human animals health

news issues: The muscle injury risk was found particularly high in patients....

2010-03-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

news issues: The muscle injury risk was found particularly high in patients....

Statin Zocor causes muscle injury

2010-03-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

On March 19, the Food and Drug Administration notified health care professionals as well as patients that data from a large clinical trial and other sources indicated that use of Zocor, a statin made by Merck and commonly used to lower cholesterol by consumers to lower cholesterol, raises risk of muscle injury when used in large doses and in some patients on other medications.

The muscle injury risk was found particularly high in patients who took the highest approved dose of 80 milligrams per day of the cholesterol-lowering medication, Zocor which is based on simvastatin, an active ingredient that is also used in other products.

In the Drug Safety Communication titled Ongoing Safety Review of High-dose Zocor (simvastatin and Increased Risk of Muscle Injury, the FDA says the risk of muscle injury in patients taking the highest approved dose of the cholesterol-lowering medication, Zocor was higher than that in patients taking lower doses of Zocor and possibly other statins.

The muscle injury of concern is also called myopathy. It is actually a side effect with all statin medications, according to the FDA. The common symptoms include muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, elevated level of a muscle enzyme in the blood called creatine kinase. High doses of Zocor lead to high risk of muscle injury. The risk is elevated particularly when Zocor is used together with certain other drugs.

For the safety reason, the FDA suggests patients should not use Zocor if they use itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin,telithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, and nefazodone. Patients on diltiazem may use no more than 40 milligrams of Zocor per day. Those on Amiodarone and verapamil may use no more than 20 milligrams of Zocor per day. Those on Gemfibrozil, cyclosporine and danazol may use no more than 10 milligrams of Zocor per day.

The most serious form of muscle injury is rhabdomyolysis which occurs when a protein called myoglobin is released as muscle fibers break down. This protein can damage the kidneys as they filter blood out of the body. Symptoms of this condition include dark or red urine and fatigue in addition to other common muscle injury symptoms. In rare cases, rhabdomyolysis can lead to fatal kidney failure.

The FDA says healthcare professionals should know that rhabdomyolysis is rare, but reported with all statins and they should be aware of the potential risk of muscle injury from the 80 milligrams of Zocor per day.

The drug regulator advises that patients should not stop taking Zocor unless told so by their healthcare professionals. In cases patients experience symptoms of muscle injury including muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, dark red urine or unexplained tiredness, they should contact their healthcare professionals.

The SEARCH trial of 6031 patients who had experienced a heart attack prompted the FDA to issue the warning. The trial results showed that among those who took 80 milligrams a day of Zocor, 0.9 percent experienced muscle injury compared to 0.02 percent among those who took only 20 milligrams of Zocor per day. Eleven patients who used 80 milligrams of Zocor per day developed rhabdomyolysis compared to none among those who used only 20 milligrams.

The risk is not news. In 2008, the FDA alerted the public to an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis in patients using higher than 20 milligrams of simvastatin in the drug called amiodarone.

One ongoing trial called the Heart Protection Study 2 resulted in some interim outcomes suggesting that patients of Chinese descent should not use 80 milligrams of simvastatin with cholesterol modifying doses of niacin-containing products.

Accordingly, in March 2010, the health agency approved a labeling revision for simvastatin. The revised label also recommends that patients receiving cholesterol-modifying products should take no more than 40 milligrams of Zocor per day.

The ongoing trial found 0.43 percent of patients of Chinese descent suffered myopathy compared to 0.03 percent of their counterparts not taking 40 milligrams plus cholesterol modifying products.

Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering medications, which are controversial because studies have found these drugs are not worth the money or at least not effective as desired in preventing heart disease. In some cases they do more harm than good.

Statins may disappoint some patients. Luckily some modified lifestyle including healthy diet can lower cholesterol, most importantly risk of heart disease. Those who are interested should contact Dr. Dean Ornish, a Harvard educated medical doctor who is a professor at the University of California - San Francisco.

