Saturday, November 9, 2013

All about whales-Life and Death

Whales
Habitat
How long does a whale live?

The length of a whales life is determined by many factors such as its habitat, geography, diet, level of endangerment and species.

Female killer whales (actually part of the dolphin species) that live in the wild for example have been known to live for up to 70 – 80 years, although the average is about 50 years.

And male killer whales can live to be 50 – 60 years old, but usually live until around their 30′s.

In captivity however most killer whales usually don’t live beyond their 20′s.

As you can see a whales environment and social structure can be detrimental in determining its longevity.

The largest living animal in the world, the blue whale, is too large to be held in captivity.

However over the years the blue whale has become very popular amongst whale watchers.

These whales are estimated to live to at least 80 years.

Surprisingly this massive whale is able to survive on a diet primarily consisting of krill (small shrimp like crustaceans), and on some occasions fish and other small sea creatures.

On the opposite end of the spectrum the smallest whale, the dwarf sperm whale, which grows to nearly 9 feet and weighs in at around 550 pounds may only live till around 20 – 25 years.

Below is a list of the average life expectancy of several whale species

The Beluga whale has an average lifespan of 40 – 60 years
The Blue whale has an average lifespan of 70 – 90 years
The Bowhead whale has an average lifespan of 100 – 200 years
The Fin whale has an average lifespan of 60 – 100 years
The Gray whale has an average lifespan of 50 - 70 years
The Humpback whale has an average lifespan of 40 – 100 years
The Minke whale has an average lifespan of 30 – 50 years
The Narwhal whale has an average lifespan of 40 – 60 years
The Sperm whale has an average lifespan of 60 – 80 years

Various scientific studies have calculated life expectancy averages to range anywhere from 50 years (a decent life expectancy amongst healthy non endangered whales) to almost 200 years (on rare occasions).

Unfortunately there is no clear answer to this question in terms of the entire species, but researchers have been able to give us a pretty good idea of how long some species of whales do live.

Scientists and researchers have researched the life expectancy of various species of whales and have estimated that some whales can live longer than humans.

One study concluded that some bowhead whales have been around for 160 -180 years, and at least one living male bowhead whale has been estimated to be nearly 200 years old.

Killer Whales

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Cetacea
[Suborder]:	Odontoceti
Family:	Delphinidae
Genus:	Orcinus
Species:	orca

What is taxonomy?

Though killer whales, also called orcas, are considered whales by most people, they are actually members of the Delphinidae (dolphin) family. Killer whales are excellent hunters that a wide range of prey, including fish, seals, and big whales such as blue whales. Despite their hunting of other animals, free-ranging killer whales have never been reported killing a human being.

Interesting Facts:

Killer whales are social animals that live in stable family-related groups. Killer whales display a high level of care for their offspring. In addition to the mothers, various pod members (mainly adolescent females) perform most of the care for the calves. As with most mammals, killer whales are very protective of their young.

Different killer whale pods "sound" different. Each pod has their own dialect of sounds. They can easily recognize their own pod from several miles away based on the differences in calls.

Killer whales are often compared to wolves because both species are top predators, maintain complex social relationships, and hunt cooperatively.

To some, killer whales look exactly alike however they can be distinguished from one another by the shape and size of their dorsal fins, the distinctive grayish-white saddle patches behind their dorsal fins, as well as distinctive scars, nicks and marks on their dorsal fins.

What should I know about killer whales?

Where do killer whales live?

Killer whales can be found in all oceans but they seem to prefer coastal waters and cooler regions. Killer whales occur in family groups called pods. Three types of pods have been described:

Resident pods: remain stable over time
Transient pods: dynamic in structure (are constantly changing)
Offshore pods: Are seen only in outer coast waters and not much else is known of them.

Killer whale pods are based on the lineage of the mother (mothers, daughters, and sons form groups); the whales live and travel with their mothers even after they are full-grown, forming strongly matriarchal whale societies.

How many killer whales are there?

There are no official killer whale worldwide population estimates. There are minimum counts in local areas. For example, approximately 1000 whales have been individually identified in Alaskan waters through photographs. Killer whales are at the top of the food chain and are not considered endangered.

