ELECTRICITY FROM WASTE!!!

Waste is generated from our activities everyday.The choice of waste management depends on the people involved and the innovation prowess of those involved.Waste management is a global issue and as such numerous efforts are put in place to ensure a cleaner and safer environment. Waste generated from animals,food and humans can be processed using a biodigester and the gas generated used as electricity and cooking fuel. The electricity crisis is in every nation,with most developed nations thinking of how to cut energy costs by sourcing for alternatives, the developing and underdeveloped nations do not have enough energy,thus also looking for ways to provide electricity for all. Solar, and other energy have been used,but that which is most currently explored is electricity from waste. The benefits of biogas are enormous; see how a farmer is making use of it. Ta Quang Nah is a Vietnamese rice farmer, pig breeder, builder and fisherman. But for several months now he has also been running a power station from his home on the Ca Mau peninsula.All the family’s waste goes straight from their outdoor latrine to join that of their four pigs in an airtight underground chamber, and the methane gas that is naturally let off as the combined excreta decomposes collects in a long polythene bag secured above ground. Ta Quang Nah was advised by Oxfam how to set up his family biodigester, and when I met him last month he was proudly cooking on his own gas, and saving money by not buying wood or charcoal. His simple operation cost less than $50 to instal, paid itself off in a few months, needs little maintenance and is more than big enough for his family’s needs. Dozens of his neighbours want one too. Using vegetable or livestock waste to generate biogas is now common and growing fast as cattle farmers and food companies in Europe and the US are encouraged with subsidies to set up anaerobic, or airless, digesters like Ta Quang Nah’s rudimentary one. But using human waste is still largely taboo outside Asia.( story; the guardian) Housing estates stand to benefit from this; where all the waste generated is passed to a central collecting point, then to the biodigester for processing.The electricity produced can be passed to grid,thus reducing cost of electricity and also ensuring that power is always available.The plant can also use foodwaste,thus the central bin in the estate can be sorted and fed to digester to produce more power. This is truly an independent power source, that will ensure a clean environment.

A renewable streetlight that fights mosquitoes.

Researchers in Malaysia have created a light that not only combats climate change; it fights mosquito-borne diseases too. The LED street light is a renewable energy hybrid, incorporating both a solar panel and a wind turbine. Mosquitoes are drawn to the lamp because it emits carbon dioxide, the same gas that humans naturally give off. Lead researcher Dr Chong Wen Tong said the CO2 given off is “relatively low” and outstripped by the benefits of the clean energy it provides. A fan then prevents the mosquitoes from escaping. The researchers hope that the new form of lighting could help to prevent dengue fever, a virus that is widespread in the tropics and for which there is currently no vaccine. Two pilot lamps are currently in use on the campus at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur where the researchers are based and six installed elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur. The product is now set to enter the market. The product has much more longevity than traditional street lighting, but the pilot cost £20,000 to produce and the individual lamps currently cost around £1,700. Solving the power issue and preventing diseases and nuisance of mosquitoes; its a worthy innovation. Story credit;the guardian.

AGRICULTURE ; KEY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

Attention is turning towards the role of agriculture and the management of natural resources to ensure global warming does not exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 2°C.Scientists believe that any greater temperature rise would be catastrophic for the planet, exceeding survival thresholds of crop, tree and fish species. Climate change threatens to derail efforts to end poverty and hunger, and achieve the sustainable development goals. A focus on agriculture is key to combat climatic change and here are some of the pointers. The poorest are hit hardest Climate change disproportionately affects the world’s poorest countries - particularly small island developing states, landlocked countries, arid and semi-arid areas - where people are most dependent on natural resources. In a cruel twist, these countries have contributed the least to causing climate change. Food producers are most vulnerable Drought, floods, sea level rises, and hurricanes destroy crops, livestock and fish resources and devastate ecosystems, irrigation systems and infrastructure. Family farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk and foresters - the same people who provide the bulk of the planet’s food – are those whose lives and livelihoods will be most affected. A threat to global food production Agricultural production needs to increase globally by an estimated 60% by 2050 to meet projected demands for food and feed from a growing and changing world population. However, scientists predict that production may fall by as much as 2% each decade for the rest of this century as a consequence of rising temperatures. The socio-economic impact could be devastating. Stressing the planet The expected increase in extreme weather events will only add to the challenge of current food production systems, which are already under stress through degradation of land and water resources and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services resulting from unsustainable practices. Today, a third of farmland is degraded, up to 75% of crop genetic diversity has been lost and 22% of animal breeds are at risk. More than half of fish stocks are fully exploited, and in the first decade of this century, some 13m hectares of forests were converted into other land uses each year. Reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint Agriculture, forestry and fisheries can make a significant contribution to global mitigation efforts by reducing their carbon footprint, adopting low emission growth strategies and enhancing carbon storage in soils, forests and aquatic systems. While agriculture and deforestation account for about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, forests retain as much carbon as in the whole atmosphere, and soil makes up the greatest pool of terrestrial organic carbon. The agricultural sector has considerable transformational potential as it is uniquely positioned to simultaneously address all three dimensions of sustainability. Agro-ecology schooling Sharing knowledge with farmers on agro-ecological approaches and how to adapt them to local conditions through farmer field schools and other networks can have a positive long-term impact on climate change. For some time now, FAO has been working with countries and partners in developing and promoting approaches that avoid deforestation, over fishing and focus on improving soil fertility and increased ecosystems services that lower emissions while ensuring human and ecosystem well-being. Transforming food systems Modern food systems are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Moving away from dominant input-intensive food systems and pursuing climate-resilient approaches to agriculture can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the cost of shifting to sustainable agricultural practices will require long-term public and private investment and cannot be borne alone by poor farmers, fisherfolk, foresters, and indigenous communities. Saving energy One third of the food the world produces is lost or wasted. That amounts to about US$2.6 tn per year, including $700 bn of environmental costs and $900 bn of social costs. Reducing food losses through improved access to post-harvest technologies, and reducing waste through consumer education and initiatives like FAO-UNEP’s Save food can help cut the energy bill. Ultimately, the agri-food value chain will have to gradually decouple from fossil fuel dependence to deliver more food with less and cleaner energy. The big picture The big picture Action on climate change must be part of the bigger picture of sustainable development, taking into account the fight against hunger and poverty while investing in renewable resources. Nearly 80% of the world’s poor live in rural areas, and most depend on agriculture for their living. Achieving zero hunger by 2030 largely depends on ensuring that agricultural systems and rural communities are healthy, productive, sustainable, and resilient in the face of climate change. Measuring and monitoring A better understanding of the influence of a changing climate on agricultural sectors has to be the first step. Providing essential information for climate change adaptation planning and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, FAO has developed tools for assessing the impact of climate change, monitoring natural resources and harmful emissions. read more here;http://www.theguardian.com/fao-partner-zone/2015/dec/01/10-reasons-why-agriculture-is-key-to-combating-climate-change

AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATIC CHANGE.!!!