Some doctors say medical research has provided evidence suggesting that cholesterol is not the cause for the risk of heart disease. In addition to muscle injury, taking Zocor and other statins may also raise risk of diabetes, heart failure and eye disorder, as reported early on foodconsumer.org.

In any event, following a healthy diet is the fundamental way to reduce the risk of heart disease. Dr. Ornish uses his diet and lifestyle program based on a modified diet to help patients prevent progression of artery clogging and reverse atherosclerosis. The efficacy is said to be 99 percent, according to Dr. Colin T Campbell, a distinguished Cornell University nutrition professor.

When you smoke you inhale over 4000 chemicals..

2010-02-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

When you smoke you inhale over 4000 chemicals.

That's the straight up message to be carried in ads that will start on Sunday and run nationwide for more than three months, Health Minister Nicola Roxon said.

"While smoking prevalence in Australia has declined over time, rates of daily smoking remain too high at 16.6 per cent of those aged 14 or older," Ms Roxon said on Saturday.

"The 2010 stage of the National Tobacco Campaign will reach a broad age-range, but focuses on young adults."

Ms Roxon said at least 43 of the 4000 chemicals can cause cancer.

NEW YORK - News Corp's Fox Business Network said

2010-02-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK - News Corp's Fox Business Network said it has recruited rival network CNBC's former on-air editor Charles Gasparino to a multiyear deal, adding talent to the relatively young business news network. Gasparino is best known for breaking numerous stories on major U.S. banking names like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, particularly during the peak of the financial crisis. He will debut February 22, taking on the role of senior correspondent working on market updates and breaking news. He will also make occasional appearances on sister network Fox News, a Fox Business spokeswoman said on Tuesday. "I've been following Charlie for years, he's a terrific business journalist and a great character, making for great TV," Kevin Magee, executive vice president for Fox Business, told Reuters. In the last year or so, Gasparino developed a tense on-air relationship with some of his fellow CNBC presenters, including a famous meltdown with Dylan Ratigan, who left CNBC last year. "He has the demeanor and attitude that will do better at Fox Business than he's been able to elsewhere," said Magee. Gasparino's last day with CNBC was last Friday according to CNBC spokesman. "We thank Charles for all his quality contributions and wish him the best," said CNBC's Brian Steel. Fox has been aiming to raise the profile and ratings of its two-year-old network by recruiting talent like radio host Don Imus for its morning show. Veteran business journalist and news anchor Lou Dobbs was widely expected to surface at Fox after he quit CNN in November. There were reports last year that he had met with Fox News chief Roger Ailes, but Dobbs has yet to be unveiled as a presenter on any Fox channel. Since its launch in October 2007, Fox Business has struggled against CNBC's ratings dominance in U.S. business television. Fox Business says it is available in just over 50 million U.S. homes, compared with the roughly 95 million homes that receive CNBC in North America. CNBC, which launched 21 years ago, is part of General Electric Co's NBC Universal unit.

Alexander McQueen commits suicide.

