Fleas are common during the spring and summer months, and they can make life miserable for pets and humans alike. For every one flea you do see on your pet, you can estimate that there are approximately ten that you haven’t. Fleas don’t just stay on your pet, after all. These nasty little creatures like to hop, skip, and jump (so it seems) to any and every nearby surface and proceed to lay their eggs everywhere in an attempt to overtake your world! Well, maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but once you’re dealing with a nasty flea infestation it can sure seem that way.

Many pet owners will head straight to the nearest discount store and buy multiple flea killing products: flea shampoo, flea soap, flea collar, flea powder, and anything else for extra flea-killing power. The problem here is, they just don’t work! At least they don’t work for the long haul. Flea shampoos and soaps may work while you have Fluffy and Fido in the bath, but once their fur is dry, you’ve lost most of your flea killing ability. So, this is where the flea collar comes in, right? Wrong. The flea collar may keep the fleas at bay in close proximity to the collar, but fleas tend to run to the rear of the animal where there is no flea killing mechanism. Flea powder designed to be applied to your pet only works if you don’t mind the fine particles getting all over everything that he or she touches. Those with children in the house (or who can’t spend the time following your pet night and day with a broom and mop) can’t afford to risk their children ingesting some of the toxic powder. So, what DOES work?

Many veterinarians recommend Frontline as a medication to kill fleas on animals. Frontline is absorbed into the skin and kills fleas as they bite your pet. The problem with using Frontline, though, is that new fleas continue to hatch after the original dosing has dissipated resulting in additional flea wars. Frontline Plus works a bit better as it also includes an insect growth regulator that prevents flea eggs from hatching in the event that one of those nasty boogers lives long enough to lay eggs.

Flea premise sprays (like Knockout from Virbac) are effective at killing fleas in your environment. Look for a spray that not only kills adult fleas but also contains and insect growth regulator to prevent eggs from hatching. Many “flea foggers” on the market are designed to work by generating a fine mist that covers every surface, but these often can’t reach areas where fleas live such as under beds, couches, and chairs.

Dr Carol’s recommendations:

If you hesitate to use products such as Frontline Plus on your pet, consider a non-toxic alternative like Avon’s Skin So Soft! Dilute the product with water at a 1:1 ratio (use equal amounts of Skin So Soft and water), and store your concoction in a small spray bottle. Spritz your pets with the mixture often to repel fleas and mosquitos. It even has a nice scent! If your pet is afraid of the spray (some animals are scared of the sound of the spray bottle), spritz a cloth and then wipe your pet down with it. As a bonus, this same mixture can also be used on adults with the same results!

To get rid of fleas in your home environment, Dr Carol says you need look no farther than your nearest grocery store! Look for Borax in the laundry aisle – it comes as a powder. Sprinkle the Borax into your carpets, and then take out your flea frustrations by really stomping around and pounding the powder into the carpet! Vacuum each room really well and dispose of the contents. The Borax can provide a natural flea protection to your home for up to one year!

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats. Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Does your adult dog suffer from itchy skin that is characterized by red sores or patches? The cause may be canine Erythema Multiforme or (EM). Canine Erythema Multiform has been associated with a variety of factors and may affect dogs, cats, and even humans!

Unfortunately, the definitive cause of canine EM is not clearly understood. It is believed that EM represents a specific “cytotoxic” immunologic attack by the host (dog, cat or human) on skin cells called keratinocytes that express “non-self antigens” or substances recognized as foreign to the host’s body. The antigens involved are usually bacteria or drugs. Underlying causes of EM may stem from adverse reactions to medications or nutriceuticals such as Glycoflex, tick-borne diseases, skin infections, or even cancer.

Signs of canine EM include: red spots on the animals legs, armpits, mouth, and legs. These red spots may resemble pimples or blisters on the dog’s skin in the affected area. With repeated scratching and / or biting of the area, secondary skin infections are common. When a secondary infection occurs, you may notice crusting or oozing of the open sores.

