pet meds

2010-05-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

Now You Can Give Pet Meds to Your Pooch Quickly and Easily

People who don't have dogs just don't seem to get it. Your dog is more than just a pet; it's a valued member of your family. You treat it with love, respect, and dignity - just like you would if it were an actual family member.

This especially applies when your dog is sick or not feeling its best. You don't just leave the cure or your pooch's ailment to chance or nature - you take your dog to the veterinarian to identify the problem. And if necessary, you purchase medication to either combat the illness or to maintain your dog's ongoing health and well-being.

Here's the good news: this process can now be made easier by purchasing your canine medications online! Now you don't have to make repeated trips to the vet's office or the pet store. You can simply order your pooch's meds online and get them shipped right to your door! It's quick and easy, and it can even save you money!

You don't even need to visit a vet to purchase certain products that are commonly available at any pet store. Some of these products include:

- Flea and tick shampoo
- Skin and coat care tablets/lotions
- Bone and joint medications
- Nutritional supplements
- Behavior modification medications
- De-worming substances
- Dental hygienic products
- Gastrointestinal control products

For these and other similar products, all you need to do is log on to an online pet medication merchant, select which products you like, submit your payment, and wait for them to be delivered!

Sometimes, your pet may need medications that require a prescription from a veterinarian. While online pet medication portals cannot dispense canine prescriptions on their own, they can fill prescriptions which have already been issued. Products that are available from an online supplier but require a prescription from a vet are usually marked with the symbol "Rx" or some similar designation.

Some of the most popular prescription medications available online are:

Atopica, an oral form of cyclosporine which treats dermatitis
PhyCox, a chewable supplement designed to reduce joint inflammation and discomfort
FortiFlora, a nutritional supplement designed to treat diarrhea
CoproBan, a flavored chewable which helps deter coprophagia, or stool-eating
Vetoryl, a trilostane tablet designed to treat hyperadrenocorticism due to an adrenocortical tumor

So after a visit to your vet, you can elect to acquire the prescription and fill it online rather than obtaining the medication from the vet's office itself. Because online pet supply merchants can purchase products in bulk, you can often enjoy significant price savings from what you pay a vet for the exact same medication.

If your dog needs the medicine right away, there is another option available. You could buy the initial doses of the medication from the vet, but if you need to refill the prescription, you can choose to have the online pet med supplier handle the refill and get the medication shipped to you directly. This prevents you from having to go back to the veterinarian's office just to get a medicine refill.

You don't necessarily need to have a prescription slip in your possession to buy your pet meds online. Most online merchants will contact your veterinarian directly if needed to obtain the proper authorization for your pooch's medications. However, this process cannot substitute for a diagnostic visit by your veterinarian.

When you do order your dog's medications online, they will usually arrive at your door in about three business days. If the online merchant needs to verify a prescription with a vet, the process may take an additional one or two business days. Many websites give you the capability to track your order online so you can see exactly when it is scheduled to arrive at your home.

Many online retailers will give you a price break if you are willing to place a bulk order. So if you want to order several months' worth of medicine at one time, you may be able to save money. In addition, you can often receive free shipping on orders that exceed a certain dollar amount.

Most online pet suppliers have return policies that allow you to send back unopened quantities of products within a certain time period (usually around 30 days). This helps make the online shopping process more convenient and eliminates the buyer's concern about ordering the wrong type or amount of medication accidentally. However, online suppliers are prohibited by federal law from accepting returned prescription medications.

Whenever your dog gets sick, it's perfectly natural to worry about its health. But with online pet medication suppliers, you can eliminate the worry of having to secure a vet appointment to get your pooch's medicine or discovering that your vet cannot fill your prescription because their supply has been depleted.

Today, online shopping has revolutionized practically every type of consumer transaction. Now, online pet retailers are changing the way you order medications for your dog - by making the process simple, quick, user-friendly, and secure. So the next time you need some medicine for your dog, you may want to consider heading for your computer instead of your vet's office!

Nir Reid is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and pet meds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nir_Reid

Is your dog in pain? Give him pain relief safely

2010-02-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

Posted on January 31st, 2010

Dogs are man's best friend. I've always been a popular pet because of their nature loving, intelligent and loyal. Over the years, the dog is to provide with great pleasure. But what may be unaware that your dog is growing every year more, even though its appearance seems not to be changed. It has no physical signs of aging as gray hair and wrinkles, but the age may be, your dog is likely to experience a lot ofSuffering and pain.