2010-02-17T18:40:00.000-08:00

Flamboyant British fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead at his London home on Thursday, after apparently committing suicide, police and reports said. Emergency services were called to the 40-year-old's home in central London, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A Scotland Yard spokesman said the death was not being treated as suspicious. ``We were called to an address at 10:20 am this morning by the ambulance service after reports of a man found dead,'' the police spokesman told AFP. ``He is believed to be 40 years old. Next of kin have been informed. ``The death is being treated as non-suspicious.'' A spokeswoman for the designer, who rapidly built an international reputation for his outrageous fashion creations, said: ``Mr. McQueen was found dead this morning at his home. ``We're devastated and I hope you understand that out of respect to his family and his colleagues we're not going to be making any further statement,'' she added. Born in London's East End into a working-class family - his father was a taxi driver - McQueen rose to fame after graduating from London's celebrated St Martin's College of Art and Design in 1991. McQueen, a four-time winner of the British designer of the year award, was creative director of his own label which was majority-owned by Gucci and was one of Britain's most lauded fashion designers. His close friend and fashion icon Isabella Blow killed herself three years ago at the age of 48. She died after telling friends she was going out shopping. McQueen's cut his teeth as a tailor in Saville Row, where legend has it that he left his distinctive mark - in the form of hand-written obscenities - in the lining of a jacket for Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne. After spells with designers Romeo Gigli and Koji Tatsuno, he started his own label and quickly became a controversial figure. He notably designed the famous ``bumster'' trousers, which displayed the cleavage between model's buttocks in a parody of the low-slung trousers worn by workers on London building sites. He even survived the general condemnation which surrounded a collection featuring ripped clothing, and entitled ``Highland Rape'', which was the first time anyone had chosen to send supposed rape victims down the catwalk. After earning the title of best British designer of the Year in 1996, he moved across the English Channel to France, following another Londoner, John Galliano, as chief designer at Givenchy, where he continued to shock. He toned down his shock tactics for Paris but enjoyed a further brush with notoriety when he included a disabled amputee model walking on carved wooden legs in a London catwalk show. McQueen's position in the mainstream was assured in 2000, however, when the Gucci Group bought out 51 percent of his eponymous label, and the past decade has seen him launch flagship stores in New York, London and Milan. He had a perfume line, launched his first menswear collection in 2004 and most recently launching a denim-based collection entitled McQ. His death came days before London fashion week, and ahead of Paris fashion next month.

Pakistanis are a cricket-loving nation

2010-02-17T18:28:00.001-08:00

Victory and defeat are parts of a game. It is not the first time that Pakistan have lost a series. Despite the fact that Pakistan won the World Cup and a Twenty20 World Championship, they remained on the losing side quite a bit. Still Pakistan were considered as one of the best in the world. Possessing the capability of toppling strong teams any time, their opponents felt scared facing them. Pakistanis are a cricket-loving nation. Why are cricket lovers upset and frustrated to the extent of agitation is that the team behaved like a bunch of novices during the tour Down Under, making all types of mistakes and buying defeats. The tour management committee appeared to be out on a sight seeing trip. While a serious rift between two senior players Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik continued ruining the peace and amity of the team the officials acted as silent spectators. I will call such a conduct not only casual but also unpatriotic. It proves that during the last two years the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headed by Ijaz Butt has made a thorough mess of the game as well as its administration. Such an astounding public demand for the removal of the PCB chairman and his partners, for bringing disgrace to the country, is absolutely legitimate. How do you expect the game to prosper when its administrators have no mutual trust among them. The case of a ‘battle royal’ going on between two top officials – PCB chief Ijaz and PCB director general Javed Miandad – deserves a special mention. Each one being a direct appointee of President Asif Ali Zardari considered himself superior to the other irrespective of their nature of appointment. Disgusted with the policies of Ijaz, Javed took advantage of the public agitation against the PCB and decided to join in the fray. There started a verbal brawl of historical dimensions in which the two of them levelled charges and counter charges against each other. Thank God it ended before reaching the stage of a physical combat, though the tempers on both sides were pretty high. Both of them being so dear to President Zardari no one in the ministry of sports dare reprimand them for making a mockery of Pakistan cricket. In an atmosphere of this nature how do you expect cricket to flourish. The nation having sunk deep in the ocean of disappointment, there was a massive protest against the game’s ruling clique. A lot of diehard cricket lovers wrote to the President to remove the incompetent lot of officials ruling the game so as to mark an end to the ruthless destruction of Pakistan cricket. The board was generally accused of indulging in nepotism, cronyism and financial mismanagement. The board officials were working only to draw huge financial benefits from their lucrative appointments rather than promoting the game. The public expression that "we care about the present and future of Pakistan cricket because we care about the present and the future of Pakistan itself" will indicate how emotionally the nation is involved in cricket. To project the nation’s feelings and sentiments about our team’s disastrous performance Down Under and the PCB’s incompetence to run the cricket affairs with success, a local TV channel set up a ‘Peoples court’. None of the PCB officials was present. Heated discussion took place to high light the PCB’s failure in the domain of building a strong team by injecting unity, discipline, mutual understanding, fighting spirit and other attributes. While none of those present spoke in favour of the PCB, the unanimous opinion was that Ijaz should be removed immediately. They strongly recommended Imran Khan as his replacement but Imran flatly refused, perhaps on account of his deep involvement in politics. Lot of opinions were expressed the major one being that for bringing the Pakistan cricket into disrepute the PCB top officials must resign voluntarily. Following the foot steps of the power hungry government that we are ruled by, they have refused to do so. Surprisingly, they even do not admit that the team performed poorly claiming that ‘we have been defeated by the best team of the world’. In the presence of the President’s blue-eyed boys ruling the PCB, God save Pakistan.