You can read more about killer whale stocks in the NMFS Alaska and Atlantic stock assessment reports.

How can I identify a killer whale?

Killer whales are extremely distinctive with jet-black bodies and white patches usually over the eyes, under the jaw, on the belly, and extending onto their sides. Female killer whales can grow up to 26 feet (7.9 meters) with a 3 foot dorsal fin while males are larger than the females growing up to 28 feet (8.5 meters) with a 6 foot (1.3 meters) dorsal fin. Killer whales have 48 to 52 teeth that are large and conical shaped as well as slightly curved back and inward.

How well do killer whales see or hear?

Killer whales have well-developed, acute senses. They can hear a vast range of sounds and possess skin that is sensitive to touch. Killer whales have excellent vision in and out of water. It is not known whether or not they may have some sort of sense of taste.

What do killer whales eat?

The killer whale diet consists of fish, squid, seals, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, porpoises and large whales like the blue whale. Some killer whales have been known to slide on to beaches in order to capture a good meal. Resident pods (pods that primarily reside in one area) prefer fish whereas transient pods (pods that travel over a relatively wide area) appear to target other marine mammals as prey.

Killer whales are very successful hunters due to their cooperative hunting, where all animals within the pod participate. This coordination is apparently developed and learned within pods.

How do killer whales have their young?

Killer whale males reach breeding age when they are around 22 feet (6.7 meters) long while females can breed when they are about 16 feet (4.9 meters) long. Killer whales breed all year around and calves are born about 8 feet (2.4 meters) long after a 17 month gestation period. Female killer whales usually give birth every 3 to 10 years.

How long do killer whales live? How do they die?

Killer whales have no natural predators (they are the top predators of the oceans) and can live to about 50-80 years old. Killer whales have been hunted by humans but not with enthusiasm as it takes 21 killer whales to produce the same amount of oil as 1 sperm whale.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Live longer Love your Pet-relieves STRESS

Live Longer With Pets

By Mao Shing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., PhD

Almost every pet owner out there will tell you that their animal companion enriches their life in more ways than they can count, but it turns out that pets actually help prolong their lives, too. Numerous studies have shown that having pets helps lower our stress levels, decrease blood pressure, benefit our cholesterol, improve our mood, and boost our immunity – in other words, lengthen our life span!

Heart-healthy Benefits of Animals

Our animal friends often warm our hearts, but according to studies, they also protect them. A study reported in the Medical Journal of Australia found that pet owners generally have lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels than people who do not own pets. Having a cat companion could cut your heart attack risk by nearly one-third! According to a study by the Minnesota Stroke Institute, which followed more than 4000 cat owners over a period of 10 years, being a feline owner can significantly decrease the chance of dying from heart disease. Pet owners have also been found to recover more speedily after surgery.

Man's Best Friend Motivates You to Move

Who needs a fitness coach when you have a dog? Nothing is more motivational to get moving than a dog’s yearning expression that says, “Take me out!” People with dogs exercise more consistently than dog-free people – and the benefits to your long-term health are many! First of all, you fit in 20 or more minutes of solid walking every day, a low-impact exercise that benefits your heart. You also get your daily dose of sunshine every day, which boosts your mood and supplies you with vitamin D. And you receive the uplifting, stress-busting benefits of being outdoors. What’s not to love?

Animal Pals Help Us Stay Healthy

People with pets seem to enjoy better overall health. Researchers know that joy and laughter trigger the release of chemicals in the brain that enhance your immune function. Pets make us smile and laugh with their amusing antics and lovable gestures. And petting something furry is a proven immune boost. A Wilkes University study found that stroking a dog for 18 minutes caused a significant increase in secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), your body’s natural antibody against invading germs. Another study found that people with pets make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. A household pet could be just what the doctor ordered!

Less Stress With Pets

Bad Days-can instantly dissolve when you get home from work to be greeted by a loving friend who is happy to see you. The benefits of de-stressing don’t end there: interaction with pets reduces overall levels of the stress hormone cortisol. A study that recorded the neural activity in seniors while they walked with a pooch found that this gave them a boost in parasympathetic nervous system activity, the system that helps calm and rest the body. Less stress equals a longer life, so keep good company.