Knowing their needs

It is necessary to meet the needs of your dog, if you want your pet to live longer and happier your dog is able to verbally tell you if he or she is in pain. However, the dogs would give advice on where his illness, discomfort or pain. Dogs vocalize their pain by crying, wailing and whimpering.

Some dogs have a higher pain tolerance and can not show his pain until it is too late, then you mustSee your dog with attention. Your dog may be suffering, but not vocalizing her pain. Change is an indicator of temperament well enough pain in your dog. Your pet may, on the cycle of pain, and it is better to inform the vet as soon as possible, to administer the appropriate treatment.

Treating common illnesses ages, prevention and treatment

One of the most common diseases leading to arthritis pain that your dog would be. If your dog has arthritis, he or shemore likely to need painkillers do as human beings.

Arthritis can be done by your dog vitamins, supplements and medications to avoid for pain relief. You need your dog to relieve his pain, or we would lose the company of your pet. Excursions on foot, would be in the car with you, running, or even up to greet extremely painful form of torture to your dog. Your dog would show changes in personality, perversity and redemption.

PainDrugs for the relief, as DGP (Dog Gone Pain) Now you can relieve your dog from his pain and help him or her will, once again the playful member of your family. DGP is a painkiller for the canines, which was developed by Australian veterinarians and herbalists. Revitalize your dog mentally and physically, while relaxing your 's pet joint pain. DGP facilitate joint inflammation, helps with tissue repair and strengthens the immune system. This drug is the effectimmediately, with improvements in less than a week, and is safe for long-term use. Your dog will feel relief, and that would be around with his ability to act and to socialize, after weeks of round to show pain.

General Guide For Pet Medication

2010-01-26T23:22:00.000-08:00

Published by: Ahmed Barnavies

Pet medicines can become very costly and expensive for pet owners. Most owners are seeking options to purchasing highly priced pet meds. One great place to lower your medical costs for your pets is to shop online at websites that are specifically offer pet medications. The tough part is selecting which website is the best and offers only top quality products for your beloved pets.

There are lots of veterinary and pet medication websites to be begin on the Internet nowadays, and all affirmation to be the foremost ascendancy and antecedent for your pet's needs. Affairs medication for your pet is okay, as continued as you apperceive absolutely what you're affairs and the able amounts to administrate to your pet. Thus, the able admonition of a registered veterinarian is invaluable.

Carprofen >>> Carprofen is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter remedies as Advil (ibuprofen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and aspirin.

Cephalexin >>> Cephalexin is a good broad spectrum antibiotic, which means it is useful in most common and uncomplicated infections.

Adequan >>> In treating arthritis, injections are given twice a week for 4 weeks for a maximum of eight injections. Injections are given intramuscularly.

Terbinafine >>> Terbinafine has activity against other types of fungi but at this time it is mostly used against ringworm.

Buspirone Hydrochloride >>> In veterinary medicine, buspirone has been especially helpful in the treatment of phobias (such as fear of thunder, people in uniform, etc.).

Griseofulvin >>> This medication is used to treat ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin involving fungi.

Meclizine hydrochloride >>> An excellent product for people that can also be used for car-sick pets, meclizine hydrochloride is generally used for nausea relief due to motion sickness.

Metoclopramide >>> Motility disorders are common and may be chronic or of sudden onset. When motility is reduced in the stomach, food pools there and creates a sensation of nausea and bloating.

And many pet medication, may you can take care for your beloved pet :

Trimethoprim Sulfa
Diphenhydramine
Phenylpropanolamine
Ranitidine
Chlorpheniramine Maleate
Clemastine fumarate Diazepam
Enrofloxacin
Fenbendazole Orbifloxacin
Phenobarbital

Any way, It wouldn't be astute to just acquirement from any old abode on the Internet for your pet's health. After all pets are a allotment of our ancestors and deserve superior medications. The acceptable account is that you can acquirement medications online and still save money while accepting top superior pet meds. Additionally, you can generally acquisition bargain pet med prices accumulated with chargeless shipping.

Why is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam?

