Acute Renal Failure & beyond 急性腎衰竭.. 然後? - Acute renal failure (ARF) usually comes fast and aggressive, taking owners by surprise. Due to the "unexpected" nature of this illness, owners are often left floundering on what steps to take to maximize the pet's survival. Indeed, getting to see a veterinarian is the vital first step to saving your pet but what happens once the facts and options start to come at you? 確診癌症的後續 Cancer confirmed – what next - 今次唔寫英文住, 辛苦啲都用中文解釋先, 英文版再跟住嚟。 這一次的話題不少主人都聽過又或者親身體驗過 – 癌症 (cancer)。聽到都總會不其然深呼吸一下，因為這不是普通小病而是大病。搞不好就大限到。 不只是你作為主人會感到無助，就連醫生/ 護士也常常對此診斷感到無柰。 癌症可能是自基因遺傳(父系/ 母系遺傳）即先天性遺傳，也可能是後天形成。先天性遺傳是不能避免。患病的機會是較高一點但非一件絶對的事情。至於後天而成的癌症多是外來因素例如環境、飲食對身體長期的不良影響而成 – 這卻是可以極力避免的。如何減少影響？這該是另一個談不完的話題了！ 癌症是自發炎而起。而這炎症不是吃了藥便解決到的問題。當患上癌症，身體內的炎症變成了一個惡性循環，癌細胞不停製造額外的發炎物使身體無法休息。 身體因長期對抗炎症而不停地消耗身體的能量 – 在這情況下，試問身體如何有額外能量可以復元？ 這文章將討論在你知道愛寵患上（任何) 癌症後要面對的考慮。 除了傳統治療後，你應該認識怎樣去為愛寵持續「根治」的狀態。料理癌症是一條永無回頭、年中無休的工作。你如果剛走上了這條路，請仔細閲讀，為愛寵及你有準備地開啟這新一頁。癌症的出現意味身體基建壞了。你要知道如何修服它。 癌症確診後的下一步 確診了。 又是要決定下一步怎樣做。 你的腦袋郤仍未能接受 – 以後怎麼辦? 怎樣照顧愛寵? 可以治療嗎? 有什麼方法治療? 療程多長? 費用大約多少? 你可以做得到嗎? 愛寵的身體狀況可以接受到艱巨的療程嗎? 你的第一步 – 切清癌細胞？ 首先 – 確定癌細胞是否已切除? 如果已切除, 可有切底除掉「所有」癌細胞? 切清了的癌症 多數比較容易料理。 「切清了」意思是身體驗不出有餘下的癌細胞。也可以說「應該」沒有擴散癌細胞了。在這情況下，長期料理自然是較簡單。 但要留意，沒有「驗得出剩下癌細胞」的診斷是局限於儀器的偵察能力如 X-光、超聲波、電腦掃描及磁力共振。細小的癌細胞其實可能已在血液裡周圍走但儀器未能偵察到。 當癌細胞走得累了，便會找一個 「落腳地」然後落地生根重新開始。癌細胞如極細少時，全部現時可用的偵察方式也找不到。要直至細胞長至一定尺寸才檢測到。 這就是說，當証實癌細胞切清了，你可以鬆一口氣，卻不等於什麼都可以停下來，回到以前的生活習慣！癌症的診斷就是走上不回頭的路。如果生活習慣及飲食住行都一概回復舊樣，那癌症復發是必然的。這診斷只是説 「最壞的過去了。你有時間好好幫愛寵補身。你有時間硏究較乾淨又美味的食材。你用的時間不會白廢了。」 這是一個新起步點。你必須要好好把握時機。不要為方便而回復惡習。我們鼓勵你快做研究，理解生癌的因由。你需要多接觸及極力尋找適合的補身及強化身體免疫力的方法。這樣才可以讓你有更多時間陪伴你的愛寵，而你也將可以從中學到強身健體的秘訣！ 切不清癌細胞又如何對付？ 切不清癌細胞可以是因為原個組織太大了，不能完整切掉。又可能是原個組織切除了但身體其他距離較遠的部位已驗出有癌細胞。這稱之為「轉移癌」, 英文稱為metastasis。「轉移癌」多數是切不掉的。「清除」的辦法是利用其他治療方式。在傳統西醫的治療寶袋內就有「化療」(Chemotherapy) 及「電療」(Radiation… Read More
Paralysis – Treatment Options 癱瘓了的下一歩 (Part 2) - Your pet has become paralyzed. You are now desperately trying to come to grips with a million queries in your head: why this has happened? What is to be done to cure your pet? Can your pet be normal again? How long will it take? What procedures are to be done to cure it? How… Read More
GMO – Is this an issue in Hong Kong?基因改造食品影響香港寵物嗎? - Genetically modified foods (also called GMO for short) involves genetic manipulation of genes within a food species. The purpose of doing so is to strengthen the resistance of such food (typically a plant) to pests such as insects. As a result, a plant that is genetically modified should be more resistant to pest attacks and… Read More
