Why and How to Clean and Soothe Dog Ears

At some time or another, pet health issues plague everyone who has a pet. Among other areas of concern, the one that can area that can pose a fair number of problems are ear infections. Ear mites and ear infections are some of the major problems that can cause discomfort your pets and can lead to many a sleepless nights for the owner as well. A dog with ear mites is a less common phenomenon than a cat ear with mites but if contracted, it can cause high levels of stress for the dog and the owner.

The one way in which you can ensure that you never have to face issues related to dog ear infections is to adopt good hygiene practices. Once these practices are regular habit, the chances of your dog contracting any kind of ear infection are reduced considerably. It is therefore important to include ear cleaning and examination as part of a weekly ritual. If you use a professional grooming service, make sure that they include ear cleaning along with the regular bath, grooming, and styling services.

In case you do not use these services, ensure that you clean your dog’s ears every week. Cleaning the ears on your own is not really a difficult job. Remembering is the hardest part! Lift the ear flap and expose the ear canal. Cover your index finger with a soft moist cloth and clean the inside of the ear flap and the exposed area. You can use a homemade cotton swab to clean the inaccessible parts.

Another aspect of dog ear hygiene is hair growth. Hair can grow in the ear canals in large quantities and this is true especially in the case of Poodles, Terriers and some other particularly hairy breeds. The hair can trap water and create a warm, humid environment where ear mites and bacteria can breed. It becomes crucial to remove excess hair from the inside of the ear to ensure that bacteria and mites do not grow there. A simple procedure that involves the removal of excess hair every two weeks can help maintain good hygiene and save you from many ear infections. To remove hair, lift the ear flap, expose the inside, and remove the excess hairs that you see on the external ear opening. Make sure that you pull in the direction of the hair growth and remove only small amounts of hair at a time. Make sure that you do not pull any hair if you see some signs of inflammation or infection.

Dogs with ears that droop over the ear canal are likely to face issues with ear infections and ear mites more than dogs that have ears that are erect. Excessive bacteria and mites can cause ear infections, swelling, inflammation and painful redness if not treated properly. Some severe cases can also lead to deafness.

Unfortunately many dog owners do not realize that head shaking scratching of the ears are often symptoms of ear ailments rather than normal dog behaviors. Any kind of an ear infection that occurs due to ear mites needs to be referred to a veterinarian. Keeping a check on ear hygiene can help you avoid such problems. And even if your dog does get infected, there are home remedies for dog ear mites that you can explore if you spot the issue in advance.

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Regular bath and Grooming Helps deter Fleas, Flies and Mosquitoes

Ditch the Itch!

An itch is one of the most irritating sensations for a dog! An itch can be caused by a wide number of factors that causes nerve endings in the skin surface to become irritated. Latest experiments have shown that the animal body is covered by "itch spots" (small spots of the skin that convey a sensation of itch when lightly touched).

An itch can only be evoked from superficial layers of skin and mild scratching is one of the best ways to relieve the itch. Canines can also be observed biting or chewing their tail in order to control itching caused by a tick or fleas.

The natural way

There is a lot that can be done naturally to help relieve itchiness for your dog. Try not to use harsh detergents on your dog’s bedding and don’t feed them human treats. Always dry your dog off properly after a swim or bath and never use human shampoo treatments or cosmetics on your animals.

What is BeFree Flea Shampoo?
Cleansing shampoo helps deter fleas, flies and mosquitoes for dogs

BeFree Flea Shampoo is a natural cleansing herbal shampoo for dogs using only tested, natural ingredients, supporting a residual mosquito, flea and fly deterrent effect while encouraging healthy, clear skin and coats.

How has BeFree Flea Shampoo helped others?

“…Our dogs used to scratch and bite at themselves, but after one wash with BeFree Flea Shampoo we all noticed a difference, they were calmed and soothed. No more itching. It’s fantastic!” -Laura, WA, USA

“I had to write in and let you know how this product has helped my Staffie. She had sensitive skin and I used to hate giving her dips at the local ASPCA. BeFree Flea Shampoo has really helped her and has made such a difference- thanks for a natural solution.” -Bill, WA, USA

“Wonderful, just wonderful. Thank you for great service too, fast and friendly.” -Sally, GA, USA

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Traveling with Nervous Dog in the Car

Traveling long distances can get stressful even for humans. As a pet owner, you might have faced difficulties with your dog while traveling. Sometimes getting the dog inside the car for a ride can be particularly challenging. If you have been taking your dog in the car only to visit the vet, he is likely to be unwilling to get into a car irrespective of whether you are planning to go to the playground, a holiday vacation or the vet.

This does not mean that you cannot travel with your dog. Just as dogs have to be trained to live within the house, they need to be trained to travel in a car.

Since car rides may stress your dog, training the dog for travel in a car actually involves relieving stress in pets. It is important that you ensure that the agitation and anxiety that arises out of a cramped and close environment be released.

