Moments of discouragement are inevitable‚ but there are things you can do to combat discouragement!

In his best-selling book Atomic Habits‚ James Clear tells the story of a friend who lost over 100 pounds through diet and exercise. Clear’s friend began with a goal of going to the gym for five minutes daily. (He even set a timer and faithfully left the gym each day after five minutes.) By making his goal achievable and repeatable‚ he became someone who went to the gym every day. Once this practice became a habit and lifestyle‚ he began tweaking it over time (for example‚ he started exercising for longer than five minutes). Eventually‚ his exercise and diet habits led to transformation. Like physical transformation‚ spiritual transformation is the gradual reward of consistent habits. Even when you don’t immediately feel the effects of your Bible intake‚ you can be confident your spiritual fitness improves little by little each time you engage with God’s Word. Consider four ways Bible intake parallels diet and exercise habits and why even our smallest efforts matter. 1. The first two minutes are the most important. Clear notes the heaviest weight in the gym is the front door. The same is true of most habits: it’s not the habit itself‚ but starting the habit‚ that stops most people. Clear encourages readers to replicate his friend’s minimalist approach to habit-building‚ even starting with two-minute routines (rather than five minutes) to make starting and replicating behaviors simple. (He calls this the 2-Minute Rule.) If you don’t already have a rhythm of Bible reading‚ commit to reading for two minutes every day. Make daily reading as achievable as possible. By doing this consistently‚ you’ll become someone who reads the Bible every day. That’s a huge step. From there‚ you can tweak the habit as you wish. Clear observes‚ “A habit must be established before it can be improved.” You cannot improve what you don’t already practice. 2. The most rewarding outcomes are (almost always) delayed. Clear notes that our outcomes are a “lagging measure of [our] habits.” We’re who we are today largely because of the habits we’ve built over the past few weeks‚ months‚ and years. It’s not what we’ve done most recently but most consistently that shapes us. One workout or protein-rich meal won’t drastically strengthen your bones. Yet a consistent exercise routine and calcium‚ vitamin D‚ and protein intake over months and years will improve bone health significantly. Likewise‚ spiritual health is a lagging measure of what we train and feed on consistently. Bible reading isn’t only for the here and now but also for how it forms us over time. Beyond the cumulative benefit of Bible reading‚ you’ll be surprised at how often God blesses you (and others through you) a few days or weeks after you read a certain passage. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a section of Scripture and closed my Bible without thinking much of it. But then a few days later‚ I was in a conversation or situation where that passage was exactly what I needed. We must never measure effectiveness by what we think or feel immediately after reading. 3. Feelings aren’t (always) an accurate measure of effectiveness. You won’t feel your brain‚ heart‚ liver‚ kidneys‚ and skin strengthening as you eat healthy meals—nor will you always have happy emotions while consuming nutrient-dense foods. (Perhaps you even remember uncomfortable feelings while eating veggies as a child . . . or as an adult!) Spiritual health is a lagging measure of what we train and feed on consistently. Bible reading isn’t only for the here and now but also for how it forms us over time. A lack of immediate pleasure doesn’t mean the meal failed to provide vital nourishment. It’d be silly and dangerous to give up on healthy eating if you didn’t feel happier or stronger as or right after you ate. (It’d also be silly and dangerous to consume only foods that give rushes of pleasure while you eat them.) The same is true of Scripture reading. We shouldn’t measure success entirely by whether or not we feel pleasure as we read. Not every Scripture passage should cause even the healthiest Christian to feel surface-level happiness. For example‚ some texts are intended to make readers hate sin or grieve the world’s brokenness. “But‚” you say‚ “what if I feel nothing when reading the Bible? No pleasure‚ no hatred‚ no grief—nothing?” Remember two truths: First‚ apathy is a feeling too. And God wants us to come to him and worship him with whatever we feel. Second‚ not all disciplines (physical or