Your Pet’s Perfect Solution
Even the most daring dogs and the friskiest felines can have a bad day and wind up with cuts and scrapes. How you treat these wounds is what sets your dog or cat apart from all the rest, they need to be treated with the most effective pet products in order to heal fast and stay on top of their game. Canine Solution and Feline Solution from the Earth’s Balance product line are the perfect solution. These Solutions are completely safe to use anywhere on your pets, even in the mouth and eyes, because they are all-natural. They contain electrolyzed oxidizing water, which helps wounds heal faster while keeping them clean and preventing infections. From small cuts and scrapes to larger abrasions, as well as a wide range of other problems, these solutions can effectively treat your pets and save you time and money on vet trips.
Earth’s Balance isn’t just for dogs and cats; there are great solutions for all of your pets. Like Canine and Feline Solutions, Avian Solution is great for your bird’s daily needs and Pet Solution is just what you need for all of your other pets, such as ferrets, rabbits, and other small animals.
Get the solutions that are right for your pets, and keep them happy and healthy no matter what they might run into.
For a full list of uses of these great products, as well as the other products that Earth’s Balance offers, please visit www.earthsbalance.com.
Are Your Pets Safe this Holiday Season?
Safety is important all year long, but during the holidays there are even more safety issues to be aware of. While most people know the basic rules of safety, some of us tend to overlook a few critical factors especially when it comes to the holidays. It’s important to understand the very nature or instinct of your pet to get a better idea of where danger may lurk. A Christmas tree may be very inviting for many pets due to the dangling ornaments, sparkling lights and shiny tinsel, but all of these items can be potential hazards if chewed on or broken. Hang these objects out of reach whenever possible.
Wrapped presents look beautiful under the tree, but they create some safety hazards. Make sure that the ribbons are secure and that they don’t have wire in them. Consider what’s inside the box as well, animals have a keen sense of smell and can locate those nicely wrapped goodies quickly. The sweet treats you and I love, such as chocolate, can be dangerous and even fatal to our pets. It’s best to keep these morsels in a safe place away from curious beings.
Electric cords are in abundance at this time of year too, so be sure to safeguard them as well as your pets, by using a protective cord cover such as the critter cord. Even items that don’t seem harmful, such as candles, could be dangerous if ingested. Plants such as Poinsettias, can also pose a threat to your pets. Certain flowers and plants cause toxic reactions in cats and other small pets. Very small amounts, if ingested, have been known to cause acute kidney failure.
For a complete listing of harmful plants visit humanesociety.org As always, if you are unsure if your pet has swallowed something harmful or their behavior has changed in some way, i.e. lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc. consult your veterinarian immediately for a thorough examination.
If you’d like to share a pet safety related story or tip, please send us a note at ferrets@marshallpet.com and we may publish it!
Have a safe and happy holiday!
Diabetes in Pets – What you should know
Diabetes results when an animal’s pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Sugars build up in the bloodstream rather than enter the body’s tissues where they would otherwise provide energy.
Excess sugar in the bloodstream can lead to several other conditions, including heart, liver and kidney disease, increased infections, slow healing, cataracts, blindness, etc.
Risk factors for diabetes include:
Diabetes is more common in cats and dogs, although it does occur in ferrets as well. It is mainly seen in:
• Middle-aged and older cats
Two common causes for pancreatic damage that may affect the secretion of insulin in ferrets are insulinoma surgery and pancreatitis.
Common symptoms of pet diabetes mellitus include:
• Muscle wasting
Ferrets with diabetes tend to exhibit the same signs as cats and dogs, and usually have one of the predisposing factors for diabetes (adrenal disease, recent pancreatectomy for insulinoma, steroid therapy, obesity).
Diagnosing and treating Diabetes
If you think your pet might have diabetes, you should take him to a vet. A veterinarian can diagnose diabetes mellitus by examining sugar levels in the pet’s blood and urine.
If your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, a healthy species-appropriate diet is highly recommended. If your pet is overweight, you should help him lose weight gradually through diet and increased exercise. Strenuous exercise is not recommended as it can increase insulin levels. Conventional treatment may also include regular injections of insulin. A veterinarian should perform a glucose or blood sugar curve in order to determine an appropriate feeding schedule. This will indicate the best time to give insulin and when to feed your pet.
Management Of Diabetes In Ferrets
A prime component of diabetes management is diet: diabetic patients need to be on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. This gives the body fuel in the form of protein without making it work as hard as it does to digest the carbohydrates. Insulin therapy may also be recommended for the ferret.
Be Prepared
Be prepared in case your pet gets sprayed.