Flowers & Cats 花/貓共存 - Many of us love plants and flowers in the home to cheer things up a little. Well, if you have a cat (or cats) then you need to be very much aware of what flowers are not so gorgeous for the cats! 1. Lily Chinese name: 百合 Problem: toxic to kidneys Which part of plant… Read More
Ozone Therapy 臭氧療法 - Ozone therapy is a form of medical therapy and not the ozone as we know of that is “contaminating” the world. Ozone is the combination of three oxygen particles (O3). The air that we breathe is made of two particles (O2). Ozone particles are not stable and will quickly disintegrate to reform the more stable… Read More
正視腸胃健康 - 這個年代, 不少人口邊都掛住 「 免疫系統好重要 」。大家可能對有助「提升免疫系統」的補健品知識水平提高了不少，更可能每天都服用。但你、家人及愛寵的日常飲食又可有受到你的注意？ “You are what you eat” 一句流行的字句，提醒我們「你是靠你所吃的」。飲食習慣良好、食物大致「乾淨」、飲食均衡是為你的愛寵帶來良好免疫力的重要一環。這種「食得好」意念不相等於大飲大食、無限小食、或生日派對給寵物一件大牛排！你及愛寵可有如此生活習慣？ 無論你生活習慣如何，你需要知道世界上食物生產越來越艱難。如果養活人類已一年比一年難，試問我們愛寵的飲食需求是食物生產業首要的考慮嗎？正正是因為我們對飮食要求日益提高使食物浪費情形每況愈下，不少生產商利用這個情況作「廢物利用」不時把人類視之為「垃圾」的食物循環生產為動物食品。這情況發生於貓倘狗食品、生產動物例如牛、羊、豬、家禽及海類動物身上。想像一下，你家中垃圾拿來每天、每餐的餵給愛寵食。你可以接受嗎？你認為牠們的免疫力又有多好？免疫差，即容易病於是看醫生也多了。你接受嗎？ 腸胃健康由適量、新鮮、帶水份的食物開始。自2019年下半年起，我們看到不少腸胃弱的年輕寵物及腸胃非常差的老年動物。病不是一天內發生而是因為長期忽略所產生。如果大家都認知要為自己未來儲蓄；那你的愛寵也需要你為牠們做一些功夫，儲蓄良好免疫力。 寵物的飮食喜好跟主人喜好相近。但你可以自由選擇吃什麼，你寵物卻是100%依賴你的決定。動物是沒有選擇的。所以，當你決定買下一包乾糧、濕糧或小食，請用一分鐘查看食品標籤。因為你對手上這一包食物除了包裝可愛之外你可能根本一點都不認識內裏是什麼材料。而你卻準備歡天喜地的帶一包可疑食品回家送給你最愛的伴。帶了回家的貢品可能是回收食品、含高劑量毒或是從不法生產手法製成的食品，你又可知道？ 2020年是大家對食物認知提高的時候了。説一句「係咩？我唔知喎」的習慣是時候改了。當你自動研究食品標籤，你也必然對自己食物認識提高。同時, 正視寵物的排泄物特別是大便是注意腸胃健康極重要一環。明白什麼是「靚屎」不但幫你了解寵物對食物的反應，也提供你有關食物品質資訊。你於照顧寵物的應變能力也因而提高，看病機會也可因而減少。Glyphosate 草甘膦 Update - Glyphosate (草甘膦) – the active ingredient of the famous herbicide Roundup® has re-entered into the news lately and with great fanfare. If you do not know already – Roundup® – is a well known herbicide widely used on farms. The herbicide began sales in the 1970s in the United States. The manufacturer of Roundup® –… Read More
Paralysis = Death Sentence ?癱瘓 = 死症? (Part 1) - Paralysis does not have to be a death sentence for your pet. Read here to understand the process and long term management strategies so you can provide the best possible quality of life to your beloved pet.
