Monday 20 October 2014

Metacam, Rimadyl and Previcox - Are These Drugs Safe to Use for Arthritis in Dogs?

Drug treatments for osteoarthritis have one of two primary objectives: Firstly, to make the patient more comfortable i.e. reduce the symptoms and signs of the condition. Secondly, and this is one of the major goals of osteoarthritis research, to slow or even reverse the osteoarthritis process that is causing progressive deterioration and loss of articular cartilage. Compounds that can slow the osteoarthritis process down are referred to as Disease (or structure) Modifying Drugs (DMOADs).

In clinical practice for both humans and dogs, the concept of disease modification is still rather theoretical with no treatment proven to have this effect. The main second line treatments in small animal veterinary practice are anti-inflammatory drugs.

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Most canine patients with some lameness associated with osteoarthritis will be best treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.When we talk about anti-inflammatories and OSTEOarthritis we are virtually always referring to the Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories or the NSAIDs (pronounced as 'en-sayds').

The NSAIDs are a group of quite different drugs but they all work in a similar way. They all act to block the production of prostaglandins in body tissues. Prostaglandins are a family of chemicals produced by the body that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. As well as making the local blood capillaries more leaky (causing local swelling) they will make nerve fibres more sensitive and hence make us feel pain.

Anti-inflammatory drugs act to reduce prostaglandin production in the tissues and hence reduce inflammation and discomfort. Prostaglandins also have some beneficial and important protective effects in the body. These include regulating blood flow to the kidneys and maintaining a protective mucus barrier in the lining of the stomach. It is in blocking these actions as well as the 'bad' effects of prostaglandins that NSAIDs can cause some nasty and potentially fatal side effects.

NSAIDs act by blocking the action of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX), which is vital to the production of prostaglandins in the tissues. There are at least two forms of this enzyme referred to as COX-1 and COX-2.  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) block the COX enzymes and reduce prostaglandins throughout the body. As a consequence, ongoing inflammation, pain, and fever are reduced.

Since the prostaglandins protect the stomach and maintain a healthy blood flow to the kidneys, NSAIDs can cause stomach inflammation, gastrointestinal ulcers and cause kidney damage by reducing renal blood flow. The risk of serious kidney damage is magnified in dehydrated patients or patients in circulatory shock from blood loss.  COX-1 is particularly important in housekeeping functions and COX-2 is increased in the presence of inflammation. NSAIDs that preferentially block COX-2 seem to cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects.

COX-2 selective NSAIDs have become available for use in the dog. Three of the newer and most widely used agents, Metacam, Rimadyl and Previcox are licensed for use in a number of countries. They show preferential inhibition of COX-2 and show a lower incidence of side effects compared to drugs such as aspirin.

Generally anti-inflammatories alone seem to work well in the dog with arthritis. There are some drawbacks, mainly vomiting and diarrhoea, which can limit their usefulness in some patients and, lead to very serious complications in some. Their effects on reducing blood flow to the kidneys can be devastating in certain situations, typically those where there is some form of circulatory system problem such as shock or dehydration.

Play it Safe
Although NSAIDs have been associated with some serious side effects and adverse reactions, they provide safe, effective pain relief in the vast majority of patients. However, they are potentially very dangerous drugs and should be respected. I would advise the following rules are adhered to in order to minimize the chances of adverse reactions:

1.    Only use a veterinary licensed product provided/recommended by your veterinarian. Some human preparations have a much narrower safety profile in dogs than in people. Don't do it!

2.    Stop using any NSAID immediately if your dog develops inappetance, vomiting and or diarrhoea. Consult your veterinary professional straightaway.

3.    Always consult your veterinarian before administering any other medications alongside NSAIDs.

4.    If at a veterinary visit you see a different person at the clinic, always remind them that your dog is on NSAIDs - It should be on your pet's clinical notes but better to play it safe and mention it.

The NSAIDs are an important component of your pet's arthritis treatment plan but they should be used with care and under the strict guidance of your vet. They are just one factor in successfully managing canine osteoarthritis.

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Microchipping Your Pet

There are several reasons to get your pet microchipped. The main reason is that without doing so, there is little chance of your pet being reunited with you if it is lost or stolen. While collar tags are effective if your pet gets accidentally lost, they are easily removed, can fall off and are no deterrent for a thief. Microchipping is also the compulsory first step when applying for a pet passport, for those owners who wish to take their pet abroad.

Dog Theft
You may have laughed at Ace Ventura Pet Detective, but there are few more traumatic experiences that having a pet stolen. With the police seemingly disinterested, it has been reported that only one in 10 owners whose dog has been stolen is even given a crime number. As a result, in desperation to retrieve their beloved pet they give in to ransom demands. And as long as the thieves get away with it, they will keep on doing it.

A microchip is not a tracking device, it does not allow you to pinpoint where your pet has been taken to. However, if your pet is sold by the thief, the buyer is quite likely to take him or her to a veterinary clinic at some point in the future. Theoretically, when registering a new client a veterinarian will check the animal for a microchip, and run this number against the national database. If the pet was reported stolen, this will automatically be flagged on the system, and the previous owner can be notified. Of course there is the danger that a vet will not bother to check the animals microchip, but there have been many occasions where pets and their rightful owners have been reunited in this way.

Outdoor Cats
Cats given the license to roam around outdoors, especially in urban areas, run the risk of being involved in road traffic accidents. If the cat is not killed on impact, its instinct will be to bolt and then hide somewhere in the vicinity of the incident. Often it is not the owner of the cat who brings the injured creature to the veterinary clinic, and there are numerous cases of cats injured in road traffic accidents having being reunited with their owners via their microchips.

Pet Passports
There are three steps to attaining a pet passport for your pet in accordance to the strictly regulated PETS travel scheme:

Microchipping
Rabies vaccination
Blood test to check rabies vaccine was successful
What is the procedure?
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is injected under the skin in the scruff, on the back of the neck between the shoulder blades. It is quite a large needle, so can cause a sharp pain when inserted, though many animals do not even notice as there are so few nerves in the skin there. It can be done at any time, sedation is not usually necessary. However most vets prefer not to microchip puppies or kittens until they are at least 12 weeks old, or preferably when they are under anesthetic while being neutered.

Does it migrate around the body?
It should not move far from where it was injected. There have been rare reports of microchips migrating out of position, making them difficult to locate. However this is extremely rare, and scanners are very good at picking up the microchip signal when slowly moved over the back.

How does it work?
The chip contains a long number that is unique for that particular animal. When scanned by a handheld scanner (at a veterinary clinic, police station or animal shelter) the number comes up on the screen. This number can then be entered into a national database, which stores the name of the owner, the owners address, telephone numbers and email address.

