Flu and Fever Detection Facts for Dr. Mom

(MS) - Cold and flu season is upon us, affecting tens of millions of adults and children each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. A cold is rarely serious but flu can lead to complications, especially in children and the elderly. Early detection is key, especially since new anti-viral drugs must be given within two days of the infection's onset.

Although the symptoms of cold and flu are similar, a person suffering from the flu will be house-bound, with general malaise, headache, body aches and a dry, unproductive cough. The leading indicator of flu, however, is a high temperature. For this reason, getting an accurate temperature reading has never been more important.

There are a number of thermometers available to test for fever, but not all are as accurate or easy to use as a temporal artery thermometer, such as the Exergen TemporalScanner®. Temporal artery thermometers work by measuring heat emitted from the skin over the temporal artery. This artery runs along the forehead and is directly connected to the heart by the carotid artery. The original temporal artery thermometer technology was developed by Harvard researcher Francesco Pompei, Ph.D.

All it takes is a gentle two-second swipe of the Exergen TemporalScanner over the forehead to determine if a person has a fever. Two dozen independent medical studies attest to its accuracy, including accuracy comparable to temperature taken with a rectal thermometer - long the standard for accuracy, especially in children. Temporal artery scanners are quickly becoming the thermometer of choice in doctors' offices and hospitals across the country.

In addition to their speed, temporal artery thermometers are also noninvasive as they do not need to be inserted into any body cavity. A parent can even quickly and easily check the temperature of a sleeping child and know the temperature they receive is as accurate as with any other method. Also, these thermometers do not rely on toxic mercury for gauging temperature. Mercury-filled glass bulb thermometers have already been banned in many municipalities around the country.

Temperature Guidelines for Dr. Mom

It's important to note that different types of thermometers (arterial, oral, axillary or under-the-arm and rectal) will give varied temperature readings. Even if the same type of thermometer used consecutively, slightly varied recordings will be noted. This is no cause for alarm. Arterial temperature measurement, such as the one recorded by temporal artery thermometers, leads all other methods in identifying fever and is unaffected by patient activity. Accordingly, it will be sometimes different - but correct.

Normal Body Temperature (BT): Normal BT is not a single temperature, but a range of temperatures influenced by age, time of day and the measurement site.

General Rule of Thumb: On a stable, resting patient, rectal temperature is approximately 2 º F (1 º C) higher than axillary and 1 º F (0.5 º C) higher than oral temperature. On a stable, resting patient, arterial temperature is approximately the same as rectal temperature.

The following presents the mean normal temperature at the common temperature measurement sites under normal resting conditions:

The affordable Exergen TemporalScanner is available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Costco, Babies R Us, Toys R Us and Sam's Clubs around the country for under $50. Visit www.exergen.com to learn more.

SIDEBAR: Thermometer Type

Arterial

Axillary

Oral

Rectal

Mean Normal Temperature (F)

97.4 - 100.1 F

95.5 - 98.8 F

96.6 - 99.5 F

97.7 - 100.3 F

Mean Normal Temperature (C)

36.3 - 37.8 C

35.3 - 37.1 C

35.9 - 37.5 C

36.5 - 37.9 C

CAPTION: Temporal scanner thermometers accurately record whether a child or an adult is experiencing fever - one of the key signs of flu or infection.

Keywords:
flu fever detection disease cold headache thermometers

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Tips for Choosing a Vet

(MS) - When it comes to choosing a physician, it's often hit or miss. For some people, a doctor's bedside manner is extremely important, while others care more about a doctor's credentials than his compassion.

The same is often true for pet owners when it comes time to choose a veterinarian, though in many cases pet owners prefer a vet who has a gentle approach to their pet. Since a pet cannot speak for himself, it is important to find a vet who will be gentle with the animal, but several other factors should go into a pet owner's decision as well.

· Reputation: A vet's reputation is often his best reference. When looking for a vet, seek advice from family, friends or coworkers. When doing so, be sure to get a grasp of that person's approach to pet care. Just like there are different breeds of dogs, there are different types of dog owners. Some take a more lax approach to pet care, only taking their dog to the vet when something's noticeably wrong. Such people might not be the best judge, since they likely have little experience with the vet. Find someone who has a conscientious approach to pet care and seek their advice on a vet. If no one in your circle of family and friends can offer advice, visit a nearby dog park and ask for advice. Even if you don't own a dog, you're liable to get valuable insight.

· Facilities: A veterinarian's facilities should also be considered. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) offers a voluntary membership that offers guidelines with respect to facilities, equipment and the quality of care. Those who volunteer for this membership must meet those guidelines, so pet owners who see that an animal hospital is a member of AAHA can be certain that the hospital is up to snuff.

· Specialty: Much like physicians, veterinarians can specialize in certain areas, and some even specialize in certain breeds. This could be something pet owners, particularly those who might own a purebred dog, would want. For some, however, this might not be of the utmost importance. If possible, choose and animal hospital that has a specialist on staff, even if your individual vet is another doctor. This can make any unforeseen circumstance, such as emergency surgery, less difficult to deal with.

