2. Raisins: Just like grapes, do not feed your pet even a few raisins.

3. Onions: Even in small amounts, onions can cause a hemolytic anemia. This means that the body attacks its own Red Blood Cells, triggering a serious anemia that can result in weakness, fainting, shortness of breath and death. Garlic and chives also contain the same toxin, but in smaller amounts.

4. Xylitol: Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is used in sugarless gums and candies. Xylitol is high toxic to dogs and just a few pieces can land your pet in the intensive care unit. Ingestion of xylitol results in Low Blood Sugar, seizure, weakness and Liver Failure.

5. Uncooked Bread Dough: This food can cause huge problems for your dog as it ferments in his stomach. Fermenting yeast produces alcohol as a byproduct, which can cause intoxication. Expanding dough in the stomach can cause Stomach Rupture.

6. Chocolate: Especially the baking chocolate! Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate, seizure or death.

7. Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs: Do not give your pet alcohol, drugs or tobacco products. These substances can cause a wide range of problems including stomach upset, cardiac disruption, coma or death.

8. Raw Meat/Eggs: These products may be contaminated with Ecoli or Salmonella.

9. Animal Bones: These products are dangerous because they can cause intestinal blockage or puncture of the GI tract. This can cause life threatening internal bleeding.

10. Salt/Baking Soda/Baking Powder: Too much of these substances can cause disruption of the electrolyte balance and complications related to high sodium levels.

11. Mushrooms: Mushrooms can be quite toxic to your pet.

15. Spoiled or Moldy Food: This should go without saying, but if you wouldn’t eat it, neither should your pet! Spoiled food can be harmful due to overgrowth of disease causing bacteria and molds.

12. Sugar: Too much sugar is bad news for pets because it can lead to weight gain, tooth decay and diabetes.

14. Macadamia Nuts: Avoid feeding your pet these types of nuts because they can cause stomach upset and joint pains.

13. Fruit pits and avocado: Believe it or not these seemingly harmless foods contain cyanide, which obviously is toxic to your pet.

www.PawMax.com

Hello Animal Lovers!

As the holiday season approaches its important to keep your pets safety in mind.  The last thing we want is to rush our animal to the emergency clinic during our Christmas party or Thanksgiving meal.  Here are some pointers to make sure your holiday runs smooth and worry free for you and your furry friend.  As you place decorations around the house try to keep in mind where you place them.  Most all holiday plants are toxic to pets and cause serious health problems.  The most toxic are holly and ivy; all parts of the plant are toxic even if nibbled on.  This goes for poinsettias, mistletoe, and Christmas greens such as juniper, cedar, pine and fir also.  Make sure to keep these plants out of pets reach.  If you feel your pet has ingested one of these plants take them to the vet or after care center immediately.  Christmas lights and other flashy devices make great looking chewy toys so make sure those are placed in high places also.  If you can’t keep things out of reach think about investing in a baby gate to keep your pets out of the decorated room. Christmas ornaments, especially tinsel are extremely hazardous.  Tinsel can easily get caught and wrap around your pets intestinal tract, cats are particularly drawn to tinsel.  It is a good idea to opt out of using this on your tree at all.  Pine needles from Christmas trees are also prone to poke through a pet’s stomach if ingested.  If using a real tree this year be sure you regularly vacuum under the tree or block the room with a baby gate. The water in the base of a real tree should never be accessible to your pet.  Christmas trees are treated with a number of different pesticides and fertilizers that can run off into the water and cause serious harm to your pet.  While cooking holiday meals it is important to remember that animals can not digest food as easily as we can.  Even though it is ok to give them tiny amounts of meat such as turkey or chicken please make sure it is not seasoned.  Many seasonings easily upset pets stomachs leading to vomiting and diarrhea.  Large amounts of fatty foods and pan drippings can cause gastrointestinal issues.  Bones especially poultry splinter easily and should never be given to pets.  No matter how big the bone is dogs can still end up with small fragments of bone in their stomach.

These are just a few pieces of information that can keep your holiday season safe and stress free. We would love to hear from you with any extra tips and suggestions. You could save a dog or cats life so please take the time to participate!

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

www.PawMax.com

Hip Dysplasia is developmental disease in dogs that affects their joint mobility.  It is not congenial in the fact that at birth puppies are born with normal joints.  However genetics do play a part since dysplasia is most commonly found in large breed dogs such as German Sheppard’s, Rottweiler’s and Labs.

