4th
09 -
2011
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Tapeworms are a segmented flatworm that consists of a body, a head and a neck. New segments are always being formed within the neck region and as they mature, they dry up and break off of the end of the body.
The cycle starts when flea larvae eat animal feces that contain parasite eggs. The eggs then hatch inside of the flea’s body subsequently carrying them on to the host animal, the dog. Dogs chew and scratch at their fleas and inevitably swallow a few here and there. The fleas travel down into the animal’s intestines where they begin to grow into fully adult sized tapeworms which can measure up to twenty inches in length. While a tapeworm has no digestive system of it’s own, it attaches itself to the lining of the intestines and absorbs the nutrients the dog ingests. Thus beginning the cyclical pattern of the tapeworm begins. Keep in mind, though, that the parts that aren’t breaking off and passing though are still inside of your dog and can live upwards of two years.
Once parts of the tapeworm have passed through the dog’s body by way of his feces, the pattern starts again. Some of the dried matter will remain on the dog’s behind resembling dry rice or even grass seeds. Your dog will lick and chew and ultimately scoot across the floor in an attempt to relieve the irritation. With that said, all dogs scoot across the floor from time to time but a dog with a tapeworm infestation will not stop. It makes them that crazy. Tapeworm in dogs is easily diagnosed at this point.
Symptoms:
Loss of weight- the tapeworms are absorbing all viable nutrients so it will seem your dog is more hungry and consuming more food than usual but still losing weight.
Loss of appetite- as the tapeworm grows in length, your dog will not eat as much less often.
Abdominal pain- the dog will glance, lick or bite at his abdomen and have a general feeling of lethargy and not want to get out of bed. They may also stand bent or sort of hunched over with their heads bowed as if in prayer and may whine or howl to alert you to the discomfort.
Vomiting or diarrhea- your dog eat grass to induce vomiting but signs of diarrhea may be a little more subtle. This combination will dehydrate the animal so if you notice these changes, try and get him to drink lots of water.
Nervousness or jumpiness. The dog will act overly paranoid and be rather skittish in the company of others. You may notice him panting, growling or pacing more than usual and any loud noises will set them over the edge.
With that said, some dog breeds have a higher pain threshold than others. You may want to monitor the situation very closely if you notice any one of the symptoms and try to catch any of the other symptoms for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The veterinarian will ask you for a stool sample from your dog and will look for the moving segments of the tapeworm within the sample. The animal may be experiencing abdominal discomfort or have a nervous stomach, he may even vomit. Combined with the constant scooting, these are all signs that your animal is infected. The doctor will give you medicine to treat it and once you know which kind to buy, the purchase can be made online. Most tapeworm medicines have very few side effects if any at all so that shouldn’t be a big concern.
The best thing you can do is find a good flea and lice control. Give a really good scrub down of your dog’s bedding and also your carpets. Fleas and the dried segments of the tapeworm can get down into the fibers of the carpets so just vacuuming them will not do the trick. Also, don’t feed your animal any kind of raw meat because the parasite can host off of wild animals as well. At this point, the only way to kill the parasite is to freeze it or cook it. Although very rare, the tapeworm can also host off of such farm animals as sheep and cows. So if you live in a rural area, that will be something to keep in mind also. The affects of Tapeworm in dogs are subtle and can be easily missed so if this is an ongoing issue just be sure to keep a close eye on him.
2nd
09 -
2011
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Pregnancy tests are essential not only to detect the pregnancy, but the detection of pregnancy at the right time is essential for the better health of expectant mother and the healthy growth of the baby.
As the technology is advancing every day, the pregnancy test being carried out today are much more dependable and convenient. Over- the – counter pregnancy tests are equally effective. These pregnancy tests are the first step which makes you to fix the appointment with your nearby doctor. The importance of these appointments should not be underestimated as they confirm any abnormality in pregnancy or determines if there are any risk factors involved in the pregnancy. Different types of pregnancy test are mentioned below.
