Latest News Articles from NaturalHealth4Animals.com

Pet Insurance Policies

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Has your pet insurance policy failed to pay for your sick pets’ veterinary treatment?

Pet insurance has become increasingly popular in the last few years, however, whilst more and more people are realising the high cost of veterinary treatment for sick animals, many are still unaware of exclusions of the insurance policies which they thought would pay for treatment. Some of the common exclusions and points of small print you should look out for are :-
You will not be covered for any of your pets pre-existing conditions, even if you were unaware of them.
If you get a ‘time limited’ policy, then once the policy is over you will receive no more payouts, even if your pet has developed an ongoing condition such as arthritis. ‘Time-limited’ policies provide payments up to a set limit, and limit the amount of claims you can make during a 12-month period.
It is important to understand how this relates to ongoing conditions. For example, if your pet developed a condition which required a year of treatment six months into your policy, you would have to pay for the last six months of treatment yourself.
Also, once your ‘time-limited’ policy runs out, you will not be able to find an insurer to cover the costs of treating the illness because most pet insurance companies won’t cover current conditions.
Be careful with regards to hereditary illnesses (those that run in the animals family) and congenital diseases (those your pet was born with) as these are often excluded in the small print. Be sure to find out what conditions your pet has before taking out a policy.
Invest in your pets’ good health. Treat conditions like arthritis, rheumatism, urinary tract problems,tumours, eczema, hayfever, behavioural problems such as fear and anxiety, and even some types of epileptic fits, using natural treatments.
Register now to receive newsletters and read future blogs with information about using specific natural treatments, including herbs and homeopathy, to treat your pet.

Can garlic help to prevent BSV in lambs?

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Is garlic going to help protect next years lambs?

There is a long history of using garlic to get rid of many insects, from slugs to mosquitos. In particular garlic has a reputation for protecting people from mosquito bites - some think that this could be the origin of the belief that vampires are scared of garlic. We sell a natural garlic spray which will effectively coat an area and produce a natural mosquito barrier.

Garlic tablets are more effective at repelling some species of mosquito than others. For this reasons many of the commercial preparations available include a number of different repellent ingredients such as catnip and soy as well as garlic.

Why Does Garlic Repel Mosquitos?

It's not clear why garlic should be an effective natural mosquito repellent. It would seem that the powerful compounds such as allicin which garlic releases are poisonous to mosquitos. They have therefore evolved to avoid garlic. Another possibility is that the strong smell of garlic overwhelms the mosquito's sense of smell and prevents them from finding their prey (us!). A bit like planting onions next to carrots to keep rootfly away.
Whatever the mechanism, garlic's ability to repel a variety of pests has been proven scientifically. Its effect against mosquitos specifically is less well documented however there is much anecdotal evidence to support it. We would like to offer it up to bewildered farmers awaiting vaccines to be developed .
If you wish to protect an entire area such as your garden, you could treat it with one of the commercially available garlic based sprays you can buy from us. For single animals studies have shown that coating the body with a jelly based compound including garlic can keep mosquitoes away for some time. Obviously such a method, whilst effective against bites, has fairly major social side effects! (Warning: the allicin in garlic is very strong and can result in skin problems and allergic reactions.
Fortunately you probably don't have to go that far. There is strong anecdotal evidence that simply consuming more garlic can help to prevent mosquito bites and the oil can be added to drinking water. We do this with our poultry to prevent intestinal disorders.

Is Your Cat A Southpaw?

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Corky Lends A Helping Paw

Is your cat typical?

Most female cats are right-pawed and most male cats are left-pawed, according to a study published in the journal Animal Behavior.
Why does this matter?
To your cat, it probably doesn’t. Their careers swatting at feather-tailed mice toys, boxing with balls of wool and tearing up catnip pouches won’t be determined by the direction of their reach. But researchers believe the answer to this question leads to bigger issues.If you want to test your cat you can perform a simple experiment at home using treats such as Verm-X Cat Crunchies.