The rapid growth stage that occurs in these puppies is what causes dysplasia to be a common in these breeds.  Dysplasia starts when the cartilage and muscle can no longer support the joint causing laxity in the movement.  This leads to arthritis and lameness in the legs of animals.  Because large breed have an intense growth period they are most susceptible to the damaging effects of dysplasia.  Their joints and muscles do not grow at the same pace as their body mass does causing instability of the joint.  The heaviest puppy of the litter is usually affected the most and 90% of dysplasia is found on both sides.   Lean large breed dogs such as Greyhounds and Dobermans are not affected nearly as much since their body weight is much less than those of the before mentioned breeds.

An easy way to help avoid dysplasia is a very controlled diet recommended by your vet during the rapid growth stage of a puppy.  Dogs can show signs of dysplasia as early as 4-6 months old however it usually very noticeable in older dogs.   The best way to diagnose dysplasia is to have your vet perform diagnostic tests and x-rays which are usually both done under anesthesia.

The best way to help treat and avoid dysplasia is to maintain your puppy/dogs weight and continuous physical therapy.  In the most severe cases surgery is required but is very invasive and costly.  Many pet owners have found that in conjunction with exercise and weight control, joint modifying supplements help your dog overcome the painful effects of dysplasia.  These joint modifying supplements like our  “Hip & Joint Formula Soft Chews” assist in enhancing joint health by repairing and maintaining the growth of cartilage in the joint.  Our chews contain Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine that naturally reduce pain and inflammation without affecting your pet’s liver. Chonodroitin Sulfate is found in cartilage and when prescribed, helps stimulate the growth of new cartilage while also decreasing the synthesis of enzymes that damage cartilage.  Using a supplement like this is the best idea over using other anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin since those are likely to cause gastrointestinal issues.

Free Samples available! Save 20% off your first order, enter code HEALTHYPET20 at checkout!

http://www.pawmax.com/pmax/product.php?productid=16158&cat=249&page=1

“Plaque Free” Dental Powder for Dogs & Cats

NOW AVAILABLE!!!

• Did you know that dental health in pets (as well as humans) is a major concern for overall health?

• Did you also know that periodontal disease is the #1 health problem diagnosed in cats and dogs? Studies show that approximately two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care that is recommended as essential by veterinarians!

• How does dental disease affect my pet? Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth. It goes far beyond just bad breath, loss of teeth and pain, which sounds bad enough! Dental disease can (and most likely will) lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease as well as affecting the brain. These are facts which makes it all the more important that you provide your pets with proper dental care from the start.

• How does Paw Max’s “Plaque Free” help my pet? “Plaque Free” contain natural minerals called Zeoites which help control plaque formation and support gum health.

• Why is it important to stop plaque formation? Plaque is where gum disease starts! Plaque is an accumulation of bacteria, mixed with saliva, blood cells, and other bacterial components which often leads to tooth and gum disease. When plaque becomes hard it turns into tarter which adheres to the tooth enamel ultimately causing serious gum inflammation and infection, a condition called gingivitis.

• What happens next? Gingivitis, if left untreated, turns to Periodonitis which can lead to an array of other health issues for your pet from tooth loss to organ failure!

• Paw Max’s “Plaque Free” is a stress free, mess free, daily dental program… all you do is add a teaspoon to your pets food and that’s it!

• Did we mention Paw Max’s “Plaque Free” is universal so if you have both cats and dogs there’s no need to buy 2 separate products. Plaque Free is formulated to be used on both pets!

Plaque Free Benefits:

• Easy To Use!
  
• Reduces Plaque & Tarter
• Freshens Breath
• No Brushing
  
• All Natural
  
• Pets Love the Taste

It’s a simple solution to a big problem!

You love your pet (and your wallet!) So why not give it a try…

Just so you know Paw Max will soon be carrying Shampoos for Cats and Dogs as well. We’ll keep you posted as soon as more information is available.

Don’t forget to become a registered customer if you would like to be the first to know about our products along with receiving discounts on future purchases.

Please give us any feedback on this product or any other products you would like to see available at PawMax.com.

Thanks for reading~

From The Staff at PawMax.com

 Paw Max… For The Health of Your Pet!

