Researchers at Auburn University are testing a new dog bone cancer therapy that holds hope for humans with the same condition.  This new dog bone cancer therapy consists of injecting a virus normally used in the Canine Hepatitis Vaccine.

This canine hepatitis vaccine virus is modified in the lab so that it only duplicates itself when it is actually inside the cancer cell.

Once the virus is injected and enters the cancer cell, it causes the cancer cell to rupture and die; at the same time it releases thousands of copies of itself, which then attack and kill the remaining cancer cells.

According to the Bruce Smith, director of the Research Team, they found a way to turn the cancer cell into a factory producing more and more viral particles so that in essence the cancer cell becomes an “agent of its own death.”

Once they are able to confirm that this new viral therapy works as expected for dog bone cancer, they hope to create a single therapy that is able to treat multiple types of canine cancer.

Canine bone cancer affects approximately five percent of dogs.

In over 90 percent of the cases, even with amputation of the affected limb, the cancer spreads to the lungs and dogs typically survive less than nine to twelve months, even with chemotherapy.

Canine bone cancer survival rates are very poor.

Thanks to a two year grant from the American Kennel Club, Canine Health Foundation, this new study plans to accept 20 dogs with bone cancer. All dogs must be referred by their veterinarian and all must have all four legs intact, so cancer cell can be collected for the study. These dogs will be treated and monitored for two years.

Ultimately, the team plans to take the knowledge gained from treating bone cancer in dogs to create new human cancer treatments.

They are planning to partner with various medical colleges to run clinical trials in human cancer cases based on the initial results in dogs.

The Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, operates according to a concept called “One Medicine.”

One Medicine views pet and human health as one field whereby discoveries in one species such as a dog, acts to offer health advancements in humans as well.

According to Smith, “Dogs are physically very similar to people.”

In addition, the types of cancer and genetic mutations affecting dogs are quite similar to those affecting people.

Consequently what researchers discover in dogs is in most cases very applicable to people.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Natura Pet Products once again has expanded its dry pet food recall to include all sizes and lots of dry cat food, dog food and pet treats with expiration dates up to and including March 29, 2013. Salmonella bacterial contamination has been cited as the cause of the expanded pet food recall.

Recalled pet foods affected include California Natural, Evo, Innova, Healthwise and Karma.

The Michigan and Georgia Departments of Agriculture conducted testing on Natura’s pet foods and detected the presence of Salmonella bacteria.

The Natura pet foods are sold worldwide through veterinary clinics, online and at retail in America and Canada as well as in Japan and Australia.

Pet owners who purchased the recalled pet foods should carefully discard them. Consumers may contact Natura directly for additional information.

Consumers who purchased any of Natura’s recalled pet food products should discard them and contact Natura for a refund at 1-800-224-6123.

In addition to Natura’s pet food recall. BARF World, a manufacturer of raw pet food has also issued a recall due to a salmonella bacterial outbreak in their manufacturing facility.

The BARF World raw pet food recall directly affects the Lamb and Combo patties, with a “best buy” date of July 27, 2013.

Note that neither company claims to have received any reports of sickened pets at this time.

Pet owners should discard the tainted raw pet food and may contact BARF World toll free at 866-282-2273 for refunds and details.

Salmonella bacteria diseases are Zoonotic which means they are easily transmitted between pets, pet food and people. Suggestions to avoid contamination include practicing good hygiene.

Wash your hands well, carefully discard tainted pet foods and sanitize pet food bowls and any surfaces that may have come into contact with the tainted pet food or its packaging.

Signs of Salmonella in dogs and cats include vomiting and diarrhea with or without blood, lethargy, appetite loss and fevers.

In humans additions symptoms may include Endocarditis, urinary tract infections, arthritis and eye problems.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Dogs born blind from birth are now able to regain full vision, regardless of age.

According to a recent publication in the Journal of Molecular Therapy, researchers at Michigan State University combined two therapies which reversed an inherited form of total color blindness in dogs, called Achromatopsia.

Although the study focused on dogs this novel therapy may prove effective in helping people regain vision who also suffer with this form of hereditary color blindness.

According to veterinary ophthalmologist Andras Komáromy, DVM, gene therapy only works if the cells in the eye that process daylight and color are not totally degenerated.