Is it expensive?
Most veterinary clinics charge no more than US$ 50 (GBP £25) for inserting a microchip and completing all the necessary paperwork.

What if I move house?
Simply call the microchip company and change your details. Some companies provide you with a password and allow you to update your details online as and when necessary.

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Hip Dysplasia Can Cause Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

Hip Dysplasia can CAUSE arthritis in dogs
With the advent of many, MANY, MANY veterinary drugs designed to treat canine arthritis (Not sure I should name them all here), much has been said by Big Pharmaceuticals about arthritis treatment, but very little is published about how to prevent arthritis in the first place. Until now. Read on, dog lovers!

Arthritis in dogs is one of the most common conditions treated by veterinary clinics
But it's not all bad news. At least old age means that our companion animals are living longer! However, just like in older humans, older dogs (and cats) start to develop age-related changes and conditions they wouldn't develop when they were young.

What I'm going to describe to you is why Hip Dysplasia, which is something some dogs are born with, can lead to arthritis years and years later. Your understanding of how this happens can help you prevent arthritis in your old dog by making changes in how you raise your young dog. There are actions we can take to prevent Hip Dysplasia from turning into arthritis

Dysplasia in its purest form is a malformation of the hip joint on one or both sides, leading to a femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, and/or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area. Remember it is not arthritis! Rather, arthritis forms because of the looseness of the hip joint caused by the congenital and environmental disease.

It's very important to your dog's health that you understand the difference!

The causes of hip dysplasia are considered heritable, but new research conclusively suggests that environment also plays a role. Meaning, if your puppy grows up too quickly, or gets injured, or you overwork the hips with too much exercise too early, the hips may either not have time to develop properly, or will be literally forced by repeated motion into developing improperly. Research into environmental causes or contributions to hip dysplasia are ongoing, so my recommendations here must by definition remain generalized, but hopefully you'll get the idea. Just because your dog has Hip Dysplasia does not mean she will develop arthritis

What happens, then, if your dog has a poorly developed hip joint, is that she starts to subconsciously move differently to compensate and reduce pain. She may either "bunny hop", where both legs move together, or she won't run as much, or she'll be stiff all the time. Since the hip cannot move fully, the body compensates by adapting its use of the spine, often causing spine, knee or muscle / joint problems to arise.

Chronic mechanical misuse of the hip, spine and knees then leads to arthritis, which is simply inflammation within a joint.

So what do we do to prevent Hip Dysplasia from turning into arthritis? Here's a short list, we can talk about the details more when you call our office for an in-person appointment:

SURGERY

Bone surgery, for instance the Triple Pelvic Osteotomy or TPO can be performed by a board-certified veterinary surgeon, if the dysplasia is caught before 18 months of age, to reposition the joint over top of the femur so that the joint can move more naturally. X-rays performed at your local veterinary office can determine if Hip Dysplasia is present.

PROPER GROWING PUPPY NUTRITION
Large breed puppy food, which is lower in calories, can help your large breed dog grow more slowly, giving the joints adequate time to develop.

ADEQUATE LOW-IMPACT EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY DURING GROWTH
Physical therapy and low-impact exercise like long walks on the beach, swimming... exercise is good for the body, and good for the soul. In moderation, of course.

AVOID EXCESSIVE WEIGHT GAIN THROUGHOUT LIFE
Prevent excessive weight gain. While it is widely known that helping an overweight, arthritic dog lose weight is extremely important to relieve pain, it's less proven - but no less obvious - that keeping a dog skinny as she grows up will prevent the development of arthritis in the first place.

SUPPLEMENTS
It is known that supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin and Omega-3 fatty acids like those found in fish oil help keep joints lubricated and reduce joint inflammation. It is less known whether or not these supplements can prevent arthritis from developing in the first place, in otherwise normal joints. In dogs with Hip Dysplasia, however, since it is rational to expect arthritis may develop in the future, it is also rational to expect that supplements may help prevent or slow down the progression of that arthritis. In other words... it can't hurt.

Copywriting Makeover - Local Vet Increases Business Via the Web

After working for several years for a prominent, local veterinary practice that had multiple branches, Dr. Wendi Lily-Bare decided it was time to go out on her own. She arranged to purchase one of the smaller clinics which would allow her to keep the existing business name and equipment. However, the current website was not included in the bargain.

With an understanding of how important a high-ranking website is to a local, small business, Dr. Lily-Bare quickly began making plans for the creation of her online presence. Those plans included the use of copy (text) that connected emotionally with her site visitors and clearly showed them why they should choose Pet Friends over all the other available veterinary clinics in town.

Researching the Best Options for Keyphrases
As is the case with all search engine optimization (SEO) copywriting, the first step in the process of creating the Pet Friends site was to research the best keyphrases for use in the copy and tags.

These same keyphrases would also be used in developing the clinic's local Google listing. This would allow Dr. Lily-Bare's site to potentially come up in the "Local Business Results" section of Google whenever someone typed in a keyphrase related to one of her pages.

Being a local business in a relatively small town, we decided to work with general veterinary-related terms and attach what's referred to as a "geo-modifier" to them. (Local businesses must include their specific location in order to weed out prospects that are outside their service area.)

Basically, we looked for keyphrases such as "veterinarian" or "veterinary clinic" and added the exact locale which, in this case, was Northeast Columbia, South Carolina. After compiling a list of good phrase candidates, we divided them up among the site pages.

Hook Prospects Right from the Start
While many people believe writing copy only applies to the individual web pages, there is actually another step that is just as important. Writing the title and description tags for each page is vital in securing that initial click.

What happens when you go to Google or another engine and conduct a search? You're provided with a whole page full of possible websites that might meet your needs. How do you decide which ones to click? By reading the title and description of each site on the page.

Vets that have title tags which are bland (such as Veterinary Services, Vet in Baltimore, Pet Urgent Care) don't do themselves any favors. There are ways to include keyphrases and still make a connection with your prospects. For instance, Pet Friends' Home page title tag reads:

Because They're Family | Veterinary Clinic | Northeast Columbia, South Carolina (SC)

A keyphrase is there. The location is there. And there was still room for an emotional tweak at the beginning which helps to capture the attention of searchers. After all, if you can't get them to click your title tag, it won't matter much what you say on your Home page, will it?

Writing the Copy
If you've ever shopped at Walmart for toothpaste, you're sure to understand the frustration of most online searchers. On the toothpaste aisle, you see dozens of choices. All clean your teeth. All freshen your breath. If you rule out the specialty toothpaste products (such as those for sensitive teeth or with extra whitening power that cost $8.00 a tube), then that leaves many left over. How do you choose?

