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'Adopting' 27 Dogs Leads Woman to New Calling
By Amy Lieberman - ZooToo.com



SPARKS, Nev. -- Woman adopts 27 dogs.

The headlines have become viral on the Internet over the past two weeks, hitting as far as India and New Zealand.

But there is one minor aspect of the bizarre story that went untold, Colleen Spalione revealed to Pet Pulse.

"I never went to that shelter with the intention of adopting 27 dogs," Spalione, 43, said. "They keep on saying that I adopted them, but it wasn't true. I only transported these dogs with the intention of adopting one for my family to replace Barney."

Barney was Spalione's 2-year-old pointer that was hit by a car in November. The loss was devastating for Spalione, who cradled the dog when he died in her arms shortly after the accident.

"I was very upset," she said, tearing up in a phone interview. "I slept with him [Barney's body] overnight and would have kept him for another day, but there was an odor. I had him cremated and the hardest thing for me to do was to take him to the cremation center and walk away. I didn't want to let him go."

Spaliones grief left her incapable of eating -- after four days, she visited the doctor, concerned about her diabetes.

The doctor's advice was simple: Get another dog, he told Spalione.

So the mother of five children, ranging in age from 13 to 23, set out to find the dog who could help replace Barney. The task proved more difficult than Spalione had anticipated.

She first located two different Barney look-alikes in nearby Reno, but the dogs didn't get along with the family's German Shepherd-mix, Tipper.

Spalione then set her sights higher and farther, turning to the Web site, DogsinDanger.com, which tracks shelter dogs that are on the verge of being euthanized.

She saw a dog that "looked just identical to Barney" in California, and drove the seven hours in a pick-up truck to visit the Delano Police Department Animal Shelter.

The dog was housed in a kennel with two other mutts; after speaking with shelter employees, Spalione decided to take all three.

The situation quickly spiraled out of control, Spalione says, as she spent more time in the shelter, meeting all of the dogs that were sitting on death row.

"At first it was, 'What can it hurt to bring back three extra dogs?' I was hearing about this situation and looking at these dogs' faces and my heart just caved in," she said.

The three dogs were soon joined in the back of Spalione's truck by an additional 15 small dogs.

"I didn't really think about it at the time," she said. "I just didn't think it through."

Spalione says she figured she could find friends, family and community members to take in the dogs, which included Chihuahuas, a poodle, Jack Russel terrier, Miniature Pincher, Australian Shepherd and a Rotweiller.

They ranged in age from 13-weeks to six years.

After four hours, Spalione had crated and boarded the 20 dogs into the back of her truck. But then, she encountered a woman dropping off seven 2-week-old puppies. Their mother had died and the woman didn't have the time to tend to the sick pups, she toldSpalione.

The Delano shelter couldn't help, either -- the woman came from a neighboring county and would have to surrender them at her own shelter, which was overrun and would likely euthanize the feeble dogs.

Spalione once more stepped in, totaling her final count of rescued dogs to 27.

Even though she says she never intended to keep the dogs, the significance of Spalione's actions didn't fully affect her during the 7-hour drive back to Sparks, Nev.

"I was excited to know that I had saved the lives of all of these dogs," she said. "It didn't hit me until the next day."

She initially kept the dogs in her backyard, which had large fenced-in enclosures, and in her heated garage.

She posted notices on the Internet and through various local media sources to find new homes for the dogs, some of which were not fixed, despite the shelter's policy.

It is unclear why the shelter permitted Spalione to leave with so many dogs, or why not all of the animals were fixed.

Pet Pulse contacted the Delano Animal Shelter to inquire about its adoption policy, but representatives did not return Pet Pulse's phone calls as of press time.

Spalione also faced a nerve-wracking call to her husband, who had been away during this ordeal and remained unaware of the recent additions to his home.

"I didn't want someone to call him and say, 'Oh, my God, did you see what your wife did?' " Spalione said. "I called him, and told him. The first thing he said was, 'What the hell does my house look like?'

"Then he said that I did a good thing, but to never do it again."

It's a promise Spalione told The Associated Press, among other media outlets, she would keep. Nevertheless, she is no longer so sure she will hold true to her word.

"I will do this again," she said. "Maybe not to the same magnitude, but I will continue to save animals. I believe it is what I am here on the Earth to do."

As for her first rescue mission, Spalione has successfully found new homes for all but four of the dogs. Yet, five of the seven puppies she rescued died, as the veterinary attention they received in Nevada did not come soon enough.

