Antibiotics Increase Bowel Cancer Rates.

Antibiotics Increase Bowel Cancer Rates.When you take antibiotics, there are both short- and long-term risks, the latter of which may not become evident until long after you've stopped taking the drugs One of their greatest risks is also their mechanism of action: wiping out the bacteria in your gut. In 2014, researchers linked antibiotics use to a slightly increased risk (8 percent to 11 percent) of developing colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, possibly because of alterations to the gut microbiome. Likewise, past research has also shown that people with less bacterial diversity in their gastrointestinal tracts are more likely to develop colon cancer.The latest research further suggests altering your microbiome via antibiotics also reduces your resistance to bacteria that could increase the development of precancerous growths in your colon, known as polyps. Colon polyps are small masses of cells that can develop on the lining of your colon. While typically harmless, colon polyps can be precursors to colorectal cancer, which includes both cancers of the colon and rectum, and may lead to cancer development if left untreated. New research, published in the journal Gut, used data from more than 16,600 women aged 60 years and older, spanning 2004 to 2010. Women who had used antibiotics for two months or more were at an increased risk of developing colon polyps continue

Deer antler tea responsible for two botulism cases in LA County.

Deer antler tea responsible for two botulism cases in LA County. Deer antler is promoted on the internet as a component of “Chinese medicine” with properties that are “useful” for people suffering from arthritis, helpful for the prevention of osteoporosis, and with “collagens” that help promote joint health and repair connective tissues. Deer antler is also said to prevent bone marrow diseases, “nourish” the spleen and kidney, defend against cancer cells, treat anemia and sexual disorders.Deer antler, specifically local deer-antler tea, has been associated with one confirmed and one suspected case of potentially deadly botulism, according to Los Angeles County Public Health. The county’s public health officials also say people who’ve drunk the tea should immediately seek medical attention if they are experiencing symptoms of botulism. Botulism is a rare, but life-threatening illness caused by nerve toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium. Symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and weakness. All are symptoms of muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. Without treatment, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of respiratory muscles, arms, legs and trunk. continue

How to use the canine pregnancy test kit.

How to use the canine pregnancy test kit. Pregnancy diagnosis using the blood is a sure form of diagnosis in cats and dogs. The relaxin hormone is the pointer to the pregnancy,as the presence or absence is conformation of diagnosis. There are various types of kits made by various manufacturers but all still follow same procedure to check the level of relaxin. WITNESS® Relaxin is a convenient, easy-to-use, in-clinic test that offers an early, inexpensive and reliable means for determining pregnancy status in dogs and cats. WITNESS Relaxin can also be used to distinguish between pseudo-pregnancy and gestation. WITNESS® Relaxin test identifies the presence of relaxin hormone produced by the developing placenta(s) in the bitch or queen. WITNESS® is fast and reliable with results in approximately 10 minutes, so veterinarians can give clients the immediate test results they want, knowing right away whether their dog is pregnant. Factors such as the breed, size of the bitch, and litter size may influence the level of serum relaxin. Negative results should be retested at least 7 days later. Weak positive results should also be retested 7 days later to confirm pregnancy, continue

Pregnancy diagnosis in your dog.

Pregnancy diagnosis in your dog ,this is a big issue for pet lovers and especially for breeders who are dreaming of the money from the sale of the puppies. The outcome of mating your bitch can be any of these 1) pregnant 2) not pregnant 3) pseudo pregnancy. The gestation period for the bitch is 63 days,leaving a short window for preparation and care of the bitch. The signs of pregnancy in the bitch are not visible until about the 3rd week of gestation giving pointers for pregnancy diagnosis. The signs of pregnancy are : 1) Mood swings/behavioral changes. 2) Increased appetite/ reduced appetite in some bitches. 3) Frequent urination. 4) Weight gain. 5) Firm abdomen with enlarged nipples. 6) Tiredness with little exertion. The method of diagnosis of pregnancy in dogs depends on the age of pregnancy and the purpose of diagnosis. In the early stage of pregnancy as early as at 3 weeks, the use of the ultrasound machine is useful. The ultrasound is safe and it uses sound waves to create a picture of the uterus. This form of diagnosis will confirm that the bitch is pregnant,but will not the number of pups in the uterus. The use of a canine pregnancy diagnostic kit is another form of diagnosis, which is done by checking for relaxin in the blood of the bitch. A blood sample from the bitch and tested,if there is relaxin in the sample then the pregnancy is confirmed,but when a sample is tested and there is no relaxin,then there is no pregnancy. When the pregnancy is at an advanced stage between the 28-35th day, palpation is the method of diagnosis. The bitch at this stage has firmer abdomen and gentle palpation by the veterinarian will reveal the presence of pups. The palpation should be smooth and stress-free to prevent hurting the pups and bitch. The use of X-ray machine for pregnancy diagnosis is useful at the late stage of pregnancy at about 45th day . The use of X-ray machine serves 2 purposes, the first is to know the number of the pups and the second is to show position of pups and bone structure.

