Categories
WHY CORNER

Why is a Dog’s Nose Black and Wet?

 

Most dogs have black noses, not all. The noses of Vizslas and Weimaraners, for example, are closer to their coat colours. And it’s not unusual for puppies to start out with pink noses that darken as they mature.

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In all likelihood, dogs have developed black noses as a protection against sunburn. While the rest of the animal’s body is protected by fur, the noses are exposed to the sun’s rays. Pink-nosed dogs and breeds that are hairless or have very thin hair on their ears need to be protected with sunscreen when they go outdoors, or they risk the same sort of cancers and burns that humans do.

The canine nose — or nasal planum — is normally cool and moist, but not always wet. It has no sweat glands. The mucus lining causes the moisture. The evaporation of moisture from the nose helps to cool the dog. This moisture also makes the dog more sensitive to odours. Generally a happy dog continually licks his nose. When the dog isn’t feeling well, he tends not to lick his nose. And this makes the nose dry. But this is not a direct correlation. The brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, Bostons, pugs, etc.) have noses set so high on their muzzles that they can’t reach them with their tongues and thus the noses tend to become cracked and dry on the top.

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

 

Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Entropion

Definition:
Entropion involves the turning in of the edges of the eyelid (usually the lower eyelid) so that the lashes rub against the eye surface.It is a medical condition in which the eyelids fold inward. It is very uncomfortable, as the eyelashes rub against the cornea constantly. Entropion is usually caused by genetic factors and may be congenital. Trachoma infection may cause scarring of the inner eyelid, which may cause entropion.

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Causes :

Congenital , Aging , Scarring and Spasm

The most common cause of entropion is a part of the aging process, particularly the tissues supporting the lower eyelid.
Scars within surface of the eyelid resulting from inflammation, chronic infections, or trauma may lead to entropion as well.

Entropion can be a congenital condition. In babies, it rarely causes problems because the lashes are very soft and do not easily damage the cornea. In older people, the condition is usually caused by a spasm and weakening of the muscles surrounding the lower part of the eye, causing the lid to turn inward.

Although rare in North America and Europe, trachoma infection can cause scarring of the inner side of the lid, which may cause entropion. Trachoma scarring is one of the three leading causes of blindness in the world. Risk factors for entropion are aging, chemical burn, or prior infection with trachoma.

Symptoms :

*Excessive tearing

*Eye irritation

*Redness and pain around the eye

*Eye discomfort or pain

*Decreased vision if the cornea is damaged

*Sensitivity to light and wind

*Sagging skin around the eye

*Decreased vision, especially if the cornea is damaged

Causes:
Congenital , Aging , Scarring and Spasm

Diagnosis:
A physical examination of the eyes and eyelids confirms the diagnosis. Special tests are usually not necessary.

Treatment:
Artificial tears (a lubricant) may provide relief from dryness and keep the cornea lubricated. Surgery to correct the position of the eyelids is usually effective.

Severe cases with corneal ulcer may require surgery to move conjunctiva over the cornea to protect the eye from perforation.

Prognosis:
The probable outcome is good if treated before cornea damage occurs.

Possible Complications:
Corneal dryness and irritation may predispose the eye to infections or corneal abrasions or corneal ulcers

When to Contact yuor health care provider?:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if eyelids turn inward, or if there is a persistent sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Rapidly increasing redness, pain, light sensitivity, or decreasing vision should be considered an emergency in a person with entropion.

Prevention :
Most cases are not preventable. Treatment reduces the risk of complications.
Persons who have recently traveled to an area with trachoma present (North Africa, South Asia) should seek treatment if they have red eyes.

Entropion in dogs:-
Canine entropion has been documented in most dog breeds, although there are some breeds (particularly purebreds) that are more commonly affected than others. These include the Akita, Pug, Chow Chow, Shar Pei, St. Bernard, Cocker Spaniel, Boxer, Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bull Mastiff, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Poodle and particularly Bloodhound . The condition is usually present by six months of age. Entropion can also occur secondary to pain in the eye, scarring of the eyelid, or nerve damage. The upper or lower eyelid can be involved, and one or both eyes may be affected. When entropion occurs in both eyes, this is known as “bilateral entropion.”

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Canine entropion

Upper lid entropion involves the eyelashes rubbing on the eye, but the lower lid usually has no eyelashes, so hair rubs on the eye. Surgical correction is used in more severe cases. A strip of skin and orbicularis oculi muscle are removed parallel to the affected portion of the lid and then the skin is sutured. Shar Peis, who often are affected as young as two or three weeks old, respond well to temporary eyelid tacking. The entropion is often corrected after three to four weeks, and the sutures are removed.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

Resources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001008.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropion

http://www.stpeter-eye.com/dis_entropion.htm

Categories
Yoga

Sharangat Mudra (Yoga Exercise)

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How to do the Exercise:

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

SITTING POSITION:  VAJRASANA

Exhale, and inhaling raise the hands upward from the sides and join the palms.
Exhaling, bend in the waist and touch the forehead on the floor keeping the hands straight. After taking the final position, continue smooth breathing.(as shown in the picture)

Position Like Yogamudra here too the abdomen gets folded. Further, attempt should be made to have this fold as compl

ete as possible. The frontward stretched arms greatly help in getting this fold. However, the hands should be kept as much outstretched as possible.
Keep the knees resting on the floor and the spinal column straight.
Place the forehead on the floor at farthest distance from the crossed legs. While outstretching the hands, keep the arms touching the ears. Keep the breathing normal.

