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jacksonleoblog · 1 year

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How Can we Find Out if Our Dog has Hip Problems?

Hip issues in dogs

Hip problems in dogs can arise at any stage of development, but are more common during the growth stage. To avoid hip difficulties, the ball of the femur (or thighbone) and the socket in the pelvis (the acetabulum) should expand at the same rate during growth.

When the thighbone and acetabulum do not expand at the same rate, the dog’s hip joint loosens, resulting in joint dysfunction and pain. The cartilage and bones of the damaged hips begin to wear away as the dog matures. This causes arthritis, muscular atrophy, and decreased movement over time.

Hip dysplasia in pets

Uniform growth of the thighbone and acetabulum does not occur throughout the early years of the pet’s growth in hip dysplasia, a common issue associated with dog and cat hip pain. This causes joint laxity or looseness, which leads to degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis as the body seeks to stabilize the loose hip joint.

The extent of the lameness that results is usually determined by the extent of the arthritic changes that occur as the body tries to stabilize the hip joint. This level of lameness, however, may not be related to the look of the hip joint on an x-ray.

This is due to the fact that some pets with considerable evidence of hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis on x-rays may not show any clinical indicators, whereas others with little evidence on x-rays may endure severe discomfort and lameness. Hip and joint problems in dogs and cats, therefore, necessitate meticulous diagnostics to obtain an accurate picture of the issue.

Causes of hip dysplasia in pets

Hip dysplasia in pets is a genetic illness that is influenced by elements such as nutrition, environment, training regimen, development rate, muscle mass, and hormones.

Because the condition is more common in large breed dogs, puppies of this breed should be kept at a normal, lean weight during their growth rather than overfed and encouraged to become huge.

How to tell if your dog has hip problems

Physical examination, x-rays, radiological tests, a biopsy of the afflicted hip, and blood work can all be used to determine whether your dog has hip problems.

Physical examination

The earliest indicators of hip problems in your dog are weakness and pain in the hind legs. In general, the dog will appear shaky and hesitant to rise from a sitting or reclining position. Some dogs will limp or be hesitant to climb stairs.

You can discover these symptoms in your puppy as early as a few months after birth; however, the most usual time for the symptoms to appear clearly is one to two years after birth.

X-rays

If your dog has modest hip dysplasia that can only be shown on x-rays, it may develop minimal arthritis without showing clinical indications. Such symptoms may only appear as they age.

According to leading veterinarians, while some dog hip disorders begin in the formative years, most dogs do not develop the clinical indications that can be used to determine they have hip problems until they are older. This is due to the fact that it takes years of slow bone degradation for a dog to become symptomatic of hip problems.

Radiograph tests

To be certain if your dog has hip abnormalities, including hip dysplasia, a hip radiograph should be performed under general anesthesia. If you suspect your pet has hip dysplasia, make an appointment to get it radiographed as soon as possible. This ensures that you begin feeding the pet the necessary vitamins for hip dysplasia in dogs and cats. You should search for palpable joint laxity as a warning indicator.

Biopsy

Your veterinarian can assess whether or not your dog has joint disease by sampling a bit of the joint inside. If it is discovered that the dog has a joint problem caused by an infection, antibiotics can be administered to eradicate the infection, and your dog will heal completely.

Blood-work

This entails determining whether the joint problems were caused by an autoimmune illness. Autoimmune illnesses occur when a dog’s immune system targets healthy cells. If blood tests show that the dog’s immune system is attacking cartilage or synovial fluid, a combination of steroids and immune suppressants may be required to correct the problem.

Get help to treat your dog’s hip problems.

If your dog has hip difficulties, get assistance or more information on how to treat the ailment. You can seek advice from pet-health professionals such as Antinol USA, your veterinarian, or another dog owner who has had a similar experience with his or her dog.

Eventually, you’ll have to put the dog on medication. The clinical indicators and level of discomfort experienced by the pet mainly determine the pet’s treatment for hip disorders. There are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are quite effective and have few side effects that can benefit your dog.

Your veterinarian may also suggest alternative or complementary drugs and techniques to help your dog obtain the relief he or she needs.

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benalove · 2 years

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Electronic World: How we use electronics in daily life

Common uses of electronics in daily life include wireless internet, music recording and playback, digital cameras--both still and video, and in health diagnosis, research and treatment equipment. The use of electronics is much more common amongst a younger age group than ever before.

Using electronics today is so much a part of our daily lives we hardly think of the way the world would be without electronics. Everything from cooking to music uses electronics or electronic components in some way. Our family car has many electronic components, as does our cooking stove, laptop and cell phone. Children and teenagers carry mobile phones with them everywhere and use them to take and send pictures, videos, and to play music. They send text messages on the cell phone to other phones and to their home computers.

Wireless internet is becoming more common all the time, with laptops set up in cyber cafes where people can drink coffee and check their email all at the same time. The computer user can do all the web searching in relative privacy thanks to the electronic accessories which can be added to the computer. Conversely, more and more transactions are being sent electronically across the airwaves so security is becoming a larger issue than ever before. Merchants who sell products online must be able to assure their customers that information submitted at a website is not being accessed by unauthorized personnel.

Music is a prime user of electronics, both in recording and in playback mode. Stereos, record players, tape decks, cassette players, CD drives and DVD players are all the result of advances in electronics technology in the last few decades. Today people can carry a playlist of hundreds of songs around with them easily in a very small device--easily portable. When you add Bluetooth or headphones the music can be heard by the user, but does not disturb those nearby.

Electronics technology in cameras has increased dramatically. A digital camera is available to most Americans at a price they can afford and cellphones often includes a fairly sophisticated digital camera that can capture still pictures or even video pictures and store them or transfer them to a computer where they can be saved, shared digitally with family or friends or printed out in hard form with a photo printer device. Pictures obtained through a camera or by means of a scanner can be edited, cropped, enhanced or enlarged easily through the marvel of electronics.

Literally thousands of everyday devices that we use constantly make use of electronics technology in order to operate. These are products ranging from automotive engines to automated equipment in production settings. Even artistic efforts benefit from computer modeling prior to the committing of valuable artistic media to create the finished product.

Electronics devices are being used in the health field, not only to assist in diagnosis and determination of medical problems, but to assist in the research that is providing treatment and cures for illnesses and even genetic anomalies. Equipment such as MRI, CAT and the older X-rays, tests for diabetes, cholesterol and other blood component tests all rely on electronics in order to do their work quickly and accurately. Pacemakers and similar equipment implanted in the body is now almost routine

#daily life #know better #lifestyle #computer #computer assistance #without pc

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wisdomrays · 4 years

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TAFAKKUR: Part 135

Retina: The Mind-Boggler

One of the most mysterious layers of the eye, the retina has an elaborate structure with a slew of functions. Not every eye surgeon dares touch the retina, which houses the most sensitive and special cellular layers. It is a three dimensional, crescent-shaped structure located in the back of the eye and is made up of ten super thin layers of cells that span the exterior part of the eye abutting the veins and its interiors.

Retinal layers

The ten layers that form the retina are:

Pigment (coloring matter) layer

Layer of rods and cones

External limiting membrane

Outer nuclear layer comprising rod and cone cells

Outer plexiform layer

Inner nuclear layer

Inner plexiform layer

Ganglion layer

Nerve fiber layer

Inner limiting membrane

These layers are incredibly sensitive and elaborate, and studying their intricate structure give a sense of awe.