Urine test
Urine tests are most famous and provide a convenient way to confirm the pregnancy compared to others options of pregnancy tests. The women suspecting pregnancy has only to buy an over-the-counter test kit. Normally it comprises of a cup in which the women suspecting pregnancy has to collect her urine sample and specifically designed stick that is dipped in the urine for a specified time. It is important to follow the instruction of the kit manually. The results obtained after carefully following the instructions are mostly fairly accurate. Some clinics adopt the same method for the pregnancy test.
There is a different preferable type of urine pregnancy test in which the expectant mother has to hold a specifically designed strip in the stream of urine while urinating for a specified period of time. This is a comparatively neater and cleaner type of urine pregnancy test. This method is widely used to detect the pregnancy at the earliest stage as the stick detects the presence of hCG hormones the moment the embryo is attached to the wall of uterine.
Pregnancy Blood Test
Blood tests are more reliable compared to the urine tests. These tests are conducted by the doctor to detect the presence of hCG in the blood. The presence of hCG in the blood indicates the embryo has attached itself to the uterine wall and placenta has started growing. Doctors have to conduct some further tests after the determination of pregnancy to evaluate the overall health of the women and the growing fetus inside her. With the help of these tests he prescribes various prenatal vitamins for the healthy growth of the fetus.
These pregnancy blood tests are preferable by those who have the infertility problem and are eager to determine their pregnancy. As the presence of hCG hormone can be determined in the blood only even after 7 days of expected conception. This hCG blood test also determines any probable abnormality. The blood pregnancy tests are usually conducted at the doctor’s office.
The mother has to undergo certain other test after confirming her pregnancy. Like CBC which checks whether the mother is anemic or have certain other abnormality. RH factor, tests for STD’s, screens for viral and bacterial infections and blood glucose tests.
With the technology advancement the pregnancy tests have become convenient and reliable. For all those who are eager to confirm their pregnancy they can perform a home pregnancy test if come out positive, they can fix the appointment with the doctors. The test conducted at home should not be considered as a replacement or substitute of medical confirmation and opinion.
2nd
09 -
2011
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comment closed
There are three stages of pregnancy. These are the first, second and third trimesters. The first trimester runs from week one to week fourteen, the second covers weeks 15 – 26, then the third is weeks 27 – 40.
Week 1+2: This is actually before you get pregnant. It’s the stage where your body prepares itself by ovulating. And it’s in these 14 days that the egg is fertilized by the sperm
Week 3: The fertilized egg now moves down the fallopian tubes, fluid passes into the ball of cells, dividing them into two. The inner cells will form your baby and the outer cells will form the placenta. Your body, at this stage, is still unaware that it is pregnant. The implantation begins as the cell ball reaches the wall of the uterus. In this process the cells actually bury into the uterus wall, which can sometimes lead to you having spotting. The implanted cell ball now becomes an embryo.
Week 4: This is a week of rapid development, and your body now realises it is pregnant. The amniotic sac and cavity begin to develop and also the Yoke sac appears (this will later form the baby’s digestive system). The placenta now starts to form where implantation took place and blood from you will now go into the placenta. It is usually about day 27 that we start to feel the morning sickness.
Week 5: The primitive streak (the fore runner of the brain and spinal cord) is now developing. Through this primitive streak the cells will develop into three layers:
The endoderm: the bottom layer – develops the glands, lung linings, tongue, bladder, digestive tract, tonsils, urethra and associated glands.
The mesoderm: the middle layer – forms the muscles, bones, heart, lungs, spleen, blood cells, and the reproductive and excretory systems.
The ectoderm: the top layer – forming the skin, nails, hair, eye lens, nose, mouth, anus, tooth enamel, pituitary gland, mammary glands, and all parts of the nervous system.
Other cells will be starting to develop the spine (called the notochord). The first steps towards forming the embryos head, and the first formation of the babies blood cells happen this week.
