I would never take a chance with heart worm... I use NuHeart that is just for heart worm... small pill once a month... we do not have issues with heart worm in NoCal but I do not take a chance. I use it year round. In the area that there is frost/frozen for the winter you can use it just in the spring/summer/fall months.
For fleas/ticks I use frontline but only when I see fleas... again in NoCal not too much of an issue.. I need to use it maybe about twice a year and only when need or if I am traveling with the pups.
Preventing cataracts
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What I've read about cineraria so far is that it's given in drop form, so that explains why it's on the poison list but still used to reverse cataracts. I'd like to try something that I can drop in his food first…I can't imagine trying to hold him down to put drops in his eyes every day but will do it if I have to
One article I read mentioned a human study in which a mixture of bilberry extract and vitamin E actually stopped lens clouding in 97% of patients.Debra - thank you for the link to the OSU professor! I'm going to wait until after the holidays but will contact her to see what she recommends as well.
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Thank you for the information links on Bilberry and Cineraria, Debra. I can use them to update on my Basenji health information.
Mandi, I agree with you about drops in the eyes. I always get my vet to do things like that because he has become an expert in 'persuading' Basenjis to accept all sorts of 'indignities' (from their perspectiev).
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Can you find a link to the article on the drops?
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I haven't found any articles giving information on the effectiveness of the drops but I have read several other forums where pet owners say they're using them. There's plenty of information on the drops on product sites but you can't depend on them to be impartial or completely truthful. I have seen a couple of forums where doctors have recommended them to people for their dogs, so that makes me feel better. I'll keep looking though and let you know what I find.
Patty - I can cut their nails and brush their teeth but anything out of the ordinary I've discovered is best handled by the vet
However, if drops are what he needs then so be it…we'll figure it out. -
Please let me know how Copper progresses and particularly if you decide to use either bilberry or Cineraria. I'm very interested in natural medicine for Basenjis, our natural dogs.
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Can I ask if foods high in Vitamin A can help with the overall health of a basenji's eyes? Can these foods help prevent cataracts?
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Before I forget, I do know that high fat content can result in fatty deposits in the eyes. They don't know if any issues, and reducing fat percent in food can help the deposits go away.
As for A.. if the diet supplies normal amt, not sure supplementing is helpful. If problem with it, maybe. I'd ask your vet. Vitamin A overdose is very toxic, affects the liver etc.
http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/01/5.3.01/gene_therapy_dogs.html
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My 'Natural Health for Dogs' book recommends bilberries for eye health but also cites Cineraria to help reverse cataracts. I've no personal experience of either though. If you do have suvccess with a natural remedy please let me know.
Patty - do you have an ISBN for that book?
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smharr4 - the ISBN no is 1-57954-057-0. There is also a web site which I've never checked out (don't know why) - www.petspartofthefamily.com.
I find it a very useful book, full of ideas for natural treatment of dogs and acts.
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smharr4 - the ISBN no is 1-57954-057-0. There is also a web site which I've never checked out (don't know why) - www.petspartofthefamily.com.
I find it a very useful book, full of ideas for natural treatment of dogs and acts.
Yay, it's on Kindle… I think I just found my Christmas reading...