Biofilm 生物膜 - Biofilm is a film of “slime” that promotes bacteria sticking onto its surface and sticking to each other. Biofilm contains proteins, lipids (fats) and carbohydrates that can essentially feed the bacteria that lives within the film. Biofilm provides protection to bacteria and other organisms including virus and fungus. Drug penetration becomes extremely difficult, taking up… Read More
NEWS FLASH >> Atypical Dilated Cardiomyopathy 擴張型心肌病 - Taurine (牛磺酸) is an important amino acid (氨基酸) that impacts on the health of heart and brain tissues. Taurine deficiency is well documented in cats, which leads to the development of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (擴張型心肌病). This type of heart disease is rarely a problem with the modernization of cat foods. Not all food types contain Taurine.… Read More
GMO Part II – Corn in Every Part of Our Lives (玉米/ 粟米無處不在) - Those who uses our veterinary service at Biorecovery – will probably remember that we almost NEVER recommend corn as a part of your pet’s home-cooked diet. There is a reason for this omission. Corn is a very commonly used crop and it infiltrates into many parts of our lives. Corn is eaten on its own,… Read MorePet Food Knowledge Part I – Carrageenan as natural preservative 寵物食品知多啲 – 卡拉膠天然防腐劑 - As awareness on what goes into a commercial pack or can of pet food increases, the thirst for knowledge from the public also increases. As a veterinary practice, we aim to provide you – the pet owner and consumer, relevant information regarding the food you feed to your pet. Life in Hong Kong is expensive.… Read More
Dog Itchiness – 隻狗好痕!怎麼辦? - What is affecting my pet to cause itchiness? Itchiness can be caused by so many reasons. Some reasons may be caused by matters that are preventable. Some reasons may be avoidable entirely by applying logical and restrained management. To name a few common reasons: Environmental / Contact Allergy Food Allergy Parasitic infection Parasitic bites (mosquitoe… Read More
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) – 基因改造生物 - Living organisms that are genetically manipulated in a laboratory are known as Genetically Modified Organisms. Majority of these organisms are modified such that the respond more favorably to the application of herbicide to have the ability to produce an insecticide. However, there is question whether the world has seen more advantageous traits such as drought… Read More
Easter = Chocolate 復活節 = 食朱古力 - Easter holidays is upon us and if you have children then the Easter egg hunt is on! Just make sure your dog at home doesn’t manage to take a bite off the chocolate Easter egg! Chocolate Toxicity (中朱古力毒) There are so many types of chocolates available, how can you determine if the chocolate that was… Read More
Canine Dementia Part 2 – 老狗癡呆症 II - Recognize the signs of “Dementia” – 怎樣判斷我的狗狗開始有腦退化? There are currently no standardized signs in determining whether a dog or cat patient is beginning to suffer from brain function deterioration. However, based on past experiences from pet owners, here are some of the more common signs collated for you to use as reference (see Part 1… Read More
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction/ Dementia (Part 1) – 老狗癡呆症 I - Canine (or Feline) Dementia is becoming more recognized. With average of small dogs now easily pushing 14 to 16 years old; large dogs pushing 13 to 15 years old – their brain function may not be able to catch up to their own aging! Canine (or Feline) Dementia is known as Canine Cognitive Disorder (CCD).… Read More
Matters of the Heart (心臟病常識) - The Heart is probably the most important organs in an animal’s body. It’s function – pump blood around the body which will provide oxygen, fluid and nutrition to the living being. Obviously, when the heart no longer functions properly then blood circulation (血液循環) becomes compromised. There will be reduced blood provided to organs around the… Read More