Maria Helena Semedo, UNFAO deputy director-general describes the importance of agriculture in addressing climate change at COP21, Maria Helena Semedo, UNFAO deputy director-general. Climate change can risk all progress made so far in fighting poverty, hunger and food security, says Maria Helena Semedo, UNFAO deputy director-general for Natural resources. Agriculture should be considered a solution and not a threat,” she stresses, adding that FAO’s work on climate change is aimed at strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers through a number of actions and strategies. These include providing technologies to improving production, to the implementation of systems as agro-ecology and climate smart agriculture. Working with policy makers on a global approach to climate change, FAO has helped develop a variety of solutions available for farmers, fishermen and foresters to choose the ones that best suit their needs.Because it cuts across all 17 sustainable development goals of the 2030 agenda, failing to address climate change risks achieving the global goals. Read more here and watch video here;http://www.theguardian.com/fao-partner-zone/2015/dec/01/no-other-sector-is-more-sensitive-to-climate-change-than-agriculture?CMP=ema-1702&CMP=

CAT MUSIC.

David Teie has developed music that’s designed specifically for cats. , Teie has been working on “species-specific” music since 2009. He figured starting with cats would be more practical than starting with, say, elephants.

The music is supposed to offer our beloved fuzzballs a comforting, enriching experience that allows us to bond more deeply with them. The process of designing cat music began with studies to figure out what sounds “elicit feline feelings.”

 As opposed to feline “Feelings.” We get our first taste of rhythm in our mothers’ wombs, but cats encounter them only after they’re born. I checked this out, and it’s true: Newborn kittens arrive deaf and blind and a cat's first comfort sound, for example, is likely its mother's purr, a very different rhythm than our moms’ slow and steady heartbeats.


 Cat music is based on this and other sounds that make a cat's ears pivot. Watch video here; http://www.slate.com/articles/video/video/2015/11/musician_creates_perfect_music_for_cats_thanks_to_scientists_video.html

VACCINATION OF HORSES AGAINST THE HENDRA VIRUS.

The disease is carried by bats and can be fatal for horses and humans.Hunter Valley vets are reporting a drop off in the number of people getting their horses vaccinated for Hendra virus.Ian Gollan recommends getting horses vaccinated, even though there have been no cases of the deadly disease locally.Read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-01/vets-urge-horse-owners-to-remain-vigilant-over-hendra-vaccinati/6988886

VETERINARIANS AND THE HENDRA VIRUS IN HORSES.

Horse owners concerned about the Hendra vaccine ,Unvaccinated horses die through lack of treatment. Veterinarians are skeptical about call out now,and they have made it clear that if horses are not vaccinated,they will not be handled. Currently, most vets refuse to treat sick or injured horses if the animal has not been vaccinated against the deadly virus, for reasons of legality and personal safety.However, in some extreme cases, horses have died while vets await blood test results to clear the animal of Hendra."I am working off of what horse owners are saying to me, and they are not happy with a few things that have reared their ugly head in recent times," Mr Pearce said."I've always thought to myself that [the vets] have a fair argument, but why can't vets use personal protective equipment (PPE) when they go to treat these horses?"If a vet is prepared to put on the gear, treat a horse, then they are doing the right thing."Those arguments don't stand up as far as I'm concerned because they have the protective equipment there for them to use, which would significantly reduce any risk they have."Mr Pearce speculated the reason vets refused to treat unvaccinated sick horses was not just about safety concerns, but he would not specify what other reasons there may be."I don't believe this argument is about PPE. There has to be something else that puts these vets in a situation where they say they won't treat horses unless they have been vaccinated," Vets are very cautious when handling sick horses especially if they have not taken the hendra vaccine, because some vets have died from exposure during treatment and also because of prosecution. A balance must be maintained among all parties to prevent further death. Read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-18/hendra-policy-opponents-gain-new-voice/6950790

HENDRA VIRUS IN HORSES.

Horses that came into contact with urine from black flying foxes were most likely to catch the virus, It has long been known that bats are the natural hosts of the Hendra virus and could pass it to horses, but exactly how that happens has been difficult to prove. Dr Hume Field is a science and policy advisor with US conservation group EcoHealth Alliance, and the former principal scientist with the Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases. He said a recent study of 3,000 bats from Charters Towers in north Queensland, to Sydney in New South Wales, indicated urine was the most likely link."The study took samples from urine, faeces, saliva, and nasal discharge and the clear evidence was that urine, by far, was the most common source in which the virus was found," Dr Field said."Faeces was further down the line and saliva and nasal discharge were very infrequent."But despite urine being the most likely source of contamination, Dr Field said more information was needed to establish how horses come into contact with it. if you had a horse that was resting or grazing under a tree where flying foxes were feeding, and flying foxes urinate a lot when foraging in trees, there is the potential for that horse stranding underneath to get directly contaminated."It can happen through the nose, the mucus membranes of the eyes or as well horses can ingest some urine on grass."Dr Hume said researchers had also identified which species of flying fox were more likely to pass on the disease, and said horse owners in areas where black flying foxes were common should be most wary. Dr Hume said the study explored three species; red flying foxes, black flying foxes, and grey-headed flying foxes.He said various information over the years made scientists think that not all flying foxes were the same when it came to the Hendra virus risk they posed.But this study into 3,000 animals across three species offered a better understanding, he said."It was abundantly clear that all of the positive detections of Hendra viruses came from black flying foxes and none came from little red flying foxes and none came from grey-headed flying foxes," he said."We know there are antibodies in all of those species, so they all get infected at some stage." The Department of Agriculture said vaccination was the best defence, and everyone should make their own choice. vaccination may be enforced in some cases to prevent death in horses. read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-27/hendra-urine-queensland/6650128

MUSIC AND THE POULTRY VALUE CHAIN.