2010-01-20T21:32:00.000-08:00

By Kenny Leones

When it comes to our dogs, most of us will stop at nothing to ensure that they are well-taken cared of; comfortable and even pampered beyond compare. After all, man's best friend only deserves the best, right? This is why, any sign of discomfort; illness or general unhappiness; will have us scrambling to the vet for answers. One particular situation that may have us scared stiff relates to the question "Why is my dog coughing up white foam?"

Most dogs have undergone such an episode that directly asks the question Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam? Now, before we get into a state of panic, there are several reasons why our dogs may be vomiting what looks like white or even yellowish foam.

WHY DO DOGS COUGH UP WHITE FOAM?

There are quite a few explanations pertaining to our inquiry of Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam? One of these is that they may have ingested something that's not right for them - or is not compatible with their stomachs. An upset stomach can sometimes result in dogs vomiting some sort of whitish substance, usually foamy and thick.

Another reason behind Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam is what is generally called a bilious vomiting syndrome. When there is too much bile in the dog's tummy, they release it through vomiting. Too much bile can also result in the dog feeling nauseated hence, the vomiting.

This syndrome usually occurs after a good night's sleep. Usually, if our dogs simply vomit this bile and has no other indications of other illnesses, then it is highly likely that the dog has the bilious vomiting syndrome.

WHAT WE CAN DO

On the other hand, if we are asking Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam and has been feeling restless for several days; is not eating and experiencing other symptom, then it is time to take the dog to our trusted vet. A visit to the vet can alleviate our fears and also give the proper medication to our dogs if they have more than just a bilious vomiting syndrome.

Since the reason behind Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam is this syndrome, what we can do is give the dog a small snack in the middle of the night just so they won't wake up hungry which may cause the syndrome to occur. We can find out more about this condition via the internet and more importantly through our trusted vet. Both measures can give us helpful tips and the necessary emergency care in case our dogs start to vomit white foam again.

How Pet Meds for Traveling Work

2010-01-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

by Olivia Page

You're taking a cross-countr y trip with your two dogs. How do you make sure that your best friends can make the trip in style and comfort? You're not alone in traveling with your family pet, as more and more people are going Greyhound with animals in tow. But how exactly do you make this work? While options abound, some people medicate their pet to ease its stress.

Travel medications work to reduce the chance of vomiting and other accidents on the road. They also calm your furry friend during long and stressful road trips. Your veterinarian can help you plan your trip so that bringing your pet won't be a hassle for either of you.

If your pet isn't used to hitting the road with you, you should take a few short trips first so your pet c an see the car and feel it in motion. While boat, train or plane access might not be possib le before your first extended trip, it is a good idea to prepare your pet for travel as much as possible before you go, whether you medicate or not. All animals respond to medication and stress in different ways, but knowing your pet's habits, preferences and stamina helps.

There are hundreds of pet-friendly medications available, so let's examine some important aspects of pet medication. In this article, we'll introduce you to meds for motion sickness and discuss bladder control, and we'll point out a few rules of the road when using sedatives -- such as always consulting your vet before medicating your pet.

Let's start with the crucial issue of bladder control.

Good health keeps your pet smiling pretty

2009-12-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

Published: Thursday, October 22, 2009 12:00 AM CDT

(ARA) - Our pets tend to eat the same way we do, which means - unfortunately - more cats and dogs suffer from unbalanced diets, obesity, food allergies and other health problems related to nutrition.

You can keep your playful dog in excellent shape and your cute and cuddly kitty lean and trim with the following nutrition tips from 1-800-PetMeds. If your pet is super-cute, you can enter the 1800PetMeds World Games Pet Photo Contest and win $1,000.

* Check the ingredients in your pet's food.

Some of those beautifully packaged brand foods for dogs and cats can contain a lot of grains, and cats and dogs do not have the right organs to process corn, wheat, rice or oats. A small amount of grain isn't bad, but healthy dogs and cats need protein as the top ingredient in their food.

* Sugars are a no-no.

Dogs have limited sugar tasters on their tongues, and cats don't have any. They don't get the same pleasant reaction that you get when eating something sweet. Since sugar has the same bad influences on your pet's body as yours, keep the sugar away from them.

* Allergies not always caused by fleas.

