Caring for cats

Cat lovers need not feel down in the mouth about protecting their pets from serious disease. In fact, their cat's mouth is a good place to start. A recent study shows that cats with common forms of oral disease have a higher rate of testing positive for more serious diseases.

The good news is that with early detection and proper veterinary care, cats with serious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the feline version of HIV, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can live long and healthy lives. Having cats tested is a key factor in slowing the spread of these diseases.

An estimated 31 million cats in the U. S. are at risk for FIV and FeLV. These diseases are spread from cat to cat (they cannot be spread to people) and are highly contagious. Since cats with FIV and FeLV often have no visible symptoms and many cat owners are not aware their cat has been exposed, it's vitally important to have cats tested. Treatment usually consists of a nutritional diet, closer monitoring and more frequent visits to the vet.

The study, conducted by veterinary clinics around the country, found one in every eight cats that had some type of oral disease also tested positive for FIV, FeLV or both. Cats with oral diseases are four times more likely to have those conditions than cats without.

"This study encourages testing cats that have gingivitis and other oral diseases for FIV and FeLV infection. This gives veterinarians valuable new information in their efforts to fight these contagious viruses," said Dr. Jan Bellows, a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College and the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Cat owners should work with their veterinarian to establish a regular schedule of comprehensive wellness exams, including dental screenings and FIV/FeLV testing.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners says a cat should also be tested for FIV/FeLV:

• When sick, regardless of previous negative results. Signs of illness may include changes in behavior, grooming and eating habits.

• When cats and kittens, regardless of age, are newly adopted.

• When cats live in households with unknown infection status. Infected cats who don't have symptoms can still transmit the viruses to uninfected cats.

• When cats have had potential exposure, whether they snuck outdoors or got in a fight with a cat of unknown infection status.

• Annually, especially for cats that fight or live with infected cats.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends cat owners visit their veterinarians for a wellness exam twice a year.

What are kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard stone-like substance that forms in the kidneys. They may not trouble you as long as they are settled in one or both the kidneys. It is only when a kidney stone moves out of the kidney and enters the ureter (the tube that carries urine) on its way to the bladder that the pain begins. The pain can be from mild to severe depending on the size and shape of the kidney stone. The stone can block the flow of urine, and may cause bleeding too.

Kidney stone formation is a common occurrence and the stones are so tiny that they pass out with the urine without any hindrance. The larger ones may cause pain and make things miserable before making their way out of the body. A large stone may get stuck in the ureter causing pressure and pain. Chances of infection rise if the stone remains stuck in the ureter for long. This may also lead to damage of the kidneys.

Types of Kidney Stones

The crystals in the urine are responsible for kidney stones. When there is an imbalance in the minerals and salts found in the urine, it may lead to their formation. Different types of stones are formed depending on the salts present in the urine.

Calcium Stones: These are the most commonly occurring kidney stones. 75% to 85% of all kidney stone cases are calcium stone based. These stones comprise of calcium and oxalate, which are introduced to the body through the food we eat. Excessive intake of calcium and oxalate can help form calcium stones. Besides, excessive vitamin D intake, and hyperactive parathyroid glands can also cause kidney stones.

Struvite Stones: These stones are not very common and are found mostly in women. The bacteria that cause urinary tract infection are responsible for the production of ammonia. Struvite stones, also known as infection stones, are formed when there is excessive ammonia in the urine.

Uric Acid Stones: People who eat meat products in excess run the risk of forming uric acid stones, as meat ingestion leads to production of uric acid, a by-product of protein metabolism.

Cystine Stones: These are the least common of all stones and are made from cystine, an amino acid. Cystinuria, a hereditary disorder, is responsible for the formation of cystine stones.

Preventing the Formation of Kidney Stones

o If you are prone to kidney stones, or would like to avoid kidney stones in future, the most effective preventive measure is drinking a lot of fluids, especially water. Two to three liters of water a day is enough to flush your kidneys thoroughly of contaminants.

o It would help to learn the type of stones that are formed in the kidneys, and the cause of formation too. You could change your eating habits accordingly and adjust the intake of certain types of salts and minerals that help in the formation of kidney stones.

o If you are prone to calcium stones, you could discuss the matter with your doctor, who may suggest you to lower your calcium intake. Foods that are rich in calcium are milk and milk products, and leafy vegetables.

o If your kidneys have uric acid stones, then reducing your meat, poultry and fish intake will surely help. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to manage the uric acid level in the urine.

o People, who get struvite stones, could be given antibiotics to help remove bacterial infection.

If you have had a kidney stone once, there is always a likelihood of its recurrence. Thus, it would be in your best interest to follow the advice on prevention.

Car alarm can save your vehicle

In today’s world car alarms are becoming a necessity for almost everybody. Car alarms can be activated by a quantity of gears for instance vibrations, touching the car or aperture of unique buttons on the door contacts. When prompted a car alarm will generally release a high volume sound, the vehicles horn or a pre-recorded caution. Since people are so use to hearing car alarms being triggered by chance frequently by drunken people and animals, they do nothing to avert theft.