Spalione's determination to find "perfect homes" for the dogs has led her to travel as far as 200 miles to give a rescue a second chance.

Three dogs -- a 1-year-old Rotweiller-mix, a 13-week-old Sharpei-mix and a 1-year-old Minature Pincher -- currently remain at Spalione's home.

The new additions get along well with the family's dog, Tipper, as well as their other pets, including a hamster, 5-foot-long corn snake and four cats.

The three dogs remain available for adoption, however. Spalione says she is willing to travel to deliver the dogs, and would even front half of an air fare price to an East Coast location.

"I just want to find these dogs new, permanent, good homes," she said. "They can't be surrendered again. They have been through too much."

Though Spalione says she is considering keeping the Miniature Pincher, which the family has named "Minnie," the young dog hasn't been able to match the paw prints Barney impressed on Spalione's heart.

"The Min Pin is wonderful, she really is," Spalione explained. "She is a great dog, but she is not the one."

Her hunt for a new dog will continue for as long as necessary, she says.

"The dog may be across the country," she said. "I will travel to find him and bring him home. If it came with behavioral issues, or was sick, I will still love it. No matter the cost."

For more information about Colleen Spalione's rescued dogs, contact Spalione at

mmmmmm98226@yahoo.com.

Advanced Care for Pets Can Be Costly
By Tom Wilber • twilber@gannett.com • Press Connects

But some owners are willing to pay



We've heard it before: Obesity, lack of exercise, longer life expectancy and more chronic disease are all factors contributing to rising health care costs.

Maybe you didn't hear this part: We're talking about pets.

Once upon a time, pet owners took critically sick or wounded animals to the veterinarian and returned home with heavy hearts and fond memories. Now, thanks to advanced treatment for illnesses ranging from cancer to herniated discs, they are coming home with their recovering animals and sticker shock.

On average, surgical procedures for dogs rose from $245 in 1998 to $453 in 2006, according to the most recent survey from the American Pet Products Association. On top of that, dog owners spent an average of $220 for routine vet bills, up from $138 in 1998.

Treating serious illnesses, such as cancer, joint ailments or organ failure, typically runs well into four figures.

The trends are similar for cats and other pets.

Diane Sansone, of Vestal, ran up a $3,000 bill for back surgery that saved her dog Star from euthanasia. She admits the expense is "ridiculous," but the decision seven years ago wasn't difficult, especially considering her son's stake in the matter. Jeremy was 8 years old at the time, and he slept by the dog's cage for weeks during Star's prolonged convalescence.

"You look at your boy. Then you look at your dog, and you think, he's a member of our family, too," Diane said.

More recently, Star ran up another $1,000 hospital bill to recover from an ailment related to his back problem.

Now, the wiry mix of Chihuahua and Labrador is becoming his old frisky self, jumping from couch to floor to overstuffed chair, enthusiastically greeting new visitors at his home.

Sansone suspects Star's back problems are rooted in his unlikely genetic makeup.

More preventable factors, however, are often to blame for a rising health care burden with some pets, said Jason Merrihew, a spokesman for the American Animal Hospital Associ-ation. Dogs and cats are more commonly taking on unhealthy traits of their human, he said.

Sedentary lifestyles and eating habits tend to rub off on pets welcomed at the dinner table or indulged with a growing variety of pet treats, leading to illness ranging from joint problems to diabetes.

"Sometimes we push our own vices on our pets," said Dr. Tracy Durham, a Vestal veterinarian. She noted a shift in people's relationship with their pets over generations. Once kept outside or in the barn, pets have worked their way into the homes and bedrooms of their owners.

Meanwhile, advances in care, including rehabilitation, specialty surgery and diagnostics, have increased a pet's life expectancy. As with humans, pets that live longer are more likely to develop age-related chronic illness, many which are in turn treated with more advanced medicine.

"Veterinary medicine rivals human medicine," Merrihew said.

The AAHA recommends pet owners make plans to ensure they can meet pet-related medical expenses. That might include having a separate savings account, credit card reserves or medical payment cards. Pet health insurance policies are also an option. A policy with a high deductible tends to be cheaper and possibly better options for protecting families from high costs associated with serious illnesses or injuries, Merrihew said.

How much is too much?
Not everybody is convinced all this medicine is always applied with the pets' interest in mind.

