* Disorders of the central nervous system.
* Endocrinal disorders like Cushing’s disease and Addison’s disease.
* Neoplastic conditions that is growth of tumors.
* Immune mediated diseases.
* Emergency situations like spinal chord trauma.
* Inflammation related respiratory and bowel disorders.

Side effects of prednisone depend directly on the quantum and duration of the drug administered. Short term use of prednisone is less likely to cause any damaging side effects. It is only when the dose reaches an immunosuppressive level when the side effects start causing concern.

Overdose of prednisone can cause suppression of normal adrenal functions, Cushing’s disease in dogs and destabilization of metabolism if withdrawn abruptly. Short term use can cause excessive urination abnormal hunger and an increase in the appetite for dogs. Prolonged use, even in recommended dosages may cause:

* Diarrhea.
* Gastrointestinal ulcers.
* Inflammation in the pancreas.
* Muscle degeneration.
* Vomiting.
* Weight gain.
* Diabetes.
* Behavioral changes.
* Skin and hair coat problems.

Prednisone is normally termed as a ‘good drug that has bad side effects’. It becomes necessary to use the drug for serious ailments in dogs. But uncontrolled use can be extremely dangerous.

Some precautions can limit the downside of this useful drug to a large extent.

Avoid using prednisone along with diuretics as it can cause electrolyte imbalances. Potassium and digitalis level need to be monitored constantly.

If the body perceives that prednisone is being provided externally, it is likely that the natural production of the hormone will stop. One dose of prednisone lasts for more than a day. Once the condition is controlled it should be tapered off by increasing the intervals between doses. This keeps the adrenal glands active and prevents then from stopping production completely.

Dogs on systemic corticosteroids are more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. As systemic corticosteroids suppress immune responses, it is likely that the dog may not show signs of infection such as high temperature. Constant monitoring of such signs during the stage when the drug effects are at a low is important.

Do not use prednisone along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs can interfere and cause ulceration and bleeding in the stomach or intestines.

Prednisone should be used for diabetic patients only when required to save the life of the patient. Corticosteroids tend to increase the requirement of insulin and therefore, cause complications in the management of diabetes.

The female hormone, estrogen, interacts with corticosteroids by acting synergistically to increase the affect of prednisone and cause abortion. It should not be used when your dog is pregnant.

To be effective, prednisone must be converted to prednisolone by the liver. If the animal is already suffering from some hepatic disorders, it is advisable to administer prednisolone rather than prednisone.

Prednisone is not advisable for dogs having systemic fungal infections, except in cases where your dog is suffering from Addison’s disease. Avoid using prednisone for young dogs. If necessary, it should be used with care as it is liable to cause gastrointestinal ulcers.

Hyperadrenocorticism in a dog or Cushing’s disease is a life threatening condition and prednisone needs to be used. However, used indiscreetly it can actually cause Cushing’s disease in dogs. There is no reason why you cannot manage this contrarian situation by educating yourself about how and when to use the drug appropriately.

References:

http://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/monographs/prednisone.asp

http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/drugs/pred.html

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_prednisone.html

Article courtesy of PetAlive

Treating cancer, including canine and feline cancers with chemotherapeutic drugs is beset with dangers. Most veterinarians are against the use of these drugs since the affects are sometimes worse than the ailment. Mostly veterinarians suggest chemotherapy if the dog owner insists and is adamant to prolong the life of his dog, irrespective of its quality.

If you are looking for a better quality of life rather than just adding the number of years, you should look towards a holistic treatment for cancer. A natural approach is devoid of toxicity, has no side effects and attempts to fight cancer cells in a natural way. Success, of course, is not in your hands but you can provide a comfortable life to an already beleaguered animal.

The first step should be to clear the pet’s environment of all potentially carcinogenic materials and chemicals. Change his environment so that there is no contact with harmful pesticides, chemicals and toxic materials. Clean the household where remnants of these tend to accumulate. Throw out the plastic feeding bowl and use ceramic or metal. Start giving filtered water to the dog.

Homoeopathy can do wonders if a remedy is found that meets all the symptoms present in your dog. Such a remedy can prove to be one of the best tools to manage cancer.

There is a strong correlation between nutrition and cancer. Commercial foods available in the market carry preservative and synthetic substances that may be carcinogenic and may cause harm to the process of healthy cell multiplication. Home cooked and organic food is best for your dog’s health. If home food is not an option, opt for health foods for dogs that are available in health stores. Before buying make sure that they do not contain hormones, pesticides or antibiotics.

