Pet supply

Bedding Glossary

2006-12-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

Bedding Glossary

Allergen:
A substance that causes an allergic reaction, for example dust.

Baffles:
A chamber used to obstruct the movement of a substance (for example, water).

Bed frame:

A frame that maintains the position of the foundation, headboard and footboard.

Bed riser:
Separate blocks or cones placed under the bed to raise it higher off the floor.

Bedding:

A general term to describe all the sheets, pillows, comforters, etc. used on a bed.

Body Alignment:
The relational positioning and balance of the spine, muscles and joints.

Box Spring:

A foundation that contains springs.

California King:
Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 72" wide by 84" long.

Canopy:

A fabric covering suspended above the bed, usually with posts.

Coil:
A spring to provide resistance to applied weight.

Coil Configuration:

The arrangement of coils in a specific pattern.

Comfort:
A general term to describe the overall "feel" a mattress.

Contouring:

The ability to follow or fit the natural curves (contours) of the body.

Convoluted foam:
A type of synthetic foam that includes patterned raised fibers shaped in waves, boxes, cones and stripes. These designs are said to have therapeutic benefits.

Coverlet:

The general term to describe any bed covering, such as a comforter, blanket, quilt, duvet, or bedspread.

Down:
The extremely soft, fluffy under layer of bird feathers (notably goose or duck).

Duvet:

A warm, soft bed covering that is filled with down or feathers.

Featherbed:
A soft, thick mattress topper filled with down or feathers.

Filling (Fill):

The material used to occupy (fill) an empty space. Filling provides the support, firmness and comfort of mattresses, pillows, comforters, etc.

Firmness:
A general term to describe how much resistance the mattress applies to body weight and the resulting "give".

Footboard:

A board or panel that sits at the foot of a bed.

Foundation
A base that supports the mattress. It absorbs the weight and pressure applied to the bed.

Futon:

A thin mattress placed on a frame that can covert to a bed or sofa/chair.

Gusset:
A triangle insert that adds strength to edges and corners (such as a seam).

Gusseted:

Items that are reinforced with gussets.

Headboard:
A board or panel that sits at the head of a bed.

Helical:

A small helix or spiral shaped wire that is used to connect coils.

High-density foam:
A general term to describe foam that is especially dense and thick.

House brand:
A retailer's custom brand that is only available through their store.

Hypoallergenic:

A term to describe objects that have a decreased likelihood of provoking an allergic reaction.

King size:
Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 76" wide by 80" long.

Latex foam:

Foam made of latex (a flexible substance derived from the rubber tree).

Loft:
The height or "lift" gained by the depth of the filling material.

Matelassé:
A fabric finish that suggests or imitates the indentations of a quilt.

Mattress:

The actual sleep surface of the bed; a bed's support, firmness and comfort are supplied by the mattress.

Memory foam:
A type of elastic, viscous synthetic foam with exceptional contouring abilities.

Polyurethane foam:

A type of synthetic, flexible foam.

Pressure points:
Points on the body that bear the most weight and pressure when lying down; common pressure points are the shoulders, hips and knees.

Queen size:

Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 60" wide by 80" long.

Quilt:
A bed covering made of scraps of fabrics sewn together with a decorative cross stitch design

Sleep set:

A general term to describe the combination of foundation, mattress, headboard, footboard and bed frame.

Support:
A general term to describe how the mattress distributes and stabilizes body weight and maintains proper body alignment.

Synthetic:
A term to describe any material that is artificially created (not found in nature).

Therapeutic:

To have healing abilities or benefits.

Thread count:
The number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch of fabric.

Ticking:

The protective fabric cover that encases the support and comfort layers of the mattress.

Twin Extra Long:

Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 39" wide by 80" long.

Twin size:

Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 39" wide by 75" long.

Visco-elastic:

The characteristics of a material that combines viscous and elastic behaviors; the scientific term to describe memory foam.

2006-12-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

Common Turtle Species

Turtles are cold-blooded reptiles. They have a shell making
them unique from other reptiles. Their upper shell is called
the carapace, and a lower shell that protects the belly called
the plastron. The carapace and plastron shape and color varies
from species to species. One might think it would at least
always be a hard shell, which also is untrue. There are
softshell turtle species, along with many others.