California plane crash

2010-02-17T18:22:00.000-08:00

Three employees from US electric carmaker Tesla died Wednesday when their small plane crashed in a residential area in East Palo Alto, south of San Francisco, officials said. "Tesla is a small, tightly-knit company, and this is a tragic day for us," Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said in a statement. He declined to release the victims' identities until their families were notified. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them," Musk added. The aircraft, a twin engine Cessna 310 carrying three people, crashed around 8:00 am (1600 GMT) after hitting an electricity pole, causing significant power outages, East Palo Alto police said. The crash damaged several homes and destroyed vehicles some 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco, although no injuries were reported on the ground. The plane had just taken off from Palo Alto, a region of Silicon Valley where Tesla is based, along with other high-tech California companies. In late January, the company, which calls itself "the world's only automaker selling highway-capable electric cars," announced it had filed a registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The firm is led by South Africa-born Musk, 38, who made a fortune after co-founding and selling online payment company PayPal to eBay. He also founded space launch vehicle manufacturer Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). The Tesla Roadster, a high-performance sports car, costs more than 100,000 dollars and can go nearly 250 miles (400 kilometers) on a single charge. In 2012 the firm aims to debut its "Model S," a five-passenger sedan powered by lithium-ion battery packs capable of between 160 and 300 miles per charge.

Taliban Snipers Bedevil Troops in Marja

2010-02-17T18:15:00.000-08:00

Almost every American and Afghan infantryman present has had frightening close calls. Some of the shooting has apparently been from Kalashnikov machine guns, the Marines say, mixed with sniper fire. The near misses have included lone bullets striking doorjambs beside their faces as Marines peeked around corners, single rounds cracking by just overhead as Marines looked over mud walls, and bullets slamming into the dirt beside them as they ran across the many unavoidable open spaces in the area they have been assigned to clear. On Wednesday, firing came from primitive compounds, irrigation canals and agricultural fields as the bloody struggle between the Marines and the Taliban for control of the northern portion of this Taliban enclave continued for a fifth day. In return, Company K used mortars, artillery, helicopter attack gunships and an airstrike in a long afternoon of fighting, which ended, as has been the pattern for nearly a week, with the waning evening light. The fight to push the Taliban from this small area of Marja, a rural belt of dense poppy cultivation with few roads and almost no services, has relented only briefly since Company K landed by helicopters in the blackness early on Saturday morning. It has been a grinding series of skirmishes triggered by the company‚Äôs advances to seize sections of villages, a bridge and a bazaar where it has established an outpost and patrol bases. Over all, most Taliban small-arms fire has been haphazard and ineffective, an unimpressive display of ill discipline or poor skill. But this more familiar brand of Taliban shooting has been punctuated by the work of what would seem to be several well-trained marksmen. On Monday, a sniper struck an Afghan soldier in the neck at a range of roughly 500 to 700 yards. The Afghan was walking across an open area when the single shot hit him. He died. The experience of First Platoon on Wednesday was the latest chilling example. The platoon, laden with its backpacks, was moving west toward the company‚Äôs main outpost after several days of operating in the eastern portion of the company‚Äôs area. Marines here often stay within the small clusters of buildings as they walk, seeking the relative protection of mud walls. But it is impossible to move far without venturing into the open to cross to new villages. As First Platoon moved into the last wide expanse before reaching the command post, the Taliban began a complex ambush. First bullets came from a Kalashnikov firing from the south, said First Lt. Jarrod D. Neff, the platoon commander. The attack had a logic: to the south, a deep irrigation canal separates the insurgents from anyone walking on the north side, where the company‚Äôs forces are concentrated. Vegetation is also thicker there, providing ample concealment. There have been several ambushes in this same spot since the long-planned Afghan and American operation to evict the Taliban and establish a government presence in Marja began. Each time, the Marines and their Afghan counterparts have run through the open by turns, some of them sprinting while others provided suppressive fire. The routine had been a long and risky maneuver by dashing and dropping, without a hint of cover, as bursts of machine-gun bullets and single sniper shots zipped past or thumped in the soil, kicking up a fine white powder that coats the land. At the end of each ambush, each man was slicked in sweat and winded. Ears rang from the near deafening sound of the Marines and Afghan soldiers returning fire. As First Platoon made the crossing under machine-gun fire, at least one sniper was also waiting, according to the Marines who crossed. After the Taliban gunmen occupied the platoon‚Äôs attention to the south, a sniper opened fire from the north, Marines in the ambush said.

