Canine kidney disease is a very serious illness that affects many pooches. It can become life threatening very rapidly and there are a number of things that cause the problem. Below you will find out what some of the usual causes of canine kidney disease are.

Bacteria is a major cause of kidney disease in dogs. It is pretty common for a dog to suffer from urinary tract infections. Infections like this are caused by bacteria that get in through the urethra and make it to the bladder. When these infections go untreated, then the bacteria can get into the kidneys. There, it will cause damage and loss of function which is irreversible.

Trauma is another common cause of kidney failure in dogs. If your dog is hit by a car or kicked hard enough it could cause kidney failure. Fungal infections can also cause trauma to the tissues of the kidney. There are two main fungal infections that often cause kidney damage, and these are blastomycosis and canine valley fever.

Obstructions in the bladder or urinary tract can also damage the kidney of your dog. These obstructions are most commonly caused by bladder or kidney stones. Stones like this are prone to becoming contaminated with bacteria, which then increases the infection risk. When an obstruction blocks the ability for urine to flow freely, then it can become life threatening in only a day or two.

If your dog ingests toxins, this can also cause kidney disease. It is the job of kidneys to filter toxins but when a toxin is too strong, it can cause them to shut down. The most common toxin ingested by dogs is antifreeze, because it has a sweet taste that dogs like. Other things that can cause kidney failure if ingested are heavy metals, rat poison, some types of plants and turpentine. Keep all of these things out of reach of your dog.

Some types of medications that your dog must take can cause damage to the kidneys over time. You can avoid this by only giving your dog all natural medications for whatever medical problem they are having.

As you can see, canine kidney disease has a variety of sources. Some of these can be prevented, and others cannot. The most common cause of kidney failure in dogs is old age, and this cannot be treated. However, as long as you take care of your dog well, they shouldn't have to get kidney disease for any other reason.

To maintain a good life for your dog keep your eyes and mind open to changes in his activity and behavior. When he is sick he needs your emotional support and strength to help him through the rough times of canine kidney disease. Consider supplementing his diet with healing products from http://Pet-Natural-Remedies.com.

• Ceramic Pet Urns These Ceramic Pet Urns courtesy of the Pet Memorial Urns Online network are truly a lovely way in which to honor the memory of your beloved pet and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most Ceramic Pet Urns are designed for indoor use, but if you decide that......
• Kidney Disease in Dogs For an avid dog-lover, the loss of his pet is the single most traumatic experience. If this occurs due to an illness, it becomes even more tragic. Kidney disease is one such killer. It can manifest itself in two ways. One is acute kidney disease and the other is......
• Dog Dental Disease Symptoms and Care by Heather Fox It is very common for any dog over the age of three to have some form of dental disease such as tartar or gingivitis. In fact, statistics state 85%. This is why dental disease is one of the most common canine afflictions. The most common symptoms include:......
• Dog Ear Infection - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention All ear infections, regardless of the cause, may have the same symptoms. Some symptoms to watch for at home that might mean your dog has an ear infection are: Shaking of the Head Scratching at the head or ears Constant rubbing of the head and ears on the floor......

• Three Totally Necessary Dog Training Products [/caption]If you're just starting out with a new dog and don't have any experience in dog training, don't worry. You're not alone. We all need a little backup when it comes to raising a healthy and happy dog - and that doesn't just mean having helpers. It means having the......
• The All-Natural Diet for Dogs: Three Questions and Answers [/caption] Many people find that there are a couple of problems with many conventional dog foods: not only do the dogs not enjoy them, but the quality and nutritional content of the foods themselves aren't exactly up to snuff. In fact, some manufacturers simply try to use the cheapest ingredients......
• Your Pet Monthly #1: June 2009 [/caption] Welcome to the inaugural edition of your pet monthly. I plan to make this carnival a regular feature here at Dog Training Pet. It will cover more than just those lovable canines and man's best friend. You can also find articles on felines, horses, hamsters, birds, etc. I hope......
• What Diet is Ideal for People Suffering from Kidney Stones Indeed, there is no more effective means of fighting any disease but proper diet. Many experts agree that having the right diet is one of the keys in treating and preventing common diseases such as kidney stones. This is because is there is controlled diet, people can choose not to......