Therefore they used a protein called CNTF to selectively destroy the eye’s light sensitive cells, which vets call photoreceptor cells. At the proper dose, its similar to pruning flowers, the protein partially destroys the cells but at the same time it allows for new growth.

Canine Gene therapy follows the protein injection and replaces the mutant gene associated with the blindness. The results have been overwhelmingly successful. All seven dogs in the study regained full vision.

Dr. Komáromy, an associate professor in Michigan States Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, was amazed at their success.

Although Achromatopsia is a rare condition, it’s a good model disease for other ocular disorders affecting the photoreceptors cells of the eye, which detect color.

These photoreceptor eye disorders, on the other hand do constitute a major cause of incurable blindness in dogs and humans.

Because of the tremendous success of this therapy, new treatment concepts are currently being investigated for Retinal Therapy Disorders causing blindness in pets and people.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Vetsulin was originally marketed by Merck Animal Health, in 2004, as the first federally approved insulin for diabetic dogs and cats. After Vetsulin killed thousands of helpless dogs, it was finally discontinued in 2011 and just recently has been re-approved by the FDA. Vetsulin is now available to US veterinarians and diabetic pet owners.

Vetsulin is an insulin zinc suspension, of porcine origin which means it is derived from pigs.

According to Merck, the amino acid structure in Vetsulin is identical to canine insulin which Merck representatives said minimizes the risk of potential adverse immune mediated disorders resulting from its use in dogs. Diabetes in cats, on the other hand is not thought to be an immune mediated disorder therefore the risk of developing auto-antibodies is negligent.

In 2009, the FDA issued alerts regarding a lack of stability in Vetsulin. Pet owners were advised to keep a close eye on their diabetic pets in case of an adverse reaction. Following this initial FDA Alert, thousands of diabetic dogs were rushed into emergency rooms all across the country, suffering from the consequences of this unstable Vetsulin.

Results included kidney failure, anemia, and blindness due to cataracts, neurological disorders and death.

There was also a multi million dollar Vetsulin Class Action Law Suit filed and settled out of court in which some of the financial burdens experienced by grieving pet owners were addressed.

Since Vetsulin was officially taken off the market in 2011, diabetic dogs and cats have been doing quite well on human DNA derived insulin, available for example, at Wal-Mart for a fraction of the cost when compared to Vetsulin.

Adverse reactions experienced by diabetic dogs taking human insulin have yet to be documented or even reported, according to this veterinarian and author’s knowledge.

According to Merck, the number of diabetic pets is currently exploding and in dogs has tripled over the last 30 years.

Merck says the stability and sterility issues in Vetsulin issues have been fully addressed, and FDA approval has been obtained to reintroduce Vetsulin to the US pet market.

Vetsulin, referred to as Caninsulin in Canada and other countries outside of the United States, has been used to treat diabetic dogs and cats overseas for more than 20 years.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Dogs born blind from birth are now able to regain full vision, regardless of age.

According to a recent publication in the Journal of Molecular Therapy, researchers at Michigan State University combined two therapies which reversed an inherited form of total color blindness in dogs, called Canine Achromatopsia.

Although the study focused on dogs this novel therapy may prove effective in helping people regain vision who also suffer with this form of hereditary color blindness.

According to veterinary ophthalmologist, Andras Komáromy, DVM, Gene therapy only works if the cells in the eye that process daylight and color are not totally degenerated.

Therefore they used a protein called CNTF to selectively destroy the eye’s light sensitive cells, which vets call photoreceptor cells.

At the proper dose, its similar to pruning flowers, the protein partially destroys the cells but at the same time it allows for new growth.

Gene therapy follows the protein injection and replaces the mutant gene associated with the dog’s blindness.

The results have been overwhelmingly successful. All seven dogs in the study regained full vision.

Dr. Komáromy, an associate professor in Michigan States Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, was amazed at their success.

Although Achromatopsia is a somewhat rare condition, it’s a good model disease for other ocular disorders affecting the photoreceptor cells of the eye, which detect color.

These photoreceptor eye disorders, on the other hand do constitute a major cause of incurable blindness in dogs and humans.