Releasing : Exhale, and inhaling start raising the arms, neck and the trunk and straighten it in the waist. Keep the hands outstretched above the head.
Exhaling, bring both the hands down from the sides and take up Dhyana Mudra.

Duration: This Asana(exercise) should be maintained at least for one and half minute to have the desired benefits. After practice this duration can be increased to three minutes.
Benefits: This Asana prepares the Sadhaka mentally for the desired submission to the Almighty God.
Precaution: YOGA  EXERCISE SHOULD BE DONE UNDER THE GUIDELINE OF SOME EXPERT

Reference Book:- Yoga Pravesh

Categories
Yoga

Raised Padmasana(Yoga Exercise)

Pose &Posture : In this Exercise the whole body in Padmasana is lifted up with the help of the hands, and therefore it can be called Raised Padmasana. The whole body weight is on both the hands.
Technique of doing the exercise:

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

Pre position : Padmasana Position.

1. Sit for few seconds in Padmasana position and then keep the hands beside the waist as in the sitting position as shown in the 2nd. picture.
2. Exhale, and inhailing, lift the whole body with the help of the hands and stabilize this position keeping the breathing smooth.

Position : While lifting the Padmasana, do not allow the knees to come down. It is very important to stabilize this Asana. In order to maintain the balance, keep the shoulders slightly backward. Keep the eye sight ahead and fixed.
Releasing

1. Inhale, and exhaling, get the body on the floor slowly.
2. Keep both the hands on the knees and restore Dhyan Mudra.

Duration : Since the whole weight comes on the hands and further it is to be balanced on the hands, this Asana should be maintained for thirty seconds or so. There is no point in increasing duration.

Benefits: In addition to the advantages of Padmasana it has good effect on the intestines and the muscles of the body by having good pressure on them.

Precaution : While lifting the body on the hands, one may lose balance and fall backward; so one must be careful at this point.

Reference Book:- Yoga Pravesh

Categories
News on Health & Science

Dogs as Disease Detectors

 

There is no question that dogs can provide companionship, protection, and other services. But could there be another use for our canine friends? Some anecdotal evidence and a sprinkling of scientific studies suggest that dogs can detect seizures and cancers (like skin melanoma and prostate cancer). Though the research is still in its infancy, preliminary results have already provided insight on developing new medical technologies…………..CLICK & SEE

Detecting Seizures
Though many anecdotal stories suggest dogs can alert their owners before a seizure, there has been little research on how dogs might detect seizures before they happen. Some theorize that the dogs may smell a chemical or other scent that is released just prior to a seizure. Others believe the dog‘s attachment to his or her owner helps in detecting subtle scent and behavioral changes before a seizure. Only a very small percentage of these service dogs are currently able to reliably warn their owners before a seizure. Some researchers have studied whether these skills could be taught………….click & see

Researchers in the UK reported in the January 1999 and January 2001 issues of Seizure on dogs they had trained that could detect seizures 15  to 45 minutes prior to the episodes beginning. In addition, the researchers found that the people using these dogs actually reported fewer seizures. Though these results are promising, in most cases it still seems that this skill is inherent in a dog’s personality, rather than something that can be taught. Future research may reveal what these dogs are detecting and how this information can be applied in the hospital setting.

There is no doubt that trained seizure alert dogs can alert help, help prevent injury and watch over someone when they are having a seizure. However, the Epilepsy Foundation cautions people against rushing into spending thousands of dollars for a dog said to have skills of prior seizure detection, at least until the research supports a specific training regimen.

Detecting Cancer
There has also been anecdotal evidence of dogs being able to sniff out cancer and warn their owners. A brief report in a 1989 issue of the Lancet describes how one dog discovered a cancerous skin tumor on her owner’s leg. Researchers have been able to teach bomb-sniffing dogs how to detect cancer using similar training techniques. Other research supports the theory that dogs have the ability to smell cancer. But the real promise may be in learning how dogs can do this and possibly developing medical technology to do the same..click & see

The Future of Dogs as Doctors….click & see
Dogs may never be used in the physician’s office. However, studying how animals can detect disease conditions in humans could lead to future advancements in medicine and medical technology. For instance, by learning about the ways dogs  smell   a seizure or cancer cells, we can develop technologies to detect those same molecules. Medical   sniffing machines  have already been developed and are providing insight into the smells of disease for disease detection.
RESOURCES:

The Epilepsy Foundation
http://www.efa.org

The National Cancer Institute
http://www.nci.nih.gov

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