Written by Kate Rieger using tags: canine kidney disease, dog care, dog health care, natural pet care, Pets

The most common symptoms of cat struvite stones or calcium oxalate stones in cats is when they you cat has blood in the urine, struggles in the litter box or cries out during urination. You may mistake this for your cat being constipated. What really is occurring is that your cat has a stone blocking his ureter or urethra and his toxic urine is backing up in his body. Read this to get some pointers on how to prevent this painful cat disorder.

Uroliths are cat bladder stones and are caused by an overload of minerals like magnesium and salts, phosphorous, calcium and ammonia concentrating in your cat's urine. Your cat's urine normally has this stuff in it, but when it becomes over saturated with them then these painful crystals form.

Normally cat struvite stones and calcium oxalate crystals build up slowly. When conditions are right, they grow faster and larger. The main condition that causes these crystals to start to grow is when your cat doesn't get enough water. He may not have a good fresh source of water or doesn't get wet canned food to add water to his diet.

There are different types of bladder stones with the two most common being: struvite and calcium oxalate. Struvite stones occur more frequently than calcium oxalate stones. The difference being in what they are composed.

The shape of struvite stones are fairly large and round. Struvite stones in cats have a different chemical composition than calcium oxalate stones. They develop because of high concentrations of minerals in your cat's urine usually because he's not drinking enough water. He may not be urinating regularly to because of a feline bladder infection. A feline urinary tract infection can cause him to stop urinating too.

Calcium oxalate stones are typically smaller than struvite stones. If you look at them you will see they have jagged edges instead of round edges. They lodge in your cats' bladder, or in his kidneys or in his urethra or ureter. The ureter is the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. When it is blocked by a calcium oxalate stone the urine can't pass.

Don't wait around waiting for the stone to pass, because this is a lethal situation for your cat. A blockage in your cat's urinary system is an emergency. When your cat's urine is blockeded for even one day, he will be very sick, in excruciating pain and his kidneys will be damaged.

What You Can Do To Prevent Struvite Stones In Cats

You may have heard about dog's getting struvite stones and they can. The difference is that struvite stones in dogs is caused by a canine urinary tract infection, not by a concentration of minerals in the dog's urine.

There is a good chance cat bladder stones will reoccur. It is wise to plan on a preventative program so you and your cat don't have to deal with cat struvite stones again.

This definitely needs to include plenty of fresh water every day. Don't let the bowl sit around with yesterday's water. Let your cat watch you do this chore and he'll reward you by immediately lapping up the fresh water.

• Canine Kidney Disease - Why Dogs Get Kidney Problems? Canine kidney disease is a very grave illness that affects many dogs. It can become life threatening very quickly and there are a number of things that cause the problem. Below you will find out what some of the usual causes of canine kidney disease are. Bacteria is a......
• Dog UTI - Natural Remedy For Urinary Tract Infection In Dogs by Kate Rieger Are you one of the ever increasing number of dog owners wondering how to treat and prevent a dog urinary tract infection at the same time? If you have tried traditional medicines out there only treat the symptoms and do not get to the real problem in......
• Kidney in a Cat - Tips to Recognizing the Signs of Kidney Failure in Cats by Kate Rieger Its critical to seek immediate veterinary treatment when you notice the signs of a problem kidney in a cat. The earlier your cat gets treatment the more chances she has for a longer life with you. While chronic renal failure arrives over a long period of time,......
• Knowing the Right Fish Food for Your Aquatic Pets Having an aquarium can be fun, but it can also demand time and conscious effort. More than the fish tank and fish tank accessories, you need to know which types of fish food work best for your pets. Feeding your fish the wrong types of food may result in......

