Health wealth happiness, America truth dare or lies: February 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Kidney Disease is a Killer in Dogs find out why and how to stop this

Why Kidney Disease is a Killer in Dogs…But Doesn't Have to Be

Most people recognize cancer as the silent killer of pets, but did you also know kidney disease can take your dog's life unexpectedly. In fact, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly considered the number two killer of dogs in the U.S after cancer. To better prepare and protect your dog from this horrible affliction, read on and learn a bit more about how kidney disease affects dogs.

are generated from break down of food, old cells, toxins or poisons and many drugs that are given for treatment of other diseases." Your dog's two kidneys also help regulate blood pressure and calcium and vitamin D metabolism as well as produce a substance that helps with the creation of new red blood cells. Due to the various functions of the kidneys, a dog with kidney disease may display a multitude of signs. However, these signs may not become apparent as quickly as you'd imagine.

2/5

2. Visible Kidney Disease Signs May Take Time

Kidneys are made up of microscopic nephrons. As your dog ages or if the kidneys become damaged, some nephrons begin to die and other reserve (or "resting") nephrons take over. Once there are no extra nephrons remaining, your dog may begin to display signs of kidney damage such as loss of appetite, weight loss, increased thirst, and anemia. However, this often only occurs once 75% of kidney function (2/3 of nephrons) has been lost. This is why it so important you bring your dog to veterinarian at least once a year and remain vigilant for unusual signs in your dog's behavior. It may help prevent your dog from developing kidney disease in the first place.

3. Kidney Disease is Often Treatable

Ultimately the severity of your dog's signs will determine what treatments are needed. Some common forms of treatment include medication, fluid therapy, dialysis and dietary management. Often dogs with kidney disease will be given a diet that is low is phosphorus, salt, and protein. A veterinarian may also recommend that your senior dog be given a diet that is lower in protein if undetected or early renal insufficiency is suspected.

4. Kidney Disease is Often Preventable

There are many different causes of kidney disease — birth defects, cancer, toxins and nutritional factors, to name a few. That is why it is crucial to bring your dog in for regular veterinary exams and discuss with him or her how to best keep your dog healthy.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Poisoned pets what to do

When a pet is poisoned, quick and appropriate action is vital to your pet’s outcome. But do you know what to do? Here are four simple steps that may help save your pet’s life someday.

Step 1: Evaluate

Identify what toxin your pet was exposed to or ingested. Find the label, active ingredients, and the quantity ingested or exposed to. Remove any additional toxin out of reach. Evaluate your pet’s symptoms. Even if your pet is acting normal, toxin exposure may still have occurred.

Step 2: Call the Pet Poison Helpline(855-213-6680)

Once you have gathered, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680. They can determine if the exposure is considered toxic, and if additional treatment is necessary. For ingested toxins, induction of vomiting is commonly performed, but can be contraindicated in some toxins (such as with hydrocarbons, batteries, corrosives, etc) or in some conditions (neurologic symptoms, respiratory difficulty, etc). For contact toxins, bathing with liquid dish soap is often necessary.

Step 3: Do NOT give anything unless instructed to

Many people will think they are helping their pet by giving home remedies they may have heard of before, such as milk, salt, aspirin, etc. Adverse reactions to these home remedies can sometimes be more significant than the toxicity itself. Stay calm and do not give anything to your pet unless instructed to by a veterinarian

Step 4: Get Help

If further treatment is required, transport your pet to your veterinarian, or the closest veterinary emergency facility. Have someone safely watch your pet while driving in order to prevent distraction. Some special guidelines may be necessary to prevent human exposure to certain toxins, such as zinc phosphide or flammable materials.

UPDATE for free shots for pets

Check your local pet shelter and ask them for cheap rabbies shots and more it 10

What is Pink eye

What is Pinkeye- Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, involves the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Some forms of conjunctivitis are infectious and can spread very quickly, a fact that has given pinkeye quite a notorious reputation. However, pinkeye is a very common eye problem, and, with proper treatment, it rarely

How it spreads - It is spread through contact with the eye drainage, which contains the virus or bacteria that caused the pinkeye. Touching an infected eye leaves drainage on your hand. If you touch your other eye or an object when you have drainage on your hand, the virus or bacteria can be spread. The following tips help prevent the spread of pinkeye. Wash your hands before and after: Touching the eyes or face.