Dog X-Ray

May 9th, 2008 Kang-pangChan Posted in Pets | No Comments »

X-rays can be used to diagnose or detect many conditions and disorders in dogs. Bone fractures, bladder stones and tumors can easily be detected through this technique. Sometimes dogs swallow the most ridiculous things that can become lodged in their gastric-intestinal tract such as nails, rocks, fishhooks, safety pins, bones, toys etc…all these things can cause serious damage if not detected soon enough. Some dogs may also suffer from hereditary dog illnesses like elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, cardiomyopathy and most of these diseases can be identified using dog x-rays.

Hip dysplasia results into severe arthritis in dogs. In this dog illness, the socket joining the demur to the pelvis is shallow. The caput i.e. the ball of the femur is not round and smooth but is misshapen. This causes a lot of friction within the joint as it moves. This results in severe arthritis in the dog. The dog’s natural repair system will repair itself by adding new cartilage. However, the cartilage repair is a relatively slow process because the cartilage lacks blood flow, which is necessary for rapid bodily repairs. The degraded joint may not be able to support the body weight as expected. The joint then becomes inflamed leading to a cycle of cartilage damage and inflammation. The bones of the joint may also develop osteoarthritis, which is visible on a dog x-ray as small outcrops of bone. Hence, the dog x-rays can help us to recognize these fractures so that we can treat them efficiently.

However, taking x-rays require dogs to remain still. Sometimes, the dog squirms and moves during the x-ray. This results in unclear and distorted images of the dog’s insides, which can lead to wrong diagnosis. Sometimes, it so happens that a dog having hip dysplasia is not diagnosed because the veterinary surgeon cannot make out the slight shift of the bone. The dog is already living in infinite pain. On top of this, even after the dog is x-rayed and found to have nothing wrong in his system, do not think the efforts have been wasted. X-rays should always be neatly filed up for future references. To determine the dog illnesses, the x-ray is important and so it is vital for the owner and the vet to position the dog properly on the table and take some measures to keep it still. Some dogs are naturally obedient and won’t move a muscle if his or her owner instructs so. Sometimes, a light anaesthetic is registered to keep the dog still. if the dog is being x-rayed for the muscles, anesthesia is unavoidable.

It happens more often than not, that the dog x-rays might not turn out to be conclusive. In such cases, one should reserve breeding until the x-rays show something definite. By the time the dog is fully-grown the dog x-rays will reveal the proper status of the dog’s bone development. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) will not classify hips in dogs until they are two years of age.

There are other dog diseases like blood clots, esophageal achalasia and bladder stones which x-rays can detect. People are having their dogs x-rayed these days to detect possible bone fractures that the dog might have.

X-rays, therefore, have become inevitable in the field of veterinary practice. In this way, dog x-rays can help to cure the dog illnesses that trouble our cuddly friends.Dog X-Ray

X-rays can be used to diagnose or detect many conditions and disorders in dogs. Bone fractures, bladder stones and tumors can easily be detected through this technique. Some times dogs swallow the most ridiculous things that can become lodged in their gastro intestinal tract such as nails, rocks, fishhooks, safety pins, bones, toys etc.; all these things can cause serious damage if not detected soon. Some dogs may also suffer from hereditary dog illnesses like elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, cardiomyopathy and most of these diseases can be identified using dog x-rays.

Hip dysplasia results into severe arthritis in dogs. In this dog illness, the socket joining the femur to the pelvis is shallow. The caput i.e. the ball of the femur is not round and smooth but is misshapen. This causes a lot of friction within the joint as it moves. This results in severe arthritis in the dog. The dog

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Dog Food Ingredients - The Not So Healthy Ones

May 9th, 2008 LoriMatthews Posted in Pets | No Comments »

If you are purchasing dog food from your local grocery store, you may be in for a big surprise. The one who ultimately pays for this is your canine. You may save some money upfront but the cost might be to your dog’s health. It is important that we are aware what we are feeding our animals. Their wellbeing definitely depends on it.

Popular and well known dog food manufacturers cover up brains, beaks, eyes and other things with the all too familiar nick name of bi-products. Do you know what your pet is really eating?