The food industry is experiencing a lot of innovations with various researches on going to improve the quality and quantity of products within a stipulated time. A farmer has incorporated the use of classical music in his turkey production. He decided to incorporate the music to stabilize his birds, when he discovered they were uncomfortable/ restless. He started playing classical music to the poults and he discovered that it improved their health and happiness. He has now attracted more visitors to his farm, as they can hear the birds before they are visible. Expansion is the next move on the farmer's agenda because of the success of his birds. Ewart Sylvester plays baroque music to his turkeys and says it has made a big difference to their health and happiness."Initially it was done because the birds were very rowdy in the pen and to us it seemed to be too loud," he said."When we walk out from the house and we look across the paddock and you can see them winging it, well, it puts a smile on your face when you can see a happy bird."It makes a difference for them and we believe it makes for a more tender meat." Read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-28/organic-turkey-appeal/6728022 https://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com/

FARMERS ROLE IN REDUCING MALNUTRITION AND OBESITY.

obesity and malnutrition have become serious problems in the developing world.High calorific food and poor cuts of meat high in fat are more available, and people do not need to work physically as hard to produce it.Professor Jonathan Rushton, of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, called it a "wicked problem".You have significant numbers of people who are undernourished and an increasing number of people who are overweight...It's an indication that something is not right with our system.Professor Robyn Alders, University of Sydney "If we feed our pigs ad lib they will get too fat to stand up, but we are doing that to ourselves," he said at a conference at Sydney University, called Resetting the Australian Table: Adding Value and Adding Health.Professors of sociology, economics, veterinary science and foreign aid, paediatricians, soil scientists, and plant breeders, gathered to nut out the problem at interdisciplinary level. "You have ongoing significant numbers of people who are undernourished and an increasing and significant number of people who are overweight," she said."It's an indication that something is not right with our system."Global average meat consumption has nearly tripled in 50 years and people are increasingly disconnected from its production."It's probably been given a boost since the 1960s with increased productivity from grain based systems," said Professor Rushton."So our grain crops started to be more productive, which have gone into pigs, poultry and cattle systems."If you look at the growth in production of meat, we've gone from 25 kilos consumption of meat to 62 kilos per person per year globally. "There's a disconnect between the urbanised population and food systems."Professor Rushton said just as farmers care about what they feed their animals, they should care about how their food is processed."Food production is driven by powerful companies, driven by profit motives, which need to have more social responsibility," he said."Urbanised consumers are dependent on a food system they know very little about. Chicken has been marketed as a healthy, low fat meat, winning the National Heart Foundation's tick of approval and Australian consumption has doubled to 43 kilos per person a year.But Dr Dixon she told the conference that "we are contradictions" and are buying the wrong chicken.Coated in batter and deep fried, chicken's goodness was undone . Read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-20/obesity-and-malnutrition-need-joined-up-thinking/6710870

HOW TO TRAIN DOGS TO AVOID SNAKES.

A vet, a dog trainer and a snake wrangler have teamed up for a unique series of training sessions aimed at teaching dogs to avoid potentially deadly snake encounters.Veterinarian Dr Shey Rogers hopes to see fewer clients this year.We had all of our dogs bitten by the same snake. And one of them actually got bitten twice in two weeks, so we were definite that we didn't want to have to go through that again.Dr Shey Rogers, Youngs Siding veterinarian Her Youngs Siding practice on Western Australia's south coast has become a meeting place for local dog owners eager to trial snake avoidance training."Basically my philosophy is prevention is better than cure," Dr Rogers said."I'd rather not see dogs come in here with snake bites and then have to treat them." Dr Rogers engaged Perth-based dog trainer Seth Pywell and snake wrangler Marcus Cosentino to run the sessions after all three of her dogs were bitten by a snake, one of them fatally, on her family property earlier this year. "We had all of our dogs bitten by the same snake. And one of them actually got bitten twice in two weeks, so we were definite that we didn't want to have to go through that again," Dr Rogers said."It was a very emotional process and a very expensive process as well.Venomous and non-venomous species are used in the training, from the placid Tiliqua Rugosa (shingleback lizard) to the deadly Notechis Scutatus (tiger snake) But it is not just dogs that are in need of protection : read more here,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-25/protecting-pets-and-wildlife-training-teaches-dogs-avoid-snakes/6973094 Snake avoidance training is a relatively uncommon practice in Australia.Over two sessions, dogs are exposed to a range of reptiles and are taught to associate the creatures with a low-level electric shock delivered by a remote training collar.When a dog goes for it, it’s generally the bobtail that will come off worse.Marcus Cosentino, snake wrangler. The theory is that the next time the dog sees or smells the same reptile, it will avoid all contact.During training sessions, dogs are rewarded with treats when they choose the right behaviour."The dog's natural response is that of investigation," Mr Pywell said."We're teaching the dogs that investigation brings consequences and if they avoid it, it brings rewards."

POULTRY GUT HEALTH KEY TO REDUCED ANTIBIOTIC USE IN PRODUCTION.

Chicken guts health at a bacterial level could improve poultry health and reduce the need for antibiotics.Central Queensland University senior lecturer in microbiology Dana Stanley is looking into ways to improve the gut health of chickens and other agricultural animals.Dr Stanley's aim was to identify products in the gut which help chickens absorb more energy from seed and put on more muscle. The research was also finding ways to improve gut health so chickens would be more resistant to disease, which would reduce the need for the antibiotics used to prevent the spread of pathogens such as campylobacter and salmonella.The findings have implications for human health as well as animal health.There is a growing field in human research on the influence of intestinal bacteria on health. She said there was huge interest in finding alternatives to antibiotic use, including using natural products. Read the research here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-03/chicken-gut-health-could-be-secret-to-improved-poultry-health/6909410

Agribusiness and bitcoin wealth.

Queensland Egg Farmer Lays the Foundations For Agriculture Bitcoin Economy.

A chicken farmer on Queensland's Sunshine Coast wants his customers to pay him using the online currency, Bitcoin.  Bitcoin is a form of digital currency, which is created and held electronically.

Mark Burgunder, an organic chicken egg farmer at Conondale, is already using the virtual currency in his business.Mr Burgunder said he wants to create a local Bitcoin economy amongst Sunshine Coast farmers and consumers.

Bitcoin is an electronic currency that is not backed by a central bank, it is backed by a network of computers and mathematics.


 Bitcoins are stored on a Bitcoin wallet, which can be accessed via computer, phone or on a card similar to a credit card.