The same dilemma applies when searching for a local vet. Go to most vet websites and you'll find they talk about themselves instead of to the site visitors, they don't give a clear reason to choose them over all the other vets, and they have no special features/services. Remove all the specialists and you've got a whole list of "just vets" to select from. How are you supposed to make an intelligent choice?

When it comes to toothpaste, most people default to a mindset of "they are all the same." Unfortunately, most pet owners do likewise when searching for a new vet. We set out to make sure Pet Friends' site visitors knew they were different.

The Home page headline set the tone: "Because They're More Than Pets. They're Family." Rather than babbling on with company-focused copy, we shot an arrow into the heart of every pet-owning site visitor that landed on the Home page. Rather than displaying the same old list of standard services that every other vet had on their Home page, we played on the fact that pets are family members in every sense of the word. The copy clearly relayed a message that Pet Friends' staff members were all pet owners and pet lovers who saw your cat or dog in a very "human" light.

The Results
Because this was a brand-new site, there was no benchmark for comparison. Nonetheless, measuring results wasn't hard since they came so quickly and were so obvious.

Within days of launching the new copy, Pet Friends' site had worked its way up to top 20 rankings for many search terms. Within a couple of weeks, at least half of the terms ranked in the top 10.

Now, several months after launch, Pet Friends' site has page-one rankings for all but two of their 18 preferred keyphrases.

According to Dr. Lily-Bare, "We write on every new patient's chart how they found out about us. I always check when I'm looking over their chart. We've gotten a lot of new patients from people who have found us through Google and other search engines. It's an excellent way to advertise that continues to pay off month after month."

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Maintaining Sugar Gliders Health - What You Need to Promote Health


Aside from diet, another essential factor that should consider most is the sugar gliders health. Maintaining the health of your glider is hard if there is no veterinary that specialized on the sugar glider. Most of the veterinary that you can find on your area do not know about exotic pets. Finding the right veterinary can greatly help on the health of your sugar glider.

Get a visit on your local veterinary office and talk to them if they can deal with exotic animals, if not, they should told you the right doctor that can really help you on your problem. Since the animal is exotic, finding the specific vet can be a tough one. If you get the sugar glider from the pet shop, you may ask them were they actually find the right veterinary for their health care.

Before anything else, here are some important issues that affect the health of your sugar glider. You should always remember that the animal is exotic and new to the pet world. People don't know everything about this animal, diagnosing and treating the pet by your own is not the right thing to do. If some problem happens regarding to the sugar gliders health, licensed veterinarian should be contacted.

* Calcium Deficiency
Low calcium diet is the cause of this: it could lead to the paralysis of their hind leg that sometimes could be fatal. To avoid this kind of problem, always utilized to have vitamins and food supplements that could provide calcium. Feed them with well-balanced nutritional diet, you may also ask your vet for a good diet plan to help your little pet. Also, monitor its food consumption; you should change the food that they don't like to something different. They would not obtain their health nutrient if they do not eat.

* Constipation
Another sugar gliders health issues are the difficulty of having bowel movement; this condition is mostly painful for humans and even on the animals. Plenty of fluids, fibers and adequate exercise on its diet can help to prevent this condition. Constipation is the cause of gastrointestinal dysfunction, if the owner cannot solve this problem by exercise and diet; it is better to contact the nearest veterinary clinic for a check up.

* Depression and Stress
Depression and Stress are two factors that should be considered always, because it threatens the sugar gliders health. This can be the cause of loneliness because of the loss of companion, attention, and illness the sugar glider is suffering. To prevent this condition, owners should have a pair or a group of this exotic animal. Also, owners should give sufficient amount of time and attention with them.

Last thing to remember; always obtain annual or bi-annual check up with the vet for the animal's health and happiness. This is to make sure that they are not having any problem and they are on the right track.



Stop Your Dog's Side Effects From Medication

With the advances of veterinary medicine and research new and more powerful drugs have become the favorite of many veterinary practitioners to combat illness and eliminate pain that dogs have as a result of injury, age related conditions and surgery. The problem that travels with these new wonder drugs is the possibility of serious side effects.

When your dog displays signs of illness or discomfort the first course of action is to make a quick visit to the veterinarian. Depending on the symptoms that you describe and the vet observes, he may decide to do some tests to determine the cause. Some of the tests may include blood panels, stool and urine samples and X-rays to complement the examination.

It may take a few days for the laboratory results to be reported to the veterinarian. Once he has the lab reports he may prescribe antibiotics for infection, or a range of other prescriptive meds, even anti-inflamatory pain medication to help your dog. This is when your dog parent antenna should go up. Your vet is well intentioned, but your dog is your best friend and you will want have all the facts before consenting to the use of any medication

When your vet prescribes any medication you should ask what the potential side effects of that medication might be. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can provide substantial levels of relief to your dog after an operation or has joint problems, carry the associated risk of certain side effects.

Some of the less serious side effects from this type of medication include depression, vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy and diarrhea. More serious side effects include liver problems and kidney damage.

Dr Michele Sharkey, DVM of the Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation at the Center for Veterinary Medicine says that "If the pet owner can recognize a possible reaction, stop the medication, and get veterinary help, it could mean the difference between a good outcome and a disaster."

Immediately ceasing to give your dog the prescribed drug and contacting your vet should be an almost simultaneous course of action. Early detection of the side effect, stopping the use of the medication and veterinary intervention are critical to your dog's recovery and health.

While this is clearly solid advice, many holistic and alternative medicine veterinarians suggest that the use of certain drugs and medications are inherently dangerous for dogs. They would suggest less toxic remedies as a first course, eliminating the need for some medications.

For example, many vets prescribe meds for allergic skin conditions that carry the potential risk of unpleasant side effects. What if your dog could eliminate the need for those meds? The risk of side effects to your dog would be eliminated and this is perhaps the best way to stop your dog's side effect from medication.

Explain to your veterinarian your preference for alternate, natural treatments whenever possible. Obviously, not every condition permits this type of approach as many serious illnesses and injuries require immediate medical intervention to save your dog's life. But for many, less serious problems, a less toxic, safer and more natural remedy may be just what the doctor ordered to heal your dog's condition and contribute to his long term health as well.

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Obesity In Pets

Obesity is an increasing problem for pets and owners alike with many pets being heavier than they should be which will shorten their lifespan and predispose them to many other medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, liver disease, breathing difficulties, heat intolerance and digestive upsets. The extra weight will significantly increase any risks associated with anaesthetics or sedations and will cause your pet to require a larger dose of medication e.g. pain relief if they develop arthritis. Most medications are given based on weight so a heavier pet means treatment is more expensive as more tablets are required. This extra medication also needs to be processed by the liver and kidneys which should belong to a lighter dog so extra work is required to break down and remove waste products.

