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Posts Tagged ‘hospital’

So you’re thinking about venturing out on your next trip with Fido? Sounds like a fun idea, but unless you’re well prepared, you may end up wishing you had left him at home.

But don’t get discouraged; traveling with pets is becoming as commonplace as traveling with children. In a sense, they really are our children. We feed them, clean up after them, groom them, praise them, and love them… why shouldn’t we take them along?

Problem is, some folks think just letting the family dog jump in the back seat is all it takes. Never mind securing that loved one in a car seat or harness like we do Junior. Why not? Okay, I’ll ask it again… why not?

In case of a sudden stop or crash, what happens? Oops. Or big OOPS, depending on the size of your pooch. He could cause a serious injury or even death to you or one of your passengers if he becomes a projectile. Why take the risk?

Making the best of pet travel begins with planning. You must first think about what it is you’re doing, where you’re going, how you’re going to get there, what you need… you know, like you do when you take a trip by yourself or with friends or family. Don’t exclude your pet’s needs and essentials just because… what, he’s a pet?

What vitamins or meds will he need? What about food, treats and water? Yes, it’s always a good idea to have a supply of good, cold water with you. Sometimes you just can’t just find water anywhere when you need to stop.

Do you have a car seat for the pet to see out (mainly for smaller pets) or a harness or seat belt? What about emergency contacts like vet phone numbers or a pet hospital near where you are traveling? In case you become separated, did you remember his ID tag? How else will anyone know to whom your four-legged child belongs? A travel ID tag is also becoming more popular that lists the contact information of where you’re planning to stay when you get to your destination or a cell phone number that could easily track you down in the event you get separated from your pet.

One of the most comforting things a pet can have with him is something familiar like a favorite toy or blanket. Remember how Junior is? By the way, did you remember his, too?

How about a portable exercise pen? Aunt Sally says she loves your canine, but does she really want him running loose all over her house? That exercise pen can be assembled in no time, and you sure won’t have to keep your eye on Aunt Sally’s glass figurine collection every second of the day.

And when you and your canine are ready to bed down for the night, are you just going to let him sleep where he finally drops? Is that where Junior will end up for the night? I don’t think so. That’s right, don’t forget that pets like to sleep comfortably, too, and that portable bed sure feels a little more like home.

There’s another thing you should remember. And that’s all you have to do, just remember it. And that is… reassurance. Your pet knows you better than anyone else. Give him the reassurance that you’re there for him and that you’re going to have a good time together. He knows your voice. You’re the one he trusts. So give him confidence in this new traveling environment. Provide him with the things he needs to make his trip as safe and enjoyable as yours, and I’m sure you will have many fun excursions together for years to come. Happy travels!

It is said that a dog is a man’s best friend. And today, with the implementation of animal assisted therapy in hospitals, there is no better example for this saying. Therapists, doctors and mental health professionals are making use of dogs to help in the recovery of patients in one way or another.

Usually, the brain injury patients, senior citizens, those who are physically impaired, and patients in hospitals and treatment centers are the ones who benefit the most from animal assisted therapy. With this kind of therapy, both the patient and dog will experience loyalty, love and joy together, and they will develop a bond that is quite extraordinary.

Dogs are used in different settings in different countries

In some countries, dogs are used to help in fine motor control where patients are advised to move their arms and fingers so that they can pet and brush the dogs. This will help patients develop their sense of touch as part of the therapy process. Another form of therapy is the large muscle therapy where patients take the dogs for a walk or an outing in a park or recreational area.

Basically, there is no scientific evidence that support the fact that dog therapy actually works on patients. The only reasoning provided by therapists is that the unconditional love that the dog displays towards patients will help them gain self confidence. It is this self-confidence that helps them recover from whatever health problems they may be suffering from.

There is another logical reason for the success of dog therapy. Caring for the dogs and spending quality time with them will remind patients of their childhood or other positive moments of their life when they were hearty and enjoying life to the maximum. By reminiscing on the good times they had, patients will develop a renewed interest in life, and they will have a new reason to get well and carry on with their lives.

Whatever the reason, or even if there is no particular reason for the use of dogs in therapy, the main point is that dog therapy is effective in treating patients.

The elderly see a friend in a dog

Besides helping in muscle coordination, dogs are also used as companions for many patients. Usually, the elderly and isolated patients are the ones who will find great comfort and consolation in the company of therapy dogs. Having a dog as a companion gives them the opportunity to interact with another living thing, and this will certainly add some meaning to their lives.

Dogs make good companions because they are not judgmental and they are always happy to see the patients. This creates a positive feeling in the patients to help them improve both emotionally and socially. This is not always achieved with the visit of a nurse or a therapist.

Any dog of any age can help patients

There is no specific breed, age or size requirement for therapy dogs. Usually, medium to large sized dogs are used as therapy dogs. However, some small dogs can be excellent therapy dogs as well.

Some hospitals have their own therapy dogs, while others depend on volunteer dog owners who are willing to offer their dogs for therapy purposes. Usually, the dog owners will bring their dogs to the hospitals whenever health care professionals and trained therapists require their assistance.