You may also choose to give therapeutic level supplements of antioxidants, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Many herbs also help in fighting cancer and can be given directly or along with a meal. Discuss with your veterinarian and select a few herbs and natural foods that are rich in zinc, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids. Fish oil or flaxseed oil have anti cancer properties and increase oxygen uptake to cells.

Caring for a dog with cancer requires dog owners to be well-conversed with the minute details of how symptoms of cancer manifest in pets. Cancer tends to remain concealed till a long time. For example, the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs are vague and are normally ignored or associated with milder conditions. Creating a program for home cancer care will go a long way in curbing the growth of cancer cells. If you can start such a program right from the time you bring your dog home, it may even prevent the dreaded disease.

Article courtesy of PetAlive

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We all know that cancer takes time to be detected. We also know that it usually manifests itself when it is almost impossible to cure it completely. What most of us would like to know is why it is so. The term neoplasia is used interchangeably with cancer. Neoplasia is the pathological process that results in the formation and growth of a tumor. It requires a billion cells or thirty times of dividing and multiplying before a tumor can be seen. And malignancy occurs only when these rapidly dividing cancer cells invade normal tissue.

Malignant cancers can spread through the blood stream or lymphatic vessels. There are many types of cancers that spread to specific neighboring or distant organs but the most common sites are lymph nodes, lungs and liver. To add to the problem, symptoms of most types of cancer, like the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs, tend to surface prominently only when the disease has reached an advanced stage.

It is imperative that due attention be paid to even subtle behavioral and physical changes in dogs for ruling out or confirming the prevalence of cancer. Many types of cancer can be effectively treated, even cured, if they are attended to in the early stages. Some of the signs that may indicate cancer as an underlying cause are easily short listed into ten symptoms. It will not be out of place to mention here that these signs apply to humans also.

* An abnormal swelling that refuses to go away even after treatment.
* A sore, lesion or a wound that does not heal within a reasonable time period.
* Weight loss despite sufficient diet.
* Incessant bleeding or discharge from any opening in the body.
* Difficulty in urinating or passing stools.
* Chronic diarrhea or vomiting.
* Loss of stamina and difficulty in breathing.
* Subtle changes like increased sleep, lack of interest and refusal to play.
* Bad smell.
* Refusal to eat for more than two days.

Most of the symptoms can be noticed easily if you are observant and indulgent while grooming. Any abnormal sign that was not there when you last groomed the dog should be brought to the notice of the veterinarian. Nine time out of ten it may turn out to be a minor ailment but that should not reason to be negligent. Remember that early detection can save the life of your pet.

Article courtesy of PetAlive

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The immune system is the body’s internal and natural self-healing system of reciprocation that comes into action as soon it recognizes an intrusion of foreign bodies. We call a disease as immune mediated when some underlying cause has caused the immune system to stop recognizing foreign substances. The immune system stops creating antibodies for combating the invasion and produces an autoantibody that starts destroying normal cells. Such a disease may be restricted to a single organ or region or the whole animal.

Autoimmune diseases have far reaching consequences depending upon the extent to which they have affected the body of the dog. The pathological signs of multiple autoimmune diseases are normally seen in the same animal since the animal becomes more vulnerable to infections due to a weakened immune system. For example, symptoms of liver disease in dogs as well as feline liver disease are common once the immune system’s automatic responses are restricted.

Typically autoimmune diseases occur due to four types of actions that take place within the body:

* An autoantibody targets a specific organ. For example, autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs when an autoantibody targets blood cells. In Addison’s disease the target is the adrenal gland.
* Antibodies that target different proteins in the body are produced. These circulate through out the body and cause multiple organ autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by complex immunoglobulin class molecules that are deposited in the lubricating fluid in the spaces between joints.
* Sometimes antibodies and T-cells act together to restrict the activity of an organ. T-cells are one of the two types of cells that carry out an immune response. Autoimmune hypothyroidism is an example of disease caused through this mechanism. The thyroid receives a large number of T-cells and also antibodies programmed to destroy thyroid cells.
* Autoimmune diseases also arise from deficiencies in the complement system. For example liver disease in dogs restricts production of complement serum enzymes that have to be activated to carry out an immune response.