What is the correct weight for my pet?

There is a great variation in body type between breeds just as there is in people. A general rule to assessing whether a pet is overweight is how easily you can feel their ribs. You should just be able to feel the ribs without pressing too hard and not be able to see them. If you are having to press firmly then your pet is overweight, if you cannot feel their ribs at all then it is likely they are clinically obese and veterinary help should be sought immediately.

What should I feed my pet?

Most commercial pet foods are carefully researched and formulated to provide a balanced diet. You should look at the range on offer to decide which is most suitable for your pets health and lifestyle. We can give advice on a case by case basis via e-mail or alternatively contact your local veterinary practice or pet shop.

Many types of pet food will vary in the types of ingredients and the quality of the ingredients used and this will usually be reflected in the price. However some premium foods do not require as much to be fed so may not be as expensive as they seem on first impressions. It is usually the amount of food consumed rather than the type which leads to obesity. If more calories are being taken in than are used up these must be stored as fat. If your pet is overweight it is important to find out why as this can help with losing weight. The following points may help:

Are they neutered? This reduces the need for energy for reproductive reasons and may require an adjustment to their feeding regime post surgery.

How much are they fed? Is this a similar amount to the feeding guide on the food or is it more than recommended?

How much exercise do they receive and has this decreased recently?

How many people take responsibility for feed times?

What extras do they receive?

Has the food bowl been changed recently?

Where do I start?

Your veterinary practice will be prepared to advise you on a suitable weight loss regime and most offer free weight clinics with specially trained nurses. Some people feel embarrassed or find it difficult to ask for this kind of help just as some veterinary professionals find it a difficult subject to broach as people can take comments personally. People who are willing to put in the hard work usually receive the level of support they need it is those that ignore or are not willing to accept that obesity is a life threatening problem that frustrate those who are trying to help them.

Start by measuring out the amount of food your pet should be getting based on the feeding guide from the pet food packet. This is a guideline as some pets will require more and some less than the recommended amount to keep them at optimal body condition. If it is a dry food this can be marked on a cup or mug and represents their daily ration including treats and extras. If your pet is overweight then their intake of calories needs to be reduced to encourage the body to use fat reserves. Extreme care should be taken in just cutting down the amount you offer as you are also reducing the amount of vitamins and minerals they receive. If these drop below a critical point then there is a risk of nutritional deficiencies. The most successful and safest method of weight loss usually involves a calorie controlled prescription diet and exercise programme. Alternatively you could make gradual changes to the diet you already offer.

Begin by cutting out all extras and treats and weighing out the correct amount of food for your pets size. If you want to give a treat take it out of their daily food ration. It is the act of giving and attention received that is often more important than the treat itself.

Divide their ration into several small meals rather than 1 large meal.

Gradually increase exercise depending on the health of the pet and the degree of obesity. This can include making them find their food or having to extract it from a food dispensing toy. Swimming is good low impact exercise for arthritic animals and there are an increasing number of hydrotherapy centres available. Always stop if your pet appears distressed. Consult your vet for an exercise regime in cases of heart or lung disease.

Cats may need to be kept indoors initially to prevent them obtaining food from other sources such as neighbours or hunting themselves!

Reweigh every 2 weeks initially to make sure they are losing weight and this weight loss is not too rapid. Consult your veterinary nurse for advice.

Remember they are much smaller than you and a decrease of 100g in a 5kg Cat or Yorkshire terrier represents losing 2% of their body weight. This is the same as a 40kg Labrador losing 800g (1lb 12oz). This would be a safe amount to lose over the course of 2 weeks.

It may be possible to reduce your pets food intake by up to 15% but extreme care should be taken in doing this as nutritional deficiencies may result. Your veterinary nurse should be consulted for advice for reducing your pets daily ration.

Calorie controlled prescription diets should be considered for those pets who do not lose weight through controlling their current diet and gradually increasing exercise.

Remember to use the same scales and make a record of the weight so that the rate of weight loss can be seen.

7 Things That Veterinarians Say That Drive Pet Owners Crazy

Could it be so that perhaps veterinarians don't know everything about your pets? Being a former practicing veterinarian, and now online animal health advocate gives me a fairly unique perspective. As a profession, we have our downfalls; this article will give you the top 7.

1. Crappy people skills. This is more about what vets don't say - as in nothing. How about the veterinarian and their staff making good eye contact when any client comes to the office and making pet owners feel welcome. I have had many clients say they have felt un-important and not acknowledged at a veterinary clinic. Imagine the veterinarian introducing him or herself, saying your name, and your pet's name. Unfortunately people skills are not one of those traits selected for at veterinary school- yes as a veterinarian you can be great with animals, have superior medical or surgical skills, but you still need to be able to talk to pet owners.

2. I Know So Many Medical Words. The newly graduated I know so much that I must speak in 'medical term' lingo is a veterinarian you may know. These veterinarians feel the need to impress you with all the big words that they know. Unfortunately this is very difficult to understand and a major source of miscommunication. You may be asking yourself after the veterinary visit: "What did the vet say?" To have pet owners comply with their suggestions, veterinarians need to be able to properly explain what is wrong with clients pets in 'regular' terms. For instance I suggest that vets do not use the term phytobezoar, when they could say the word hairball.

3. Too many recommendations. So what does your pet really need? 13 different blood tests, heartworm screen, fecal flotation, urinalysis, X-rays, EKG, all justified as 'wellness' screening. If a pet is sick, most clients want vets to do the most important tests first in order to figure out the cause. Clients want veterinarians to start with some common sense and give a list of the most likely diagnoses. Ask your veterinarian exactly what they do for so called 'wellness screening' for their own pets. In my experience most veterinarians only do diagnostic tests on their own animals when they are sick. Should this really be different with their clients?

4. Home diets, Raw Food and those overpriced 'All Natural' Diets are a waste of time and can Harm your pet. Perhaps, but likely not. Millions of dogs and cats around the world are eating raw food and thriving... and 'gasp' the food is not balanced. Veterinarians and veterinary food companies still claim that dry, carbohydrate loaded kibble is 'fine', yet a growing body of evidence is showing how this is harming our pets. Diabetes is directly linked to these dry kibble diets, yet most veterinarians are still advising that you feed primarily these to your pets.