While fleas are the most common cause of allergies for dogs and cats, what your pet eats is near the top of the list. For dog food allergies, 66 percent are caused by beef, dairy and wheat ingredients. For cat food allergies, 90 percent are caused by beef, dairy and fish ingredients. A number of tests can help determine what your pet is allergic to, and while there is no cure, you can probably find a treatment.

* Keep track of medications.

Just like you have to tell you doctor about all the different drugs you're taking to prevent drug interaction, you need to speak with your veterinarian about all the pet meds your dog or cat takes. Make sure you keep a list of shots your pet receives, and discuss the brands of food and oral hygiene you use.

For additional pet health tips from PetMeds or to find your favorite pet medicine, visit www.1800-PetMeds.com.

With a happy and healthy pet giving you smiles and showing off with crazy antics all around your house, don't forget to grab your camera and snap a few photos. You can submit pet photos to the PetMeds World Games Pet Photo Contest. Categories include cutest pet, funniest pet, look alike pet and ugliest pet. Each month a winner will be drawn from each category and win $1,000.

Go to contest.1800petmeds.com to submit your photo, or to vote for the current contestants. Close ups and full-body shots of single animals are required.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

My Pet World: Dog reminds owner to take medication

2009-12-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

By Steve Dale

Updated: 12/01/2009 09:20:56 AM CST

Q Is it possible my dog has trained me to take a daily medication I require for a heart problem? Here's what happened: I keep my medication in the same cupboard as Snoopy's treats. For a few days, I would give Snoopy a cookie as I took my medication, always around 6 p.m. Now, each day at 6 p.m., my dog reminds me he wants a cookie — and he reminds me to take my medication.

— S.C., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A I love your e-mail! This is exactly how service dogs are sometimes trained to remind people to take their meds. This is one way dogs can benefit us, even if Snoopy doesn't know why he's helping you.

Q I've had cats all my life, and now I have five. Jessie, a chubby tortie, has an odd habit I've never seen before. She makes a sound like she's chewing on her cud. I can't relate this behavior to any particular mood, but the chewing sound bothers me. She also snores. Is this related to the cud-chewing? My vets can't find anything wrong. Any ideas?

— C.M., Peoria, Ill.

A Dr. Colleen Currigan, a feline veterinarian in Chicago, is concerned that the cud-chewing sound you mention could be due to a physical problem.

"Sometimes, dental problems are hard to find with a quick look under the lip, and an exam under anesthesia could be suggested," she notes. "There may be lesions in the cat's mouth or on her tongue, which could be related to a kidney problem. Believe it or not, I've seen cats who chew very oddly because of abdominal

discomfort."

Currigan said she's watching a friend's cat who chews her food as meticulously as she grooms. There's no explanation for this, and this cat is fine, as yours may be.

As for the snoring, Currigan says the "overnight vocalization" may be related to whatever's causing the unusual chewing habit — or blame your cat's rotund figure. It's not unusual for overweight cats (or dogs) to snore, particularly as they age.

Q A neighbor has a boa constrictor. He and his girlfriend swear it's dead or maybe asleep for the winter, and they've threatened to dump it outside. Do boas hibernate? Would it survive in the cold and snow?

— J.K., Sheboygan, Wis.

A It would be horrifyingly cruel to abandon a tropical snake to cold and snow. The snake would surely freeze to death. In Southern climates, where a tropical snake could possibly survive, it would add to nonnative species impacting the environment.

Dr. Stephen Barten, a Mundelein, Ill., veterinarian with a special interest in reptiles, points out that many kinds of snakes found in the Midwest do hibernate. These species are acclimated to cold climates, but even they must find a warm place to snooze through the winter. A boa constrictor, on the other hand, is strictly a tropical snake, totally unsuited to Wisconsin winters.

It's not necessarily surprising but certainly sad that your neighbor doesn't know more about his pet. If you don't know anything about exotic pets, you shouldn't have one. If he suspects the boa is dead, he may be right. While boas do slow down in the cold — and I only hope the snake's cage is heated — they typically do respond if touched. Kept at inappropriate temperatures, snakes become more susceptible to illness. In any case, your neighbor should take his snake to a vet —- today.

Q My cat loves sleeping on top of my computer, probably because it's warm. How do I keep Big Red off the terminal?

— A.D., Baltimore, Md.

A Big Red is likely choosing a warm place, but it's also a place where you are. In any case, computer experts tell me that terminals easily collect cat hair, which may impact performance.

