Corner Animal Hospital : Online Pet Pharmacy and Veterinary Service

Everyone loves their pets. They’re fun, cuddly, cute and always full of love. Through all the excitement of having a pet, it is important to remember that sometimes pets get sick too. Pets are as prone to disease as humans are and a sick pet can break your heart the same way that a sick child can. Since pet disease is a reality, it is important that you are prepared for your pet if they become sick.There are a few ways that you can be prepared for an ill pet. The first is to purchase pet health insurance. Veterinarian bills and pet medication can be expensive and having insurance will help you cover all the expenses. The second way to be prepared for your pet is to find an online pet pharmacy where you can easily purchase medication. There are a number of reasons why online pet pharmacies are a great resource :

• The most common illnesses with dogs include fleas, gingivitis, cataracts, and dehydration. Other common pet diseases include various skin conditions, joint pain, and ear infections. The range of illness that pets can have is extensive, so the selection of medication supplied in online pharmacies is also extensive.

• Online pet pharmacies also tend to offer discounted medication. This will help you save a significant amount of money, especially if your pet suffers from a chronic skin disease or other common problems. If you are spending hundreds of dollars on medication, you should be able to greatly reduce your spending by switching to an online pet pharmacy.

• If your pet comes down with a common problem, such as ticks or fleas, you can quickly and easily visit an online pharmacy to find the correct medication. You can compare prices and make your purchase all from the comfort of your own home. Once you have purchased the medication, it will be delivered right to your doorstep. No more waiting on line or driving to the store!

• Pet owners often complain that it can be difficult to find prescription pet medication. However, these medications can easily be found online at pet pharmacies. You will also be able to find different brands for the same prescription, which will allow you to be able to choose the brand that works best for you.

You never know if or when your pet might become sick. Make sure you are informed on pet disease and what you need to do when a problem arises. The best way to keep your pet from unnecessary suffering is to be familiar with an online pet pharmacy so you can quickly get your pet the medication that it needs.

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a dog skin disorder in which the outer layer of the skin and hair follicles are over productive. The disorder starts on the areas of the dog where the oil glands are the largest – including the scalp, face, and behind the ears. Caused by yeast called pityrosporum ovale, the signs are an inflamed scalp, greasy or waxy skin, and red skin rashes. At first, the symptoms can be similar to that of dandruff, but they will progress gradually to include additional symptoms.

How does a dog get Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic Dermatitis comes in two forms – primary and secondary. Primary Seborrheic Dermatitis is inherited through a recessive trait. A dog with this condition may begin to show signs as young as 10 weeks of age, however they will be very subtle. It is usually between the ages of 12 to 18 months that dogs with primary Seborrheic Dermatitis begin to show clear symptoms.
Secondary Seborrheic Dermatitis is typically seen in older dogs. Secondary infections are either the result of bacteria or yeast. These infections look the same as primary infections but are a reaction to an outside source rather than an inherited trait.

How is it diagnosed?

Many of the symptoms of both primary and secondary Seborrheic Dermatitis are similar to many other common dog skin conditions. If your dog displays any of these signs, it is very important to visit a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will take a small skin biopsy to be sure that your dog has Seborrheic Dermatitis and not a more serious skin condition.

How do I treat it?

Primary Seborrheic Dermatitis requires treatment for the dog’s entire life. There is no cause for the condition, but it can be controlled through the use of shampoos and moisturizers. Malaseb shampoo has proven to be an effective shampoo for the treatment and control of this skin condition. It can be used on dogs as well as on cats and horses. The shampoo should initially be used two or three times a week. As the severity of the condition lessens, then the frequency of use can be lessened. In order for the shampoo to be effective, it is also necessary to make sure that it stays on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes before being rinsed off.

After using the shampoo, use a moisturizer or an after-bath rinse to help retain the moisture and natural oils in your dog’s skin. Even during treatment, be sure to carefully watch your dog’s skin. It is possible for the condition to worsen during treatment. If this occurs, be sure to see your veterinarian right away to determine a better healing method for your dog.

Click here to get Malaseb Shampoo from our online pet pharmacy  http://shop.corneranimal.com/product_p/10137.htm

Is it time to bring your pet to the veterinarian for a checkup? Are you unsure of what to expect? It’s actually very important to understand what your veterinarian does to your pet during its annual exam. This helps you recognize when your pet is healthy and also if something is wrong. Here are the normal procedures that a veterinarian goes through on an annual physical exam:

Temperature
Taking the temperature of your pet is one the most important parts of the physical exam. A dog or cat’s average temperature is somewhere between 101 and 102.5 degrees. Even if an animal seems healthy, a veterinarian can often tell that something is not right if the animal has a high temperature.