Light for sight

Light first arrives at and penetrates through the cornea, the living glassy layer at the outermost layer of the eye. It then goes through the frontal fluid (aquesous humor) and the aperture called the pupil (pupilla). It hits the internal wall of the retina (the inside of the crescent) after passing through the lens in the eye and then the optic fluid filling up the chamber in the back. This alone is an interesting fact because it is much later that the light that gets to the retina reaches the layer of sensitive cone and rod cells, which perceive light. As these cone and rod cells are lined one after another for their protection, light reaches this outer layer of the retina after the ganglion cells, retinal layers and nuclear layers. Such an alignment leads to a reduction of acuity in the peripheral regions of the retina.

We have theories about the many details – such as the perception and representation of mental images and their storage in the memory – but we still do not exactly know how the act of seeing works

The central pit (fovea centralis)

The inner layers at the center of the retina, on the other hand, are drawn to the sides to prevent any loss in visual acuity. Resembling a pit, this section is much thinner than the periphery of the retina, so the layers that are likely to obstruct the passage of the light, and hence reduce visual acuity, are aligned specifically to allow light to directly hit cone and rod cells. Besides, cone cells, which are in charge of exact, colored sight, exist in this region, whereas rod cells, which are in charge of rough and uncolored (black and white) sight, do not. The central pit where visual acuity is at its highest is for keen, colored, and exact sight. Why then is the rest of the retina not created for acute sight and why is this small section equipped with this ability?

As it turns out, if the entire retina had the ability to see keenly then it would not be possible for the eye to focus on a spot and accurately distinguish it from surrounding objects. If we could see the entire page of a book at a glance, for example, the lines would mix up in our brain. We would not be able to understand what we are reading. We normally start reading from the top of the written page and continue line by line as we focus on and take in each word. Our brain then can focus and perceive a single word accurately by restricting keen perception of the surrounding area.

The retinal pigment layer

The color black is known to absorb, not reflect, light. Thanks to such absorption, the layer made up of black pigments (melanin) or dyes prevents the reflection of light, which is crucial for visual acuity. This black substance functions like the black dye in the bellows of old cameras. If there were not any layer to absorb light, light would scatter off the wall inside the eyeball, thereby obscuring the sharpness between light and dark spots, which is essential for the formation of a clear image, and producing a blurry image due to the overall illumination of the retina.

People who lack this melanin pigment as a result of a genetic defect (Albinism disorder) have white hair, and they are oversensitive to light because the colored iris layer of the eye does not contain the melanin pigment, which refracts light. When an albino person enters a bright area, the light that hits the retina is reflected in all directions through the pigment-lacking retina and the white surfaces of the rigid layer underneath (sclera). Therefore, a ray of light that would normally stimulate a few cones or rods is scattered everywhere, stimulating all or most of the light receivers. As a result, visual acuity in albinos can only be between 20/100 and 20/200, even with the help of the best optical correction, which is a low value compared to 20/20 in normal sight. The joke that rabbits do not wear glasses because they eat carrots is based on the high concentration of vitamin A in this pigment, or black dye, layer of the eye. Indeed, vitamin A is a crucial factor for the health of these pigments.

Layer of rods and cones

Composed of 127 million light-sensitive receivers (photoreceptors), the retina is 0.2 mm thick at the yellow spot (macula lutea), where the image forms most clearly, and 0.1 mm thick at the edges of this area. The 120 million cylindrical rods in the retina are in charge of black and white sight (at twilight), and the 7 million tapered cones, of colored, colored and exact sight. The more common cylindrical rods are 50 µm (microns) in length and 1-5 µm in thickness. The less common cones are 40 µm (microns) in length and 3-5 µm in thickness.

The concentration of the cones increases toward the center of the retina and decreases toward the edges, to be outnumbered by the rods. In the cytoplasm of the cones and rods are stored substances that are sensitive to light (photosensitive) which break up when light contacts them and produce electricity in the cones and rods. In rods this chemical is called rhodopsin. In cones, on the other hand, are three substances corresponding to the colors red, green, and blue that are sensitive to the wavelengths of colored light. To be more exact, there are three separate cone cells that include one of these three substances. Chemically, the photosensitive substances in the cones are a little different from rhodopsins.

The destruction of rhodopsin by light energy

Rhodopsin, along with the color substances, fills up about 40% of rods and cones. They are made up of a protein called scotopsin and a molecule called retinene that is derived from vitamin A. When light energy is absorbed by rhodopsin or the color substances, rhodopsin starts to fade in as fast as one trillionth of a second. The underlying reason for this is that the electrons in the retinene (vitamin A) part of rhodopsin is activated by light, which alters the shape of the retinal molecule at a mind-boggling speed (one trillionth of a second). Extremely complicated and precise chemical and physical changes then take place. It is very difficult to monitor all of these biochemical changes, and they require specialization.

The regeneration of the rhodopsin destroyed by light

Rhodopsin destroyed by light is regenerated in the dark. Only in the twentieth century did we manage to partially identify the mechanism by which molecules with very specific geometric shapes decay at incredible speeds only to be regenerated later. It is wondrous that such knowledge and power are present in the cell allowing the light energy to destroy the molecule and the regeneration process is launched. The circulation between destruction and regeneration of the molecule continues throughout a lifetime. Vitamin A is assigned a crucial task in the generation of rhodopsin in the dark. All-trans retinal is converted in the retina into all-trans retinol, which is then converted into 11-cys retinol with the help of an isomerase enzyme. Finally, 11-cys retinol is converted into 11-cys retinal, which in turn combines with scotopsin to form rhodopsin. Vitamin A is present both in the cytoplasm of rods and in the pigment layer of the retina. In this way, vitamin A is kept in reserve to be used for generations of new retinal. If, on the other hand, there is an excess of vitamin A in the retina, the excess amount is converted into retinal, by which the amount of light-sensitive pigment in the retina is lowered.

Night blindness

Night blindness appears in anyone who suffers a serious deficiency of vitamin A. Because there is a lack of vitamin A to be converted into retinal, rhodopsin amounts decrease dramatically. This disease is called night blindness as it is noticeable only in the dark or at night and does not affect sight during the day, due to the reduction of light for proper seeing. In daylight, however, cones can still be stimulated despite a similar decrease in color pigments. Night blindness typically only appears in people that have a low vitamin A diet because huge reserves of vitamin A are normally stored in the liver to be used for the eyes.

The human retina contains 400,000 light receptive cells per square millimeter. For comparison, this number is 680,000 in the retina of the owl, which needs to perceive even the slightest glow when hunting in the night. As another example, with 397,000 such cells the amount in the cat’s retina is almost the same as ours.

An average of 130 sight cells in the retina are connected to a ganglion (nerve node) cell. Constituting the nerve of sight, or the optic nerve (nervus opticus), every nerve fiber is connected to a ganglion cell. It takes about 15-60 seconds for the retinal optic nerves to adapt from dark to light, while it takes as long as 30-45 minutes to adapt from light to dark. The visual range of optic cells, i.e. the lowest and highest amount of light the eye can perceive, is between 10-7 and 106 nanometers. Light that is below or above this range is invisible to us because of its insufficient or overwhelming wavelength.