If you believe your pet suffers from canine Erythema Multiforme see your vet. He or she will thoroughly examine your pet, ask you questions about your pet’s health history, and possibly conduct a biopsy to confirm EM. Treating the condition successfully depends on the ability to treat the root cause of the condition. In some cases, steroids may be given in an effort to treat the skin inflammation; however, some for pets, steroids may exacerbate their condition as these medications sometimes block the body’s natural defense system from working properly.

About the Author:

CAROL OSBORNE, D.V.M., is recognized as an authority on alternative and holistic veterinary medicine and the new clinical science of aging-related pet diseases. A Board Certified Diplomat of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, she has pioneered the exploration of new therapies for the treatment and prevention of age-related degenerative disease, as well as promotion of optimum health and performance for pets. Dr. Osborne created and patented PAAWS, Pet Anti-Aging Wellness System and authored Naturally Healthy Dogs and Naturally Healthy Cats. She has been featured in USA Today, The Los Angeles Times and the New York Daily News.

An Emmy-nominated television journalist, Dr. Osborne has gained national prominence through her frequent appearances on popular shows including Today in New York, Good Day L.A., and Discovery’s Animal Planet. Currently, she devotes much of her time to the research and development of advanced biosciences for the benefit of animal health and welfare.

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

Holistic veterinarian and pet researcher, Dr. Carol welcomes pet questions and offers pet consultations for dogs and cats. Call Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet today.

Sprucing up Fido for the upcoming New Years Holiday makes your dog feel good, helps to keep your dog’s skin and hair coat healthy, eliminates mats and tangles so your dogs 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 the Pekingese, Collie 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 canine 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 “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. Read the rest of this entry »

Normally, I would not write about a product!

I’ve read similar stories and thought, what the hell kind of crappy food have you been feeding your dog for you to get such great results with any product – especially after such a short time? Junk like you buy at grocery or discount stores is just that – junk with no nutritional value whatsoever! My dogs were never fed any of that stuff!

My dog (the subject of this writing) is a rough-coat black Brussels Griffon who has had a multitude of medical problems from about the time he was 2 years old. At three years he had a hip replacement and has had a skin problem (rash) for years.

He is eight years old now and for the past four years or so he’s been mostly inactive. He’s always had an intestine problem and very soft stools even though we’ve kept him on Probiotics. O.K. to keep this short, he’s not felt well for years – we could tell.

We have three dogs and we’ve always cooked for them and added Omega 3′s, and Probiotics daily. Nothing but the best for our dogs (they’re my children) – white meat skinless boneless chicken and vegetables and healthy home-cooked treats.

About three weeks ago I ordered and started giving him your Paaws Pet VitaminsAM & PM twice a day. Within a week and a half we noticed a difference in his energy. Well here it is three weeks later and he’s like a puppy again, running and wanting to play several times a day.

Now, I’m not a vet and don’t know medically if it’s the Paaws vitamins, but I do know he’s a new dog and no longer laying around like someone who doesn’t feel well.

We’ve always given our pets the finest home cooked food and all the best care available, but nothing comes close to the results we personally have experienced with Dr. Carol’s Paaws pet vitamins.

I know this sounds like a commercial, but I can assure you it isn’t. Anyone who wants to discuss it personally with me, can e-mail me at: bottierijr@me.com.

Thank you, Dr. Carol!

Joe B.

Hello Dr. Carol,

I recently wrote to thank you for PAAWS and all your personal assistance with my 14 (nearly 15) year old Lhasa Apso Samson. I wanted to tell you some of the additional great results we’ve seen in the past few weeks.

Not only was I able to take him off prescription Tramadol that had him sleeping all the time and reduce the Rimadyl that negatively affects his kidneys, but I’ve noticed that his thinning hair has grown full again! Rogaine’s got nothing on PAAWS!

Best of all, I took Samson to his cardiologist and there was a significant lowering in his kidney levels, both the BUN and creatinine levels are down a significant 5 points! The BUN is down from 107 to 102.

The doctor was very pleased and I told him all about your PAAWS vitamins. I also forgot to tell you that his hair was thinning and since he’s been on PAAWS vitamins it has filled out again!

Thank you again for giving Samson his energy and joy back!