5. Realistic estimates. Veterinary care is expensive, some clinics far more than others. Staff salaries have gone up, equipment such as digital X-ray is pricy, and superior care costs. Fair enough. But pet owners routinely find themselves shocked at the reception desk when they go to pick up Fluffy from a dental, expecting a bill for $250.00 and getting one for $799. Prior to doing anything extra ensure that the veterinarian talks to you first, so you can at least give verbal consent. As well, it would sure help if veterinarians understand that many clients really don't have the extra funds, so at times please give the less expensive option. For example most cat abscess don't require surgery, yet many clients report that when they bring their cat to a clinic for an abscess, they are only given surgery as an option.

6. Holistic Care isn't all bad. Many veterinarians have a strong aversion to 'natural' veterinary care, they suspect that it really does not work and let their clients know. Pet owners want their pets healed, without side effects, and natural remedies can often do this. Pet owners are increasingly using natural remedies, with over 50% have used some form of complementary medicine. Of particular note, holistic veterinary medicine has a large number of credible scientific studies that back its effectiveness. Take for instance the herb turmeric, which has been shown to be increasingly effective for allergies, arthritis and now even cancer; clients find that it works, and now science is backing this up. Clients are actively researching the internet for any available option to treat whatever disease their pets may have, and being exposed to far more alternative treatments. Ultimately as veterinarians it would be far better to become your clients trusted advisors on all aspects of their pets care, holistic and conventional.

7. Just give me the Truth. As in what vaccines does my dog or cat really need? What do you really think is wrong with pet? Pet owners want the 'real' answers, whether it is bad news about a diagnosis, or what vaccines you think are needed. As an example, many veterinarians are giving their own pets far fewer vaccines than they advise giving to their client's animals. Or consider after an exam of your dog, your veterinarian finds multiple enlarged lymph nodes. For fear of 'scaring' you, your veterinarian may tell you that 'it's just a lump we need to test'. This confuses clients, and breeds mistrust, the exact opposite that I think veterinarians want to communicate. Key to any type of long term success in veterinary practice is establishing a mutual relationship with your clients based on trust. If clients trust you then they are far more likely to accept your recommendations, refer more clients to you, and have your practice thrive. Win-Win.

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A Look At Heartworms, Their Treatment, And Their Prevention Using Generic Heartgard

You may have seen ads about protecting your dog against heartworms, and wondered what a heartworm was. How does a dog get infected by heartworms, and why do they make it so sick? There are treatments for heartworms your veterinarian can administer; however, it is of course better to prevent the infection in the first place. Ask your veterinarian how generic Heartgard can help your pet avoid this debilitating parasite.

The heartworm is a parasitic worm (Dirofilaria immitis), from the phylum nematoda or round worms. A multi-celled animal with a rather complex reproductive and life cycle which involves an intermediary host, the mosquito, and unfortunately, your dog or sometimes other mammals, including you. The larval worms, or microfilaria, have developed inside a mosquito that then bites your dog. Inside your pet over a period of six to seven months, they undergo a series of molts as they migrate from just under the skin to congregate in the pulmonary vasculature as they reach adult stage and begin to reproduce. An adult female (which can reach 33 cm long) delivers live microfilaria into the bloodstream of the host. These larvae circulate in the blood until they are picked up by another mosquito, and so on. Heartworm infections have been reported throughout North America.

Mosquitoes are the agent that spreads these worms from mosquito to dog to mosquito and so on. This is the reason why heartworms infections are seasonal in most areas - the microfilaria require two to six weeks (depending on the temperature) inside the mosquito to reach the infective stage. At temperatures below 57 degrees Fahrenheit, the process halts entirely.

Your dog will have no symptoms in the months leading to the adult stage (prepatent period). It is when the worms reach adult stage and congregate in the branches of the pulmonary artery that symptoms can appear and range from none at all to heart failure and death. This heart failure happens as the right ventricle fails due to mechanical obstruction by worms, leading to the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure and fluid overload.

Suspect heartworms when your dog has a significant cough, and he becomes exhausted with minimal exercise. These symptoms don't appear until the infestation is quite significant. It is important to see a veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis right away if you suspect heartworms.

The only way to cure a heartworm infestation is to kill all the adult worms. Your vet will usually use arsenicals (medicines containing arsenic) to achieve this. The patient's care and progress must be followed closely - serious complications, such as a pulmonary embolus, can arise from the death of the adult worms in the pulmonary circulation. The medicine is highly toxic and must be administered by a veterinarian.

You can see that in the case of these worms, an "ounce of prevention" is indeed "worth a pound of cure." The approaches to preventing an infection fall into two basic categories: stop the mosquito from biting the dog, or stop the microfilaria from maturing into adult worms. Ivermectin, (which is the generic name for Heartgard) is one of the drugs approved to prevent the maturation of heartworms.

Now you don't have to worry as much about canine heartworms. Take good care of that great family pet and talk to your veterinarian about protecting him with generic Heartgard.

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Generic Heartgard For Dogs And Other Fur Friends

Value heart is one of the generic names for the brand name product that kills fleas on dogs and cats. The dosage is as different as the animals, and the dog product should not be given to cats or puppies under the age of seven weeks. A blood test is necessary to determine if the animal has contacted heart worm before administering the drug. The original package has chemicals that kill mosquitoes, contains medication to destroy roundworms and hookworms. The generic heartgard does not at this time have those ingredients and is only used for heartworm control.

Ivermectin is a main ingredient in most preventives. The generic type has been tested by the FDA, and is an approved product. Often times veterinarians will prescribe the regular medicine more so than its counterpart due to the adverse effects it has on hookworm and roundworm. It is completely the decision of the owner of the pet to make the decision as which medication their budget will allow. As with human medication, the pet medicine is more expensive in brand name form.

Another well liked product is K9 Advantix line. This is more expensive to purchase but has been said to start killing fleas in less than five minutes without biting effects. It also has a repellent against mosquitoes that kills them on contact, not giving them the opportunity to attack the animals skin. This particular product is registered around the world and contains two major ingredients.

Effective in killing flea, tick and flying insect, but also controls them before an onset. Used topically rather than oral and should be applied to the skin between the shoulder blades once a month. It should not be ingested by the animal. The product last for four weeks, and after that time should be applied again. After application all the adult fleas are supposedly killed in twelve hours.

Pet medicine should be given on a timely manner, just as those given to humans. If a dosage is missed, it should be given as soon as possible. Give only one dose as prescribed by the doctor. Over dosing the canine or feline could case illness or possibly death. Starting on new medication, the Vet should be notified if the dosage causes any change in the animals behavior.