All the colors we see in the world are named according to the wavelengths absorbed and reflected by optic cells. The spectrum of the optic cells lies between red and violet, which is the limit of visible light for humans. Light with a wavelength of 400 nm is perceived as violet, while light with a wavelength of 760 nm is perceived as red. Our eyes cannot see infrared and ultraviolet light. Some animals, however, are known to see light beyond these limits. For example, we know that bees can see certain shades of ultraviolet light, which helps them find flowers to pollenate.

Clearly, it is not an easy job to elaborate on the divine art manifested in such a small area as the retina. Complicated structures and reactions that require specialization even to comprehend keep taking place smoothly every moment we look around. At least we can be thankful for this amazing gift of vision given to us free of charge so that we can recognize the universe.

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shinra-makonoid · 4 years

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Hey. Do you believe in determinism? (not like fate or anything religious). Hope you know what I mean.

Yes. Or well, rather than believing in determinism, I simply don’t believe in free will. I think it’s different, because believing in determinism kind of point out the idea that things happen because it’s meant to or something, so it calls for a superior entity, or some kind of spirit, like we would call “nature”, you know?

I rather believe that we behave in the way that our environment and own biological features makes us to behave as. So no proper free will as we might think we have, even though we believe that we do in everyday life.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that this is what I believe. So it’s still very subjective, in my opinion, but it’s also philosophy, so it’s not something that is very settled about what exactly is closest to the truth anyway. Take it with a grain of salt obviously, and it’s going to be a bit meta.

Everything that exists, exists in a continuum from what existed before, and what exists around. If we exist ourselves, it’s because stars made the components for us to exist. And if we look the way we look, it’s because our genes made us so. We also know that some behavioral characteristics might be genetic. Then there are how we were born, how we grew up, which wasn’t choosen either. All of that shaped how we are, and what we do. If you try to separate “yourself” from everything that influenced you and everything that came into your life, it’s impossible. We’re the product of the past.

So, if everything that we are and everything that we experienced in the past, is the results of other factors that we had no control over, how can we ever have a free will? You can think “oh well, no, because I can choose to grab that pen on the desk”, but even that is an influence from what you read before, and what you thought about because of it. We exist in a reaction of other things that happens somewhere else. It’s like a constant dialog between matters.

Understanding that really helped me to see things with another look. You understand that, despite your cat making a mess sometimes, screaming at him can’t help correcting his behavior. You understand that, your ex-lovers who stay in of their own misery, can’t change, no matter how much you try to push for them. You understand that the people who hurt you, and never understood that they hurt you, can’t understand that even if you show them. You understand that it could have been you, if you had had environment. There is no way to “feel superior” in a way that you think when you believe you have free will. Did I work harder than other? Or was just I lucky? I can say I worked hard, because it’s true, but if I worked hard it’s also because I had the possibilities to do so from my own experience.

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do things to being able to help other, or at least give them the opportunity to, but you let go of things, because you understand that, they can’t change in a way that can be decided, by you, or even themselves. No more than you can about yourself. There’s no way to force things.

It kind of destroy the ego, because everything that you managed to accomplish isn’t really due to the fact that you are special in a way. It kills guilt too, because what you did wrong, is your responsability, but it’s also explained by things that you couldn’t control. You still get happy for the things that you did, and sad for the things that you didn’t, but things are different, because it doesn’t make you inferior or superior in regards to those who did or didn’t do things.

I listened a lot to a philosopher who kind of get the same ideas as I have, his name is Alan Watts, if you’re interested. Though she threw bouddhism stuff around once once in a while (I don’t like that at all), what he said is exactly how I see things. It was nice to find someone who was so articulate about those things. He says, “It's absolutely necessary, that we let go of ourselves - and it can't be done, not by anything that we call doing it, acting, willing or even just accepting.” And this is kind of how I see life.

I have had issues with my own identity, in a non-trans way, still have once in a while. I don’t think I can accurately express how it feels, and I’m not sure I will be ever able to understand exactly, or explain it to people. But in any case, the idea that I’m part of the universe, and that I am merely the product of what it created since the begining, really helps to put my mind at ease for it. Who I am doesn’t matter, because I am not just my own body, I am the air I breathe out, the sounds that I hear, my friends, the people I see in the street, the rays of the sun. Having no free will, in a way, is freeing, because of all those connections around us.

It was long, but I like those questions ahah thanks for your ask!

#anon #ask #long post #philosophy

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healthcare-market · 3 years

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Hospital Cancer Diagnostics Market to Observe Strong Development by 2025

Hospital Cancer Diagnostics Market: Overview

Cancer is an acute disease caused by genetic malfunctions. Early diagnosis of cancer is very critical for providing accurate and effective treatment. A patient is subjected to variety of tests and exams in hospital as well as in the laboratories. Pap test was the first screening test used for detection of cancer which was promoted in the 1960s by the American Cancer Society. Significance of this test was that it helped in early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer leading to decline in death rate of cervical cancer patients by about 70%.

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In recent years, cancer diagnostics have evolved rapidly with introduction of new technologies and applications. Today several types of cancers are diagnosed using wide array of methods. The global market for hospital cancer diagnostics is expanding at exponential rate due to rising prevalence of cancer across the globe. Additionally, the advancement in understanding and treating cancer coupled with high awareness about the disease has heightened the demand for cancer diagnosis worldwide.

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Hospital Cancer Diagnostics Market: Segmentation

The global hospital diagnostics market is segmented on the basis of type of cancer, such as breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, oral cancer, skin cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, colon and rectal cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and other cancers.

The most common methods utilized for cancer diagnosis in hospital include laboratory tests (blood & urine tests), biopsy, endoscopy, diagnostic imaging, genetic tests, nuclear medicine scans (bone scans, etc.), and hematology tests. Diagnostic imaging for cancer diagnosis used several techniques like x-rays, CT (computerized tomography) and CAT (computerized axial tomography) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, mammography and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning.

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Geographically, the global market for hospital cancer diagnostics is segmented into four major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The World Health Organization has highlighted the disparity in policies on early cancer detection among several countries in the world. In developed countries such as the U.S., Canada, and some major countries in European Union, cancer screening programs for detecting cancer are common and more encouraged in comparison to least developed countries. Therefore, the present market for hospital diagnostic testing is dominated in North America and Europe while the future market lied in the potential markets of Asia-Pacific region.

According to WHO report, more than 60% of world’s total new annual cases occur in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. Lack of early diagnosis caused patients to die and these regions account for approximately 70% of the global cancer deaths. Such high prevalence of cancer disease in these regions will compel governments in these nations to implement cancer screening programs.

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Hospital Cancer Diagnostics Market: Key Players

Some of the major companies which provide technology platforms and diagnostic technology for cancer diagnosis include Abbott, AdnaGen AG, Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Beckman Coulter/Danaher Corporation, Becton Dickinson and Company, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., bioMerieux SA, Dako (a Agilent Technologies company), Cepheid, Inc., diaDexus, Inc., Myriad Genetics, Inc., QIAGEN N.V., Hologic Corporation, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (a Johnson & Johnson company), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation, Sequenom, Inc. and GE Healthcare.

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primeinjurycare · 3 years

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Know About the Most Common Musculoskeletal Disorders

Medical conditions affecting the joints, bones, muscles, and other tissues are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). Tens of millions of people suffer from many types of disorders, but some are more frequent than others. The most common MSDs for symptoms, diagnosis, treating and prevention are discussed in the following sections. Before talking to a musculoskeletal specialist, see the article.