They can also be stored on debit cards, and can be used anywhere EFTPOS is available.  Read 

FOOD SECURITY AND SYNTHETIC FOOD.

Synthetic versions of beef, cheese and mayonnaise are being developed in the home of the biggest technology companies in the world, the Silicon Valley, California.Primary producers need to think about how to position their product in the market in competition with synthetic food, according to a new report released by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Council. The council's Peter O'Reagan said primary producers should be aware of up and coming technology that may one day present competition to their product."They are using natural products because they are using chickpeas and soybeans.It has the potential to solve a lot of food shortage problems.The innovation has also caught the eye of local academics. Read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-30/synthetic-food-silicon-valley/6899350

Tiger befriends goat instead of eating it!!!

Animal activists have reportedly called on an animal park in Russia to separate a goat from a tiger that befriended it instead of eating it.The goat, since named Timur, was given to the tiger Amur (another name for Siberian tigers) as live food.The Far Eastern Safari Park, in the Primorsky region bordering the Sea of Japan and North Korea, said it gives predators twice-weekly meals of live animals."Tiger Amur knows very well how to hunt goats and rabbits," a keeper told the Siberian Times."But recently he came across a goat that he refused to hunt."Instead, Timur chased Amur out of his sleeping quarters, banishing him to sleeping on the shelter's roof. watch video here; http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-29/separate-tiger-and-goat-fans-urge/6984212

BROTHERS FREE TRAPPED EAGLE.!!!

Brothers Michael and Neil Fletcher found a bald eagle stuck in a trap near Windy Lake in Ontario, Canada, which tried to fly away when the two men approached. Michael and Neal wrapped a jacket around the eagle to calm it down, and then managed to free its talon. read more here: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/11/heroic-brothers-free-a-bald-eagle-from-a-trap-and-take-the-best-selfie-of-all-time,

HOW DOGS MAKE FRIENDS FOR THEIR OWNERS.

Thirty years ago, Paul Knott broke his neck in a car accident, landing him in a wheelchair and ending his career as a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Since then, he’s gone back to school, finished his degree, started working as a “data cowboy” (his words), trained people on dispatch systems (still for CAL FIRE), and raised three Australian shepherds.He got his first dog, Bear, shortly before the accident, and ended up training him as a service dog to get around his landlords’ “no pets” policy. Bear and his successors—first Ed, now Charlie—have accompanied Knott everywhere: to work, on errands, around town. And he’s noticed that on their wanderings, Charlie draws in a lot of new friends. In studies observing the reactions people get while out and about with dogs, researchers have found that strangers offer more smiles and friendly glances to people with dogs, and are more likely to approach and have a conversation with someone with a canine companion. In one study from 2008, people helped a stranger who dropped a handful of coins pick them up more often if he had a dog with him, and were more likely to give him money for the bus when he asked. People typically treat strangers in public places with what the sociologist Erving Goffman termed “civil inattention.” They may acknowledge each other with brief glances, but they’ll look quickly away. The glancer is recognizing that the other person is there, but signaling that he himself doesn’t want to interact, and also being respectful of the fact that the other person probably doesn’t want to interact, either.But dogs do not give a hoot about our elaborate, chilly social dances. They’ll interact with whomever they like, thanks very much. This helps break the barrier of civil inattention in two ways: One, if you see someone with a dog, and you like dogs, then you know you have something in common with that person, making them a little bit less of an unknown. And two, “it is as if the interactional openness of pet dogs … is highly contagious, infecting and transforming anyone who accompanies them in public into ‘open persons.’” read more here; http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/11/how-dogs-make-friends-for-their-humans/417645/

BLOODY STOOL IN DOGS.

The Presence of bright red blood in feces of dogs is common with dogs with bleeding in the lumen of intestine.The common cause in older dogs is usually cancer ,while younger dogs parasites are the usual cause.The color of the blood will give an indication of where the problem is,if the feces is dark and tarry then its digested blood indicating the problem is in the small intestine and stomach, while if the blood is frank and bright red the problem lies in the colon/rectum. The diagnosis involves more than the color of the feces,the history and other signs in the dog will help draw a logical conclusion.The common causes of bloody stool include infectious agents such as bacteria, protozoa,viruses and intestinal parasites. Dietary intolerance, allergy, colitis,bowel disorders , constipation and clotting disorders are also likely causes of blood in stool. Treatment will depend on underlying cause such as 1) antibiotics. 2)deworming medication. 3)adsorbent to coat lumen. 4)changes in diet. 5) provision of plenty water.

How to rid your pets of ticks,fleas and lice.

Ticks, fleas,lice and mites are ectoparasites that cause severe discomfort in your pets.Ticks have also been fingered as a cause of lyme disease in man, so these ectoparasites have public health importance .
  The pets suffer severe irritation resulting in itching and loss of hair coat and blood loss.  These ectoparasites can be stopped by use of specially formulated shampoos,soaps, tick sprays and kennel sprays.

 Pet owners tend to experiment with a lot of chemicals which burns their pets,and others have been so unlucky to lose their pets because of use of harmful chemicals that are hazardous to the pets,the environment and children in the household.


 A client came to the clinic today with a dog with badly burnt coat and was off food .The owner admitted to using kerosene to wash the dog because of ticks. The dog had large scab areas on the skin and was in pain.

The dog was washed with water copiously followed by use of  shampoo. The dog was towel-dried and  then given a  rub down with coconut oil. The dog was given vitamins  to help with healing and appetite.

 Ticks, mites and fleas can be a nuisance but employing the right method to get rid of them will  ensure you do not kill your pet in the process.

 When you have mild infestation, you can  make a vinegar- water mix and simply spray the dog's coat and digits. 

Bathing  the dogs with ecto parasitic soaps and shampoo at scheduled intervals will  ensure your pet is tick- free. .

Chemicals can be used in kennels to kill ticks,the use of  flea collars are also advisable.

The environment must be clean and tick free to prevent re- infestation after the dog has been washed.

Grasses must be cut short and fumigation of environment is advisable.


Order your tick spray, kennel spray and other pet care products.


 We also offer pest control services, call us to fumigate your home and companies.

HIP DYSPLASIA. IN DOGS!!!.

