Preventing and Treated Ear Infections in Dogs

Dog EarsNew dog owners often wonder why their adorable new puppy or dog can’t stop scratching at his ears. Could it be fleas or ticks? Yes, it could be all of the above! But more often than not, incessant itching and scratching in the ear area is caused by an infection.  In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Veterinary Pet Insurance, ear problems are the second most common reason dog owners bring their pets to the vet.

Causes of Ear Infections in Dogs

There are many reasons dogs get ear infections, which is what makes them so difficult to diagnose.  In most cases, yeast or bacteria are to blame. But infections can also be precipitated by mites, trapped water, hair growth and even tumors in the ear canal.

Activities that put dogs at an elevated risk of this painful disorder include frequent bathing, swimming, and improper cleaning routines that can lead to ear infections. Pet lovers must always remember that a dog’s ear is not like ours! The canine’s plunges downward from the opening and then goes horizontally, which is why water and debris can easily get lodged in there.

Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs

In addition to scratching and itching, a dog with an ear infection may also shake his head, as if he is trying to get water out of it. In some advanced cases, there may be an unpleasant odor that can be detected even from a distance. But those are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The following is a brief list of common symptoms for canine ear infections:

  • Redness (due to scratching)
  • Swelling
  • Yellow, brown, or bloody discharge
  • Hair loss around the ear (also do to scratching)
  • Scabby skin near the ear flap
  • Bad balance while walking
  • Diminished hearing
  • Disorientation

At-risk breeds for Ear Infections

Although any dog can get an ear infection at anytime, certain breeds are more susceptible to the ailment than others. A short list of breeds that are prone to ear infections includes: Springer Spaniel, Shar Pei, Basset Hound, Beagle, Labrador, and Cocker Spaniel, just to name a few. The reason these pouches have more ear problems than other dog breeds is often attributed to sensitive skin on the inside of their ears and ear canals.

Prevention of Ear Infections in Dogs

If you own a water dog, one that swims like an Olympian and loves the water, make sure you dry their ears after each and every swimming session. Using cotton balls, simply wipe the opening gently, which should be enough to remove surface moisture and prevent infection. You may also be able to use a drying solution, if your veterinarian says it’s okay. A drop or two of white vinegar can also help prevent “swimmer’s ear” in our canine friends. But once again, make sure you speak with your dog’s doctor before you administer anything.

For dogs that don’t swim but are merely bathed on a regular basis, you can keep water out of their sensitive ears by inserting cotton balls into both ear canals. Just be gentle and don’t push too hard. All you have to do is cover the opening and your dog should be okay during an ordinary bathing session.

Treatment of Ear Infections in Dogs

There are many inexpensive and effective treatments for canine ear infection on the market today. One of our favorites is Tri-otic Ointment for Dogs. A safe and readily available generic form of Otomax, this medication provides quick and soothing relief to red, swollen, itchy ears.  It does this by attacking the bacteria and yeast that caused the infection, thereby reducing inflammation and itching. How does it work?

Tri-otic Ointment combines three powerful antimicrobials into a single solution that treats ear infections. These ingredients work together to stop the yeast and bacteria from spreading and quickly eliminate any sign of the infection in no time.

As with any prescription medication, always follow dosing directions to the letter.  Even when a dose is missed, never double up or administer more than is directed, unless your veterinarian approves it. Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Have a great Halloween,

VetRxDirect

October is National Pet Wellness Month

Halloween is right around the corner, meaning little ghosts, zombies, and vampires will be out and about. You know what’s really scary? Skipping an annual wellness exam with your pet’s veterinarian! Getting an annual wellness exam for your pet is important for the same reason that regular checkups are essential for humans – they help to find problems before they start. They can also help to identify conditions and illnesses early on, when chances for treatment and cure are often times dramatically better.

To stress the significance of health care for pets, VetRxDirect joined the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other prominent veterinary groups in promoting National Pet Wellness Month in October. But the importance of wellness exams doesn’t end with the month.

