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Puppy Health Care – Quick Guide to Best Practices
Posted by | Posted in Health | Posted on 26-11-2010
Bringing up your puppy is very similar to bringing up a baby. Except, as my mom would say, a baby eventually grows up and learns to take care of itself as an adult.
I don’t mean to scare you – just want to put things into perspective for you – your puppy relies on you from the day you bring him home. It need you to feed it, to groom it, play with it, and love it. You are also responcible for your puppy’s health care over its lifetime – you need to make sure he feels and looks good, and to make sure you know when things are not right.
Your puppy health care responsibilities involves things like taking him for his regular checkups at the vet. Or making sure he takes his worming tabs, flea pills. Taking him for his vaccinations on time. And making sure he’s clean, fed, warm and safe.
I know – it is basic – but you’d be surprise what people miss when they are not informed about the things they should look out for. So, to avoid health complications and diseases later on, here are some of the best puppy health care practices to follow:
1. His Food.
Dogs are not picky eaters, but that does not mean that you’re free to feed them anything you want. For one, they are not built the same way we are. If you feed them table scraps, your dog might develop intestinal parasites later on.
Also, their body reacts differently from ours; for example, if you unknowingly feed chocolate to your puppy, STOP IT! It poses a lot of danger, because chocolate contain Theo bromine, a chemical which can be toxic for dogs.
Another mistake that pet owners make is to overfeed their dog. Sure, chubby and plump dogs are adorable, but I sure hope you are not compromising their health because of pure aesthetic reasons. Overweight dogs are susceptible to a lot of illnesses and joint problems. Dogs cannot handle large amounts of food and they don’t know when to stop eating; it’s recommendable to feed your dog once or twice (at the most) a day in small portions – if you’re unsure ask your vet or look on the packet of the particular dog food you buy – they usually have recommendations.
2. His Vaccinations.
When you first take you r puppy to the vet he will be able to give a specific schedule and choice you have for your puppy’s vaccinations. There are some vaccinations that are compulsory, but there are those that are entierely your choice – your vet will help you decide what suits you best.
Here are some of the available vaccinations for more serious diseases, but make sure you ask your vet for more specific advice for basic vaccinations for your puppy’s health care needs.
- Distemper vaccination – canine distemper is a very deadly viral dog disease. Some pet owners usually find out too late. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it so prevention is still your best weapon.
- Parvovirus vaccination – young pups are usually afflicted by this disease. It’s a highly communicable disease so in order to protect your dog, and other dogs in your neighborhood as well, have your dog vaccinated for parvovirus.
- Adenovirus vaccination – Dogs contract hepatitis due to canine adenovirus. Your dog should get adenovirus shots to prevent him from getting this disease.
A word of warning: Be aware of what some of the signs are for an allergic reaction to vaccinations. If your dog becomes sluggish or develops hives, or has difficulty breathing, take him to the vet immediately! Now obviously your vet is highly trained, but things happen – and it’s better that you’re prepared on the odd chance that they do.
3. His Grooming.
Coat, teeth, ears and nails – these comprise an important aspect of grooming and of your puppy’s health care. Your puppy will not only look healthy, but it will FEEL healthy too.
- Coat – If he has a long or medium length coat brush it every day to avoid hair tangling and matting. For short coats – once every 3-4 days will do.
- Ears – Clean his ears with moist cotton balls twice a month at least. If you don’t clean your dog’s ears, it could lead to an ear infection – it’s not pleasant for your pooch, and it will cost you to take him to the vet.
- Teeth – Unlike humans, dogs don’t need their teeth cleaned every day – thank goodness; about twice a week will do. But like humans, your dog can develop cavities if you don’t brush his teeth regularly, so make it an appointment with you doggy friend.
- Nails – Don’t let your dog’s nails grow too long to prevent him from accidentally scratching you or any family members.
4. Spaying and Neutering.
If you do not plan to breed your own dogs, it’s recommended you consider spaying or neutering your puppy as soon as it is ready. It’s not possible to watch over your dog 24/7; so as a responsible pet owner, try to do something about the continually growing population of dogs. Your vet will be able to advise you on your options.