Thanks again to all of our loyal customers who keep our brand alive and growing. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you and appreciate your loyalty

Go check it out now! http://www.pawmax.com

Tags: pets, dogs, cats, pets and health, adopt a pet, pet adoption, pets and seniors, pet health, funny animals, pet rescue

My mom ordered online Dr. Frank’s Dog & Date Joint Muscle Pain Relief tablets. She’s seen no improvement but wants to use the bottle up then switch to aspirin for her 13 yr old Sheppard (I tell her if its doing no good now then its doing no good the whole time she’s giving it to him so she should pitch it or try something else).
Well today I called her and she was looking everywhere trying to find a way to stop the payments because it seems she needs to cancel the order or they just assume you want more and keep billing you. The toll free number for Dr Frank’s not working. The website won’t pull up for her. I searched her credit card company and got her a number to call and had them report it as stolen (they knew the situation and suggested it be done that way) and my mom’s sending a registered letter to his address to cancel the orders.

I’m now trying to find information on the net but its hard because google gives me so many sites that want to sell me stuff (he now has a joint spray). Just thought I’d pop by and see if anyone has heard anything regarding Dr Frank. She probably won’t get her money back but I told her that I would not give Jessie a single dose more of that stuff. I would not give my dog the time of day from any source I can’t get a hold of after purchasing. I have to wonder why she can’t reach him by the number and website she originally used, as far as I’m concerned that medication is not safe now until proved otherwise.

Oh now I read that the spray is supposed to have mercury in it.
‘Mercurius Vivus
The treatment is derived from the element mercury. This remedy has no toxicity because the mercury is diluted to such extremely small amounts.’

I’m gonna go over to my mom’s place and read the label and if I see any mercury in it I’m confiscating the bottle for their own good!
 

Follow-Up Postings:
 RE: Dr Frank’s Health Products
Posted by lfnyc

Your mother has done all that can be done. There are a few scam alert websites where you might want to post her experience to warn others. Plug “Dr. Frank Scam” into Google. You will come up with something right away.
I think that by law, credit card companies have to give the consumer the benefit of the doubt on this kind of thing. Mom might not be able to get her money back on the first order (although by law, mail orders have to offer a 30 day money back guarantee…which is probably why “dr. Frank” changes his phone number frequently), but unsolicited subsequent orders should not be her responsibility.

The moral of the story is, Buyer beware: when you see a miracle cure advertised on TV, and the only way to buy it is thru an 800 number, it is probably a scam. They use the operators to fast talk consumers into things like “discount club memberships” with monthly fees, open-ended reorders, or into paying riduculous shipping fees if you don’t want to increase your order or pre-commit to re-orders. That maybe what happened to your mother.
 RE: Dr Frank’s Health Products

Posted by sweetchastity

Yeah my mom and dad thought it was worth a try but she didn’t realize that she had to stop the orders or they’d continue. She understands she probably won’t get her money back but I’m more concerned over the quality of the product. Her supplements come with his spray which indeed has some mercury in it. I don’t think mercury is safe and since the product is obviously not working she’s going to switch to aspirin and spray the doses out until they are all gone (its just easier than arguing with my father who assured me mercury is not dangerous because they use it in scales to make sure stuff is level; that makes little sense but that is what the argument was like).

 RE: Dr Frank’s Health

Posted by meghane

I agree that any amount of mercury is not ideal. Does your father eat the mercury in the scales, or allow it to come in direct contact with his skin? If so he may already have been poisoned with his brain affected, which may explain his rather lame argument…. Just kidding of course.
Anyway, aspirin is not the safest arthritis medication because it is very likely to cause potentially life-threatening GI ulcers. ALL non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) have this potential side effect, but aspirin is one of the worst offenders, even the enteric coated ones. Some of the other veterinary NSAIDs are generally safer, although any NSAID can cause GI upset, liver problems, or kidney problems. It is important to monitor any patient taking NSAIDs on a regular basis with bloodwork (I recommend every 3-6 montjs, especially in dogs over 8 years) to look for signs of liver or kidney damage. And if the dog stops eating, starts vomiting, or has dark tarry stools, then your mom needs to immediately stop giving the NSAID and call her vet, because those signs indicate serious drug reactions. Drug reactions can happen at any time, not just when the dog is started on the medication.