Find The Best Technology In Car Alarms:

Spalsat is a GPS/GSM interactive following apparatus that converse the condition of your means of transportation through your mobile phone or land based. Spalsat can be allied into a vehicles accessible security system. The piece is triggered or de-activated when arming or disarming the vehicles alarm. No enduring contribution obligatory, just pay for SIM card. SPAL Central Door Locking offers you with the further handiness of central door locking in your vehicle. Remote promotes can also be built-in which facilitate drivers to work door locks via remote control, this can be fitted either as an aftermarket choice or to a vehicle original factory central locking.

Car Security A Need Of The Hour:

Dual Stage Sensors are the Car sensors that toot when a car is shoved then set up into a full-fledged siren explosion if it happens once more. Salvage Switch - a salvage switch is when a thief buys a wrecked car, then goes out and steals a car of the same make and model. Then the thief swaps VINs so he gets an original car for the value of the ruin, and the stolen car now come into sight to be totaled. Temporary Theft - a car that is stolen then discarded. You may get your car back, but it most likely won't be the manner you left it.

Car alarms are no longer intended for the wealthy, but any person who needs that extra wisdom of sanctuary for their folks. Many times with the indemnity investments persons can speedily get back the price of the car alarm and its setting up. As long as you acquire your instance and choose which features are mainly applicable to your daily life and requirements, you’re sure to find just the car alarm that will best fit your life. Once you settle on the features you would like, take in some purchaser assessments, see how that affects your earlier decisions, and make an ultimate decision from there.

Car alarm technology has moved far past the loud siren. Things like two-way communication, sensors that detect glass breaking and an auto turn-on feature have made car alarms highly functional in the modern world. Two-way communication contacts the driver when the car has been violated. Glass-break sensors sound alarms for broken windows even if the vehicle doesn't move, which protects the valuables inside of the car. Passive arming will automatically turn on the alarm about 30 minutes after the ignition is turned off, protecting the driver from times of faulty memory.

All shook up in surry the perfect corporate mix

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England is a land of contrasts – on one hand you will find the vibrant cities filled with lively activities, glittering nightlife and other attractions, on the other hand you will be equally delighted to discover the green and serene countryside. Filled with an impressive sense of fashion, quality dining, clubbing, shopping and much more, England is the favourite corporate event venue for arranging all sorts of fun filled corporate activities. From treasure hunts, team building activities, spy missions to dragon boat racing and cocktail making, you get a wide range of corporate events at your display.

Cocktail Making in Surry

Ever thought of participating in a contest in front of around 3500 live spectators? It definitely sounds thrilling. Chillisauce, with its treasure house of corporate event planning ideas, provides you the opportunity to do just that. Pairs of contestants are pre-chosen from your company to participate in the fun filled cocktail making challenge on stage. Each pair is given a bar with similar sets of cocktail ingredients. You get to perform on stage to show your creative side amidst constant cheering from the audience. The cocktail making challenge in Surry is easily one of the most sought after corporate event. It’s a fun packed corporate show full of entertainment, comedy and creativity.

Advantages of Cocktail Making Corporate Activities

If you are looking for creating a social bond amongst the corporate team members, then cocktail making is the best way to do it. It is an excellent choice to pep up the team spirit as this corporate event aims at rewarding a team for a job well done. The participants will be eager to share their on stage experience with their colleagues, thus encouraging constant interaction with all the team members.

When you take cocktail making corporate activity in Surry to a competitive level, it turns up to be one of the best corporate team building means with equal enthusiastic participation from all the members of the corporate team. As far as exciting and team involving corporate activities are concerned, trust Chillisauce to deliver you the perfect choice you are looking for.

Exploring the apple ipod

In a generation that has no recollection of 8-track cassettes, music has always been a convenience able to be carried around in your pocket. But for those of us who still covet our vinyl record albums, the advent of the Apple iPod is revolutionary; who would have ever imagined that we could store thousands of songs on one portable piece of equipment no bigger than a pack of gum? But iPods have quickly become a staple in today’s society; just as lightweight and necessary as a cell phone.

The Apple iPod, a digital music player, launched in 2001 and quickly found its place among a society on the go. Different series of the model allowed for the capability of holding a set number of songs. But what was originally just a music player has now morphed into a comprehensive piece of equipment, capable of holding music, video, games, and calendars.

Today’s Apple iPod comes in a variety of styles and with just as many capabilities. The iPod Nano offers a lightweight, sleek design that’s extremely portable and easy to use; the iPod Shuffle is a slighty more basic style than its more comprehensive cousins and holds less songs but its affordable price makes it great choice for teenagers; today’s fifth generation Apple iPod offers video capability. But what makes the Apple iPod so remarkable is its ability to interface with all Apple products. Users can plug in and download songs from Apple iTunes directly onto their iPod; and the newer models allow for information to be transferred from the computer into the iPod and vice versa. As technology continues to advance, the Apple iPod will surely continue to evolve as an essential sidekick.

