Pinay Pet Lover

1. Clean the house thoroughly-Vacuum carpets, Wash all rugs and make sure every corner of the house is cleaned thoroughly. Dilute a weak acid such as kitchen vinegar to water and use this to sweep floors and spray the carpets, furnitures, corners and crevices. Finish off by dusting salt on the carpets and rugs. Be consistent in cleaning and try to do this every other day.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar or weak cooking vinegar maybe used combined with water (50:50 dilution) and use it to towel bath your dog or used as spray while carefully avoiding the eyes.

3. Place a few drops of lavender on your pet's collar.

4. Mix a small amount of apple cider vinegar in the pet's drinking water.

5. Add a small amount of garlic on your pet's food

4. When shampooing your pet, allow it to stand for atleast 5 minutes before rinsing then apply solution no. 2.

Canine Parvovirus. Does it sound familiar to you, most specially to dog owners? Probably you've heard it from your veterinarian who highly recommends vaccination against this virus. Or maybe you've already heard how this virus killed Oprah's Cocker spaniel puppies, Ivan and Saddie last 2009. What is "parvo" and why did I label it notorious?

Canine Parvovirus or "Parvo" is the most common serious viral disease of dogs predominantly affecting young puppies between 6  to 20 weeks of age. Unvaccinated pups and those which does not have maternal antibodies (found in the colostrum or first milk of their mothers) are more susceptible. Approximately 80% death rate has been reported in untreated infected pups. Puppies with existing parasitic and bacterial infections are susceptible in developing a more severe form of disease.

It can infect any dog breed but disease symptoms are also more severe in Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers. The reasons behind this is still unknown.

It is not Parvovirus itself that kills the animal but the effects associated with the infection such as dehydration.  Treatment is directed to correcting electrolyte imbalance and dehydration as a result of diarrhea and to prevent secondary infections that occur due to the tissue damage and low white blood cell counts.

Vaccination still remains as the best preventive for the disease. Although it does not make the dog immune, it in increases their resistance against the viral disease. 

Summer is a good time to go out and soak up the warm heat of the sun. While we enjoy the summer days, let's also make sure that our pets don't get too much heat which may result in heat stroke.

Heat stroke occurs when the body is exposed to too much heat and the body is unable to

Some time ago, our pet Larry, a blue-nape parrot showed symptoms indicative of disease agent called Salmonella pullorum. These were the symptoms Larry was having: decreased appetite, chilled appearance-shivering, closed eyes, depression, white diarrhea and saying "buh-bye" --which scared mom most.

As an animal owner, you may wonder and question the necessity of vaccinating indoor animals. Your pets are not exposed to outside environment where they could acquire contagious diseases. Also, vaccination appointments with the vet can be expensive. So you ask, how is it necessary?

Maybe you ran out of cat food. Or your cat passionately prefers to eat your dog's food than eat her own food. Or maybe you see no difference between the two that you don't mind feeding whichever is available. At one point or another, maybe you've encountered such situations and wonder if it's okay for your cat to eat dog food.