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Human or Animal Rights: Which is Important?

Vociferous activism of these days actually stems from two sources: abuse of animals and humans. While man is also known to be an ‘animal’ yet these two volatile issues are often segregated by the nature of the cause itself.

Yet there’s no doubt that either of these causes trumps the other, in terms of importance. If someone gave you the option of stopping child abuse or even preventing the killing of ‘minke’ whales that Norway seems to be flouting at the moment, which one would you choose?

That’s a difficult question to answer, right?

And perhaps there is a greater truth to the fact that our lives as humans are so uncannily intertwined with animals and plants, and it is this interconnectedness that can only cause one to assume that when one group of people suffer (say in war or even poverty), the other group (animals) also suffer as a result. What this should tell you is that even though we humans have given ourselves this uber-species status, the fact is that we cannot thrive or even survive without these animals.

And in understanding, we would also understand that the delicate ecological balance that has been put in place by nature demands that we not only be kind to our own species but also to other species that are not as “gifted” as we are, in terms of evolution.

As unrealistic as this seems to be, the goal to both achieving human and animal rights can only be obtained only if both these issues are handled with the same importance.

Cats Get Diabetes Too

In America, cats are extremely popular pets to have. Just like a man’s best friend, cats also make great pets and are extremely loving. Like most pets, your cat could get sick too. At these moments, the first thing you should do is consult your veterinarian.

Diabetes might be far more common amongst humans, rather than cats, but cats can get affected. If your cat does, it is an extremely serious illness for a cat to have, and the best treatment and care must be sought from a well known and reputed veterinarian.

How is diabetes caused? When the pancreas are no longer able to produce the amount of insulin needed by the body, that is when diabetes kicks in. Insulin is the hormone which controls the level of sugar in the blood.
Symptoms of feline diabetes are many. The usual symptom that all cats will show is an increased thirst and urination. Other symptoms include weight loss and loss of appetite. If your cat suddenly shows no interest in his food and this continues and he starts to lose weight, then feline diabetes could be the reason.

Always ensure that you keep a close eye on your pet cat so that you are attentive enough to pick up on any symptoms that could point towards feline diabetes or any other disease.
Feline diabetes could be fatal if left untreated.

If your cat suffers from feline diabetes, then ensure that he is fed at regular intervals. It is best if you have a set schedule for him every day. You will also need to keep your cat indoors, as you will have to administer one or two shots of insulin, depending on how serious the illness is. Remember, good attention and care will ensure that your cat will live a long and happy life, regardless of feline diabetes.

Fish Feel Pain, Says New Research

When animal testing was first performed a few hundred years ago, scientists dismissed cries made by the animals as mere reflexes. At this time, animals such as monkeys were used for all kinds of tests. Today, it is common knowledge that mammals are able to feel pain, however, fish and other types of animals are still thought to not be capable of feeling pain. With fish, sportsmen argue that they do not possess the brain power to feel pain.

However, new research proves otherwise. Janicke Nordgreen, a doctoral student at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science says that her research on pain and nociception in teleost fish indicates that fish are actually aware of pain. Nociception refers to the physiological response to stimuli that could potentially cause tissue damage.

This kind of research is important, especially taking animal welfare and rights into consideration. The newly published research will not be received well by sportsmen who favour fishing.

The dissertation looked into the response made towards potentially pain-causing stimuli in various fish such as the Atlantic Salmon, Goldfish and Rainbow Trout. Like, for example, the water the goldfish was in, was raised to 38 degree Celsius, which is a temperature deadly enough for a goldfish. During this experiment, the goldfish showed what Nordgreen calls ‘escape responses’. Likewise, the other two fish also underwent similar experiments to which each fish responded to potential harm and pain.

However, experts point out that one experiment is unsubstantial to determine the fact that fish can actually feel pain.

Does Your Dog Have Dandruff?

If your dog has dandruff, you first need to understand what causes it before you start thinking of treatment. Here are some of the main causes for dandruff in dogs:

• Bad hygiene
• Insufficient liquid intake
• Low humidity
• Lack of natural oils in the body
• Fat deficiency
• Lack of exercise
• Inadequate nutrients
• Irregular brushing of your dog’s coat

Home remedies

Dandruff is caused by dry, flaky skin. To avoid this, ensure that you give your dog a bath on a regular basis. During the winter, your dog should be given a bath only once a month. In summer, you should switch this practice to once a fortnight. When bathing your dog, ensure that the water temperature is not hot, but only lukewarm. If the dandruff condition is really bad, then invest in a dandruff shampoo tailor-made for dogs. Massage it well onto your dog’s skin. Once you have rinsed off the shampoo, make sure you dry our dog’s coat off completely.

Some people tend to use dandruff shampoos made for human use on their dogs. This should not be practiced at all as it could affect your dog quite badly. Instead, look for pet dandruff shampoos that include salicylic acid or sulfur. Once you massage the shampoo in, let it sit for around five minutes. If the shampoo contains insecticide, then do not use it, as it will tend to dry out the skin even more.

Spraying an oil rinse on your dog’s coat is also an excellent way to moisturize it. The food you give your dog should be high in minerals and vitamins. Check with your veterinarian regarding any extra nutrient supplements for your dog.