A Veterinarian may also prescribe Heartgard Plus in different situations. Due to ingredients in the product, it must be given as directed and if a slight condition occurs the Veterinarian who prescribed the medication must be notified at the first sign of a reaction. Also an intestinal dewormer and kills a various species of mites. Vitally important to keep dosage regular and never give a double dose if one is missed.

A device of interest is the Pet Cam. It is installed on the home PC, and the pet can be observed when left alone through an iPhone. The devise has also been used in apprehending robbers breaking into homes and can be used for nannies and babies.

It is always wise to check with a Veterinarian before giving a pet any type of medication including the generic heartgard.

Royal Pet Meds does not require a prescription for your animals Petcam. Find brand name medication or save money and get safe and effective generic brands.

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Learn More About Hypothyroidism

For millions of Australians, hypothyroidism - or an under-active thyroid - is a daily reality. If you have been diagnosed with the condition, or think that you may suffer from it, it is imperative to seek the very best treatment available. You can learn more about how hypothyroidism is treated by reading more below.

The Symptoms of Hypothyroidism -

There are many different symptoms that are associated with hypothyroidism. When they occur alone, there may not be any cause for concern; if more than one or two are present, though, there's a very good chance that your thyroid isn't producing enough T3 and T4. Symptoms include things like feeling unusually cold, general tiredness and muscle cramping and weakness. Some people experience dry, flaky skin, hair loss and weight gain. Hypothyroidism sometimes causes people to have deep, husky voices and depression as well.

The Dangers Of Over-Supplementation -

Sometimes, people over-supplement their hypothyroidism. It is important to keep your eyes open for the symptoms of this phenomenon, since it requires an adjustment of your existing medication. Common symptoms of over-supplementation include a rapid pulse, chest pain, diarrhea, muscle cramps and excitement or anxiety. If you are taking hypothyroidism medication and begin experiencing any of these symptoms, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to adjust your medications accordingly so you get the right treatment.

How To Take Hypothyroidism Medication -

In order to arrive at the best level possible, doctors start people off on very low doses of hypothyroidism medication. Gradually, the dosage is increased until the best results occur. This process can take several weeks, and relief from the symptoms of hypothyroidism may also take several weeks. Your doctor will have you in for regular blood tests in order to monitor your body's levels of T3 and T4. You should always take your medication at approximately the same time each day; if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, though, don't double up.

You Can Manage Hypothyroidism -

As aggravating and troublesome as hypothyroidism is, it can definitely be managed. The key is listening to your doctor and being patient about your treatment. Keep in mind that achieving the best levels of T3 and T4 can take time, and that your symptoms may persist in the meantime. Eventually, the right dose will be achieved and you should start enjoying a great deal of relief from your troubling symptoms. Millions of people live with this condition every day, and you can definitely be one of them.

You can manage and alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism by optimising levels of T3 and T4 in your body using prescription medication. A compounding pharmacy such as Dallas Parade Pharmacy is given instructions by your physician, telling them how much of each hormone to include in a single dose.

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Learn More About Vitamin D Deficiency


A lot of fuss is made about receiving optimal amounts of vitamins and minerals; in turn, the supplement industry has exploded and there are more products available these days than ever before. Most of us know that in order to remain healthy, we need to receive adequate amounts of vitamins in our daily diets; what a lot of us are unaware of, though, is that vitamin D is one thing we're probably not getting nearly enough of.

Vitamin D Deficiencies: A Common Modern Phenomenon -

Back in the early years of human history, humans spent much of their time outdoors. Our earliest ancestors also tended to live in warm, sunny climates and received ample amounts of direct sunlight each day. One of the best ways to achieve the daily recommended dose of vitamin D is through exposure to the sun, so our ancestors more than likely never had to worry about deficiencies. In these modern times, sunscreen, staying indoors and living in less sunny locales are top reasons for the prevalence of vitamin D deficiencies in modern humans.

A Precursor To "Diseases Of Civilization"

Many so-called "diseases of civilization" may be linked to vitamin D deficiencies. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel disease, chronic pain, osteoporosis and periodontal disease are just a few examples of conditions that may be caused by not receiving enough vitamin D. Osteoporosis certainly gets a lot of the attention, but more and more studies are showing that vitamin D deficiencies may be the driving force behind several startling phenomena.

An Increase In Several Conditions

The recent increase in several key childhood conditions - asthma, autism and type 1 diabetes - may be linked to vitamin D deficiencies. The problem could very well stem from the increased use of sunscreens as people become more and more concerned about UV rays and the potential for skin cancer. By slathering our children with sunscreen, we may be giving them a vitamin D deficiency. Funnily enough, increasing your exposure to the sun isn't the best way to go about treating a vitamin D deficiency; prescription medication may be the way to go.

Increasing Levels Of Vitamin D In The Body

Since laying out in the sun isn't the best option, vitamin D supplementation could be. However, prescribing the proper dosage of vitamin D can be tricky and is a task that is best left to a capable compounding pharmacy. Various factors can affect how effective a vitamin D supplement can be for certain individuals; weight and age, for instance, can come into play. Diagnosing a vitamin D deficiency isn't easy, but chances are high that you have one; check with your doctor to learn more about supplementing your diet with vitamin D.

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Are Foxtails a Hidden Danger For Your Pets?

You have probably seen plenty of fox tails, possibly growing in vacant logs, along roadsides, or in meadows, but you may not have known what they were called. Though found throughout the US, they are most prevalent in the West, particularly in California. The word 'foxtail' describes the grassy, seed-bearing structures that in the early spring months, are green and bushy like a fox's tail. In the summer and early fall, the grasses and seeds dry out, breaking apart. As this happens, they become dangerous, as they have a sharp point at one end that moves easily in one direction, but not the other.

When your pet comes into contact with a loose foxtail cluster, the cluster can attach to their fur, moving inward as your pet moves. The barbs on the cluster keep the foxtail from falling off or backing out of the fur, and the enzymes in the bacteria break down your pet's hair and tissues. Foxtails can enter your pet's nasal passage, eyes, ears, and mouth, and can work their way into their lungs, along the backbone, and into many other locations throughout your pet's body. If left untreated, serious medical problems - and potentially, death - can result.

Fortunately, there are many ways to protect your pets against foxtails. After they have been outside, be sure to check their coat closely. A well-maintained coat with a close-bodied cut during summer months can lessen the risk for potential problems for your dog or cat.

When you are outdoors, be aware of your surroundings, your yard and your pets. If you take your dog to a park, a lake or the beach, be mindful of the shrubbery around you. Foxtails grow in dry, bushy areas, so it is a good idea to check your pet's feet (pads and in between toes) and underbelly, and then brush your pet to be certain you have not overlooked anything. If you suspect your pet may have an embedded foxtail, contact your veterinarian immediately; he/she will need to locate the foxtail and remove it. However, if the foxtail has embedded past the reach of tweezers or forceps, your pet will need to undergo surgery to remove the foxtail.