Some turtle species include Clemmys insculpta which is the wood
turtle; Geochelone sulcata which is the African Spurred
tortoise; Chelonia mydas which is the green turtle; Emydoidea
blandingii which is the Blanding?s turtle; Clemmys guttata
which is the spotted turtle; Malaclemys terrapin which is the
diamondback terrapin; and Trachemys s. elegans which is the
red-eared slider.

The species name for the wood turtle is Clemmys insculpta. This
turtle is the largest in its genus. The carapace has raised
projections on the back that resemble a small pyramid, making
it different from others in the Clemmys genus.

The wood turtle is omnivorous and eats things like algae, moss,
blueberries, mollusks, insects, earthworms, and mice. Typically
adult males are larger than adult females, but not by a whole
lot.

The species name for the African Spurred tortoise is Geochelone
sulcata. The African Spurred Tortoise is the only tortoise in
the world that has adapted fully for terrestrial life. The
turtle is famous for digging burrows to protect itself from
predators and the temperature. This turtle can go weeks without
food or water. When the turtle does get a chance to drink water
though, it can drink up to 15% of its body weight.

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The species name for the green turtle is Chelonia mydas. Adult
green turtles have a different diet than juvenile green
turtles. Adults are herbivores eating plants and juveniles are
carnivores eating meat. Adults usually spend their time in
patches of sea grass and algae to get their food, while
juveniles spend their time among the coral reef. Adults
preferred food is young leaves and roots of sea vegetation.
Juveniles eat animals such as jellyfish, sponges, snails,
bivalves, and others.

This turtle is a medium to large sea turtle that has a broad,
low, heart-shaped carapace.

Most of their lives are spent in the water but females return
to the land to lay their eggs. The eggs take about two months
to incubate, and then hatch. As most turtles are, green turtles
possess environmental sex determination. Temperature of the nest
determines the sex of the hatchling. Warmer temperatures produce
females, and cooler temperatures produce males.

Green turtles are found throughout the oceans of the world.
Populations are endangered or threatened everywhere.

The Blanding?s turtle is a northern turtle that has a black
carapace with tan to yellow spots on the scutes. Its species
name is Emydoidea blandingii. Sometimes this turtle is confused
with the box turtle because of similar appearances.
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This turtle lives in clean, shallow water habitats. They like
abundant aquatic vegetation, and firm aquatic bottoms in ponds,
lakes, marshes, and creeks. However, preferences in habitat can
change seasonally and by location. In Wisconsin, the Blanding?s
turtle prefers marshes over ponds, which is just a location
preference. Turtles elsewhere may choose a pond over a marsh.

This turtle nests once a year usually from late-May to early
July during the night. However, not every female nests every
year.

The common name for Clemmys guttata is the spotted turtle. This
is a small, black turtle that has a pattern on its smooth
carapace with small yellow spots. Over time the spots may fade,
making older turtles appear spotless.

Male spotted turtles tend to have tan chins with brown eyes
differing from the females who tend to have yellow chins and
orange eyes.

These turtles live in areas that are shallow wetlands. This can
consist of swamps, bogs, fens, and marshes, but not confined to
just these areas.

Spotted turtles are active during they day for the most part,
meaning they are diurnal. However, females are active at night
while they are nesting.

Spotted turtles are preyed upon by bald eagles, skunks, and
raccoons.

The species name for the Diamondback Terrapin is Malaclemys
terrapin. This turtle is a small to medium size turtle which
feeds on sponges, bryozoans, gastropods, crabs, carrion, and
plant material.

They have a hingeless plastron which can be yellow to green or
black, and an oblong carapace is gray, light brown or black.
They can be found in estuaries and salt marshes.

Nesting for these turtles is different from a majority of
turtles because it is during the day. Most turtles tend to nest
during the night. High tide is the most usual time for this
particular turtle to nest.

The red-eared slider is native to the United States. It is
commonly found in the Southern regions. The species name for it
is Trachemys s. elegans.

When the red-eared slider is young it is carnivorous, but as it
ages they become more vegetarian. They are a medium size and
have a dark green oval shell. Their legs are green with think
yellow stripes. The head is also green, but it has a red stripe
behind the eye.

These turtles are found in most permanent slow-moving bodies of
water. They prefer areas with mud bottoms.
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About The Author: Danielle Rose is a featured writer for
ForTurtles. To learn more about turtles, visit
www.forturtles.com/petturtles/ and
www.forturtles.com/boxturtles/

Animal remedies

2006-12-13T06:52:00.000-08:00

Para-Gone Formula
Kills & expels pinworms, tapeworms & parasites; protects the stomach
and aids in digestion.