What are disorders of the musculoskeletal?

A collective term, which means "musculoskeletal disorders" includes a number of conditions. Musculoskeletal disorders are very frequently experienced. Bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, or bursa are affected by various types of musculoskeletal disorders. The disorders cause pain to differ degrees, according to the medical condition's type and severity.

The Bone and Joint Initiative always updates its MSD research and provides the following information:

A musculoskeletal disorder affects one in two adults in the United States

Three of every four persons aged 65 years and older who suffer from the MSD

Treatment costs for SMDs are a bit expensive than other health conditions

MSDs are more prevalent than respiratory and circulatory diseases

The number of musculoskeletal disorders is long, it is related to any abnormal condition caused by inflammation, environmental conditions, infection, genetics or sores of the muscles, bones, ligaments or tendons. Carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia,tendinitis, sarcopenia (loss of muscle tissue), tension neck syndrome, rotary cuff tears, muscles, and much more are all conditions.

The Common Musculoskeletal Diseases Are as Follows:

Arthritis

Neck and Lower Back Pain

Trauma

What Are the MSD Symptoms?

Musculoskeletal disorders can be symptomatic in many cases. Extreme pain is one of the earliest signs, but the manner in which it is expressed is different. Some people have extreme pain in their bodies, while others may have pain in a certain area. A musculoskeletal specialist can help you best with the treatment.

The symptoms of musculoskeletal diseases are listed below:

Recurring pain, which varies according to the cause,

Rigid connections.

Tenderness

Stiffened muscles

Tiredness

Fatigue

Warmth

Swelling

Inflammation

Moving difficulties

The symptoms of the disease depend on the type of MSD. Osteoarthritis, for instance, causes painful, steep joints and joints inflammation; a strained muscle is painful and swelled.

What Leads to MSD?

MSDs may be caused by things such as a work-related accident or repeat motions. There is no specific cause in the case of fibromyalgia.

A genetic factor may be associated in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis with the three most frequent musculoskeletal conditions. Many MSD cases, however, are linked to:

Aging

Regular lifestyle

Weight and diet

Regularly poor posture when walking, lifting or sitting

Lifting heavy body weights regularly

Long sitting periods

Repeating motions

The two major events leading to MSDs are ageing and workplace injuries. Poor dietary or sedentary lifestyle practices and excess weight aggravate the medical condition when musculoskeletal disorder develops.

How Can MSDs Be Diagnosed?

The first step is to identify the cause for the symptoms with so many types of MSD. To get an accurate diagnosis to initiate treatment, seeing a doctor in a physical examination is important. External symptoms, such as redness, swelling, and bruising are examined. He or she discusses the pain of the patient and whether or not the pain is localized. Other symptoms such as muscle weakness, extreme tiredness, and movement difficulty are reviewed. Blood tests, such as rheumatoid arthritis, detect some MSDs. The doctor will most likely order an imaging test, according to the results of this evaluation. X-rays, CAT scans and MRIs help to identify the disease.

Visit Prime Injury Care

Prime Injury Care in OKC can provide you with proper treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Talk to our musculoskeletal specialists to find out what needs to be done.

#musculoskeletal specialists okc #musculoskeletal specialists

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centralparkpawsblog · 7 years

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Arthritis in Dogs

http://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/canine-arthritis.jpg

It was so subtle, we actually missed it.

It’s not that we didn’t notice – we did – but it was just easy to rationalize away…

It’s cold, he doesn’t want to leave the warm spot in front of the fire.

He was up late barking at that stupid cat, he’s just tired.

He doesn’t need to go out again, he just went.

It’s hot out, he’s just being lazy – I don’t want to go out in this heat, either.

But it started to add up, and after a trip to the vet, we had our diagnosis; our beloved Choco had canine arthritis.

What Canine Arthritis Is

Similar to humans, canine osteoarthritis is inflammation and degeneration of the joint and surrounding tissue.

It generally starts as erosion of the cartilage of the joint, and while there could be numerous other root causes, the end result is the generic term “arthritis” as a diagnosis.

As a rule, arthritis is progressive and degenerative – and usually irreversible.

And it’s not relegated just to older dogs. It’s an equal opportunity disease.

That being said, keep in mind there are two types: primary and secondary arthritis.

Primary is just what you think it would be – there’s nothing else going on but the arthritis.

Arthritis as a secondary diagnosis means there is some other primary issue, and that the arthritis is either in addition to, or a result of, that problem.

Both are treatable.

Don’t let sore joints bring your dog down

The main types of arthritis are:

Inflammatory (Rheumatoid) Arthritis

This type of arthritis causes the immune system to go on the fritz and start attacking the joints. Not nice.

Infectious (Septic) Arthritis

Like its name suggests, this type is caused by an infectious agent, such as bacteria or virus. Although the infection can be treated, and damage done may likely be permanent.

Metabolic Arthritis

The formation, or excess, of uric acid at the cellular level results in a crystalline formation causing joint pain. This is also known as Gout. Treatable and controllable, just like in humans.

Although advanced cases of arthritis damage are irreversible, the treatment options still offer an increased quality of life – and if caught early enough can add years of active play for both of you.

What Canine Arthritis Isn’t

When there is joint pain in our four legged companions, it is often instinctive to assume it’s a natural process of age – which it certainly can be.

But all too often, the uninformed self-diagnosis of “arthritis” is given to other ailments – and doing so may cause not only increased and unnecessary pain and joint damage, but the wrong diagnosis may interfere with other treatment options.

It’s important to remember that arthritis is oftentimes an end-result diagnosis that stems from another primary diagnosis – which treatment. Some other joint diseases include:

Dysplasia

Affecting the hip and elbow, dysplasia is basically a malformation of the joint. Although genetically driven, nutrition and exercise can be factors in the severity of dysplasia.

There are several treatment options for the various stages of dysplasia, but a quick and accurate diagnosis is imperative.

Dietary

Diet plays an important part in our pet’s life. There’s a delicate balance between quantity and quality, and the various arguments of grain free, GMOs, and raw food diet bombard us from every side.

While diet can unquestionably contribute to arthritis, a poor diet that leads to obese malnutrition (think the equivalent to you eating fast food every day), or an overly rich diet, can lead to their own issues – but sometimes it just comes down to the dog limping because it’s too fat. And that we can correct!

Lyme Disease

In the past years, instances of Lyme disease transmission have been on the rise – but so has our defense. We protect ourselves and our children, both 2- and 4-legged, with the best mixture of chemicals legally available for sale.

But infection does happen, and in its early stages it is most noticed by the lameness and swelling of joints – and this added to the lethargy can be confused for arthritis, especially if your furball is on a flea and tick prevention.

Injury

A torn ligament or a hairline fracture can be overlooked until we see our canine companion favoring a leg. Left untreated, this easily correctable condition can lead to permanent – and irreversible – damage.

Cancer

We hate to include this, but it is a fact of life – as much as we love them and do the best to give them a life filled with play and treats and snuggles, the cruelty of life rears its ugly head. An early diagnosis leads to a better outcome.

What Causes Arthritis in Dogs?

The causes of arthritis are wide and varying. It can be a result or side effect of other joint disease, genetic disposition, or simply from old age.

Apart from these obvious origins, there are several other subtle causes that, if left unchecked, can result in arthritis as well as other diseases.

The good news is that several of these are completely controllable, and some instances you can stop the damage before it gets to the point of interfering with the quality of life – or requiring treatment!

