| Everyone with pets, whether dogs or puppies, needs | | | | and cheap - petroleum jelly, which is what you would |
| to have a veterinary surgeon to turn to in an | | | | get if you went to a pet shop and paid for a |
| emergency. They do a wonderful job, and you should | | | | proprietary tick remover! The most effective way to |
| never ignore a pet's suffering. However, it is a waste | | | | remove the tick is to put a big lump of petroleum |
| of money to attend the Vet's surgery when the | | | | jelly over the area where it has attached itself. Leave |
| problem is one you can solve at home. This is a short | | | | this for at least ten minutes. Once the tick's grip |
| guide to dealing with minor ailments as a form of | | | | loosens, you can wipe it out of the way with a |
| Pets' First Aid. If the symptoms persist you can still | | | | tissue. |
| contact the vet. Dog health need not always be a | | | | Ear mites - if your pet has ear mites, then place two |
| costly worry to the wise pet owner. | | | | drops of corn oil into its ears (an eye dropper will do |
| Some dog breeds do not like being handled: pitbull | | | | the trick), massage the ear gently then clean with a |
| dogs and bull terriers for example. This should be key | | | | cotton ball. This will suffocate the mites. Repeat for 3 |
| element of dog obedience training so that the dog | | | | days. Regular ear bathing with oil is recommended by |
| accepts that you are entitled to treat him for his | | | | vets, to avoid a buildup of wax and irritants. |
| own good. After a country walk it is a good idea to | | | | Constipation - try this quick fix for a constipated pet. |
| give your dog a quick grooming or rub down, and | | | | For a large dog, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of mineral oil |
| check for any lumps or bumps that he may have | | | | to its food. For a small dog reduce the dose to 1 to |
| picked up along the way. My own dog, a Collie - | | | | 2 teaspoons. Do this for two days and the problem |
| German Shepherd cross, gets twigs and sticks | | | | should clear up. |
| caught in round his rear and his bushy tail. Left | | | | Diarrhoea - mix one heaped teaspoon of carob |
| unchecked, these can cause the fur to mat around | | | | powder with a little water and mix into your dog's |
| them. The dog will worry at it and probably lick the | | | | dinner. Use half a teaspoon if you have a puppy. |
| area bare, leaving it open to infection. You can avoid | | | | Urinary tract infections - mix 30-40ml of cranberry |
| this with a few minutes' attention. | | | | juice into your pet's food. This will boost the acidity |
| Ticks are nasty. They have a one-piece body and | | | | of its urine, reduce bacteria and help relieve the |
| the harpoon-like mouth barbs attach to a host (your | | | | discomfort. |
| dog) for feeding. Crablike legs and a sticky secretion | | | | And if you're not sure what's wrong - say your pet |
| help the tick to hold on. Long-haired dogs like | | | | seems 'off colour' - then here's a tip we use all the |
| Schnauzers often suffer badly from ticks. When | | | | time. Add half a dissolved aspirin or children's liquid |
| attempting to remove a tick, the aim is to prevent | | | | analgesic to your pet's food. It can perk up a German |
| the mouth section from coming off and remaining | | | | Shepherd in minutes! |
| embedded in the skin. The home remedy is simple | | | | |