5. His Status Quo.
This simply means that you should get to know your puppy’s usual disposition. This is very important because only if you know him, you’ll be able to spot if something’s wrong very early – and the earlier you tackle a health problem, the more chance you have of curing it and saving yourself and your loved pooch grief.
6. His Safety.
We all love to think nothing will ever go wrong – and I sure hope it never does with you and your pup. But reality sometimes hits us unexpectedly – so that’s why I always advise my friends to take up even the most basic of pet insurances for their dog. Make sure it covers the things you feel you won’t be able to afford in an emergency, the rest you can pay for as and when you need to – this way insurance doesn’t have to be expensive.
Remember, a healthy dog makes a happy dog. If you follow these dog care practices, your dog would enjoy a longer and more stress-free life.
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President Obama Passes Health Care Reform Saves America
Help answer the question about health care
How will health care reform impact clinical research?I'm wondering how the proposed health care reform for the US will impact clinical research studies? Anyone know of good sites to do research on this?
Thanks!
First of all health care is a provincial responsibility so it depends on the rules of her province. In Ontario she has to reside in ON for at least half the year to be covered by the ON health plan. It would be prudent to check this out.
Marriage would not affect her citizenship.
Okay if you won't have any clinical skills or any managerial/administration skills, just what will you do? You'll have a lot of knowledge but nothing to do with it.
I took the liberty of using Mental Math (What Republicans use to balance the budget). And this is what I came up with, we are pumping money into Iraq and Afghanistan at a rate of 320k Per Minute! Courtesy of Costofwardotorg. Now I know what your thinking, that’s a lot of money! But hey, it is imperative that we spend this on protecting ourselves from countries that are over 6,000 miles away! Health reform? Get out of here you Commie!
@investorspolldotcom
AGREE!
Depends on the perspective. The "socialized" (please use in quotation marks) perspective is that users of health care are the community as a whole; thus, 'just' is defined as minimizing the losing individuals. "Free market's" views are that the users are individuals or groups of individuals; thus, 'just' is defined as maximizing the number of individuals 'satisfied.'
From both common political and ethical perspective, a child is often unable to contribute to the discussion of 'individuals to be lost' in "socialized health care" or 'user satisfaction' in the "free market." Given the assumptions that pediatric care is satisfactory for most children, "socialized health care" is more just because the intrinsic cost-of-life-saved would then be higher even though some children would fall through the cracks. HOWEVER, given the assumption above and also that the income difference between the richest and poorest people is minimal, the "free market" is more just because parents can decide what is most 'satisfactory' without too much undue financial burden.
They have a 100 percent covered plan for them and their families for life (assuming they serve at least 6 years), along with an excellent pension plan for life.
They will care about the crisis if it is something the voters want! After all, if they are not acting in the interest of the voters, they will lose their seat and their health care plan.
Unfortunately, there is so much disagreement between the "left" and the "right" that it is difficult for congress to do anything. In addition, many people (even those who truly need health care reforms) vote based on moral values, leaving health care to be ignored.
What is going to happen is the Government is going to set the rates doctors can charge for services. Doctors cannot afford the rates so they will overbook people to get the most money they can so you will go to the Dr office and wait for several hours and maybe even have to return the next day. Dr groups will get bigger and overbooking will be even more and waiting will be longer. Just think of going to the Dr and there being 100 patients in the waiting room to see a Dr.
what is the future of health care?
what diseases do we need to be aware of?
how do i stay healthy?
where do i turn if a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness?
Thing is, he didn’t even have to “go get it really, it’s as close to automatic as it gets.” There’s so little paperwork involved a caveman can do it. Oh, maybe he IS a caveman LOL.
Poor sorry bloke, early signs of dementia maybe.
Good thing he’s got that “socialized” medicine just in case!!
Just goes to show how idiotic republicans really are!