• Baby Development Milestones at Week 5 After weeks' worth of rapid cell development, one of the biggest baby development milestones during this week is that your baby is taking on a much more distinct form. During your fifth week worth of pregnancy, here are some of the things that are happening inside of you: Your baby's......
• Saving For Retirement My daydreams about retirement have evolved over the years.  When I was younger I thought retirement meant spending most of the day on the fairways and the afternoons at the 19th hole. Or maybe trolling the waters of a big lake in a nice fishing boat sharing stories with an......
• Pets and area rugs Dogs and cats make excellent pets, as those who know the joy of having animal companions would know. But they do tend to leave hair around. This is especially true of cats. If you have animals, you will want to get area rugs that are easy to clean, consist......
• Where Did I Put That Cat? Transmitter-Receivers for the Hard of Remembering These devices are usually billed as great finders of lost car keys. Look, if you're too simple-minded not to keep those important keys in the same place or two (in my case, hanging by the front door or in my right front pocket - period!), you'll no doubt lose any......

Written by Kate Rieger using tags: animals, cat bladder stones, cat health care, family, feline urinary tract infection, garden, homeopathic pet care, natural pet care, Pets, struvite stones, struvites stones in cats. calcium oxalate stones

You can find non-prescription, natural remedies for treating an infection in bladder of dogs. If your dog is suffering terribly from the pain of a canine bladder blockage then this weighs heavy on your heart. Though bladder problems in dogs be terribly uncomfortable, there are safe, gentle options for treatment him which mediate the pain and your dog's overall health.

Stone-like material or crystals build up in the urinary tract or in bladder of dogs. This leaves your dog vulnerable to bladder problems. The first step in treating crystals or stones in your dog's bladder is understanding what causes them.

Canine struvite crystals occur frequently in dogs and they are usually caused by urinary tract infection. On the other hand, canine oxalate bladder stones are caused by a build up of calcium in the blood stream.

No matter which kind of stones your dog experiences, your dog is going through considerable pain and discomfort. If you need to know how to treat crystals in bladder of dogs without further exacerbating the problem, then the answer is homeopathic remedies. Using a special blend of plant based ingredients, these all natural products can help to ease symptoms and strengthen the immune system to improve overall health.

To be effective, homeopathic remedies must be part of a healthy daily routine. Feeding your dog a special diet low in certain minerals and proteins can help to balance pH levels in urine and encourage stones to dissolve naturally, avoiding the necessity for surgery.

Along with a proper diet, free of additives and preservatives, one answer as to treating crystals in bladder of dogs is by ensuring he is well hydrated. Your dog needs reliable access to a clean water source. Water is vital to flushing the toxins out of your dogs system. Exercise is also extremely important as it helps to keep the entire body functioning properly. So too is proper hygiene since regular bathing and brushing can stop the spread of bacteria.

The other step in treating crystals in dog bladder is to make sure your dog urinates regularly. Holding it in can cause serious urinary tract damage, so you should always heed the signs that your dog needs to go out. The more vigilant you are about this, the less of a chance there is that your dog will develop crystals or other urinary tract problems.

So what about treating an infection in bladder of dogs? Homeopathic remedies are made from 100% natural ingredients. These products can work to alleviate painful symptoms without subjecting your dog to harsh side effects. Natural ingredients have healing antiseptic and antibacterial properties which help to soothe and protect the urinary tract while naturally ridding it of blockage.

