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AUG./SEPT. 2006
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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4
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contents 24
50
Photo Š Kumelos
71
features 18 Is Fluffy making you sneeze?
Here's how to ease those allergies
24 Keeping cool
during the dog days of summer Hot weather safety tips for your furry friend
animal wellness
33 How to put
together your home grooming tool kit Brushing up on coat care equipment
38 Worried about worms?
Here's the skinny on these intestinal parasites
44 Top ten ways to beat allergies
Get the itch out with a holistic approach
50 Championing the cats of Greece
Friends of the Cat makes life happier for feral felines
60
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55 Beneficial species Controlling garden pests the animalfriendly way
talent for finding missing animals
B Vitamins
A bloodhound with a nose for tracking dogs and cats
60 Treating cancer
How conventional and alternative therapies can work together
74 The ABCs of
69 Ellie Mae has a
71
Rubbing him the right way
Everything you need to know about these essential nutrients
78 Amazing Animals Photo Contest Winners!
Relax your canine with four simple massages
Check out our gallery of prize-winning shots
ONTARIO REGIONAL SECTION
animal wellness
Is Fluffy
making you sneeze? Here’s how to ease those allergies. by Ann Brightman 18
animal wellness
D
Debra was in her 30s when she began sneezing and sniffling every time she spent time with her dog and cat. At first she thought it was just the after-effects of a bad cold, but when her doctor told her she’d developed an allergy to her beloved companions and recommended she get rid of them, she was devastated. “There’s no way I could live without my animals,” she says. “I’d rather put up with my symptoms.”
Against her doctor’s advice, Debra learned to live with her condition, resorting to antihistamines when the problem gets too bad. She’s not alone. According to one study from the University of British Columbia, nearly 80% of allergy sufferers refuse to give up their animals, preferring to endure their symptoms instead. Those who feel they have no choice but to part with their dogs or cats often end up surrendering them to already over-crowded shelters. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are steps you can take, both for yourself and your animal, that can help alleviate your allergies without sacrificing your best friend’s love and companionship.
Determine the true cause of your allergies First, find out if your animals are really the source of your allergic reactions. Nearly half of us suffer from allergies or one form or another, but we’re not all allergic to the same things. If you do develop allergies, it’s important to try and determine what it is that’s making your nose run and your eyes itch. Although animals are a culprit in approximately 15% of the population, they don’t top the list of triggers. In one-quarter of those who suffer from allergies, dust mites, ragweed and perennial rye are among the main causes. Cigarette smoke, smog, and other environmental pollutants are also common factors. “Environmental toxicities will make allergy symptoms worse,” says Dr. Autumn Drouin, a holistic vet who also runs a naturopathic practice for humans. It’s a good idea to investigate these possibilities first, before assuming it’s your dog or cat that’s making you sick. If possible, ask your doctor to test you specifically for allergies to animal dander.
Improve his coat health Contrary to what a lot of people think, it’s an animal’s dander, not the hair itself, that causes allergic reactions in people. It therefore makes sense to enhance your companion’s skin and coat health so that less dander is produced. Excessive shedding and dander in your dog or cat is not a sign of optimum health in any case, so improving the situation is as good for him as it is for you. Start with a high quality, whole meat diet that’s low in grains and has no byproducts, artificial preservatives or other additives. Consider a raw meat diet, or a premium canned product. Remember that the skin is one of the main routes through which the body eliminates toxins, which means that a diet heavy in unhealthy, poor quality ingredients can lead to problems that exacerbate dander production. A good multivitamin is also a wise addition to the diet. Perhaps most important of all are essential fatty acids, a lack of which can cause dry skin and animal wellness
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