Cathy Colley, an Afton resident and animal lover, is one. She has horses, dogs and cats, and a lot of experience with vets. When her dog, Trouble, developed a swollen and painful ear, she took him to a vet in Binghamton. She was told the condition, an internal pocket of blood called a hematoma, would require blood work, other lab fees, surgery, hospitalization and several medicines with a bill totaling between $700 and $950.

She then took him to her country vet for a second opinion. He drained the ear and prescribed antibiotics. She picked him up a few hours later and paid the bill, which came to $75. Trouble healed up just fine, she said.

"My pets are well cared for, and I will do what needs to be done to keep them well," she said. "Is all this procedure always necessary? Some senior citizens with pets, well, that's all they have, and they will do anything, even it means giving a whole Social Security check for treatment."

As with humans, technological advances applied to pet health care can produce seemingly miraculous results. But the cost and outcomes can also produce sleepless nights trying to sort out what's right for the pet and what's feasible for the family.

"The ethics of some of this gets to be very challenging," Durham said. "There comes a point just because we can,doesn't mean we should."

Reaching that point is different for everybody, Durham said.

"What do we think is fair for the pet, and what do we think is fair for the family (in terms of affordability)? We've always had the discussion, but now we tend to have it more."

Wash, Rinse and Pet: Grooming Your Dog, Cheap
Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun

Top spas can give your dog the treatment they might love, or learn to do it yourself and nurture that special bond with Fido

If your stock portfolio has taken a beating, don't take it out on Fido.

A relaxing massage, shampoo and nail trim is certainly the minimum your pet expects, but dog grooming isn't free. A basic spa visit will run you $40 or more and if you need clipping and trimming for your poodle, you can expect the full suite to cost up to $100 or more.

But you already knew that.

The good news is that with a few basic supplies you can give your pet a spa treatment at home. You can nurture that special bond with your pet while you are at it.

It's Still A Dog's Life in Vancouver has seen its walk-up business fade in the past six weeks, according to owner Louise Marshall. "But our regular clients are still with us."

Marshall's business has grow steadily over the past 11 years, fuelled in part by the popularity of large poodle crossbreeds.

"Some of those dogs are the size of miniature ponies," she said. "I have to stand on a stool to groom them."

Bathing is a fact of life for dogs who live in Metro Vancouver. In a dry climate, retrievers and labs don't need to bathe, brushing is often enough. But we don't live there, do we?

"It's wet, there's sand and mud," Marshall said. "In this climate, dogs need to be bathed, but if you want to tighten the belt and bathe less, brush often."

BATHING AND NAILS

The top spas offer herbal shampoos with conditioner, pre-heated towels and a blow-dry. Limo service is also available.

Or you could bathe the dog at home.

Before you put your dog in the tub, though, get a grooming rake or shedding blade and brush out your pet's undercoat, said freelance dog groomer Marnie Thompson.

At $10 to $25, rake or shedding blade will remove loose and tangled hair and dirt, which -- trust me -- you do not want in your bathtub or your drains.

Thompson recommends using gentle baby shampoo as an alternative to expensive dog shampoos.

When it comes to nail-trimming, Marshall and Thompson agree: Buy quality clippers.

Most nail trimmers under $30 have poor blades or weak construction that may slip, crushing or splitting the nail.

If you traumatize your dog by splitting a nail or cutting through the quick, your pet may not give you a chance to repeat the exercise.

Puppies' nails should be trimmed by professionals, warns Marshall. If you are nervous or afraid to hurt him, the dog will know and be afraid.

THE MIDDLE PATH

If you don't want to put your pooch in your family bathtub or you want a little tutelage before you try nail-trimming, some dog grooming operations will let you use their facilities to maintain your pet at a reduced rate.

It's Still A Dog's Life operates a full-service grooming business with a self-serve option. For $20 you can bring your dog in and do all your maintenance, including nail trimming, under the supervision of experts.

Poodles and any breed that has been crossed with a poodle (goldendoodles and labradoodles) have to be shaved regularly. Shearing a regular-sized doodle is an $87 tab and the big ones are more than $100, Marshall said.

"If you want to save a few dollars, get them cut shorter. The groom will last longer and you will save one groom a year," Marshall said.