• The Effect Of Pain Medication On Your Older Dog When your gets older over the years, it will require a more specialized and focused attention and care in the same way that we provide old people. If you have a mature hound in your family, then you will have to be prepared to handle typical medical conditions such......
• GPS Pet Tracking - For Those Who Never Want To Put Up 'Lost Dog" Posters Again by Adam Webster Do you want to know where your pet is at all times? Well, for any pet owner they always fear the thought one day that there dog or cat will get out and run away. When they do, you need a way to find them. Today's, technology......
• Boston Terrier Health Problems Are No Different From Other Dogs Buying a dog, any kind of dog has both up and down sides. This is no different for a Boston; however Boston Terrier health and other concerns should be brought to your attention, before you go out and become an owner. They may drool, can be neurotic, wheeze, fart,......
• Cat Bladder Stones - Call Them Calcium Oxalate Stones Or Struvite Stones, They Are All a Pain by Kate Rieger The most common symptoms of cat struvite stones or calcium oxalate stones in cats is when they you cat has blood in the urine, struggles in the litter box or cries out during urination. You may mistake this for your cat being constipated. What really is occurring......

• Natural Pest Control It is a fact of life that insects exist, and that they go to where the food is. Who can blame them for wanting to share in our wealth by living under our roof and eating our items left behind. You want to eliminate the pest problem in your home,......
• Homemade Dog Biscuits Your Dog Will Go Nuts For Have you ever experienced the warm and loving relationship you?ve always wanted to have with your dog? You can always make a positive go at it with delicious homemade dog biscuits you can make anytime you want. If you think this sounds way too complicated, read on to find......
• Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog Not to Jump by Terry Zinndell Dogs have a natural proclivity to jump on people. How often they do this will vary with breed and personality. It's been suggested that dogs jump up on people to get a better look at someone's face -- not to attack that person, but to interact with......
• Obedience Classes for Dogs by Martin Davis There are many types of techniques when teaching your dog obedience training. Many people will tell you different things but all dogs will react differently to different commands. Below we have listed tips and tricks to enable your dog to learn how to be obedient. Teaching your......

Written by Kate Rieger using tags: animals, bladder of dogs, bladder stones in dogs, dog bladder stones, dog health care, e, f, family, g, garden, h, home & family, l, n, natural pet care, P, pet, pet health care, Pets, pets_and_animals, v, veterinary

Its critical to seek immediate veterinary treatment when you notice the signs of a problem kidney in a cat. The earlier your cat gets treatment the more chances she has for a longer life with you. While chronic renal failure arrives over a long period of time, acute kidney failure is an emergency. Here's some tips to recognizing the symptoms of kidney failure in cats.

Feline kidneys are vulnerable to a number of life-threatening disorders that can lead to a failing kidney in a cat or chronic renal failure. Your vet would probably agree with the statistics that they see more cats 7 years and older that are showing signs of kidney failure in cats.

The risk for feline kidney disease may be inherited. Some long-haired breeds like Angoras and Persians and short-haired cats like the Abyssinian are more genetically predisposed to kidney problems, either acute or chronic renal failure.

The main difference between chronic and acute kidney failure in cats is that acute renal failure is a very severe situation that occurs relatively suddenly - over a week or a month. Chronic renal failure creeps up on your cat over a longer time, years even.

The most common cause of kidney failure in cats occurs when your cat swallows a toxic substance like antifreeze, pesticides, cleaning fluids and human medications. Common causes of acute renal failure include blockages that prevent a good flow of blood to the kidney in a cat or stones and inflammations blocking the flow of urine from the kidney into the bladder.

Signs Of Kidney Failure In Cats

Occasional vomiting Increase in water consumption Increase in urination Weight loss Loss of appetite

Your vet may refer to some of these symptoms with the terms "polydipsia" or "polyuria". Polydipsia means that your cat is drinking a lot of water - lots of it. On the other end, In fact, you this may be the first sign your recognize of a problem kidney in a cat. When you clean the litter box you find numerous pee-balls of cat litter, or unusually large ones.

If your vet suspects kidney failure in a cat she will evaluate your cat's BUN. BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, as well as the creatinine levels. When these are elevated it means your cat's kidneys aren't working right and need extra help.

Traditionally, treating renal failure in cats is determined by the disorder causing the condition. If acute kidney failure is caused by a urinary tract blockage the stone must be removed immediately. Treating chronic renal failure is done with a more conservative approach. This may include intravenous fluid therapy and changes to diet.