Artificial ingredients are also used by well known dog food brands. This may be harmful to their health. Kibble shouldn’t be “colored” with artificial dyes like yellow # or red # or any of the dye “numbers”.

Chemical preservatives are often used in popular kibble for dogs. BHT, Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), also known as Butylhydroxytoluene and BHA, Butylated hydroxyanisole and Ethoxoquin are used as a preservative to keep the foods from going rancid. These are chemical compounds that may wreak havoc on your canine’s immune system A natural alternative like tocopherols is what you should be looking for.

Unfortunately wheat and corn are used as cheap fillers in dog food. Some manufactures actually use these as protein sources. They are often very hard for the animal to digest and can cause such allergies leaving your canine suffering with itching their ears, licking paws, hot spots, skin and coat issues and just plain old misery. These ingredients can be found in treats as well.

Large manufactures also make food in such large batched that you may never really know when the food was made or worse how fresh the food is you just purchased.

Like humans dogs are what they eat. Artificial ingredients, poor protein sources, lack of fruits and vegetables all play a part in the immune system of you canine to fight off free radicals. When food is made of poor ingredients a whole list of things can affect your dog from allergies to disease.

At first when you feed your dog inferior foods there may or may not be visible reasons to think there are issues. As time goes on scratching may appear or constant ear infections or something of that nature. Luckily you will have the choice to search for a better nutritional food in order to alleviate these issues. If left untreated your pet’s immune system could be compromised and a host of issues like kidney problems, urinary tract issues, and joint issues, lack of energy and behavior changes could start to manifest.

It is wise to start your dog as young as possible with a natural premium food to build a strong immune system and foundation for solid health. If that isn’t the case then it is never too late to get on the right track of great nutrition.

Healthy food along with pure water, plenty of exercise and lots of love all play a vital role in the health and longevity of your dog’s life.

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please click here if you would like more information on Lifes Abundance premium dog food.

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Essential Tips On How To Care For Your Dog

May 9th, 2008 RandyHemsley Posted in Pets | No Comments »

If you’re a first-time dog owner, all the requirements of their care can seem overwhelming. Just like first-time parents, you need to learn all the basics that go into bringing a new animal into your home. A pet is not something to simply bring into the home and ignore. It needs attention and basic care to live a happy life and improve your enjoyment as well. Here are a few great tips to consider when it comes to taking care of your new dog.

1. The Decision to Get a Dog

If you haven’t made the final decision to bring a dog into your home yet, now is a good time to evaluate the idea and consider what kind of dog would be right for you. Think about your home and your space. Is there enough room for the animal to roam, exercise and play?

Think about your children. Are they young? Would they understand the respect and care that are needed when you bring an animal into the family? Could a large and aggressive dog be dangerous if your children became too boisterous or playful?

2. Feeding Your New Dog

What you feed your new pet is very important. A poor diet can lead to a number of health problems. It’s best to stick with a quality, high protein and low fat diet that are designed for your dog’s age group. If you’re buying a puppy, start with puppy food. If your dog is entering old age, purchase a dog food for elderly canines.

It is tempting to routinely treat dogs with table scraps, especially when they come near the dining table while you eat and make you feel “guilty” that they are not enjoying a similar quality meal. However, there is a lot that we humans eat that simply is not healthy for a dog. (Much of what we eat isn’t healthy for us either!) Additionally, feeding a dog from the table only encourages more of that pestering activity, which can be a bit frustrating - if not embarrassing - when you have guests.

3. Grooming Your New Dog

Depending on the breed of dog that you choose, it’s grooming needs will change. Some dogs require daily brushing and weekly bathing while others just need a bucket of water every now and again.

It’s important to occasionally clean your dog’s ears, regularly look for mites, fleas and ticks, clip your dog’s nails and bathe your dog when needed. If you’re not comfortable doing this, take your dog to a grooming professional. However, try to stay with the same groomer so that your dog builds a comfortable relationship with them.

4. Your New Dog’s Health Needs

Every dog should have regular veterinary check-ups. Not only that, but they should also receive critical vaccination shots, like for rabies and ICH. Many of these shots are required by law, so consult your veterinarian or breeder.

