Q: Kip, my retriever combine, likes to swim in a close-by lake, even throughout the winter. The water just lately turned inexperienced, so I saved him out.
If the lake is inexperienced the following time we hike there, is it protected for him to swim?
A: I like to recommend Kip avoid inexperienced water, as a result of the colour might imply it’s contaminated with blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria.
Of the two,000 species of cyanobacteria, 95 produce potent toxins that shortly sicken or kill home animals, wildlife and people.
Cyanobacteria can dwell in recent or salt water — lakes, ponds, retention basins and yard fountains — all year long.
However, populations thrive when water is heat and calm, particularly after a rainfall washes fertilizer and different vitamins in from close by lawns and fields.
Water contaminated with cyanobacteria normally seems pea inexperienced however typically will be clear. Often inexperienced or blue-green mats of algae float on the floor.
Poisoning happens when the animal ingests contaminated water, algae mats or fish. It may even develop after inhalation of airborne water droplets or pores and skin contact.
The toxins are launched because the cyanobacteria are disturbed, when the algae mats are broken or within the presence of abdomen acid. The toxins are shortly absorbed and circulated all through the physique, inflicting liver harm and neurotoxicity.
Clinical indicators begin inside minutes to hours and embody diarrhea, weak point, muscle tremors, rigidity, paralysis and seizures. Death can happen inside a number of hours.
So play it protected: Prevent Kip from ingesting, wading via or swimming in inexperienced water.
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Q: My elderly cat, Archie, has been taking a joint complement for his osteoarthritis. It’s getting worse, so his veterinarian really helpful two medicines.
I don’t take medication myself until there’s no various, so I’d moderately strive one thing extra pure on Archie first.
What do you suggest?
A: Ask for a referral to a veterinarian who practices acupuncture or laser remedy. Both may also help osteoarthritis, additionally known as degenerative joint illness or DJD.
Acupuncture, the insertion of extraordinarily skinny needles into particular areas on the pet’s physique, could be very efficient at reducing the ache related to DJD and enhancing joint operate.
While almost each canine I handled appeared to like the remedy, solely about half my feline sufferers had been as enthusiastic concerning the needles.
If Archie resists acupuncture, take into account laser remedy. The instrument used is usually known as a low-level laser or a chilly laser, to distinguish it from a surgical laser.
The formal identify for laser remedy is photobiomodulation, or PBM, remedy, as a result of it makes use of mild (photo-) that’s absorbed by cells throughout the physique (-bio-) to provide a helpful therapeutic end result (-modulation).
Laser, or PBM, remedy reduces ache and irritation, decreases cartilage degeneration, will increase joint energy and mobility, improves circulation, promotes tissue regeneration and accelerates therapeutic.
For each acupuncture and PBM remedy, most pets with DJD begin with two or three therapies every week for the primary two or three weeks, after which therapies are progressively unfold out as acceptable for the individual pet.
Maintenance remedy normally consists of 1 therapy each three to eight weeks.