Painful joints are increasing common in dogs, initially it was associated with aging, excessive weight loads on joints and limbs.Now a days the cases have been linked to poor breeding choices, where undesirable traits are masked and the litters come out with poor body conformations and resultant joint issues . The common breeds susceptible to hip dysplasia are German shepherd and golden retriever ,although any large breed can have joint issues with increasing age coupled with other factors. The smooth surface of joints wear down resulting in severe pain, the problem is a progressive one and the ability to note and identify changes in gait, exercise tolerance, stairs climbing and ease of raising self up from the floor by owner will give a good prognosis as treatment can be initiated immediately. The dog breeders and pet owners who feed high fat diet, high carbohydrate diets with intent to fatten pups within a short period of time actually set the ball rolling, because the weight will put so much pressure on joints that before the pup is a year old, signs of joint problems are noticed. The best way to manage the issue is by 1) weight reduction; reduce current weight to eliminate pressure from joints. 2) routine exercise is important to help tone the muscles,this will also take pressure off joints.3) medications include nonsteriodal anti inflammatory drug, glucosamine and chondrotin sulphate supplement and also incorporate fish oil in diet.

TIPS FOR BREEDING YOUR DOGS.

Thinking of breeding your bitch? then follow these steps to have a good crop of litter. 1) Identify the stud and check out health status. 2) The bitch should be up to date on her vaccinations and worming programme. 3) Note the size of the dogs and ensure there is no disparity. 4) bitch and stud must not be overweight. 5)bitch and stud must be examined by a vet, and certified healthy free from brucellosis; a sexually transmitted disease. 6) Take the bitch to stud. 7) The mating should be done twice around the twelfth day of estrus, when discharge is straw colored.The mating should be done at a day/two interval. 8) Ensure mating actually occurs. 9) Ensure you take adequate care of bitch, with proper feeding, minimal exercise and plenty of cool clean water.

COMMON CAUSES OF ABSENCE OF HEAT IN DOGS.

Dog owners and pet lovers eagerly await the time they can breed their pets.Breeding of dogs is a serious issue as so many intricacies must be considered. The breeding involves proven pedigrees that are crossed to extend a progeny and perpetuate certain traits. Breeding is time-consuming,expensive and a knowledge about your pets is required.The decision to breed should be based on inherited traits,health and temperament. The breeder must ensure that the litters have loving,caring homes that are ready to absorb them. The bitch have 2 oestrous period in a year, where the bitch responds to a stud and allows mating. The heat signs are 1) swollen vulva 2) bloody discharges 3) restlessness 4) frequent urination.The bitch will allow mating in the estrus phase of the cycle where the discharges are straw colored and there will be flagging of the tail,this is when the eggs are released and pregnancy is possible. There are cases where the owners will not observe heat signs, because the bitch is experiencing silent heat.In this situation ,the progesterone level will be a pointer that heat has actually occurred. Some other bitches are clever, and groom themselves continuously,thus making it difficult to note any discharges. Bitches can fail to come on heat if they have underlying conditions such as 1) diabetes 2)cancer 3)hypothyroidism 4) hyperadrenocorticism. When bitches have been observed to have heat problems, may be there has been no history of heat,or may be the bitch have come on heat before ,or there has been absence of heat after a whelp then a thorough examination must be carried out to ascertain status and proffer solution.

STRAY DOG SAVES A 3-DAY OLD BABY.

A stray dog has saved the life of a three-day-old baby girl who was apparently abandoned by her mother in a dustbin. Saudi Arabia’s daily ‘Sada' reported the news with breath taking pictures of the dog holding the newborn in his mouth.As per the reports published by the daily, the dog was hungry and was wandering on the streets in the search of some food but unfortunately he found nothing. It spotted a just born baby who had its umbilical cord still attached to her body,and what it did next has not only displayed the animal’s sensitivity towards humans but also proved why dog is called a loyal animal. The dog knew that the baby was not doing well so he ensured that the baby suffered no more harm further. He put the new born into his mouth and moved her out of the dangerous streets in search of a safe place.He took the baby to the nearest house and placed her on the porch. watch video here;http://www.indiatvnews.com/buzz/life/street-dog-saves-life-of-baby-girl-saudi-arabia-250.html

Why cats are picky eaters.

Cat owners and lovers have often wandered why their lovely pets snip up bits and pieces of her meal.It has been revealed that cats have multi functional bitter taste receptors, so they can actually determine what is beneficial and whats harmful.

These receptors are safety instincts that protect them from consuming potentially harmful substances, the research suggests that cats have at least seven functional bitter taste receptors. Further, a comparison of cat to related species with differing dietary habits reveals that there does not appear to be a strong relationship between the number of bitter receptors and the extent to which a species consumed plants in its diet.

 Feeding the right diet at the right time at required amounts will make your cats crave for meal times. Call to order cat food recipe book.

The findings question the common hypothesis that bitter taste developed primarily to protect animals from ingesting poisonous plant compound. Read more here;

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151021144650.htm

Plant hormone may play a vital role in blood sugar control, diabetes management

A treatment for managing blood sugar levels might be as close as the local health food store, suggests a new research report. Specifically scientists have found that when the plant and mammal hormone, abscisic acid, is taken in low doses, glycemia in both rats and humans is reduced. Scientists examined the presence of abscisic acid in plants and fruits and explored the effect of abscisic acid-rich vegetable extracts on glycemia in rats and in humans. Synthetic abscisic acid, an abscisic acid-rich fruit extract, or placebo were administered to rats together with an oral glucose load. Then glycemia and insulinemia profiles were compared. read more here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151201115045.htm

FRANCE REPORTS 2 NEW CASES OF HPAI.

FRANCE - France's agriculture department has said that two further outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected as part of the emergency response to an outbreak identified last week. The French authorities immediately set up protection zones and surveillance around the backyard holding affected by the first outbreak, and as part of these measures, extra samples were taken from birds inside the cordons. The results from analysis of these samples revealed the presence of HPAI strains in poultry at two more farms in the Dordogne region, despite the birds exhibiting no mortalities or clinical signs. To protect and limit the spread of disease to other flocks of sensitive species, the Ministry of Agriculture said it is conducting the slaughter of all animals of the affected farms and have decided on further biosecurity measures. Story credit;The poultry site/news.