Top spas can give your dog the treatment they might love, or learn to do it yourself and nurture that special bond with Fido

Be Careful Where You Buy Pet Meds
Dr. Watts - Star Exponent

In “Purchasing Pet Drugs Online: Buyer Beware,” an article printed in the “FDA Consumer,” the Food and Drug Administration cautioned pet owners about the potential dangers associated with purchasing animal drugs on the Internet. According to the article, “The FDA has also found companies that sell counterfeit pet products, make fraudulent claims, dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and sell pet drugs that have expired. Pet owners who purchase drugs from these companies may think they are saving money, but in reality they may be short-changing their pet’s health and putting its life at risk.”

After publication of the cautionary article, the FDA issued a press release with the following information and advice:

“The problem arises when unsuspecting consumers purchase these drug products online from enterprises that are fronts for unscrupulous businesses. In these cases, the consumer can end up with products not approved by FDA. While many of the unapproved products are considerably cheaper, they may also pose a health threat to pets and put their lives in danger.

Two of the most commonly used animal prescription drugs that pet owners buy over the Internet are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and heartworm prevention products. The use of both of these products should be preceded by a blood test and thorough examination of the animal, which cannot be done online. NSAIDs are prescribed for pain relief in dogs with osteoarthritis or for pain following surgery. NSAID therapy needs to be monitored by the treating veterinarian.

Manufacturers of heartworm medications do not sell to Internet pharmacies unless the pharmacies are licensed and are owned by a veterinarian. Nevertheless, a pet owner’s own veterinarian is really the best source for obtaining heartworm medication. This way, should a cat or dog that is on heartworm medication contract the disease, the manufacturer will work with the veterinarian directly. At the end of the day, there is no better assurance for your pet’s health than a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.”

In my practice, I have diagnosed two dogs with heartworm disease who were being administered preventive medications purchased through a very well known Internet and 1-800 pet medication supplier. Both dogs had tested negative a year prior to the diagnosis. The owners of each dog attested to administering the preventive medication monthly for 12 months of the year. Despite claims by the Web site that their medications were “guaranteed,” the supplier did not pay any of the treatment expenses for these heartworm positive pets.

In contrast, earlier this year I diagnosed a heartworm positive dog that had been on prevention purchased through veterinarians. The manufacturer of the medication promptly agreed to pay for treatment of the dog. I also occasionally see pets pick up intestinal parasites that were supposed to be prevented by the heartworm medications. In these cases, the manufacturers always quickly pay all expenses incurred to treat the pets. As I have seen first hand, manufacturers are not willing to do the same when medications are purchased through catalogs, the Internet, or 1-800 numbers.

Many veterinarians hesitate to educate pet owners on this issue for fear of being accused of being motivated by profit. In reality, it is the veterinarian who dedicates his life to the well-being of his patients, while the Internet corporation exists solely for the profit of its shareholders.

I advise pet owners to thoroughly investigate any source of medication that does not have a local front door and smiling face behind the counter. Some reputable pharmacies have online or 1-800 outlets with completely legitimate drugs. The National Association of State Boards of Pharmacy keeps a website of such pharmacies at nabp.net through a program they call VIPPS. Regarding this program, the Food and Drug Administration has said, “consumers should look for participation in this type of certification program as one method to help minimize the risks of getting bad quality drugs from disreputable sources.”

Dr. Watts is a companion animal general practitioner and owner of Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care. He can be reached through ClevengersCorner.com or by calling 428-1000. Some columns contain material contributed by the Veterinary News Network.


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This Winter, Provide Water For The Birds
Wild-Bird-Watching.com

The energy expanded looking for a fresh water source could be better used for staying well and surviving the winter.

All wildlife needs water, Summer or Winter.

Birds, like humans, need water all year. By investing in a heated bird bath or by adding a bird bath heater to your existing bird bath, you'll be providing the greatest resource birds need in order to survive.

Bird bath heaters are usually available wherever bird feeding supplies are offered. Check local hardware stores, large discount stores, and online.

Heated bird baths are most commonly found on-line. These are complete bird baths with the heater built into the bath.

When using either of these types, make sure your power source is safe. If you are unsure, hire an electrician to check it out or to install a GFCI outlet on the outside of your house. These types of outlets provide saftey for outdoor bird baths and any other electrical tools used in the yard.

Place your heated bird bath near your feeders for easier viewing. Even birds that don't normally visit your feeders will visit your bird bath. All backyard birds need water. Also, when placing your bath, make sure there is cover for the birds. Water on the feathers make birds easy targets for prey.

Do not place the bird bath too close to cover, otherwise cats can hide and attack the birds more easily, a few yards will be adequate.