In order that a dog can be an effective therapy dog, it has to be calm and well behaved, without any history of aggression or disobedience. It should be well socialized and not prone to barking and whining as this will only disturb the patients.

Therapists require that the dogs undergo special obedience training before they start working with patients and clients. In fact, special insurance on therapy dogs are also available as protection against possible accidents.

There are many issues to consider when purchasing health insurance for your cat or kitten. Purchasing health insurance for your pet can help you afford a procedure that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. Accidents or disease are events that we can’t anticipate or foresee, but we can safeguard against them – if we choose the right plan.

“How Do I Choose a Plan?”

Many variables need to be considered in choosing the right pet health insurance plan, including your financial circumstances, the environment in which you live, whether or not you have other pets, and what veterinary service you do business with.

First, if you already have a vet with whom you have a trusting relationship, you need to find out what pet health insurance companies they accept. Most vets limit the number of insurance companies they work with, as doing so makes it easier for them to recommend a treatment course of action that they know will be a covered expense.

“What Procedures Are Covered by my Plan?”

Another point to consider stems from the fact that depending on the procedure that is recommended for your pet, a referral to another specialist, animal hospital, or veterinary school may be necessary. In this case, you want to be sure that the services of the referred specialist are also covered by your plan.

Naturally, you also need to weigh the various insurance options available to you. There are various levels of coverage available, with some being far more comprehensive (and somewhat more expensive) than others. Make sure that you fully understand what is covered under your plan. While surgical procedures following an accident may be covered, for example, other conditions may not – such as pre-existing conditions or disease that may be related to a hereditary condition.

“What Level of Deductible is Appropriate for Me?”

In choosing your plan, you will be given a choice of the level of deductible. This is the amount of money that you will have to pay before the insurance kicks in. Generally speaking, the higher the amount of the deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. Sometimes the deductible may be per-incident, or in other cases, there may be a yearly deductible. One plan may offer 90% coverage with a 10% deductible, for instance. Since it’s impossible to know which option would ultimately be the least expensive, most people choose an option that represents a compromise: a monthly premium that can fit into their budget, and a deductible that will be affordable if the situation arises.

“Are Prescription Medications Covered?”

Prescription medicines are usually not covered as a matter of course, though some companies may offer this as an option for an additional fee. Chronic conditions such as feline diabetes require medications that can be quite expensive, so this may be an option worth considering. Bear in mind that this coverage may only include the cost of the medication alone, and not the cost of the corresponding office visit to your vet.

“Do Insurance Plans Offer Wellness Treatment?”

More comprehensive pet insurance plans may include coverage for certain preventative procedures. This ‘wellness treatment’ may include certain procedures such as vaccination shots, or neutering and spaying. The costs of these treatments are fairly predictable, and so this coverage may not save you money in the long run, but it would allow you to amortize the costs of these procedures over time, making budgeting for them a little easier.

“What Course of Action is the Least Expensive?”

Ultimately, we can never be certain about which course of action will be the least costly to us. Taking out insurance is really no more than placing a bet – but it’s a bet that we hope to lose. We don’t want to have accident or a fire so that we can take advantage of our auto or home insurance policies. Similarly, we may choose health insurance for our pet, but we want our pets to remain healthy. At the very least, pet health insurance can afford us peace of mind.

“What Must I do to Determine if This is Right for Me?”

It would be wise to research and understand insurance options for your pet before you need it. If your pet is robust and healthy, it may make sense to hold off. If your pet is older or more prone to illness, having health insurance may save you a lot of money. Prepare yourself with the necessary knowledge so that you can make an informed decision. Find out what insurance companies are accepted by your vet. Get information from those companies, comparing plans, costs, and coverage. Determine what you can afford based on your financial circumstances. In this way you will be prepared to best deal with lapses in your pet’s health in a way that is compatible with your budget.

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Dog Addison’s disease or Canine Hypoadrenocorticism is caused by a lower than normal production of hormones by the adrenal glands (a small gland located near the kidney that secretes several different substances such as salt, sugar and water that help regulate normal body functions) that results from the reduction in corticosteroid. Adrenal gland responsible for producing cortisones (glucocorticoids), hormones that helps your pet’s body deal with stress, and mineral corticoids that regulate the quantity of potassium and sodium in the bloodstream. Addison’s Disease can cause many serious health complications, and has a high probability of being mis-diagnosed as another disease. This is because the symptoms of Addison’s disease in dogs are relatively general, including fatigue, diarrhea, sweating, and muscle pain. The most difficult aspect of dealing with Addison’s disease in your dog is receiving a positive diagnosis for the disease.