1. Make a stiff tube out of rolled up paper (an old paper towel tube is perfect for this).
2. Tape it to the floor so it’s not easily batted around, but in a place where the cat can explore it. 3. Put one treat just in front of the tube, so it’s easily reachable.
4. Let the cat have a chance to get at the object of desire. After the treat’s been gobbled up with some ease and you’re sure that the cat’s not afraid of the tube, you are ready to start the experiment.
5. Place one of the treats just a little bit inside the tube, so that your cat has to reach to get it.
5. Note which paw the cat uses to get what it wants.
6. Repeat the test at least 10 times.

I wonder what if any difference there may be if your cat is neutered? mmm? Comment on this blog and let us know what you find out - is your cat a southpaw?

Horse owners..save money on vets bills !

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Use our helpful guide to care for your horses over the cold, wet months which are typically with us until March. We look at the most frequent problems that our subscribers identify and suggest treatment and care which will hopefully save you money on vets bills in both the short term and long term.

Mud fever is a bacterial infection of the skin. Good management procedures can help reduce the occurrence of mud fever. It is important that the horse has somewhere to stand everyday that is dry and mud free, ideally a stable, and that they are thoroughly cleaned every day. Carefully brush off any dried mud, paying particular attention to the pasterns and fetlocks. If you have to wash off wet mud ensure you thoroughly dry the area. If you apply a barrier cream, ensure the area is first completely clean and dry, otherwise bacteria will get trapped underneath. If you are at all concerned, contact your vet.

Rain scald usually occurs in horses that are not rugged in winter. It is caused by prolonged exposure to rain and wet conditions. The horse’s back will be covered in small scabs.
To prevent such conditions occurring, adequate rugs and shelter should be provided. Rugs should be breathable and fitted correctly to prevent accidents and rubbing. To treat this and many other complaints homeopathically we recommend buying a copy of Horses and Homeopathy, A Guide For Yards By Elliot;Pinkus, at only £5.99 it could save you a small fortune! All the remedies you are ever likely to need to treat your horses can be found in our Horse Homeopathic Kit (please note that this will not be available in the UK after January 20th. 2012 until it is re-licensed due to a change in UK regulations). An alternative is our Homeopathy for Pets Kit. To win one of these kits just email your favourite picture of your horse to mail@naturalhealth4animals.com. Our favourite picture from those we publish on www.naturalhealth4animals.com will win a Homeopathy for Pets Kit. 2 runners up will each receive a copy of the book Horses and Homeopathy, A Guide For Yards By Elliot;Pinkus. All entrants will receive our eNewsletter and occasional email updates. Closing date for entries is June 21st 2012.

Thrush is a fungal infection that is found around the frogs and heel bulbs of the horse’s feet. The easiest way to find out if your horse has thrush is to first, pick out the feet. If the hoof is smelly while you are picking it out, or you notice any white flaking or signs of infection, you most likely have some thrush present. Make sure you pick your horse’s hooves regularly, and keep them exercised to encourage growth. If thrush persists, you may want to consult your vet.

Lice are a common cause of itching and discomfort to horses. A horse with a lice infestation will rub and bite itself, causing bald and sore patches. Treatment for lice should be sought from a vet as soon as the condition is identified. All horses on the same yard or sharing the same field should be checked and treated accordingly.

Increased respiratory problems As most horses are stabled at night during the winter months, they are more likely to have inflamed respiratory tracts, which can be a result from coming into close continued contact with dust, fungi, toxins and ammonia. Stables should be well ventilated. Ventilation must be maintained even in cold weather, as it is better to put an extra rug on your horse than close vents, windows or doors. Good quality hay will reduce the risk of the horse coughing through the winter months. If you have one of our excellent books on

Colic is defined as abdominal pain and can be caused by a wide array of things.
The following list includes the most common signs:
• lying down more frequently
• getting up and lying down repeatedly
• turning the head towards the flank
• pawing the ground
• trying to kick his belly
• rolling
• sweating and generally looking unwell

ALWAYS call the vet if your horse is displaying these behavioural symptoms. Cases of colic that appear mild can turn serious very quickly. The best way to prevent colic is to maintain a routine; keep your horse warm and feed them plenty of roughage to ensure that their gut is working correctly.