You could buy a product called Sticky Paws to place on top of the computer (make sure it can be removed easily before you put down this double-stick tape). Cats detest sticky stuff on their paws.

Another idea is a product called SSSCAT. Place the can near the computer, pointed to where you don't want the cat to go. If the cat tries to jump on the computer, a motion detector will activate and a tone will sound, followed by a nontoxic spray. SSSCAT is available at some pet stores and multivet-inter.com or call 800-732-2677

Equally as important, provide a warm, soft place near your work station; consider placing a cat bed or lamb's wool blanket on the desk. To get your cat into the habit of snoozing there, place a hot water bottle nearby or a heating pad under the bed/blanket (make certain the heating pad is set on low and unplug it when you're out of the room).

Write to Steve Dale at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to petworld@ stevedale.tv. Include your name, city and state.

Featured video Tax Break? Why government error could hurt more than 15M. Travel AAA: 38.4M in U.S. will travel at least 50 miles for Thanks

2009-11-18T20:27:00.000-08:00

By Sharon L. Peters, Special for USA TODAY
Sometimes good things happen to good people.
This is one of those times.

It's the story of Alayne Marker and Steve Smith, a married couple who had high-power jobs — he was a corporate communications guy, she a corporate attorney — then left it all behind to move to middle-of-nowhere Montana to start an animal sanctuary.

PAW PRINT POST: Rolling Dog Ranch among ASPCA Humane Award winners
Takes some guts to do that, of course. Couple of Brooks Brothers folks in their 40s — the height of their earning potential — downshifting from Seattle city life and fat paychecks to a little creekside house with urine-proof floors. But there's more. They take in animals that shelters can't deal with: disabled ones. Blind horses. Dogs with three legs, or neurological or orthopedic issues, or blindness. Cats that are blind or can't walk well because of congenital or neurological issues.

I made the couple's acquaintance about three years ago after I'd heard about their extraordinary non-profit — Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Ovando, Mont. — and decided to do a story.

We spent hours talking about the farm-tending skills they had gained through on-the-job training and the animal-care expertise absorbed from friendly veterinarians who understood that some of the animals would need middle-of-the night interventions that couldn't wait for the 90-minute drive into town.

We laughed about the endless ice-chopping and snow shoveling/plowing required for more months than anyone who doesn't live in the Rockies might imagine. And they spoke lovingly, endlessly, of the animals they'd taken in, including Lena the blind mare that was teaching them volumes about how happy a sightless horse could be if understood by humans, and Pappy the ancient German shepherd who refused to have a bad day.

It would have been easy to suppose that while the couple were well-meaning, they would eventually be driven off by the isolation, manual labor, round-the-clock care of animals and nasty winters — in short, by the very essence of the life and circumstances to which they'd assigned themselves. But you couldn't make that supposition if you heard the passion roiling just beneath their soft-spoken demeanors and their commitment to every individual in their care.

You would have sensed, although they never said this, that every shred of knowledge they'd developed in their previous lives would be applied to this new one to ensure that good intentions were always framed by sensible management, careful growth and strategic thinking.

Nine years after they embarked on all this, Marker and Smith are still strong. So is Rolling Dog Ranch (rollingdogranch.org), 70 or so animals living happily and fully in a place where their disabilities are regarded as nothing more than a reality that alters some things but doesn't diminish their zest.

And (this doesn't happen often enough in the animal rescue world), Marker and Smith are receiving a big-deal honor Thursday: the ASPCA's 2009 Henry Bergh Award, named for its founder.

Not much has changed since the couple embarked on this dream nearly a decade ago. Some of the animals have. A few have passed on. Marker and Smith always get a little emotional when they speak of them.

But the core intent has remained constant. Every animal gets not only top-notch medical care (yearly vet bills run $40,000 to $50,000), but also lots of love, attention and hugs. Most of the 40 dogs sleep in heated "dog cottages" at night but spend their days romping in dog-proof paddocks and roaming in and out of the couple's house, where they settle on a favorite chair, doggie bed or, in Dexter the dachshund's case, pile of freshly washed fleece bedding (five to seven loads of laundry a day is the norm). The cats have a cabin where they soak up sunshine, snuggle into warm laps and play with toys. And the blind horses are paired up in pastures or stabled with others so they're never alone or afraid.