• Canine Lyme Disease -- Doing The Essential Steps To Prevent Problems For Your Pet Dog Canine Lyme disease indicators generally occur within a period of two to five months in the dog being bitten by a tick. A brief description of canine Lyme ailment indicators has been described below. Canine Lyme Disease is brought on by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by deer ticks (or......
• Preventing Kidney Failure in Cat - Protect Your Cat From These Substances Toxic To Your Cat's Renal System by Kate Rieger Age and heredity can be factors in causing kidney failure in cat. A kidney failure in cat can be caused by fungal or bacterial infections. Overdoses of Vitamin D and rodent poison can do heavy damage to your cats kidneys, but there are a number of other......
• Cat Health Bleeding Issues For these past few years, there is an obvious shift towards disease prevention in humans, how to keep fit, how to eat sensibly, get regular check-ups and hope nothing is wrong with the system and undergoing and doing all of these things can make one feel at ease, at......
• For Cats in Kidney Failure - Early Testing For Cats in Kidney Failure Can Lengthen The Life Of Your Cat by Kate Rieger Are you worrying that your cat has a urinary or kidney problem? After you finish this article you'll understand what tests are run for cats in kidney failure. The key to lengthening your cat's life is to contact your vet as soon as possible to have a......

• linklings, sneezing leads to a CAT scan edition I'm a bit late with this week's link roundup (surprise) but I have an excuse. As I was driving to work for an early morning meeting on Tuesday, a heavy, driving rain broke out.  The pitch black, heavy rain and early hour (about 6:30) would have been bad enough but......
• FDA Is Going To Approve Genetically Engineered Animals For Our Food Chain. Genetically Engineered grains have been in existence for several years, amidst many concerns from various organizations and individuals. Now, the FDA is set to approve Genetically Engineered Animals to be introduced into the food chain. Ever since the beginning of Genetically Engineered grains, controversy has surrounded their safety. The Sierra......
• Water's Role in Weight Loss Water is an extremely important element that is absolutely vital when it comes to losing weight. Most people are aware of the fact that cutting down on calories and exercising are necessary for weight loss, but they often eventually run into a plateau, which can occur for a number of......
• Third Edition of Your Pet Monthly: August 2009 [/caption] Welcome to the third edition of your pet monthly. We have several great articles to share with you today. Be sure to check them out! Family and Pets GP shares wag the dog posted at Manely Montana, saying, "life lessons learned from our dog" Jeffrey F posts the......

Written by Kate Rieger using tags: animals, cat care, cat health care, e, f, family, g, garden, h, home & family, i, k, kidney failure in cats, kidney in a cat, n, natural pet care, P, pet, Pet Care, Pets, pets_and_animals

Are you one of the ever increasing number of dog owners wondering how to treat and prevent a dog urinary tract infection at the same time? If you have tried traditional medicines out there only treat the symptoms and do not get to the real problem in your dog. This leads to repeat infections and ever increasing bills at the vet. You will find relief from this by using a natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs that is affordable and highly effective at both treating and preventing a urinary tract infection.

Now be advised that a bladder stone not only causes your dog terrible pain, but it may end in death. However typical causes of a canine bladder infection may be a birth defect, poor sanitation, eating garbage or old tainted dog food or even a weakened immune sytem.

Get your dog in to the vet where she will test your dog's blood and urine samples. Do not dawdle thinking the infection will go away. Your dog will just get into a more serious situation requiring more cost for you and pain for her. A natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs allows your pet's immune system to strengthen which helps her fight off all kinds of infections, not just a canine urinary tract infection.

You can get the most out of natural remedies by using them regularly. Natural remedies restore balance at a cellular level and promote overall health. They can keep your dog's immune system strong and prevent infections from coming back. Antibiotics on the other hand are only a quick fix that will suppress the symptoms but not address the underlying imbalance that is causing the infections to happen in the first place.