Winter Care for All

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Every animal appreciates warmth and shelter during the winter months and it is our responsibility to ensure they get it.

Farm animals appreciate shelter belts, clumps of trees, and for horses keeping their coats on until the weather warms up. Quality feed is important to warm their bellies and routine health checks for parasites, worms and foot care. For parasite treatment select from Verm-X for Cows, Verm-X for Sheep and Goats, Verm-X Herbal Pellets for Wild Boar, Verm-X Herbal Pellets for Red Deer Gazelle Barberry Sheep and Oryx and Verm-X for pigs. For foot care in cattle use Foot Health- Prevention Cattle or in sheep, Foot Care Treatment for Sheep. Some stock are particularly susceptible to the cold and wet and will need a shelter in their paddock. Have a look at all our products for farm livestock and if there is anything you want but can't find, send us an email.
Pneumonia is common, particularly in the goat, and is characterised by a rise in temperature, coughing, depression and lack of appetite. Breathing rate is increased, clear mucous may appear on the nostrils, which may give way to a more thicker discharge. Grunting and mouth breathing may occur in severe cases.
The homeopathic remedies include Ferr Phos (give first and as soon as possible) followed by Bryonia (if the animal does not want to move), Drosera in the young animal with spasmodic cough, Beryllium where symptoms are more severe than you think on examination and the slightest movement brings on coughing.

To treat respiratory problems in cattle use Respiratory Care Treatment for cattle. For sheep use Respiratory Care Treatment for sheep.

Or better still, to help prevent problems in the first place and save on vets bills etc., routinely use Respiratory Care Treatment for cattle or Respiratory Health Prevention for sheep

Pleurisy is usually secondary to pneumonia, consider using homeopathic Bryonia, and Apis.
The lambing season will soon be upon us here in the South Downs but who thinks to put a grief remedy in the drinking troughs when the ewes have lost their lambs ? This makes for a better recovery, less stress and the ability to get up and get on with life. I would suggest Ignatia ,or Natrum mur.

Our pets can suffer in winter too, as always, nothing beats good nutrition to ward off the winter ills.. The intake and type of food over the cold winter months may need adjusting to include some healthy supplements such as Almost Human® SuperDog Ultimate Nutrition which is currently on special offer.

Arthritis is usually worse in winter, especially in the older animal or at the site of old injuries. Ensure the food is warmed slightly for them, and keep them rugged up. Arthritis responds to real food but additional supplements which also help greatly also include fatty acid formulas such as Almost Human® HealthyCat Essential Omegas 3:6:9, Almost Human® SuperDog Essential Omegas 3:6:9, Almost Human® SuperPet Organic Omegas 3:6:9 Oil, Omega-3 Salmon Oil.

Homeopathically use one of the following:- Rhus Tox, Ruta Grav, Symphytum or Bryonia. As always, choose the best one for your animals specific symptoms - though if in doubt try Rhus Tox first.

In addition, you can use high quality supplements formulated to help maintain the mobility of the joints and help keep the surrounding tissue healthy e.g. our Green Lipped Mussel Extract, Almost Human® SuperDog Glucosamine, and Almost Human® SuperDog MSM. Herbal help comes in the form of Greenleaf tablets which contain nettles and can be helpful for stiffness, as well as eczema and dermatitis.