Pet Wellness Month
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends pet owners schedule examinations twice a year as well as regular wellness screenings including urinalysis, blood count, blood chemistry, thyroid hormone testing, and parasite and heartworm checks. If it’s been more than six months since your pet’s last checkup, schedule a wellness visit with your pet’s veterinarian today.

To celebrate and help raise awareness of the importance of pet wellness, we’re offering a limited time 15% OFF coupon with the code WELLNESS for use at our online store.* Hurry! This coupon expires Halloween at Midnight.

Time for a Check Up!

kitten_examWhen was the last time your cat or dog got a health check up? If it’s been more than a year, you’re overdue for a trip to the vet.  October is National Pet Wellness Month, so it’s the perfect time to focus on your pet’s health.

Here at VetRxDirect, we really support the relationship between pet owners, their pets, and veterinarians. Your veterinarian knows what’s best for your pet. Annual exams for your pet help ensure that your veterinarian can make informed, ongoing decisions about your pet’s medical care.

Just like humans, dogs and cats need regular medical care to help maintain good health.  And skipping annual check ups is more detrimental to pets. Think about it — each human year equals about seven dog years, so when you skip your dog’s annual appointment, it’s like missing seven check ups.

What are the benefits of regular veterinarian check ups?

Healthier pets – You’ll always have the right type and dosage of maintenance medications — like heartworm, flea and tick preventatives — as your pet grows up.

Save money in the long run – Yearly exams are more likely to catch medical problems before they become serious and require costly medications and treatments.

Special care for senior pets – As your dog or cat ages, check-ups become even more important because older pets face more medical issues. Your pet’s veterinarian is your best resource for recommendations on medications and supplements that keep senior pets healthy and comfortable in their golden years.

Don’t wait – make a vet appointment for your pet today! And if we can help with anything from supplements to supplies, just let us know.

We’ll be here for you pet’s medication needs,

Wes

How to Prevent and Treat Kidney Disease in Cats and Dogs

 

As loving pet owners, we like to think we know our furry friends better than they know themselves. When they’re suffering from allergies or flea and tick infestations, we’re always there with the right remedy to save the day. But the job gets a lot harder as they age. A dog or a cat over the age of ten is considered a senior, and just like his/her owners, they often have multiple medical issues at the same time.

For mature pets, kidney disease is now the leading cause of death. The job of the kidneys is to remove waste from the blood and move it through the urine. When these organs cannot perform this basic function, our pets may suffer serious health problems.

Causes of Kidney Disease in Pets

Much like the liver, the kidneys are filters that remove toxins and waste, and without them, our bodies cannot remain healthy for very long. For our canine and feline friends, these problems can be extremely difficult to detect, since they often occur in old age. Most pet lovers simply confuse common symptoms with normal signs of aging, rather than chronic or acute diseases.

The most common causes of kidney failure in Pets include:

  • Age
  • Cancer
  • Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
  • Poison
  • Inflammation
  • Injury
  • Congenital disorders

Of course, it is impossible for the average pet lover to diagnose this potentially-deadly disease at home. The symptoms are typically nonspecific and may be present in numerous diseases and disorders. That said, if you observe any of the more serious symptoms, get your furry friend to his doctor as soon as possible!

Kidney Disease in Pets Signs May Include:

  • Increased water intake
  • Increased urination
  • Having “accidents” indoors, even though housebroken
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Frequent diarrhea
  • Bloody urine

Diagnosis of Kidney Disease in Pets

The good news is that renal or kidney problems are fairly easy to detect with the right tools and techniques. Your veterinarian should be able to determine the severity and the cause of the disorder in no time.

Treatment of Kidney Disease in Pets

Whether it is the acute or chronic variety, time is of the essence when your pet has impaired kidney function. Initial treatment almost always involves rehydrating your dog or cat, since he will have lost significant amounts of vital fluids if his kidneys are failing. Fluid therapy generally continues until the patient’s kidney’s can produce urine on their own.