5. Exercise Your New Dog

Depending on their size and energy needs, your dog will need anywhere from a moderate amount of exercise to a lot. Especially during the puppy years, exercise is very important. A healthy amount of exercise can also help with behavior problems like chewing furniture, over-excitement or incessant barking.

For information on practical dog necessities, please visit www.dog-necessities.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with dog care, such as dog training products, dog medical supplies, an electronic dog fence and much more.

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Vaccinations And Your Baby: Hepatitis B

May 9th, 2008 BeverlySugarman Posted in Parenting | No Comments »

Vaccinations are a miracle of modern science. Thanks to these injections, diseases that used to be deadly in the past have almost completely disappeared today. Upon the birth of a new baby, most hospitals give the new parents a booklet that contains a vaccination schedule that the doctor can initial as each shot is given. Looking at the list of the various vaccinations, many new parents do not understand what the vaccinations are for. To understand the necessity for a vaccination, you must first understand the disease that it fends off.

The first vaccination that your new baby should receive is labeled HepB. This abbreviation stands for Hepatitis B, a serious virus that attacks the liver. This disease can result in lifelong liver infections, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and death. The virus is passed when the blood of an infected person enters the blood of a person who is not infected. The disease can be transmitted from an infected mother to her infant during childbirth. It is also commonly found in the infants of immigrants who came from areas that have high rates of Hepatitis B.

Most obstetricians recommend that expectant mothers should have a Hepatitis B test to determine if they have the disease, as many infected people are not aware that they have the virus. The result of this test can determine when your baby will need his first vaccination of HepB. For infants that mothers have tested positive or the test results were inconclusive, the vaccination is given within twelve hours of the child’s birth. In the case of the mother testing negative for Hepatitis B, the doctor may delay giving the shot for several days if there is a more pressing medical problem that needs to be addressed. Because this disease is highly contagious, the HepB vaccine is mandatory, even though the mother tests negative and is definitely not infected.

After the initial dose of HepB, several more doses will be needed to protect your baby to the fullest. The second dose should be given at the age of one to two months. There is a monovalent HepB vaccine and a combination vaccine that contains HepB. Depending on which type your baby has received will affect his vaccination schedule. If he was given the monovalent HepB during his two month vaccination, your baby will not need a repeat dose at four months of age. If the combination vaccine was used, your baby will need another vaccine at four months. The final dose of HepB can be given anytime after twenty-four weeks (approximately 6 months in age). Infants born to infected mothers should be tested after their third dose of the vaccine to determine if any further treatment is needed.

Hepatitis B is a serious and deadly disease. Again, many infected people are not even aware that they have this disease. By having your new baby vaccinated with the HepB shot, you can protect him in case he would come in contact with an infected individual.

We have baby gift baskets that are cute and practical. Perfect for the newborn and new moms. For more information, visit this article on baby gift baskets.

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Starbucks, I Spit In Your General Direction

May 9th, 2008 KurtHartman Posted in Opinions | No Comments »

I hate to admit it, but I have become a coffee snob. 12 years ago, I would have pulled out the Folgers can, added some hot water, a little sugar, and said “Now that’s good coffee.” I would have allowed the burnt coffee aroma to waft over me, and treasured every blazing hot sip that I took.

Now, I almost get physically sick walking past the round containers of pre-ground coffee as I make my way through the supermarket. Pre-ground? Is it still 1992? If so, I’m going to go buy AOL stock. I shudder at the thought of the oxidation that has taken place, of the lack of flavor, and robusta beans. Are you kidding me, Robusta? Folks, I’ll have you know my lips only touch pure Arabica from Jamaica, Hawaii, Kenya, or my online coffee roaster. Juan Valdez can take that little burro of his back to Columbia, and bring me back some real coffee.

As I mentioned, things have changed. For me, it started with the Frappuccino. Not a real Frappuccino, mind you. No, it was the far inferior product that Starbucks had licensed to PepsiCo. I tasted my first real Frappuccino by mistake nearly a year later, when my parents went to a Starbucks in NJ. What they brought me bore little resemblance to cold coffee in a bottle. This was more like an incredible dessert, with coffee. It was the ultimate combination.