The best part for consumers is the fact that as the Apple iPod continues to make changes to its original design, its prices continue to fall. Those interested in purchasing an iPod can often do so at a deep discount when a newer model has been launched. But don’t forget the accessories when it comes to the Apple iPod; the convenience of using this amazing piece of equipment lies in the supplemental equipment that makes it so portable. In addition to headphones, iPods have docks that allow it to play through your computer, in your car, and through special speakers anywhere you choose.

User friendly, convenient, and cutting-edge, the Apple iPod has brought music into our lives in a way that nothing else has been able to do; and there’s no going back. Now that such technological advancement is right at our fingertips we will continue to look for ways to utilize its power.

Self defense pepper spray-why it is so effective

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When it comes to non lethal self defense weapons pepper spray is right up there at the top of popularity for two main reasons: ease of use and effectiveness.

How It Works

Pepper spray uses Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) which comes from cayenne pepper. Defensive pepper sprays are measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU's) a common measure of a products' "hotness". A jalapeno pepper has an SHU of 5000, a habanero pepper 300,000 and a typical pepper spray will be in the 2 million SHU range.

A one second spray in the face with a 10 % solution of a pepper spray will get you 20-30 minutes away from an attacker. It will cause the attacker to have shortness of breathe, have temporary blindness due to excessive tearing and the eyes actually shutting down, coughing and choking. He will scream from the pain.

You will survive a potential attack and no permanent damage will be done to the attacker. A well aimed shot from a pepper spray has outstanding stopping power. That is why it has become one of the most effective women's self defense items and crime prevention tools.

Most pepper sprays have an effective range of 6-12 feet. A new gel pepper spray works up to 18 feet. Most models use a fine grain stream. Foam and fogger products are available for those who are unsure of their aiming abilities.

I have seen pepper sprays that can be disguised as pens, pagers, lipstick, and even hand held walking weights. Almost all models are small enough for a purse or to attach on a key chain. Some have velcro straps to attach to just about anything or a clip to hook onto a belt.

Who Uses Pepper Sprays

If you think crime can only happen to the other guy you are wrong. The "other guy" is thinking the same thing and YOU are that "other guy". There is a reason why they call it self defense. You have to protect yourself.

A violent crime occurs every 19 seconds and an assault every 29 seconds. For would be victims of a robbery, assault, theft, rape, murder, or kidnapping an investment of $15- $25 for a pepper spray is certainly worth the peace of mind and sense of security it provides. No one is safe from the crimes of today be it a personal assault or a home break in.

Women are particularly vulnerable, especially those who work late at night, those in sales positions, real estate agents, and those who live alone. They in particular need self defense products such as an effective OC pepper spray.

Please Note that even though pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, some states and cities have restrictions. Check with your local police department. Literally thousands of police departments carry and use pepper spray. Why wouldn't you?

Tips for choosing the right sleeping bag

Taking a camping trip can be extremely fun and adventurous, but only if you are well prepared. That is especially true when it comes to choosing the right sleeping bag for your journey into the woods. If there is one thing you need to have during a good camping trip, it is a comfortable and dry night's sleep, which is something only the right sleeping bag can do for you. When you start to look for just the right type of sleeping bag, you should take into accout why you need it. Your selection will depend largely on whether you are sleeping on the ground, in a cabin, in a cooler climate, or a wetter environment.

Many people begin by deciding between a down or synthetic sleeping bag. Down filled sleeping bags are extremely warm and comfortable and are great for camping outdoors. Synthetic sleeping bags are just as warm but dry more quickly than down in the event of rain. There are many other materials that also work well for at least three out of the four seasons in which you will most likely be camping. They tend to be warmer for the cooler nights, and keep you cool on the warmer nights.

The material that is used for sleeping bags for camping use is normally either nylon or polyester. Both are "breathable" materials (i. e. allow sufficient air in and out for comfort) but also keep you dry and warm. You should avoid all cotton sleeping bags unless you have small children who may feel more comfortable in them. Having a smooth lining is also a benefit for comfort. Linings made from non-cotton material such as taffeta or silk keep you comfortable inside the sleeping bag, which is just as important as the exterior considerations.

Another consideration for getting a great sleeping bag is the actual shape of the bag itself. You have a choice of a cocoon shaped sleeping bag - which is very common - or you can choose one that is rectangular in shape. The cocoon bags are a bit constricting but keep you quite snug, while the rectangular sleeping bags give you a larger space in which to move.

Lastly, you want to make sure that your sleeping bag can be easily "exited." The zippers should open on each end, allowing you to get out quickly if necessary. Having double sided zippers with hooks to keep it closed while you sleep is essential as well.

Make sure you try out the sleeping bag before making the purchase by actually getting into it at the store. Although you may feel a bit silly, that is the only way you are actually going to know if it feels comfortable for you. If the store doesn't allow this then you should try it out as soon as you return home. Give it a thorough "going over" before committing to keeping it. One of the last things you want to do is to take a sleeping bag on a trip without knowing that you are going get a full and comfortable night’s sleep.