10 Things You Can Do to Make Veterinary Visits Better for Everyone

10 Things You Can Do to Make Veterinary Visits Better for Everyone; Accustom your pet to its carrier and to traveling in the car; If your veterinarian doesn't already have your pet's medical record on file, bring it with you or have your previous veterinary team send or fax the records – or, at a minimum, bring your own notes on your pet's health and medical history. Don't send your pet with a person who doesn't have the information the vet will need to help your pet - or if you have to do this, thoroughly document your pet's current condition on paper and make sure you're available by phone to answer questions that may come up; Arrive on time or a few minutes early for your appointment; Unless your children can sit quietly without distracting you or interfering with your veterinary team's ability to examine or treat your pet or talk to you about your pet, consider leaving your children with a babysitter while you take your pet to the veterinarian; Turn your cell phone off while you are in the exam room; Know what medications your pet is receiving (including supplements), as well as how much, how often and how long it is given, and/or bring them with you; Share your observations and concerns with your veterinarian – read more here;https://www.avma.org/public/YourVet/Pages/visits.aspx?utm_source=smartbrief&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=smartbrief-assoc-news

BIRD FLU TRIGGERS THE DESTRUCTION OF DUCK EGGS.

Sa Kaeo: Authorities have destroyed 500 duck eggs seized from two passenger vans at Rong Kluea border market, heading into Thailand, following reports of an outbreak of bird flu in Cambodia. At least 5 people have contracted the virus.. It was reported that Cambodian public health officials were alerted to the bird flu outbreak after five villagers in Battambang contracted the disease. According to authorities, the eggs were being smuggled into the country to be sold to migrant workers in eastern provinces. The spread of the bird flu virus must be curbed and as such purchase of poultry products from unknown sources should be prevented,and strict bio security compliance must be enforced on farms. read more here;http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/781049/bird-flu-flap-triggers-duck-egg-destruction.

COP21;FRANCE TO SPEND BILLION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY IN AFRICA.

France plans to spend billions of euros in renewable energy and other environmental projects in its former west African colonies and across Africa over the next five years said President François Hollande Africa produces little of the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, produced by burning fossil fuels, linked by scientists to rapid climate change. But it is particularly vulnerable to a changing climate, as much of its population is poor, rural and dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Hollande told a conference on Africa, held as part of climate change talks in Paris, that his government would double investments in renewable energy generation, ranging from wind farms to solar power and hydroelectric projects, across the continent to €2bn between 2016 and 2020. One project, dubbed the “Great Green Wall“, was initially intended to create a barrier of trees reaching from the Sahel in west Africa to the Sahara in the east, but will now focus on creating pockets of trees to revive the soil while another aims to protect Lake Chad, which is threatened by pollution. read more here;http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/01/cop21-france-to-spend-billions-on-african-renewable-energy-projects

HONEY A TOOL TO CURB ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE.

Honey is very useful in wound healing aside other benefits, but the wound healing properties are now extended to include the prevention of antibiotic resistance. Swedish researchers have successfully cured treatment-resistant wounds in horses, using a mixture of various lactic acid bacteria found in bees' honey stomachs and honey itself. The successful trial could help the medical community overcome the growing problem of global antibiotic resistance.Honey inhibits the formation of bio films, or communities of slimy disease-causing bacteria .Honey weakens bacterial virulence, rendering the bacteria more susceptible to conventional antibiotics. Honey is effective because it is filled with healthful poly phenols, or antioxidants.Honey has antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral properties ,thats why its used in wound treatment and it has found tremendous use in cases of burns. watch video here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/832495e7f0e5390d05caf25e59f87643.htm

HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS AND HEALING POWER OF DOGS.

. Dogs have been identified as possessing healing powers, with most involved in assisted therapy.Dogs like most pets bring healing and love to their owners,thats why most doctors now advocate that patients with heart issues, and high blood pressure get dogs.Dog are also useful as diabetic alert agents,in patients with diabetes because they can actually detect a change in blood glucose level making them a life saver .Dogs have also found to be of help to people battling with post traumatic stress disorder. A new study shows how dogs are healing HIV positive patients; watch it here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/f2c007ba8cff46789e09cbf6ac9790b3.htm

RODENTICIDE POISONING IN DOGS.

Dogs are curious animals,running and rumbling through stuff and especially tasting and chewing all sorts.The responsibility of the pet owner is not only the nutrition and health of the pet, they must ensure environmental safety. 

Pets should be protected from harmful chemicals,irritating fluids and compounds that are generally harmful to them.

The cases of poisoning in pets are accidental and majorly from sheer carelessness where the pet owner keeps stuffs that are harmful to pets lying around.Its a known fact that stuff poisonous to dogs are usually household items that are non poisonous to man, so the point is for the pet owner to know what stuff to leave around and what stuff to hide/keep away. 

 Dogs get rodenticide poisoning in areas where rodent baits are commonly used and where there is a lack of proper disposal of dead rats. 

When de-ratization is to be carried out,the baits must be properly laid in areas where the pet will be restricted and a proper disposal mechanism must be enforced to prevent poisoning. 

Dogs usually get poisoned by ingesting the bait directly or by ingesting the dead rodents. The signs of rodenticide poisoning are 1) weakness 2) inappetence 3) bleeding in mouth and anal region.

The first step is to induce vomiting; using hydrogen peroxide, followed by a vitamin k injection to stop bleeding.

Give pet cool water to flush system. 

 When rodent control is to be carried out its in the interest of all to lay baits strategically.

CHRONICLES OF A VET.!!!

Every case is unique and the pet owners as well,so understanding your clients is the major step to success of the case. A client brought in a male dog today with the following signs; 1) swollen eye. 2) redness 3) watery discharges . The owner explained that the dog's eye was normal a day before,but early this morning these signs where obvious. When questioning the client further, he remembered the dog had killed a skunk overnight.This gave the clue to cause since all other questions had negative answers, the skunk must have sprayed some of the irritating fluid into the eye setting up an inflammatory reaction. Skunks common around most homes and they are not really aggressive ,they only spray their fluids to deter predators.The fluids are produced in the tail,have horrible smell that travels as far as 3 meters. The eye was examined and swabbed with normal saline , eye ointment with antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties was applied. The dog was placed on systemic antibiotics for 3 days and vitamin C. Pet owners need to ensure their home is pet-safe.!!!.

GLOBAL WARMING. !!! EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS.

