Library
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Corticosteroids, commonly called steroids, are hormones naturally produced in the adrenal glands to help regulate many functions in the body, including the stress response, immune system activity, inflammation, nutrient metabolism, and electrolyte balance. This handout discusses why steroids are used and the key short- and long-term side effects.
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Supplemental fluids can benefit cats with a variety of medical conditions. Your veterinarian can teach you to administer fluids subcutaneously (under the skin). Giving injections is outside the comfort zone for most outside the medical profession but is not nearly as difficult as it sounds.
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Supplemental fluids can benefit cats with a variety of medical conditions. Your veterinarian can teach you to administer fluids subcutaneously (under the skin). Giving injections is outside the comfort zone for most outside the medical profession but is not nearly as difficult as it sounds.
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The main objectives of fracture repair are to promote rapid healing of the fracture and to get the cat using its leg as quickly as possible. In most cases, this involves rebuilding the broken bone and fixing it in that position with metallic implants. This handout outlines the procedure, post-operative care, and prognosis.
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Tarsal arthrodesis is a surgery used to treat instability in the hock/ankle joint. Reasons for surgery and what to expect during recovery are discussed.
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Nebulization and coupage are used in patients with a variety of lung conditions and can be performed by veterinary staff and pet owners. Nebulization can be used to deliver moisture or medication to the lungs. Coupage is often recommended for patients with pneumonia or bronchitis to help loosen secretions in the lower airways.
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Nutrition plays an essential role in treating and preventing urinary stones (uroliths). Since the diet can affect urine dilution, composition and pH, pet foods can be critical to the success or failure of treatment and prevention. Important factors are covered, such as the importance of water intake, diet composition, relative supersaturation (RSS) testing, and urinary diets.
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Therapeutic laser is the application of light energy to areas of the body to stimulate healing. This light–tissue interaction is called photobiomodulation. In the past, therapeutic laser was often referred to as low-level or cold laser (as opposed to a surgical or hot laser).
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As veterinarians become more conscious of the details and nuances of how cats experience pain, they search for more methods with which to battle both acute and chronic pain in these patients. Therapeutic massage is one example of a physical medicine technique that has found a place in the feline pain management toolbox.
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Therapeutic ultrasound a treatment method that applies thermal, mechanical, and chemical effects to tissues to improve healing. It can be used to increase the stretch in fibrous tissues (such as tendons), which can help increase range of motion around a joint. Therapeutic ultrasound can also be used to soften and break down scar tissue that is interfering with movement. By deep heating the tissues, therapeutic ultrasound increases blood flow to the inflamed areas, which can help reduce inflammation and swelling. Therapeutic ultrasound can also decrease pain and muscle spasms, as well as speed up wound healing.