Skin and Coat
A healthy pet should have a shiny coat and clean skin. A brittle, dry coat or flaky skin is an indication that something is wrong. If the skin and coat are not healthy, the veterinarian will likely suggest that you switch your pet from a grain-based diet to a meat-based diet. Within a few weeks, your pet’s skin and coat should be much healthier.

Ears
Normal ears should have smooth skin and should be without any wounds. The ears should be clean, dry and almost odor free. If your pet has an allergy or ear infection, you should be able to see it. However, infections usually start deep in the ear canal. The veterinarian will check for any infections that are in the early stages in order to eliminate them before they become a problem. Your veterinarian can prescribe any necessary medications and can show you the correct way to clean your pet’s ears.

Eyes
The veterinarian will examine the interior of your pet’s eye structures. Usually, pets do not have serious eye problems. The most common eye irritations among pets stem from contact with pollen, dust, or grass.

Paws and Toenails
Paw injuries usually heal on their own relatively quickly, but if your pet has really long toenails, they should be clipped shorter.

Mouth
Often pets with an infection in their mouth do not display any symptoms. However, many infections can be found in animals’ mouths including infected gums, objects stuck in between teeth, and even tumors.

Abdomen
A seemingly healthy pet can also have problems with its abdomen. A veterinarian can discover that your pet could have bladder stones, a tumor, only one working kidney, or is pregnant. By feeling the outside of your pet’s abdomen, the veterinarian can tell what’s going on in the inside. Often what’s on the inside is just as important, if not more important, than what’s on the outside.

Heart
During any physical exam, it is important that your veterinarian listens to your pet’s heart and lungs. By doing this, they can detect any heart valve or heart rhythm problems. If any heart problems are detected, further testing is usually recommended.

Bringing your pet in for a physical exam is an extremely important part of your pet’s health. Many times, a seemingly normal pet is actually unhealthy. Only a veterinarian would be able to detect such problems. Understanding the physical exam will help you understand your pet’s health and this will help your pet live a long and healthy life.

Osteoarthritis affects over 20 million people in the United States alone. But we’re not the only ones at risk! Our pets can also develop this crippling form of arthritis. Below I will answer a few questions about osteoarthritis and what you can do to help your pet.

So, what exactly is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease in both humans and pets. It’s a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, becomes more and more frequent with age, affecting the hands (or in this case paws), feet, spine, and the large weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees. The resulting stiffness, swelling, pain, and loss of mobility can seriously degrade your pet’s quality of life. Treatment is usually given in the form of an anti-inflammatory to help ease the individual’s discomfort.

What causes Osteoarthritis?

Most cases of osteoarthritis have no clear known cause. These cases are referred to as “Primary Osteoarthritis.” In the event that the cause is known, the condition is referred to as “Secondary Osteoarthritis.”

Primary Osteoarthritis is usually related to aging. With age, the protein make up of cartilage degenerates resulting in arthritis. Repetitive use of the joints over years also irritates and inflames the cartilage causing pain and swelling. So those dogs who loved to play fetch for hours when they were younger may very well be paying for it now! As osteoarthritis progresses, the cartilage continues to degenerate and in advanced cases, there can be total cartilage loss in the joint. This causes friction between the bones leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility. Cartilage loss occurs only in the most advanced cases; however it usually calls for surgery. While surgery is the less desirable treatment, in the event the condition has become unmanageable, surgery can greatly improve the quality of life.

Secondary Osteoarthritis is caused by another disease or condition. Some of the conditions that lead to Secondary Osteoarthritis include obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to the joint, gout and diabetes. Obesity leads to osteoarthritis by increasing the stress on the cartilage. Next to aging, obesity is the most common and powerful risk factor for osteoarthritis. It’s important to keep your pet lean and fit to help them fight the onset of osteoarthritis! Hormone disturbances such as diabetes and growth hormone disorders are also heavily associated with early cartilage wear; making it another common risk factor for Secondary Osteoarthritis.

This all sounds bad, what can I do for my pet?

Well, it might be time to move your cat’s litter box up from the basement and your dog’s water dish in from the garage. Osteoarthritis can make movement very painful, so be kind to your pet- move their essential items to an area that is easily accessible to them. It may also be time to trade in that door mat they sleep on for a nice comfy pet bed!

Now, outside of a few household changes, your pet will also need treatment to help ease their pain and the progression of the cartilage breakdown. Typically, treatment comes in the form of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, usually referred to NSAID’s for short. NSAID’s are widely used and are proved effective in reducing clinical signs and discomfort from osteoarthritis. A very effective treatment for dogs is Cosequin DS Chewable Tablets. These tablets are well tolerated by dogs and are proven to help with the pain and discomfort from osteoarthritis. Available in a variety of flavored tablets, they provide the nutrients the body uses to replenish cartilage. These pills are all natural and developed for long term use.

We recommend Cosequin :
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