This old boy is still happy

Age

Just like anything else – from our cars to our parents, the older it gets the more prone it is to breakdowns. It’s inevitable, and the price we willingly pay for the unconditional love we receive and give.

Poor Weight Management

Yeah – you knew this was coming! We are absolutely NOT going to start down the slippery road discussing which food is better than another, or if this ingredient causes cancer, or any of the other conspiracy theories.

Suffice it to say a fat dog is an unhealthy dog – and needs to go on a diet!

Exercise

I joke with a friend of mine about going to the gym; they say it won’t kill me and I reply that I’m not willing to take the chance.

But the truth is that over-exercising our dogs is a serious matter, especially if they are prone to dysplasia or have suffered an injury. Having a puppy enrolled in agility training before their joints have fully formed can result in an early-onset joint disease and arthritis.

It’s also advisable to consider the terrain – walking or running only on concrete or pavement will quickly take its toll on hips, shoulders, and elbows.

Injury

Some injuries are avoidable. Letting your dog ride in the bed of a pick-up truck while driving through a neighborhood full of squirrels is just asking for trouble.

Puppy bowling by throwing toys down the hallway after waxing the floor for the dogs to chase and slide … Well, my bad.

Dog Arthritis Symptoms

There are two levels of symptoms; those we see and those we don’t.

Symptoms We See

The observable signs of arthritis are straightforward, albeit somewhat vague at times;

Stiffness

Limping

Slow to get up

Restlessness

Inability – or refusal – to get up on the bed or couch

Wincing or crying from pain

Symptoms We Don’t See

The symptoms we don’t see are – such as the actual joint damage, or the wearing away of cartilage – are only observable through x-ray. Sometimes, palpation by a vet in just the right spot can reveal inflammation while it is still asymptomatic.

Because the symptoms can be so vague, and especially if our pup refuses to slow down, treatment can be delayed.

It bears mentioning that sometimes we all get an ache for a day or two from working or playing too hard, and our dogs are no different. Running to your vet for every little thing can quickly result in the average household going broke – but a thorough examination every year can make a huge difference.

You can also make a difference by starting to familiarize yourself with Fluffy’s bedtime habits and keep an eye out for any changes that last more than a few days.

Dog Arthritis Treatments

If you’re received the diagnosis of arthritis, don’t panic.

Seriously. It’s not the end of the world, and it’s absolutely not a death sentence.

Knowledge is power, and now time is on your side.

Depending on the extent of the damage, there are numerous options available. And although there’s no way to regenerate the lost cartilage, there are options that can improve joint lubrication and reduce inflammation – and those are important for quality of life.

There are also surgical options, which should be discussed with your veterinarian, or referred to a specialist.

It is also important to mention that unless the primary cause for the arthritis (if the arthritis is a secondary diagnosis) is addressed, then the deterioration will continue.

Once the cause is stopped, the joint damage will stop – and arthritis can be held at bay.

Lifestyle Changes

Probably some of the simplest changes that can make a large impact are modifications to the daily routine. They can be done is small increments so as to not throw the household into an uproar – and can easily be tracked and tweaked.

Physical Aids

There are many little things you can do that will add up to big helps, without spending a fortune or undertaking a massive construction project. Consider one or more of the following, depending on the size of your dog and their physical needs:

– Ramps or stairs can help your dog get where he needs to without jumping up or down. Especially useful for smaller dogs to be able to get onto your bed or couch, if Fluffy is used to snuggling up with you, this can help enable that while making it easier.

And just like puppy love makes us feel better – they need lovin’ from us as well.

– Raised bowls make eating and drinking easier for the larger breeds, but arthritic dogs can do better with an elevated feeding and watering station as well.

– Harnesses are not for all breeds (like, uh, huskies – unless you want to be drug down the block) but if your pooch has arthritis in his neck or front end, these are definitely preferred over regular collars.

– Knee braces for dogs sounds odd but go down to your local park and you’ll see middle aged men jogging around with at least one on. The same reasoning goes for your dog. The less pressure put on their joints, the less pain they’ll have.

– Consider clothing. Yes, I know – I’m the one who swore my dogs would never be seen wearing a fru-fru sweater in public, but the truth is that for an arthritic dog, sweaters, coats, booties, and socks can have a dramatic impact, especially in cold weather.

Just think of how Aunt Ida’s arthritis acts up when it’s cold out. And our canines can’t complain like she can. Come to think of it, no one can complain like she can…

Diet Change

Yes, there it is. The “D” word that makes us all cringe and hide our Kit Kats. But we all have to face dietary changes in our lives for various reasons, and Bruiser is the same.

In humans, losing one pound of weight converts to FOUR pounds of pressure on your knees. While there is no exact formula to convert it over to canines, it’s still obvious that eliminating excess weight can have a huge impact on joints.

Some things to consider;

– Check the nutritional content per cup fed. As you reduce the amount per feeding in an effort to reduce excess weight, it’s important that you are not sacrificing protein, vitamins, and minerals. One cup of Brand A may not equal the nutritional content of one cup of Brand B.

One of my dogs is on a specialized diet because it’s all I can do to get that 80 lb GSD to eat two cups of food – even with mixing in chicken or beef. A different popular brand required FIVE cups of food to equal the same nutritional content – so if she only ate 2 cups she would quickly become malnourished.

Bottom line: read the label.

– When changing brands of foods, be sure to do it gradually, over 5-7 days to eliminate any tummy trouble. No one wants a dog with tummy trouble!

– Consider the add-ins to increase the protein and other vitamins or minerals. Meat (cooked or raw – I don’t judge) or fresh veggies can go a long way to fill the belly and stimulate the taste buds.

– Eliminate the table scraps. Seriously – stop them. Table scraps not only add more of fat, salt, and sugar than your canine needs – they also teach bad habits of begging.

Exercise

Be sure to keep walks to soft areas, not pavement

Okay, so this one’s tricky, because exercise can be what got your pup in this predicament to start with. Too much or the wrong type of exercise can compound the pain and damage while better choices can ease the pain and build muscle – which can in turn aid in support.

– Walking should be done on soft surfaces only. A short car ride to the park should be chosen over a walk around the block. Avoid pavement or concrete walking as much as humanly possible.

– Like with humans, water therapy can do wonders. Most community pools do not allow dogs, but with a little help from Google you should be able to locate a pond or lake that will do nicely.

– Slower is better – but don’t completely eliminate running and playing. Try rolling balls along the ground to eliminate jumping into the air, and definitely try to avoid any agility training type of obstacles.

Orthopedic Dog Bed

It’s amazing what a difference a good night’s sleep can have on our outlook on life. It’s the same for our canines. A well-researched orthopedic dog bed is absolutely worth the negligible investment. For a review of the most popular brands, check out our review of the best orthopedic dog beds for 2017.

Keep in mind that more expensive is not necessarily better – but above all you need to choose the best quality your budget will allow.

Sleeping without pain and being able to get upright easily will make an incredible difference in the quality of life – and a better quality of life can translate into a longer life.

Dog Arthritis Medications

There are a number of over the counter medicines available from your local pet store, your vet, or trusted online retailer that do not require a prescription. Your veterinarian can recommend which would be the best for your pup based on several factors, including ingredient, dosage, and side effects.

NEVER give your dog human medicine without consulting your veterinarian. Not the internet – an actual real, live veterinarian.