World leaders have opened the UN climate conference in Paris known as COP21, aiming to forge a deal to limit global warming to 2°C.One Minute Climate Change Both US President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande issued rallying cries to officials on Monday, urging them to commit to reducing emissions.Obama said his country recognised its role in contributing to the climate change crisis, and would take the lead in fighting against it. He added that the meeting symbolized a global "act of defiance" that proves the world stands undeterred by attacks linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Europe and beyond."What greater rejection of those who would tear down our world than martialling our best efforts to save it," Obama said. watch here;http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/climate-conference-paris-cop21-limit-global-warming-151130052816546.html

EBOLA COMPLICATIONS!!!

. Ebola survivors have been noted to have complications ,usually relating to vision.The major complications are loss of vision, redness of eyes, , swollen eyes, pain and severe sensitivity to light. This is a pointer that the virus has a residual bank in some organs exhibiting various signs and probably a point of new infection. The virus is known to be present in semen of survivors, indicating some grey areas in the Ebola saga .Read the story of 2 survivors here;http://www.livescience.com/52902-ebola-survivor-eye-problems-sacra.html

US POULTRY MORE EQUIPPED TO TACKLE BIRD FLU.

The US poultry can tackle any outbreak better.The country has stepped up her bio security protocol to limit infection and prevent spread in cases of outbreak.The bird flu virus cost the poultry and egg industry 390m in August 2015 because they culled 43m birds, so changes have been made to safeguard livestock. read more here;http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Safety-Legislation/US-poultry-will-handle-new-virus-better

Cut meat consumption to battle global warming, warn experts

Cut meat consumption to battle global warming, warn experts

FRANCE HIT BY FIRST BIRD FLU OUTBREAK IN 8 YEARS.

The highly pathogenic bird flu virus H5N1 has been discovered on a farm in Dordogne,where it killed 75% of birds on the farm . A 10km surveillance radius has been established around farm to prevent spread to other poultry farms.The agriculture minister confirmed the outbreak,and south Korea has banned importation of poultry from France. The virus is deadly and spreads easily if bio security protocols are not enforced, hand washing after handling birds is very important.read more here; http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Industry-Markets/France-hit-by-first-bird-flu-outbreak-in-eight-years/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=30-Nov-2015&c=KviYxCjZMiXfdfZP1fvhvMG3x5RsDoMO&p2=

EYE HEALTH IN DOGS.

Eyes of the dog should be checked regularly as they are pointers to the state of health.Eye infections can be localized or it can be a spill over of a systemic infection.Eyes should be bright,clear ,clean and must not exhibit any discharges, must not be red or blood shoot. Dogs sometimes present sleepy dust,which is simply dried mucus ,a natural protective secretion that keeps eyes clean.This is easily removed by using moist cotton balls. The eye conditions include conjunctivitis, abscesses, pink eye,tumors, entropion and ectropion. Conjunctivitis is the most common,this is the inflammation of the eye's protective mucous membrane. The eye is usually red, swollen and with watery or mucoid discharges when its an irritation or allergy or trauma. When there is an infection ,the eyes are red,swollen and discharges become yellow to green. Treatment; 1)clean the affected eye.with moist cotton. 2)note type of discharge. 3) apply an eye drop; that has anti inflammatory and antibiotic properties. 4) give vitamin c supplement and cool water. 5) prevent exposure to sun.

FEVER IN DOGS.

Fever refers to an elevated temperature, also called hyperthermia occurs when the body temperature of the dog is way past the normal range.Fever is not a disease but an indication that pet is fighting an infection.Infections and inflammation results in fever in dogs.When a pet is exposed to infection or there is an underlying inflammatory reaction,the body's first response is to fight the infection and this is characterized with an elevated temperature. Fever occurs in bacterial,viral, fungal infection, cases of abscess,urinary tract infection and pneumonia. The cause can sometimes be unknown and its associated with immune system, fever if prolonged results in damage of internal organs. The common signs associated with fever are 1) inappetence. 2) weakness 3)depression 4) shivering 5)coughing 6) dehydration. Treatment; check older post.

EQUINE GRASS SICKNESS.

Equine grass sickness is fatal condition in horses on pasture, the condition results in colic and prognosis is guarded.The condition affects all age groups,can occur at any time but very common in wet conditions/seasons. The cause of the condition has been pinned as Clostridium botulinum,this bacteria lives in moist soil and when it spreads on grass its eaten by the horse,resulting in severe poisoning. The bacteria toxins affect the horses's intestinal tract which affects the nerves causing a dysfunction resulting in severe colic. The onset of the equine grass sickness could be per acute, acute and chronic.In per acute cases the horses are found dead.The prognosis in the chronic and acute cases are guarded. The acute case, the onset is sudden, with severe abdominal discomfort, high pulse rate and restlessness. The treatment is colic surgery.While the chronic case ,the horse slowly develops a persistent low grade colic with rapid weight loss.The upper eye lid is droopy and there is sticky nasal discharge, and fecal balls are hard and small.The treatment is pain relief and supportive therapy. Equine grass sickness can be prevented with pasture identification; if an area has record of such sickness avoid letting horses in area.Where there has been recent work lately, that involves soil works or turning should be avoided.Areas where dead animals are commonly found in pasture should be avoided.Horses that do not depend solely on grasses for nutrition hardly come down with grass sickness,thus feeding hay at pasture and bringing horses in to stable at night may help reduce its occurrence.

6 awesome TED talks about science and technology by Arabs

6 awesome TED talks about science and technology by Arabs

TREATMENT OF NEONATAL MALADJUSTMENT SYNDROME.

Watch video of treatment here;https://youtu.be/zmbhp4mbZX4 via @YouTube Using several loops of a soft rope to gently squeeze the foal’s upper torso for 20 minutes—to mimic the time spent experiencing birth canal’s pressure—can ease the disorder’s symptoms, researchers have found. Early cases have produced some success. foal maladjustment syndrome.

FOAL DISORDER LINKED TO AUTISM IN MAN.

Veterinary researchers at the University of California, Davis, are exploring possible ties between a foal disorder and autism.Abnormal levels of naturally occurring neuro -steroids may be the common link, according to a UC Davis release. The horse disorder—known as neonatal maladjustment syndrome—has been a mystery for a century. Signs of the little-understood condition that appear in 3 to 5 percent of live births are detachment, failure to recognize their mothers and no interest in nursing.“The behavioral abnormalities in these foals seem to resemble some of the symptoms in children with autism,” says John Madigan, DVM, MS, UC Davis veterinary professor and expert in equine neonatal health. Nursing newborn horses with the disorder is demanding. Eighty percent of foals survive with intensive care in a veterinary clinic and constant bottle or tube feeding for up to 10 days. Researchers are eying naturally occurring neurosteroids as a top suspect in causing the disorder. The compound acts as a sedative and keeps the foal “quiet” before birth.“Foals don’t gallop in utero,” Madigan says in the release. However, the foal must be able to run shortly after its birth. The biochemical change the newborn undergoes in the birth canal may be triggered by the physical pressure of the birthing process, researchers believe. read more here;http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/new-veterinary-treatment-foal-disorder-simulates-necessary-trigger-birthing-process

Antibiotic-resistant gene discovered in soil bacterium that commonly infects foals.

