Monday, October 31, 2016

Kidney Disease Diagnosing The Danger In Cats

Cats (and dogs) of all ages can be at risk for chronic kidney disease.  Essential organs, an animal’s kidneys help manage blood pressure, remove waste from their blood and make red blood cells and hormones. Kidneys can begin to fail as your pet ages. Left untreated, kidney disease can lead to a number of health issues. If the disease is determined to be chronic, there is no cure. But with early diagnosis, the condition can be effectively managed.

Did you know?
  • 75% of your pet’s kidney function is permanently gone before you see signs of serious illness.
  • 1 in 3 cats will get kidney disease.
  • More than half of all cats over age 15 are afflicted.

Chronic kidney disease is very common in cats, especially those that are older than age 5. Renal (kidney) insufficiency or renal failure occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to do their job--to remove waste products from the blood. Renal failure is not the same as not being able to produce urine; in fact cats with renal failure make more urine than normal in an attempt to remove waste products.   When the kidneys are failing, they lose their ability to maintain their normal hydration levels. Because of this increase in the amount of urine being excreted, cats become dehydrated very quickly and in turn, start to drink more water. This leads to a continuous cycle of increased urinations and increased drinking – two of the key signs of kidney disease.

Chronic Renal Failure in Cats
Failure of the kidneys, can take place so slowly, that by the time the symptoms have become obvious, it may be more difficult to treat the condition.   While chronic renal failure cannot be reversed or cured, treatment and management aimed at reducing the contributing factors and symptoms can slow its progression.

Symptoms and Types
Symptoms often occur gradually over an extended period.  Symptoms vary and may include some or all of those listed below:
  • Anorexia
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Weight loss
  • Increased thirst
  • Acute blindness
  • Seizures and comas
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • An increase in frequency and amount of urination
Causes
Causes of kidney failure can include kidney disease, urinary blockage (obstruction of the urinary tract or of the ureters), ingestion of certain human prescription medications (such as NSAIDS, for example, Advil and Aleve), infection, lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, and genetic (hereditary) factors.

Diagnosis and Treatment
Pet parents need to watch for subtle signs; early diagnosis is the key. Cats tend to hide their symptoms for as long as possible, until their bodies can no longer compensate.  Veterinary science has worked to find solutions for spotting and managing chronic kidney disease earlier and with more efficiency. With early diagnosis and thorough, ongoing care, veterinarians can create quality of life and add to the pet’s lifespan.

The answer is in what is called “SDMA Testing” and is a real breakthrough in veterinary medicine.  Research shows that with SDMA testing, chronic kidney disease can be found an average of 9 months earlier in dogs and 17 months earlier in cats creating the maximum opportunity for early treatment and management.

Until now, chronic kidney disease has routinely been diagnosed by measuring blood creatinine. However, creatinine does not detect a problem until a cat or dog has lost up to 75% of their kidney function, which can be too late to manage the disease simply. Pets experiencing chronic kidney disease may require lifelong management, including regular veterinary visits, special diets, medications administered daily and even, potentially, subcutaneous injections. For these reasons and, probably most importantly, the overall health and well-being of your beloved pal, spotting kidney disease in its earliest stages can save you money, time and effort while ensuring your pet a better, longer life.

There’s much more to learn about chronic kidney disease if you want to protect your cat, and having this knowledge is the first step in the fight against a disease that claims too many lives. Ask your veterinarian what you can be doing to keep your cat healthier, happier and in your life for longer.
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This blog is brought to you by Diagnostic Imaging Systems.  Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. (DIS) has been providing Quality Imaging products since 1983. The company combines industry knowledge with an understanding of the veterinary practice. For more information, go to Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. website at: www.vetxray.com

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. These terms and conditions of use are subject to change at any time and without notice.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Five Steps to Help Fallout Pigs Flourish

In the nursery, consistency is critical. Pigs that fall behind the rest of the group can lag through future phases and may require additional days to finishing.
Becky Bierlein, a swine specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition, says fallout rates are a top performance indicator in a wean-to-finish facility.
“Many factors – including nutrition, feed budget, environment and even the pigs themselves – can impact fallout rates. To achieve the 0.5 percent or fewer standard, actively engage with pigs from day one.”

  1. Feed small pigs in a different way from the start: No matter the environment, some pigs will be smaller than the rest of the group at weaning. Bierlein encourages separating the bottom 10% and starting them off a bit differently from the main group.
“They need more attention when it comes to feed and environment,” Bierlein says.

  1. Watch for additional fallouts: After dividing the group by size, nursery management can help identify potential problems. Check each pig at least daily to ensure they are active, eating and drinking.
“It’s not enough to glance through your barn,” Bierlein says. “Look at each pig from snout to tail and spine to hoof each day. If a problem is noticed, a fast intervention can help remedy the problem. We need to make sure intervention is fast in order to successfully keep fallout rates below 0.5 percent.”
  1. Determine the cause: If high fallout rates are recorded, a facility evaluation may help determine an underlying issue.
“Foremost, make sure pigs have enough feed and water space,” Bierlein says. She recommends supplying at least one waterer for every 10 pigs and 1 inch of feeder space per pig for animals ranging from 40 to 50 pounds.
“Next, look at the environment to make sure what is happening in the pen is not negatively impacting the pig’s growth and development,” Bierlein advises. “Sometimes it’s just pen dynamics and all we need to do is allow that pig the opportunity to be in another pen.”