Caveat: Do not purchase any products that are regulated by prescription, from a source that will sell them without said prescription. Ingredients and dosage is extremely important, and only a less than reputable business would circumvent this process – and as a general rule they do it with inferior or expired medications.

Joint Supplements for Dogs

Most joint supplements are either Glucosamine, Chondroitin, or a mixture of both. While they do not regenerate cartilage, there does seem to be improvement of symptoms with continued use of these products, most likely due to the increased lubrication and decreased inflammation.

Since they aren’t harmful, it certainly doesn’t hurt to try.

Nutramax Cosequin DS PLUS MSM

Active ingredients (per 1 tablet):

600mg Glucosamine

300mg Chondroitin Sulfate

250mg Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Overall Impression: The initial period and maintenance dosage instructions are straightforward and easy to understand. The pills, although somewhat large, are scored for easy snapping in half.

Nutramax is a well known brand name, and the product is made in the USA.

Read Reviews

Check Price

NaturVet Senior Wellness Hip & Joint Advanced Plus Omegas

Active Ingredients (per 2 soft chews):

250mg Glucosamine

50mg Chondroitin Sulfate

250mg Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

100mg Omega-3

25mg Omega-6

Overall Impression: The dosage seems to be a little bit more, shall we say, ‘open to interpretation’, but with the lower amounts of active ingredients it’s not surprising.

This option’s formula is marketed for senior dogs, a more inclusive formula, and is wheat free. Made in the USA in an FDA audited facility.

Read Reviews

Check Price

Prime Paws ActivFlex

Active Ingredients (per 2 soft chews):

625mg Glucosamine

210mg Chondroitin Sulfate

325mg Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

500mg Turmeric

235mg Vitamin C

Overall Impression: The addition of turmeric (a natural anti-inflammatory) aids in treating canines with stiff and sore joints by reducing the pain, which boosts their activity level.

The formula – made in the USA in an FDA inspected facility – is all natural and gluten free, with no corn, wheat, soy, or added sugar. The combination of ingredients is formulated to relieve joint pain and improve mobility.

As a give-back, for every bottle purchased, they donate 1 lb of food to a shelter. I like that.

Read Reviews

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Veterinary Naturals ‘Hemp & Hips’

Active Ingredients (per 1 soft chew):

450mg Glucosamine

50mg Chondroitin Sulfate

225mg Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

125mg Turmeric

10mgs Hemp oil

Overall Impression: This formula is based on the ‘healing properties’ of hemp. Don’t worry, your dog won’t be getting stoned or the munchies. The dosage is straightforward with no initial plus maintenance dosages.

Made in the USA at a FDA registered facility, for every bottle sold they will be vaccinating 3 street dogs in Nepal. Don’t ask – I don’t know why or how, either.

Read Reviews

Check Price

Anti-Inflammatories for Dogs

I said it before and I’m saying it again; NEVER give human medication to dogs – even if you read on the internet what kind of dosage to give. Human medications have a different mixture of active and inert ingredients that can be deadly to your pooch.

The most common medications are NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs – and are available from your local pet store. For higher doses, or a stronger dose, see your vet for a prescription option.

Aspirin

The most popular OTC option due to its ability to reduce pain, aspirin should be given carefully because of its anti-coagulant properties – and never for extended periods of time. Do try to purchase only the coated tablets to ease and potential stomach upset.

Ibuprofen

Not as readily available over the counter as aspirin, ibuprofen is another in the NSAID family that works as an anti-inflammatory. Should be taken with a bit of food.

Acetaminophen

While available, acetaminophen is not widely recommended due to the potential to damage the liver when taken for extended periods of time – and contrary to popular belief, it is not an NSAID. There is a brand formula available by prescription.

Pain Relief

If you’re wondering what you can give your dog for pain, there are more than just pills as a treatment option for pain relief – and oftentimes they can be more effective by way of building muscle and increasing blood flow. Pain relief also increases quality of life – and isn’t that what it’s all about?

Acupuncture

Like in humans, the core claim of acupuncture is to have the ability to reduce or even relieve chronic pain. It’s a highly debated topic, and a personal choice.

Massage

Who doesn’t find a massage soothing and relaxing? With the result being that the tensed muscles relax and relaxed muscles ache less, and joints can relax as well.

Physical Therapy

The prime directive of physical therapy is range of motion. With range of motion comes building of muscle and loosening of ligaments – all will serve to benefit arthritic joints and increase mobility.

Natural Remedies for Dog Arthritis

We always want to try the natural remedies first. From grandmas concoctions for ‘whatever ails ya’ to the local organic food store, there’s a cultural shift away from laboratory produced chemicals to a product that comes right out of the earth, naturally.

Above all else, stay away from any manufacturer that refuses to list their ingredients. There are many companies that claim to use small-farm harvested herbs, all-natural ingredients, or essential oils – but do not list what those “ingredients” even are.

For a brand to claim “proprietary formula” is all well and fine – but think twice before you give your beloved pet a smorgasbord of unknown chemicals because you’re starting a game of Russian roulette that’s too easy to lose.

Turmeric

Also called ‘Indian Saffron’, is a natural pain reliever, and is often a primary or secondary ingredient with Glucosamine or Chondroitin for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Some of the side effects of turmeric include constipation, kidney stones, and stomach upset. It is important that turmeric should never be taken simultaneously with aspirin.

And stay within the dosage when used as a stand-alone supplement.

Yucca

The Yucca plant itself is poisonous to dogs – it’s the root that boasts therapeutic properties for managing arthritis pain – but must be closely monitored and used in only small doses. More is NOT better.

Licorice Root

When monitored for quality and consumption, licorice root can be effective combating inflammation and pain. The chemical compound glycyrrhizin is similar to the cortisone produced by the body, and supports the immune system.

But the same caution applies; too much or extended usage can lead to serious side effects.

Ginger

A wonderful, holistic root that’s bursting with benefits – for humans. Dogs, not so much. While it does aid in gastric upset and muscle pain, it should only be given in controlled doses – and preferably under the direction of a veterinarian.

Alfalfa

Natural alfalfa is rich in nutrients, and effective in combating the pain of arthritis. When purchased through a pet store or an organic grower, the health benefits are plentiful.

But, as with any other herbal remedy, the devil is in the fine print. Improperly dried alfalfa can cause severe digestive issues, and unfiltered seeds are toxic. Also, if the alfalfa is harvested post-bloom, it can trigger pollen allergies.

Cayenne

Derived from hot peppers, the potency comes from capsaicin and is supposed to block pain and increase circulation. I don’t know about you, but when I watch guys chewing on hot peppers to prove their virility – I sure don’t see pain relief.

Commercially, the cayenne is processed into cream or pills. The major drawback with the use of cayenne for pain relief is the potential shortcut of grabbing the jar of cayenne pepper from the spice cabinet and sprinkling it onto Fido’s food. That’s bad.

Like, really bad.

Will Your Dog Die From Arthritis?

Arthritis isn’t the end. It’s not a death sentence.

It’s a natural process of life, and oftentimes a result of injury.

And just like in us humans, your beloved dog will learn to live within his new limitations – and we will do what we can to make their life as healthy and happy as we can – like we have always done.

There are numerous treatment options available – medicinal as well as natural – and more than a few that are just plain common sense. Starting with the lifestyle changes and then adding a joint supplement could be the first step towards a new life for your arthritic pooch.

