necessity.  I took one last year here locally.  Check with your veterinarian to see if they offer a class. I took mine at an 24-hour emergency pet hospital.  It was very informative.  It lasted about 3-4 hours, and was hands on as well as lecture by the hospital owner.  Everybody got an American Red Cross Dog First Aid book and we were able to learn how to properly perform CPR and live doggies were there also to teach restraint and first aid bandaging and splinting.  You can go to http://www.redcross.org to find a class if your area.

It is also important to have the phone number of your veterinarian at hand, and know where the emergency pet hospitals are in your area.  Have them written down and posted in an easily accessible location, and know how to get there....it can pay to plan ahead.

Be familiar with your local shelters and rescue organizations, you never know when you may need to solicit the services of one of these places.  Know who can provide emergency boarding as well.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is a great resource for pet owners.  You can look at their website to obtain valuable information.  They have a free sticker you can get to put on a glass door or window at your house to inform emergency personnel that you have pets inside.  They also have information about toxic plants.  The link for that is: www.aspca.org/toxicplants.  They also have an Animal Poison Control Center, 1-888-426-4435 should you need it.  You can check out all these things and more at their website at www.aspca.org.

Hopefully this is information you will never need, but so much can happen.  It really is beneficial and necessary that you know this before, because should something transpire, already knowing what to do can make all the difference in saving a life vs. tragedy.  There are many more areas to cover, and as I come upon them, I will certainly share them with you in this blog.

Thank you all for your support of this blog.  Feel free to email me at ChiLadyInIndy@att.net if you have questions or would like to me to blog about some canine related issue.

The Plight of the Abused, Neglected, Unwanted and Discriminated Dog

The other day I had a posting on my Facebook page about a dog that had to be euthanized because he/she had maggots.  This shocked me.  I thought to myself, ‘how does a dog get maggots…really’?  What kind of conditions and prolonged neglect take place for this to get to a point where the only option is to euthanize the dog? I didn’t read the article, as I knew it’d only serve a purpose of making me angry.  I did leave a comment though. I’m thinking in this case it was an intentional act. After this, I did read an article about how dogs get maggots, but for the situation to get to an advanced stage without somebody noticing there is some kind of problem is beyond me.  That to me is outright neglect.

There is so much of this going on, and I know turning a blind eye to it does not make it go away.  That wasn’t what I was doing when I didn’t read about this particular dog.  I read and see a lot and it sickens me and most times upsets my stomach when I read articles or watch videos about abuse and neglect.  Social networks have brought much of this into the light, and it needs to be.  By doing so issues and problems get resolved.  Unfortunately, it does not make it cease completely.  Persons who do these unimaginable deeds to these sweet and innocent creatures, in my opinion do not deserve to be considered part of the ‘human’ race. 

When I see pictures and read stories about abused and neglected animals I get an overwhelming feeling that I want and need to do more.  It cuts me to my heart to know this exists.  I have shed so many tears and prayed so many prayers for their protection.  Since they are unable to ‘speak’ for themselves, we have to be their voice, otherwise they suffer in silence, and this is absolutely unnecessary.  I have stated many times before in my blog how much I love dogs…not just my own, but all dogs.  I started this blog because I wanted to reach as many dog owners as possible so I could educate them regarding health, proper nutrition and pet responsibility for their canine companions.  I am thrilled to pass along the knowledge that I have learned over the past many years, it’s not information I want to keep to myself…that would not serve a greater purpose.

There are so many resources available to people who have pets and can no longer care for them.  This is the 21^st Century…with the availability of networking, media outlets and extensive friend and family connections available, there is simply no excuse for a dog (or any other pet) to be dumped somewhere to ‘make it on their own’.  There are programs available to assist low income individuals.  Low-cost spay/neuter programs and pet food pantries are springing up all across the U.S.  There are financial programs that allow for payments should your pet require treatment that you cannot pay for all at one time.

Should your pet become lost, there are on-line resources available such as Pet Finder, Craig’s List, Find Fido and many more.  I cannot imagine in this day and age of such advanced technology, that a person wouldn’t  know somebody or have some way of accessing these Internet tools.  Microchipping, and the ready availability of tags for your pets also helps to identify lost pets quickly.  Proper containment such as chain link and privacy fences, harnesses and leashes are a must.  Simply put, this is pet responsibility.  I’m not an advocate for the ‘electric fence’, as they may keep your dog confined to your yard, but it doesn’t keep other dogs out….which could prove unsafe for your pet. 

Then there is this whole issue of BSL, known as breed specific legislation that bans or restricts certain types of dogs based on their appearance because they are perceived to be ‘dangerous’ types or breeds of dogs.  I’ll refrain from saying what I think the ‘B.S.’ means to me…you probably know.  This trend is ridiculous and unnecessary.  What I’d like to see is dogs who take bad owners to the pound.  It’s not the dog….it’s the person who causes a dog to be aggressive.  I can guarantee you if I had a pit bull, he/she would be the absolute most spoiled, cared for baby on the planet!  The only attack would be one of a slobbering tongue all over your face.  I treat my dogs with respect.  I do nothing to intentionally physically hurt them or to put them in harm’s way.  I feel bad and apologize if I accidentally step on a paw.

Another thing that I just don’t understand is people who leave their pets (mostly dogs) in a hot car while they shop or do whatever.  Thinking a cracked window on a 90 degree day is enough to ensure the dog’s comfort.  In just ten minutes that becomes 109 degrees, twenty minutes 119 degrees, 30 minutes 124 degrees…you get the idea.  Would you be comfortable in a car that hot?  How about if your normal body temperature were 100 to 102 degrees and you had a fur coat on?  Under the Animal Welfare Act, you have a legal duty to care for your animal and if you put your animal at risk, you could face prosecution.  It is a misdemeanor to leave your dog unattended in a hot car, and it can become a felony if the dog dies.  You can be arrested, charged with animal cruelty and face fines and jail time. Get a clue people…leave your dog at home in true comfort of air conditioning with fresh water available.

As is evident, I’m on my soapbox.  But I’m not going to keep quiet about these things.  And I hope those who are regular readers of my blog don’t keep quiet either.  It is unfortunate that this is so prevalent in a ‘civilized’ society.  These loving creatures give all they have, because we are all they have….why are so many treated so cruelly and with such disrespect and disregard?  We who are true animal advocates need to be watchful and aware when we are out and about….in our own back yards, keeping a cautious eye even on our neighbors.  If you see an act of cruelty, do not walk away….act on it, and quickly if necessary.  Like that old saying ‘shoot first, ask questions later’. I would do what is necessary to rescue an animal in need….because I am every dog’s advocate. <3