· Fees: While it is available, most pet owners don't have pet insurance. Therefore, fees should be considered before choosing a vet. Still, simply because a vet charges more for standard visits or consultations doesn't necessarily mean he's the best vet in town. It could simply mean that the town he practices in is more affluent, and his business costs (i.e., rent, utilities, etc.) are higher and force him to charge higher standard fees. Because pet ownership is such a big commitment, it's important to get a grasp of these fees before choosing a vet.

· Emergency service: This can be very important when choosing a vet. Know what type of emergency service the hospital your vet is associated with provides. No pet owner wants to find themselves in an emergency and not know what to do. If a certain hospital does not meet your emergency requirements, look elsewhere. If that's not an option, always be sure to keep a history of vet visits, so in the case of an emergency, you're immediately and fully prepared to show your animal's history if you need to see a vet whom you have not seen before.

· Proximity: Proximity can be especially important for pet owners. It's just more convenient to be nearby to a veterinarian. If the vet's office is far away, that could be costly in case of an emergency. In addition, routine appointments have a tendency to get put off if the vet is too far away. In general, try and use a vet located close enough to your home to make both of these things a non-issue. If need be, you can always consult a vet who specializes in your breed while allowing a nearby vet handle the more routine consultations.

CAPTION: Choosing the right veterinarian for your pet involves more than simply choosing the nearest animal hospital.

Keywords:
physician vet pet owner veterinarian pet pet care dog owner animal

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Ferreting Out the Facts About a Popular Pet

(MS) - Are you thinking of adding a pet to the family? While cats, dogs and birds are certainly popular companions, have you ever considered a ferret?

Domesticated ferrets can make wonderful pets. However, due to misinformation and general lack of knowledge about these animals, they're often passed up at the pet store.

Here we debunk the myths about ferrets, leaving you to discover whether these furry creatures might be just what you're looking for.

Myth: Ferrets are rodents like rats and mice.

Truth: Ferrets are not rodents. They're related to minks, weasels, skunks, and otters. They're actually scientifically classified somewhere between dogs and cats.

Myth: Ferrets are wild animals and do not make good pets.

Fact: Domesticated ferrets are known by the name Mustela furo, and have been domesticated for thousands of years. There are wild versions of the ferret, but pet ferrets are of the domesticated variety and cannot survive on their own without human intervention.

Myth: Ferrets are entirely independent and do not interact well with people.

Fact: Ferrets range in disposition just like any pet. Some can be very friendly and provide great companionship. Others may be more aloof. Generally speaking, ferrets like to spend time with their human friends, travel with them and play together.

Myth: Ferrets pose a serious rabies danger.

Fact: Studies have indicated that it is very difficult for ferrets to catch rabies. If they do, they tend to die rather quickly, reducing the risk for infecting someone. Also, there are ferret rabies vaccinations available.

Myth: Ferrets attack babies often and are terrible pets for children.

Fact: There are far fewer reports of ferret attacks on children than dog or cat bites/scratches. Children excite more easily and generally exhibit fluctuating behavior patterns that could make any pet uneasy. Therefore, children should always be supervised with any pet. If a child is responsible, careful, not too rough, and old enough, a ferret could be a good pet.

Myth: Ferrets should be the only pet in the house.

Fact: Most ferrets don't get along with birds, fish, rabbits, rodents, and lizards. Through patience, they can become acclimated to dogs and cats, provided the dog or cat isn't known for being a predator or having strong hunting instincts.

Ferret Care

Now that some of the misconceptions about ferrets have been cleared up, it's time to learn about ferret care.

Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box, so they require less maintenance than a dog. Experiment with the type of litter box your ferret likes as well as litter.

You will need to ferret-proof the home because ferrets are active explorers and love to squeeze into small holes and crevices. They are also known for "stealing" small items and hiding them around the house. Ferrets are also good climbers and jumpers.

Ferrets have a natural musky odor to them. Scent glands by the tail can be removed to avoid "spraying" when frightened, but the ferret will always excrete natural oils on the skin that smell musky. Resist the urge to wash a ferret frequently to remove the scent. This will only cause the ferret to produce more oil to compensate for the loss. Rather, change bedding and other cage items frequently to reduce the smell if bothersome.

Ferrets have bursts of energy followed by long resting periods. They generally will be content to stay in a cage most of the day and allowed roaming time if you don't want your ferret to constantly have run of the house. Put some sort of bedding (old T-shirts or towels) into the cage because the animal won't want to sleep on the floor of the cage. Don't put in wood shavings or chips because they can cause respiratory problems or allergies. Ferrets will also need food and water bowls in the cage. Because ferrets have a tendency to play in water bowls, consider a drip water supplier used for rabbits and hamsters instead.

These frisky animals like to play and should be kept amused. Cat toys work well for ferrets, provided there are no small pieces that can be swallowed.

Most people feed their ferrets high-quality cat food, such as Iams, Science Diet, or ProPlan. Choose the dry variety of foods because they contain more protein and can help remove plaque from the ferret's teeth. Ferrets require a lot of protein, so choose "kitten or growth" formulas. Ferret experts say there is food marketed specifically for ferrets, but most is just slightly modified cat food that's priced higher.

You may also want to purchase a leash for your ferret to take him on short walks. A bell on a collar is a good way of keep track of your ferret as well.

Keywords:
ferret pets family myths rats mice animal mustela furo companion rabies ferret care fact cat food

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