HW Protect Formula
Prevents heartworms & repels mosquitoes with anti-parasitic herbal extracts.
More Info...

HomeoPet Wrm Clear
Homeopathic formula prevents and removes tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms.
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GI Health Formula

Expels parasites, relieves cramps & gas, stimulates gastro-intestinal circulation and heals mucous membranes.

Only Natural Pet Laxa-Herb Formula
Companion product for worms: acts as laxative for relief of constipation brought on by worms.
More Info...

Only Natural Pet Herbal Defense
Companion product for heartworm formulas: keeps disease-carrying mosquitoes away from your pet when outside.
More Info...

Dog Gone Pain (DGP)
Blend of herbs and shark cartilage provides relief to degenerated joints & connective tissues. Find the puppy in your dog!

New Product!
Nature's Variety Raw Instinct Grain-Free
High in meat protein, low in carbohydrates; ideal for dogs' biology; great for weight control.

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California Natural Foods for Dogs & Cats
One high-quality protein source; great for pets who cannot tolerate typical food ingredients.

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Nature's Variety Salmon Cat Food
New delicious flavor! Fresh meat, brown rice, flaxseed, probiotics, vitamins and enzymes.

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Essential Guides to Natural Pet Care

Comprehensive natural treatments and care for cancer, arthritis, epilepsy and hip dysplasia.
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Redbarn Bully Springs

Lightly smoked and roasted in its natural juices. Helps keep teeth clean & provides long-lasting enjoyment.
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View All Sale Items...

Pet's Itchy Skin

2006-12-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

Alleviating Your Pet's Itchy Skin
by Dr. Larry Siegler

Scritch, scratch, scritch, scratch... it may be the first thing you hear every morning or even wake you up at night - your companion’s itching and scratching. The most common reason for visits to The Animal Healing Center veterinary clinic and the most-asked question from visitors to Only Natural Pet Store are about itching, licking, scratching and skin problems. In this article we will discuss some of the possible causes, and a basic protocol for addressing the most common cause – allergies.

Step One: History

Evaluating the history of your companion’s problem is very important in helping your veterinarian determine the cause. Though allergies are the most common cause of itching and licking, there are some diseases that need to be ruled out before embarking on the path of allergy treatment.

The following are important details that will help your veterinarian diagnose the problem:

Where is the animal the itchiest? Face, base of tail, above the hips, neck, belly, feet…. Watch your companion closely and determine his or her worst areas. Flea Allergies typically cause itching above the hips, the base of the tail, groin and thighs on dogs. Cats usually itch around the neck with flea allergies. Airborne and food allergies commonly cause itching around the face, ears, belly and feet. Scabies (Sarcoptic Mange/mites) typically cause lesions and itching around the ears, elbow, belly and hocks. Demodedectic Mange generally initially appears in young dogs on the face or forelegs. Cheyletiella (mites) characteristically present on the back or sides.
When did it start? How old was the animal? Mange is more common in younger animals. Puppies and kittens are also more susceptible to flea allergies as they have weaker, less developed immune systems. Older or ill animals are also more susceptible due to a weakened immune system.

Is the problem seasonal or year round? Seasonal itching is more indicative of flea or inhalant allergies or insect bite. In many cases, an animal will initially show signs of seasonal allergies that progress to year round problems.
Which came first – the itching or hairless patches/skin lesions? If the itchiness appeared before any skin lesions, then allergies or scabies are more likely to be the culprit. If the skin lesions were seen prior to the itchiness, then demodectic mange, ringworm, or bacterial infection caused by a hormonal imbalance might be the problem. (Most bacterial infections of the skin, however, are secondary to the allergy or other issue causing itchiness.)
Have you tried any medications or treatments that helped? Certain causes of itchy skin will respond to steroid treatment better than others. Flea allergies and airborne allergies seem to be more responsive than other causes.
Has it been contagious to any other animals or humans in the household? Sarcoptic mange, Cheyletiella and ringworm can be passed on to other animals or humans.
Once the cause of the itchy skin is determined, treatment can begin. Any secondary bacterial or yeast infections must be treated, however, before much progress can be seen in remediation of the underlying cause of the itchy skin. Hot spots occur from self trauma that results when the pet attempts to relieve a pain or itch by excessive scratching, biting and rubbing. These must be controlled with topical treatments while the animal’s immune system is recovering.