If you suspect your pet may have an embedded foxtail, physical signs to look for include:

1. Nose: Extreme severe sneezing, pawing at nose, bleeding from nose; symptoms may diminish after several hours, but become intermittent for several days following; 
2. Ear: Tilting/shaking head, pawing at ear, crying, erratic movement; 
3. Eye: Squinting eye suddenly, eye swelling, tearing, mucous discharge; 
4. Throat: Gagging, retching cough, compulsive grass eating, stretching neck and swallowing; 
5. Skin: Small sore between toes or under arms, sores on skin accompanied by swelling, small lumps or blisters;

Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho and provides pet insurance for the healthcare of dogs and cats. Jack Stephens, DVM is the president and co-founder of Pets Best and was the original founder of pet health insurance in the United States.

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal, multi-systemic viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. It is caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV - a paramyxovirus similar to that which causes human measles.) The canine distemper virus is transmitted through the air, when infected animals cough, as well through bodily fluids such as urine. Puppies/dogs diagnosed with or suspected of having canine distemper should be quarantined immediately. While dogs of any age can be affected by CDV, most are puppies, between 3-6 months old. The key to preventing CDV is early vaccination, so talk to your veterinarian when you take your puppy for his/her first check-up.

The distemper virus can affect many systems of the body and common signs include:

o nasal and eye discharge;
o coughing;
o diarrhea/vomiting;
o fever that may come and go;
o seizures

Often, mildly-affected dogs may only cough, thus being misdiagnosed as having "kennel cough." Others may develop pneumonia. Puppies that recover experience severe tooth enamel damage. Also, the nose and foot pads of a young dog may become thickened (also known as "hardpad disease.")

CDV is deadly serious, and can spread rapidly through a kennel, especially if unvaccinated animals are present. Although not all infected dogs die, a significant number may. While dogs of any age are susceptible, the very young and old have the highest death rate. Dogs that recover from distemper may suffer permanent damage to vision as well as the nervous system.

As your veterinarian can explain to you, there are several methods he/she can use to diagnose distemper in dogs/puppies, including:

1. Polymerase chain reaction test (lab test) can be performed on samples of urine, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, blood, and post-mortem tissues;

2. Skin biopsies (including dog's pads), can be examined for the presence of the canine distemper virus;

3. Depending upon the severity and time of infection, blood examined microscopically may show characteristic changes called "canine distemper inclusion bodies";

With some diagnostic tests (i.e. antibody tests), it is difficult to distinguish between infection and the changes normally seen with the canine distemper vaccination. While there is currently no specific treatment for canine distemper, intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration, and anti-seizure medications can be used if neurologic signs develop.

The good news is that excellent vaccines, with minimal side effects, have been developed and used for years, making significant strides in reducing the frequency of CDV. These vaccinations should be boostered for the life of the dog.

Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho and provides pet insurance for the healthcare of dogs and cats. Jack Stephens, DVM is the president and co-founder of Pets Best and was the original founder of pet health insurance in the United States.

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Canine Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus (parvo) is a specific kind of virus that attacks the intestinal tract of dogs (it does not affect humans or cats). Parvo can be a deadly threat to an unvaccinated dog or puppy. Parvo is extremely hardy; it can survive sweltering heat and subzero temperatures for long periods of time. The most common exposure route to this virus is contact with an infected dog's feces; however, because the virus is so hardy, it is possible for people's shoes and/or clothes to transmit the virus as well. The most important fact about canine parvovirus is that it can be prevented!

An unvaccinated dog that ingests the virus will likely get the disease. Ingestion occurs when a dog licks or eats anything containing the virus. Dogs of either sex, and any breed or age can become infected with parvovirus, although Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers have a higher susceptibility to the virus than other breeds.

Because parvo is spread so easily, unvaccinated dogs that are more frequently exposed to other dogs' feces (i.e. in parks, doggie daycare, pet shops, kennels, etc.) are at higher risk. Puppies are at particular risk of severe illness (or possibly death), as their immune systems are incapable of handling the effects of the disease. Puppies younger than five months of age are the most severely affected - as well as the most difficult to treat. Parvovirus is seen more frequently in puppies with unvaccinated mothers and in puppies from unclean environments (puppy mills) contaminated with the disease.

Physical manifestation of parvo generally occurs within 5-7 days of the virus's ingestion. If you observe any of the following symptoms in your pet, call your veterinarian immediately. He/she will examine your pet, and perform clinical tests to determine the cause of these signs of gastrointestinal disease:

o Vomiting and severe diarrhea (sometimes with blood); 
o Depression; 
o Loss of appetite; 
o High fever (104°F-106°F)

At this time, there is no way to kill parvovirus in dogs. However, symptom treatment is available to control the physical signs/complications of the disease, including intravenous fluids to reduce dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in your pet. Antibiotics may also be used to control secondary infections. Your veterinarian will likely give your pet medication to control vomiting and diarrhea as well. Puppies with parvovirus are generally hospitalized - in isolation from other animals - until they recover. It is imperative that you take your dog immediately to the veterinarian should you suspect a parvovirus infection. Any delay can significantly reduce your pet's chance for survival.

Most veterinarians recommend multiple parvovirus vaccinations for your growing puppy to establish protective immunity, which can reduce the risk of the disease. Once your dog has been vaccinated, booster shots can help maintain your pet's immunity. Prevention is the key - vaccinate your pet against this damaging and potentially deadly disease!

Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho and provides pet insurance for the healthcare of dogs and cats. Jack Stephens, DVM is the president and co-founder of Pets Best and was the original founder of pet health insurance in the United States.

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Guide to Spaying and Neutering Cats

When it comes to de-sexing one's cat many owners have a crisis of conscience; should I have my lovable puss spayed or my gregarious tom neutered? Rest assured, a sterilized cat lives a happier, healthier life and often makes a much better pet than an intact animal.

Be aware that if you don't have your beloved pet 'fixed-up' it may be prone to a host of feline diseases and ailments, and if you've ever smelt the pervasive odor of an intact tomcat's urine you'll be straight off to the vet without a moments hesitation!

With a male cat (neutering or castration), both testicles are surgically removed. The procedure is done under general anesthetic and for the testes to be removed only tiny incisions are needed, usually with no stitches required. Kittens and adult cats can be neutered starting as young as six months old before puberty strikes, however some claim that the operation can occur at an even younger age than this; consult your vet. Your post-op infertile cat should become less aggressive and territorial, will roam less and, thankfully, won't spray that horrid scented urine! An added benefit is that your tom will not develop testicular cancer and will have a lesser chance of suffering prostate problems.

