Springtime Insights: Your Resource for Natural Health

Topics of interest regarding animal and human health, especially natural approaches to health.

Dog Itch: Causes, Symptoms & Solutions

Unfortunately for some dogs and their owners, internal deficiencies and environmental factors can cause itch in dogs. This itchiness does more than drive your dog crazy; it can develop into hot spots, and a host of other irritating skin and/or ear infections.

The most common allergens are bug bites, foods, and atopy (inhaled allergens). Because each dog is unique, there can be many underlying issues. Owners of dogs with allergies may have to rule out a few causes before finding the perfect fix.

Here are a few helpful ideas... [Full article...]

More Dog Health Articles...

Canine hot spots are lesions that occur when dogs scratch, gnaw and/or lick at an itchy area on their bodies. These sores are red, wet, and often warm to the touch (hence the name “hot spots”).[Full article...]

Springtime begins its series on dog food and what to know when choosing a feeding regimen for your dog. [Full article...]

In Part 1 of the Springtime Dog Feeding Guide series, we discuss what to look for (and what to avoid) in a dry dog food.[Full article...]

Glucosamine is an effective natural supplement that supports healthy joints in dogs. [Full article...]

Canine hot spots are lesions that occur when dogs scratch, gnaw and/or lick at an itchy area on their bodies. These sores are red, wet, and often warm to the touch (hence the name “hot spots”).[Full article...]

Eight things to do when your beloved pet goes missing.[Full article...]

Preventing Founder (Laminitis) in Horses

In a healthy horse, the bones of the hoof are suspended by specialized tissues, called laminae, which provide stability and shock absorption. If there is inflammation or deterioration of the laminae (laminitis), the third phalynx bone, or coffin bone, can rotate downward toward the sole and even through it. The result is an extremely painful, debilitating hoof condition called founder, which requires expensive treatment by a farrier, hospitalization, and could even lead to euthanasia. Fortunately, there are a few ways to potentially avoid founder. [Full article...]

More Horse Health Articles...

Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis (also called “sweet itch” or “summer itch”) often causes a lot of distress for both horses and their people between April and November. [Full article...]

EPA: Spot-on Pesticides Linked to Pet Death

Does your dog’s flea and tick solution include warnings of potential side effects, such as skin ulceration, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death? If you are using a spot-on formula for flea and tick control, it probably should.

Since 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been investigating topical or “spot-on” pesticides for pets in response to 44,000 complaints made to the EPA regarding the safety of these products in 2008 alone. Spot-on pesticides are chemicals applied from a small tube directly onto the pet, typically on the back of the neck, to control fleas and ticks. [Full article...]

More Garlic Health Articles...

In nearly two decades of offering Bug Off Garlic to satisfied customers, we have participated in many interesting conversations regarding garlic. The following is a selection of the most common topics:[Full article...]

A select listing of studies on garlic benefits and safety. [Full article...]