Because of the tremendous success of this new blindness therapy, new treatment concepts are currently being investigated for Retinal Disorders causing blindness in pets and people.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Procter & Gamble (P&G) recently announced a voluntary recall of pet food products for dogs and cats after the Michigan Department of Agriculture detected Salmonella bacterial contamination in a bag of randomly tested pet food.

In fact, Salmonella was detected in a single package of EVO Turkey & Chicken Cat Food on March 15, 2013.

Late last Friday, P&G expanded its recall of Natura Pet Food Products for dogs and cats to include all products made at a Fremont, Nebraska production facility between January and March, 2013.

In addition, they announced that the Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of Salmonella bacterial contamination in various other lots of their pet foods.

Pet food lines affected include California Natural, Innova, Evo, HealthWise and now Karma.

A recent news release submitted by the FDA, confirmed, Salmonella was also discovered in other packages of EVO Turkey and Chicken Cat Food as well as in Innova Cat Treats.

It’s been a rough month for Procter & Gamble’s pet care division as initially a mold problem hurt the launch of their new Iams Shakeables pet product, then the Salmonella contamination issues followed.

These recent quality-control problems at Proctor and Gamble have arisen after years of declining sales for P&G’s pet care products. The fact is P&G still has not recovered financially from the Menu Pet Food Recall in 2007 in which Melamine contamination caused kidney failure and the subsequent death of thousands of innocent dogs and cats.

Despite the fact that no pet or human illnesses have been confirmed, taking precautionary measures is necessary to protect your pets and your family from Salmonella. Salmonella is a Zoonotic Disease which means it is easily transmissible to people and other pets.

Be sure to practice good hygiene by washing your hands well and sanitizing any and all surfaces the tainted pet food and it packaging may have contacted.

Signs of Salmonella in dogs and cats include vomiting and diarrhea with or without blood, lethargy, appetite loss and fevers.

In humans, additional symptoms may include arthritis, Endocarditis, eye issues and urinary tract infections.

Pet owners who suspect their dog and/or cat may have been exposed should contact their veterinarian. Individuals who may have become sickened should contact their primary health care provider.

Pet owners who have purchased the tainted pet food should carefully discard the tainted food.

Natura representatives are available by phone Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30PM CST. Pet owners interested in replacing the tainted pet foods may contact Natura directly by calling 1-800-224-6123.

It is noteworthy to mention the fact that despite P&G’s struggle to recover from the Menu Pet Food Recall in 2007, this is the third pet product-quality issue Procter and Gamble’s pet care division has experienced in the last two weeks since March 18, 2013.

This veterinarian questions the true aggressiveness of P&G’s quality control when it comes to their pet care division products. P&G offers pet food products for dogs and cats which are sold not only worldwide but also at major USA retailers and in veterinary offices.

Pet owners who wish to file a pet food complaint may do so online at FDA.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Because the list of recalled pet foods and pet treats is so extensive, exact product codes and lot numbers of P&G’s recalled pet food products are available online at Natura dot com or at the Food and Drug Administrations pet food recalls section.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Sprucing up your canines skin and hair-coat makes your dog feel good and helps to keep your dog’s skin and hair coat healthy.

In addition dog grooming helps to eliminates mats and tangles so your dog’s hair coat will insulate and protect him or her from the cold weather and gives pet owners a chance to check for canine lumps and bumps.

Canine coat shedding is a natural process that usually occurs each spring and fall.  Indoor lighting and heating, as well as seasonal temperature variations all affect your dog’s shedding.

Although most healthy dogs shed twice a year, some breeds, like Pekingese, Collies and Great Pyrenees, shed all year-round.

Canine skin disorders, dietary imbalances, and hormonal fluctuations all affect dog hair growth and shedding cycles.

DOG HAIR COAT TYPES 

How often your dog needs to be bathed and groomed will vary depending on your dogs breed, his or her hair coat length and your dog’s lifestyle.

Canine breeds that shed year round, like the Pekingese and Collie, need to be brushed regularly and groomed every 4 to 8 weeks to properly maintain their hair coats.

Dog breeds with fancy haircuts, like Poodles and Cocker Spaniels, require hair coat care at four to six week intervals.  Poodles shed but their hair does not come out until it is brushed.

Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers need hair coat attention every couple of weeks just to keep their long, silky canine coats tangle-free.

Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and other dog breeds with relatively short coats need a good bath and brush out at least 4-6 times a year.