For female cats (queens), renowned for being very efficient breeders, it is wise to have them spayed by six months of age. In springtime and in households with more than one cat, reproduction can actually occur earlier than this. A cat in heat often displays strange behavior, with distinct howls and pained writhing so be alert to these signs. Spaying or 'ovariohysterectomy', surgically removing the uterus and ovaries, is performed under general anesthesia. The incision in the cat's abdomen is closed up with stitches often needing removal after 10 days. As with toms, de-sexed queens are less likely to develop certain diseases; the chances of having malignant breast cancer or 'pyometra' (uterine infection) are greatly reduced.

Although neutering and spaying are irreversible procedures it is worth reminding that tens of thousands of unwanted cats are put to death each year in the United States alone. Considering this alarming statistic it may be a wise idea to seriously consider having your beloved pet neutered. The procedures are safe, affordable and if any post operative complaints occur it is a simple matter of returning to the Vet for further advice.

Be responsible and have your cat de-sexed and be content in knowing that none of your beloved companion's positive personality traits will be affected.

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How to Trim Your Cat's Claws


In order to save your beloved furniture or even yourself from damage, it is important to clip your cat's claws on a regular basis; aim for at least once a month unless your pet has been surgically de-clawed by a vet.

Although cats who spend a lot of time outdoors will naturally 'strop' their nails against posts and trees, indoor cats will need greater attention.

One must take great care when trimming a cat's claws in order not to unduly harm the poor animal. It is strongly advisable to get your vet to show you how to best clip your pet's claws before you yourself attempt it at home.

Although most Pet stores sell purpose made claw clippers, ordinary human nail clippers are probably just as effective and cheaper. However, some people insist that only special pet clippers should be selected so use your own discretion on this.

Follow these steps when clipping:

(1) Hold the cat firmly, without hurting it, or even get a friend to assist in this.

(2) As cats' claws are retractable, you need to push each individual pad, on top ot the toe, to reveal the unsheathed claw, one at a time.

(3) Take note of the two different colors of the claw, a pink middle section next to a whitish covering that extends to the pointed end of the claw.

(4) ONLY cut the clear, white section, where the dead cells are and never the pink section, or quick; this is where the blood vessels and nerves are; if you draw blood, keep free from any germs. If your cat has black claws only remove the section that curls under.

If the procedure is started at the kitten stage, your pet will soon become used to having its claws trimmed.

If easier, only cut a couple of nails at a time or wait until your cat is napping before clipping. Remain calm and collected as your cat will likely sense any anxiety in you and become restless.

Occasionally, some cats are born with more than five nails on each foot, (and four on each back foot); this condition is called 'Polydactyl' and great care must be taken to keep nails trimmed in order to prevent ingrown toenails.

Keep your cat's claws regularly trimmed and you'll save on furniture and clothing repair bills; a scratching post kept indoors may also help with claw maintenance, and help keep your home in ship-shape

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What is Patient Scheduling Software?

 In the medical industry, there are so many doctor's offices, clinics, and hospitals with medical offices on site. All of these facilities treat many patients on a daily basis. These facilities all have some sort of patient scheduling software that allows them to make sure that every patient is seen by the physician in a timely manner.

There are many types of patient scheduling software on the market today that any one of these facilities could purchase and to customize to their particular needs. There are many doctors that have gone through the types of services that they offer and have tried to schedule patients to their benefits when it comes to their time.

The patient scheduling software helps the doctors and the facilities have an easy work flow but there are problems that still do occur. These problems are not the fault of the patient scheduling software because there are circumstances that can happen that is out of everyone's control.

Some of these circumstances can be a canceled the appointment, a no show appointment, or the doctor not giving enough time for his appointments. This happens on a regular basis due to the fact that there are so many patients, doctors usually try to squeeze them in. The patient scheduling software needs to be very flexible for these circumstances that are bound to happen.

Patient scheduling software is a necessity for any medical office. The patient scheduling software will also allow the receptionist to be able to quickly set up appointments when a patient calls on the telephone. The software will bring up a screen that has time slots where their receptionist can enter in the name of the patient to be seen. This is why when you call to get a doctor's appointment, the receptionist has to ask you what the problem is.

The patient scheduling software screen has the doctor's schedule scattered out in time slot increments. These increments could be 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and sometimes up to an hour increment. This all depends on what the problem may be and then the receptionist can determine about how much time the doctor may need in order to treat the patient. Sometimes they receptionist will verify with the doctor on how much time he may need with a specific patient and the patient's name will be entered into the time slot.

The patient scheduling software can be used in conjunction with a management software and when the patient is entered, the patient can be linked with their medical record and medical history. The patient scheduling software will then pull the account number that is associated with that particular patient and the receptionist can then very easily pull the patient's chart for use by the doctor.

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Dachshunds and Their History

When I was in grade school, I walked down the street everyday to and from the bus stop. And every day, there was an annoying dog that always barked at me as I walked past. With its shiny brown hair, it snapped at me with ferocity. But the dog didn't scare me, because it was a Dachshund, also known as a wiener dog. Every time I passed him, I wondered why he was so annoying. I wanted to know why every single wiener dog I had every come into contact with was as confrontational as Mike Tyson. It led me to look into its past.

It is generally accepted that the Dachshund was first bred in Germany, although there are rumors that perhaps the ancient Egyptians had the first. Recently unearthed, mummified Dachshund-looking dogs substantiate these claims. Despite the potential controversy, Dachshunds have served humans for centuries. Many have been members of well-respected families in various societies.

From the German perspective, the dog was an example of magnificent engineering. "Dachshund" in German translates to "badger dog," which describes adequately what it was designed for. The tenacity in the dog's behavior was no mistake. These hounds required great courage to chase after badgers in the forest. The original animals are a bit larger-about 30 to 40 heavier. Their long streamlined bodies allowed them to burrow deep into holes in order to fish out the elusive animals.

By 1800, these dogs had become a token house pet, especially popular in Great Britain, and it was at that time that they started to grow smaller. Not long after, its association with Germany gave it a bad name. World War I and II painted a bleak future for the beady-eyed canine, but its cuteness brought back the love of the everyday man.

As pets, the animals are a joy to have, except for the moment of excessive barking. Like most other dogs they are loving, caring, and very protective of their owners. Most people are very accepting of their nature.

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting a Dachshund as a pet, be sure to get it properly checked out by a certified and experienced veterinarian in your area. Keep the dog on a very balanced diet and make sure that it receives enough exercise each week.

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