From there, I went to Starbucks as often as I possibly could. For a long time, I ordered Frappuccinos(in Jersey, this is pronounced “Frap-ahhh-Chee’-Nose”). Then came that fateful day near Christmas when they introduced the Gingerbread Spice Latte. Again, dessert and coffee, you can’t go wrong. I never ordered regular coffee from Starbucks, as it seemed a waste of my time. Why pay $2.50 for something I could brew myself?

I was happy, and getting fatter by the minute. So much sugar, so little time. I no longer savored the taste of Starbucks. The $4 seemed a bit expensive. I began frequenting an independent coffee shop. Whenever the subject of independents comes up, there are always 2 types mentioned: Shops with bad coffee, and shops with good coffee. Some laud Starbucks for their consistency. They say, “You always know what you are going to get.” This is true. I have to say that Starbucks is consistently mediocre. Quite seriously, I haven’t had a really good cup of coffee there in probably 2 years or more. In fact, I stopped by the other night, and it was very mediocre indeed. The independent, on the other hand, is always good. I mean really good. From the flavor to the body of the cup, no matter what I order, it is always spot on.

Why? Well, in this case, I think 2 things matter: 1. They get the beans from a local roaster. 2. They have someone who knows what they are doing behind the counter.

This is the magic equation behind coffee: Fresh coffee + Experienced people = consistently good coffee. Now, let’s think about the latest marketing gimmick that Starbucks has tried to make us think that we’re getting both. A few months ago, they closed all Starbucks for 3 hours to properly retrain their associates on how to make a proper coffee. This would be a very risky move, if it weren’t for the brilliant branding that they’ve done. In fact, people now use the terms “Starbucks” as if it were synonymous with coffee.

I have to hand it to Starbucks, they do train their employees properly, by food retail standards. 24 hours for every employee, before they can call themselves a “barista”. This term is slightly deceiving, as Starbucks does not get third party certification for it’s baristas. There is a body that does this, known as the Specialty Coffee Association of America. The SCAA has three certifications: Barista, Senior Barista, and Master Barista. A Starbucks “barista” would qualify for…ummm…none of these.

Why? Well for starters, as a real barista, you would have to understand grind adjustments, water temperature and quality, draw speed, tamping, and a host of other things before you could even draw a shot of espresso. Starbucks skips this step, and allows the “barista” to push the button on an automatic espresso machine. Sure, they have the finest automatic espresso machines available, and most American consumers cannot discriminate against the taste of the shot, simply because of the way the drinks are served. In other countries, where the shot often comes in a shot glass, or an extra-small cup(known as a demitasse), the consumer can actually see the crema, and taste the shot straight-up. If you gave these people a shot of Starbucks espresso, they would probably throw it in your face. You would deserve it.

How can Starbucks get away with serving such average coffee, and sell it at such outrageous prices? Milk. In case you didn’t know, milk is a substance that smooths out and dampens taste. It is recommended that people drink milk after eating hot peppers, or any other strong, offensive substance. Starbucks pours it over their semi-awful shots. This would be an okay solution, if half the time, the “barista” didn’t oversteam my milk and turn it sour. Do you know why offer whipped cream on their lattes? Well, people like it, for one. The other reason is that Starbucks employees seem to have a problem with the concept of foam. Seriously, they give you the foam that the home barista can make on their first try. You know, because you’ve probably had that thin, watery looking stuff that looks like a baby just burped on top of your coffee.

Do you think I am just being bitter? Folks, I would love to go to Starbucks. They’re in my grocery store, the local Target, and countless other retail locations throughout my city. I’ll still go to them when it gets hot and I need a Frappuccino. It’s an often imitated, but never replicated, original drink. That is the main problem: Starbucks sells coffee drinks, a variation on the theme, not the real thing. They have become the parody that is the gas station capuccino. They are ubiquitous, mediocre, and have lost the excitement and support of people who love coffee, as I do. For that, they will pay. The problem will only become bigger as they expand, for expand, they most definitely will. I am not anti-corporate, anti-expansion, or even anti-shareholder pandering. I just think that if you market yourself as a great coffee company, then you should have to live up to the hype.

Until they decide to start delivering what they promise, I’ll continue to brew it myself, or worse, go without.

Who am I kidding? I’ll have a Tall, Sugar-Free, Cinnamon Dolce Latte,over ice, please. At least they won’t be able to scald my milk.