Marker and Smith are charmed by the animals' individual quirks. Widget the beagle mix is seriously attached to a certain section of the futon, so everyone else must move when it's her nap time. Goldie the cocker spaniel mix lives for the sound of the UPS truck and rips into anything left behind.

The work is ceaseless. It takes three or four hours to do the morning feeding, cleaning and chores (and nearly that much at night); a vet visit is required about once a week; some need daily meds; Travis, the dog with the fused jaw, requires a special feeding protocol; and these days Rosie the blind mare, who had colic so severe she required surgery ($5,700), is on "stall rest" and must have a half-mile controlled daily walk.

Smith and Marker never leave the ranch together. When one goes to the supermarket or the dentist or a vet — sometimes to the teaching hospital in Washington hours away — the other stays put. The one time they left together (for an anniversary dinner), they got so edgy they returned home.

Marker is flying sans partner to New York to receive the award, which they see not as commendation for their work but "recognition of the value of disabled animals," Marker told me last week. "The only handicap an animal has is what the human transfers onto it."

Their animals are proof.

So while the full force of winter, with minus-20-degree temperatures and 3-foot snowdrifts, will soon lash their little huddle of buildings, Marker and Smith will again simply haul out the shovels, hunker down, and revel in loving and being loved by a pack of throw-aways they believe they're lucky to have

Woven lamps of all types have been hot for a season or two, but we love the strapping heft of this rustic wire-and-wood Birds Nest Hanging Lamp from S

2009-11-12T18:27:00.000-08:00

DENVER - A well known veterinary hospital is trying to reassure pet owners that a drug mix up was an isolated incident.
At least 30 dogs got sick at the Alameda East Veterinary Hospital near Havana and Alameda on Monday.

The office says the wrong medication was given to the dogs. It is not lethal, but all affected owners have been notified.

The vets say they have instituted a policy of double checking in their pharmacy so this does not happen again.

2009-08-05T23:11:00.000-07:00

Pendleton caught on to pet supplements a few years ago when she noticed that her 13-year-old cat, Sierra, wasn't up to her usual antics.

"She was having a hard time jumping up on the counter, and she wasn't playing as much as she used to," Pendleton says. "Finally, she just spent less time up there, I think, because it was painful for her."

Pendleton researched Sierra's problem online, and learned about the joint supplements glucosamine and chondroitin. She asked her veterinarian, and they agreed to give the cat a product that combines both joint supplements.

"Sierra is jumping all over the place again," Pendleton says.

Now, Pendleton is a believer in pet supplements. She gives Sierra and her other cat, 2-year-old Serenity, a multivitamin, probiotics to help their immune systems and essential fatty acids for skin and coat health. Sierra gets seven pills, Serenity four.

Demand for supplements is on the rise. The pet supplement market has grown about 15 percent annually since 2000 and is now a $1.3 billion business, according to the National Animal Supplement Council. Simmons Market Research Bureau says approximately 17 percent of pet owners give their cats and dogs some type of supplement.

A pet supplement is a product that is intended to complement the diet and help support and maintain a normal biological function. Products range from multivitamins for overall health to targeted formulas that claim to alleviate joint problems or canine cognitive dysfunction.

Dr. Tim Montague, a veterinarian at Eads Animal Hospital in Eads, Tennessee, started using supplements in 1992. He was wary at first because he didn't learn about them in veterinary school, and there weren't many on the market. But when an old professor of his recommended a joint supplement for one of Montague's patients, he took notice. Montague's golden retriever Ayla had an arthritic shoulder, so he also tried a joint supplement on her.

"She could barely make it up and down the stairs, but within a week after the supplement she was running and catching Frisbees in the yard," Montague says. "That sold me on that product." He said his patients have had good success with joint supplements and he prescribes them all the time.

But some substances, such as St. John's wort, may not be suitable for pets, according to the Food and Drug Administration, and their safety and effectiveness is untested in animals. What's more, some supplements have been found to contain lesser amounts of an active ingredient than the manufacturer claims, or substances like lead have been detected.

Dr. Tod Cooperman is president of ConsumerLab.com, which independently tests supplements for humans and animals. In the past few years, his company has reviewed roughly a dozen multivitamins, joint supplements and fish oils for pets and found that about half of the products tested don't pass.

