The Secrets to Protecting Your Family Dog from Cancer

A dog is as much a part of the family as anyone else, and keeping his or her wellness as a top priority is vital if you want to enjoy a long and happy relationship with your pet.

 

One of the biggest threats to your dog’s wellbeing is cancer. Just as in humans, there are some important lifestyle decisions that you should make when it comes to your dog to help prevent your canine friend from succumbing to the deadly disease.

 

Not only is cancer just as serious in dogs as it is in humans, it can also become very expensive, with vets bills and medication costs stacking up. It can also be very upsetting to watch your dog’s health deteriorate. Although it is curable in some cases, it is far better to make sure that your dog doesn’t get cancer in the first place.

 

One of the things you should be mindful of is avoiding unnecessary vaccinations. If your vet suggests that you need to get your dog vaccinated against some kind of illness, do a little research of your own and work out whether the disease is the biggest risk or whether the possible damage caused by the vaccine is more of a consideration. A recent study has shown that some of the additives used in vaccines can cause problems with your dog’s autoimmunity, and this can lead to organ failure and cancer.  Certainly, if your dog has been diagnosed with cancer it would be extremely wise to avoid vaccinations where possible, as the immune system is often suppressed by cancer (and by the drugs that treat cancer) and this can lead to vaccinations making your pet very ill.

 

Getting your dog spayed or neutered is always a very important part of their care, but it is also worth remembering that removing the sites where some cancer lurks can be a preventative measure. One of the benefits of spaying or neutering is that it can decrease your dog’s chance of cancer, especially if you do it at the right time (i.e. not too early and not too late).

Categories: cancer, Disease, dog, lead, nbsp, pet, Vaccinations

What Vaccinations Should Your Baby Have?

Children require as many as 25 vaccinations and booster shots in the first 15 months of their life alone, which makes it difficult to know what they’re getting and why. These vaccines are vital in helping children get started in life without the worry of diseases and ailments that their bodies can’t fight off at a young age, as well as some that they’ll need well into adult life as well. Here is a list of some of the most important vaccinations that your child will receive, and the potentially damaging germs that they are there to protect your child from. If you’re unsure when you should book these vaccines, your GP will be able to advise you what they need and when.

 

Hepatitis B

Your baby should receive a vaccine against this before they leave the hospital, and then have a booster shot at between one and two months, and then a third at six to 18 months. As indicated, this protects against the incurable virus of hepatitis B which affects the liver. This particular virus can be passed on to a baby during childbirth if the mother is infected with it. This is because the virus is spread through blood contact and other bodily fluids – even sharing toothbrushes can increase your risk.

MMR

This is a combination shot which protects against three viruses – measles, mumps and rubella. Measles causes a high fever and a rash which spreads along the entire body. Mumps causes pain in the face with swollen salivary glands, and sometimes swelling in the scrotum in boys as well. Lastly, Rubella or German measles can cause birth defects if the infection is caught by the mother during pregnancy. The first vaccine is given at 12 to 15 months of age, and then the child receives another one between the ages of 4 and 6. Sometimes, this vaccine is combined with a chickenpox vaccine – this is to reduce the amount of shots the child has to endure.

DTaP

The DTaP vaccination protects the child against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Diphtheria is a germ which can cause a grey or black film to develop in the throat. Tetanus is an infection which can cause muscle spasms in the body which can be so strong that they break the child’s bones. And pertussis is a very contagious disease which can lead to a severe and uncontrollable cough in the patient which is known as whooping cough. Children have five doses at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years of age. They will then have a booster at 11 or 12, and then every 10 years.

Hib

Haemophilus influenza type B is a bacteria which develops into meningitis. This causes inflammation in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, which can be very dangerous for children under the age of five. Hib vaccines are usually given at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age. There may be a six month shot required as well, depending on the type of vaccine used. It’s common for the child to experience fever, swelling and redness where the vaccination was given as side effects from the jab. These will pass though.

Polio (IPV)

The Polio vaccine is a massive success, and because of it there are no more cases of the disease. The virus hasn’t been eradicated worldwide, though, so children still require the shot to protect them. This is a very serious condition and can lead to paralysis or even death in severe cases. Children have this shot at two, four, and six to 18 months, then again between the ages of four and six years.

