HOW TO CONTROL FELINE HAIRBALL USING DIETARY CELLULOSE.

Cellulose-enriched dry and wet cat foods make claims on hairball control. Research data indicate that supplemental dietary cellulose reduces hairball symptoms and raises fecal hair excretion in cats, but the type and amount of 
cellulose determine the efficacy.
 
  The Grooming behavior of cats is associated with the ingestion of fur and most of the swallowed, non-digestible hair passes through the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted with the feces. About 10% of short haired cats bring up hairballs periodically, the need being around twice as common in their long haired counterparts.     

Aggregates of hair formed in the stomach have reached a size that cannot enter the duodenum and will eventually be ejected by vomiting. Occasionally, fur masses obstruct the intestine and cause severe clinical signs and even potentially mortality.

 Normally, gastric hairball formation and elimination is harmless. 
Bringing up hairballs is common in pet cats and presents an unpleasant nuisance for many owners as they dislike the signs of vomiting, retching and coughing.

 This situation forms the basis for industrially produced cat foods with a hairball-control claim. 
When the pet food label declares the ingredients by individual names, powdered cellulose is usually found in the list.
 The hairball claim is often explained by the food formula moving hair through the digestive tract for fecal voiding. 

 The anti-hairball effect of dietary cellulose as shown in cats is based on two synergistic mechanisms; Cellulose may prevent the clustering of single strands of hair in the stomach, thereby increasing the transfer of loose hairs into the duodenum.

This effect may be greater for fibrillated cellulose prepared by modern and sophisticated milling technology and facilitating the formation of an insoluble fiber network.

 Cellulose ingestion also accelerates the transit of digesta and thus propels duodenal hair into the feces.

Together, the two mechanisms lead to the observed cellulose-induced fecal excretion of hair. An unchanged grooming behavior with ingestion of fur results in an increase in fecal hair excretion .
 This infers less formation of mats of hair in the stomach, Consequently there will be less vomiting of hairballs.
     Read about research at allaboutfeed.net

Lassa fever .

Rats are carriers of both the spirochete bacteria responsible for Leptospirosis in man and animals and also the Lassa fever virus which affects man. The rat spread both infection by contamination with urine, when rats urine contaminate food and water, they spread these diseases. The consumption of rats have also been fingered in the spread of Lassa fever. The signs of Lassa infection occurs 1-3 weeks after exposure to the virus. The signs could be mild or severe and these are 1) slight fever 2) general malaise 3) weakness 4) headache. The severe signs include 1) bleeding/hemorrhaging in gums, eyes and nose. 2) respiratory distress 3)repeated vomiting 4) facial swelling 5) pain in chest ,back, abdomen and neck. Lassa fever infection also show neurological signs such as tremors, encephalitis and deafness. The treatment is supportive therapy of fluids and vitamins and Ribavirin, an antiviral drug. The prognosis is hinged on early treatment. Death usually occurs within 2 weeks after onset of symptoms. The major form of prevention is pest control; ensure your house, farms and factories are rodent proof. The proper disposal of waste is advised, remove all unfinished food and store food material on rodent-proof containers. Regular de-ratization in premises is advised. Do not eat rats. Stay safe # kill rats don’t eat them

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Ginger therapy for animal health.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Ginger therapy for animal health. Ginger a medicinal herb has found enormous uses in the veterinary world.The herb can be used whole,fresh,dried,powdered or in alcohol extract. Ginger is used in dogs as an anti emetic agent,this herb when prepared and given to dogs prevent nausea and vomiting. The herb comes in handy in cases of motion sickness,it is also important because it normalize gastric function.The powdered ginger is the best preparation for motion sickness or vomition.The ginger is sprinkled on food or added to water,the result are immediate and your pet will love you for it. VETERINARY MEDICINE: Ginger therapy for animal health. Ginger comes in handy in treatment of gastric-dilatation volvulous complex , this is a condition that arises when there is a distention of the stomach and a turning of the stomach on its axis. The GDV complex normally requires surgical intervention because the consequences are fatal, but thanks to ginger you can save your pet quickly.The ginger stimulates stomach motility,thus it helps to unravel/upturn the stomach and returns it to normal position. VETERINARY MEDICINE: Ginger therapy for animal health. Heart worms are a life threatening in dogs that are not properly managed,but ginger brings in a better alternative. Ginger in alcohol extract given subcutaneously reduce the microfilaria load,it kills 90-95% of heartworms. Ginger is used to treat cardiovascular diseases also, giving dogs with heart disease a new lease of life. The herbs are incorporated into their food over a period of time. VETERINARY MEDICINE: Ginger therapy for animal health. Ginger has been processed into various forms and has diverse uses, the efficacy cannot be overemphasized. Ginger for better pet health# wellness at your finger tips. VETERINARY MEDICINE: Ginger therapy for animal health.