"We have repeatedly found the quality of supplements for pets to be worse overall than for supplements for people," Cooperman says.

With the pet supplement market burgeoning, especially online, the FDA urges pet owners to talk to their veterinarians before giving supplements to their animals, something Montague agrees with.

"People need to be careful about self-medicating," he says. "I've seen many animals harmed by people getting the wrong information over the Internet."

Dr. John Bauer, professor of clinical nutrition at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine, offers four factors to consider when evaluating supplements:

1. Product quality How much of the functional, active ingredient is in the product? Responsible manufacturers will have 800 numbers on the package to call with technical questions about the ingredients, and your veterinarian should know what specific questions to ask.

2. Efficacy Is there any scientific basis to support the use of this supplement? If information about product testing isn't available on the company's Web site or elsewhere, call the company for details about the studies that have been performed.

3. Tolerance. Check the list of ingredients carefully before giving a supplement to your pet. For example, a supplement might include lactose, which some cats and dogs can't tolerate. It's a good idea to consult your veterinarian first to discuss how the supplements may react with any medications the pet is taking.

Dog Problems

2009-02-16T21:01:00.000-08:00

Most people have seen the signs of aggressive dogs like bared teeth, growling, and biting, yet often people do not understand the reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs. Getting a good grasp of the underlying reasons for this aggressive behavior is the first step to learning to curb them in your own dog. A well-behaved dog is often a happier dog, so getting the root of aggressive behavior in dogs is important to you as well as your dog.
Dominance Aggression

One of the reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs is that they want to establish dominance. This behavior can be exhibited toward humans, but it is more commonly shown against other dogs or animals. Canines are pack animals, and there is a certain hierarchy within that pack. Sometimes dogs think of the people in their family as their pack, and they will try to establish themselves as alpha dog, so aggressive behavior may occur when there are a lot of people or pets around.
Territorial Aggression

Along with dominance as one of the reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs, the dog's territorial nature is also common. Dogs often consider their home and family as a possession, and they will protect them all fiercely. Aggressive behavior may occur when a dog feels that someone has intruded on its space or is threatening its family. While it may be one of the admirable reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs, it is still undesirable and unacceptable in the world of human beings.
Fear Aggression

Fear is another one of the reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs. There are some specific signals that a dog is afraid, and those signs need to be taken seriously, because fear is one of the most misunderstood reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs. A dog in a state of fear will usually lash out because it feels cornered. The dog will usually show signs like growling, ears pulled back, and the tail between the legs. When a dog lashes out because it is afraid, the behavior is often mistaken for direct aggression rather than a reaction to the stimulus.

Pet Meds

2008-07-16T02:10:00.000-07:00

The CVM (FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine), which regulates medications for use in animals, has approved some NSAIDs for use in dogs with pain from degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) or with pain after surgery. These medications include:

• Etogesic (etodolac)
• Rimadyl (carprofen)
• Metacam (meloxicam)
• Zubrin (tepoxalin)
• Deramaxx (deracoxib)
• Previcox (firocoxib)
• Novox (generic carprofen)

NSAIDs help to control signs of arthritis, including:

• inflammation
• swelling
• stiffness
• joint pain

Inflammation (the body's response to irritation or injury) is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, the body chemicals that cause inflammation.

The FDA considers approved NSAIDs to be safe and effective when used according to the label and when dog owners are informed about common NSAID adverse reactions.

If a dog is prescribed an NSAID, the CVM recommends that pet owners take the following steps to make sure they are fully informed about the medication and can make the best decision for their dog's health.

Work With Your Veterinarian to Find the Best Arthritis Medication Available

Many NSAID choices are available, and selecting the best NSAID for a particular pet is important, says Sharkey. "Sometimes, the process of finding the best one can mean changing the prescription."

NSAIDs for dogs are made in many forms including: caplets, tablets, drops, and injections. Medications include:
• Etogesic (etodolac)(tablets)
• Rimadyl (carprofen)(caplets and chewable tablets; injection)
• Metacam (meloxicam)(drops given by mouth; injection)
• Zubrin (tepoxalin)(rapidly disintegrating tablets)
• Deramaxx (deracoxib)(chewable tablets)
• Previcox (firocoxib)(chewable tablets)
• Novox (generic carprofen)(caplets)