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| Thursday, February 16, 2006 | |
 Winter Stress On The Immune System | | Okay, lol here I go again about the Immune System! |
This time of year, with limited sunshine every day, cold feet, snow, cold rains, with the heating systems blowing day in and day out, the winter in and of itself plays havoc with our dogs and their health too.
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The immune system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. Through a series of steps called the immune response,the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade our systems and cause disease. The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. At this stage of the winter, it would be a good idea to give your pets an immune system boost. Save your dog and/or cat from the agony of a runny nose or the canine flu and save your time and money by not having to take your pet to the vet. Remember the immune system is the ONLY system that heals the body. A strong immune system is a must if you want your pet (and yourself) to enjoy a "illness-free" winter. Our older dogs especially need extra care in the winter. Dogs and cats are considered old after 8 to 12
years of age but, please, don't let them hear you say "old". lol Dogs do not keep time the way we do and never really know they are getting older. There are some predictable changes that accompany our dogs maturing. Thier metabolic rate decreases and caloric needs decrease by 30 to 40 percent in the last one third of the life span. Body fat increases and lean body tissues decrease. Respiratory capacity and oxygen availability also decrease. All of these things tend to limit the physical activity level of older pets. They become less able to regulate thier body temperature and older animals will
often seek warm places to rest. Be sure to provide a warm environment. Cold floors are particularly hard on the older pet with stiff and arthritic joints. Cold drafts may compromise the senior pet with the weaker immune system, making them more susceptible to illness. I know it can be difficult in the winter months, but, do make sure your dogs, especially the more mature ones exercise regularly. You see, any changes in routine and lack of exercise interfere with mobility and regularity. In our older pets, this could start a chain reaction of health problems. Fresh air and of course fresh water, help your older pet's sensitive system function properly. Avoid the chemicals and sediment of tap water by offering filtered or distilled water. Don't forget cleaning and humidifying your indoor air. Older pets are often more sensitive to air pollutants, which are now trapped indoors in the cooler months.
While out walking, don't forget to protect or rinse your dog's paws afterwards. Salt and chemicals used for clearing roads and walkways can be caustic and even toxic if ingested. Take note too of early lawn gardeners with fertilizers and chemicals.
Every year, pet owners are warned of the dangers of antifreeze but, still, every year pets die due to their ingestion of this sweet but toxic product. Please, if you have not already done so, switch to an environmentally safer antifreeze this year.
The more mature dog's immune system also becomes less responsive, and they are less able to ward off infection. The incidence and malignancy of tumors increases with age. The signs of age are more evident when the pet is in a poor nutritional state or when the level of stress is increased.
This is a good time to re-evaluate your dog's diet and nutritional supplements. Some older pets may require higher fiber in their diets to help protect thier sensitive digestive systems and metabolisms. If you are not feeding a fresh, home prepared diet, you need to review the ingredients in your pet's food. This is the perfect time to consider boosting the diet with healthy, natural foods, fresh foods and supplements to help create a natural defense line - a healthy immune system. Watch for dry skin and coat texture. With the use of artifical heat and lower humidity, supplementing with essential fatty acids and brushing regularly will help stimulate and keep the skin healthy and the pores open. There are several very good and effective immune boosting and enhancing products that Whole Dog News and The Whole Dog Store can highly recommend to help your dog's stay healthy this winter! Here are a couple you may want to look into: Winter Immune Boost Package (currently 10% off) 4 Life Transfer Factor Plus
Only Natural Pet Immune Balance On Sale Now
Quercenol
Moducare New Life Colostrum Plus NingXia Red Juice
Boosting your pet's immune system, and keeping it in tip-top shape, is one of the best gifts you can give your precious pet! ********************************** If you find this article or our Blog /rss channel interesting and informative, please share our address with all your pet-loving friends, family, co-workers, and veterinarian. If you have any questions please email me or leave a private message here on the QMTP private Messenger. The Whole Dog News Blog is brought to you by: 
Jeannie Thomason and The Whole Dog Store The Whole Dog News is dedicated to providing you with the latest holistic/natural news for your dogs health. We also are proud to provide you with all natural, healthy products to help your best friend achieve and maintain optimum health. We will continue to provide with important information as well as only safe and effective products that we use ourselves. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any information or product, please don't hesitate to ask. We will always be here to help.
The information contained in The Whole Dog News is educational in nature and not to be used as specific veterinary advice for your pets. Neither the authors nor the publishers can be held responsible for any unfavorable reactions to recommendations contained herein. Readers should seek professional advice, preferably from a holistic veterinarian, before initiating any of the advice contained within The Whole Dog News Blog. |
Comments
My dog and I love your web sight. Below I put some info about distilled water and your pet. I think people should know whats in the water they are giving to there pets.
Pets with skin and coat problems very often have their lymph system slowed down by the addition of too many toxins in the pet's body. The lymph system is the body's waste disposal system and is aided by various organs such as the liver and kidneys.
Normal cell activity produces wastes which must be gotten rid of, and excessive wastes can come from food ingredients that are not easily digested or assimilated into the cells. Plus many toxins are in the body from such things as chemical preservatives, fillers in the foods, and other various ingredients which are not digestable....and from drinking impure water.
Tap water contains chemicals like sodium fluoride and chlorine. These are not chemicals which contribute to your pet's health and thus when drank, they become waste that the animal must remove.
Well water is often not properly tested or treated for the presence of bacteria/micro-organisms and there is usually a heavy concentration of minerals.
Happy & Healthy Pets recommends giving your pet ONLY Distilled water. NOT bottled water.
Distilled water is 99.9% pure and will not only ease the burden of chemicals being ingested, but will help to flush the liver, kidneys and lymph system of the wastes and allow these organs to have an easier time functioning.
You can get distilled water at any local chain grocery or drug store.
Remember: many skin problems are the result of too many wastes (toxins) in the body that are not being flushed out. If people want to know were to get one. Jeremy me sold me mine. His email is jeremy@distilled h2o.com . He's great and veary informative. My dog turttle loves him to!
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Pets with skin and coat problems very often have their lymph system slowed down by the addition of too many toxins in the pet's body. The lymph system is the body's waste disposal system and is aided by various organs such as the liver and kidneys.
Normal cell activity produces wastes which must be gotten rid of, and excessive wastes can come from food ingredients that are not easily digested or assimilated into the cells. Plus many toxins are in the body from such things as chemical preservatives, fillers in the foods, and other various ingredients which are not digestable....and from drinking impure water.
Tap water contains chemicals like sodium fluoride and chlorine. These are not chemicals which contribute to your pet's health and thus when drank, they become waste that the animal must remove.
Well water is often not properly tested or treated for the presence of bacteria/micro-organisms and there is usually a heavy concentration of minerals.
Happy & Healthy Pets recommends giving your pet ONLY Distilled water. NOT bottled water.
Distilled water is 99.9% pure and will not only ease the burden of chemicals being ingested, but will help to flush the liver, kidneys and lymph system of the wastes and allow these organs to have an easier time functioning.
You can get distilled water at any local chain grocery or drug store.
Remember: many skin problems are the result of too many wastes (toxins) in the body that are not being flushed out. If people want to know were to get one. Jeremy me sold me mine. His email is jeremy@distilled h2o.com . He's great and veary informative. My dog turttle loves him to!