In most cases of kidney failure, it is an underlying cause that is responsible for impaired renal function, rather than old age. This may involve a bacterial infection or ingestion of a poision.

Natural supplements: RenAvast

As we mentioned, kidney problems are sometimes the result of normal aging. Your dog or cat reaches his golden years and certain vital organs just don’t work as well as they used to. But it is also important to note that certain breeds are more prone to chronic kidney disease than others. For dogs, these breeds include Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Cairn Terriers. For cats, they include Siamese, Persians, and Abyssinian. The disorder can cause a whole host of medical issues and should be treated as a lifelong condition.

Although there is no proof that a supplement can actually cure kidney failure, there is ample evidence that natural nutritional supplements for our furry friends support healthy kidney function, and at little cost! So, if your cat or dog is a member of one of the aforementioned breeds, or if he suffers from kidney disease, ask your veterinarian about RenAvast.

RenAvast Promotes Healthy Kidney Health in Pets

RenAvast is an all-natural solution, which means that there are no side effects or risk of harmful drug interactions. The supplement can be mixed with food and administered on a daily basis to both dogs and cats.

What’s in it? Peptides and amino acids are needed to support healthy kidney function in our pets. Cats and dogs experiencing kidney failure are in desperate need of these naturally occurring organic compounds. RenAvast replaces them, thereby promoting healthy kidney function. The results speak for themselves. In separate studies, many cats and dogs that suffered sudden weight lost regained the weight after they started taking RenAvast. Veterinarians also observed a decrease in vomiting, as well as a healthier, more lustrous coat.

As with any dietary supplement, you must consult your pet’s veterinarian before administering the pet med. You should also make certain you follow the dosing directions to the letter. Never double up on doses just because you missed one. Additionally, check out our additional medications for kidney-related health problems for cats and dogs.

Please let us know if you pet has tried RenAvast and your experiences in the comments section below.

 

 

Ocu-Glo Rx for Dog Eye Health!

Now more than ever, advances in biology are validating the time-honored adage that “we are what we eat”, and the same can be said for our best friend!

The importance of nutrition and a healthy diet rich in antioxidants for your pet cannot be understated. Supporting your dog with a nutritional supplement can help build the foundation for a long and fruitful life.

Ocu-GLO Rx Eye Supplement

Ocu-GLO Rx canine vision supplement was formulated by veterinary ophthalmologists to support the canine eye. This unique blend of antioxidants promotes the body’s natural defense against oxidative stress, which contributes to many degenerative eye diseases, and provides the nutritional support necessary for ocular health.

Help your dog see a better, brighter future today! Save on Ocu-GLO Rx on sale for a limited time at VetRxDirect.com.

Get a 90 count bottle for small dogs (under 10lbs) for just $60.00, or a 90 count bottle for large dogs (over 10lbs) for only $65.00 after coupon! Plus FREE, fast shipping & handling is included!

Use coupon code OCUGLORX during checkout.*

Ocu-GLO Rx – High-quality, pharmaceutical-grade vision supplement packed with antioxidants to support canine eye health. Now available without a prescription.

*Coupon expires 10/31/13. Limit one discounted bottle per customer. Customers must be signed into an account at VetRxDirect.com to validate one-time use coupons. Coupons cannot be combined or used with any other discount or offer. Coupons are not valid on telephone orders and cannot be applied to previous orders.

Have you tried Ocu-GLO on your dog? Let us know your thoughts and experiences by leaving comments below. Thank you.