Certain dog breeds are suspected to be more prone to develop Addison’s disease. These breeds include Portuguese Water Dogs, Bearded Collies, Standard Poodles, Great Danes, and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Dogs that have had surgery near the pituitary gland or hypothalamus may also develop Addison’s disease. It is not a common disease but when it does occur it is primarily in young or middle-aged female dogs averaging on 4-7 years of age although any age or gender may be affected. Usually, it is only the outer portion of the glands that are affected. There are two different classifications for Addison’s disease, which depend largely on the underlying cause of the adrenal insufficiency. In primary Addison’s disease, the adrenal insufficiency is directly caused by improper function or damage to the adrenal glands. In secondary Addison’s disease, the adrenal insufficiency is not because of malfunctioning adrenal glands. Secondary Addison’s disease is caused by the improper transmission of the hormone ACTH from the pituitary gland, or a reduced production of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) by the hypothalamus. In secondary Addison’s disease, the adrenal gland is still functioning normally.

Common causes of dog Hypoadrenocorticism are: 1) Adrenal Dysgenesis is a rare genetic condition in which the adrenal gland has not formed properly during a dog’s early development.; 2) Adrenal Destruction, the adrenal gland is progressively damaged by disease, and is subsequently unable to function.; 3) Impaired Steriodogenesis, the adrenal gland is unable to produce cortisol on a biochemical level.; 4) Damaged Pituitary Gland; 5) Prolong use of steroid hormones; and 6) Lack of Aldosterone that causes drop in blood pressure and severe dehydration. Genetic continuity between dogs and humans helps to explain the occurrence of Addison’s disease in both species.

Blood drawn from dogs with Addison’s disease is deficient in cortisol. Sick dogs often show a pattern of changes in their white blood cells (WBCs) called a stress leukogram. This pattern of changes in the WBCs is caused by cortisol. The absence of a stress leukogram in a sick dog may be a clue to consider Addison’s disease. The urine is often dilute.

The standard treatment involves replacing the mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in the body. There are two stages of treatment for Addison’s disease; in-hospital treatment and long term treatment. Very sick dogs with Addison’s disease require intravenous fluids, cortisol-like drugs and drugs to neutralize the effects of potassium on the heart. Long-term treatment involves the administration of hormones in one of two forms; either a daily pill or a shot that is given about every 25 days. Because dogs with Addison’s disease cannot produce more cortisol in response to stress, stress should be minimized whenever possible. It may be necessary to increase the amount of hormones given during periods of stress (e.g. boarding, surgery, travel, etc.). Most of the medications used in the therapy of hypoadrenocorticism cause excessive thirst and urination. It is absolutely vital to provide fresh drinking water for the canine sufferer. A newer option in the treatment of Addison’s disease is a drug called DOCP. The injection is long acting and only needs to be given once every 25 days. DOCP has been intensively tested and been shown to provide better electrolyte regulation than Florinef. Some animals on DOCP may also need to be placed on a low maintenance dose of prednisone.

Canine Diabetes, often referred to as “sugar diabetes” is generally speaking, quite a common ailment in dogs, it is not difficult to identify as a simple urine test will reveal the cause of the problem. It is the most common canine endocrine problem and is sometimes believed to be more prevalent in overweight dogs, but it doesn’t stop there, heredity and certain medication may also be the cause. It really is high sugar levels that the dog is not able to naturally break down. It can affect a dog of any sex or age and fortunately, as in humans, we can treat the condition and many dogs lead a completely normal life with treatment.

Symptoms of Canine Diabetes Mellitus include but are not exclusive to:
– A general appearance of being “off” perhaps accompanied with weight loss, appetite generally remains unchanged.
– The dog may be drinking more than normal and/or urinating more than usual
– Poor hair and skin condition
– Vomiting

Treatment involves:
– Visit to the vet and possible stay in the animal hospital to stabilize the condition
– Special Diet
– Blood/urine tests
– Insulin injections
– Regular check ups

There are two types of canine diabetes:
– Type 1- this is caused by the pancreas being unable to manufacture the hormone insulin
– Type 2- is caused by the dogs inability to respond to the manufacture if insulin in the body
– How To Identify Canine Diabetes

It is not a difficult process to identify Canine Diabetes in dogs and in many instances the dog owner, just knows that something is wrong! Being a dog owner myself it is pretty easy to know when your dog is feeling “off”. Any changes in eating or drinking patters immediately alert me. The first thing to do is take the dog to a vet! Common symptoms include drinking more than usual, vomiting, frequent urination, eating more but losing weight, and unexplained loss of condition of the skin and fur.

What Happens When My Dog Has Canine Diabetes?

We have found that canine diabetes is one of the more complicated kinds of endocrine problems in dogs, however it is certainly not a “death sentence”. The veterinarian will check your dog, do a couple of tests, including blood and urine. Once he knows that the problem is canine diabetes he going to ask you if you want to start treatment. The responsibility is with you to decide on treatment. It really is a serious commitment on the part of the owner, but treatment can have a dramatic effect in improving the dog’s quality of life.

What does Treatment Entail?

If your dog is found to have really high glucose levels, and you decide to opt for treatment, he may be kept in hospital for a couple of days to stabilize and establish a treatment protocol. This also applies if he is dehydrated. He will be put on a special diet such as Hills W/D and given insulin injections. Oral medication is available for humans and cats, but not dogs as this point in time. As soon as the dog has been stabilized they will be sent home with special instructions for feeding, testing and medication.