Regardless of the breed, the dog bath is the single most important factor in dog grooming.

FACT: The more hair your dog has, the more coat care is needed.

FACT: A leash prevents excess wandering and makes dog grooming safer and easier for you and your dog. Dog leashes allowing 12 to 18 inches of slack lets dogs move around a little but not too much.

Dr. Carol’s TIP: For long-coated dog breeds make a “canine poop shoot” by trimming excess hair from beneath the anal area under your dogs tail. This promotes cleanliness and helps prevent several canine health problems, especially with those involving parasites and flies for dogs living in warm, humid climates.

Flies lay eggs in soiled dog fur which hatch into larvae called maggots.  Maggots live on flesh, including your dogs’ and can cause life threatening, systemic canine infections.  English Sheepdogs, Collies and Shelties are at high risk.

TIP: Using a table, rather the floor makes dog grooming easier. A rubber mat placed on your grooming table provides your dog with secure footing so he or she doesn’t worry about slipping and/or falling.

Dr.Carol’s Dog Eye Stain Remover Home Remedy: 

Mix 2 tablespoons of Boric Acid into 1 cup of luke warm water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture to moisten it. Use the damp cotton ball to gently wipe your dog’s eye stains.

Dog Owners Home Hair Care Grooming Guide:

Use pet shampoo and conditioners that are specifically designed for dogs.  Your veterinarian will recommend pet products that are best suited for your dog’s skin and hair coat.

Proper pet grooming equipment also makes your job easier.  A slicker brush, along with a metal comb, a pin brush, and a bristle brush work well for most dog breeds initially.

Before bathing, brush out your dog’s hair coat and remove as many mats and tangles as possible.  Mats are twice as hard to get out once they get wet.

Lubricate your dog’s eyes with artificial tears, or put a couple drops of Vitamin E oil, or Eye Restore in each eye. Cotton balls work well to keep water and shampoo out of your dog’s ears.

Shampoo twice and rinse well.  Leaving the second set of suds on your dog for five to ten minutes lets you get the most residual action from medicated shampoos.

Use canine coat conditioners sparingly then be sure to give your dog’s hair coat a final rinse.

Your dog may or may not tolerate being blow dried.  In either case, keep dogs indoors until they are dry.  Then brush out your dog’s hair coat.

Brushing your dog’s fur backwards helps to remove excess undercoat.  Check for mats between your dog’s toes and footpads, be sure the toenails aren’t too long, and wipe out your dog’s ears.

MYTH: Bathing dogs more than ever few months dries out their skin and hair coat.

TIP: Proper grooming tools are essential to maintain your dog’s coat.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Cat Lice are tiny, six-legged parasites that feed on blood and can cause anemia. Weak, run-down kittens are the most susceptible to feline lice.

Tiny white spots, called nits are visible to your eye and are located in your cats fur. These are the cat lice egg casings, visible in the photo below.   

Feline lice spend their entire life on your cat and are not transferable to other pets or people.

They do not infest your home and are a problem primarily in the cooler winter months. Feline lice can cause blood loss which in young kittens can result in anemia.

In the United States, lice on kittens and puppies are rare although head lice on school children are quite common.

SIGNS OF CAT LICE

Itching
White nits in hair
Anemia (pale-whitish gum color in a weak kitten)

WHAT YOU and YOUR VET CAN DO for CAT LICE

• Once cat lice have been confirmed, the treatment for feline lice is relatively straightforward and is similar to that for fleas. Most products that kill fleas also kill lice.

Bathe your cat with d-limolene or a pyrethrin-based shampoo. This kills adult lice but not eggs, so repeat the baths weekly until all the eggs are gone. Leave the suds on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse well.

Pyrethrin dips are also effective for lice.

Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins which are effective for lice and fleas. These are available commercially as dips which are sponged on after bathing and allowed to air dry.

Improve the general health of your kitten. Enhance the diet by adding a natural pet comprehensive vitamin-mineral supplement rich in B-Vitamins which will help to combat anemia by promoting red blood cell production.

COMPLEMENTARY CAT LICE THERAPY

Itching from mites and cat lice which are magnified and may be seen in photo on the left can be controlled with

Vitamin C supplementation – 250 milligrams of powder 3 times daily added to meals.

