You may be surprised to know that diabetes mellitus affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, but humans are not alone in battling this disease. Estimates indicate that 1 out of every 100 dogs over the age of 12 will develop diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes. Cats can also develop diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic condition that occurs when the body cannot use glucose normally, resulting in high blood sugar levels over a long period of time. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. These levels of glucose are regulated by a hormone called insulin. Insulin is made by the pancreas. Diabetes can manifest slowly or rapidly, but because our furry friends cannot communicate with us, it is important to look for several warning signs that could indicate your pet might be suffering from this disease. Here are some of the most common indicators that diabetes might be affecting your pet. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is extremely important to contact your veterinarian immediately. Diabetes can progress extremely rapidly if left untreated. Although less common in cats, dogs can quickly develop cataracts that might eventually lead to blindness. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination by taking blood and urine samples to determine the glucose content:

Rabies is actually a virus that spreads the disease through animals via saliva. Infected animals may spread this disease by a simple bite wound, and congregation of common feeding grounds can also help spread the virus. It may even spread by contamination of the eye or open wounds. If suspicion of infection is present the most common feeling is, like that of the flu, and should be diagnosed immediately. The most common feeling when infected is the flu, but there is a myriad of symptoms if indeed a person is infected. Headache Vomiting Insomnia Paralysis Anxiety or confusion Hallucination If you experience any of these symptoms, and suspect a bite wound is present seek immediate care from your doctor. It may be that the rabies vaccination is determined necessary in your case. Rabies symptoms in pets, or pests may be difficult to determine, but if you assume a bite wound has occurred seek immediate treatment, which may include: 1. Immediate medical attention It is very important to seek treatment immediately if it is presumed the person is infected. The fatality rate after the virus is well established is very high. Very few people have survived rabies after establishment of this infection when the rabies vaccination was ignored.

As much as we all love our pets, it is essential for us to note that some foods are notorious for causing pet toxicity despite being perfectly healthy and delicious to us. Some of these foods might even seem to be appealing to cats and dogs who come up and sniff at our plates or beg at the table. Yet as their human and caretaker, you are expected to know better. Here are some of the dangerous people foods that should never be fed to your pet no matter how much they give you those cute doggie and kitty eyes: 1. Alcoholic beverages Alcohol and pets are like water and electricity; their combination is always disastrous. Still some pet owners are irresponsible, letting dogs lick from their beer pint or even (gasp) putting it in their food dish. No matter how “funny” it might be to see your pet drunk, alcohol has been known to cause pet toxicity much faster than anticipated. In as much as alcohol can cause a drunken stupor in humans, much less can kill your pet. Therefore, it is always a good idea to never let your pet imbibe alcohol. 2. Chocolate Humans find chocolate very sweet and satisfying, and so do pets.

Much like people, our beloved furry friends can suffer from a host of health issues. Anyone who’s ever owned a pet knows how important it is to provide our animal loved ones with the medical care they need. Unfortunately, this vital care can be unpredictably expensive in cost, both during routine visits and emergency procedures. That’s where pet insurance comes in. For a regular monthly premium, pet insurance takes care of any medical needs that our animal friends might experience. Pet insurance often also covers the costs of training and grooming. Pet insurance provides pet owners with a great deal of assurance in a variety of ways: 1. Peace of mind It’s stressful enough when a pet is going through a medical issue; the last thing you need is the addition of expensive veterinary bills to worry about. Purchasing pet insurance allows you to worry about what really matters: the health of your pets. Whether you have a cat suffering from dental disease, or a dog experiencing hereditary conditions, pet insurance allows you to take care of your pets at an affordable cost. 2. Reduced cost of routine procedures There are certain inevitable costs that come with pets at various stages of their life.

Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammatory and long-term bowel disease that typically affects the digestive tract and causes bad inflammation in the digestive tract. This type of disease generally occurs in the innermost lining of the rectum and the large intestine. Ulcerative Colitis generally ranges from mild to sever forms amd having this disease can ultimately put patients at dangerous risk of potentially getting colon cancer. Ulcerative colitis is somewhat similar to Crohn’s disease and some of the dangerous symptoms can include such things as puss or blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, general weight loss, fevers, recurring diarrhea, extreme fatigue, reduced appetite, and tenesmus (a constant feeling that one has to move their bowels). A variety of different medications, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immune system suppressors can help relieve some of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, but do not necessarily treat the cause of the disease. Medications such as corticosteroids, immune system suppressors, and others also come with dangerous side effects to so do be wary of that when taking them. Here are the most common colitis treatment options: 1. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids have been used since the 1950’s for helping those who have Ulcerative Colitis to put the disease in complete remission.