Due to the innate nature of the disease, autoimmune disease has multiple symptoms that depend upon the organs, body systems that are being targeted. As most of the symptoms tend to confuse and mimic other conditions it requires proper investigation through blood, urine and other tests to confirm whether the condition is immune mediated or not. Some of the symptoms in dogs, reported prior to diagnosis, include:

* Diarrhea and colitis: with or without traces of blood
* Lethargy, depression and intolerance to exercise
* Muscle wasting and weakness in legs
* Skin sores, mouth ulcers, lesions, especially nasal and anal lesions
* Stiff joints, alteration in gait tending to lameness and stiff limbs
* Enlarged lymph nodes
* Anemia
* Seizures
* Loss of appetite and weight
* Body odor
* A marked change in bark
* Weight gain if thyroid is affected

A weakened immune system fails to do what it has been programmed to and starts rejecting body’s own tissue as foreign. This exposes a dog to repeated attacks by infections that further deteriorate an already serious condition. It is now coming to light that many well known diseases like hypothyroidism and diabetes may be immune mediated and caused by rejection of hormone producing cells.

Article courtesy of PetAlive

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A dog’s body is capable of fighting minor diseases on its own. Frequent occurrences of skin disorders, allergies, respiratory and eye disorders and other general problems are sure signs of dysfunction of the immune system in pets. It is important to be on guard rather than letting the situation go out of hand. Maintaining the health of the immune system of your pet will not only restrict frequent occurrences of disease but also help in improving chances of survival in the event of a serious disease.

Antioxidants are one of the proven supplements that help in fighting disease. Antioxidants also limit cell damage and thus provide support to the immune system when disease occurs. Vitamins are a group of organic substances that are essential in small quantities to normal metabolism.

Vitamin C and E are specific antioxidants that are normally used as supplements to counter the oxidizing chemicals originating during cell damage. Vitamin C also plays a key role in enhancing the T-cell production for an increased resistance to bacterial and viral infection and allergies. Vitamin E, on the other hand prevents oxidation of Vitamin A, red blood cells and unsaturated fatty acids.

Carotene, an orange compound of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants is converted into vitamin A in the liver. It is indispensable for a healthy skin, growth, digestion and repair of body tissues and protecting mucous membranes of mouth, nose, throat and lungs for reducing vulnerability to infections.

Bioflavonoids or simply flavonoids, a group of antioxidant chemical compounds widely found often as a pigment in plants, fruits and vegetables, are termed as ‘nature’s biological response modifiers’. They have a strong inbuilt capacity to affect the way the body responds to allergens, viruses and carcinogens. Flavonoids are widely present in plants and protect them from microbes and insects.

Diseases like liver disease in dogs or feline liver disease are highly progressive diseases that are also difficult to diagnose and even lead to the death of your pet. Moreover, symptoms of liver disease in dogs and cats are varied and subtle and the disorder is likely to be diagnosed late. It would be unwise to look for vitamin supplements at the time of illness. The preferred approach should be to maintain the health of the immune system for reducing the incidence and severity of diseases in pets.

As much as you can, try to feed a natural diet to your dog. If you must buy commercial pet food gather enough information so that you can understand the contents mentioned on the label so as to be able to avoid those containing chemical preservatives. Chemical preservatives do more harm than the possible benefits of the ingredients.

To ensure that your dog is eating the best food, feed a home cooked diet that is rich in Vitamin C, E and A, antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids for best possible benefits for immune system. Even though dogs need meat based proteins, a healthy mix of meat and vegetables will go a long way to derive benefits that both vitamins and flavonoids can provide to the immune system.

Article courtesy of PetAlive

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These days, emotional and psychological problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral problems are just as prevalent in pets as they are in their owners. Similarly, physical ailments such as diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, cystitis, kidney and liver disease, skin disorders, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and other problems are becoming more and more common in domesticated animals.

Many, if not most of these conditions can be prevented by helping your pets to live a healthier lifestyle. For pets already suffering from existing conditions, a combination of lifestyle changes and natural medicine can work wonders!

What are the symptoms of muscle and joint conditions?