A majority of itchy skin is caused by allergies, so that is what we will address here. In addition to itchy skin, other allergy symptoms may be present such as chronic ear infections or respiratory symptoms such as coughing or nasal congestion, and ocular discharge. Food allergies may also cause symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea that can ultimately progress to inflammatory bowel disease. Some holistic veterinarians also believe that seizures, arthritis, asthma and chronic urinary tract infections can be caused or complicated by food allergies.

Itchy skin and allergy symptoms such as paw chewing have also been linked to over-vaccination in a large number of cases. Frequently the symptoms will begin within days or weeks of vaccinations. Please educate yourself about vaccinations and the risks involved. A good start would be to read my article titled The Truth About Pet Vaccinations.

Treating Itchy Skin Caused by Allergies

One of the most common causes of itchy skin is fleas and flea allergies. If you suspect fleas, please read my article The Natural Approach to Flea Control. Flea control is an essential step in the treatment plan for any animal with allergies. Any dog or cat with a compromised immune system is more susceptible to fleas and parasites, so plan to treat the home environment a month BEFORE flea season begins. The last thing your dog or cat needs when already battling allergies is a flea infestation to make things worse!

Topical Treatments

If your dog or cat has been itching for awhile, they may have created bare, red patches in places that can become infected – so you need to address these areas right away. Here are some products offered at Only Natural Pet Store that can help:

For Cats:
Only Natural Pet Herbal Skin Ointment
Fido Derm Herbal Spray
Doc Ackerman's Instant Hot Spot Relief Spray

For Dogs:
Only Natural Pet Herbal Skin Ointment
Fido Derm Herbal Spray
Doc Ackerman's Instant Hot Spot Relief Spray
Liquid Hot Spot Remedy (essential oils)
Oatmeal Baths followed by conditioner to seal in moisture

If more potent topical treatment is necessary, your veterinarian can prescribe topical treatments and shampoos to help curb the itchiness.

Diet – The Essential Remedy

The first thing to address in treating the underlying cause of allergies is the animal’s diet. Many animals see a dramatic improvement with a change in diet alone. With the addition of one or two basic supplements, this can be all that is needed. Allergies are accumulative in the animal’s system – meaning that even if your dog or cat tends to have seasonal allergies, his or her food may be adding to the overall “load” on the system. Transitioning to a more appropriate diet (preferably raw or at least home prepared food) can make a big difference even for those with seasonal allergies by improving the overall immune system and health of the animal. Please see my article What You Need to Know About Your Pet's Food to learn more about improving your companion’s diet.

Essential Fatty Acids

The first dietary supplement to consider for an animal with itchy skin is essential fatty acids (EFAs). Fish oil is considered the best source for cats and dogs since the fatty acid chains are readily usable by the animal’s system without any conversion process, which is necessary for the utilization of plant sourced essential fatty acids such as flax.

EFAs help reduce inflammation and nourish the skin and coat. They can also be beneficial in assisting the healing process of the digestive system. For older animals, EFAs can help alleviate arthritis symptoms as well. The following links will display a list of essential fatty acids supplements offered by Only Natural Pet Store:

Essential Fatty Acids for Dogs
Essential Fatty Acids for Cats
Pet supplies at :
America's Pet Health Resource in HERE

Immune Modulation

Allergies are essentially the immune system gone awry. The body starts to “attack” itself in response to what it perceives as foreign invaders. Supplements to help modulate the immune system are very helpful in treating allergies. Moducare by Thorne Research is an excellent supplement for immune modulation during the initial treatment of allergies.

Detoxification/Elimination Support and Healing the Gastrointestinal System

The gastrointestinal system is the first line of defense in an animal’s immune system. When a dog or cat has allergies, the gastrointestinal system is usually irritated and inflamed. Leaky gut is the result of this chronic irritation, allowing particles to pass into the blood stream that are too large for the system to manage – this triggers the immune response that manifests as allergies. Antibiotics contribute to the problem by killing the healthy bacteria that aid digestion and maintain a healthy gastrointestinal system. Healing the gut is crucial to the success of allergy treatment.

At a minimum, digestive enzymes and probiotics should be added to each meal to aid in the breakdown of food particles, support the restoration of beneficial gut flora and the healing of the digestive tract. Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes & Probiotics is an excellent choice for this.