No Pet? Don’t Fret!

Shelters allow people to volunteer, working with the animals and walking the dogs. You can also offer to pet-sit for friends. If you are trying to decide whether a pet is right for you, be mindful that pets do add to your daily responsibilities. For many, the benefits more than make up for the added costs and extra duties, but decide carefully for yourself, because being a pet guardian is a long-term commitment – albeit with long-term rewards!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Today my dogs DRY skin

Sunday August 18-13
I put cortisone on my dogs skin to heal the dry skin from eating human food and having our landlord living here for shes aggravating daily so my dog tences from the feeling of us!!

Update 8-21-13 Wednesday

Ok folks I put the hemroid creme on Colbys dry spots and its healed up

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Dog fights ~Stop them from starting

Dogfights look and sound frightening, most of them end with no damage to either party..

Preventing Dogfights

Go for Good First Impressions

If you’ve brought a new dog into your home, please see our article on Introducing Your Dog to a New Dog to learn how to be calm, gradual introduction on neutral ground. You can also use the techniques in the article to introduce your dog to a dog who’s just visiting your home or to a new playmate who lives elsewhere.

Avoid Competition over Food and Valued Objects

If you have multiple dogs in your home, it’s a good policy to feed them in separate rooms or crates. There is no reason to add extra stress around feeding time. Let your dogs eat in peace. It’s also wise to keep track of toys, chewies and other valuable resources. If you suspect that your dogs might fight over something, pick it up when you’re not able to supervise.

When your dog’s canine buddies or an unfamiliar dog comes to visit, pick up all toys, chews and food bowls before he arrives. Even if your own dog doesn't guard things from other dogs, the visitor might, so removing valued objects is always a good idea.

Be the Referee

If you have multiple energetic dogs in your home, you know that playtime can sometimes get out of hand. As the one who brings home the dog food and pays the bills, you should also be the one who decides how rough dog play can get in your household. You can institute rules like “no wrestling in the living room” or “all dog play must happen outside.” Alternatively, you can simply interrupt play when you think your dogs have become too noisy or rowdy. Teaching your dogs to reliably come when called can help you get your dogs’ attention easily. (Please see our article on Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called for training tips.) After you’ve interrupted the play session, you have a number of options:

If you’d like to let your dogs continue to play, just put them in separate areas for 30 seconds to 2 or 3 minutes so that they can cool down. Then you can let them play again. Another option is to take your dogs outside so that they can continue their play in a fenced yard, where they’ll have plenty of space to romp.
If you think it’s time for a play break, you can take the dogs for a walk or engage them in a game of fetch or tug. Encouraging other active behaviors may help them expend some of their pent-up energy.
Have some quiet time. Sometimes dogs get overly excited and just need to chill out for a while. To help your dogs cool down, give each one something to chew, like a tasty bone or a stuffed Kong toy. (To learn about Kongs, please see our article on How to Stuff a Kong Toy.)

Teach and Reward Calm Behavior

Managing life with multiple dogs isn't always easy. Conflict can crop up in a number of situations. Many arguments between dogs in the same household happen during exiting events, like going out to play in the yard or greeting visitors who've just arrived. Teaching your dogs to remain calm during these events can prevent the excitement from turning into agitation. Good training is key. You can teach your dogs to sit or lie down and stay instead of rushing up to greet visitors. You can teach your dogs to wait for permission to walk through doorways, exit cars or pass through gates. (Instead of using a single word to release all of your dogs at the same time, release each one separately by saying her name.) You can teach your dogs to settle on a mat in many situations—whenever they get too rambunctious. (Please see our articles on Teaching Your Dog to Sit, Teaching Your Dog to Lie Down,Teaching Your Dog to Stay, Teaching Your Dog to Wait at Doors and Teaching Your Dog to Settle for detailed training tips.) All of these skills help dogs learn to control their impulses and can keep them from starting arguments with each other. Please see our article on Impulse Control Training and Gamesto learn about more exercises that teach dogs to stay calm, even when they’re excited.