Many pet owners are worried about giving their dogs antibiotics because of the potential side effects. Dogs metabolize most of the drugs which then pass through the urine so they have to take high doses of them to compensate. These high doses can lead to an aggravation of the symptoms of UTI.

In contrast, a using a natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs is far safer for your dog and you can give it as part of his daily nutritional program. All you do is mix it in his food and he'll never know its there. There is a pleasant taste and such a small amount dog's never realize they are taking medicine.

In conclusion, if you are worried about the side effects of giving your dog antibiotics, there are alternatives out there. Natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs is safe, affordable, and can also be used as a preventive treatment.

Get away from traditional medical treatments that are best for treating and suppressing symptoms of the canine bladder infection. To keep an infection from coming back, give homeopathic remedies a try and achieve permanent recovery.

• What is the Right Treatment for Kennel Cough? Do Not Pull Out Your Wallet Until You Read This! by David Manchester Have you been looking for a treatment for kennel cough that will not include hundreds of dollars in vet bills? If so, you ought to be looking at symptomatic healing at home to help ease your dog's misery. Dogs who have kennel cough will have a dry,......
• Common Causes of Ear Infections in Canines The Anatomy of the Canine Ear Dogs, just like humans have ears that function to hear sounds in the environment. The difference is that while the outside of a human ear is straight, a dogs ear can be floppy or straight. This area is referred to as the Pinna.......
• Simple Questions Dog Owners Ask About Their Pet's Diet The meals you provide for your pooch are more important than you might realize. If he does not receive the right vitamins and nutrients, his health and vitality can quickly plummet. Once that happens, his body will become far more susceptible to diseases, viruses, and other problems. Fortunately, making......
• Stones In Bladder Of Dogs - Stop The Pain With Natural Treatments For Canine Bladder Disorders by Kate Rieger You can find non-prescription, natural remedies for treating an infection in bladder of dogs. If your dog is suffering terribly from the pain of a canine bladder blockage then this weighs heavy on your heart. Though bladder problems in dogs be terribly uncomfortable, there are safe, gentle......

• How to Really Correct Your Dog [/caption] When it comes to dog training, perhaps the most overlooked aspect of working with a dog is understanding how to correct it. It takes more than simply knowing the right way to do something; you have to be able to "translate" what you know into something that the dog......
• Natural Cures for Migraines No one likes a migraine headache! To say they're extremely painful is an understatement! However, if you dislike the thought of taking medications, experiencing their side effects, or spending the money for them, take a look at some natural migraine treatment options: Treat from the Outside - The power......
• Getting Your Dog to Respond to Calls [/caption]If you've ever called your dog using a command phrase like "come here!" only to watch your dog give you a blank stare like you're an idiot, then this article is for you. We're going to learn exactly why dogs give you this blank stare, and how you can fix......
• Hunting Glossary Continued Cable Guard - This holds the cables off to the side so that there is always ample arrow clearance. Cable Slide - This is designed to fit onto the cable guard, its purpose is to help the cables move across the guard smoothly. Buying a new cable slide made from......

Written by Kate Rieger using tags: canine urinary tract infection, dog bladder problems, dog health care, dog uti, natural pet care, natural remedy for urinary tract infection in dogs, Pets

I had just started my very first online offbeat cartoons and funny gifts venture, and stopped immediately my daily creative routine. Having grown up in rural Mississippi, I was used to the hot muggy afternoons which often brought tornadoes and rain. Thor was about twelve years old but was staring at the walls and not responding to my voice. He had been very active up until then. I got him to the veterinarian within ten minutes and the diagnosis was some rare ailment that dogs that age often get similar to seizures and he must be put down. I had been a dog lover and owner since age four. My intuition made me skeptical of the veterinarians conclusion instead I decided to keep Thor comfortable for a few days at home. Once Thor was resting I urgently began searching the Internet for alternative solutions and discovered Dr. Ian Billinghurst an Aussie author/vet/surgeon.