New Year for horses

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With our holiday season winding to an end , and having bagged up excessive toy packaging and tucked away the decorations we can now turn and face the impending New Year. Approximately 50% of us will yet again vow to make some important changes in our lives, but will we actually follow through?
Experts say that one reason many of us fail to keep our resolutions is because our goals aren't defined well enough. To combat this challenge, naturalhealth4animals has compiled five specific New Year's resolutions to help horse owners either maintain or improve their horses' health and longevity in 2012.

Resolve to respect the breathing zone
The breathing zone is the two-foot sphere around your horse's nose from where he draws his breath. According to veterinary experts N. Edward Robinson, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS, Matilda R. Wilson , horse owners often forget about preventing chronic disease such as heaves, inflammatory airway disease, and low-grade cough.
"These are all due to life-long dust inhalation and can be prevented by respecting the 'breathing zone,' " Robinson advised. "Aim to give your horse a dust-free 'breathing zone.' Provide as much pasture time as possible, remove the horse from its stable during clean out, use low dust bedding, and most importantly, use feeds with the least dust, such as pasture, leafy new hay, or pelleted complete feed."
Resolve to deworm and combat infections wisely .
The number of infections and medical problems that can be either minimized or avoided entirely by appropriate basic horse health care is astounding. Check our article on strengthening the immune system of horses and using healthier alternatives to vaccination.
Also consult a veterinarian about which deworming regimen he or she recommends for specific horses. For example, a horse in a closed herd that does not leave the farm will likely have slightly different deworming requirements than a show horse that travels the nation or the world. Resolve to ensure the ideal deworming protocol is used for each individual horse.

Resolve to keep a first aid kit.
A proper first aid kit cannot-and should not--be created in an emergency. In addition to the medical supplies, knowledge of how to use your first aid kit's contents (do you know how to measure pulse and respiratory rate?) and important and up-to-date information such as age, breed, use of horse, and vaccination status may also be also needed in emergencies .
Resolve to manage your horses weight.
As if that resolution isn't challenging enough, Nicholas Frank, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, challenges horse owners to take this task one step further. Frank suggests the resolution should actually be, "To better understand how my horse's diet affects his or her health; how diseases such as developmental orthopedic disease and laminitis can be prevented by recognizing relationships between genetics and diet."
Several articles will be appearing soon on how diet can impact genes during early foal development. While perusing these stories, don't forget to calculate your horse's weight correctly.

Resolve to recognise all aspects of the equine community.
Learn more about generic and brand-name pharmaceuticals and their possible side effects. Find natural, organic and healthy alternatives to conventional medicines using our extensive product list.

Consider donating some time or money to the many horse rescue organizations or to facilities that offer equine-related services (equine therapy) to disabled children, for example. If you prefer, you can donate instead to organizations that support research or educate veterinarians, students, or owners. The RSPCA are also one of the organizations in need of donations to help horses in developing countries where medications are not widely available.
Finally, remember to spend lots of quality time with your four-legged family members in the New Year. As Sir Winston Churchill once said, "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."

Summer solstice

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Its amazing to think that The Northern Hemisphere soaks up more sun on the June solstice than on any other day. The solstice occurs at the same moment all over the planet. But because earth is divided into some two dozen time zones, people experience it at different times of day.

This year's event occurs on June 20 at 11:59 p.m. (23:59) Universal Time Coordinated (Greenwich, England).
In ancient times the Egyptians were attuned to the solstice because it often coincided with the annual Nile River floods that were so critical to agriculture in the river valley.

They learned to predict this annual event by tracking astronomical signs, including the rising of the bright star Sirius.

Today many people have lost that affinity with the environment and rely on outside sources to even tell them what weather to expect and when to plant crops.

Celebrating all that Nature has given us in the year won't come much better than this , I am thinking as I plan to sit at the end of my garden tonight ,The Summer Solstice is, above all, a celebration to enjoy in the open air and in good company! Feast, dance and enjoy the abundance of nature at this point of the fulfillment of the year, a time when herbs are at their most potent, and when humans can celebrate all their achievement and joys of the year gone by. Drinks to share at Midsummer will be elderflower wine or cordial here , but elsewhere mead (which I find too sweet ) will be drunk. Some folks decorate the home or outdoor celebration space with blue and red ribbons, holly, oak leaves, reeds, wild roses and cultivated red roses, along with any yellow or red flowers.