For more useful techniques that help pet parents manage multi-dog households, we recommend reading Dr. Patricia McConnell’s booklet “Feeling Outnumbered?”

Breaking Up a Fight

How to Stop a Scuffle between Two Dogs

Sometimes, despite your best efforts to monitor their interactions, dogs get into fights. Luckily, most fights last less than a few seconds, and you can often interrupt them by simply shouting at the dogs. If the fight continues, however, you should be prepared to physically separate them.

Breaking up a dogfight can be dangerous. To reduce the likelihood of injury to all parties, follow the guidelines below.

General Advice

Have a plan. Decide in advance exactly what you’ll do if a fight happens. If you live with multiple dogs and other people, make sure everyone living in your home knows about the plan.
Don’t panic. Remember that most dogfights are noisy but harmless. If you stay calm, you’ll be able to separate two fighting dogs more safely and efficiently.
DO NOT grab your dog by the collar if she starts to fight with another dog. It seems like the natural thing to do, but it’s a bad idea. Your dog might whip around to bite you. This kind of bite, called redirected aggression, is like a reflex. The dog simply reacts to the feeling of being grabbed and bites without thinking. Many pet parents get bitten this way—even when their dogs haven’t shown any signs of aggression in the past. Another reason to avoid grabbing your dog’s collar is that it puts your hands way too close to the action! You might be on the receiving end of a bite that was intended for your dog.

Plan A: Startle the Dogs or Use a Barrier

Before you physically separate two fighting dogs, try these methods:

A sudden, loud sound will often interrupt a fight. Clap, yell and stomp your feet. If you have two metal bowls, bang them together near the dogs’ heads. You can also purchase a small air horn and keep that handy. Put it in your back pocket before taking your dog somewhere to play with other dogs. If you have multiple dogs who get into scuffles, keep your air horn in an easily accessible place. If a startling noise works to stop a fight, the noise is effective almost immediately. If your noisemaking doesn’t stop the fight within about three seconds, try another method.
If there’s a hose or water bowl handy, you can try spraying the dogs with water or dumping the bowl of water on their heads.
Use a citronella spray, like SprayShield™ or Direct Stop®. Aim for the fighting dogs’ noses. If you walk your dog in an area where you may encounter loose dogs, it’s wise to carry citronella spray with you. If an aggressive dog approaches, spraying the deterrent in his direction may stop him in his tracks and prevent a fight. If he attacks, spraying the deterrent on or near his nose may break up the fight.
Try putting something between the fighting dogs. A large, flat, opaque object, like a piece of plywood, is ideal because it both separates the dogs and blocks their view of each other. If such an object isn’t available, you can make do with a baby gate, a trash can or folded lawn chair. Closing a door between the dogs can also break up a fight. Throwing a large blanket over both dogs is another option. The covered dogs may stop fighting if they can no longer see each other.

Plan B: Physically Separate the Dogs

If other methods don’t work or aren’t possible, it’s time for Plan B. If you’re wearing pants and boots or shoes, use your lower body instead of your hands to break up the fight. If they’re covered, your legs and your feet are much more protected than your hands, and your legs are the strongest part of your body.

If you feel that it’s necessary to grab the dogs, use this method:

1. You and a helper or the other dog’s pet parent should approach the dogs together. Try to separate them at the same time.

2. Take hold of your dog’s back legs at the very top, just under her hips, right where her legs connect to her body. (Avoid grabbing her lower legs. If grab a dog’s legs at the knees, her ankles or her paws, you can cause serious injury.)

3. Like you’d lift a wheelbarrow, lift your dog’s back end so that her back legs come off of the ground. Then move backwards, away from the other dog. As soon as you’re a few steps away, do a 180-degree turn, spinning your dog around so that she’s facing the opposite direction and can no longer see other dog.

The Aftermath

After the fight stops, immediately separate the dogs. Don’t give them another chance to fight. It’s important to make sure that they can’t see each other. If necessary, take one or both dogs into another room or area. If the dogs are friends and you’ve interrupted a minor squabble, keep them apart until they calm down.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Pet Obesity~ Stop it before it's to late

Pet obesity

Pet obesity is preventable. By keeping our pets trim and fit, we can help

them spend a long and happy life with us.