@hsd628 No, that Spending wasn’t $1.5 Trillion in deficit spending each year, and unlike what you heard, many of the Conservatives were protesting Bush, but MSLSD doesn’t show that.
Im sure that man paid medicare taxes for years. My take is that hes simply getting back what he paid in. And I think his point about healthcare is that we dont need more systems like medicare that will simply go broke.
First off, illegal aliens are not immigrants. Immigrants follow laws. They get free health care by not paying bills when going to emergency rooms, giving false names and addresses etc… It also cost American taxpayers over $6000.00 per birth for each anchor baby born. That is if there are no complications.
In a recent year in Colorado, the state's emergency Medicaid program paid an estimated $30 million in hospital and physician delivery costs for about 6,000 illegal immigrant mothers – average of $5,000 per baby. Those 6,000 births to illegal aliens represent 40% of the births paid for by Medicaid in Colorado. Those 6,000 babies immediately became U.S. citizens and qualified for full Medicaid services, with a cost yet to be tabulated.
The federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) mandates that U.S. hospitals with emergency-room services must treat anyone who requires care, including illegal aliens. Medical service for Americans in affected communities is being severely damaged as hospitals absorb more than $200 million in unreimbursed costs. Some emergency rooms have shut down because they cannot afford to stay open. Local tax-paying Americans are either denied medical care or have to wait in long lines for service as the illegals flood the facilities. In California, the losses are calculated to be about $79 million, with $74 million in Texas, $31 million in Arizona, and $6 million in New Mexico.
These costs are staggering. The Cochise County, Arizona Health Department spends as much as 30 percent of its annual $9 million budget on illegal aliens. The Copper Queen Hospital in Bisbee, Arizona, has spent $200,000 in uncompensated services out of a net operating budget of $300,000. The University Medical Center in Tucson may lose as much as $10 million and the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, also in Tucson, has lost $1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002.
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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HEALTHCARE COSTS AFFECT YOU!
Published 06/01/2010 – CST By Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.
In both Tucson and Dallas where I have practiced medicine, hospitals are struggling under massive costs of uncompensatedmedical services for uninsured people who, by federal law, cannot be turned away for lack of insurance or ability to pay.
How much does this uncompensated care actually cost taxpayers? The incredible answer: no one knows.
We only have “estimates” of the costs to taxpayers to treat illegal immigrants because hospitals and public health clinics do not ask for proof of citizenship before providing care.
What are consequences to taxpaying citizens?
1. Increased cost and reduced access to trauma care. Tucson has lost all but one Level I Trauma Center to serve all of southern Arizona, in large part due to massive, unsustainable losses from uncompensated care. Auto accidents involving overloaded vans of illegal aliens happen regularly in southern Arizona. Injured are flown by air ambulance to University Medical Center’s Trauma Center and treated with state of the art care….all at taxpayer expense.
2. A registered nurse involved with the Pima County health system since the 1970’s who must remain anonymous because of her role, said she has never seen any staff member at either El Rio Clinic or Pima County Health Department ask for proof of citizenship before providing free medical services (immunizations, Well Baby checks, food stamps, WIC services, birth control, and even elective abortions). Costs are paid by taxpayers. When funds are depleted, low income American citizens have fewer services and longer waits as a result.
3. This same RN also said: “I personally know Mexican men who married 16 year old girls, got them pregnant, brought them to Tucson for the baby to become a US citizen. They livein Mexico but come here for their health care. Taxpayers pay for this medical care many ways, at the Public Health Department, and with school nurses who provide care.”
4. Uncompensated medical services for illegal immigrants mean higher premiums for all of us due to cost shifting among all third party payers. To cover the deficits from “free” medical services they provide, the administration at University Physicians Health System Kino campus is analyzing how much to increase employeehealth insurance premiums as of July 1.
5. Obamacare cuts benefits to American citizens: $500 billion in Medicare cuts and slashing the Medicare Advantage program. Medicare Advantage, chosen by one in five seniors, is the most popular plan for low and moderate income seniors, and covers about half of our Hispanic or African-American elderly. My patients on Medicare have worked and paid into the system over their working careers, yet these cuts mean less healthcare available to them now. We certainly cannot afford to cover those here illegally.
6. Hospitals in Tucson and Dallas also provide uncompensated (“free”) maternity services to pregnant women here illegally. Their babies then become US citizens entitled to all of the services available for low income American families – food stamps, WIC, immunizations, office visits, medications, etc. This drives up costs to all of us: higher premiums for private insurance companies, and higher taxes for government insurance like Arizona’s Medicaid (AHCCCS).
7. Professional estimates are that over halfof the pregnant women served at Parkland Hospital in Dallas are in this country illegally. With over 16,000 deliveries a year, Parkland is one of the nation’s busiest maternity services with prenatal clinics for low income women to receive free prenatal care, nutrition, medication, birthing classes, child care classes, and free supplies (formula, diapers, bottles, car seats). Taxpayers pay the bills.
I'm from California & I'm not sure about your question, but I'll say some stuff I know. Half of my relatives are in Canada & although I'm poor, several of my Canadian Uncles, Cousins, etc., are doing quite well financially. Every one of them LOVE the health care in Canada & look with disgust at the USA. Health care in America is much more expensive & less available because it is a FOR PROFIT industry. Drugs are extremely overpriced & the insurance companies care about your health as much as they care about the stuff they just expelled into their toilets. They will DENY you coverage on anything. All they need to do is find an excuse to drop you, that is, when you make a claim. They've got the most educated lawyers who do nothing but try to save the Insurance companies money. We are the most backward "First World" country on this planet morally in regards to caring about it's own citizens. Here is a site to look into. & there are many more on the internet. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php If you're mostly concerned about Canada's situation, keep looking on the web. I'm sure you'll find something. And remember, insurance companies are only concerned with profit!
Yes. If you have unlimited resources as an American you have the best health care in the world. If you are an ordinary citizen you simply don't. Even the average health care plan generally does not cover the basics like European systems do. All too often Americans find out just how under insured they are when sickness strikes.
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/In-the-Literature/2008/Jun/How-Many-Are-Underinsured–Trends-Among-U-S–Adults–2003-and-2007.aspx
That's important because when those people are lucky enough to stay healthy they will never see a problem whatsoever just as their fellow countrymen were just fine with their coverage before tradgedy happened.
http://www.click2houston.com/investigates/12538706/detail.html
http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/your_story/my-insurance-company-denied-my-doctors-prescription
http://www.rhonawaxman.com/blog/insurance-company-medical-exam-denied-me-surgery.html
This is the same thing as with the standard of living. Americans have a higher income on average than Americans but more detailed data shows it's the top 1 percent income earners that's responsible for the whole difference. Middle clas an poor Americans are much worse of than their European counterparts
That's ultimately what it is about
What’s funny about this guy (the one portrayed in the video, BESIDES the fact that he is protesting WHILE ON Medicare), is the fact that he just quickly states: “80% of Americans are on healthcare, and the rest don’t have it or can’t afford it…” What I find funny, is that this guy, as well as MANY other people, not only conservatives, just state the same thing, glorifying the majority. If you aren’t covered by health insurance and something happens…you are downright financially murdered.
This commentator is a moron. That old man is on Medicare b/c he was forced to pay into that system all those years via Social Security / Medicare taxes and is getting benefits from his own money that the Government withheld b/c he surpassed the age of 65. He’s on Medicare b/c of his age, dumb ass. If you Libtards don’t want Conservatives to benefit from Medicare, don’t make us pay into your stupid system, otherwise, shut the fuck up.
these people watch FOX fake news and listen to all those corporate lobby tools that use them to push their agenda..this man is stupid.. it’s a hell of a lot more than 15% and most of the people that have health insurance don’t have anywhere near the coverage they need ..even with health insurance most people can’t afford to use their insurance…what is so unreal is this old idiot is on medicare a government run medical system