As far as Choco – he’s still going strong at 11 years old. He has good days and not-so-good days, but the good says outweigh the bad. His quality of life is good, albeit a little slower.

Except when he is stealing a slice of pizza off the dining room table.

The post Arthritis in Dogs appeared first on Central Park Paws.

from http://www.centralparkpaws.net/pet-health/arthritis-in-dogs/

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exocynraku · 5 months

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beech, fern leaf

#wc #warrior cats #wc designs #ray's genetically accurate cats

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cutshawsnidowoa · 5 years

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The Causes of Ascites in Cats (A.K.A. Abdominal Fluid Buildup in Cats)

The post The Causes of Ascites in Cats (A.K.A. Abdominal Fluid Buildup in Cats) by Melvin Pena appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Does your cat have a bloated stomach? A cat’s abdomen and internal organs are sheathed in a tissue lining called the peritoneum. This lining secretes fluid — peritoneal fluid — which permits everything inside to move comfortably as the cat moves. If your cat suddenly develops belly swelling or abdominal distension, it might indicate any one of a wide array of potentially life-threatening cat health issues due to excess fluid buildup. Depending on the specific issue, this fluid might be overproduced peritoneal fluid, internal bleeding, urine or a combination. Let’s examine some of the major causes of abdominal fluid buildup in cats, or ascites in cats.

Ascites in cats

On the most basic level, swelling due to internal fluid buildup is called an edema. When it affects the abdomen or stomach area specifically, it is referred to as ascites. A swollen stomach is one of the most obvious symptoms of ascites in cats, but any dramatic shift in appetite, weight, body temperature, excremental function or physical sensitivity during a belly rub might indicate excess abdominal fluid in cats, or ascites in cats. Fluid buildup in the abdomen eventually creates so much pressure inside the cat’s body that the cat might have trouble breathing as well.

Unfortunately, ascites in cats itself is only a symptom of a larger problem. To determine a course of treatment and hopefully a resolution, a veterinarian needs to determine the precise reason for ascites in cats. The major cat diseases and afflictions that can cause ascites in cats that we’ll cover here include:

Abdominal organ failure

Cancer

Feline infectious peritonitis

Physical trauma

Right-sided heart failure

Let’s look at each cause of ascites in cats right here:

Abdominal organ failure

Damage to or failure of any the organs in a cat’s abdominal cavity — especially the liver, kidneys and bladder — can each lead to discomfort and ascites in cats. When healthy, these organs provide vital functions including conversion and metabolization of nutrients, filtration, and waste removal. Failures or ruptures of the liver and kidney can release fluid into the abdomen that can become septic.

Liver and kidney failure in cats can occur for a number of similar reasons: ingestion of chemicals or toxins, excessive heat, dietary imbalances, infection, metabolic dysfunction, and anything else that disrupts normal operation. A ruptured bladder can be caused by urinary tract infection, blockages of the urinary tract or disease. With no place for urine to go, the bladder can tear and release urine into the abdomen, irritating the peritoneum, which releases more fluid.

Feline infectious peritonitis

Another cause of ascites in cats, feline infectious peritonitis — or FIP — is caused by a virus that thrives in white blood cells. The name peritonitis gives you the clearest indication that it directly and adversely affects and inflames a cat’s abdominal lining.

There are two forms of FIP in cats, and the one that causes swelling of the peritoneum is effusive, also called wet. When the virus mutates and becomes active, it impairs a cat’s immune system and particularly affects the kidneys and abdominal lining. FIP is a dangerous condition in cats, because it is not only difficult to diagnose, but also practically impossible to cure.

Congestive heart failure on the right side

The right side of the heart is crucial to that organ’s function. It pumps fresh, oxygenated blood through a cat’s body. Congestive heart failure — or CHF — is a condition in which the heart is unable or incapable of doing this. CHF in cats has a number of potential causes itself:

Heart diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle

Heartworms

High blood pressure

Right-sided congestive heart failure can be genetic and affect younger cats, but it tends to affect older, senior cats more frequently. As a cat’s heart struggles to distribute fresh blood, fluids begin to build up throughout the body, including the abdomen, which leads to ascites in cats.

Cancer

Cancer is another potential cause for ascites in cats. Tumors or masses anywhere in a cat’s abdominal cavity can lead to blockages and disruption of normal organ functioning. Fluids that should be filtered by any of these organs might either back up or leak out into the abdomen.

Physical trauma

Any kind of physical trauma to a cat’s body — either because of accident, abuse or other causes of injury — can damage internal organs. Whether that’s a tear or rupture to a vital organ that causes internal hemorrhaging of the fluids utilized or processed by them, or of blood, the result is leakage into the abdomen of things that shouldn’t be there. The peritoneum is irritated, excess fluid is produced, and swelling occurs.

An accurate diagnosis for ascites in cats is critical

Before the excess fluid buildup from ascites in cats is treated, an accurate diagnosis is needed. A veterinarian might conduct any of a number of tests, including a physical examination of the cat’s abdomen to check for pain or discomfort caused by external pressure, tests on a cat’s blood and urine, X-rays, and ultrasounds.

The scans might reveal which organ or system is affected, while the blood and urine tests can determine chemical imbalances or reveal infectious agents. The fluid present in the abdomen might also be tapped and tested to find the cause of ascites in cats.

Can ascites in cats be treated?

Treating ascites in cats depends greatly on the root cause of the fluid buildup. Simply draining the fluid might provide temporary comfort to a cat, but if the source of the buildup is not addressed directly, the peritoneum will continue producing fluid, and the abdominal swelling will return. Many of the major reasons we’ve outlined above are extremely serious health issues for cats.

In the case of something like feline infectious peritonitis, and the only real options are geared toward relief rather than cure. As for heartworm infestations, by the time there are sufficient parasites to cause congestive heart failure, it might be too late to treat. If an abdominal cancer is found, treatment options and recovery depend on how advanced the disease is when diagnosed. Performed in time, surgery might be able to resolve physical injury or organ trauma such as a ruptured bladder. Medication might address any bacterial infection that is causing excess fluid production.

This piece was originally published in 2015.

About the author:

Melvin Peña trained as a scholar and teacher of 18th-century British literature before turning his research and writing skills to puppies and kittens. He enjoys making art, hiking, and concert-going, as well as dazzling crowds with operatic karaoke performances. He has a one-year-old female Bluetick Coonhound mix named Idris, and his online life is conveniently encapsulated here.

Read more about cat health and care here:

5 Health Risks for Overweight Cats

All About Cat Exercise

Is Your Cat Not Drinking Water? 10 Ways to Get Your Cat to Drink More Water

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coolluminaryland-blog1 · 5 years

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Hospital Cancer Diagnostics Market Estimated to Flourish by 2024

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jeffreyrwelch · 6 years

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When Do Dogs Stop Growing?

My youngest dog, Sirius is an 11-month-old Newfoundland puppy. She is adorably fluffy, huge — and still growing! It seems like everywhere we go, people stop to ask about how much she weighs. Many of the people we meet are surprised to learn that she’s not her full size yet — even at almost a year old. To answer the question “when do dogs stop growing?” we spoke with Dr. Jeremy Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club, to learn more about the ways dogs grow and the stages of growth for dogs and puppies.