The earlier you start the training, the better it is for you and the dog. Ensure that your first few trips with the puppy are to the playground or a field. This ensures that the association with a car ride is pleasant. If the first car trip is to the vet, it is likely to make him dread car travel forever.

For older dogs you need to desensitize them to the anxiety associated with car travel. Don’t try and push or force him into the car. Lure him with patience. Try giving him treats in the car without even starting the engine. Allow him to get used to the car before you actually take him anywhere.

If you are traveling with someone, ask your companion to pat the dog every now and then. This will help assure your pet that he is not alone. If you are traveling alone, put a blanket at a place where the dog can lie down and not bother you while driving.

Remember that dogs are daytime animals and used to daytime activities. They need to get to know the land in order to identify with it through smell and vision. Natural association with the environment is the best way for acclimation. On long trips, it is advisable to stop the car occasionally and take the dog for a walk. This will help in allowing him to stretch his legs as well.

Like humans, dogs can also get car sick. Do not feed the dog before traveling. Treat the dog when you arrive at your destination. The association with the treat will help you on your return trip.

Remember, when it comes to handling stress situations like car travel, it is not the breed or size of the dog that matters. Separation anxiety in dogs, trauma, medical disorders and a change in environment can affect a dog of any size. Sedation while traveling does help but you need to be prepared to handle the side effects of the medicine. Appropriate handling with proper understanding of dog psychology can help in relieving stress in pets.

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Hyperactive Thyroid Treatment

The thyroid gland works in conjunction with the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. When the level of thyroid hormones drops too low, the pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which tells the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. Once aware of the TSH, the thyroid secretes more T3 and T4 thereby raising blood levels. The pituitary gland then slows down its TSH production. In this article I'll discuss in detail the three hyperactive thyroid treatments which includes drug therapy, radioactive iodine, surgery, and homeopathic treatments.

Hyperactive thyroid is a term used to define a production disorder of the thyroid. Often termed as a thyroid condition called hyperthyroidism, it relates to a pattern of symptoms of thyroid problems, regardless of the cause. Hyperactive thyroid tissues within the gland produce excess hormones that lead to abnormally high levels of thyroid hormones in the blood.

It should be known that very small amounts of hormones are required to alter cell metabolism. The two main hormones produced by the thyroid are thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which are mostly bound by proteins. Only a small amount remains free to perform hormonal activity. Hyper-function of the thyroid results in a large number of free thyroid hormones that circulate in the blood.

Causes

Almost three quarters of hyperthyroidism instances are caused by Graves’ disease, and the rest by thyroid adenomas and goiter. Thyroiditis is another thyroid condition that refers to inflammation of the gland. Thyroiditis includes Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which, like Graves’ disease, is a thyroid problem that is caused by autoimmunity. Initially, thyroiditis causes a hyperactive thyroid, but the disease slowly progresses into thyroid dysfunction and a low thyroid. Some women experience increased thyroid activity during the year after delivery, a thyroid condition known as postpartum thyroiditis.

Hyperthyroidism may also result from accidental consumption of beef contaminated with thyroid tissue. Sometimes, anti-arrhythmic drugs like Amiodarone may also cause hyperthyroidism. Therefore, anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to treat abnormal heart rhythm, but only when other safer drugs are ineffective, as they can have fatal side effects.

Thyroid hormones, like other endocrine hormones, are released directly into the blood, as they are required by all cells for metabolism. Increased circulation of free thyroid hormones results in numerous symptoms that are often difficult to recognize, as they are vague and sometimes mimic the aging process.

Symptoms

Hyperactive thyroid usually manifests in physiological symptoms like weight loss (despite increased appetite), heat intolerance, hyperactivity, and an increase in thirst levels, urination and sweating. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, apathy and depression. Thyroid hormones are carried by transporter proteins that can cross the blood brain barrier and cause neurological symptoms like tremors, spasmodic movements, and neuromuscular diseases, and are known to even cause paralysis in some susceptible individuals. Hyperthyroidism can be pretty debilitating at times, and if left untreated may result in osteoporosis.

Hyperactive Thyroid Treatment

Overactivity of the thyroid gland can be brought down to normal levels by the use of various antithyroid drugs such as neomercazole (carbimazole). Another treatment uses radioactive iodine to destroy part of the thyroid gland and thereby reduce hormone production. The last option is surgery and may be considered necessary in some cases.

Did you know the thyroid is a very sensitive organ that is responsible for many functions in the body. Natural remedies have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to support the solid thyroid health and health of the endocrine system, helping to support and balance efficient hormone production and natural thyroid gland function.

So there you have it. Your options for hyperactive thyroid treatment can be drugs that inhibit production of thyroid hormones, radioactive iodine to destroy part of the thyroid gland, surgery, or homeopathic treatment. The greatest thing about a natural treatment is that it doesn’t cost much and it is 100% safe.

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