  1. Manage fallouts critically: Fallout pigs – whether separated at weaning or during the production process – should be given focused nutrition, hydration and care. Bierlein says this care should be similar to other nursery pigs but with greater vigilance.
“We recommend giving pigs gel, electrolytes and highly palatable starter feed during times of stress,” she says. “Mat-feeding gel, especially, provides both hydration and nutritional components, allowing for an easier transition back onto dry feed.”
  1. Re-introduce pigs to the general population: Once recovered, fallout pigs can begin the transition back to the general population.
“I like to see fallout pigs transitioned into a recovery pen before rejoining the rest of the pigs,” Bierlein says. “This allows the caretaker to observe the pigs and make sure they are transitioning okay away from the hospital pen.”

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This blog is brought to you by Diagnostic Imaging Systems.  Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. (DIS) has been providing Quality Imaging products since 1983. The company combines industry knowledge with an understanding of the veterinary practice. For more information, go to Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. website at: www.vetxray.com

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. These terms and conditions of use are subject to change at any time and without notice.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Horse Jokes

And for all you Neigh Sayers...


To the veterinarians, ranchers, breeders, stable workers.  For all of you who spend countless hours caring for our equestrian friends...horse jokes from around the internet.... What would we do without the word "stable"?  You decide:  Groan or Grin?

Q: Why did the horse cross the road?
A: Because somebody shouted hay!

Q: What do you call a horse that can't lose a race?
A: Sherbet.

Q: How did the cowboy ride into town on Friday, stay for three days, and ride out on Friday?
A: His horse's name was Friday!

Q: Did you hear about the horse with the negative attitude?
A: She always said neigh.

 Q: What is the best type of story to tell a runaway horse?
 A: A tale of WHOA!

Q: What street do horses live on?
A: Mane St.

Q: When do vampires like horse racing?
A: When it's neck and neck.

 Q: What did the momma say to the foal?
 A: Its pasture your bedtime.

Q: What do race horses eat?
A: Fast Food.

Q: What did the waiter say to the horse?
A: I can't take your order. That's not my stable.

Q: What did one horse say to the other horse?
A: The pace is familiar but I can't remember the mane.

 Q: How do you make a small fortune in the horse industry?
 A: Start with a large fortune.

Q: What do you get if you cross a horse with a bee?
A: Neigh buzz.

Q: Where do horses get their hair done?
A: Maine.

Q: What do you call a well balanced horse?
A: Stable.

Q: What do you call a noisy horse?
A: A herd animal.

Q: How do you get a horse drunk?
A: Drink him under the stable.

Q: Why are most horses in shape?
A: Because they are on a stable diet.

 Q: What did the horse say when it fell?
 A: "I've fallen and I can't giddyup!"

Q: What did the teacher say when the horse walked into her class?
A: "Why the long face?"

Q: What is a young colt's favorite sport?
A: Stable Tennis.

Q: What did the mare tell her filly after dinner?
A: Clear the Stable.

 Q: Where do horses shop?
 A: Old Neigh-vy!

Q: Why did the anorexic start eating hay?
A: The doctor told her she needed to eat like a horse.

Q: How does a cowboy get a stallion to do odd jobs around the farm?
A: Pay him under the stable.

 Q: What kind of bread does a horse eat?
 A: Thoroughbred.

Q: How do you get a wild horse to accept a halter?
A: You turn the stables on him.

Q: A cowboy rode into town on Monday, spent six days and left on Friday.   How is this possible?
A:  Friday was the name of his horse.

There was this young filly whose owners decided to have her "fixed." The stallion next door was heartbroken, as he'd always wanted to mate with her. He pined for her constantly.
Moral of the Story?
"A pony spayed is a pony yearned."

A man in a movie theater notices what looks like a horse sitting next to him.
"Are you a horse?" asked the man, surprised.
"Yes."
"What are you doing at the movies?"
The horse replied, "Well, I liked the book."

A policeman in the big city stops a man in a car with a miniature horse in the front seat.
"What are you doing with that horse?" He exclaimed, "You should take it to the farm."
The following week, the same policeman sees the same man with the horse again in the front seat, with both of them wearing sunglasses. The policeman pulls him over.
"I thought you were going to take that horse to the farm!"
The man replied, "I did. We had such a good time...we are going to the beach this weekend!"


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This blog is brought to you by Diagnostic Imaging Systems.  Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. (DIS) has been providing Quality Imaging products since 1983. The company combines industry knowledge with an understanding of the veterinary practice. For more information, go to Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. website at: www.vetxray.com

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. These terms and conditions of use are subject to change at any time and without notice.