In the last blog I mentioned that each of our days at the store includes some time with a customer who has a dog or cat with “allergy symptoms”. Those customers come to us with the hope that we can suggest a food change or other product to help decrease itching and scratching, loss of hair, ear infections and other “allergy symptoms”.
If you’ve noticed, I put “allergy symptoms” in quotes. That is to emphasize the concept that we (Civilized Nature) have of what actually causes the symptoms we see.
“Allergy” is an easy to understand universal word used to describe a cause of a symptom- like scratching or ear infections. However, it may not be the actual cause of the symptom.
Similarly, “IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)” is an easy to understand phrase that is used to describe all types of irritation in the digestive system, but is not the cause of the symptoms.
Most people visit their vets with the hope of finding out what is causing their dog or cat to exhibit symptoms like vomiting, scratching, chronic ear infections, bladder infections and the like. Unfortunately, most people leave the vet with a prescription to stop the SYMPTOMS their pets are exhibiting, and know nothing more about the CAUSE.
Not all symptoms have clear causes. However, there are a few basics that have helped us determine a large amount of the causes behind the symptoms we tend to label “allergy related”.
Four of those basics include: Breeding
Nutrition
Vaccinations
Environment/Lifestyle
These four basic subjects allow us to work back to the possible cause, to move forward to a possible solution. So, be warned, if you come asking about how to manage your dog or cat’s symptoms, we may ask a lot of questions. We’re just trying to help find the cause instead of just treating the symptoms. Finding the cause may mean a much easier road for both you and your dog or cat.
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Friday March 28th, 2008
I keep thinking of more things to share with the hope that more people will get a chance to share the information with others they know.
So often customers come to our store struggling with what they call "allergy" symptoms in their dogs, or a diagnosis of "IBS" in their cats. Many have already spent un-needed amounts of money on tests that have amounted to useless lists of what their animal "is allergic to". Not a day goes by when we aren't discussing a change in diet, or some kind of request for relief for the symptoms of itching, ear infections, licking, hot-spots, loose stools, vomiting, flaky coats, food intolerance, and other similar conditions.
Our experience over the years has helped us help our customers with finding solutions, if not explanations, for these problems. Since our animal kids can be just as complex as our two legged kids, we know better than to jump to conclusions, or pretend we've seen it all. We can however ask the questions that will help us use what we do know and have seen to break the symptoms of each animal down to the basics that help us move the customer toward the solution.
Over the next few blogs I will try to give you a little taste of what we do to help others, as it may be able to help you or someone you know. As a start I recommend you jump over to our "Special Interest" page in the left column of our site, and check out the articles on dog and cat nutrition and over-vaccination (Vaccinosis). These two subjects are great keys to solving many of the problems our "allergy" dogs and cats experience. You'll be suprised at how much is common sense pet care that we have been told to ignore by heavy pet industry advetising and irresponsible veterinary pressure.
Thursday March 27th , 2008
I figured I'd add in a few new products that are in or coming our way, to give you a chance to see them before you visit us at the store.
If you haven't already seen the Petzlife dental products, or saw them and didn't try them, I recommend taking a close look and giving them a try.
These products do what we all hope for, but hadn't quite found before. The Petzlife gels and spray combine the healing and cleansing power of natural anti-oxidents and bacteria destroyers, with an herbal combination that softens plaque on your dog's or cat's teeth so you can litterally wipe it off! The gel is mint or salmon flavored and the spray is also minty. Each product is used daily for the first 4 to 6 weeks, and then 2 to 3 times a week for maintenance. You simply apply it before your dog or cat goes to bed at night, and it does its work while they sleep.
If you are considering putting your pet under anesthesia for teeth cleaning, STOP! Give this product a try before you spend $300 and before you put your pet at risk!
Coming your way soon, we will have the Visiglo lighted collars and leashes for safe outdoor early moring and late night walks. Maybe you just need to see that little rascal when you let him out in the yard late at night.
If you have been looking for a high quality lit collar or leash that looks as good as it works, come see us. Our order should be arriving within the week. These collars and leashes come in many solid colors and varied animated patterns. We think you will love'm!
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Tuesday March 25th, 2008
For those of you who don't already know, I'm D'Arcy, the onwer of Civilized Nature. I seem to be able to talk the most, so it seemed natural that I should start this blog. Besides, I have something fun to share!
I love my doggie Luna
like the dickins. She was an Humane Society adoption girl about - wow- almost 6 years ago now. She has been a challenge and a blessing. She has taught me so much I have been able to share with other customers regarding training and feeding, and patience in general. She has sampled and tested products for all my customers.
Unfortunately, due to experiences prior to when she came to live with me, she is not well suited for being in the store where she can meet and greet all the great people and dogs that come in.
After the passing of Jeannie's (our store Manager) dog Monty
, whom some of you may remember as the sweetest good boy for the store, we had another little puppy in the store- Liam -
Also Jeannie's boy. Unfortunately Liam seems to do better at home like Luna. That has meant that for the past few years we have been without a "store dog" for everyone to visit and love on.
When my older dog passed away this last summer, I decided to keep a single dog family for awhile....Until........some sneaky customers came in telling me they were going to get a Great Dane puppy! Well that did it! I love a great research project, and I was determined to be as helpful as possible in finding the perfect foods and suppliments for the new "little" edition. It had been awhile since I'd researched a specific breed, so it was not only exciting, but a great chance to get back into the most current information on a breed I was already fond of. Since then, another Dane puppy has come into our circle, and more and more Dane owners are coming in each day! It's alot of fun! We even have a beautiful brindle show Dane named Preston, who I had the privilege of seeing in the last Seattle Kennel Club show! Donna Clark is his owner and our customer, and she's been a great source of Dane information.
Leave it to say, I fell in love with the breed and decided I needed one of my own. This is the exciting part.......! After about a year now, there is a new puppy in the works that will hopefully be able to be a new fourlegged greeter at our store (with a little time and training of course).
Before you get too excited - you should know the puppy isn't due to be born until around May 16th to the 20th. It will, however, be A GREAT DANE! Yay!
Just for a teaser, it may look something like this ...
I will definately post pictures of the actual pup when he's born, and any I can get my hands on before he comes to live with me. We should have puppy by July!
There are so many important things to share about Danes, both in health and training that there isn't space here. However, I LOVE to talk about them, so come visit the store. Just tell anyone that you're a Dane owner or lover and someone will find me.