Hope all is well with you and thanks again for all the time you spent helping me and your wonderful advice.

Warm regards,
Jan A.
Bogota, New Jersey

Dear Dr. Carol,

We want to thank you for the introduction to your amazing Paaws vitamins that we have been giving to Windy Wag. Windy Wag is a retired racing greyhound that we rescued on Christmas day of 2003. We started her on them approximately 3 months ago and the results have been excellent.

First of all, Windy Wag has had a problem with “bunny hopping” on one of her rear legs due to severe arthritis for years. She just turned 11 years old in September of 2009. We introduced the Paaws vitamins to her food by crumbling them over her food and adding a little warm water then mixing them up with a spoon. She loves the tasteand can’t wait to eat her breakfast and dinner. She licks the bowl clean after each meal.

We noticed a few very positive changes after a couple of weeks, one being that the “bunny hopping” almost disappeared and within 4 weeks was so rare that we could not believe how effective the Paaws vitamins were!!
Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since scientists unraveled the dogs DNA or genetic code and found it to be quite similar to human DNA, research into medical conditions and treatments for people and pets has been on the rise.
Recent results from a 2008 survey revealed that the leading medical conditions affecting people, mimic the top conditions plaguing pets.

Allergies, for example rank number one for people and pets. In the past, many mistakenly considered allergies to be exclusive to humans. The signs of an allergy differ between the two species.

Allergic people primarily sneeze and may also get runny eyes whereas itching is usually the primary sign of allergies in pets and some may also be affected with runny eyes. The end result for both is the same and requires treatment for relief.

1. Allergies topped the list. In 2008, there were 63,761 claims made for pet skin allergies. Allergic reactions in pets can result from various agents that are called allergens, including flea saliva, pollen, grasses and/or various foods.

Treatment options for pets are similar in principle to those for people. It involves controlling the pet’s exposure to allergens,in the environment and/or to certain foods, stopping the itching, sneezing and/or runny eyes and boosting internal immunity.

Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Dr. Carol,

My dog Sebastian is 12 years old. He has severe allergies. His coat had spots that were bald and his ears were very dark and the skin was thick and infected looking. He was given antibiotics and his coat would grow back but then the hair would fall out again.

The doctor told me to start him on a prescription drug but the side effects were very scary. I researched and found your Paaws vitamins. I must say I didn’t believe anything was going to happen but I decided to give it a try. In 30 days Sebastian’s ears are back pink and his coat is beautiful.

I will use your paaws product for the rest of his life.

Thank you again for this wonderful product!

Dana M.
Portland, Oregon

Dear Dr. Carol,

I just wanted to let you know that my 10 year old maltese, Flower is enjoying her Paaws vitamins each day. She loves them and we can already see improvement in her attitude, energy and arthritis. The greatest relief for which we are so pleased is that she finally stopped itching and mutilating herself!

The Dermalustre works very well too. I spray it directly on the “hot spots” on her paws, and it really
stops her from chewing on them.

Your Clear Eyes product also seems to be doing a nice job of soothing her irritated eyes.

So, everything is going great!

Thanks again,

Ashlee W.
Chicago, Illinois

Feeding candy licorice to your dog – or any kind of confection, for that matter – is a definite no-no. But the herbal form of licorice is a time-tested remedy for gastrointestinal upset and skin problems such as allergies. And some veterinarians use it as an anti-inflammatory for problems such as itching in the place of powerful drugs like steroids.

“The most important thing for people to understand is that the effects of licorice are slow and cumulative, as opposed to a steroid injection,” says holistic veterinarian, Carol Osborne, DVM, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, author of “Dr. Carol’s Naturally Healthy Dogs” (Marshall Editions, 2006). With the latter, “about four hours later the animal is in great shape, which lasts for about 10 days, but then you have the side effects of steroids, like stress on liver and kidneys.”

As with any herb, it is important to discuss licorice use with your veterinarian. The active ingredient in licorice is the nearly impossible to pronounce chemical component glycyrrhizin, which stimulates the adrenal glands and produces an anti-inflammatory response similar to that of corticosteroids such as prednisone.

Read the rest of this entry »