Kurt Hartman loves his coffee. He loves the coffee that he buys from the folks over at Coffee Fool. (They have no idea that he is linking to them.) His day job is an analyst for a company that sells mobile crane tires. Who does that, right? Kurt does.

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Wooden Swing Sets - A Parenting Decision You Can Feel Good About

May 8th, 2008 StephanieFoldy Posted in Parenting | No Comments »

Remember how much fun it was when you were a child and you would go to the park and get to play on the playground with the swings and big slides? You kept wishing that you could have that playground in your own backyard. With today’s wooden swing sets, it is possible to have a sophisticated playground right in your own backyard for your children to enjoy. You will also have the security of knowing that a wooden swing set is more stable than the metal A-frame designs. You even have the ability to tailor your swing set to the age of your children, changing components as they grow.

Once you decide to purchase a swing set, one of the first considerations you will need to make is whether or not you want to custom design it. With so many styles and designs available, you may find one (or more) that is perfect for your children. Think about the activities that you know your kids enjoy. If they like climbing, a rock wall and monkey bars are necessities. If they enjoy playing in contained spaces, such as homemade fort or clubhouse, you may want to include one as part of the swing set.

Many children are intimidated by heights. While they often grow out of this, you will want to consider this fear in your swing set purchase. Many designs include several tiered levels that are exited from tall slides. There are many features that can be used to reach these elevations, including ladders, rock walls, and ramps. The beauty of wooden swing sets is that these features can be easily changes, so consider what may be the easiest and safest for your children until they become comfortable with the heights.

Many people enjoy designing the entire layout of their swing set. If you fall into this category, your shopping will involve finding the accessories that you need, such as swings, monkey bars, and slides. Again, wood swings sets make it easy to change these features to enhance the value and enjoyment of the swing set. You will also need to find the hardware necessary, so consider a source that packages as many of these items together as possible.

There are many swing set kits that you can purchase that include all of the materials that you need, including the lumber. The advantage to these sets is that the wood is pre-cut and pre-drilled, so the assembly is easy. While the swing set kit is made for its specific architecture, you still have the option to substitute parts, such as swings. Swing belts are great for older children, but if you have a toddler, a bucket swing may be more appropriate for now. For some variation, consider substituting a standard swing for a glider or tire swing. You can also find many items to accessorize other parts of your swing set, from ship wheels to tic-tac-toe panels.

Regardless of whether you create your own design or choose a pre-designed model, today’s wooden swing sets are sturdy and customizable, making them the perfect backyard accessory for your children, and one that they can participate in the planning of. You will feel confident knowing that the swing set is made of durable wood that will keep it strong and looking great for many years.

PlayNation manufactures swing sets and accessories. Gorilla Playsets also manufactures swing sets and swing set accessories.

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Your Baby’s Vaccinations: DTaP

May 8th, 2008 BeverlySugarman Posted in Parenting | No Comments »

One of the worst times in a young mother’s life is the first time that she has to take her baby to be vaccinated. It probably bothers her more than it does the infant. Looking at her baby’s vaccination schedule, the new mother can tell which shot that her baby is receiving, but she may have no idea about what it is for. Understanding what disease that a vaccine is used against can help a young mother understand the need for them.

One of the most common vaccines on a vaccination schedule is DTaP or just DPT, which stands for diphtheria, tetanus, and petussis. Diphtheria is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria. It is spread by coughing and sneezing and usually begins as a sore throat and a low-grade fever. This disease can cause the airway to become obstructed. Without treatment, this obstruction can lead to a coma and even death.

Tetanus (also called Lockjaw) is a disease that is caused by bacteria and affects the nervous system. It usually enters through a break in the skin (most people associate it with stepping on a rusty nail), and causes lockjaw, stiffness in the neck and abdomen, and difficulty swallowing in the first stages. Later symptoms can include severe muscle spasms, severe autonomic nervous system disorders, and generalized tonic seizure-like activity. This disease results in death in about 10% to 20% of patients.