Dr. Ian Billinghurst was not easy to find. He is an Australian holistic/but also also practices traditional western medicine and surgery. He had just penned the controversial book titled Give Your Dog A Bone. It entailed a diet plan that was basically raw foods, bought at the grocery preferably organic. The special recipe contained lots of raw meaty bones and occasionally a blend of vegetables, raw burger, etc. in a blender. I discovered that raw organic tripe is one of the most perfect foods for domestic animals. The first time I fed Thor a raw chicken wing, I was mortified. I had heard all my life this was the surest way to kill a dog, but I was desperate. I could already see and feel his soul energy fading. Thor surprisingly took to this new diet, after not eating at all or drinking very much water for several days, and even then only by dropper. I switched his water to bottled spring and ordered herb tinctures and live flash-glanced vitamins with live minerals as well. He was devouring these raw foods, from hamburger to raw chicken to carrots to pears to romaine lettuce (and a blend of them all).

Slowly, very slowly, I could see him coming back to life. The biggest problem was the terrible odor and coloration of his stools and urine for the first month. Dr. Billinghurst warned me that would happen. The toxins of commercial pet food were leaving his system. One morning, about a month after beginning Thor on the B.A.R.F. (Bones And Raw Foods or Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods), Thor jumped on my bed, something he had never done prior to the diet. He was wagging his tail and ready to go out and play. He grabbed his leash and was ready for a walk. He didn't want a short walk but was willing to go with me my usual five miles. He kept up with me without even panting or having a shortness of breath. The vet had also advised me that in addition to the mystery disease, Thor also suffered from level two heart diseases. I started giving him the same herbs I was taking for my heart disease such as hawthorn berry and very hot cayenne tincture. I stopped all vaccinations as advised and bought homeopathic nosode vaccines ordered online from an only pet care service in California. His daily diet also consisted of fresh organic fruit and vegetables (and occasionally yogurt mixed in a blender. He loved it all and devoured every meal like a wolf in a hen house, whereas in the days of feeding him commercial dog food, even the best, he approached it with great disappointment and rarely finished a bowl (usually left it less than half-finished).

This should have been no surprise. According to Dr. Billinghurst and now other experts on the subject of the raw pet diet, dogs digestive systems have not evolved very much from their earlier days, before domestication, when they were still wolves, just as cat's systems had not since they were lions. Thor's energy level kept growing and growing as did his wanting to be near me and play at every given chance, whereas he used to mostly lay around and sleep during his pre-barf days. Up until age twenty, he continued to greatly enjoy our walks, usually three to five miles. It was only when he was about twenty one, that his phase two heart disease changed to phase four, and I knew that was dangerous. It was only then, almost a decade since his last vet visit, except for checkups, that I was forced to also use allopathic medicines, such as Lasix for his heart. I did so very hesitantly, as I was aware this type medicine would eventually hurt his liver and kidneys, which of course it did. In his final year, he had several near-death experiences in which I rushed him to the vet. I was already resolved that if he were in any kind of discomfort, or his quality of life was compromised, I would sadly have my best friend put down. The vet insisted he would not put him down. After all Thor had made three major comebacks at age twenty-two which he considered nothing less than a miracle. After a final try of a body flush, I could tell he was almost gone. I asked the vet what to do. He said to take him home, there was still a chance. I knew there was not. I could see his life and soul fading from his eyes. I knew him too well. He had been by my side, by my desk at home where I work, for a decade. I said I would take him home but I ordered a bottle of morphine which I administered around the clock as I slept on the floor cradling him during his final night. I had to put the morphine pill down his throat and set my alarm clock for every three hours so as to wake up and give him another. On the 6 am alarm, I opened the bottle to give Thor his pill, but his life-force was now gone. I looked down and saw there was no breath, no heartbeat. Even though I knew he was "in a better place" I cried for weeks. I looked closely at his face and he was still smiling. He always had a smile through life, and now it stayed with him even in death.

