INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A broken bone, whatever bone it is, is a serious injury. At the first sign of a fracture, call your veterinarian or emergency clinic for prompt treatment and relief of pain. Your cat deserves medical care and treatment for a broken bone, even if that treatment simply means that the cat's pain is managed. Your veterinarian will assess the overall health of the cat, in addition to paying attention to the area of the suspected fracture. This will increase the veterinary bill, so prepare yourself to deal with the financial impact of the assessment and treatment. In most cases, to get a proper X-ray the cat will need to be sedated and posed in different positions. This includes on its back, on its side, from the top of the back, and, in the case of jaw fractures, at various angles with the mouth both opened and closed. The most common way for a veterinarian to diagnose a fracture is by use of radiographs or X-rays. Many closed fractures (those beneath the skin) are easily seen once a proper X-ray is taken. In the case of an open fracture, the broken bone will be obviously sticking out of the body, but X-rays need to be taken of these fractures, as there may be other fractured bones beneath the skin. In most cases a number of X-rays need to be taken to properly assess the fracture. In some cases, specialized techniques are used to catch those fractures that are not a "simple" break. Bones can fracture in any direction (diagonally, spirally) or they can shatter into pieces. The treatment will vary depending on the type and location of the fracture. For example, many hair-line fractures will heal on their own if they are immobilized. However, open fractures and spiral fractures will likely require in-depth surgery to correct. Many times amputation is the only solution to a broken tail. However, a fracture which only occurs at the tip can sometimes heal on its own. Severe health problems, such as a fracture, are a good reason to invest in pet insurance. If you have pet insurance and your cat gets a devastating injury, the cost will be offset and you will not have to weigh your financial situation against the health of your pet.

SUMMARY: Take your cat to its veterinarian. Allow your veterinarian to take X-rays of the area. Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If your doctor has diagnosed you with staph infection and given you antibiotics, your condition should improve within two to three days. If you do not see any improvement, there is a chance that you have MRSA. Once you are colonized with MRSA it is likely that you can become reinfected more easily. Keep an eye on your condition, and be prepared to return to your doctor on short notice. Any of these symptoms might indicate a serious infection when coupled with a staph or MRSA diagnosis. The combination may feel similar to flu symptoms. You may also experience some dizziness and confusion. Take your temperature if you think you might be running a fever. A fever of 100.4 or higher is cause for concern. As the infection spreads through your body, it can choke the lungs; inflame your urinary tract; and even begin to eat your flesh. Untreated MRSA can result in necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but horrific flesh-eating disease. Notice the signs that MRSA has spread to the lungs. If the infection is still undetected and left untreated, there is a risk that it can spread to the lungs. Look out for coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. A high fever and body chills, possibly accompanied by urinary tract infection, are signs that the MRSA has spread to other organs of the body, such as the kidneys and urinary tract. Necrotizing fasciitis is very rare, but not unheard-of. This may manifest as a severe pain in the infected area. If you think that you're infected with any stage of MRSA, act as quickly as possible before the bacteria eats its way any deeper into your system. Even if you aren't sure: ask a doctor. MRSA can be a serious and life-threatening condition, and it isn't worth it to take any chances. Treatment for community-acquired MRSA is Bactrim and if you are hospitalized it is IV vancomycin.

SUMMARY:
Track your improvement. Watch out for headaches, fever, and fatigue. Notice the signs of a deeper MRSA infection. Seek treatment immediately.