Obesity can be defined as an excess of body fat that is enough to impair health, welfare and quality of life. It can affect all types of pet, and the main cause is from eating too much or not exercising enough, although some diseases can cause obesity.

Obesity in people is generally 20-25 per cent above ideal body weight. This is likely to be similar in pets, however will vary.

We believe obesity is a serious welfare issue in pets because it:

Can cause a lot of unnecessary suffering and can be extremely disabling.
Can affect animals for long periods.
Is a preventable problem.

Are certain pets more likely to be obese?

Several factors make obesity more likely in pets. E.g. for dogs:

Breed - certain breeds have a higher risk.
Age – the risk increases with age.
Neuter status – neutered dogs are more at risk.
Sex – apart from older dogs, obesity is reported to be more common in females.
Owner – obese owners may be more likely to have obese dogs, perhaps because they are less likely to exercise their dog, or less able to recognise obesity.

Similar factors may also be associated with other animals.

The health risks of obesity

Obesity can cause serious health and welfare problems, and make existing problems worse. This can reduce the length and quality of a pet’s life.

Some serious medical conditions associated with obesity are:

diabetes
heart disease
respiratory distress
high blood pressure
cancers

Obesity is also likely to affect a pet’s ability to perform natural behaviours

Checking for obesity in your loving pets

For dogs and cats there are a few simple checks you can do:

You should be able to see and feel the outline of your pet’s ribs without excess fat covering.
You should be able to see and feel your pet’s waist and it should be clearly visible when viewed from above.
Your pet’s belly should be tucked up when viewed from the side.

If your pet does not pass these checks, or if you are in any doubt, consult your vet.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Lyme & WEST NILE VIRUS~Learn to live!

This week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announce that Lyme disease is 10 times more common in the U.S. than we previously thought. They now estimate that a whopping 300,000 people are diagnosed yearly with this tick-borne disease, which causes symptoms including fatigue, headaches, joint and muscle pain, arthritis and neurologic damage. This is why I think it’s critical that you know what to look for and how to avoid this dangerous infection.

Not only is Lyme disease more common than we thought, rates of it are also growing. Cases of Lyme disease increased 77% from 2001 to 2010. Though the vast majority of cases occur in 13 states clustered mostly in the east and north of the country, in the past 10 years cases have been documented in every state except for Hawaii.

You can blame the spread of this terrible disease on the bite of the common deer tick. These easy-to-miss bugs, which are usually about the size of a poppy seed, act as hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme. These ticks can bite you without you even noticing, but usually can’t transmit the bacteria until they have been attached for at least 36 hours. Removing the tick before that time window makes it unlikely that you will catch the disease. Remember that while not all deer ticks will carry the bacteria, the most dangerous times of year are April through September.

It can take weeks, or even months, before you might know you’re infected with Lyme disease. One of the earliest signs of Lyme is a slowly-enlarging rash called erythema migrans. This rash pops up over the site of the tick bite and looks like a bullseye, with a dark center and a larger ring around it. It can appear 3 to 30 days after the bite, and may or may not be itchy. Although it occurs in up to 80% of people with Lyme disease, many people do not notice this rash until it has disappeared, which takes days to weeks.

Early signs and symptoms tend to be vague and nonspecific and may include fatigue, headaches, neck stiffness, muscle aches, joint pains, swollen lymph nodes and fever. Respiratory symptoms or digestive upset are uncommon and point away from Lyme. As the disease progresses over weeks, people can also develop nerve palsies such as Bell’s palsy, in which half of the face becomes paralyzed, meningitis, nerve pain or balance problems. Lyme can even interfere with the electrical conduction in your heart and cause arrhythmias.

If infection persists for months to years without being treated, late stage disease can develop. In 60% of people, this can include arthritis, with joint pain and swelling usually in large joints, often the knee. This can eventually lead to bone and joint erosion. People may also get shooting pains, memory problems, or strange sensations and numbness in their arms or legs due to nerve damage.