The recommended type of bird bath, is the pedestal style. These give the birds more security by being 2 or more feet above ground. This height allows birds to view their surroundings and any would be predators. Any bird bath can be used.

By providing water for birds this winter, you'll not only be providing a service to our winter birds, but you'll have a greater diversity of birds and more of them to watch. And...

Wild-Bird-Watching.com Offers bird watching information on common North American backyard birds. Visit to learn about your favorite birds.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/this-winter-provide-water-for-the-birds-1500.html

Dog Grooming at Home!
By Audrey Frederick

Understanding that dogs do not take the time or have the interest in self-grooming as cats do, it is up to us, the pet parent to help in those matters.

The first step is to start early with brushing. Doing this will get your puppy used to the brush and handling. Buy a brush that is suitable for your puppy's coat.

A good idea is to talk to someone who grooms dogs the pet store and of course, your vet to find out what type of brush is best.

A fine toothcomb is great for soft silky hair this is also good for controlling fleas and getting rid of the mats.

There are also special mitts for brushing shorthaired dogs or you can use a coarse wash cloth to rub over your dog's coat.

The hardest part of grooming your puppy/dog is getting him/her to stand or lie still while you are brushing them.

Some dogs are fearful of the brush and you will have to be patient and go slowly.

It will even require more patience if you have a longhaired dog that has a lot of facial hair that has to be brushed and combed.

The secret here is to start very early with the brushing and gently handle your puppy's face using soft slow strokes with a comb or brush.

Patience, determination and consistency will need to be your motto while you are getting your puppy used to facial handling.

Even dogs of breeds that normally are associated with grooming salons can be groomed at home at least part of the time.

You may need to take them to the salon for haircuts and possibly toenail clippings should you not feel confident enough yourself to trim your dog's nails.

It is a good idea when you take your puppy for its first visit to the vet or shortly thereafter you talk to your vet about trimming your puppy's nails.

Your vet will be able to show you how to do it correctly. Clipping your puppy's nails should be started at an early age one paw at a time.

The first step is to get your puppy used to you handling its paws.

After a brushing session try massaging your puppy's feet slowly and gently, separating its toes and playing with his/her nails.

This type of handling will get your dog used to you touching its feet and it won't be such a shock once you start clipping its nails. You will need a good set of clippers, which can be found at your pet store or purchased from a groomer or the Internet.

The main reason to brush and comb dogs with long hair is to eliminate matting as much as possible. Once the hair gets matted the job, to comb out the mats can be a long tedious and painful experience for both you and the dog. This brushing should be done several times a week.

Most dogs shed continuously (there are breeds that do not shed) and by grooming and brushing you are keeping the hair from floating through the air thereby making your housekeeping chores lighter.

Most dogs do not have to be bathed frequently. Frequent baths have a tendency to dry the natural oils in your dog's skin and can lead to constant scratching.

Did you know that some shedding is caused by hormonal changes that are related to the length of daylight, the nutrition the dog receives and the dog's general state of well being?

Shedding is natural part of a dog's life, but shedding may caused by stress, surgery, having puppies or because of fear or anxiety.

Before you get a dog it would be wise to research the breeds to see what their shedding problems are.

For instance, a dog with long hair, mutt or purebred will require you to groom it through out its life.

Before you go out and get a dog do some research, if your are short on time and patience get a fish?

Ears are another important part of your dog's grooming procedure; dogs with long droopy ears require special care.

Spaniels and other dogs with long ears are susceptible to ear infections.

Your vet can prescribe the proper medication to use for your pet's ears.

Ear mites are another consideration that will have to be watched for.

When cleaning your pet's ears use warm water and a soft cloth or cotton.

Grooming your dog at home is really a great experience; it gives you the opportunity to bond with your dog. Dogs love attention and you as a pet parent can enjoy the feeling of comfort that a dog gives when it know that it is loved and cared for.

Stop and think about the importance of spending 10 -20 minutes every other day or so with your furry friend.

Human friends are great, but the loyalty of a four-legged friend cannot be described, it goes beyond any words you can think of.

It is love with no strings attached and all your pet wants is your love and attention in return.

You can count it in human minutes, but what a return on your investment.

If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Frederick



Is New York the Most Pet-Friendly Place?
By Sewell Chan - The New York Times



Forget our odd tendency to keep big dogs in small apartments. Or the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s ban on dogs on the subway unless they are “enclosed in a container and carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers” (service animals and police dogs are excepted). Or the fact that taxi drivers aren’t required to allow dogs to ride along with their owners. Or the perennial brouhaha over off-leash rules governing when dogs can roam free in the parks. Or the out-of-the-way nooks and crannies where the city places its dog runs.

