Content posted by Veterinary Clinic | local-info.co.za
Home › Content posted by Veterinary Clinic
Content posted by Veterinary Clinic
Last Updated: 02/02/2012 - 16:56
Leef soos 'n hond....Iets om aan te dink
Last Updated: 02/02/2012 - 17:56
Omdat ek 'n veearts is, is ek geroep om die tien jaar oue Ierse wolfhond Belker te ondersoek. Die hond se eienaars, Ron en Lisa en hul seuntjie, Shane, was almal baie lief vir Belker en het op 'n wonderwerk gehoop.
Ek het Belker ondersoek en gevind hy is besig om dood te gaan. Ek het die familie gesê ek kan niks meer vir hom doen nie en het genadedood voorgestel.
Ron en Lisa het gesê hulle dink dit sal goed wees as die sesjarige Shane ook die ondervinding kan meemaak en dat hy dalk iets daaruit sal leer.
Die volgende dag was ons bymekaar om die prosedure by hul huis te doen.
Shane was kalm en het die ou hond vir die laaste keer gevryf. Ek het gewonder of hy verstaan wat aangaan. Binne 'n paar minute het Belker sag heengegaan.
Die seuntjie het gelyk of hy Belker se heengaan sonder moeite of verwarring aanvaar.
Ons het almal 'n paar oomblikke bly sit en gedink hoe jammer dit is dat diere korter lewe as mense. Shane het skielik gesê 'Ek weet hoekom.'
Ons het almal na hom gekyk. Wat uit sy mond gekom het, het my verstom. Ek het nog nooit 'n meer vertroostende verduideliking gehoor nie.
Hy het gesê: 'Mense word gebore sodat hulle kan leer hoe om goed te lewe soos om almal altyd lief te hê, nê? Honde weet reeds hoe om dit te doen en daarom hoef hulle nie so lank hier te bly nie.'
Gee liefde vryelik..
Gee werklik om.
Onthou, as 'n hond jou leermeester was, sou jy dinge geleer het soos:
· As iemand wat jy liefhet tuiskom, hardloop om hulle te groet;
· Moet nooit nee sê vir 'n pretrit nie;
· Geniet die vars lug en die wind in jou gesig ekstaties;
· Neem af en toe 'n slapie;
· Strek voordat jy opstaan;
· Hardloop, baljaar en speel daagliks;
· Gedy op aandag en laat mense aan jou raak;
· Moenie byt as 'n grom genoeg is nie;
· Staan 'n oomblik stil op 'n warm dag en lê op jou rug op die gras;
· Drink op 'n snikhete dag baie water en lê onder 'n skaduweeboom;
· As jy gelukkig is, dans rond en swaai jou hele lyf;
· Geniet 'n eenvoudige, lang uitstappie;
· Eet met smaak en entoesiasme, hou op as jy genoeg gehad het;
· Wees lojaal, moet nooit iets voorgee wat jy nie is nie;
· As dit wat jy wil hê diep ingespit is, grawe tot jy dit vind; en
· As iemand 'n slegte dag het, wees stil, sit naby en leun saggies teen hul aan.
The Role of Protein in Canine and Feline Nutrition
Last Updated: 15/07/2010 - 16:46
Protein is one of the six essential nutrients that are required by all dogs and cats. Together with carbohydrates and fats, proteins provide pets with a means to produce energy. However, proteins also perform a number of other important tasks as well.
Proteins play a major role in many different functions within the body of the typical dog or cat...
Proteins are primary components in the structure of many different body organs and tissues. Proteins are found in the structure of muscle, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin and hair. As a result, proteins in the diet play a large role in tissue building and repair, an ongoing process in the body of every animal.
Proteins play a role in carrying out many different metabolic reactions by acting as enzymes.
The antibodies that circulate in the blood stream and play a role in protecting the body against pathogens (disease-causing organisms) are proteins.
Many hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, are made of proteins.
Proteins such as fibrinogens, albumins and globulins, help transport various molecules and compounds throughout the bloodstream.
Proteins help to regulate the acid-base balance within the body of all cats and dogs.