I expect animals too will have some primitive recognition of the solstices importance , even if this just means a longer time to hunt or forage ?

Here at Naturalhealth4animals we do the hunting and foraging for you(metaphorically speaking) and what ever the time of day you can access only the best Nature can provide from our carefully selected list of truly natural, organic and homeopathic product list.

First Aid kit for pets

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Be prepared for emergencies. Have a first aid kit in your car, and at home. The more complete your first aid kits are the better, you can deal with emergencies as and when they occur. The best time to put a kit together is now - before you need it! Don't wait until an emergency occurs, you will be too late. The primary objectives of first aid are to relieve suffering, to save a life and to prevent further physical or psychological injuries until you can get to qualified health care personnel. These goals will help you to put together your first aid kits. Try to forsee all of the possible emergencies that could occur.

First aid kits should be kept in labelled containers. Small containers that work well for first aid kits are tool boxes, sewing boxes, tackle boxes, cosmetic boxes,etc.. If you buy your supplies first, you will have a better idea what size box you'll need.

Make sure everyone knows where the kit is kept. And of course keep it safely out of the reach of young children and pets.

Basic items that all first aid kits should contain:
1. Homeopathy Kit for Pets including SOeSsence® Flower Formula in liquid form. There is a free booklet available with every kit purchased, introducing you to homeopathy for your pets, featuring an A-Z of complaints and a materia medica section describing the traditional uses of the remedies. Specialised homeopathy kits for cats, dogs and horses are also available.       2. Alcohol-Free Emergency Spray.                                                                               3. Splints
4. Adhesive tape: to secure bandages – both non-stick tape and water proof tape.
5. Blunt tipped scissors: to cut hair away from wounds.
6. Bandage scissors
7. Gel packs: Can be used for hot and cold compresses.
8. Alcohol swabs: to sterilize instruments or small areas of skin.
9. Antibiotic ointment: for wounds.                                                                                 10. Contact lens solution (not the caustic peroxide type): for rinsing eyes and to clean wounds (you can use clean water if available).
11. Cotton buds/swabs                                                                                                  12. Mild antibacterial soap for cleaning skin, wounds.
13. Sterile cotton or cotton wool balls.
14. 4 inch Sterile Gauze Pads (this size can always be cut smaller if needed).                    15. Rolls of gauze or cling gauze bandage: 1-2 inch size.
16. Hydrogen Peroxide: 10 ml every 15 minutes to induce vomiting in animals that have ingested a non-caustic poison.
17. Razor Blade: can also be used to shave away hair and abrade the skin following a tick bite.
18. 19. Rubber bulb ear syringe: used for flushing eyes, ears, wounds.                             19. SOessence Balm for Pets for minor wounds, abrasions and sore paws.
20. Tweezers and/or forceps
21. Self-adhesive bandage.                                                                                           22. Information card with your Veterinary Emergency Clinic Number                               23.  Animal Poison Hotline number to call.
24. Your pet’s baseline weight, temperature, pulse, and respirations.
25. A muzzle: or fabric to make one.
26. Bubble Wrap: for making an emergency splint.
27. "Lampshade"/"Elizabethan" or "E" wound collar. Important to prevent pets from licking, irritating wounds, or making that sore area larger and becoming an emergency.
28. Activated Charcoal- it is used to prevent toxins from being absorbed - you can use it after inducing vomiting.
29. Rectal Thermometer: The electronic ones are good. They beep when they have finished registering a temperature. Also they don't break so easily, and they can also be used as oral thermometers. However, you will need to replace the battery from time to time, and they are more expensive than glass ones.
30. Lubricating Jelly: to lubricate thermometer.
31.Stockingette: to protect bandage on leg or foot.