Rate of dog growth

Different dogs grow at different rates, based mostly on the size of dog they will be when they reach adulthood. Small dogs grow much quicker than large dogs, and reach maturity at a younger age. “Toy breed dogs may reach full growth as early as 9-10 months of age, while some of the giant breeds of dogs may take up to 18-24 months of age to fully attain their final mass and growth,” Dr. Klein explains.

Dog growth and mental maturity

Small dogs mature quicker mentally, too. “As a rule, smaller breeds mature more quickly than larger or giant breeds,” Dr. Klein says. Since I’m raising a large-breed puppy, this is something that is always on my mind. Even though Sirius is much larger, and nearly twice as old as her best friends (a pair of six-month-old Border Terriers), she is actually significantly less mentally mature than they are.

How puppies develop

While all puppies develop at different rates, there are a few consistent stages of growth for all puppies. From the day they are born until about three weeks old, puppies are extremely fragile and reliant upon their mothers. At this age, their “eyes remain closed at birth and stay closed until two weeks of age,” explains Dr. Klein.

From three weeks to eight weeks, puppies become much more mobile; engaging with their littermates and the world around them. Between two and three months of age “a puppy encounters different situations, which could cause apprehension …x Positive reinforcement is needed to prevent future mental anxiety,” cautions Dr. Klein. “From 3 to 6 months of age, puppies start their ‘terrible twos,’ as they are teething, active and challenging. Ages 6 to 12 months can be understood as a puppy’s ‘teenage’ years, awkward mentally and physically. They are at their most active and playful and, in some breeds, may start to develop sexual maturity.”

Factors that determine how quickly dogs grow

A variety of factors contribute to how quickly dogs grow, and when dogs stop growing. “Genetics certainly are a huge factor, but also environment as well: proper nutrition, health and stimulus, such as exercise/training, even lighting, has been known to affect growth,” explains Dr. Klein.

It’s no surprise that food is high on the list of things that factor into puppy growth — both the quality of the food the puppy is eating and the quantity. While your puppy is growing, be especially attentive to how much you feed him. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you are raising a large-breed puppy, you don’t want to necessarily feed him a lot. “Studies have proven that obesity in puppies, especially in rapidly growing larger breeds, can greatly contribute to the development of hip dysplasia and other orthopedic issues,” Dr. Klein advises.

Caring for a puppy’s growing joints:

Puppies have a lot of energy, but be thoughtful about how much exercise they get, and how strenuous those activities are. Dr. Klein explains that, for example, “there are risks of pushing an extensive, prolonged jogging program on an immature dog as it could cause stress on the joints and growth plates and mean long-term health problems.”

Things like hiking, or more high-impact dog sports like agility or disc dog, should also be approached very cautiously with a growing dog. It’s important to only work on foundation skills that are low impact until your puppy is done growing. Dr. Klein advises to tailor exercise for puppies to the “individual dog, size, age and breed” after consulting with your veterinarian.

Is my puppy done growing? How big will my puppy get?

“The question many dog parents want to know is if their puppy is done growing,” Dr. Klein remarks, before advising that “a good way to know if a dog has stopped growing is when you can no longer feel the ‘knobs’ on their ribs” He also suggests consulting directly with your breeder (if you have a purebred puppy) and/or with your veterinarian to help you determine if your puppy is still growing. Each breed, and each puppy, grows differently.

As puppies grow, their growth plates close, and until that happens, you don’t want your puppy doing any strenuous activity. Many parents of large-breed puppies who intend to train/compete in sports like dog agility, will have x-rays taken of their young adult dogs to confirm if their growth plates have closed. This signifies that it’s safe for the dog to begin jumping and begin learning other more physically demanding skills.

How big will a mixed-breed puppy get? When does a mixed-breed dog stop growing?

Unfortunately, Dr. Klein confirms that there is no way to know for sure how big a mixed-breed puppy will get when he reaches adulthood. “One can try to ‘guestimate’ the future size of a mixed-breed dog if you have an idea of the parents or breeds behind a dog, but unfortunately, there is never a guarantee that you will be 100 percent accurate, as many mixed breed dogs come from a combination of multiple types of dogs,” he says.

I’ve had friends believe they were adopting Chihuahua mixes only to find that they have a large, 60-pound dog a year later! One option to aid in trying to estimate how big your puppy will get is to do a DNA test. While this still can’t guarantee the size of dog your puppy will grow into, knowing what breeds your puppy is a mix of can give you a better idea of what to anticipate in terms of adult size.

Big or small, puppies are a lot of work. It’s key to remain patient and consistent in your training while they are growing. “Raising a puppy is like raising a child,” Dr. Klein says. “They go through the infant stage, [then] the ‘terrible’ stages of chewing and reckless adolescent behavior, until they eventually settle into their own maturity.”

Sassafras Lowrey is an award-winning author. Her novels have been honored by organizations ranging from the Lambda Literary Foundation to the American Library Association. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Trainer, and assists with dog agility classes. Sassafras lives and writes in Brooklyn with her partner, a senior Chihuahua mix, a rescued Shepherd mix and a Newfoundland puppy, along with two bossy cats and a semi-feral kitten. Learn more at www.SassafrasLowrey.com.

Read more about puppy growth and development on Dogster.com:

How to Tell If a Puppy Is a Boy or a Girl

Schedules and Guides for Feeding Puppies

When Do Dogs Stop Teething? What to Know About Puppy Teething and Dog Teeth

The post When Do Dogs Stop Growing? appeared first on Dogster.

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stiles-wtf · 6 years

Text

When Do Dogs Stop Growing?

Rate of dog growth

Dog growth and mental maturity

How puppies develop

Factors that determine how quickly dogs grow

Caring for a puppy’s growing joints:

Is my puppy done growing? How big will my puppy get?

How big will a mixed-breed puppy get? When does a mixed-breed dog stop growing?

Read more about puppy growth and development on Dogster.com:

How to Tell If a Puppy Is a Boy or a Girl

Schedules and Guides for Feeding Puppies

When Do Dogs Stop Teething? What to Know About Puppy Teething and Dog Teeth

The post When Do Dogs Stop Growing? appeared first on Dogster.

0 notes

buynewsoul · 6 years

Text

When Do Dogs Stop Growing?

Rate of dog growth

Dog growth and mental maturity

How puppies develop

Factors that determine how quickly dogs grow

Caring for a puppy’s growing joints:

Is my puppy done growing? How big will my puppy get?

How big will a mixed-breed puppy get? When does a mixed-breed dog stop growing?

Read more about puppy growth and development on Dogster.com:

How to Tell If a Puppy Is a Boy or a Girl

Schedules and Guides for Feeding Puppies

When Do Dogs Stop Teething? What to Know About Puppy Teething and Dog Teeth

The post When Do Dogs Stop Growing? appeared first on Dogster.

0 notes

daddyslittlejuliet · 6 years

Text

When Do Dogs Stop Growing?

Rate of dog growth

Dog growth and mental maturity

How puppies develop

Factors that determine how quickly dogs grow

Caring for a puppy’s growing joints:

Is my puppy done growing? How big will my puppy get?

How big will a mixed-breed puppy get? When does a mixed-breed dog stop growing?

Read more about puppy growth and development on Dogster.com:

How to Tell If a Puppy Is a Boy or a Girl

Schedules and Guides for Feeding Puppies

When Do Dogs Stop Teething? What to Know About Puppy Teething and Dog Teeth

The post When Do Dogs Stop Growing? appeared first on Dogster.

0 notes