Dogs:
• Overall stiffness especially after rest
• Whimpering when getting up
• Difficulty climbing stairs or climbing in and out of car
• Reluctance to exercise
• Lameness
• Unusual movements (for that particular animal)
• Disjointed or wobbly gait
• Swelling and tenderness in limb or spine
• Shying away from being stroked along their back
• Thickening of the Joints of the affected limb
• Favoring the use of one limb more than another
• Irritability

Cats:
• Overall stiffness especially after rest
• Crying when getting up
• Crying when being picked up
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Reluctance to exercise
• Lameness
• Unusual movements (for that particular animal)
• Disjointed or wobbly gait
• Swelling and tenderness in limb or spine
• Shying away from being stroked along their back
• Thickening of the joints of the affected limb
• Favoring the use of one limb more than another
• Irritability

There are a number of reasons why your pet could develop joint or muscle problems. Sprains and strains are fairly common in many active animals and certain animals may be more prone to this than others.
Cats especially may have nine lives but their constant leaping from roofs and trees can put stress and strain on their joints, especially if they are overweight.

There are also a certain number of medical conditions such as arthritis (an inflammation of the joints which is most common in older pets, especially dogs); spinal diseases such as spondylosis and spondylitis (also more common in older pets and particular in dogs) and hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip’s ball and socket which is more common in dogs but may affect certain breeds of cats).

Certain breeds of dogs and cats may be genetically more prone to developing conditions such as hip dysplasia and spinal problems.

How are muscle and joint problems usually treated?

For many conditions, conventional treatment is largely symptomatic, aimed primarily at reducing pain and inflammation and keeping the animal as comfortable as possible.

Splinting, casting or surgery may be also be necessary. While prescription anti-inflammatory medication may help to ease the pain, it can also play havoc with your pet’s stomach lining, sometimes leading to ulcers and digestive problems with chronic use.

Prescription medication may ease the pain and inflammation, but would have little healing effect.
How can natural remedies help?

Nutrition is a key element in the treatment and prevention of many muscle and joint problems.
As part of a holistic approach to treating your pet, natural remedies can help to build and strengthen your pet’s immune system, encourage the elimination of toxins, strengthen and protect his skeletal system and generally improve the overall health of your animal – in addition to alleviating and treating the specific problems associated with muscle and joint problems.

Other components of a holistic approach to therapy, especially in relation to alleviating and treating the symptoms associated with muscle and joint problems, include aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic.

What is Muscle and Joint Support?

Muscle and Joint Support capsules are specially formulated for pets and contain a unique formula combining herbal medicines, biochemic tissue salts and nutritional substances all well known for their therapeutic and protective effect on the skeletal system, including muscles, joints, cartilage and tendons.

Muscle and Joint Support is an excellent choice for pets suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and degenerative joint disease and can also be used as a tonic and preventative in animals known to be susceptible to joint and bone ailments.

Article courtesy of PetAlive

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When you bring home a pet it means you are adding a member to the family. Just like other members of the family, pets too require health care. Although sometimes you will see a veterinarian prescribe similar to human drugs for your pets, health care for pets is however pretty different from what we are used to in regards to humans.

One of the most common mistakes that we commit is with regard to feeding our pets. We usually tend to associate our own dietary habits on our pets without realizing that pets are animals and are structured differently. For example, dogs require to be fed according to their weight and that too only once or twice a day. On the other hand, some pets like cats and dogs need to be neutered to avoid strong urine and unwanted pregnancies.

The important thing to remember is that you have your friends, family, and recreation, but your pet has only you. Pets too get sick and develop allergies. They also are source of certain allergies to humans too. Many of us do not realize that like any other family member, even pets can get heart attacks, arthritis, behavior problems, cancer, diarrhea, and other ailments that we generally associate with humans. This requires pet owners to be aware of all pet health related issues.

We handle minor ailments in humans easily with information passing down from generations. Small things like calming aggressive behavior, ticks, vomiting, and leaking bladder in pets need treatments that you have to be conversant with. Sometimes it is simply a matter of sugar content in food, or how many times a week you give your pet a bath that is the cause behind your pet behaving abnormally or developing symptoms of an ailment.

Physical changes in your pet are also important and a monthly hands-on examination will go a long way in understanding whether anything serious is developing. Troubled signs include exposed skin, thin or dry coat, ribs showing, lethargy, limp, or simply the absence of “spring” in step.

As with human medication nowadays, there are lots of alternate remedies available for pets too. You can ask your veterinarian or visit the World Wide Web for alternate remedies for pets. You may choose homeopathic medicine for your pets. There are also specific cat herbal remedies and dog herbal remedies available too and a thorough research on the subject will ensure a trouble free life for your pet and go a long way to enjoy having one at home.

Article courtesy of PetAlive

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