It was snowing heavily outside, icy, and it was hard to carry his almost forty pound body up the hill. He had a favorite hill behind our home where he chased birds, squirrels, eagles, chipmunks, rabbits and every animal imaginable. I built a small casket for him and a headstone. I had a shovel in the other hand. I lay him down in the casket, and begin digging, first through the snow and ice and finally through the hard dirt until the hole was about four feet deep. I lay him in it, said a prayer, and filled it cold and shivering and still crying. I carefully placed the coffin in the ground and filled it up. I placed the headstone. It's epitaph read, To Thor: A Special Dog Who Brought Only Joy & Happiness To All. Loved and missed more than he will ever know. Your best friend, Rick

Almost two years has passed since I buried Thor on that snowy day. I grieved much longer and was more intense than I had calculated lasting nearly half a year; and still think of him often. Friends were suggesting I go immediately to the shelter and adopt another. I could not do it then but now I know I will one day. It is after all what Thor would have wanted. I can only thank God, and thank Dr. Ian Billinghurst the Father of The Raw Food Diet, and Shirleys Wellness Cafe, for giving Thor and I another beautiful ten years together. Although one veterinarian had decided it was time to put Thor down, it was, in reality, time for Thor to begin living. Thanks to the B.A.R.F. diet, I had ten more wonderful years with the best dog anyone could ever imagine.

• Proper Nutrition Helps Diabetic Feline Get Off of Daily Insulin Injections Poor Brutus! When I think back to what life was like for our then-six-year-old cat, I just want to cry. He weighed about 20 pounds, which Dr. Frick told us was 8 to 9 pounds too many. Two years ago, our previous vet diagnosed Brutus of having diabetes and......
• Home Cooked Dog Food Is Easier To Make Than you Think by Adrian Fletcher You may have heard the stories of canned and boxed pet foods turning out to be dangerous leading to a recall of these types of products. Some dog owners who worry about pet food recalls are becoming quite skeptical about the quality of commercial dog food. To......
• Practical Procedures For House Training Your Puppy While you are going to need some stacks of newspapers to house train your puppy, other items are needed as well. Paying attention, patience, consistency and commitment are a part of it as well. A guide for training your puppy is listed below. Remember that accidents will happen even......
• Will The American Bandog Mastiff Be The Dog Choice For You? The American Bandog Mastiff is a sweet, docile hybrid dog that has roots well cemented in the Mastiff, American Bulldog, and Pit Bull. These dogs tend to grow to a significant size and they become strong for their size. Thus, choose one wisely and you will find you have......

• Bottle Battles Breastfeeding really is best for a child but not everyone is able to breastfeed for various reasons. For my own children, I was able to breastfeed for roughly one month but neither of them were breastfeeding well. My oldest was not latching and I was losing milk production very......
• Your Life Quest as a Self-Leader If you are familiar with Neo-Tech, then you will recognise the perspective of this article written around 2006, about becoming a 'Neo-Tech Self-Leader'... Your Quest: the Strong & the Gentle My short story written years ago called "I Am Earth's Survivor" has received powerful and touching reviews and has drawn......
• When to Bring the Dog to the Vet [/caption]The old saying that dogs are "man's best friend" certainly holds true, and that's never more apparent than when your dog needs medical help. But there's a fine line between taking care of your dog when it needs help and worrying too much about its health. Where exactly is that......
• allure of the older guy: part 2 "Kissing is a man's business" - Gerry   (PS: I love you, character portrayed by Gerard Butler) Oh my God, how true. Having kissed men and boys, trust me; I know the difference. Boys think they know they are getting it right and have no concern whether they are pleasing you......

Written by Rick London using tags: art;entertainment, best dog diets, d, dog breeds, dog diet, dog food, dog foods, Dogs, e, h, holistic dog care, holistic pet care, Humanities, n, natural pet care, o, organic, P, pet, Pet Care, Pets, pets_and_animals, r, rescue animals