Pertussis Disease is another respiratory disease that is caused by bacteria. It is also spread by coughing and sneezing. This disease’s symptoms resemble those of a common cold. These include a runny nose, sneezing, a low-grade fever, and a cough. After a couple of weeks, the victim may experience bursts of numerous rapid coughs. Recovery could take months. This disease can have serious complications including bacterial pneumonia and rib fractures. In infants it can lead to apnea (breathing stops), seizures, encephalopathy, and death.

The DTaP vaccination protects a child from all three of these diseases. Beginning at the age of two months, infants are given five different doses of this vaccination up until they are eighteen months old. The second dose should be given at the age of four months. The third should follow at the age of six months. The fourth dose should be administered at the age of eighteen months. A fifth vaccination should be given to a child between four and six years of age.

Along with the DTaP vaccine, there are other vaccines available to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertissus. DT can be used as a substitute vaccination for children who cannot take the pertissus vaccine. Td is a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine that is the tetanus shot that is familiar to most people. These are booster shots that are given to adolescents and adults every ten years, unless an injury occurs. TdaP is the same as Td except that this shot contains the pertissus vaccine and is recommended for children eleven to twelve years of age.

The fact that adults receive booster shots of the tetanus vaccine can be used as proof of how dangerous these diseases are. Anyone with an infant should make sure that their child gets his vaccinations done. The consequences of not doing so could be deadly.

We have baby gift baskets that are cute and practical. Perfect for the newborn and new moms. For more information, visit this article on baby gift baskets.

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Vaccinations For Your Baby: MMR

May 8th, 2008 BeverlySugarman Posted in Parenting | No Comments »

By the time that your child is one year old, you are familiar with most of the vaccination shots that they have already received, most of these being performed in multiple doses spread out over a period of time. Suddenly you notice a new vaccination on your child’s vaccination schedule: MMR. There is no need to worry. MMR is just an abbreviation for the vaccine that fights measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

Everyone has heard of measles although they may not be aware of what causes them. Measles disease is caused by a virus in the respiratory system. It is a highly contagious disease that can be spread through contact with an infected person. It is so contagious that anyone who has not been vaccinated for it will eventually come down with it. Some of the symptoms of measles include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. The complications can include diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and death. Children and adults over twenty suffer from more complications than teenagers do. Measles can cause ear infections in one out of every ten children who get it, while one out of every twenty gets pneumonia. One out of every one thousand children who get measles will suffer from encephalitis, which can lead to deafness or mental retardation. This disease can also cause pregnant women to miscarry or to have a premature birth.

Mumps are also a disease that is relatively familiar to most people. It is defined as an acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus. There are various symptoms connected with this disease. These include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and a loss of appetite. In its later stages, the disease causes the swelling of the salivary glands. While severe complications rarely occur with mumps, the disease has been known to cause deafness (usually permanent), miscarriages, encephalitis, meningitis, oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries), mastitis (inflammation of the breasts), and orchitis (inflammation of the testicles). The disease is transmitted through respiratory fluids and saliva. The infected person is contagious beginning three days before the symptoms appear until nine days after they appear. After a person has been exposed to the mumps, it can take up to eighteen days for any symptoms to become known.

Rubella or German measles as it is commonly referred to is the result of a viral infection and is considered a mild disease in children and young adults due to the fact that it only causes a rash and a fever. This disease is spread through sneezing and coughing, or by having contact with an infected person. For pregnant women, however, the complications can be severe. Rubella can cause a number of birth defects in unborn children. These include deafness, cataracts, heart effects, mental retardation, and liver and spleen damage.

MMR is the vaccination that fends off these diseases and is given in two doses. The first dose can be given between the ages of one year to eighteen months. This dose is followed by a second one that is given between four and six years of age.

Vaccinations are an important tool to ensure that our children lead healthy lives. Parents who do not have their children vaccinated could be considered to be guilty of neglect and even endangerment.

We have baby gift baskets that are cute and practical. Perfect for the newborn and new moms. For more information, visit this article on baby gift baskets.

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Vaccinations For Your Baby: Varicella, Hepa, And IPV

May 8th, 2008 BeverlySugarman Posted in Parenting | No Comments »

Every few months it seems that it is time for your child’s vaccinations again. There may be some vaccines listed on your child’s vaccination record that you do not recognize: Varicella, HepA and IPV. Knowing what these vaccines are and the disease that they fight can help you to understand the need to keep your child’s shots current.