Categories: Child, Children, months, shot, Vaccinations, Vaccine, viruses

Why Are Vaccinations So Important For Your Health?

If you’re travelling to far-flung exotic places, there’s a chance you may need to be vaccinated before you travel. Your GP can advise which vaccines you will need before you go, and you’ll need to see them around six to eight weeks before you depart. However, don’t avoid visiting your doctor if there is less time until your holiday, as you may still be able to get vaccinated at a travel clinic or at the surgery itself. If you’re travelling to the United States, Western Europe, or most of New Zealand and Australia, you probably won’t need vaccinations. However, you should ensure that your booster immunisations for tetanus, diphtheria and polio are up to date.

 

Cholera is an infection commonly spread in places such as Central America, Peru, Africa and Asia. It’s an infection of the small bowel, which is spread through water contaminated by infected faeces. A cholera vaccine is vital if you’re travelling to places which have a cholera epidemic – this is given orally and comes in sachets which dissolve in water. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything for an hour before taking the vaccine, and you’ll need two doses between one and six weeks apart. This vaccination doesn’t provide lifelong immunity, but you’ll only need a booster to keep yourself protected.

 

Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver and is caused by an infection with the hepatitis A virus – generally, people become infected by eating or drinking food or water which is contaminated. The Middle East, Africa, and southern or eastern Europe are places with a high risk of this virus, so if you’re travelling to these areas, you should make sure you get vaccinated. This vaccination consists of two injections – the second is a booster dose given around six to twelve months after the first. Likewise, hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by an infection with the virus – this is spread by having contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluid, such as vaginal fluid. This is most commonly spread through unsafe sex, using contaminated needles, or contact sports in high risk areas, if you’re doing relief work. There are several immunisation schedules, but most often it involves three doses – after the first, you will require a second a month afterwards, and then a third five months after that.

 

Rabies is a viral infection that’s spread from animals to people, and is common in developing countries – in particular, Africa, South America and Asia. If you need this vaccination, you’ll need to take three injections – the second will be a week after the first, then the third will be after a further three weeks. If you’re short on time before you travel, you may have to have the third at two weeks after the second dose.

 

Tetanus, diphtheria and polio is generally given in childhood in the UK, but the diseases are common in Asia, Africa and South America. You may need a booster if you’ve not had your vaccination for more than 10 years and are travelling to an area which has a high risk rate. You should book a visit to your GP as part of your travel plans to ensure you have time to book in any vaccinations you may need – you should plan this at least six weeks before you travel. As previously mentioned, you should still book an appointment even if there is less than six weeks, as you may still be able to get a vaccine. They will be able to advise of safe practices to reduce your risk of developing these diseases.

Categories: diseases, Travel, Vaccinations

How Damaging Can Yellow Fever Be?

Mosquito bites from infected mosquitoes spread the dangerous disease of yellow fever, and you’re at more of a risk if you live in, or travel to, places where these infected insects thrive. This generally means Central and West Africa, as well as South America, Panama and Trinidad. Each year, this disease infects around 200,000 people around the world, and one in seven of these are hospitalised and die from its effects. It’s very rare for people from the UK to become infected, though. Once you have been bitten by an infected mosquito, you’ll start to see the symptoms around three to six days afterwards. This stage is known as the incubation period and the symptoms are sudden. These include a fever, shivers, headache, feeling sick or being sick, a loss of appetite, achey muscles or backache. The symptoms generally last around three to four days, after which you should start to feel better and the symptoms should gradually disappear. However, some people do experience relapses and become even more ill than the first time around. During this second stage, you may experience a higher fever, your skin and the whites of your eyes may become yellow (which is how this disease gets its name), kidney failure, stomach pains and being sick, blood in your vomit or faeces, and bleeding from your eyes, nose or mouth. It’s during this stage that the condition can become life threatening.