Careful vigilance is key to preventing Lyme. Catching and removing the tick early using proper technique will dramatically decrease your chance of contracting the disease. Here are some simple tips to help reduce your risk:

If you’re outside in grassy or wooded areas where ticks like to live, keep covered with closed-toed shoes, socks, long sleeves and long pants. Light-colored clothing will help you identify ticks faster.
Using tick repellent containing 20-30% DEET on skin and clothing may help protect you for several hours, but be careful not to get it near your eyes or mouth.

Shower within two hours after returning inside from outdoor activities. Before they bite, ticks like to explore your body for a good place to latch on, and you might be able to wash them off before they attach.

Check yourself (and your pets) frequently for ticks. Don't forget hidden spaces like your groin, armpits, backs of your legs, scalp, ears between your toes and around waistbands or bra straps. Ticks especially like dark, moist places. You can also recruit a partner or use a hand-held mirror to help you check hard-to-see places.

To remove a tick safely, get a pair of fine tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, where its head is attached. Pull straight upwards with steady pressure. Pull too fast and the tick’s mouth parts may remain in your skin – if this happens, remove the left-over bits with the tweezers. Afterwards, clean the area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine wash or soap and water. Do not burn off a tick, cover it with petroleum jelly or nail polish, as these techniques could up your chance of getting Lyme. Flushing the tick down the toilet is a good way to make sure it doesn't come hunting for you again.

If you notice a target-like rash or have any symptoms after being bitten by a tick or spending time in a wooded area, be sure to go see your doctor to be tested and, if necessary, treated.

West Nile virus
strikes early in the South Bay, could be to blame for the death of a Carson man

Tip from Maria:Please get regular check ups yearly, DONT MISS!! My mom would have died if she didn't get regular check ups, they found cancer and found it fast enough so it wasn't too far along they were able to remove it,So BETTER SAFE THEN SORRY!! WHO CARES ABOUT THE BILL IF IT SAVES YOUR LIFE!!

Heres what I have been reading

Los Angeles County vector Control personnel went door to door in Carson Wednesday leaving information on West Nile Virus prevention. Carson resident Martha Council gets information about West Nile Virus prevention from Vector Control Specialist Bryson Fong. (Robert Casillas / Staff Photographer)

A 78-year-old Carson man infected with West Nile virus died this week, and though county health officials have not yet officially linked his death to the mosquito-borne illness, they have confirmed that the South Bay appears to be ground zero for this year's early reports of West Nile in Los Angeles County.

Albert Shipman died Tuesday night at Little Company of Mary Hospital in San Pedro after doctors there diagnosed him with West Nile virus, according to family members. Shipman was hospitalized for two weeks before succumbing to symptoms that at first pointed to a mild stroke, said his son, Alfonso Shipman of Carson.

"He was experiencing loss of memory, slurred speech and pain on his right side," Shipman said. "Then finally, about 10 days ago, they said it's West Nile. ... We were just devastated."

Meanwhile, another hospital patient -- Anna Lee Taylor of Torrance -- also was diagnosed with West Nile virus after she was taken to Torrance Memorial Medical Center six days ago, said her daughter-in-law, Debbie Taylor.

"She went down (last) Thursday. She was semi-conscious and had a very high fever of 103.5," Debbie Taylor said. "She's had three spinal taps and blood cultures."

The blood report indicated she had encephalitis secondary to West Nile virus, she said.

Thus far, county

health officials say, five human cases have been officially reported in Los Angeles County this year, with no deaths.

A map on the county's website shows a heavy South Bay concentration of birds and squirrels testing positive for West Nile virus from January to July 17. West Nile is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Only one in five people infected will exhibit symptoms, but it can be deadly, especially to those older than 50, said Dr. Rachel Civen, epidemiologist for Los Angeles County.

"We're seeing the most West Nile virus in dead birds and mosquito pools than we've seen in many, many years in the Torrance area," Civen said. "Why, I don't know.

"Usually our focus is the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel because, generally, they tend to be warmer. Peak months usually are from late August through September. It will be picking up."