Varicella is the same thing as chicken pox. It is caused by an infection of the varicella zoster virus, which cause a fever and an itchy rash. Its symptoms are a red rash that develops into blisters that cover the body. Sometimes an infected person may also develop a fever. This disease can be spread by coughing and sneezing, direct contact, and the virus seeping out of the blisters .Complications from the disease include bacterial infection of the skin, swelling of the brain, and pneumonia. Adults suffer much more severely than children do.

The Varicella vaccine is given in two doses. The first dose should be given when the child is one year old. The second dose can be given anytime between the ages of four and six years old. If a child that has been vaccinated does in contact with someone who has chicken pox, he may still catch it but may only suffer a milder form.

HepA stand for Hepatitis A which like Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver. This disease is spread by the fecal-oral route or by ingesting food and water that contains the virus. There are virtually no symptoms, which is the reason this disease can be so dangerous to young children by causing undetected liver damage.

The HepA vaccine is given in a series of two doses. The first dose should be given to the child when he is one year old. The second dose can be given six months following the first one.

Another vaccination that is on your child vaccination schedule is IPV, which stands for the Inactive Polio Vaccine. This disease is highly infectious and is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. While most people associate polio with its crippling affects, in reality less than 1% of all polio cases end in permanent paralysis. Of these, only 5% to 10% die due to the paralysis affecting their respiratory systems. Up to 95% of people who have polio suffer no symptoms at all. A small percent (4-8%) suffer from fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, stiffness in the back and neck, and various other flu-like symptoms.

The Inactive Polio Vaccine is given in four doses. The first dose should be given to the child at the age of two months. The second should be administered at the age of four months. The third dose should be given to the child between the ages of six months and eighteen months. The fourth booster dose should be administered to the child between the ages of four and six years.

Vaccinations are an important part of your child’s well care plan. By ensuring that he receives all his required shots, you can help your child to grow into a strong and healthy adult.

We have baby gift baskets that are cute and practical. Perfect for the newborn and new moms. For more information, visit this article on baby gift baskets.

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Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten

May 8th, 2008 ScarlettCapelli Posted in Parenting | No Comments »

As your child approaches school age, you may be wondering if he has the necessary skills to pass his kindergarten screening. There are several things that you can do to prepare your child to enter the school environment.

To interest your child in reading, you should read aloud to them often. This activity will help your child to understand that the printed words represent the spoken words. By asking the child questions about the story, you can help to build up his comprehension skills. You can also teach him words that rhyme and show him how many of these word’s spellings are similar. As you are reading to him, you should point out unknown words and explain their meanings to build up his vocabulary.

You can take your child to the library to read. Many of these institutions have programs especially designed for preschoolers. They often have story times, puppet shows, and other activities geared to encourage a love for reading in these youngsters. These excursions are also the perfect opportunity for your child to become familiar with the layout of the building itself so that as he gets older, he will feel comfortable going there to check out books and do research for school on his own.

You should also print your child’s name often so that he can begin learning how it looks in print and how to spell it. You can also use the letters in your child’s name to help him to associate certain letters with certain sounds. You can take the individual letters of your child’s names and help him finds words that have the same letters in them. This is also a good time for your child to start to practice writing his name.

To help your child prepare for kindergarten math, you should make sure that he is familiar with shapes and colors. He should also have the ability to at least count to ten (preferably twenty). You can practice his shapes with him by drawing or finding objects for each shape and have your child identify them. You can help your child with his counting skills by using various items, placing them in a group, and have him count the total number. You can also practice his problem-solving skills by adding and taking shapes away from the group and having him recount the new total. This will establish a foundation for addition and subtraction. You can play board games with him that requires your child to roll a pair of dice and move a certain amount of spaces. This is good counting practice and a chance to spend some quality time with him as well.

Many children need to develop their fine motor skills when preparing to enter school. You can build these skills by having your child practice cutting straight and wavy lines with child scissors. You can also encourage him to draw pictures with little details in them. Stringing beads on a piece of thread is another way to build up your child’s coordination.

If you practice all the skills that he will need to start kindergarten, your child should pass his kindergarten tests with flying colors.

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