Homotoxicology 同類/ 順勢療法 - Homotoxicology – a branch of homeopathy – is a study in the maintenance of a body system that is stable, neutral and promotes self-regulation. Breaking down the word will show – “homo” = man ; “toxico” = toxin or poison ; “logy” = study of. Put together, the word means the study of the effects… Read More
Stem Cells Therapy (幹細胞療程) - Stem Cells (幹細胞) are undifferentiated cells found in the body that used to be derived primarily from bone marrow (骨髓) which was quite a painful procedure. In the last decade, stem cells derivation have progressed to being collected from fat tissue – conveniently located under the skin of the animal. Although the collection of such… Read More
Acupuncture – 針灸治療 - Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy that involves inserting needles into specific parts of the body for the purpose of medical treatment. Courtesy Ms. T Starke “Rambo” Needles are inserted into acupuncture points which are present all over the body. Treatment times varies from 10mins to 30mins and may be performed in… Read More
HOMEMADE – Old dog need some traction! - Those of us who owns pets – both dogs and cats – know that as they become old, they do not walk as much. One of the reason for not walking so much is arthritis (關節炎) that causes one or many joints on the body aches and pains. As a result these pets prefer to… Read More
Antibiotic Resistance (抗生素耐藥性) - Antibiotics are wonderful stuff. Too much of a good thing – ends up turning into a nightmare. In the 21st Century (that means Year 2000 to 2100…) antibiotic resistance has become the new official worldwide nightmare. Here in Hong Kong – we at the clinic have been battling with clarifying these two terms to pet… Read More
Urine pH (尿酸鹼度) – You need to know >6.5 - pH – an expression of acidity or alkalinity. It is referred to frequently in the study of urine. In a basic urine test – which is commonly performed in a veterinary clinic, the urine pH can help us figure out several issues including: Is there the possibility of bladder infection (cystitis – 膀胱發炎) ? Should… Read More
Ear Cleaning – What is this obsession? - Ear cleaning – damned if you clean and damned if you do not clean – PROPERLY! Ears have the same entry and exit site. So whatever you pour inside and do not retrieve or remove – that “stuff” is staying inside for good! Ear Wax – Is it Normal? Or is it bad? Ear wax… Read More
Panting = Hot… or is it? - Not all pantings are the same. There is “stress” panting. There is “painful” panting. There is “nausea” panting. Then there is “COPD-like” panting. If you haven’t heard, COPD = Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The term is now including symptoms previously called “Chronic Bronchitis” and “Emphysema”. It is defined as: “.. a lung disease characterized by… Read More
Kidney Disease – Feeling Cold - Animals suffering from Chronic Kidney Failure (CRF) are usually feeling cold. How do you tell if your pet is feeling cold? It lacks a good appetite. It prefers sleep to activity. It prefers to sleep on bedding. The kidneys are the centre of heat production for the body when considered in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory.… Read More
Tick Fever. 牛蜱熱. - Eight-legged parasites. Blood suckers. Ticks are one of Hong Kong’s infamous blood suckers that wreak havoc in the dog population. The defining symptoms of the disease include anemia, weakness and poor appetite. Tick populations increase dramatically during warm and moist seasons – namely Spring and Summer. This type of parasite are maintains a high population… Read More