Deaths from West Nile are rare; most who contract the virus don't exhibit anything more than mild symptoms.

But there were six deaths (from 174 reported human cases) in 2012 from West Nile virus, according

to the county health department's website. A total of three human cases were reported from the South Bay last year, Civen said.

"Last year was a really big year," she said.

Because there is no treatment or cure, Alfonso Shipman said it's important that residents understand the virus can be deadly.

His father was "a huge man and just to be taken down by a mosquito like that ... people need to be aware," he said.

The rise in West Nile activity in the South Bay is "a bit of an anomaly," said Truc Dever, director of community affairs for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

The agency attributes the early activity to weather conditions being "slightly" warmer -- by about 3 degrees -- than in past summers, Dever said, and also to what is thought to be a lower immunity among the bird population than in previous years.

Some of the earliest positive samples were found in mosquitoes near Machado Lake in Harbor City and the Wilmington Drain adjacent to the lake. Officials sprayed the area following the discovery.

Families of both Shipman and Taylor said there was no obvious point

Steps to protect against the threat of West Nile virus:

Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for more than a week.

Change the water weekly in bird baths

Ensure that swimming pools, spas and ponds are property maintained and report neglected pools in your neighborhood.

Request free mosquitofish from your local vector control district for placement in out-of-order swimming pools, spas and ponds.

Wear insect repellent containing active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535 when outdoors where mosquitoes are present.

Wear long sleeves when outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Source: -- Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District

Los Angeles County vector Control personnel went door to door in Carson Wednesday leaving information on West Nile Virus prevention. Public health advisory is left on door of residence. (Robert Casillas / Staff Photographer)(foundInfoOffLine)

Friday, August 2, 2013

PETS Licking you could KILL you

Few facts here that I have been reading about just may interest you..Maria,pls like my pages if you find anything interesting

CAT Scratch Fever,

It turns out the feline-induced malady of '70s rock-anthem fame is actually a real risk that pet owners take when they allow furry friends into bed with them.

In a February Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paper, researchers Bruno Chomel and Ben Sun detail a host of maladies — plague, parasites, other bad bacteria and, yes, cat scratch fever — that humans have contracted from sleeping next to or being licked by pets.

In the News

The researchers cite one case where a 60-year-old patient with chronic eczema died of septic shock and renal failure caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacteria found in the gums of dogs and cats, after his dog licked his legs. In another, a 69-year-old man who had recently had a hip replacement was infected by Pasteurella multocida bacteria.

The man said his dog shared his bed before and after the operation, sleeping under the covers on the same side of the bed as his affected leg.

So, should you worry?

Maybe. Although cases of zoonoses — disease transmitted from animals to humans — from pet owners sleeping next to their pets are rare, they can be "very nasty" when they do occur, Chomel told USA Today in January.

Dangers include plague (yep, the one also known as the Black Death), chagas disease (which can cause life-threatening heart and digestive system problems), cat scratch disease (which can actually result not just from being scratched but from sleeping with or being licked by a household pet.), parasitic infections such as hookworm and bacteria known to cause meningitis, staph infections and more. Risks are higher for young children and people with compromised immune systems.

A survey of pet owners by the American Pet Products Association found that 62 percent of cats sleep with adult owners (13 percent of cats sleep with children), while 62 percent of small dogs, 41 percent of medium sized dogs and 32 percent of large dogs do so. A recent CDC study says that anywhere from 14 percent to 62 percent of pets in the United States sleep in bed with humans.

For those unwilling to kick there Best Bud

out of BED, here are some

recommendations for reducing risk:

Any area licked by a pet — especially for children or those with open wounds or a compromised immune system — should be immediately washed with soap and water.

Pets should be regularly examined a veterinarian, routinely dewormed and kept free of parasites such as fleas.

Treat puppies, or mama dogs during the last few weeks of pregnancy, with anthelmintics, drugs that expel parasitic worms.

The researchers also recommend that patients with recurrent

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or iPasteurella infection that has no obvious cause should consider their exposure to dogs as a possible culprit.

HERE are some photos I found off another site which I have studied from