 

The disease is spread through mosquitoes picking up the virus from other infected people, or monkeys which are infected with the virus – they then pass it on to the next person they bite. This can only be spread in certain countries as there are specific species of mosquitoes which spread the infection – these live and breed in houses or in the jungle. It’s vital that you see a doctor as soon as possible if you’ve been to an affected area and start to develop symptoms as previously highlighted. If you’re abroad, you should still seek out a local hospital or see a doctor. Your GP or a medical professional will carry out a blood test and this will confirm whether you have the virus – it’s crucial that you state to your doctor that you’ve visited an area where yellow fever is common, as this will be vital to your diagnoses. It can be difficult to recognise yellow fever, as the symptoms are commonplace – especially in the first few days. It can sometimes be confused with other conditions such as malaria, dengue fever or typhoid, so giving as much information as you can is important.

 

There is no specific treatment for the virus, but the symptoms can be treated which will help you to feel more at ease and comfortable. If you become seriously ill, such as if you relapse, then you may need intensive care in order to recover. Pain relief comes in the form of over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, always read the information that comes with your medication in order to be aware of any risks that may be present. In addition to this, you should get some rest and drink plenty of fluids in order to reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated – generally around six to eight glasses a day. Once you recover from yellow fever, you will be immune from the disease for the rest of your life. There are vaccinations against the virus as well, to protect your immune system, and you can prevent the risk of becoming infected by protecting yourself from mosquito bites.

Categories: Symptoms, Vaccinations, yellow fever

Top tips for vaccinating your pet

 

We tend to think only of humans where vaccines are concerned, assuming that pets are able to fight off any disease they may encounter. However, this is not actually the case, and there are various illnesses which could prove to be fatal for some animals if they aren’t properly protected. Your pets are at risk of catching diseases that could put their health at risk, which is why vaccinations, as with adults, are so important. Yet many people don’t bother to get their pets vaccinated, due to cost or simply a lack of understanding about its importance, which can leave them at risk of developing dangerous conditions that could put their lives at risk.

For example, distemper is passed from dog to dog and is displayed in symptoms such as a runny nose and sickness. It can even lead to twitching and fits in the animal – it can be potentially fatal if left untreated, requiring immediate veterinary attention is spotted. Likewise, canine hepatitis is extremely infectious and affects the liver of the dog. Dogs with this disease will have a high temperature, pale gums, diarrhoea and sickness, and generally seem under the weather. Again, it is potentially fatal. Parvo is a very dangerous illness for animals, leading to extreme sickness and problems with the dogs breathing and heart. Unfortunately, most dogs who catch this disease rarely survive it, even with treatment from a vet as it damages the body too much.

It’s for reasons such as this that you should get your animals vaccinated, and not just dogs. There are vaccinations for a variety of pets in order to protect them against harmful illnesses and diseases that affect their species. Many illnesses are now rarely seen amongst animals, unlike years prior when many animals became severely ill due to a lack of preventative treatments. If vaccinations increase, these levels of disease could drop even further. When puppies and kittens are born, they are generally protected from infections through their mother’s milk, as long as she has been vaccinated herself. This only lasts a few weeks though, which is why they require regular vaccinations from an early age in order to protect them. Typically, puppies are vaccinated at eight and ten weeks, kittens at nine and twelve weeks, and young pets should be given a booster at 12 months. Even rabbits require regular vaccines in order to stay healthy and protected from infection.

Dogs are generally routinely vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis and canine hepatitis. It’s particularly important that these vaccines are given if your dog will be spending a lot of time in kennels, as they will be more prone to catching infections such as kennel cough. Cats tend to be vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis, feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus and feline leukaemia virus, however it’s advised that only cats at risk should have a vaccination for this particular disease. Rabbits should be routinely vaccinated for Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD). Older pets often need a booster shot as well, as their health declines and they are less able to defend themselves against infections. A regular check-up with your animal’s vet will ensure that they get the routine checks they require, as well as being checked for any symptoms of disease and potentially fatal ailments. Much like humans, animals are only able to fend off so many bacterial viruses, after which they need assistance in the form of medication. In order to make sure your pet stays healthy, book them in for routine check-ups each year to stay on top of their health with low cost pet vaccinations.

Categories: Disease, pets, Vaccinations, vaccines