HERBAL INTERVENTIONS IN VET PRACTICE.

The world today is moving away from the use of chemicals,conventional drugs and trending into the wellness practice.Many people have moved into holistic methods of treatment and this has spilled over to veterinary practice,where more and more people are seeking herbal therapy for their pets. Herbal interventions also referred to as herbal therapy is the use of herbs to treat ailments,correct disorders and heal sores,wounds and treat diseases. The herbs can be used in various forms such as roots,leaves and stem depending on where the active ingredient lies in the plant.The herbs can be prepared as capsules,grounded as powdered, added to alcohol extracts,dried ,in tinctures, lotions or creams and the method of presentation depends on its use . The common herbs are ginger,garlic and some oil extracts from peppermint leaves and cloves.The uses varies from flea treatment,shampoos,treatment of gastric dilatation-volvulous complex, cancer,mange,inappetence,arthritis, and diabetes to mention a few. Veterinary. The various herbs,uses and preparation will be discussed at length. The possibilities abound in herbal medicine for veterinarians, and to this end there are a crop of vets that practice this act solely and are referred to as veterinary herbalist. How to use herbs in veterinary practice. Pets and herbs= better health. #poultry

EBOLA VIRUS.

The Ebola virus causes a deadly disease in man the Ebola virus transmitted from animals such as bats and primates(monkeys and apes) to humans through hunting,collection,processing, and consumption. The fruit bats,monkeys and apes are sources of forest meat/ bush meat in some African countries which potentiates spread of the virus.The consumption of fruits contaminated with fruit bats saliva is also a source of infection. The virus has been kicked out of Nigeria,its still ravaging in some African countries with tales of woe and death. It has been documented that outbreak of the Ebola virus infection normally starts with an index human case who has had contact with the reservoir host.The human to human transmission of the virus occurs by contact with infected body fluid,blood and secretions. The virus is also transmitted by contact with contaminated contaminated surfaces ,items,syringes and bedding. The signs and symptoms of the infection occur between 2-21 days,(but on an average of 10 days),these are fever,headache,diarrhea,vomiting,weakness,stomach pain,lack of appetite,bleeding from all orifices,joint and muscle pain. The Ebola virus infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild animals such as bats and monkeys,avoid contact with infected persons and cultivate the simple hygiene of hand washing and sanitizing. The environment can also be decontaminated by cleaning with full strength bleach solution.the virus is inactivated by strong chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite. The simple practice of hand washing and sanitizing plays a vital role to prevent spread of infection. The Ebola virus is inactivated when in contact with sodium hypochlorite(household bleach),so keep your environment safe and free,incorporate the use of bleach- water solution to your cleaning protocol to clean floor,walls and sidewalks. The use of the bleach solution to clean areas with high human traffic such as banks,malls,market,hospitals and parks is a good method to keep disease pathogens away. Isolation will be of immense benefit, when you notice a person is sick with classical signs of Ebola virus infection such as fever,diarrhoea,vomiting and bleeding from all orifices. If you need to travel stay away from countries with Ebola virus infection crisis, do not eat wild animals or purchase items made from animal byproducts such as drums,house decor. The best way to stop the virus is to prevent it,dont stop hand washing; hands up# stay safe# CLEAN IT # WASH IT# BLEACH IT.

DOGGY SICK AFTER GOO-DIE TREAT.

DOG SICK AFTER GOO-DIE TREAT The dog is sick after consuming the food, what could have gone wrong? HMMMM, LETS SEE. HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS Lets analyze the event: the goo-die bag. The bag contains layers and layers of different types of food. The core of the bag is a perfect site for proliferation of bacteria @rapid speed thus producing toxins that poison the food leading to food poisoning. The bacteria can also proliferate @ rapid speed causing food infections. The major culprits are salmonella, E.coli, staphylococcus, clostridium and botulinum, depending on the food type we are dealing with. What do we do to prevent a reoccurrence; CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS; If you must have agoo-die bag, sort the contents of bags and store differently. Use the first in: first out method. A goo-die bag you collected and sorted 3 days before should be served before you serve the bag you just brought in today. Don’t bring the entire bag out to thaw, pack the required amount in a mini bag and note the batch. Its this mini bag you process and serve one bag/ meal time. Avoid thawing and re freezing your goo-die bag, as this encourages rapid multiplication of bacteria. Get the goo-die bag you can handle within a short time. Learn to say THANK YOU and let go of other goodie bag offers. WHAT NEXT, MY POOUCH IS WEAK AND……………………. The first thing is get him as comfortable as possible. Give your dog a bland diet of freshly prepared rice with strip of chicken; a nibble @ a time if the dog can hold it down. Give water to hydrate the dog, preparation containing metronidazole is of value in treatment The condition will abate as soon as you stop the source of poisoning and start medication, but if otherwise, visit your vet.