There are several alternatives to NSAIDs:
Tramadol- a synthetic opioid that controls pain very well, has a wide margin of safety, and usually does not have serious side effects, although some dogs get nauseous. Can be used with NSAIDs for a synergistic effect, or alone.
Duralactin- a concentrated milk protein that has anti-inflammatory effects of unknown mechanism. Can be used with any other pain medication. No known side effects.
Glucosamine HCL 1500mg/ chondroitin sulfate 1200mg- this is the only ratio and form of glucosamine that has been proven to work. I get it at Costco 210 tablets for $21, which is WAY cheaper than the veterinary drug Cosequin. This can be used with any other medication as well. There is also an injectable glucosamine product called Adequan which works well, but is very expensive.
Acupuncture- may be hard to find a practitioner but this provides pain relief for many dogs. Usually the visits are more frequent at first, but you can lengthen the time in between visits as needed. Some dogs seem more painful immediately after the first visits, but this goes away. It can be used with any medication.
NSAIDs- tend to cause GI upset to ulceration, liver problems, kidney problems. Can NEVER be given with any steroid, as this is VERY likely to cause GI ulceration. Must stop NSAIDs for at least 2 weeks before starting on steroids, and vice versa. Most dogs tolerate NSAIDs well, as long as the particular NSAID is chosen with the dog’s medical history in mind. For example, I wouldn’t give Deramaxx to a dog with any hint of renal disease, or Rimadyl to a dog with any signs of liver disease. You can combine NSAIDs with anything except steroids.
Steroids- usually prednisone or a long-acting injectable. This is my short list of side effects with any steroid administration:
Long term dosing must be gradually decreased to allow recovery of adrenals or animal will go into Addisonian crisis; EOD dosing may minimize but not prevent adrenal atrophy. Polyphagia, euphoria, osteoporosis, fibroblast inhibition, decreased Ca++ absorption, GI ulceration, pancreatitis, colonic perforation, Na+ and fluid retention, PU/PD, hyperlipidemia, lipolysis, protein catabolism, fatty infiltration of liver, steroid hepatopathy in dogs, anti-insulin effects, HPA-axis suppression, decreased T4 synthesis, increased PTH synthesis, decreased bacterial killing, increased risk of septicemia, recurrent septic cystitis, increased risk of cardiomyopathy in cats.

That said, steroids are very effective for treating inflammation, but because of the side effects we generally reserve steroids for extreme debilitating arthritis or when other treatments fail. You cannot use steroids with NSAIDs because of the risk of GI ulceration, and must wait 2 weeks to switch from NSAID to steroid or vice versa. If given steroid injections, the wait is much longer.

I hope your mom does get her money back, and that her dog is given an appropriate pain management plan. Good luck.
 

Yesterday, I spoke with a lady who has extensive experience in holistic treatment for pets.  She recommended MSM–not for joint health–but as a detoxifier–for our almost 13 pound 8 year old female bichon frise.  While Meg is in good health, she does have allergies and sometimes licks her feet or legs.  She eats Z/D Ultra, made by Hill’s, and is given only small raw carrots as a snack–no other food.

Meg is allergic to dairy, beef, chicken, venison, and salmon; we’re told she can tolerate the Hill’s because the protein is already broken down.

My question/s:  I do not see any MSM in your small dog vitamin; is it there under another name?  Also, several of the ingredients are derived from beef liver–and dessicated liver is listed.  Would the beef ingredient contribute to Meg’s allergy issues?

Thank you very much,

Patti

Feline viral rhinotracheitis, or FVR is an upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpes virus 1. FVR is very contagious and causes several diseases including death from pneumonia. It is transmitted through the air and direct contact. It replicates in the nose, tissues, and tonsils. This virus is shed in saliva and eye and nasal secretions.

Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, and sometimes fever and loss of appetite. The symptoms usually appear within four to seven days. FVR is usually diagnosed by the symptoms. Many healthy cats can carry the herpes virus; therefore testing positive for herpes does not automatically mean they have an upper repertory infection. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary bacterial infections. There is no specific drugs as of right now for feline viral rhinotracheitis, although one study shows that ganciclovir, PMEDAP, and cidofovir hold hope for treatment. Severe cases may need supportive care such as intravenous fluid therapy, oxygen therapy, or even a feeding tube.

Another common disease among cats is diabetes. A common symptom of this would be a large increase in water consumption and urination. A massive loss of weight has also been associated with this disease. Cats can also get kidney disease. Kidneys are responsible for getting rid of the body’s waste and to regulate the body’s fluid balance. Urinary tract diseases are also common among cats. This is caused by inflammation of the bladder. Owners will see a cat their cats visit the litter box frequently, strains to urinate, cries when urinating, or urinates in un appropriate places.

If you see any of these symptoms in your cats, take them to a vet to get a diagnosis, it could save your cats life.