Week 6: The first few days of this week is when your baby’s heart starts beating. The aorta (the largest artery in the whole body) will be starting to form at around day 40. By mid week many organs are starting to form: eyes, arm buds, liver, gall bladder, stomach and intestines, lungs and pancreas.
Week 7: This is a busy week for your growing baby. During this week your baby will double in size. The lenses of the eyes are developing and there is also a recognisable tongue. The legs and arms are developing into paddles, the jaws are now visible.
Week 8: The cerebellum starts to form this week. That’s the part of the brain responsible for the movement of muscles. Also hand and foot plates, elbow and wrist areas are forming. Towards the end of the eight week the hand plate has formed ridges where the fingers will be. There is further development of the eye; pigment is now appearing on the retina. Teeth buds are now forming within the gums, along with the wind pipe, bronchi, and voice box. The heart is now starting to develop the four chambers.
Week 9: Your baby is now starting to form cartilage and bones. During this week the ovaries will develop into the sex organ determining whether you’re having a boy or a girl. The fingers and thumbs are now taking shape. Also the baby is now becoming more active.
Week 10: It’s now that your embryo has become a baby, all be it on a rather small scale. There is a fully formed upper lip. The development of the heart now slows as it is past the critical stage. By mid week the earlobes are fully formed. Toes start to develop on the foot plate. As the bones of the palate (roof of the mouth) start to fuse together, the tongue starts to develop taste buds.
Week 11: as the morning sickness starts to subside, you may feel your appetite increase. Your baby’s body starts to straighten. In males the penis is now distinguishable and in females the vagina is beginning to develop. This stage is where the baby starts to show individuality, as the muscle structure varies in each baby.
Week 12: Your baby will start to develop fingernails over the next three weeks. The brain is now the same structure as it will be at birth. By the end of the week, the gall bladder and pancreas will be fully developed. Also the baby will now be opening and closing its mouth.
Week 13: This week vocal chords will form in the larynx. Also the intestines will move from the umbilical cord into the abdomen, and will start to form folds and become lined with villi.
Week 14: You may have noticed some changes to the areola (the area around your nipple); it may be getting larger and darker. Your baby’s heart beat will now be able to be heard using a Doppler. Breathing, sucking and swallowing motions will be being practised. The breathing practises will take the amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs. Baby’s hand also becomes more functional.
Week 15: The baby’s neck is now defined, with the head now resting on the neck rather than the shoulders. The hair pattern of the baby will be defined by the 102nd day of the pregnancy your baby will now be able to turn its head, open its mouth, kick, press its lips together and turn its feet.
Week 16: This week the baby’s toe nails will start to grow. The muscles will be growing stronger and the neck and head are growing straighter. As the uterus starts moving upwards you may start showing more, but this does mean less pressure on your bladder, making you feel like urinating less.
Week 17: Your baby will be working on more reflexes this week; blinking, sucking, and swallowing. Development is carrying on with all the existing structures. Through the course of this month your baby’s weight will increase 6 times.
Week 18: By mid week your baby’s eyes and ears will now be in the right places. The finger tips and toes will develop pads, and toe and finger prints will start to develop later in the week. Myelinization, a process of coating the nerves with a fatty substance called myelin which speeds up nerve cell transmission and insulates nerves, will start happening this week. Also by the second day of this week meconium (faecal waste) will start developing in the baby’s bowels.
Week 19: A creamy looking substance that covers the baby’s body, vernix coseosa, will start to form. This protects the baby and its developing glands and sensory cells. If you’re having a baby girl primitive egg cells are now developed in the ovaries, in fact females are born with all the eggs their ovaries will ever have.
Week 20: Most of the major development has now taken place, and the danger zone of the first three months is now over. Your baby will be waking and sleeping, just as newborns do. Also the formation of fine scalp hair and eyebrows will begin.