Pet care came in at No. 1

2010-02-16T22:27:00.000-08:00

It seems a curious that pet products have risen so highly, compared to other costs. For instance the cost of educating your child at university rose by 73 per cent in that period, and the cost of university lodging rose by 93 per cent. But attitudes towards pets have changed a lot since 2000. You can see this from the wording of a news release that appeared on the wire Tuesday. The release promotes Petsecure, a pet health insurance firm, and it refers not to dog owners, but to "pet parents." It tells the story of a Toronto "pet parent" whose pet child?? needed $2,500 for ligament surgery after the animal was attacked by a stray dog. Apparently, her former pet health insurance company denied the claim and Petsecure stepped in. "When we heard what Romelda had been through, we wanted to help; our goal as a company is to ensure that pets across Canada enjoy longer, fuller and healthier lives, even if that means helping one pet parent at a time!" Randy Valpy, President & CEO of Petsecure pet health insurance, said in the release. As pets have become more important to Canadian families and Canadian culture, the number of products and services devoted to pets has also increased. Not only do pet parents find themselves paying for expensive surgeries, but they also have the option of buying high-end dog food, like the Natural Defense brand, developed by Toronto-based business incubator Mars, and launched in North America just last week. Natural Defence features a fairly impressive ingredient list, even by human standards: marigold extract to boost the immune system, Omega 3 from flax seed and glucosamine for joint care protection, myrtle leaf and green tea extract to support oral health. Sounds almost good enough to feed to your university-bound non-pet child.

Public health problems

2010-02-16T22:21:00.000-08:00

Public health problems caused by environmental contamination and emerging infectious diseases are a growing concern worldwide. These public health threats are affected by the relationship between people and the physical, chemical, and biological nature of our natural environments. Population growth and the associated pressures of development are increasing the difficulties associated with sustaining effective public health practices and policies. Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, water contamination, airborne contaminants, bioaccumulative contaminants in the food chain, and environmental threats to public health the world over require marshalling of all our scientific knowledge and know-how to develop new solutions. Understanding environmental and ecological health is a prerequisite to protecting public health. As the Nation's natural science agency, USGS can play a significant role in providing scientific knowledge and information that will improve our understanding of the environmental contributions to disease and human health.

Health and technologies

2010-02-08T04:06:00.000-08:00

eHealth is an overarching term used today to describe the application of information and communications technologies in the health sector. It encompasses a whole range of purposes from purely administrative through to health care delivery. For example: within the hospital care setting, eHealth refers to electronic patient administration systems; laboratory and radiology information systems; electronic messaging systems; and, telemedicine -- teleconsults, telepathology, and teledermatology, to name a few within the home care setting, examples include teleconsults and remote vital signs monitoring systems used for diabetes medicine, asthma monitoring and home dialysis systems within the primary care setting, eHealth can refer to the use of computer systems by general practitioners and pharmacists for patient management, medical records and electronic prescribing. A fundamental building block of all these applications is the Electronic Health Record, which allows the sharing of necessary information between care providers across medical disciplines and institutions. Other important uses of eHealth are found in the areas of continuous medical education and public health awareness and education.