Though the mechanism is not completely understood, proteins play a role in achieving satiety for an individual dog or cat.
Proteins can be metabolized for energy also but metabolizing proteins for energy is less efficient for a dog or cat than metabolizing carbohydrates or fats. Proteins are more efficiently used in rebuilding and repairing tissues and organs.
What Ingredients are Used to Provide the Nutrient Protein in the Diet of Dogs and Cats
Protein can be provided in a pet food through both animal and vegetable sources.
Potential sources of animal protein include:
By products and meals of poultry, meat and fish are also frequently included in pet foods as a source of protein.
Vegetable sources of protein include cereal grains, such as:
Though these vegetable sources can be used to supply proteins, they are often used primarily as a source of carbohydrates and essential vitamins.
Proteins as a Source of Essential Amino Acids for Dogs and Cats
Proteins are large molecules and, as such, cannot be directly digested by the intestinal tract. Instead, proteins are broken down into smaller molecules by the normal actions of the canine and feline intestinal tracts. Eventually, all proteins that are digested by the body are broken down into individual amino acids.
Palliative Cancer Care in the Dog and Cat
Palliative cancer care is a viable option for cats and dogs suffering from cancers and tumors which cannot be cured. Maintaining quality of life is the primary goal.Essential amino acids are those that must be provided in the diet of a dog or cat because their body cannot produce or store them in quantities sufficient to support a positive protein balance. For dogs, there are ten essential amino acids:
In addition, the amino acids cysteine, glutamine, taurine and tyrosine are considered conditionally essential in the canine diet, meaning that if the dog becomes ill these amino acids may not be produced in adequate quantities by the body and may need to be added to the animal's diet.
Cats require the same ten essential amino acids but also require taurine in their diet as an essential amino acid as well.
Because no one protein source is a good supply of all these essential amino acids, pet foods should contain more than one protein source to provide an adequate balance. Protein sources not only vary in their amino acid composition, but can also vary widely in their quality. High quality protein sources are easily digestible and highly bioavailable.
How Much Protein is Necessary in the Normal Dog or Cat Diet?
There are many factors that will play a role in determining how much protein a dog or cat must consume daily. These factors include:
the activity level of the animal
the physiological state of the animal ( puppy/kitten, elderly, pregnant, lactating, recovering from illness)
the current nutritional state of the animal (malnourished versus properly nourished)
Unlike in dogs, the enzyme system that is responsible for protein breakdown in cats is always running at a high rate. Therefore, feline protein needs are higher than canine. Besides requiring taurine as an essential amino acid, cats are also more susceptible to arginine deficiencies than dogs.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum of 22% protein on a dry matter basis for canine growth and reproduction and 18% for adult canine maintenance. For cats, protein requirements are higher, with 30% recommended for feline growth and reproduction and 26% for adult cats. These values are minimal values and maximal values have not been determined.
Protein is an essential nutrient in the diet of all dogs and cats. Proteins play important roles in canine and feline nutrition and without the proper levels of protein in the diet, the health of individual dogs and cats may suffer.
Training Centres Dentist Ambulance Hospital Clinic Fire & Rescue Emergency Police Sea Rescue
Entertainment Hiking Trails & Walks Antiques&Collectibles Picnic Museum Adventure Art teacher Nature Reserve Heritage Site Lookout Point Bike Rentals Lighthouse Wedding & Conference venues Markets Beach Art Gallery Chartered Boat Trips Scenic Drives Art Galleries Pubs&Bars Horse Riding Paragliding Launch Site Cave Surfing Bird Watching Monument Slipways Golf Course Botanical Gardens Artist Cycling Trails Fishing Spot Out & About Local Attractions Dance Club Golf courses Whale Watching Bowling Theater Paragliding Old Bridge Fish & Tackle
Toilets Airport Cathedral Municipality Church Unemployment Office Taxi & Shuttle Services Chapel Training Centres Information Centre Library Services Public Service Post Office Traffic Department Cemetery Transfers & Tour Operators
Adventure Religion Associations School General Services Accommodation Groups Social Vehicle Dealers Health & Beauty Property Sport School Jewellery Business