And don’t mention our former mayor’s dislike of ferrets.

In view of all those pet-owning disadvantages, it would seem surprising that readers of Animal Fair magazine have chosen New York City as the nation’s pet-friendliest destination. The fourth annual Cesar Five Dog Bone Award winners — named for Cesar, the dog-food company, not to be confused with Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer” on the National Geographic Channel — also went to an airline (Continental), an automobile (Volvo), a hotel (the Driskill in Austin, Tex.), a product (Sherpa Bags), a resort (the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona) and, finally, a noncommercial entity, an animal shelter (the Humane Society of Louisiana).

NYC & Company — the city’s official tourism promotion arm — did not waste a moment before trumpeting the Animal Fair awards as a triumph for the city.

“New York City is a vibrant destination for visitors year-round — whether they’re four-legged or two-legged,” said George A. Fertitta, chief executive of NYC & Company. “We want to remind travelers that the City offers plenty of options for owners traveling with their pets.”

In a news release, the promotion agency cited pet-friendly hotels like the London NYC, the W hotels in New York City, the Loews Regency, the SoHo and TriBeCa Grand Hotels, the Waldorf Towers, the Carlyle and the Hilton Times Square; pet-friendly department stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue; the pet-friendly Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle (where the Bouchon Bakery sells “foie gras–enriched dog biscuits”); pet-friendly salons like Le Chien in Trump Plaza on Third Avenue; a pet-friendly pub, the Brooklyn Ale House in Williamsburg; and New York’s Pet Taxi, a company that transports pets.

City Room would like to note that both Animal Fair and NYC & Company seem awfully dog-centric. One wonders how Saks would respond to a customer bearing goldfish in a bag. And a quick call to the reception desk at the luxurious Carlyle Hotel, on East 76th Street, revealed that only dogs under 25 pounds are permitted — no iguanas, cats or lizards, please.

What to Do When You See Blood in Cat Urine
By Laura Ramirez

If you've seen blood in cat urine, you have cause to be alarmed. Since the delicate tissues of the bladder system are bleeding, you need to get your pet to the vet right away. Before you do, read this quick article, so you'll be informed about what causes this symptom and what you can do.

Cat urine with blood is a symptoms that is associated with a number of different medical issues including the following:

--A urinary tract infection (which is caused by bacteria)
--Ingestion of a household poison
--Side effects from medication
--Physical trauma (such as being hit by a car)
--Parasites
--Congenital abnormalities
--Bladder stones
--An infection in the vaginal area
--A clotting disorder
--Cancer

If left untreated, bleeding can worsen and cause anemia. If your cat has a serious condition, it can get worse with time. Taking your cat to the vet will insure that the vet will determine why your pet has blood in cat urine. In addition to taking X-rays, your vet will run a battery of tests and give you a conclusive diagnosis and treatment plan.

Cat urine with blood is usually the result of a urinary tract infection. If this is the case, your vet is likely to prescribe antibiotics. Be forewarned that antibiotics only suppress the symptoms and the side effects may actually make your cat's condition worse. Using antibiotics can lead to recurring infections which can create scarring in the bladder.

Rather than consenting to give your cat harsh antibiotics, consider giving your pet a natural remedy instead. Natural remedies work better than antibiotics because they heal the problem and the situation that gave rise to it. Since they are inexpensive and gentle, they can be used to treat and prevent recurring infections. They are very effective in supporting bladder health, restoring the pH level of the urinary tract and your cat's overall immunity to disease.

When choosing a natural remedy to stop blood in cat urine, be aware that some remedies are better quality than others. Look for clinically proven ingredients like uva ursi, berberis, cantharis and staphysagris.

In summary, if you see blood in cat urine, take your cat to the vet immediately. Follow your vet's instructions, except in the case of administering harsh antibiotics. If your cat does have a urinary tract infection, you can safely give your pet a natural remedy instead.

Laura Ramirez is a passionate researcher of natural remedies which heal disorders, extend longevity and improve quality of life. Find out more about safe, effective ways to maintain your pet's urinary tract and colon health at http://www.pet-ut-health.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Ramirez



Your Dressed-Up Pet Photos - Part XII
The Boston Globe








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