Vitamin E – 400 IU (international units) per week added to meals.

HERBAL CAT FLEA REMEDIES

Citrus fruits like lemons contain d-limolene which act as a repellent for lice and fleas and mites.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

No one likes to think about a beloved pet growing older. We cringe as the once exuberant puppy needs help up stairs or tires after a short walk.

Anti-Aging medicine is the newest clinical medical specialty offered to physicians.

So, why don’t we hear more about this for our pets?

Pet owners are demanding a higher quality of pet care for their dogs and cats and human medicine is moving from a disease-based model to a preventive, proactive approach. Shouldn’t our veterinarians move in this direction as well?

The fact is the pet anti-aging movement is already occurring. Many veterinarians are shifting from our current disease based model of medicine to pro-active preventative wellness protocols that get our pets into their offices two, three or even four times a year.

More visits mean more chances to find small issues before they become big problems!

But, annual veterinary visits are only one part of the solution.

When scientists unraveled the canine genetic code, they discovered that dogs and people share similar mechanisms relative to aging. As we grow older, adverse changes in our cells increase the risk of death.

About a third of these changes are genetic in nature.

More often, however, they are due to lifestyle and environmental factors.

The fact is that longevity is attributed 30% to genetics and 70% to lifestyle.

Therefore, simple changes in pet lifestyle such as diet, exercise and balanced natural pet nutrient supplementation can alter your dog and/or cat’s health destiny by 70% in his or her favor.

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats

Canine dry skin is common, especially when the weather gets cold and we have to turn the heat up indoors. Dog dry skin is flaky and often has white scales that resemble dandruff.

Pet Diets deficient in essential omega-3 fatty acids and zinc can lead to dry skin, as can bathing your dog with the wrong shampoo or using water that is too hot.

Allergies, parasitic skin problems like mange, and bacterial skin infections can lead to canine dry skin, as can certain hormonal disorders, including, Thyroid Disease.

What To Do for Dog Dry Skin

Regular bathing using hypoallergenic shampoos that contain organic oatmeal or benzyl peroxide provide relief. A vinegar-water rinse used after bathing is soothing and helps resolve flaky skin.

To prepare the rinse: add four tablespoons of white vinegar to one gallon of water. Massage this through the fur, and then rinse again with plain water and air dry. Cooler, rather than warmer water for your rinses is less irritating to the skin.

Leave-on moisturizers (one tablespoon per gallon of water) with aloe vera and alpha keri are helpful in many cases.

Add essential omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and Vitamins A, C and E to your dog’s diet. Fish oil and flaxseed oil are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Use a humidifier or place a pan of water by your radiator to increase moisture in your home during the winter.

Regular dog grooming helps to prevent mats and tangles. It also removes loose hair. Grooming on a regular basis is the single best way to maintain the overall health of your dog’s skin and hair coat.

Complementary Dog Dry Skin Treatments

Herbal Dog Dry Skin Remedies

Blot areas with a fresh, organic lemon juice solution.

You can also add goldenseal tea to the diet daily.

Homeopathic Dog Dry Skin Remedies

Sulphur 6x is helpful for dry, itchy skin. Give one pellet once daily for 14 days; withhold food 10 minutes before and after treatment.

Zinc Dosage

All dog dosages are given daily by mouth.

Zinc Methionine: 2 milligrams per pound of body weight.

Zinc Sulfate:  5 milligrams per pound of body weight.

Zinc Gluconate: 2.5 milligrams per pound of body weight.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dosage:  Fish Oil and Flaxseed Oil: 50 milligrams per pound of body weight.

Dog Dry Skin Vitamins

Vitamin E: 10 IU per pound of body weight.

Up to 800 IU daily of Vitamin E for large dogs.

Vitamin C powder: 25 milligrams per pound of body weight per day.

From 250 milligrams to 1000 milligrams of Vitamin C depending on the size of your dog.

This dosage of Vitamin C is to be given to your dog daily.

Balanced natural comprehensive dog vitamin supplements are also quite helpful.

TIP: Take the total daily dose of Vitamin C and give one third of the dose three times daily or every 8 hours to your dog for best results

About Dr. Carol

Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

She welcomes new canine and feline patients.

Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.

Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats