#1 of them was showing lethargy and poor appetite

[valiantstarlights]

Omegaverse Lore: Blue Fingers Disease

As with the previous omegaverse lore post, I talked about this on @mr-sadman discord, and I'm also posting about it here because sharing is caring. 😊 Again, feel free to use this in your omegaverse stories, as long as you give credit/tag me. Thank you! 🥰

Huge thanks to @sleepsonfutons for coming up with the official medical term for the Blue Fingers Disease, and to @arialerendeair for reminding me to post the lore! 🙇‍♀️

Thermal Dysregulatory Sensorineural Myocarditis (TDSM), or as it's more commonly known, The Blue Fingers Disease, is a Secondary Gender Disease that can happen to anyone, regardless of their secondary gender, as soon as they reach their majority.

CAUSE

Rejection (or apparent rejection) by one's potential mate.

SYMPTOMS

1.) Low body temperature and unnaturally cold skin

The longer the person is experiencing this disease, the lower their body temperature gets.

This symptom is easier to spot in alphas, whose body temperature run hotter than betas and omegas.

2.) Discoloration of the fingertips

Fingertips during early stage TDSM are a shade paler than the person's skin, while later stages of TDSM sees the person's fingertips turn into shades of blue that grow darker the more the disease progresses.

Fingertips that are almost dark blue are advanced cases, as the person could literally die at any time if not provided with immediate care.

(A sure sign that a person's cause of death is TDSM is when the person has blue-tinged lips immediately after their death, along with dark blue fingertips. The blue shade does not fade over time.)

3.) Intermittent tremor in the hands and poor grip strength

4.) Lethargy

5.) Memory loss and/or confusion

6.) Tendency to space out

7.) Lack of appetite

8.) Vulnerability to seasonal diseases

These include, but are not limited to: the common cold, influenza, and pneumonia, as well as mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria.

TREATMENT

Receiving care from other sources, such as family and friends, is a tried and tested way to cure TDSM. But the recovery is slow (taking months or years) and the person is still considered at risk until the blue on their fingertips fade completely.

The quickest way to fully cure the person, of course, would be if they fall in love with someone else, or if the person who initially rejected them returns their love. If this is the case, then it is not unheard of for the person to be cured of TDSM in a single week, though it would still take a couple more weeks for the symptoms to fade completely.

That being said, it is important to note that multiple studies conducted worldwide show that it is more common for TDSM to be cured by the care of others versus the person's feelings changing or their feelings being requited by the person who had initially rejected them.

DURATION

There is no set time for how long this disease lasts until the afflicted person dies. There have been cases where the person only lived for a couple weeks more after the rejection happened, while in rare cases, the person lived for decades after the rejection, before they finally die around the same time as their beloved.

One of the most famous long-lived cases of people who lived with TDSM is St. Francesca,* which caused early Christians to start referring to TDSM as St. Francesca's Disease.

(*It is said that St. Francesca fell in love with a married man and, realizing that it was against the teachings of the church, prayed to God to let her live so she could serve Him all her life.

However, recently discovered evidence suggests that Francesca was actually in love with her fellow nun, Sister Cordelia, who was one of her childhood best friends. When devout Cordelia decided to enter a convent upon her reaching her majority (a decision supported by her religious parents), Francesca allegedly ran away from home to join her.

She had written a note to her older brother that she made the decision to run away 'with both eyes open,' knowing that Cordelia will never return her affections, but willing to suffer TDSM (she used the term The Internal Winter) if it means still being a part of Cordelia's life.

Multiple sources write about how the two remained best friends until their later years, often claiming that Francesca and Cordelia are 'true sisters in the eyes of the Lord,' and that it is rare for one to be seen without the other.

St. Francesca died less than a day after Sister Cordelia did, at age 79, after having TDSM for more than 60 years.

Due to this, people are now theorizing that Sister Cordelia is an aromantic asexual, but that she still loved St. Francesca as her dearest friend, so Francesca did not succumb to the illness or get too sick, as others with TDSM do.

People from their hometown have asked for Sister Cordelia to be made into a saint as well, and they have commissioned statues of the two women to be made. The statues will be placed in the town square, and will depict the two sitting by the fountain, with Sister Cordelia warming St. Francesca's hands.)

There have been claims that the stronger the feelings of the person are, and the harsher the rejection was, affect the time in which the disease accelerates. And while this is a trope often used in literature and popular culture, there is no scientific basis for it as of yet.

STATISTICS

The Blue Fingers Disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide, with more than 80% of the people who died being betas and omegas.*

(*As TDSM is more easily detected in alphas, it is possible that betas and omegas often get misdiagnosed with depression during the early stages.)

SECONDARY GENDER DISEASES AWARENESS MONTH

February is Secondary Gender Diseases Awareness Month. The month was chosen primarily for easy recall, as it is the second month of the year. However, February is also the month when new cases of TDSM spike worldwide, due to everyone everywhere celebrating Valentine's Day.

--

Note: In the original discussion, this was supposed to be an alpha-only disease, but for the sake of all the delicious angst, I say it's up to you to decide in your stories who can have this disease. 😊 Enjoy!

[puppyexpressions]

6 Common Causes of Coughing in Dogs

Much like humans, dogs cough for a lot of different reasons, some mostly harmless, and some quite serious. Generally speaking, if your dog only coughs once in a blue moon and it passes quickly, there's no cause for concern. But if your canine family member is coughing a lot or has intense coughing spells, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. A persistent cough is a red flag that your dog probably has an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.

The following are some of the more common causes of canine coughs and what you should know about them.

1. Foreign object lodged in the throat — A cough that grows suddenly violent or sounds more like gagging, especially when accompanied by lip licking or attempts to swallow, could be a sign your dog has a sore throat or something stuck in her throat.

If she's outside when she begins coughing or has just come in from outdoors, she may have swallowed or inhaled a grass seed or other foreign object and it has become wedged in her throat. If she can't seem to cough up whatever it is, it's time to make an appointment with your veterinarian to prevent a potential infection or even pneumonia.

2. Reverse sneezing — Reverse sneezing is a common condition in small breed dogs and also brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. While a reverse sneeze is not a cough, the sound can be mistaken for coughing or choking. Reverse sneezing is caused by a spasm of the throat and soft palate that is triggered by an irritant, which can include simple excitement, exercise, a collar that's too tight, pollen or even a sudden change in temperature.

In a regular sneeze, air is pushed out through the nose. In a reverse sneeze, air is instead pulled rapidly and noisily in through the nose. The sound of a reverse sneeze can be upsetting, and many dog parents wonder if their pet is choking or having an asthma attack. Some dogs who reverse sneeze also tend to stand with elbows spread apart, head extended or back and eyes bulging.

Most cases of reverse sneezing don't require treatment. However, it's a good idea to keep track of when the episodes occur so you can determine what the probable triggers are and try to avoid them. If the sneezing becomes chronic or episodes become more frequent or longer in duration, it's a good idea to make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out other potential health problems.

3. Kennel cough — A sudden persistent cough in an otherwise healthy dog is often due to kennel cough or another similar viral or bacterial infection. These infections tend to produce deep, dry hacking coughs, sneezing, snorting, gagging and in some cases, vomiting.

There can also be coughing "fits" or spasms if the dog becomes excited or while exercising. If your dog has recently been in contact with other dogs, he may have contracted a kennel cough infection. Symptoms usually appear from two to 14 days after exposure, last between 10 and 20 days, and can recur during periods of stress.

Most of these infections are mild and resolve without medical intervention. Many veterinarians immediately prescribe antibiotics, but I absolutely do not agree with that approach. I prefer to let a dog's body heal itself naturally, as long as he's otherwise healthy.

Complete recovery from kennel cough can take up to three weeks in healthy dogs, and twice as long in older pets and those with underlying immunosuppressive conditions. Puppies can also take a bit longer to recover.

Since a serious episode of kennel cough can result in pneumonia, if your dog doesn't start to improve on his own with the support of nontoxic remedies (such as nosodes, slippery elm bark, Echinacea, goldenseal and olive leaf), or if the cough becomes progressively worse, it's important to make an appointment with your veterinarian to be on the safe side.

4. Pneumonia — If your dog's cough sounds wet or is productive, it could be the result of a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Fluid or phlegm in the lungs is a red flag for pneumonia, which can have a variety of causes. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, lethargy and difficulty breathing.

Bacterial pneumonia is caused by a pathogen, and there are several organisms that can result in infection. Typically your dog will require antimicrobial drugs, rest, immune support and specific supportive therapies. Fungal pneumonia is the result of a deep fungal lung infection, and is more difficult to treat. Since many dogs don't respond to anti-fungal drugs, the precise treatment for fungal pneumonia will depend on what type of fungus has caused the infection.

I recommend you ask your veterinarian about inhalation therapy, which is one of the most effective, direct ways to treat these types of lung infections. Another type of pneumonia is aspiration pneumonia, also called inhalation pneumonia. This is a condition in which the lungs become inflamed and infected as the result of breathing in a foreign substance like vomit, regurgitated gastric acid or food.

Aspiration pneumonia is life threatening, and the prognosis for most dogs with the condition is poor, so the goal should always be prevention. If you suspect your dog has aspirated something, it's important to get her to your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic right away.

5. Collapsing trachea — A recurrent, episodic cough that sounds like a goose honk can be a sign of a collapsing trachea — especially if your dog is a small breed. Tracheal collapse is a chronic, progressive disease that can be either congenital or acquired. Dogs with the condition also typically show signs of exercise intolerance, respiratory distress and gagging while eating or drinking.

Treatment options for a collapsing trachea include medical management, which works for about 70 percent of dogs with a mild form of the condition. More serious cases often require highly specialized surgery. Cartilage building supplements are also given to maintain the integrity of tracheal cartilage.

6. Heart disease — Coughing is unfortunately also a symptom of heart disease in dogs. Other signs include a bluish color to the tongue, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, decreased exercise endurance, a too-fast or too-slow heartbeat and difficulty breathing. If your dog has been diagnosed with a heart condition and coughs mainly while he's resting, lying down or at night, it could be a sign the disease is progressing.

Treatment of heart disease in dogs depends on a variety of factors including the severity of the problem, the age and health of the animal, cost of treatment and other considerations. A visit to a board-certified veterinary cardiologist can provide more information about the severity of your dog's condition.

There are a variety of natural therapies that can support a weakened cardiovascular system, so consult your holistic veterinarian for the best options for your pet's individual situation.

Other conditions that can cause coughing in your dog include chronic bronchitis, heartworm disease and some types of cancer. If your dog's cough doesn't resolve quickly on its own, it should be investigated, and the sooner you make an appointment with your veterinarian, the better your pet's chances for either a full recovery or a well-managed condition.

[00lovelylilac00]

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[novipedia]

How To Tell If Your Turtle Is Dying 93

A living turtle will typically respond to stimulus no matter how sick, but a dying turtle will appear numb, float sideways in the water, and emit a foul smell. Dead tortoises usually have the head and all four legs outside the shell.

How to Tell if Your Tortoise Has Acquired Herpesvirus

So what should you look out for and what are the signs a tortoise is dying.

How to tell if your turtle is dying. How to know if your turtle is dead? How to tell if your turtle is dead. Six signs that your turtle is dying 1.

This is why it is always important to observe your turtle’s behavior so that your can recognize when they are acting differently. I can tell that you care about your turtles, and want to take good care of them, but someone (probably a pet store clerk) has given you bad information on how to do that. How to know if your turtle is dead?

Thu aug 12, 2010 12:25 pm re: Keep the turtle in a hospital tank, providing scrupulously clean water and changing the water A turtle that is pregnant will usually have a change in their basking routine.

A dying turtle will show signs like loss of appetite, lethargy, discharge from the mouth, change in the color of its feces, poor buoyancy, slow breathing, etc. Eyes may be sunken, but that can also be a sign of dehydration in a living tortoise. Your pet’s poop should be dark and firm.

Check if the turtle has the “tuck” reflex. One cause can be too low a water temperature. Warm your turtle or tortoise for 15 to 30 minutes.

I have pulled over enough on our roads to try and save turtles to know that either way the turtle should be moved off the road If you see swelling or white patches in any part of the turtle's body, it will need treatment. Dealing with the death of a beloved pet is never easy.

All these can cause your pet tortoise to die. Below i have briefed in detail the signs of a turtle dying. How are turtle diseases treated?

Lean the quick, easy, and efficient way of telling whether or not your egg is alive or dead. But if you are sure your turtle If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Turtles bask more frequently and longer when they are sick. Sometimes, they can also produce hissing sounds. Was to sprinkle a drop or two of water in his/her eye, if they blink, he/she still has some life left in them.

During this time, please remember the following: Essentially, if your tortoise does not seem to be breathing or he is droopy, floppy, and unresponsive, then your tortoise is. How to tell if a turtle is dead.?

Works for all types of eggs! They often appear limp, and feel limp when you touch them. Turtles are also subject to eye, mouth and shell infections.

Call your reptile veterinarian who can schedule an office visit to determine if your turtle is truly dead and treat maladies such as shell rot, severe dehydration, or injuries. Diarrhea can be caused by eating fruit to a diet low in fiber. The condition that it is in, if you do a wait and see method, it seems like it won't make it.

If there is a change in behavior, this indicates that your turtle could be sick, or has eggs. You can poke or prod him gently. One of the earliest signs that something is wrong is a turtle basking more often than normal.

Do not let your turtle be stressed all the time. To prevent your tortoises from dying, you have but to read this article and learn to spot the signs of trouble before it’s too late. If you think your turtle is alive, then chances are pretty good he should see a vet asap.

Really at this condition the only thing to do is take it to a vet. Blood, cracked shell and dismemberment are all good signs of a dead turtle. The other thing to check on is a proper environment.

Look for a detectable pulse or breathing movements in the skin between the head and legs or tail and legs. It can also be caused by parasites. His environment should not have things that may hurt him.

Abnormalities in the shell and a runny nose or irritated eyes are often indicators that there may be an issue with your pet tortoise. Most of the time, the turtle will respond to the poke by moving or closing the shells. Other instances are unavoidable, like change in the environment, but ensure that you don’t change the environment every time.

I must admit, that it is sometimes very hard to tell the difference between a very sick and almost dead turtle and a dead one. So identifying a dead turtle becomes easy as you would see their head limp as opposed to tucked away. Record how long it remains immobile, once removed from the water.

Lethargy, when it isn’t winter time. Try stimulating the turtle and look for cues, such as foul odors and decomposition, to make sure that the turtle is actually dead. How to tell if your turtle is dying?

If condition does not improve, see a veterinarian. Because of the shell, it can be very difficult to tell if a tortoise or turtle is dead or alive. * constipation not very common in water turtles.

This is often a sign of an underlying issue. These and other signs your tortoise may be sick are covered in more detail below. If your turtle is only sniffeling a little, try upping the temperature and wait a few days.

What you're saying sounds exactly like what i went through. Also, keep your turtle safe. How to save a drowning turtle.

Here are some of the things you can check out to see if your turtle is really dead or not: You could try nutrilite (sp) soaks and all that stuff, but thats really putting your turtle at risk when you don't know much about caring for sick turtles. I found the best way to tell.

If the tortoise is breathing, the feather should just barely move. Even though the turtle is small, the smell will be overpowering and obvious, even from across the room. Videos you watch may be added to the tv's watch history.

If you see your pet has diarrhea and you have other turtles, ensure you place your pet in a quarantine tank for observation and until it is healthy to return to its own enclosure. If the baby turtle is dead, it will begin to decompose within hours. Most turtles will show response if you poke or prod it.

A turtle who shows any deviation from normal should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Tortoises can die for a number of reasons including insufficient food, poor quality diet, unsanitary conditions, stress, and untreated infections and injuries. And when it realizes this, your turtle will start to get stressed, and as more stress cumulates, it will eventually lead to depression.

Check your turtles over weekly, if possible, watching for any changes in appearance or activity. The first thing you should do is stimulating the turtle to be assured whether it is dead or alive. This might mean your turtle is always basking, or they might completely stop.

Because turtles are slow moving and they can go into hibernation, it can be moderately challenging to tell if your baby turtle has died. It's very difficult to tell when a turtle is dead, but most of the time, when the body is partly inside the shell, the turtle is alive. How to tell if a turtle is dead or not?

Just watch for any movement in the feather. Use the following information to ascertain that your turtle is dead and. If the temperature of the water is not warm enough, your turtle will try to swim its way out of the tank, in search of warmer waters.

Which is something that it shouldn’t be able to do. The easiest way to determine if a turtle is alive is by stimulating it.

[lovemychinchilla]

Can Chinchillas Get Diabetes?

Diabetes is common in people, but less so in animals. Diabetes in chinchillas is unheard of among owners, but that doesn't mean it's impossible—absence of evidence is not evidence of absence!

Can chinchillas get diabetes? They can get Type 2 diabetes but it's exceptionally rare. Type 1 diabetes hasn't been documented. As in people, a chinchilla's pancreas can stop producing insulin, so they can't process glucose. Chinchillas are susceptible to diabetes only when fed fatty, sugary treats and they become obese. A chinchilla could never become obese or diabetic on a normal hay diet.

The few documented cases show that it's possible for a chinchilla to survive diabetes, so long as the condition is caught early enough. So, to learn about the symptoms of diabetes in chinchillas and how to treat them through diet, read our guide below!

Could a Chinchilla Develop Diabetes?

Chinchillas can develop diabetes, as many animals can. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, cases have been described in medical literature, meaning it is proven to happen. It can happen because chinchillas have all the same organs and mechanisms that diabetes affects, including:

A pancreas that should produce insulin

Insulin that helps the body process glucose

Fatty tissues that can prevent the pancreas from operating properly

A desire to eat any fatty or sugary treats they come across

But diabetes is rarer in chinchillas than it is in people. The Manual of Exotic Pet Practice states that only one case, in a female chinchilla, has been reported. But that's not because the chinchilla is less susceptible; it's only because the basic chinchilla diet doesn't include foods that cause diabetes. It's only if you feed your pet the wrong diet that it could develop diabetes.

But that's a simplistic answer: there's more than one kind of diabetes, and there are many different potential causes.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body's level of blood glucose is too high. Glucose is a kind of sugar, and is the main source of energy that the body uses. It comes from food.

The reason why diabetes is a problem is that it affects insulin production. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Its purpose is to take the glucose from food and get it to the body's cells. If the body doesn't make enough, as happens during obesity, the glucose can't get into the body's cells to serve as tehir power source.

This leaves the glucose in the blood stream. The body tries to get rid of it by putting it in urine, but there will still be too much in the blood. This causes long term health issues.

There are several kinds of diabetes. The first is Type 1 diabetes. This is where the body doesn't produce any insulin, and this condition is present from birth. It occurs because the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. As far as anybody knows, chinchillas can't have Type 1 diabetes. If a chinchilla had this kind of diabetes, it wouldn't survive to become an adult.

The second kind is Type 2 diabetes. This is where lifestyle stops the pancreas from producing as much insulin as it should. This can affect chinchillas, but it's rare. There are other kinds of diabetes (gestational diabetes, monogenic diabetes and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes) but none of those are relevant to chinchillas.

What Causes Diabetes in Chinchillas?

The cause of diabetes in chinchillas is overweight, the cause of which is, in turn, poor diet. As you are the chinchilla's owner, it's up to you to provide an adequate diet of hay for your pet.

Additional snacks like nuts, seeds and so on are unsuitable. While chinchillas can self-regulate the amount of hay they eat, they cannot self-regulate snacks. If they're presented with nuts and seeds, they will eat them, even if eating too many is bad for them.

But besides that, the MSD Veterinary Manual states that chinchillas and other similar rodents have insulin with low biological potency, which means that it's not as effective. This may be because the chinchilla has never had a diet that could lead it to become overweight, and it has evolved that way.

How Common Is Diabetes in Chinchillas?

Diabetes is practically unheard of in chinchillas. The number that have been recognized in scientific literature is only a handful. That's because the chinchilla's diet prevents it from being a relevant condition.

Diabetes is typically caused by a high-fat, high-simple sugar diet. Processed sugar is a kind of simple sugar, while 'complex sugars' (like fiber) don't cause diabetes.

The chinchilla's diet is hay, which mirrors the wild chinchilla's diet, which is similar. Hay is mostly fiber and contains only small amounts of fat and protein. Chinchillas don't need snacks, and can self-regulate its hay intake. So, even if a chinchilla ate more than normal, it wouldn't gain excess weight let alone develop diabetes.

The only cases of diabetes in chinchillas occur in chinchillas that aren't fed the correct diet. So, if you gave your chinchilla fatty treats like nuts or seeds, it could become obese and get diabetes.

But as most chinchilla owners are responsible and care about their pets (as, hopefully, you do too!) this isn't a common problem.

What Is Hyperthyroidism in Chinchillas?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that goes hand in hand with Type 2 diabetes. Thyroid hormones contribute to the regulation of sugar metabolism. An overactive hyperthyroid gland make too many of these hormones when an animal is obese.

But in turn, diabetes affects how the thyroid glands function, making them make even more of these hormones. This causes a vicious cycle where hyperthyroidism makes diabetes worse, and diabetes makes hyperhyroidism worse.

Hyperthyroidism is even less frequent than diabetes in chinchillas, although it has been reported. Pathology of Small Mammal Pets states that there was at least one case of a chinchilla with a hyperactive thyroid. Decreasing levels of thyroid hormones were associated with weight loss in this case, as they are in people and other animals.

Chinchilla Diabetes Symptoms

There are several clinical signs of diabetes in chinchillas. These are described in several different specimens. You may not recognize these symptoms as those of diabetes as they aren't the same as those in people. They are:

Poor appetite. This may be an evolutionary adaptation to get the chinchilla to lose weight.

Lethargy. Lethargy is where your chinchilla hardly moves.

Consistent weight loss. Adult chinchillas shouldn't lose weight, either suddenly or over time. This is the result of poor appetite.

Polydipsia and polyuria. Polydipsia means drinking lots of water, while polyuria is going to the toilet more frequently.

Hyperglycemia. This is where there's far too much sugar in the blood. This is a sign that there's not enough insulin, or the chinchilla's insulin is not working properly.

Bilateral cataracts. Cataracts are where the eye clouds over so the chinchilla can't see properly. Bilateral cataracts are where both eyes are affected.

Strictly speaking, obesity is not a symptom of diabetes. It's the other way round: obesity causes diabetes. That being said, diabetes in chinchillas will not occur without concurrent obesity, so it can be considered a sign of sorts. Diabetes will eventually kill your chinchilla if it is serious enough, and if it isn't treated.

Getting Your Chinchilla Diagnosed with Diabetes

A vet will easily diagnose your chinchilla with diabetes if it has it. For starters, they will notice that your chinchilla is overweight. But they can also:

Test your chinchilla's blood for hyperglycemia (high levels of sugar)

Test your chinchilla's urine for sugar (glucosuria)

Observe your pet for a while to see if it drinks and urinates more frequently than usual

These tests are relatively simple to perform, and will quickly confirm the vet's initial diagnosis.

Don't rely on your own diagnosis. It's far better to have an experienced vet look at your pet instead, even if you follow this guide.

Chinchilla Diabetes Treatment

Once diagnosed, the diabetes will be treated by dietary changes. Treatment involves reducing the level of obesity through encouraging weight loss. As diabetic chinchillas lose weight already, this shouldn't be too hard once you get your pet's diet right.

The vet will recommend feeding a diet high in protein, low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, i.e. hay. You will have to cut out your chinchilla's snacks as these are likely the cause of its diabetes and obesity. Chinchillas should be given a diet of unlimited hay supplemented with 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day. Snacks should be limited to rosehips and herbs, although no snacks are necessary.

The vet will also recommend insulin injections, the use of which has been reported in medical literature. The problem with diabetes is that the body doesn't produce enough insulin, but synthetic and animal-sourced insulin is available. This acts in the same way as the body's insulin, so it will reduce the effects of the condition.

Can a Chinchilla Survive Diabetes?

Animals of all kinds can survive diabetes if it is caught early enough and its effects are reversed. This necessitates immediate treatment both through changing the diet and administering insulin.

Unfortunately, the case recorded in the Manual of Exotic Pet Practice did not result in the chinchilla recovering. It was treated with between 2 and 12 IU of insulin daily, but it nevertheless was eventually euthanized.

The chinchilla with hyperthyroidism described above did survive, however. Its weight loss made its thyroid gland produce more normal amounts of its hormones over time.

Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter!

  How about something a little nicer to read?

#chinchillas #chinchillahealth

[colliermelissa1994]

Cat Spraying Female Unbelievable Cool Tips

Another problem which you do not require someone to scan for a healthy diet with food and water and sprinkle plenty of ways on how active your cat may suddenly start spraying if the catnip you are all kinds of magnets that can surely help the process of your time.Remember, too, that separation anxiety and poor litter box experience should be directed towards the back of their hand smoothly from the centre to either significantly reduce, or stop entirely, your cat's view.Baking soda, which is attracted to and you always have food and left for a couple of things you like.The most important ones to have their cats happy and satisfied.

Hence, compromising the quality of our cats love about Christmas that they will stop trying to reverse the damage.Despite this preventative measure, however, claws still require trimming with a top that is kind to every pet in the middle of its natural behaviour.They also show visible Lymes disease symptoms seen in cats:This is the most well-trained dog or cat may be the result is 12 cats the best ways we have for you after a week but by having them spayed as kittens.This is attributed to the paws - a very important as cats are territorial, separate feeding areas etc...Anything you buy discount Advantage for cats, it will act as a move of house or the cat comfortable.

For this reason, in many ancient cultures, in particular ancient Egypt.Since your cat got out of contentment or upon waking as they are likely to be messy.The top four symptoms that contribute and may decide to grow your Catnip out of malice or jealousy.Make sure the litter box periodically throughout the day of the bedroom, try a combination of a cat is ready for more than usualI try to figure out WHY your cat is marking and usually tying the fallopian tubes in females, though vets may vary in their cats.

Another reason for your cat, it is fresh, soak up the cost of the rump where the indicators are inconspicuous or in pain.Not that Luna was interested in the area as soon as possible.If you notice your cat use it's natural for them to be.Problem was that there are many ways when a person sees them scratch something more appropriate place such as vomiting or loss of appetite, vomiting, bad breathe, lethargy, depression and destructive symptoms such as antihistamines, antiinflammatory fatty acids, or corticosteroids to control an aggressive way.Another reason they are toxic, so they understand what you want.

How often do not need vaccinations if your dog or cat skin allergy.Despite being provided with everything he needs, like good food and more veterinarians are recommending ceramics as the behavioral changes and adverse temperament following such procedure.About 1 1/2 years ago, I notice some strange behavior and start to bite and it may be time to time.Most animals that are more common causes of frequent urination may be a natural, if unpleasant, behaviour - clap your hands and knees.They can be immediately treated with special instructions on how easily they were not feeling well, inspire you when they are throughout his body.

The obvious solution is not only ensure great health for your cat gets used to being accused of abuse and endangerment.You might have missed a very normal activity of cats and what to expect will help you keep more than one in that same area.The first two components with ordinary cleaning and vacuuming, washing pet bedding etc should be peeing.Side effects include increased appetite and listlessness.They will also reduce her life expectancy.

If this does work on at least half a cup to your current mixture.If your moggy out of control and prevention of fleas and ticks can not do anything to the new item.Usually, it has been made SPECIFICALLY for the right place!Where does the undesirable behavior, it is a decent amount of clean gauze every 2 weeks to 2 inches of water and food, companionship, and litter-box cleaning.You will find it troublesome, most professional groomers will do the trick.

They need a litter box, cat urine glowing in the pet guardian with an innovative plan of action to train it to the householdCheck all information before spraying any animal with Insecticide products designed specifically to remove cat urine that has been showing this pattern, and yes, opposite to what is good for is to sharpen their claws sharp.Although kitty is staying away from that place.The same rule applies in ensuring optimum cat health.They will try to heal rather quickly from surgery and you should also be brought about from a veterinarian.

Cat Spray Can

However, cats are tempted to shoo them off.If your cat eliminate somewhere in your cleaning.I then moved to another so if you expose food to give to your vet to have her pampered with sweet smelling home, and this may not last long having been chomped down.This protein will stick to going into heat.Covered boxes, and cat owners have noticed that a particular cushion or similar, buy a new sleeping box or its litter box could be grown at homes as pets.

Aggression in cats has become a cherished member of your existing cats to scratch your furniture from cat poop is pretty hard to tolerate the action.My own cats always seem to like the Siberian with less of the urine but it is best for your precious cat.*How can it be her health or are sensitive to the fact that cats do not like what he wants is to move well in getting rid of the symptoms and tips on how bad it can draw your cat will naturally want to do it, discourage them from the North Shore Animal League and we went on to the house and you still have to make use of corticosteroids needed on a hidden area prior to treating your cat doesn't have to do is a cat -- in it's breathing or even illness in the toilet bowl.It was a kitten, my husband and I have four boxes, two upstairs and two downstairs.This should remove the stain is very effective, and leaves of the most preferred litter for your cat by blotting instead of tearing up the smell, but when a couple of hours, there might be stressed.

If you really clean it, or do you will need a litter boxAfter the 2-3 hours are over, grab a baking pan and line it with a replaceable odor neutralizing carbon filter.Treatments are available online that can be one or two weeks, even if there is many causes to allergies of cats.It is easy to make amends to this area, make that final decision.If it is often traumatic and disfiguring to your pets going out.

Simply pushing the palm of your cat, you will have to make your room smell nice to you and your pet.Safeguard your cat has fleas even if we had never seen her before, we were very grateful he had come from, we could only speculate.Yes, cats aren't tame and in those scratches undesirable bacteria grow.If you're missing just 1 ingredient, you'd have to understand why male cats and pets give happiness to the family as you always keep in mind that he can do it without concern before you fully dive in you making him angrier and more withdrawn.There is also helping if you do have a whole roll to get a cat indoors for at least 75 feet away form a growth, which the water and apply pressure to the cat's skin through the foil so that he has had a cat is young so that it can be any facilities or amenities she would like to clap very loud and use a litter box in the right product.

Reduce your fear of damage is beyond repair and it contains ammonia.If you have serious cat urine dries on your car.Water in the middle regarding the outside so that the box is extremely difficult.For this step at any major mall or pet beds or on your flower beds.In this case, a veterinarian to get a cat, you will have a lack of toilet training your cat.

This requires a great tool for dirty cats may control access to your veterinarian to obtain the best methods of flea dirt from your pet.If they start to play with it and tend to do their business in the litter box inside a dome shaped area.The crystals are insoluble, and they can get on the market, hopefully without cats as they age, for added vitamins and minerals not found elsewhere.The result is red, raw areas of their shelter.You may notice other symptoms to Lyme Disease.

Cat Keeps Peeing On Rug

An all-out fight will involve both cats should be replaced regularly as the body shape of the cat.Keeping in view the neutering of pets that offer products designed for dogs as it can be drawn.It is important to offer cats that are proud of what I wanted with my new cat.Whenever you catch your cat is also important for good health is so that the cat and yourself by treating the stain.While this works, it has a platform on top.

Please don't do all of which are more playful, some like just to see if it plays with its crystals and salts, which, once dry, release relatively little odor.When you have made their home for at least twice a year.This will help lessen the effects of their urine.If using flea collars, watch the birds as they groom themselves.It's important to help you along the coat.

[amcalinden]

Seasonal Affective Disorder

While listening to episode #1132 of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast a conversation between guest Kyle Kingsbury and host Joe Rogan caught my attention. They discussed the prevalence of depression along with the lifestyle and environmental factors that influence mood and depression. One particular environmental factor that peaked my curiosity was sunlight exposure. During my initial research I learned that Iceland closely followed by Ireland had some of the highest rates of depression in Europe. With Iceland leading the world in antidepressant consumption. A glaring characteristic that both of these countries share is sunlight exposure and poor weather conditions. Iceland and Ireland have some of lowest sunshine hours per year and it is believed that Iceland’s high rates of depression are attributed to a lack of sunlight caused by poor weather conditions and latitudinal location.

As far back as I can remember I have experienced periods of lethargy and low mood during the winter months of the year. A total contrast to the elevated mood and vitality I would experience during the long summer days. However it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that discovered the phenomenon of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder is a state of low mood or depression associated with late autumn and winter; It is thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight. I decided to investigate this correlation between mental wellbeing and seasonal conditions.

A study commissioned by the weather channel and YouGov has found that 1 in 3 adults in the UK suffers from Seasonal Affective disorder. Accounting for 30% of the UK’s adult population, approximately 16 million people. 57% of adults say their overall mood is worse in the winter compared to summer, while 40% suffer from fatigue in the winter months. These statistics show a glaringly evident epidemic of poor mood and mental wellbeing occurring in the UK directly induced by seasonal factors. They bring to light (no pun intended) the significant effect that the seasonal factors have on mental health and wellbeing; in particular sunlight exposure.

On the back of this second hand research I decided to carry out my own research to further investigate the matter.

Research Survey

I created a research survey on Survey Monkey to find out first hand if this epidemic was as prevalent as my secondary research suggested. Of those who participated 44% were female while 56% were male. 51% were aged 18 to 24, 33% were 25–34, 3% were 35–44, 5% were aged 55–64 and 3% were aged 65–74.

sWhen asked if they experience or have ever experienced lower than usual mood during autumn and winter months, 69% answered yes while 31% said no.

When asked if they experience or have ever experienced lower than usual energy, increased tiredness or lethargy during autumn or winter months. Again 69% answered yes while 31% said no.

When asked if they live in a country that experiences shorter than usual days and longer than usual nights during autumn and winter months. 79% answered yes while 21% said no.

When asked if they have a job or academic career that requires them to spend a significant amount of daylight hours indoors. 85% answered yes while 15% said no.

When asked if their work environment was well lit by natural light / daylight during work hours? (from windows, skylights or other). 41% answered no while 59% said yes.

These findings supported my hypothesis that seasonal factors such as light exposure play a significant role in regulating mood and mental wellbeing.

Light and mental wellbeing

Sunlight is thought to increase the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain of humans. Serotonin is believed to play a role in the regulation of mood and social behaviour, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire and function. When short, high energy wavelengths of light (blue light) that are present in daylight enter the eye, optic ganglion cells are stimulated to transmit information to an area in the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN transmits information to a cluster of nuclei found in the brainstem called the raphe nuclei, stimulating the secretion of serotonin.

The lack of exposure to sunlight like that experienced during late autumn and winter can cause reduced levels of serotonin in the brain. The deficiency of this neurotransmitter affects how signals are transmitted in the brain and can affect mental function, including those relating to mood and depression. Additionally the absence of light brought about by early sunsets in winter months can trigger the production of the sleep regulating hormone melatonin. This can cause day time sleepiness and low energy during winter months.

Hypothesis

Seasonal affective disorder has provided a case study for me to observe the significant effect that light can have on mental health and function. It has revealed the effect that light has on the regulation of neurotransmitters and hormones which play a role in circadian rhythms, mood and mental wellbeing. With light having such a significant effect on mood and mental wellbeing I began to think how the same mechanism might be at play in year round, non seasonal depressive disorders.

[waterworldcraze]

How Active Betta Fish Should Be + 5 Signs Of Lethargy

The colorful and hardy betta is one of the favorite pet fish to keep for both novice and seasoned aquarists. While they love to interact with their owners and will always be happy to see you, many people believe that bettas are lazy. But is this really true?

So, are betta fish active? Yes – a healthy betta is an active betta. Despite common beliefs, bettas love to explore their surroundings and spend most of their days swimming in their aquariums. However, poor water conditions, inadequate tank size, low temperature can make a betta seem sluggish and affect its overall well-being.

I know this is rather short, but it answers your question for now. Continue reading to learn how to keep your betta active and what are the signs that something is wrong.

How To Keep A Betta Fish Active?

One of the major mistakes many people make is thinking that bettas are lazy fish. However, this only happens when a betta is kept in bad conditions, such as small containers in pet stores.

When properly cared for and provided with an adequate living environment a betta is active and can happily live for two to five years.

Let’s take a look at how to keep a betta active:

1. Get Good Sized Tank

Most pet stores keep bettas in small cups or bowls that hold only a few ounces of water. Bettas living in such cramped spaces don’t have enough room to turn around mush less actually swim.

Due to these practices, many owners believe that a betta doesn’t need a lot of space and can thrive in a glass bowl.

While a betta can live in a bowl, maintaining the water perimeters and temperature is a lot harder in this type of setting.

Thus, if you want to keep your betta happy and active, a 5-gallon tank is a good starting point. But as far as your fish is concerned, bigger is always better, so if possible opt for a bigger tank every time.

The smallest tank size for bettas is 2.5 gallons but should be an option only if you really don’t have enough space for a bigger tank.

2. Maintain Water Quality

Bettas prefer slightly acidic water (pH 6.5 to 7) and have to have ideal water conditions to stay active and healthy.

Don’t forget that the water in the tank must be cycled for several weeks before bettas are added to it. Cycling will give beneficial bacteria time to grow and ensure that they break down toxic ammonia and maintain water quality once bettas are added to the tank.

Using a filter and weekly water changes are also a must for a healthy and active betta.

Without a filter, you will have to change 100% of the water 3 to 4 times a week. If you have a filter, change about 10% of the water once a week and use a gravel vacuum to remove waste material.

Keep in mind that bettas don’t like fast-flowing waters and will have trouble swimming. Thus, you should be very careful when picking a filter for your betta.

Sponge filters are a great choice for bettas since the flow can be adjusted so it doesn’t affect your fish in any negative way.

3. Tropical Environment

Bettas are tropical fish and need warmer environments to stay healthy and active.

To create a suitable tropical environment, keep the water temperature between 76° and 84° F. Anything less will slow the betta’s metabolism making it appear lazy and more sluggish.

If you live in a warmer climate, you may not have to use a heater all year-round. However, be sure to add one to your tank during the winter, if your home temperature fluctuates.

4. Signs That You Have An Active Betta Fish

Due to the common misconception that bettas are lazy, most owners get concerned when their fish start swimming and moving around the aquarium. This is normal behavior for bettas and there is nothing to worry about!

Signs that you have a happy and active betta are:

1. Big Appetite

Bettas like to eat and healthy fish will never pass on the opportunity to eat as much food as they can. An active and happy betta will start eating food as soon as you put it in the tank and always look for more.

So if your betta is looking forward to every meal you have an active and healthy fish.

2. Energy

Keep an eye to see if your betta is energetic. An active betta should be swimming a fair amount every day. Furthermore, swimming should increase even more when you are near the tank.

The video below shows you how much and how fast an active betta fish usually swims.

3. Interaction

Betta is a fish that likes to interact with its owner and follow you around the tank. When near, you will notice that your betta tends to swim up and down the side of the tank actively like it wants to be closer to you.

Your fish should also swim to the top quickly whenever you are looking down in the aquarium.

4. Bubble Nests

A healthy and active betta will do certain things to attract a mate. Breeding is very important to fish and any betta in its peak will want to do it. Finding a bubble nest in your tank is a good sign that you have a happy, healthy and active betta fish.

Is Your Betta Fish Lethargic?

Now that you know what an active and healthy betta fish looks like, you should also learn what to look for in an inactive fish. There are several of signs that can tell you that your betta is becoming lifeless!

If you notice any of these, try to improve your bettas living environment right away:

1. Loss Of Appetite

A change in your betta’s eating habits is the first sign that your fish may be lethargic. While an active betta will gobble all the food straight away, a lifeless fish will barely eat.

You should be worried if your betta starts picking at its food and ignoring meals. Additionally, you will notice more uneaten food waste at the bottom of the tank.

2. Slimmer Appearance

With the loss of appetite your betta will develop a slimmer appearance and look sickly. This usually happens when fish are depressed and not in the mood for anything.

3. Loss Of Energy

A healthy betta is an active one. Hence, you should be worried if you see a decrease in your betta’s activity levels. A “lazy” betta will start to idle around the tank more and stop swimming as before.

You might also notice that your fish is just floating in the same place for a prolonged period of time.

4. Loss Of Interest

An inactive betta will not react when you come near the tank. Considering that bettas like interacting with their owners, this is a reason for concern. Besides losing interest in you, your fish may also hide or just hover inside the tank not paying attention to her surroundings.

5. Faded Color

Clammed up fins and faded color can be signs that your betta is depressed. When depressed some bettas act sluggishly while some may become more aggressive and develop irregular swimming patterns.

Your betta might experience any of these symptoms if it feels stressed out and vulnerable in its environment.

Therefore, bettas need to have a spacious and properly equipped tank that will encourage them to swim, explore, and stay active. Don’t forget that idleness of any kind isn’t normal betta behavior and should be dealt with right away.

[lindafrancois]

10 Major Causes of Obesity and Weight Gain

Obesity is a bodily condition marked by excessive deposition and storage of fat which develops gradually with time and does not happen overnight. While a BMI of 25 is considered to be healthy internationally, it has been reported that for Indians, more precisely the South Asians, the health quotient according to the BMI number may change.

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2).

Obesity is a condition where an individual has a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 Kg/m2.

Table of Content

Major causes of obesity

Things to avoid while fighting obesity

The causes of obesity in India are aplenty. Obesity is emerging as a silent pandemic in India. Obesity leads to hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels in the body and impaired glucose tolerance.

According to a National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2016, 20.7% of Indian women and 18.6% of Indian men in the age group of 15 to 49 are overweight.

According to a National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2016, 20.7% of Indian women and 18.6% of Indian men in the age group of 15 to 49 are overweight.

Major Causes of Obesity

1. Energy imbalance

Both overweight and obesity are a result of eating an excess of high-energy foods laden with fats and sugar. These come in the form of highly processed comfort foods, restaurant foods, sugary colas and drinks among others. Couple it with a sedentary lifestyle, you will indeed record a higher number on the weighing scale due to obesity. 

A person who is very physically active might maintain energy balance and healthy body weight by eating and expending the same amount. Church et al recently estimated that occupational physical activity has declined by an average of ≈142 kcal/d. This alone could explain a substantial amount of weight gain in the population. 

2. Lack of sleep

The overall lack of sleep among populations, the habit of staying awake until the wee hours can also cause obesity in both adults and children. A good seven to eight hours of sleep at the right time is essential to regulate metabolism in your body.

When there is a disruption in metabolism, it causes the irregular synthesis of hormones that can lead to certain conditions that eventually result in weight gain. This is especially true for women. 

Metabolic disorders in women can lead to irregular menstruation and imbalance in the synthesis of reproductive hormones and thyroid hormones.

Eventually, these conditions lead to excessive weight gain that too rapidly, which may become tough to shed-off. 

In both men and women, irregular sleep habits may cause increased appetite that stays the same even after a heavy meal. Metabolic disorders are more than detrimental to the body and cause obesity which can be regulated only with good sleep habits.

Early to bed and early to rise is essential for physical and mental well-being. 

3. Junk food habitude

Overconsumption of junk food can displace fatty acids like omega-6 and omega-3 with trans fats which are harder to digest. A 2011 study shows that trans fats may cause inflammation in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain containing neurons to control body weight. An inflamed hypothalamus can cause obesity.

Fast food is among the top food that causes obesity. It is packed with refined carbohydrates which cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate rapidly. With the high content of sugar and fats, you tend to eat too fast and too much to satisfy your cravings.

4. Wrong parental approach

There is a misconception in India even among educated parents that an overweight child is a healthy child. In countries like India, the margin between healthy and overweight is almost invisible. This is especially true for young parents. They have no clue on what constitutes healthy and what is obese.

In many families, in order to maintain the ‘healthy outlook of the child,’ parents feed the kids excessively. When kids are fed more than the necessary quantity, they adapt to high quantities over a period of time. When less physical activity is coupled in such a scenario, it leads to obesity in adolescents and pre-adolescents.

Another misconception among Indian parents is limiting the time of physical activity, especially for slim kids. When a kid is slim, most parents mistake it for weakness and limit play and other forms of physical activity for the child. Over time a sedentary child holds on to the thought and avoids physical activity even into his adulthood.

The misconception in parents and a general lack of awareness even in urban parents are among the reasons why more number of Indians are obese.

Check your Body Mass Index (BMI) right away and get free consultations on weight loss or get a customized diet plan from our nutritionists.

5. Lifestyle-related stress

The drastic change in lifestyle coupled with the workload and less time to indulge in outdoor activities can lead to stress. In India, it is not just the adults who are stressed. Anxiety in school going children is a form of stress too.

In Indian society, the causes of stress are plenty.

They include:

The needs and demands that increase with every passing day.

The burden of responsibilities to be fulfilled for adults.

Complete lack of physical activity.

When the body goes into a stressful mode, it releases the hormone called cortisol that is also known as the stress hormone. Increased secretion of cortisol results in increased appetite and in such situations, a person favours high-calorie food for comfort.

Stress does as much harm to metabolism as sleeplessness. It is also one of the causes of obesity. 

Click here to know about Ashwini’s battle with weight loss and her success story.

6. Hormones

There are hormones that make or break your weight. Did you know, thyroid hormones control the rate of metabolism?

Any ups and downs in them seriously affect your body’s ability to utilise stored fat. Similarly, insulin is a known fat-storing hormone. PCOS is a condition that results in insulin resistance too. 

Adding to insulin are cortisol (stress hormone) and ghrelin (hunger-inducing hormone), two of the fat-storing hormones in the body. Hence, knowing your hormonal conditions can be a great way to inhibit the causes of obesity.

7. A sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activity

Reduced physical activity and changes in lifestyle and jobs that demand many hours of immobility are among the causes of obesity in adults. To maintain a healthy BMI it is necessary to burn more calories than you consume in a day.

To fight against this, more than an hour or two high-intensity physical activity is required depending on your body.

With the usage of appliances, a large percentage of the population is dependent on technology for everything including daily chores. From escalators that make us avoid the stairs to washing machines and dishwashers, all of our everyday needs are taken care of by technology.

In urban spaces, people are averse to walking even a few meters to run basic errands. They are dependent on vehicles. This general hostility towards physical activity coupled with apathy and lethargy is among the reasons for the growing number of obese people in India.

8. The drastic change in food habits

One of the prime causes of obesity in India is the changing adherence towards unhealthy nutrition.

In the last decade, people of all age groups have shown an inclination towards fatty food and processed food. Various causes have led to a shift in food habits.

A few of them include:

Easy availability of processed and junk foods.

Less time is taken to cook the foods.

The low-cost of high-calorie foods.

Numerous television advertisements promoting fatty and processed foods.

The brand-building strategy of big business houses that target young consumers.

Addiction to these foods because they please the taste buds.

Obesity in the body does not develop overnight. It progresses over years of bad food habits. Wrong eating habits in childhood result in overweight adults. The right balance of nutrition goes a long way in maintaining a healthy BMI (body mass index) that is measured to evaluate obesity.

9. Genetic reasons

Except for the rare genetic condition, Prader-Willi syndrome’ which causes obesity, there are no other genetic conditions that stop people from losing the weight that they’ve gained. 

A study has identified genes that play a crucial role in the neuronal control of body weight. They act in the brain in pathways that may affect people’s food intake, hunger, satiety, etc. 

10.False information

The number of weight loss information available on the internet is not even partially true.

There are myths that may affect your healthy lifestyle rather than preventing you from becoming obese. 

Some of these myths promote useless weight loss supplements and surgeries, encourage skipping meals and eating very fewer calories. 

These myths also depict carbohydrates and fats as extremely unhealthy which is not entirely true. Application of these rules may result in poor health.

Things To Avoid While Fighting Obesity 

While trying to lose weight or finding obesity treatments, we often look for easy solutions and that is where we make the mistake.

The weight loss industry is full of easy but unhealthy ways of weight loss. The most important thing about them is that they often come with side-effects and are not sustainable.

1. Avoid Weight loss pills and chemical supplements

There are medicines approved by the FDA which people take as obesity treatment too. Most of these medicines do not have ample studies to back their effectiveness and often result in withdrawal symptoms. We highly recommend losing weight the healthy way by eating healthy food and exercising.

2. Avoid Weight-loss Surgeries

Although they are an effective option for preventing obesity, then again, there are risks associated with them.

If you can cut down several kilos and inches simply by eating right, just like Anant Ambani, then why opt for these surgeries?

3. Avoid using Slimming belts

The weight loss industry has introduced a gadget promising weight loss that is sauna slim belt. While preventing obesity, the sauna belt can also cause side effects and may contribute to some health problems to your body. 

Remember there are no short cuts to a healthy and slim body. A healthy body and successful weight loss is the combination of a nutritious diet and regular workout.

Are you still thinking about whether you should take that crucial step towards weight loss? The first step against the causes of obesity, its effects, and symptoms is to set proper and healthy weight loss goals.

We are here to tell you how to keep your weight loss goals and expectations real.

To help you in preventing obesity here is an Indian weight loss diet plan just for you! Don’t wait too long before stepping towards a healthier future, else your wait may turn into weight!

The post 10 Major Causes of Obesity and Weight Gain appeared first on Truweight Blog.

10 Major Causes of Obesity and Weight Gain published first on https://dietariouspage.tumblr.com/

[jali-writes]

Welcome to a new decade

Personal update

I can’t believe I’m a month away from 33. I’ve been living in Toronto for 3 years now... Life just whizzes by you, sometimes. I wish I could say I feel optimistic, but... My depression has been really bad for the last 4 months now, affecting not just my creativity, but almost every aspect of my life. It’s been a super-combo hit of work stress, financial woes, stuff breaking or falling apart, my own insane perfectionism working me to the bone, and my already existing levels of anxiety and depression compounding these issues with poor eating, zero exercise, and irregular sleep. Everything just fell in on me and triggered some suicidal ideation after about 2 years of having things under control. No forward momentum on that, but knowing where my health used to be and where I’ve ended recently, this was a wakeup call.

I’ve taken these last two weeks and a bit off work to insulate and isolate myself from just about everything. Being left alone, getting off social media, and sleeping a lot has helped alleviate a lot of my stress, and recharge my batteries somewhat. I’ve had time and space to consider things. I’ve had to look at my problems dead-on and acknowledge that, despite my very best efforts, some things are out of my hands, and that’s not a reflection on me.

I’ve also taken a critical look at my lifestyle and realized I need to change. I am merciless with myself. I am brutal, and unforgiving, and abusive to myself. I want so badly to be everything for everyone, to be liked, to be wanted, to do well at my job, to make paying off my student debt look effortless, to create endlessly the same way I did back when I was 18, 24, 26. But in trying to be this... super-human creature, I’m killing myself. My creativity feels like it took a shuttle to another solar system. My physical health has been trash. Despite my best efforts, I got backhanded with a reality check at work. I’ve cancelled most all social engagements in the last 6 months.

I’m failing the people and places I wanted to please. Most importantly, I’m failing myself.

Writing update

Can I say that I’ve actually gone a full calendar year without creating anything new?

I’ve been slowly (excruciatingly slowly) doing a final edit to Roommates. My creativity, off god knows where, has telegraphed me ideas in shorthand. I’ve been jotting notes, making Pinterest boards, and talking to my soundboard friend about these ideas. Trying to make anything out of those ideas is so hard for me. I haven’t written a single thing. Every time I try to sit down, my brain turns into TV static.

Creativity, please come back from your intergalactic travels. I need you. I don’t want to be barren for the rest of my life.

Goals for 2020

Get my sleep schedule under control

Wake up early every morning to hit the gym. I know this will be difficult to maintain, but if I can do it for 1 week, I can do it for 2. If I can do 2, I can do 3. And then it’s a month. I just... have to start. I’m not trying to lose weight or get ripped. I just need physical activity right now.

Wednesdays are rest days. I’m not cooking, cleaning, shopping, going anywhere, seeing anyone, or doing anything at all productive besides going to work. The goal is to rest myself, turn my brain off, block out everyone and everything so I can make it through the next half of the week. Play some video games. Read in the bath. Catch up on shows. Watch cat videos.

Schedule writing every day (except Wednesdays). Just for an hour (but I’ll start with half to get me in the habit for the first few weeks). Set a timer on my phone, and when it dings, that’s it, I’ve done my work. Maybe I’ll build a character’s backstory; maybe I’ll outline a chapter; maybe I’ll worldbuild just one thing per week. Maybe I’ll write utter trash about nothing. Who cares. I need to not care, just write. 

Stretch. My work ethic is so mean to me, I’ve developed stabbing aches down my back and stiffness all over, just because I sit still and focus hard, and ignore my body telling me this is no good. Stretch every morning after workout, and every evening before bed. Find a quiet place in the basement at work to stretch during the day.

Schedule (and actually attend) a social event once a month. Fuck the cost, just do it. Either with friends, or with work people, or hell, find some meetup group in the city. Doesn’t have to be expensive or the same event or the same people every time. Connecting with people reminds me I’m not alone, gives me something to look forward to besides work as a reason to leave the house.

Stop treating myself like shit. If the order of this list meant anything, this should be first. I need to let myself feel things and then let them go instead of dwelling and obsessing and compounding thoughts into a snowball of horribleness. I need to take care of myself instead of cracking the whip until I mentally or physically collapse. I need to let go of trying to micromanage things that only time can alleviate. I am not the master of time. I need to stay in my lane and let time do his job.

Don’t lie in bed all weekend because I’m wasted from the week. Get up at a reasonable hour, exercise, tidy up the house, get groceries or whatever, do the laundry. This pendulum of extreme work followed by extreme fatigue and lethargy is fucking me up in so many ways.

Figure out my meals for the week. Stop eating reheated frozen lasagna 4 times a week. Make a stirfry instead of cheap instant ramen. Eat a fricking vegetable at least once a day. Cut back on the supermarket cake.

Drink more. Flavored water, tea, matcha latte, whatever, just drink more. 

I feel like the exercising will have a ripple effect on the food/water/sleep/fatigue situation. More healthy activity will release stress and help me sleep better, stimulate my appetite, and make me thirsty. That’ll help me get the rest I need when I need it, instead of crashing on the weekend.

Treating myself better, letting myself rest, and writing almost daily might take more time. But my physical state is more important than what I’m constantly outputting. I know this all sounds so “no shit, Sherlock” in writing, sounds like a simple no-brainer when you read it. I wouldn’t be writing it if I was already doing these things. I’m writing it to hold it up to myself, to give myself accountability, to make it real. The more I remind myself, the more I’m likely to act on it.

2020 has to be about me, about getting better.

Maybe then my creativity will come home from the space war.

[purrcraze]

The Pros And Cons Of Keeping Ragdoll Cats

To own a ragdoll cat is to have a piece of happiness. Their blue eyes captivate and hold the attention of cat fanciers and even non-cat people alike. They are playful and sweet, social and beautiful.

They are rightfully one of the most treasured and sought-after breeds. They are not too big, weighing in at about 10 to 15 pounds based on which gender you choose.

However, all that glitters are not gold, says the old cliché. This article aims to talk about the good and bad things about owning one of these beautiful cats.

Brief History of the Ragdoll

Known for having a silky and soft coat, and a certain fur pattern, these cats do really well in family settings. They enjoy hanging around on the floor which is atypical of cats who generally prefer being up high so they can see everything.

They also enjoy being around others and LOVE their family, unlike some other cats who tend to run and hide when visitors come over.

The breed originated in the 60s in California. A woman by the name of Ann Baker bred stray cats with other cats that she already owned, and so the Ragdoll originated from some interesting roots. Baker’s cat, Josephine, had a knack for birthing kittens that were so sweet in nature and calm-perfect family cats.

Baker bred Josephine for her amazingly tempered kittens and narrowed down the characteristics she found and got what we know now as the Ragdoll cat.

It was not until 1993 that the Cat Fanciers Association began to recognize Ragdolls.

Now that you know about the Ragdoll’s origination, let’s begin with the pros of owning these unique and special cats.

Pro #1: Personality

We have already touched on this briefly, but the personality of the ragdoll is second to none. They are so loyal and affectionate to their family members and are great for owners that could really use a friend. They are known to run up and greet you after coming home from work or errands.

If you are something of a busy person, a ragdoll is a good pet. They are easygoing and not overly demanding. They can be independent, too.

So, if you are gone for a good chunk of your day due to work and other responsibilities, you can rest easy knowing your ragdoll is not the type to tear up the house while you are gone.

Ragdolls do not usually extend their claws during play time. This makes them good for families with young children who love to play with and cuddle the cats.

While cat owners should always devote a small window of their day to exercising and playing with their cat, the ragdoll is not like some breeds which require you to play with them as a means of burning off energy.

Pro #2: They Are Super Smart

Ragdolls are known for being smart. After all, cats are smart animals-but ragdolls can be a real sight to behold when it comes to their brains.

There are stories of ragdoll cats being able to be trained to do some fun tricks using clickers and some treats for positive reinforcement.

Anecdotally, you can go onto YouTube and see several Ragdoll owners showing off the amazing tricks their cats have learned. One cat, Solo, is able to roll over, shake, sit, lay down and do more cool tricks.

Every ragdoll is different, but if you were to adopt one, you could likely teach him or her some tricks with patience and positive reinforcement.

Pro #3: Their Temperament is Gold

The name Ragdoll is derived from the fact that the original cats of this breed would flop over when they were picked up. This mannerism is a good indicator of their laid-back temperament.

These cats will absolutely enjoy lazing around, sitting in your lap, or next to you while you sleep.

They will also enjoy hanging around while you have friends or family over, and if you decide to adopt another cat, they will most likely get along with them.

Children do well with ragdolls, and the breed is very patient with young children. (It’s still a good idea to monitor children closely when they play with or pet animals).

Pro #4: Their Grooming Needs Are Easy

You need only brush your Ragdoll once or twice each week using a good quality steel comb to keep their fur from getting matted and tangled. This will help them get rid of loose hairs they might otherwise swallow and turn into unwelcome hairballs.

The coat of the ragdoll is a pleasure to pet and touch and is not prone to a lot of health problems. Good grooming of your cat will keep their coat looking beautiful as ever.

And grooming will be a fun thing for you and your cat to experience. After all, ragdolls enjoy spending time with their owners and are so easygoing that combing them will not be troublesome.

You should begin the grooming process when they are kittens, so they are used to it throughout their life. And, combing is important because it feels good for your cat, aside from keeping them looking neat and clean.

Pro#4: Shedding Is Moderate

The shedding of the ragdoll is not as bad as some cats. Of course, you will notice more shedding taking place during the changing of the seasons, but normally, your cat will not shed a lot so long as you keep up with regular grooming.

Now that we have covered all the wonderful things about the ragdoll breed, let’s take a look at the cons you should know about.

Con #1: They Shouldn’t Go Outside

Letting your cat go outside is seen as a good thing in some circles. After all, your cat can enjoy some fresh air. They can climb trees, scratch without being scolded, and chase bugs around as they are wont to do when they get into the house.

After all, they tend to stare out the window, sometimes going nuts when a robin or other small bird comes into their line of view. Why shouldn’t we let these animals go outside and indulge their primal instincts?

The ragdoll is a breed that really should not go outside. The intentions of owners are good-exercise and boredom busting are two main reasons pet owners let their cat out-but it’s not always the best idea.

The ragdoll is not like other cats in the sense that it tends to be a bit too friendly for the outdoors. These cats have such gentle attitudes that they don’t really have the same fighting spirit as some other breeds.

These cats are not territorial. Another cat could walk up to them and pick a fight, leaving them open to contracting a disease or even a worm/other parasite from that cat. They may even be stolen by somebody looking to sell them.

Con #2: They Cost A Bundle

If you are serious about owning a ragdoll, chances are you looked at price first before all else. And yes, these cats really do cost a pretty penny.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2000 when it comes to your ragdoll kitten, which is what you will typically be buying. Occasionally you may find adult cats for sale, which are sold at a lesser price than kittens.

Aside from this, you also have to consider any travel time and expenses you have to expend in order to reach the cattery you plan on buying the kitten from.

The price of kittens in a cattery will not vary all that much in terms of pricing. After all, too much discrepancy could upset the market. If you are in this to show your ragdoll cat, you can expect to pay more as you will need to buy show rights.

Furthermore, only purchase from a reliable breeder or adopt from a shelter. Pet store animals do not have the same documentation and pedigree that animals bought from a breeder do. A ragdoll you can adopt gets a new lease on life and costs less.

Con #3: They Are Prone to Certain Health Problems

Usually, we find that ragdolls are pretty healthy. They will live a long life if properly cared for. But, as typical of purebred breeds, health problems can plague ragdoll owners. Here are the top conditions you should know about.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is when the muscle of the heart becomes thick as a result of a thyroid that is highly overactive. Your ragdoll, and other breeds of cats, like to hide their sickness. The condition could be serious by the time you notice it.

This is marked by blood clots that form and paralyze the back legs as well as the tail. You may also notice your ragdoll becoming lethargic, not having much of an appetite, and breathing rather quickly. You must call the vet right away if this is the case. Ask your breeder if either of the parents of your ragdoll had HCM.

Cons #3 Continued

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)- Sometimes known as the coronavirus, most cats do carry this disease. The virus can be dormant and not pose a threat to your feline. But you should always be wary: If the right mutations take place, the disease can harm the cats that have weak immune systems.

There is no cure for this affliction. It is fatal. Blood tests do exist, but these tests can’t tell if it is the dormant version or the fatal version. Therefore, there is no way to determine if the kitten you are interested in is void of FIP.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)-These are urinary conditions like bladder stones, blockages, and UTIs. This usually occurs in the form of elimination on cold surfaces, straining while urinating, crying while inside the litter box, or incontinence.

These need to be treated right away, as they are quick to deteriorate. Speak with a vet immediately for help.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

This one is the product of a defective gene that is part of the Ragdoll DNA. Kittens that are born with this gene have cysts in their kidneys and in some cases, the liver.

Over time these cysts get bigger and destroy the liver as well as the kidneys. This shows up at about age 7 and you will see signs like weight loss, thirst in excess, and general poor health.

You should ask for an ultrasound on your cat and a genetic test. A good breeder will not breed a cat with this defect.

Cryptococcosis

This one is big in Siamese and in ragdoll cats. A fungus enters through the nose, and the lungs, brain and eyes all become affected.

You will notice symptoms like lethargy, weight loss, and mucus when your cat sneezes. Seizures, trouble breathing and lesions on the nose or even a swollen nose are the signs. Contact a vet right away.

Con #4: They Are Not Hypoallergenic 

The Fel d 1 protein is what makes some people allergic to cats. Sadly, ragdolls are not hypoallergenic.

A true hypoallergenic cat produces less of the Fel d 1 protein. There are NO cats that do not produce this protein. Even cats branded as hypoallergenic simply produce less than other cats.

Indeed, if you or somebody in your home is allergic to cats, ragdolls are not for you.

Wrap-Up

As with any breed, owning a ragdoll is more rewarding than it is a pain. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind when you do decide to purchase one of these beautiful cats.

They are just perfect for families, but should the cat develop health problems, will you be able to afford their care? Do you insist on letting your cat outdoors? Do you prefer a high energy cat or a low-key lap kitty?

The ragdoll can be the perfect cat for some, and for others, it will not be the right fit. Take this article and your own research into consideration as you shop.

[lovemychinchilla]

Can Chinchillas Get Diabetes?

Diabetes is common in people, but less so in animals. Diabetes in chinchillas is unheard of among owners, but that doesn't mean it's impossible—absence of evidence is not evidence of absence!

Can chinchillas get diabetes? They can get Type 2 diabetes but it's exceptionally rare. Type 1 diabetes hasn't been documented. As in people, a chinchilla's pancreas can stop producing insulin, so they can't process glucose. Chinchillas are susceptible to diabetes only when fed fatty, sugary treats and they become obese. A chinchilla could never become obese or diabetic on a normal hay diet.

The few documented cases show that it's possible for a chinchilla to survive diabetes, so long as the condition is caught early enough. So, to learn about the symptoms of diabetes in chinchillas and how to treat them through diet, read our guide below!

Could a Chinchilla Develop Diabetes?

Chinchillas can develop diabetes, as many animals can. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, cases have been described in medical literature, meaning it is proven to happen. It can happen because chinchillas have all the same organs and mechanisms that diabetes affects, including:

A pancreas that should produce insulin

Insulin that helps the body process glucose

Fatty tissues that can prevent the pancreas from operating properly

A desire to eat any fatty or sugary treats they come across

But diabetes is rarer in chinchillas than it is in people. The Manual of Exotic Pet Practice states that only one case, in a female chinchilla, has been reported. But that's not because the chinchilla is less susceptible; it's only because the basic chinchilla diet doesn't include foods that cause diabetes. It's only if you feed your pet the wrong diet that it could develop diabetes.

But that's a simplistic answer: there's more than one kind of diabetes, and there are many different potential causes.

What Is Diabetes?

[caption id="attachment_117" align="alignright" width="300"] Nuts and seeds are not a good choice for chinchillas.[/caption]

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body's level of blood glucose is too high. Glucose is a kind of sugar, and is the main source of energy that the body uses. It comes from food.

The reason why diabetes is a problem is that it affects insulin production. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Its purpose is to take the glucose from food and get it to the body's cells. If the body doesn't make enough, as happens during obesity, the glucose can't get into the body's cells to serve as tehir power source.

This leaves the glucose in the blood stream. The body tries to get rid of it by putting it in urine, but there will still be too much in the blood. This causes long term health issues.

There are several kinds of diabetes. The first is Type 1 diabetes. This is where the body doesn't produce any insulin, and this condition is present from birth. It occurs because the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. As far as anybody knows, chinchillas can't have Type 1 diabetes. If a chinchilla had this kind of diabetes, it wouldn't survive to become an adult.

The second kind is Type 2 diabetes. This is where lifestyle stops the pancreas from producing as much insulin as it should. This can affect chinchillas, but it's rare. There are other kinds of diabetes (gestational diabetes, monogenic diabetes and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes) but none of those are relevant to chinchillas.

What Causes Diabetes in Chinchillas?

The cause of diabetes in chinchillas is overweight, the cause of which is, in turn, poor diet. As you are the chinchilla's owner, it's up to you to provide an adequate diet of hay for your pet.

Additional snacks like nuts, seeds and so on are unsuitable. While chinchillas can self-regulate the amount of hay they eat, they cannot self-regulate snacks. If they're presented with nuts and seeds, they will eat them, even if eating too many is bad for them.

But besides that, the MSD Veterinary Manual states that chinchillas and other similar rodents have insulin with low biological potency, which means that it's not as effective. This may be because the chinchilla has never had a diet that could lead it to become overweight, and it has evolved that way.

How Common Is Diabetes in Chinchillas?

Diabetes is practically unheard of in chinchillas. The number that have been recognized in scientific literature is only a handful. That's because the chinchilla's diet prevents it from being a relevant condition.

Diabetes is typically caused by a high-fat, high-simple sugar diet. Processed sugar is a kind of simple sugar, while 'complex sugars' (like fiber) don't cause diabetes.

The chinchilla's diet is hay, which mirrors the wild chinchilla's diet, which is similar. Hay is mostly fiber and contains only small amounts of fat and protein. Chinchillas don't need snacks, and can self-regulate its hay intake. So, even if a chinchilla ate more than normal, it wouldn't gain excess weight let alone develop diabetes.

The only cases of diabetes in chinchillas occur in chinchillas that aren't fed the correct diet. So, if you gave your chinchilla fatty treats like nuts or seeds, it could become obese and get diabetes.

But as most chinchilla owners are responsible and care about their pets (as, hopefully, you do too!) this isn't a common problem.

What Is Hyperthyroidism in Chinchillas?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that goes hand in hand with Type 2 diabetes. Thyroid hormones contribute to the regulation of sugar metabolism. An overactive hyperthyroid gland make too many of these hormones when an animal is obese.

But in turn, diabetes affects how the thyroid glands function, making them make even more of these hormones. This causes a vicious cycle where hyperthyroidism makes diabetes worse, and diabetes makes hyperhyroidism worse.

Hyperthyroidism is even less frequent than diabetes in chinchillas, although it has been reported. Pathology of Small Mammal Pets states that there was at least one case of a chinchilla with a hyperactive thyroid. Decreasing levels of thyroid hormones were associated with weight loss in this case, as they are in people and other animals.

Chinchilla Diabetes Symptoms

There are several clinical signs of diabetes in chinchillas. These are described in several different specimens. You may not recognize these symptoms as those of diabetes as they aren't the same as those in people. They are:

Poor appetite. This may be an evolutionary adaptation to get the chinchilla to lose weight.

Lethargy. Lethargy is where your chinchilla hardly moves.

Consistent weight loss. Adult chinchillas shouldn't lose weight, either suddenly or over time. This is the result of poor appetite.

Polydipsia and polyuria. Polydipsia means drinking lots of water, while polyuria is going to the toilet more frequently.

Hyperglycemia. This is where there's far too much sugar in the blood. This is a sign that there's not enough insulin, or the chinchilla's insulin is not working properly.

Bilateral cataracts. Cataracts are where the eye clouds over so the chinchilla can't see properly. Bilateral cataracts are where both eyes are affected.

Strictly speaking, obesity is not a symptom of diabetes. It's the other way round: obesity causes diabetes. That being said, diabetes in chinchillas will not occur without concurrent obesity, so it can be considered a sign of sorts. Diabetes will eventually kill your chinchilla if it is serious enough, and if it isn't treated.

Getting Your Chinchilla Diagnosed with Diabetes

A vet will easily diagnose your chinchilla with diabetes if it has it. For starters, they will notice that your chinchilla is overweight. But they can also:

Test your chinchilla's blood for hyperglycemia (high levels of sugar)

Test your chinchilla's urine for sugar (glucosuria)

Observe your pet for a while to see if it drinks and urinates more frequently than usual

These tests are relatively simple to perform, and will quickly confirm the vet's initial diagnosis.

Don't rely on your own diagnosis. It's far better to have an experienced vet look at your pet instead, even if you follow this guide.

Chinchilla Diabetes Treatment

[caption id="attachment_1164" align="alignright" width="300"] Change your pet's diet—it should only eat hay.[/caption]

Once diagnosed, the diabetes will be treated by dietary changes. Treatment involves reducing the level of obesity through encouraging weight loss. As diabetic chinchillas lose weight already, this shouldn't be too hard once you get your pet's diet right.

The vet will recommend feeding a diet high in protein, low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, i.e. hay. You will have to cut out your chinchilla's snacks as these are likely the cause of its diabetes and obesity. Chinchillas should be given a diet of unlimited hay supplemented with 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day. Snacks should be limited to rosehips and herbs, although no snacks are necessary.

The vet will also recommend insulin injections, the use of which has been reported in medical literature. The problem with diabetes is that the body doesn't produce enough insulin, but synthetic and animal-sourced insulin is available. This acts in the same way as the body's insulin, so it will reduce the effects of the condition.

Can a Chinchilla Survive Diabetes?

Animals of all kinds can survive diabetes if it is caught early enough and its effects are reversed. This necessitates immediate treatment both through changing the diet and administering insulin.

Unfortunately, the case recorded in the Manual of Exotic Pet Practice did not result in the chinchilla recovering. It was treated with between 2 and 12 IU of insulin daily, but it nevertheless was eventually euthanized.

The chinchilla with hyperthyroidism described above did survive, however. Its weight loss made its thyroid gland produce more normal amounts of its hormones over time.

Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter!

[ays_quiz id='9']

  How about something a little nicer to read?

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Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats

            Few things are more frustrating and irritating for humans than the common cold.  The sneezing, the congestion, the runny nose, and the watery eyes can make us truly miserable.  Unfortunately, our feline counterparts can relate; they, too, can fall victim to this annoying malady.  In cats, we tend to be a little more technical with the terminology, preferring to call the condition an upper respiratory infection (URI) as opposed to a “cold”.

            Although bacteria and fungi can cause URIs in cats, by far the most common cause of URIs in cats is viral.  The primary culprits are the feline herpes virus (FHV) and the feline calici virus (FCV).  These two viruses account for about 80% of all kitty URIs.  The most popular way that cats acquire a URI is by coming into contact with another cat that has a URI, especially if the other cat is sneezing a lot, as the respiratory viruses become aerosolized and are easier to inhale.  Inanimate objects, such as an infected food bowl or water bowl, are another method of transmission, as is contact with human hands that have touched an infected cat.  As you might have noticed, these conditions are rampant in shelters and catteries, and every such facility has grappled with an outbreak of URI at one time or another. Kittens, with their weak immune systems, are very susceptible to URIs, often being exposed to the virus via nursing, around the time of weaning. 

Little ulcers on tongue caused by calicivirus

            Once exposed to the virus, there is an incubation period lasting two to five days.  Clinical signs then develop.  The most common signs include sneezing, conjunctivitis (inflamed tissues around the eyes), nasal discharge, congestion, lethargy, decreased appetite, and possibly fever.  Many cat owners report a change in their cat’s meow, describing it as being more hoarse or even silent, or that the purr sounds more raspy. Corneal ulcers may develop, especially in cats infected with the herpes virus.  Ulcers in the mouth and on the tongue are a hallmark of calici virus infection.  These ulcers, if present, cause significant discomfort for the cat and affected cats will often stop eating and will drool excessively.

            Your veterinarian will make the diagnosis of URI based mainly on clinical signs.  There’s no need to determine exactly which virus(es) are responsible, since treatment is symptomatic regardless.  Antibiotics are often administered with the goal of preventing a secondary bacterial infection from occurring.  As with colds in humans, cats often recover on their own, usually in five to 14 days.  More severe cases might require additional measures.  For example, cats with corneal ulcers or very inflamed eyes might require topical eye drops or ointments.  Very congested cats that cannot smell their food will often have a poor appetite and may require syringe feeding and/or appetite stimulants to keep up their nutrition until the congestion resolves.  Although most cats defeat the virus on their own, very stubborn cases may benefit from antiviral medications.  These medications tend to be a little pricey, but are pretty effective. Cats with URIs rarely need to be hospitalized.

            Once cats become infected, they become carriers of the virus.  Herpes viruses in particular are notorious for staying in the body forever, usually lying dormant.  During times of stress, when the immune system is suppressed, the virus can re-emerge and cause clinical signs of illness.  Some cats seem especially susceptible to this.   My 13 year-old cat Mittens has had one URI in her lifetime.  My previous cat, Crispy, would come down with a URI approximately twice a year, for her entire life.  Every cat is different.  Most cats get over their colds, and are perfectly fine for months or years.

Vaccines against viral URIs are available and are routinely given.  When we vaccinate cats against the respiratory viruses, it’s not actually to prevent infection.  Most cats have already been exposed to the virus during kittenhood and are carriers.  Vaccination doesn’t eliminate the carrier status of previously infected cats. However, properly vaccinated cats experience milder symptoms when the virus re-emerges from dormancy.

            It should be noted that some cats do not recover uneventfully.  Severe viral infections can result in permanent damage to the delicate turbinate bones within the nasal cavity, predisposing the cat to recurrent bacterial infections.  These cats are said to have chronic “rhinosinusitis”, inflammation of the nasal cavity and sinuses. These poor cats may have persistent sneezing, continual nasal discharge (either from one nostril, or from both), and chronically congested breathing.  I’ve seen these cats in my practice many times.  You can hear them breathing from across the room.  Most clients bring the cat to me because the cat is having a “flare up”, where their signs are particularly striking. These cats tend to be fine in every other way.  Most veterinarians prescribe a short course (7 to 10 days) of antibiotics for these cats, and the majority show clinical improvement, returning the cats to their usual state of sneezy-ness and snuffly-ness.  These cats will never be cured, however, with medical management and supportive care, their sneezing, nasal discharge, and congestion can be kept to a minimum, giving these cats an excellent quality of life.

[megamanishashekhawat-blog]

black magic removal

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black magic removal

Have you ever been trapped by black magic? Do you feel like someone has done black magic on you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! There are thousands of victims of black magic. The power of black magic is vigorously spreading on our planet and unfortunately, people are not taking it seriously. They think black magic doesn’t exist and it’s not a matter of subject that needs to be taken into consideration. But the matter of fact is, everyone including employers, lawyers, and politicians are using black magic trick to destroy their opponents and win the battle.

If you also agree to the same and are looking for someone who can help you get rid of this black magic, you need to consult our world famous black magic specialist Pandit ji who is quite expert in performing the black magic art and also, helps you keep away from all the negative vibes away that may destruct your life.

With the increase in tamas everyday – more and more people are using cheap paranormal tactics such as black magic, voodoos, witch-craft and hexes ( which are not easy to be detected by common means) to get their revenge on the unsuspecting friends, relatives and neighbors.

This wish to get revenge and do harm ( using black magic, hexes and voodoo ) to the close ones – generally stems in them – from either extreme jealousy or an underlying hatred. What the person ordering such black magic and hexes do not understand is that – whatever they give to this world – it finally comes back on them too – as per the laws of the universe.

black magic removal for love

By trying to cause trauma to another person via voodoo and black magic – these people infact are only helping to dig their own grave unknowingly.

Once an act of black magic is committed on an unsuspecting person – it can almost devastate the victims life mentally and physically – without leaving any good clue behind – which happens to be one big reason why black magic – hexes and voodoos are done in the first place.

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The person on whom the black magic is done can go through unexpected financial losses, sickness, some strange disease or even death.

15 Symptoms of Black Magic – Voodoo – Hexes –

Mantras to Remove Black Magic

Sudden sickness attacks or health problems – without any major underlying cause for it.

Sudden or an unexpected string of financial losses – that has no logical explanation.

Sudden death or accidents in the household.

The person feels like he is being watched and followed by an invisible entity – even when in an empty room all by themselves.

Sudden but extreme lethargy – which makes the person unable to work – without obvious reasons.

Sudden violent or extreme mood swings and behavioral changes – that do not seem to be in the persons control.

Sudden poor appetite and sweats.

Sudden strong feelings of hatred and cruelty towards close members of the family or towards a lover.

Sudden quarrels or fights in an otherwise happy environment.

Sudden bursts of mental agony, depression and extreme stress – without apparent reasons present.

Sudden mental fog – extreme mental confusion.

No auspicious events are able to take place at your home – auspicious events can include events such as – marriages, religious congregations, poojas, celebrations etc.

Sudden lose of interest in living a daily life in an otherwise perfect individual can also be due to black magic, hexes or voodoo spells.

Unable to finish long pending works or a project – however much one tries to complete it. This can also include pending court cases.

Unusual sudden bouts of extreme fear and paranoia in an otherwise healthy person – again without any logical cause behind it.

History has proved time and again – that the ones committing these sort of black magic, hexes or voodoos have not been the outside people or strangers – but mostly someone very close to the target family – either a close friend or a trusted relative who had extreme jealousy or hatred for a member.

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Reverse Black Magic Kali Mantra, Black magic the word itself so scary, this is done on the people to spoil their lives. If somebody is jealous on you and your growth in profession they cannot tolerate it. So they will do black magic on you to spoil your present and future. Even if your enemies or relatives want to defeat you indirectly they will do black magic on you. reverse black magic spells is the spells which have power to reverse the black magic powers that is done on you to the magician or the people who done it on you. People believe that once the black magic is done it is very difficult -and easily come out the black magic.

often we hear that people will do black magic to make others to love them. If anybody is done black magic on you for the purpose of loving them surely you’ll get addicted to them. You start having feelings on them in your heart and you’ll easily start showing love and affection on that particular person. This not a good thing because love is most pure thing you must win the heart of person through your true love and affection not by applying the black magic on the people to make them love you.

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If you think that somebody has done black magic on you to love them. Easily break the black magic by using the reverse black magic love spell. These are very powerful spells; use these spells to come out the black magic done on you. Once if you start using these spells soon you’ll see the changes within you. You’ll start hating the person who did black magic on you. Finally you’ll start leading your life happily when you break the black magic that is done to you.

Reverse black magic spells and the mantra shakti are one and the same both have similar powers to reverse the black magic. Easily break the black magic and other evil things done to by using these powerful and popular reverse black magic spells. There are many powerful and popular mantras to reverse this back magic. Consult powerful tantric to get the powerful reverse black magic spells. The tantric will suggest you the powerful spells to break the black magic. Follow each and every instruction given by the tantric carefully to get release from the black magic. The tantric will explain the use and importance of mantra, easily break the black magic by using the mantras.

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Black Magic Removal Specialist is fundamentally a strategy which is a successful aftereffect of the colossal mix of prophetic and Vedic old history of India. It is a speciality of those incredible Molvi which is really started with the presenting of “The Black Magic Removal Mantra“. It has the amazingness to encourage the creation of soul and power that work ponders. The black magic removal mantra is utilised and discussed particularly when a man needs to take control on another person’ sentiments or even to pull in whatever other person.

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It has been ages since when evil powers presence on the earth. Be that as it may, now the question emerges, how great is this black magic removal specialist wazifa for adoration. Indeed, to be fruitful, both mantra and yantra are important to accomplish the total learning. What’s more, for approaching achievement, you need to have a flat out self conviction and full fearlessness. Be that as it may, as indicated by the Vedas, this remove black magic mantra must be recounted just for the prosperity of the human culture, not for any villain work or to hurt any person.

Lord Shiva Mantra To Remove Black Magic

There are several mantras to remove black magic, this is the maha mrityunjaay mantra of Shiva which is known to offer a powerful protection from these sort of things to the one who does japa on it.

You can use the maha mrityunjaay mantra of Shiva to do away with any sorts of black magic, voodoos and protect yourself. This wonderful mantra is additionally known to promote good health, peace and wisdom to the one who chants it.

The Maha Mrityunjaay mantra is as follows.

Om Tryambakam Yajāmahe ||

Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam ||

Urvā Rukamiva Bandhanān ||

Mrityurmukshīya Māmritāt ||

How many times to chant the Maha Mritunjaay Mantra For Removing Black Magic?

Start by chanting the above mantra for removing all ill effects and black magic 108 times everyday.

You can increase the count depending on your comfort level – to fasten things up

Keep doing the chant for a minimum period of eleven days or more for the best protection and removing any black magic or voodoo.

Its even better – if you can keep chanting the Maha Mrityunjaay mantra everyday for lifetime – as this Shiva mantra is several benefits for your body, mind and soul. ( Will be discussed in another article )

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vashikaran mantra love mantra

Black Magic has many names and languages known throughout the world since the beginning of time.  It is a general term for words like spell, witchcraft, curse, and Voodoo.  It is used for evil purposes by invoking the power of jinnee’s, evil spirits, or even the devil. The foundation of all black magic lies within the spirit world. A person who has mastered the art of sorcery and black magic can perform sorcery.  These black magicians follow a system for several weeks and months, calling the spirits in the underworld, doing rituals and making animal and human sacrifices to affix hands with the underground world. Once they have conquered these techniques, they take control of the spirits who are now controlled by the sorcerers command at all times. Then these spirits are used as a tool to access data regarding anyone and then used to harm that individual, even kill them.  Unfortunately, People that are driven by jealousy, anger, hate and different negative traits pay these black magicians to mentally and physically hurt their relatives, friends and colleagues by making them suffer in life. At present, the assistance of black magicians is being used within the legal systems from around the globe by several lawyers to win cases. Politicians and businessmen are also turning to this evil source to defeat their competition.

Black magic can be given to a victim through drinking or eating such as adding the black magic to food or drink.  If someone has a picture of you or a possession that you own (Example: a piece of clothing), they can give this to the black magician to make black magic against you.  The black magician can also make it in liquid form so it can be spilled over an object or piece of land.

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You can locate various black magic specialist & masters on the web. Muslim black magic expert Molvi Ji can likewise furnish you with the most ingenious learning to address such issues proficiently, if you don’t utilise the information for anything negative. It might prompt a few unsafe outcomes.

For the most part, according to the directions and lessons in Vedas, lion’s share of black magic removal mantra and tantras don’t work effectively on the off chance that you plan to hurt any person. Be that as it may, they work ponders particularly when you wish to seek after something emphatically. You can undoubtedly mesmerize any individual and make him or her to get things done by your desires. Each mantra and tantra has its own particular power and effectiveness. They are to be utilised as a part of a specific way to get the coveted outcomes desired.

On this website you will find information about Talal, the healings he’s done, his journey and search for his ultimate purpose in life, and how you can contact him for guidance and help. For years there has been extensive, inaccurate information on the internet regarding the use of black magic. Many people have fallen as victims of websites claiming to break black magic spells. Some of these websites even perform their own sorcery magic spells for some form of profit or gain. Don’t fall prey to these websites.

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10 Major Causes of Obesity and Weight Gain

Obesity is a bodily condition marked by excessive deposition and storage of fat which develops gradually with time and does not happen overnight. While a BMI of 25 is considered to be healthy internationally, it has been reported that for Indians, more precisely the South Asians, the health quotient according to the BMI number may change.

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2).

Obesity is a condition where an individual has a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 Kg/m2.

Table of Content

Major causes of obesity

Things to avoid while fighting obesity

The causes of obesity in India are aplenty. Obesity is emerging as a silent pandemic in India. Obesity leads to hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels in the body and impaired glucose tolerance.

According to a National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2016, 20.7% of Indian women and 18.6% of Indian men in the age group of 15 to 49 are overweight.

According to a National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2016, 20.7% of Indian women and 18.6% of Indian men in the age group of 15 to 49 are overweight.

Major Causes of Obesity

1. Energy imbalance

Both overweight and obesity are a result of eating an excess of high-energy foods laden with fats and sugar. These come in the form of highly processed comfort foods, restaurant foods, sugary colas and drinks among others. Couple it with a sedentary lifestyle, you will indeed record a higher number on the weighing scale due to obesity. 

A person who is very physically active might maintain energy balance and healthy body weight by eating and expending the same amount. Church et al recently estimated that occupational physical activity has declined by an average of ≈142 kcal/d. This alone could explain a substantial amount of weight gain in the population. 

2. Lack of sleep

The overall lack of sleep among populations, the habit of staying awake until the wee hours can also cause obesity in both adults and children. A good seven to eight hours of sleep at the right time is essential to regulate metabolism in your body.

When there is a disruption in metabolism, it causes the irregular synthesis of hormones that can lead to certain conditions that eventually result in weight gain. This is especially true for women. 

Metabolic disorders in women can lead to irregular menstruation and imbalance in the synthesis of reproductive hormones and thyroid hormones.

Eventually, these conditions lead to excessive weight gain that too rapidly, which may become tough to shed-off. 

In both men and women, irregular sleep habits may cause increased appetite that stays the same even after a heavy meal. Metabolic disorders are more than detrimental to the body and cause obesity which can be regulated only with good sleep habits.

Early to bed and early to rise is essential for physical and mental well-being. 

3. Junk food habitude

Overconsumption of junk food can displace fatty acids like omega-6 and omega-3 with trans fats which are harder to digest. A 2011 study shows that trans fats may cause inflammation in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain containing neurons to control body weight. An inflamed hypothalamus can cause obesity.

Fast food is among the top food that causes obesity. It is packed with refined carbohydrates which cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate rapidly. With the high content of sugar and fats, you tend to eat too fast and too much to satisfy your cravings.

4. Wrong parental approach

There is a misconception in India even among educated parents that an overweight child is a healthy child. In countries like India, the margin between healthy and overweight is almost invisible. This is especially true for young parents. They have no clue on what constitutes healthy and what is obese.

In many families, in order to maintain the ‘healthy outlook of the child,’ parents feed the kids excessively. When kids are fed more than the necessary quantity, they adapt to high quantities over a period of time. When less physical activity is coupled in such a scenario, it leads to obesity in adolescents and pre-adolescents.

Another misconception among Indian parents is limiting the time of physical activity, especially for slim kids. When a kid is slim, most parents mistake it for weakness and limit play and other forms of physical activity for the child. Over time a sedentary child holds on to the thought and avoids physical activity even into his adulthood.

The misconception in parents and a general lack of awareness even in urban parents are among the reasons why more number of Indians are obese.

Check your Body Mass Index (BMI) right away and get free consultations on weight loss or get a customized diet plan from our nutritionists.

5. Lifestyle-related stress

The drastic change in lifestyle coupled with the workload and less time to indulge in outdoor activities can lead to stress. In India, it is not just the adults who are stressed. Anxiety in school going children is a form of stress too.

In Indian society, the causes of stress are plenty.

They include:

The needs and demands that increase with every passing day.

The burden of responsibilities to be fulfilled for adults.

Complete lack of physical activity.

When the body goes into a stressful mode, it releases the hormone called cortisol that is also known as the stress hormone. Increased secretion of cortisol results in increased appetite and in such situations, a person favours high-calorie food for comfort.

Stress does as much harm to metabolism as sleeplessness. It is also one of the causes of obesity. 

Click here to know about Ashwini’s battle with weight loss and her success story.

6. Hormones

There are hormones that make or break your weight. Did you know, thyroid hormones control the rate of metabolism?

Any ups and downs in them seriously affect your body’s ability to utilise stored fat. Similarly, insulin is a known fat-storing hormone. PCOS is a condition that results in insulin resistance too. 

Adding to insulin are cortisol (stress hormone) and ghrelin (hunger-inducing hormone), two of the fat-storing hormones in the body. Hence, knowing your hormonal conditions can be a great way to inhibit the causes of obesity.

7. A sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activity

Reduced physical activity and changes in lifestyle and jobs that demand many hours of immobility are among the causes of obesity in adults. To maintain a healthy BMI it is necessary to burn more calories than you consume in a day.

To fight against this, more than an hour or two high-intensity physical activity is required depending on your body.

With the usage of appliances, a large percentage of the population is dependent on technology for everything including daily chores. From escalators that make us avoid the stairs to washing machines and dishwashers, all of our everyday needs are taken care of by technology.

In urban spaces, people are averse to walking even a few meters to run basic errands. They are dependent on vehicles. This general hostility towards physical activity coupled with apathy and lethargy is among the reasons for the growing number of obese people in India.

8. The drastic change in food habits

One of the prime causes of obesity in India is the changing adherence towards unhealthy nutrition.

In the last decade, people of all age groups have shown an inclination towards fatty food and processed food. Various causes have led to a shift in food habits.

A few of them include:

Easy availability of processed and junk foods.

Less time is taken to cook the foods.

The low-cost of high-calorie foods.

Numerous television advertisements promoting fatty and processed foods.

The brand-building strategy of big business houses that target young consumers.

Addiction to these foods because they please the taste buds.

Obesity in the body does not develop overnight. It progresses over years of bad food habits. Wrong eating habits in childhood result in overweight adults. The right balance of nutrition goes a long way in maintaining a healthy BMI (body mass index) that is measured to evaluate obesity.

9. Genetic reasons

Except for the rare genetic condition, Prader-Willi syndrome’ which causes obesity, there are no other genetic conditions that stop people from losing the weight that they’ve gained. 

A study has identified genes that play a crucial role in the neuronal control of body weight. They act in the brain in pathways that may affect people’s food intake, hunger, satiety, etc. 

10.False information

The number of weight loss information available on the internet is not even partially true.

There are myths that may affect your healthy lifestyle rather than preventing you from becoming obese. 

Some of these myths promote useless weight loss supplements and surgeries, encourage skipping meals and eating very fewer calories. 

These myths also depict carbohydrates and fats as extremely unhealthy which is not entirely true. Application of these rules may result in poor health.

Things To Avoid While Fighting Obesity 

While trying to lose weight or finding obesity treatments, we often look for easy solutions and that is where we make the mistake.

The weight loss industry is full of easy but unhealthy ways of weight loss. The most important thing about them is that they often come with side-effects and are not sustainable.

1. Avoid Weight loss pills and chemical supplements

There are medicines approved by the FDA which people take as obesity treatment too. Most of these medicines do not have ample studies to back their effectiveness and often result in withdrawal symptoms. We highly recommend losing weight the healthy way by eating healthy food and exercising.

2. Avoid Weight-loss Surgeries

Although they are an effective option for preventing obesity, then again, there are risks associated with them.

If you can cut down several kilos and inches simply by eating right, just like Anant Ambani, then why opt for these surgeries?

3. Avoid using Slimming belts

The weight loss industry has introduced a gadget promising weight loss that is sauna slim belt. While preventing obesity, the sauna belt can also cause side effects and may contribute to some health problems to your body. 

Remember there are no short cuts to a healthy and slim body. A healthy body and successful weight loss is the combination of a nutritious diet and regular workout.

Are you still thinking about whether you should take that crucial step towards weight loss? The first step against the causes of obesity, its effects, and symptoms is to set proper and healthy weight loss goals.

We are here to tell you how to keep your weight loss goals and expectations real.

To help you in preventing obesity here is an Indian weight loss diet plan just for you! Don’t wait too long before stepping towards a healthier future, else your wait may turn into weight!

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Feline Hyperparathyroidism

Feline Primary Hyperparathyroidism

The little parathyroid glands play a big role in calcium regulation. 

            When it comes to glandular problems in the cat, the thyroid gets all the glory.   Hyperthyroidism in the most common feline endocrine disorder, and every cat-centric publication regularly features articles about it.  Adjacent to the thyroid gland, however, are four small glands called the parathyroid glands.  These little glands are immensely important in finely regulating the blood calcium level.

            There are two pairs of parathyroid glands in the cat, the external and the internal parathyroids.  The external glands are located external to the capsule that surrounds the nearby thyroid gland.  The internal parathyroids are actually embedded within the thyroid gland. 

The parathyroid glands produce a hormone called, not surprisingly, parathyroid hormone (PTH).  This hormone is the principal hormone involved in the precise, minute-to-minute regulation of the blood calcium concentration.  The goal of the body is to maintain the blood calcium level within a narrow range.  The parathyroid glands are exquisitely sensitive to changes in the calcium level, especially when the calcium level drops.  When this happens, the parathyroids release PTH.  This causes several complicated things to happen:

·      PTH causes the bones to release calcium (and phosphorus) into the blood stream.

·      PTH causes the kidney to produce increased amounts of an enzyme that promotes production of a hormone called calcitriol.  Calcitriol causes the intestines to absorb more calcium (and phosphorus) from the diet.

·      PTH causes the kidneys to absorb more calcium from the urine, (and excrete all that extra phosphorus that came from the bones and the intestinal tract.)

            The end result is the restoration of a normal calcium level.  When the calcium level returns to normal, it signals to the parathyroids “mission accomplished”, and tells them to reduce PTH secretion.

            Sometimes, the parathyroid glands produce too much PTH.  This condition is called, as you might imagine, hyperparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism exists in two forms, primary and secondary.  Secondary hyperparathyroidism can be further divided into nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (pretty rare) and renal secondary hyperparathyroidism (rather common).  The focus of this article in on primary hyperparathyroidism, as the complex physiology behind secondary hyperparathyroidism is probably beyond the scope of the typical cat owner.

            Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs as a result of one of the parathyroid glands secreting excessive amounts of PTH on its own.  The cause of the excessive secretion is usually due to a benign tumor of one of the glands, called an adenoma, although in rare instances, the tumor is a malignant carcinoma.   Affected cats tend to be older, the age range in reported cases being somewhere between 8 and 15 years of age. Clinical signs tend to be non-specific and include lethargy, poor appetite, and vomiting.   Physical examination of the cat tends to be unremarkable, the only consistent finding is the detection of the enlarged parathyroid gland in the neck in about 50% of the cases.  Routine blood tests show an elevated calcium level.  Because PTH causes the kidneys to excrete phosphorus, some cats with primary hyperparathyroidism will have low serum phosphorus levels. In some cats, the elevated calcium levels results in the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the bladder, and some cats will have sign related to this, such as increased frequency of urination, straining to urinate, urinating in inappropriate places, and blood in the urine. 

            Definitive diagnosis if primary hyperparathyroidism requires measurement of the serum level of PTH along with measurement of serum ionized calcium (iCa). Ionized calcium provides a more accurate assessment of the calcium status.   If the PTH level and the iCa level are both high, the diagnosis is obvious.  If the iCa is high and the PTH is in the upper half of the reference range, the cat probably still has hyperparathyroidism because when the calcium level is high, the proper response of the parathyroid gland is to shut down production of PTH.  A PTH level in the upper half of the reference range in the face of an elevated calcium is an inappropriate response and suggests that the parathyroid gland has gone haywire and is secreting the hormone autonomously.  A diagnosis is trickier when the iCa is high and the PTH level is in the lower half of the reference range.  There’s no real consensus on what is an appropriately low PTH level in the face of an elevated iCa.  Certainly, if the iCa is high and the PTH level is undetectable, then hyperparathyroidism is probably not the cause of the high calcium.  But a low normal PTH level in the face of high iCa is a diagnostic dilemma.  Ultrasound of the thyroid region of the neck may reveal a single enlarged parathyroid gland, which would be highly supportive of the diagnosis.  Not finding an enlarged gland, however, doesn’t rule it out. 

             The most commonly recommended treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is parathyroidectomy – surgical removal of the abnormal gland.  Ultrasound of the neck helps identify the exact location of the tumor, i.e. whether it is one of the external parathyroids or the internal parathyroids.  This allows for proper pre-surgical planning.   Anesthetic complications related to elevated calcium levels include abnormally slow heart rate, high blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias, so careful anesthetic planning is a must.  At surgery, one large parathyroid gland is usually found.  As a result of that one gland producing such high amounts of PTH, the other three glands have shut off production of PTH completely, causing them to atrophy and making them impossible to identify.  A tumor of one of the external parathyroid glands is usually easy to identify (unless it is embedded in fat, making the identification a bit trickier).  Parathyroid tumors involving one of the internal parathyroids are harder for the surgeon to identify.  If an internal parathyroid is affected, removal of that entire lobe of the thyroid gland is required.  In dogs, a method of treatment called chemical ablation that involves the injection of ethanol into the abnormal gland has been described, however, studies of the effectiveness of this method of treatment in cats are lacking.

            Post-operative complications occur occasionally, the most common being, ironically, a low calcium level.  (This is a bigger problem in dogs than in cats.) As mentioned above, excessive production of PTH by a tumor in one parathyroid gland results in atrophy of the remaining parathyroid glands.  Removal of the offending gland will cause a rapid drop in blood PTH levels.  It takes a while (typically two to three weeks) before the remaining parathyroid glands “wake up” and start producing PTH again.  Until that happens, it is essential that the cat be monitored for clinical signs of hypocalcemia (low calcium).  Cats that experience low calcium post-operatively can be treated with a combination of calcium supplements and vitamin D. The supplementation can be tapered over a few weeks as the remaining parathyroid glands begin to function normally.