Like a good scout you should always have some handy items in your tool kit. Pet ownership is no different, especially when you have a curious canine. Some dogs are so good at finding trouble that it seems like that’s their only job. With a little planning and preparation, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way. For example your dog may have a penchant for rolling around in muddy water or worse, maybe he gets too close to the neighborhood skunk. Perhaps your dog is a bit of a show-off and gets into a scuffle with another four-legged friend. Whatever the issue, there are some natural solutions that can make your life easier:
EB Wet Dog: Just as the name implies, it takes away that familiar wet dog smell. Spray and saturate coat – no need to rinse.
EB Skunk Free: Perfect for getting rid of skunk spray on your dog. Just spray and leave on and the smell dissipates immediately.
EB Canine Solution: Excellent for cuts, wounds, hot spots, skin irritation. Spray on affected area to clean and help heal.
Don’t forget other important items for your pet’s tool kit as well, such as gauze strips, medical tape, cotton balls, fresh water, and treats. When you’re prepared, you can enjoy all of your outings with your pet.
Pet blogger, AmyJo Casner shares her experience at BlogPaws 2011
Anthony Rossano and Joe Panzella from Rescue Ink
Blog Paws, which was founded in 2010, had its first pet blogging conference in Columbus, OH the first one designed around pet bloggers. This year Manny, Marcuz, and I were able to attend Blog Paws 2011 at the Sheraton Hotel in Tyson’s Corner, VA along with over 700 other pet bloggers, pet businesses, and pet lovers.
The Sheraton was an awesome place for this event. The staff went out of their way for those of us lucky enough to attend with our pets. From having pictured maps near the doors where a pet owner could take their pet to relieve themselves to setting up an area where our pets could be with us during meals. When something came up there was no fuss and it was taken care of including the preparations for Hurricane Irene’s pending arrival. You would have never known there was anything causing a problem for the hotel.
Blog Paws 2011 was informational; from how two guys, Anthony Rossano and Joe Panzella, started Rescue Ink and what their view on animal rescue is, to how to use the different social media sites, apps, and tools available to both individuals and businesses alike. It was also a treat to be the first place that Disney had its first press release of their newest buddies movie, "Spooky Buddies," coming out on DVD September 20th 2011. Talking with the director Robert Vince was both fun and educational. Meeting B-Dawg in the fur and getting our picture taken together was also a lot of fun.
My favorite aspect of blog paws was being able to talk to people about Manny and Marcuz, and how ferrets are becoming a growing part of the pet community. It is through these informal chats that I have been able to talk to people like Andrea Arden from Animal Planet and others like her. Manny and Marcuz had a lot of pictures taken of them and many were to posted to different people’s Facebook pages including P.A.L.S for life where they received over 200 comments within one hour of Manny’s picture being posted.
When asked what the attendee’s favorite thing was about Blog Paws 2011, the answer was, “ferrets”. That is the best reason for me and we have already booked our place for Blog Paws 2012 in Salt Lake City.
Have a Chittering Good Day,
Jo
You can read more of AmyJo's posts on her blog.
Is Your Pet Micro-Chipped?
No one wants it to happen, but sometimes pets run away or get lost. This can be one of the most frightening experiences to a pet and his owner. Today’s technology provides us with not only ways to keep our pets safe, but also a way to find them if they get lost. The most effective way to ensure that your pet can be easily identified is to have them micro-chipped. Micro-chipping is a quick procedure that will guarantee that your pets have a virtually fail-safe way to be identified, if they become lost. There are many advantages to having your pet micro-chipped, including:
• Micro-chipping gives your pet the best chance of getting home quickly
• Micro-chipping is the only permanent method of pet identification
• The micro-chipping procedure is no more painful than a vaccination
• Identification information cannot fall off or become worn and hard to read like collars or id tags can.
After having your pet micro-chipped, it is important to register the correct identification information with the microchip company. We recommend checking with your local shelters to see what type of readers they use prior to getting your pet micro-chipped. Most veterinarians will insert a microchip for a small fee. They may also recommend what type of microchip would be best for you and your pet. If your veterinarian does not implant microchips they may be able to advise you on where the nearest clinic is that does offer this service. Although micro-chipping has many advantages, it shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for identification tags on his or her collar – those tags are important. For more information on the microchip process and procedure, please go to http://dogs.about.com/od/toyssupplies/a/microchipping.htm
Stop Sneezing, Sniffling, and Rubbing Your Eyes
Our pets provide us with unconditional love and an unparalleled sense of comfort, but one of things we can live without is pet allergens. According to The Humane Society of the United States approximately 15% of the population is allergic to dogs or cats. An estimated 1/3 of Americans who are allergic to cats (about 2 million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway. In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only 1 out of 5 did, thus proving that we really can’t live without our pets. We can, however, make life with pets easier by reducing animal allergens.