L-Glutamine is an amino acid essential to the proper function of the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementing the L-Glutamine supports the healing process of the gut and the restoration of healthy gut flora. See L-Glutamine by Thorne Research.

An excellent way to comine these is with Gastriplex by Thorne Research, which is specifically designed as a comprehensive intestinal support supplement for dogs and cats. It combines L-glutamine with amino acids, enzymes, and probiotics.

For animals showing signs of weight loss, diarrhea and additional symptoms of malabsorption/leaky gut, Seacure by Proper Nutrition provides essential nutrients for the healing process of gastrointestinal and bowel function.

Supporting the animal’s organs that filter and eliminate waste is another important step when addressing allergies. The liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal system and lymphatic systems are working hard to eliminate the waste produces by the inflammatory process present in allergic reactions, as well as any toxins from medications, the environment and foods. Using natural cleaners around the house and eliminating pesticide and chemical fertilizer use in the yard can go a long way in helping reduce the load on the animal’s system. A high quality diet, preferably organic, will also reduce the burden of toxin elimination.

Detoxification is essential for any animal that has been treated with multiple courses of medications such as steroids, antibiotics or antihistamines. Steroids, especially, are taxing on the animal’s liver.

Quercenol by Seven Forests is an excellent herbal and nutriceutical complex for animals with allergy symptoms, particularly those that have been on steroids and other medications. Quercenol has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties to help the allergies as well as herbs to help cleanse and support the liver and build the immune system.

Animals’ Apawthecary Constitutional Blend is very useful in detoxifying a taxed elimination system. It is easier to give to cats than the Quercenol since it is a liquid. Animals’ Apawthecary Detox Blend is also valuable for longer-term detoxification and stimulating liver function.

The length of time these supplements may be necessary will vary with the severity of the problem and the response of the individual animal. Natural supplements, herbs and remedies are not like prescription medications - they may vary in effectiveness from one animal to the next, and in many instances take time to reach full effectiveness, up to several weeks or more.

Relieving the Itch

Herbs and supplements designed to relieve the itchy skin and support skin health are another step in the treatment program for chronic allergies. This can help relieve the stress caused by the discomfort, which is supportive of immune function and healing. In addition, reducing the itch helps in the reduction of secondary infections and allows the skin to heal.

Skin Balance by Health Concerns is an excellent herbal complex for the treatment of itchy skin in dogs, (the tablets are too big for cats). In Traditional Chinese Medical terms, an animal with an allergic reaction manifesting as itchy skin is suffering from wind (itching), heat (redness), damp (oozing) and blood deficiency (dryness, poor coat) problems. The herbs in Skin Balance reduce inflammation and itching as well as boosting skin health and assisting in the cleansing of the blood.

For cats and small dogs, Dermaclear by Thorne Research is a great choice for itch relief and clearing the skin of inflammation and hot spots.

Quercenase by Thorne Research is an enzyme combination that provides natural antihistamine activity as well as reducing inflammation. Quercenase is an excellent choice if inhalant allergies are suspected. It is best given between meals.

HomeoPet Skin and Itch Relief, a homeopathic remedy, may be helpful for some animals. This will be more effective once any residual steroids or medications have been cleared from the system. HomeoPet Hot Spots is similar to the Skin and Itch Relief formula, but contains additional remedies to address the red, inflamed or oozing hot spot areas.

Time, Patience and Persistence

Natural treatments do take more time and effort than a course of steroid treatment. The long-term health and well-being of your companion, however, will be far better served by treating the animal’s whole system and the underlying cause of the itch, not just the symptoms. Some cats and dogs become quite distressed by the itching and can benefit from the addition of stress-relieving herbs, supplements, flower essences or homeopathic remedies (click here to see a selection of these).

Persistence in treating the itchiness topically while you are addressing the underlying causes through diet and supplements will greatly benefit your pet’s ability to heal and reduce his or her stress as well. Secondary infections caused by relentless scratching, licking or biting complicate and slow the healing process and topical treatment can help prevent this.

Please Note:
The information provided here is intended to help you support your companion with mild to moderate allergy related itching. Bear in mind that the treatment of more severe allergies and itching require veterinary assistance. For help locating a holistic veterinarian in your area try the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association referral directory: www.ahvma.org/referral/index.html

If you cannot find a holistic veterinarian close to you, many of them are available for phone consultations, including myself (more information about phone consults with Dr. Siegler). Here