Bully Sticks

Home Treatments for Dog Diarrhea

I once made the grave mistake of leaving my Chinese Kao Pao Spicy Chicken dish in the reach of my fast action Shih Tzu, Bonkers. It didn’t take him long to get a fiery mouthful, and it also didn’t take long before it came out the other end.

I had never seen a dog poop so much. The ensuing diarrhea convinced me to never make the mistake of leaving spicy food anywhere if the vicinity of Bonkers. He now knows to wait for his bully stick.

Dr. Andrew Jones gives us some quick at home tips that we can use to help our dogs through the trauma of diarrhea.

Wish he also had tips on how to get the mess out of my suede couch.

Natural Ways to treat Dog Ear Infections

It never fails. Two weeks after I take my Shih Tzu for a haircut and bath, he gets an ear infection. My Vet gave me some drops to put in his ear to keep them dry, but they irratate his ears.

In this video, Dr Andrew Jones shows you several Natural Methods you can use to treat your dogs ear infections with the help of his faithful pet, Louis. I think Louis deserves a few all natural dog treats, don’t you?

When Your Dog Has Arthritis

It’s estimated that 1 out of every 5 dogs copes with pain and discomfort in their joints. Under ideal circumstances, a dog’s skeleton will not only support their frame, but work seamlessly with their muscles while they’re active. Their joints have sufficient lubrication to allow their bones to move fluidly. However, many owners report that their dogs often have trouble moving without experiencing stiffness or discomfort. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at canine arthritis and provide a few tips to help you relieve your dog’s discomfort.

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

DJD (also referred to as osteoarthritis) is a condition in which your dog’s cartilage gradually deteriorates. This can happen as a result of normal activity over several years or it can occur due to hip or elbow dysplasia (when the socket can no longer support the bone). Conditions such as hip dysplasia are often made worse by a dog overstretching or overexerting himself.

How To Identify Canine Arthritis

First, arthritis can affect all dog breeds (it’s not exclusive to certain breeds). Second, it is progressive. The earlier you can identify it, the more quickly treatment can be applied. The simplest way to tell whether your dog is suffering from arthritis is to watch his gait. If he’s constantly putting more weight on one leg, it may be a sign that he feels discomfort in one of his other legs. Also, watch your dog as he lifts his body after lying down. If he has difficulty doing so, he may have arthritis.

How To Treat Canine Arthritis

Some forms of arthritis can be treated surgically. For example, if your dog is suffering from hip dysplasia, consult your veterinarian. He may suggest that your dog is a good candidate for a hip replacement. If surgery is not an option, you can still provide your dog with relief from the pain by altering his diet (thus, controlling his weight) and having him participate in low-impact exercise (for example, swimming).

Some veterinarians will also suggest giving your dog joint supplements to help rebuild the deteriorated cartilage and reduce any inflammation. Finally, try to make your dog more comfortable at home by constructing small ramps in places that he frequents. By using the ramps, he can avoid putting undue pressure and stress on his joints.

Another great natural option for dogs living with arthritis is to give them beef trachea chews which are a lot like bully sticks in that they last for a while; but they also have the added benefit of being a natural source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

The Comfortable Companion

Most owners don’t consider the possibility that their dog can experience arthritis until it happens. Then, they’re often at a loss for solutions. If you notice that your dog is displaying signs of joint pain, take him to a veterinarian. Through surgery, weight control, low-impact exercise, and a comfortable environment at home, you can provide him with relief from the pain.