The bladder is a hollow organ with walls made up of several tissue layers. Each layer is made up of different types of cells. Bladder cancer starts when cells in one of the wall’s layers starts to grow out of control. In time, a tumor can form, multi-layers can be affected, and the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S. Bladder cancer is often detected because of blood in the urine. Blood could turn the urine orange, pink, or even dark red. Another symptom of bladder cancer is pain or burning during urination. Also, having trouble urinating or feeling like you need to go right away, but your bladder is not full. The treatment to eradicate bladder cancer will depend on how much it has spread. Thankfully, there are several options to choose from to stop its deadly course. A person with bladder cancer has a few treatment options, which may include: 1. Intravesical therapy Intravesical Therapy is the injection of a liquid drug directly into the bladder through a catheter via the urethra. The cancer cell killing drug stays in the bladder for up to two hours.

You’re petting your dog when all of a sudden you see one! A tiny flea jumps on your hand! Don’t panic, fleas are a natural part of pet ownership. Yet not treating you cat or dog when infested with fleas can lead to several health issues (i.e., infection, anemia, etc.). You’ll also want to prevent flea infestations in the future. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to banish fleas for good. You can go the traditional route, enlisting store-bought products like flea collars, flea sprays and powders. However, many pet owners are seeking a more natural way to eradicate fleas on their pets and in their homes. The following natural flea prevention tips are free of any chemicals or potential side effects to your precious pet and your entire family: 1. Lemon If there’s one thing fleas hate almost more than anything else, it’s citric acid, which means lemon juice is an effective way to treat and eradicate fleas. Plus, lemon juice is safe for use on cats and dogs. Simply prepare a clean spray bottle with steeped lemon juice and water. Be sure it’s cool before application. Spritz gently over your pet’s fur making sure to avoid the nose and eyes before he or she ventures outside.

Dry eyes are a common, uncomfortable condition that occurs when your tears do not or cannot provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. This can occur if you are unable to produce tears or if you produce tears of a lower quality or quantity. Dry eyes can become even more irritated by the environment. Environments that utilize an air conditioner can dry eyes out even further. Symptoms associated with dry eyes may include: Stinging, scratching or burning of the eyes Mucus that appears ‘stringy’ around the eyes Feeling like there is something in your eyes Light sensitivity Issues with driving at night Redness in the eyes Blurred vision Thankfully, there are many home remedies to help soothe dry eye conditions, including: 1. Hemp seed oil Hemp seed oil contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s are an essential part of eye health. Those who consume omega-3’s can help reduce dry eyes and prevent macular degeneration. Hemp seed is also rich in Vitamin E, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, and Phosphate. All of these nutrients are a critical component to keep eyes healthy and well lubricated. Those who suffer from dry eyes only need to add in a few teaspoons on a daily basis to aid with eye dryness.

Summer is here and it’s time for a greener and healthier lawn. Nothing gives you satisfaction like looking out your window at perfectly green and healthy grass. You feel a sense of pride when your lawn looks its best. It also will make you the envy of everyone in your neighborhood. Using these tips for your lawn will ensure not only a better-looking lawn for your family and friends but also a healthier space where you can literally breathe easier. Now organic and natural lawn care is right at your fingertips! Here are some additional no-chemical lawn care tips: 1. Sun is food Remember, the sun is food. If the grass does not shade over the weeds, the weeds grow and shade the grass so the Sun is good for your lawn. Also, the shade of taller grass will prevent light from reaching most weeds and also destroy the new baby weeds such as dandelions.  2. Feed your lawn To feed your lawn, leave your clippings on the lawn when you cut it as this will help to promote growth while adding nutrients back to the soil. You can also invest in Epsom salt and ammonia. Add equal parts of all with water.

Managing adult ADHD is much like trying to navigate down a busy street with a giant bull running upon you. You make want to perform a certain task or chore that you’ve set on your to-do list, but you become sidetracked and distracted by a million different ideas and thoughts. If you’re tired of living life this way, or you simply would like to add some coping techniques in addition to your ADHD-doctor prescribed medication, keep reading: 1. Work in chunks The first mistake we make when we try to manage our ADHD is by thinking that all we need to do is focus intently on a task or project that we’ve set out to accomplish. How many times have we started something with good intentions, only to find ourselves watching YouTube videos or checking email for hours on end? The ADHD mind doesn’t deliberately set out to sabotage our efforts, but some days it may feel that way. Instead, we need to work in small windows of time in which we will dedicate our mental efforts to a certain area. This method, often referred to as a Pomodoro, was created in the late 80s as a means of tackling procrastination and laziness.