You can go to classes in Pet First Aid, but the most important thing is to be ready - emergencies happen when least EXPECTED!

Depressed pets

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Just like humans, cats, dogs and other animals can become depressed. And just like in humans, many different things can cause an animal's depression. If you have recently noticed that your cat or dog has stopped eating with gusto, isn't as enthusiastic about fetching balls or chasing laser lights, or has turned into even more of a couch potato than usual, then depression may very well be the culprit.

Definition:
Animals who are depressed are experiencing a profound feeling of sadness, similar to that felt by humans who are depressed. Years of research has established that animals do in fact experience sorrow, and watching your own animal's state of mind may confirm that for you.
What can cause this?
Many factors can result in an animal's depression. One common cause is losing a partner or sibling. If you have recently lost a pet, your surviving pet or pets are dealing with the loss as well. Did your son recently move away to college? your dog may be mourning the loss of his companion. Did you recently move from a house where your cat was allowed to romp in the yard when he pleased, into an apartment? your cat may miss his old, carefree routine.

Doing everything possible to help a depressed pet can prevent a tragedy. Many people have seen a pet run away after displaying symptoms of depression.
If your pet is indeed depressed, there are treatments available to help perk him back up. Medications administered to depressed animals are often the same used to treat depression in humans, but Tranquil+ is an animal supplement formulated as a traditional herbal supplement that can help with some of the more common behavioural problems in both cats and dogs . You can play a vital role in helping Fluffy or Fido beat depression. Like humans, most animals who become depressed as the result of a loss or profound change can adapt and bounce back from depression. You can help by rewarding signs of happiness with praise and treats. On the other hand, avoid lavishing an animal who is moping with attention and treats, as this is essentially reinforcing the depressed behavior. Getting a new pet to keep your pet company may also relieve his depression. One supplement which has been useful for stubborn behaviour in animals has been Over dominant essence , this is based on flower tinctures.

Poultry pick me up.

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If you keep hens and you pop out each morning and find eggs freshly laid for your breakfast then you probably keep hybrids such as Isa Brown Warren and Hyline, or Black/Rhode Rocks who are black with gold necks, or how about the special Amber Rocks who are white with gold specks.
All of these breeds will lay an egg almost every day until the darker nights arrive. The laying restarts again early spring. If your hens are not performing well, it could be that they need a pick me up such as Keep-Well Poultry Tonic which contains an effective blend of seven herbs including Ginseng and Echinacea, plus calcium, sunflower oil and seaweed meal; this will give you the advantage of no chemicals and no egg withdrawal period to put up with. Poultry Zest too gives you a wonderfully healthy herbal mix.

Keep-Well pellets when added to your poultry’s daily feed will assist with addressing conditions such as soft shells, recuperating battery hens and pale combs, helping to maintain good, healthy, productive birds. It is also ideal when your birds are moulting. Ingredients include: Allium Sativum, Urtica Dioica, Tanacetum Vulgar, Cinnamomum Zelandicum, Echinacea and Ginseng. USING KEEP-WELL FOR ALL POULTRY AND FOWL Feed 2.5g of pellets per bird per day as required. Keep-Well mixes well with layers pellets or mixed corn. Feed half the amount to birds between 2-4 months and feed the full adult amount at 4 months old. Average period of use: 14-28 days to improve health, or can be used all year round as a general tonic.
The Healthy Poultry Pack contains a 250g tube of Poultry Pellets and one Westgate Laboratories faecal egg count test kit. This discounted pack gives poultry owners the chance to use the No.1 natural internal parasite control product and to prove its effectiveness with independent testing.

If you would like to find out more about treating poultry homeopathically then I can fully recommend this delightful little book, Poultry Homeopathy by Madrewar, which for only £2.25 will cover what you need to know in an easy to read style.