What You Need to Know about Corneal Ulcers in Pets

Our eyes – we take them for granted until something goes wrong! Because it is such a complex, sensitive structure, eye injuries must be taken seriously and treated immediately. This is true for both human beings and their pets, since our eyes are very similar. Like their owners, dogs and cats have corneas, which are transparent coverings that protect the iris and the pupil. When this delicate body part is subject to ulcers, it can be quite painful. Often caused by calcium or lipid deposits, corneal degeneration can cause extreme sensitivity and discomfort, especially in our pets who often suffer in silence. It’s not that their owners are inattentive, but that the disorder can be difficult to discern. In this article we will discuss this all-too-common condition and how to treat it.

The Signs of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

If your dog or cat’s eyes are tearing up or overflowing excessively, it could mean he has a corneal ulcer, also called ulcerative keratitis. Of course, it could also mean that he simply has seasonal allergies. Once again, the symptoms of the disorder are quite general, which is why it often goes undiagnosed. With that said, if your pet has more than one of the following symptoms, there’s a pretty good chance his cornea has been damaged or scratched:

  • Red, irritated eye
  • Constant squinting
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Watery eye
  • Rubbing at eyes with a paw or into the coat
  • Eye is forced closed
  • Unidentified discharge
  • Opaque film covering the eye

Causes of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

The good news is that ulcers can heal rather quickly. But when serious damage has been done, either because of injury or disease, the transparent cells may not heal without immediate medical treatment. The following are the most common reason you may have to take your pet to his doctor if he suffers corneal degeneration:

  • Traumatic injury
  • Tear deficiency
  • Infection
  • Damage or paralysis of facial nerves
  • Cannot close eyelids
  • Something in the eye that cannot be rinsed out
  • Chemical substance causing irritation

At-risk breeds of Corneal Ulcers

It is also important to mention that certain breeds of cats and dogs are far more likely to suffer from corneal degeneration.  Why does this happen? There are several reasons including mechanical and structural ones. Some breeds, for example, have eyelids that tend to roll inward, which causes their eyelashes to swipe the corneal surface, causing immediate irritation. Others have protuberant eyes that actually stick out, making them more susceptible to environmental debris such as dirt and dust.

Although some cat breeds are at a slightly elevated risk of corneal degeneration, certain dog breeds are far more like to suffer from it. As a group, these are canines that tend to have very short noses or snouts and prominent, protuberant eyes. They include breeds like the pug, the boxer, the Boston terrier, the bulldog, and the Pekingese. Boxers, in particular, have a much higher risk of developing severe, debilitating cases of this disease than any other dogs.

Diagnosis of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

If you suspect your furry friend has corneal ulcers, you should make an appointment with his veterinarian as soon as possible. A thorough eye examination that includes inspection of the cornea will be conducted to confirm or rule out any structural damage that is the result of an ulcer or corneal erosion. It may also be necessary for his doctor to take samples and test them for fungi and bacteria infection, which are typically caused by conjunctivitis. Finally, the veterinarian may need to complete a blood test to rule out possible viral infections in your pet.

Treatment of Corneal Ulcers in Pets

As with most illnesses, the treatment depends on the underlying cause. If the corneal ulcers are deep and they are growing, your veterinarian may recommend surgery, although this should be considered a last resort. With older animals, who are the most commonly affected group, surgery can be quite risky.  Instead, your dogs/cat’s doctor might simply opt to put a large, lampshade-shaped collar on him/her to prevent them from scratching at the affected eye and aggravating the injury.

If the ulcers are merely superficial, your vet may simply take a cotton swap and use it to remove the outer, loose layers of the cornea that are causing the irritation.  This is often a quick-fix option that provides only temporary relief, but it is far less risky than actual surgery. In fact, managing corneal ulcers rather than curing them is the most popular option, especially for older dogs and cats.

Remend Corneal Repair Drops for Pets

In the event of a bacterial infection, antibiotics must be prescribed and are often applied topically, directly to the eye. Pain and inflammation can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as prescribed by your pet’s veterinarian. Eye drops like Remend Corneal Repair Drops may also be used to soothe irritated eye and to stimulate tear production. For additional products to improve your beloved pets’ peepers, check out our selection of eye health products for dogs and cats.