Rhodococcus equi is one of the most important causes of disease in young horses,A research team based in the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine has discovered a novel gene—erm(46)—that confers antibiotic resistance in Rhodococcus equi, a soil-dwelling baterium that commonly infects foals and causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised people, according to a release from the university. R. equi, a gram-positive intracellular pathogen, is one of the most important causes of disease in foals between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Read more here;http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/antibiotic-resistant-gene-discovered-soil-bacterium-commonly-infects-foals

WOUND RECONSTRUCTION IN HORSES.

These grafts involve relocating the skin from a donor site to cover a wound and restore function and cosmetics in your veterinary equine patients.In horses, skin grafts are most often used for limb wounds where primary closure is not possible or second intention healing is delayed or not occurring. Grafts may also be considered for large wounds of the trunk, as grafting will decrease healing time. This article concentrates on free skin grafts, with an emphasis on punch grafts. With free skin grafts, the donor skin is severed from its blood supply and relocated to a wound. Free skin grafts are categorized by thickness and type. Full-thickness grafts include epidermis and the entire dermis. Split-thickness grafts include epidermis and a portion of dermis. Full- and split-thickness grafts can be either sheet grafts or island grafts. Sheet grafts are applied to the surface of a wound, and island grafts are embedded in the wound (Figure 1). Island graft techniques include punch, pinch, tunnel and modified meek grafts. The advantage of island grafts is that the failure or loss of one graft does not affect other grafts in the wound. read more here;http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/wound-reconstruction-free-skin-grafts-horses

WOUND RECONSTRUCTION IN HORSES.

These grafts involve relocating the skin from a donor site to cover a wound and restore function and cosmetics in your veterinary equine patients.In horses, skin grafts are most often used for limb wounds where primary closure is not possible or second intention healing is delayed or not occurring. Grafts may also be considered for large wounds of the trunk, as grafting will decrease healing time. This article concentrates on free skin grafts, with an emphasis on punch grafts. With free skin grafts, the donor skin is severed from its blood supply and relocated to a wound. Free skin grafts are categorized by thickness and type. Full-thickness grafts include epidermis and the entire dermis. Split-thickness grafts include epidermis and a portion of dermis. Full- and split-thickness grafts can be either sheet grafts or island grafts. Sheet grafts are applied to the surface of a wound, and island grafts are embedded in the wound (Figure 1). Island graft techniques include punch, pinch, tunnel and modified meek grafts. The advantage of island grafts is that the failure or loss of one graft does not affect other grafts in the wound. read more here;http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/wound-reconstruction-free-skin-grafts-horses

WOUND RECONSTRUCTION IN HORSES.

These grafts involve relocating the skin from a donor site to cover a wound and restore function and cosmetics in your veterinary equine patients.In horses, skin grafts are most often used for limb wounds where primary closure is not possible or second intention healing is delayed or not occurring. Grafts may also be considered for large wounds of the trunk, as grafting will decrease healing time. This article concentrates on free skin grafts, with an emphasis on punch grafts. With free skin grafts, the donor skin is severed from its blood supply and relocated to a wound. Free skin grafts are categorized by thickness and type. Full-thickness grafts include epidermis and the entire dermis. Split-thickness grafts include epidermis and a portion of dermis. Full- and split-thickness grafts can be either sheet grafts or island grafts. Sheet grafts are applied to the surface of a wound, and island grafts are embedded in the wound (Figure 1). Island graft techniques include punch, pinch, tunnel and modified meek grafts. The advantage of island grafts is that the failure or loss of one graft does not affect other grafts in the wound. read more here;http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/wound-reconstruction-free-skin-grafts-horses

WOUND RECONSTRUCTION IN HORSES.

These grafts involve relocating the skin from a donor site to cover a wound and restore function and cosmetics in your veterinary equine patients.In horses, skin grafts are most often used for limb wounds where primary closure is not possible or second intention healing is delayed or not occurring. Grafts may also be considered for large wounds of the trunk, as grafting will decrease healing time. This article concentrates on free skin grafts, with an emphasis on punch grafts. With free skin grafts, the donor skin is severed from its blood supply and relocated to a wound. Free skin grafts are categorized by thickness and type. Full-thickness grafts include epidermis and the entire dermis. Split-thickness grafts include epidermis and a portion of dermis. Full- and split-thickness grafts can be either sheet grafts or island grafts. Sheet grafts are applied to the surface of a wound, and island grafts are embedded in the wound (Figure 1). Island graft techniques include punch, pinch, tunnel and modified meek grafts. The advantage of island grafts is that the failure or loss of one graft does not affect other grafts in the wound. read more here;http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/wound-reconstruction-free-skin-grafts-horses

ABDOMINOCENTESIS IN THE HORSE.

Fluid analysis can provide important insights into how to manage colic and other troubling equine cases.Acute abdomen (colic), fever and weight loss are just a few of the reasons you might need to collect abdominal fluid in an adult horse. In many cases of acute abdomen, rapid and uncontaminated sampling of abdominal fluid can help you make important medical or surgical decisions. With advances in biochemical testing and wide availability of equipment at reasonable cost, abdominal fluid analysis can be used to determine the difference between compromised bowel and septic or aseptic peritonitis, as well as whether surgical intervention is indicated. Interpretation of fluid analysis also gives you an indication of whether treatment or surgery will end with a successful outcome. Several methods have been described for fluid collection, the considerations include; An abdominocentesis should be performed in a standing sedated horse that is appropriately restrained and preferably in stocks, if available. The location for fluid collection, unless indicated otherwise by ultrasound guidance, is the most dependent part of the abdomen just to the right of the ventral midline—this helps avoid penetration of the ventral curvature of the spleen. read more here;http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/how-perform-abdominocentesis-standing-adult-horse