Best words on human health.

2010-02-08T03:53:00.000-08:00

We should discuss the organziation of this page. I'm still new to Wikipedia's organization, so open to other views. In general, I'd recommend that the "Health" page has two purposes. The first is to describe the different definitions or concepts of health. The second is to provide context to other aspects of health such as: health care, prevention and promotion of health, health risks, determinants of health, etc.
An example of how organziation could be improved is the section on Public Health on this page. Much of this infomation is duplicated on a seperate Public Health page. And on that other Public Health page, there are definitions and discusions about health that are on this page. I suggest that the Public Health section be entirely removed from this page, except for a link, and the definition of health be removed from the other Public Health page.
In terms of definitions of health, this Health page should include different concepts of health like the four "D" death, disability, disease and demogrphaphics - with links to other pages for these sections What should be on a "Health" page?

Mental Health

2009-10-17T00:29:00.000-07:00

The Depression & Anxiety Consumer Research Unit (CRU) serves as a bridge between consumers and researchers, and undertakes a high quality program of research focused on the priorities and needs of mental health consumers in the community.

CRU was established by the Centre for Mental Health Research in 2003 as part of its focus on research from the perspective of those who suffer from common mental disorders.

CRU is staffed by academic researchers and students who are also consumers (that is, have personal experience with depressive or anxiety disorders). The current and founding Director of CRU is Associate Professor Kathy Grifffiths.

human animals health

2009-10-13T22:40:00.001-07:00

human animals health

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Pain Management for Pets

2009-04-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

Decades ago in veterinary medicine, pain was thought to be good for an injured or sick animal. This wasn't because veterinarians were cruel or wanted pets to suffer; they believed that pain helped keep animals sufficiently quiet in order to heal. Plus, it was thought that there really wasn't any way to know whether a pet was feeling pain or needed some relief. Today it's just the opposite: veterinarians now believe they should treat for pain until there is proof that an animal isn't hurting.

Why it's important to manage your pet's pain?

Pain management has become an important issue in veterinary medicine. AAHA along with the American Association of Feline Practitioners recently released the AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats . These guidelines show that pain management will improve the recovery process, whether from illness, surgery or injury. Best of all, because it reduces stress and increases a sense of well being, pain management may even help your furry friend live longer.

Different kinds of pain

Acute pain comes on suddenly as a result of an injury, surgery, inflammation or infection. It can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet and it may limit her mobility. The good news is that it's usually temporary. It generally goes away when the condition that causes it is treated.

Chronic pain is long lasting and usually slow to develop. Some of the more common sources of chronic pain are age-related disorders such as arthritis, but it can also result from illnesses such as cancer or bone disease. This pain may be the hardest to deal with, because it can go on for years, or for an animal's entire lifetime. Also, because it develops slowly, some animals may gradually learn to tolerate the pain and live with it. This can make chronic pain difficult to detect.

How to know when your pet is hurting?

When we have pain, we complain. However, animals instinctually hide pain so we generally don't hear a peep out of our pets until the pain is so bad they cannot hide it anymore. So how do you know when your pet's in pain?

Because our furry friends aren't able to tell us when something is wrong, it's important for you, the owner, to take note of any change in their behavior. Look for any of the following signs
they may be your pet's way of saying "I hurt."

Being unusually quiet, listless, restless, or unresponsive
Whining, whimpering, howling, or constantly meowing
Biting
Constantly licking or chewing at a particular part of the body
Acting funny and out of character, either aggressively or submissively
Flattening ears against the head Having trouble sleeping or eating
Seeking a lot more affection than usual
Unable to get comfortable (constantly changes positions to find the most comfortable position)

If you suspect your pet might be hurting, consult your veterinarian for help. Your veterinarian will help you figure out the problem and discuss the available options. Be prepared to answer questions about your pet's behavior, activity level and tolerance for being handled. Your furry friend’s mobility is also a crucial topic. Does Rover now have a hard time getting up or walking up/down stairs (these were never a problem before)? Does Fluffy no longer jump up on to the furniture or have a hard time hopping back down?