Tell tale signs your dogs love you.

A study by Miho Nagasawa of Azabu University in Japan and colleagues, found that dogs making puppy dog eyes at their owner experienced a spike in oxytocin, the love hormone and this is mutual as researchers found that a held gaze between dog and guardian caused an spike in oxytocin in the person as well, creating a positive feedback loop. This same oxytocin release occurs when a mom gazes at her newborn infant, leading the researchers to conclude that their finding was “a manifestation of attachment behaviour” and that a sustained gaze between a dog and their human shares similar properties to mother–infant relationships. Dogs that love their owners always like to be around them,approaching you with wagging tail and playing around you even if they are not looking for a treat.

Activity-health Monitors for Dogs.

Activity-health Monitors for Dogs. At the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), veterinarians are using activity trackers in the form of a collar, to help keep dogs healthy. The activity monitors the CVM uses contain technology that can accurately monitor canine patients' key vital signs and health indicators, such as resting heart rate, resting respiratory rate, quality of rest, amount and level of activity, and expended calories. The trackers can also help identify early indicators of some diseases, such as heart failure and osteoarthritis by alerting the dog’s owner and veterinarian when vital signs and health indicators are abnormal. They can also be used to help monitor disease progression and evaluate the efficacy of therapy in a variety of conditions, such as pain management and weight loss management in obese patients. continue

Sheet mulching and its benefits.

Sheet mulching is a method of building a massive compost pile across the surface of a field or garden, instead of piling manure, leaves, crop residue, and other organic materials in a squat pile, you spread it all out where the compost is needed. This saves you the effort and time to build a pile, turn it, water it, and otherwise coerce it to break down into rich, brown earth, a process that can go on for months. Sheet mulching traps moisture in the soil, as mulching is a must to cut down on irrigation. Sheet mulches includes a layer of cardboard to keep grass and weeds from growing through ,and its a great way to remove unwanted vegetation and turn a dry lawn into a garden. The cardboard used in sheet mulching is much more effective at trapping moisture than typical wood chips or straw normally used in other mulches. Another reason to use sheet mulching is that earthworms love cardboard and when they eat it they excrete rich, dark compost that contains five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus and 11 times more potassium than ordinary soil. This dark compost improves soil structure and this increases yield of fruits and vegetables that taste better and last longer in the field without any need for chemicals for packaging. How to do sheet mulching ; Materials needed are 1) cardboard 2) mulch 3)organic matter. The size of cardboard will depend on area /space,cardboard. It is better to use biggest sheets of cardboard you can find,such as boxes from bicycles and kitchen appliances, to make things easier. Cardboard with glossy color print, as the ink which are not biodegradable should not be used. The use of thick layers of newspaper instead of cardboard is efficient for sheet mulching small spaces. The cardboard is spread and if the soil you’re planning to sheet mulch is already very moist, you dont need to wet it.When the soil is not moist then you need to soak the soil before spreading the cardboard . All the tape must be removed from the cardboard before the cardboard is laid over the soil/weeds while working from one end of the space to the other. Its important to overlap the pieces of cardboard by six inches to prevent the more tenacious weeds from weaseling through the gaps to the surface, where they will quickly become re-established in the rich soil you’ve made for them. Once the cardboard is in place, wet it down until it becomes heavy and limp so it doesn’t shift around or blow away in the wind as you add layers of mulch and/or compost materials on top. The next step is to spread what you intend to use as mulch in an even layer at least 2 inches thick on top of the cardboard and the process is complete.When you want to use manure,then spread it in two-inch layers alternated with a one-inch layer of organic material between each one,and finish with a final layer of mulch on top.