Animal allergens are found in homes with pets. The dander allergen gets trapped in pet saliva from self-grooming and becomes sticky. Since dander allergens are sticky, they can easily travel to places other than the home. While dander on a smooth surface (such as a wall or tile floor) can be easily wiped off, it can persist for long periods of time on softer materials, such as carpets, mattresses, upholstered furniture, clothing and even skin. That is why, unless special steps are taken, pet dander can remain in a home and wreak havoc for several months even after the pet is no longer there. Dander Free contains aggressive beneficial bacteria that love to eat organic waste (sticky dander) and will help rid your home of pet allergens, which in turn reduces sneezing, wheezing, and itchy, watery eyes. In addition to cat and dog hair, bird feathers and droppings can also increase allergen exposure. Ferrets, rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs also harbor allergens in their saliva and urine. Once dry, these secretions become airborne and can be a source of allergic reactions for adults, children and anyone with increased exposure to animals.
In addition to saliva and urine, pet waste can be a source of bacteria, dust, fungi and mold. Dander Free’s good bacteria will quickly devour organic waste such as pet feces.
We recommend Dander Free to help remove the dander allergens from your pets and your home. Spray both as often as is necessary to keep the allergens at a minimum level.
• Allergic individuals should avoid hugging or kissing their pets because of the allergens on the animal's fur or saliva.
• Litter boxes should be placed in an isolated area and should be avoided by allergic individuals.
• Always wash your face, hands and arms after grooming or playing with pets to remove animal dander.
• Nothing beats a bath for your pet, especially if using a good non-chemical shampoo. Do not use an anti-biotic shampoo, as it will kill the beneficial bacteria in Dander Free.
• Forced-air heating and air-conditioning can spread the allergens throughout the house. Homes with forced-air heating and/or air-conditioning may be fitted with a central air cleaner, or a room air purifier can be utilized a few hours a day.
For more natural solutions for pets and home, visit www.earthsbalance.com or call 1-800-292-3424.
What’s Your Solution?
Pets have a way of finding trouble, or maybe trouble has a way of finding pets - either way pets seem to encounter trouble more than anyone would like them to. From bug bites to cat fights, there are many situations that require quick and effective solutions. So, whether it’s the dog whose constant scratching is making it impossible for him to relax, even in the dog days of summer or the cat whose curiosity got the best of her, we have a solution that can calm the hot spots.
Thanks to Marshall Pet Products and Earth’s Balance, there are Canine Solution and Feline Solution. These all natural, first aid solutions are both veterinarian recommended and proven to help your pets wounds naturally. Canine and Feline Solution answer a variety of common problems pets may face on a day-to-day basis. They also help you save time and money by reducing the number of visits to your veterinarian. These solutions are used for minor cuts and scrapes, larger abrasions, hotspots, insect bites, skin irritation and more. The application is simple; for most situations spray the affected area 2-3 times a day until the area is completely recovered. Our pets might not always be the ones to find trouble, but when trouble finds them be prepared to solve the problem with Canine or Feline Solution. For a full listing of uses and recommended applications please visit www.earthsbalance.com.
Tips for Trimming Your Ferret’s Nails
Before trimming your ferrets nails be sure to have everything you might need
- Ferret nail clippers: specially designed scissor style clipper with a notch at the bottom of the blade. Human nail clippers can be used as well if you don’t have ferret nail clippers.
- A distraction: we recommend using Furo-Vite or Furo-Lax; both are not only a treat for your ferret but also good supplements as well.
- Something to stop bleeding: ferrets have a vain that grows partially through the nail; this area is called the quick. The quick is the small pink under layer of the nail, if nails are trimmed to short this could be painful and bleed. Keep styptic powder, a bar of soap or flour handy, just in case.
NOTE: when trimming just take off the tip of your ferrets nail.
After getting everything you will need together you can get your ferret and begin.
One Person:
When trimming your ferret’s nails alone, the distraction aspect is what is going to make this an easy task. We would recommend draping a towel over your legs and placing your ferret on his or her back on the towel. Take the Furo-Lax or Furo-Vite and rub some on your ferret’s belly. While you furry friend is busy trying to lick every bit of the treat off, firmly hold each paw, one at a time, and carefully trim each nail. If necessary, do the front two paws one day and the back two the next. For ferrets that really dislike having their nails cut, this may be the easiest clipping technique.
Two People:
When lucky enough the have two have two people for this task, have one person hold the ferret, stomach facing out. You can still use the Furo-Lax or Furo-Vite as a distraction, this will always make nail trimming more enjoyable for your ferret. While your ferret is distracted the other person should carefully clip the nails in the same manor as recommended above.
Ferrets nails should be clipped every two weeks as a part of a regular grooming process. Clipping your ferret’s nails after a bath is a great idea as you ferret will be more relaxed. And remember, any grooming process will be a great bonding experience for you and your ferret!