Many animals, especially cats, naturally disguise signs of pain to protect themselves from predators. However, the lack of obvious signs does not mean they aren't experiencing pain. If the injury, illness or experience is one that sounds painful to you, go with the assumption that it may also hurt your pet and get to your veterinarian.

What can you do to help?

First and foremost, a complete physical exam by your veterinarian is essential. An exam may include lab and blood tests, X-rays, etc. Veterinarians will recommend a treatment protocol. Ask your veterinarian about simple things you can do at home to help keep your pet comfortable and to monitor whether her pain level is changing.

Massaging your pet from head to toe will help relax and soothe him. This organized form of petting is a great way to bond with your buddy as well as to notice any unusual bumps, scrapes or bruises on the body. It is important that you are gentle and do not apply pressure over the spinal area. If you pet shows any signs of discomfort discontinue massage immediately and seek veterinary advice.

Watch for changes in how your pet responds to exercise. If he's acting sluggish, you may need to reduce his activity or it may mean that chronic pain is developing. His ability to exercise will depend on his health, make sure he has a thorough veterinary physical before he starts a new exercise program. (For more information on exercising your pet, see Exercising your Pet.)
Watch his diet. Carefully monitor your pet’s diet to ensure he is not adding unneeded pounds. Maintaining a healthy diet will improve your pet’s pain level by managing his weight, regularity and physical health. Depending on your pet’s condition, he may need a special diet. Consult your veterinarian before you make any dietary changes.

Treatment choices and considerations

There is a variety of pain medications currently available for pets. Aside from pill form, many drugs come in easily administered forms such as liquids, skin patches or gels. There are also new analgesic (pain-reducing) products to help treat your pet after an injurious trauma or to help treat chronic pain. Traditionally, steroids have been used for anti-inflammatory purposes and to decrease pain. Although effective, steroids generally aren't used for prolonged periods, they can have adverse side effects (strictly adhering to your veterinarian’s instructions is important).

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are often used to treat orthopedic-related pain with fewer side effects. There are several other classes of pain medications and it is important that you talk to your veterinarian about the different medications so that together you can find the best treatment plan for your pet.

It is very important that you do not give your pet any medication without consulting your veterinarian. Certain painkillers, including acetaminophen (found in Tylenol) or combinations of medications can be toxic to pets in very small doses.

In addition to pharmaceutical treatment, complementary (or alternative) options are becoming more available. Acupuncture, homeopathy, holistic medicine and even aromatherapy are being practiced on animals. Your veterinarian can help you decide whether complementary medicine would be beneficial for your pet.

Whether your choice is complementary or traditional medical practices, consider the side effects and the time for each treatment option. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you about the costs, benefits and risks of the various treatment options.

After surgery

Pain management becomes particularly important after surgeries. When recovering from invasive procedures, animals may be not only in pain, but also weak and disoriented. When you're finally able to bring home that precious pet of yours after a procedure, the best thing you can do is consistently follow your veterinarian's instructions carefully. If your veterinarian prescribes an analgesic for your pet, give it to him as directed. If any problems should develop, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Have a comfortable, warm bed accessible to help your friend rest. Keep your pet quiet and relaxed so that he has time to heal without further injuring himself. Also, keep Spot or Fluffy from picking at his stitches (often a special collar will be recommended to prevent this from happening). Be attentive and loving. The comfort of your attention and affection may be just what the doctor ordered.

As with any medical condition, your veterinarian is your best ally in identifying and managing your pet's pain. Pain management requires a team effort in order to have a happier and healthier companion.

HUMAN HEALTH

2009-03-27T02:33:00.000-07:00

Human Health