Week 21: Your body is replacing the amniotic fluid very three hours at this stage of your pregnancy. Baby’s leg and arm movements increase as the muscles and bones become stronger. By the end of the week a stethoscope will be able to detect the baby’s heart beat.
Week 22: If the baby is a boy, the testes will start to move from the pelvic area into the scrotum. The hair on the head and eyebrows is now visible as white and short.
Week 23: The bones in the middle ear start hardening making the conduction of sound possible. The baby will start to gain some considerable weight between now and next month. The size of the baby’s body will start to get into proportion though the head will remain larger than the rest of the body.
Week 24: The skin of your baby is wrinkled, but will smooth out as fat is deposited. Also by the end of this week the baby’s heart beat is so strong it is some times possible to hear it by placing an ear on your stomach.
Week 25: Baby’s skin is now turning a reddish/pink as capillaries start to develop. The nostrils will now start to open, as they have been plugged unto now. The lungs will start developing blood vessels and the finger and toe nails will now be covering half the nail bed.
Week 26: with the nostrils now open, muscular breathing will start. By the end of the week the lungs will be secreting surfactant, a substance which prevents the lung tissue sticking together. Also with the formation of blood vessels in the lungs, they will now also be developing air sacks. Brain wave activity starts this week for auditory and visual activity.
Week 27: Bumping and thumping is becoming stronger as your baby grows stronger, you should be feeling around 10 kicks in a two hour period. Baby’s lungs are growing rapidly and there is continual development with brain patterns.
Week 28: This is when the eyelids un-fuse and open up. Muscle tone is improving, and the lungs are capable of breathing air. The chances of a baby being born premature from now on, has a greatly improved chance of surviving.
Week 29: Eye lashes have now grown, and although still unable to focus, baby’s eyes are now sensitive to dark and light. At this stage of pregnancy the senses of sound, smell and taste are developing. By the end of the week your baby will be able to move its eyes in their sockets.
Week 30: Baby is now storing up nutrients taken in by you. Calcium for skeletal development, protein for growth and iron for blood cells. By the end of the week the languno (the small hairs that covered the baby’s body), is nearly all gone apart from some patches on the shoulders and back.
Week 31: As the actual growth starts to slow down, the internal organs are still maturing, so make sure your still getting enough folic acid, iron and calcium. Should your baby be born this week they would have the ability to breath, see, listen learn and remember.
Week 32: The baby’s iris is now reacting to light. All five senses are now registering with your baby, although smell is limited as baby can’t breathe air in the uterus.
Week 33: your baby may now be sucking its fingers. Constipation could be starting for you as your uterus puts more and more pressure on your bowels.
Week 34: The pigment of the eyes is not quite fully developed yet, this leaves the eyes looking blue regardless of final colour. And this week your baby will start to develop its own immune system.
Week 35: In baby boys the decent of the testes will complete any time now. Your baby may now shift into your pelvis in a head down position, but not all babies’ do this before birth.
Week 36: Dimples on the elbows and knees will be forming as well as creases in the neck area due to continual deposits of fat. Also this fat will help baby maintain its body temperature.
Week 37: Around 85% are born within two weeks of their actual due date (either before or after), so as you enter this stage be aware for signs of labour. The baby is practising being more aware of its surroundings; this is the ‘orientating response’. This is where the baby will turn towards any source of light. The end of this week marks the end of development, growth will now slow down.
Week 38: Meconium is accumulating in the intestines. Meconium is a dark green mass of waste product and cells from the gall bladder, liver and pancreas. Although shortly after birth this will all come out.
Week 39: as the baby is settling into your pelvis, you maybe feeling clumsy and off balance. This is because your centre of gravity shifts. Make sure you’re prepared for your trip to the hospital.
Week 40: welcome to the final week, that’s if you have not given birth already. Your body will be giving the baby antibodies so it can protect its self from many diseases. The baby will finish dropping into its resting place before birth. So congratulations and welcome to your new born child.