spiritual) are primarily meant to make you feel something but rather become something. Don’t chase after a feeling; chase after nearness to Christ‚ which will‚ in turn‚ make you into the person God created you to be. 4. Memory isn’t (always) essential for growth. I once heard a pastor say‚ “You probably don’t remember what you ate for dinner one month ago today‚ but that doesn’t mean the meal was pointless. Your body functions today because of meals you ate months ago‚ whether or not you remember them.” Some meals are special‚ becoming memories we cherish for months‚ years‚ or even a lifetime. (My first time having Chick-fil-A nuggets comes to mind.) But memory isn’t required for a meal to have benefits. Most meals bring some pleasure then quietly nourish your body‚ content never to be remembered. Healthy people are formed by countless mundane‚ even unmemorable‚ meals. Similarly‚ some times spent in God’s Word are special. Christ speaks to us or meets us in a uniquely powerful way‚ becoming a memory we cherish for months‚ years‚ or even a lifetime. But not all times in God’s Word are consciously remembered for long periods. Many times spent in God’s Word are like water soaking into the roots of a plant. The water may no longer be visible‚ but it nourishes and strengthens the plant nonetheless. We should pray for joyful encounters with Christ through his Word and make efforts to remember what we read. But don’t get discouraged or think you’re doing something wrong if you don’t always have remarkable feelings or conscious memories about every passage. The Lord is pleased every time you seek him through his Word‚ and he’ll always bless your efforts‚ even when the blessing isn’t immediately visible (see Isa. 55:10–11). Variety—like Consistency—Is Your Friend Just as we enjoy different workouts and meals in different locations with different people‚ Bible intake is most enjoyable when it contains variety. Blessing comes every time we consume God’s Word—whether through reading the Bible; listening to an audio Bible; praying or singing the Psalms; studying a passage with a friend or small group; hearing God’s Word preached on Sundays; reading books that exposit Scripture; or listening to podcasts‚ lectures‚ or audiobooks that exposit it. Don’t limit yourself to only one method. James Clear notes that we become our habits. This is (largely) true both physically and spiritually. Let’s patiently and diligently pursue a consistent intake of God’s life-giving Word‚ trusting he’ll use our habits to reveal and form Christ in us.

In the midst of suffering‚ we often want to know the reason for our trial. Sometimes our most painful suffering is directly caused by our sin (1 Cor. 11:30–32). But often it isn’t (John 9:3; 2 Cor. 12:8–9). So how do we know if our suffering should be met (1) with patient endurance or (2) with immediate repentance? Two Categories Both categories are true. God sends some suffering for us to evaluate our lives (Heb. 12:6). And God sends some suffering for us to magnify God as we endure it in faith and patience (John 9:3). So how do we know which pain has come into our lives? “God may make it plain. He may. But he may not.” Normally‚ these categories are “permeable” and “overlapping.” So we should respond to all our suffering with self-evaluation and patient hope. James calls us to meet all the various trials of life with “all joy” so those trials can build “steadfastness” in us (James 1:2–4). And “he doesn’t distinguish whether they are coming in response to specific sins we’ve committed or not. What he says is that in every kind of trial—every kind—faith is being tested. And the aim in every trial is a kind of steadfastness that shows that God is trustworthy‚ and wise‚ and good‚ and valuable‚ and all-sufficient for our situation.” Whether or not we can tell that a certain sin has caused our suffering‚ we respond the same way: “Let every trial have its sanctifying effect of killing sin‚ and furthering faith‚ and furthering patience‚ and furthering love. If the sin is known‚ kill it. If it is unknown‚ ask the Lord to protect you‚ to cleanse you from hidden faults‚ and to advance your capacities for faith and patience” (Pss. 19:12; 139:23–24). Note that Job’s suffering began when he was a blameless man (Job 1:1). But over time‚ they stirred up in him “the sediment of remaining sinfulness‚” which he repented of later (42:5–6). “Whether the suffering in our lives is chastisement for some specific sin‚ or whether the suffering is an opportunity to glorify God through faith and patience—in both cases‚ we’re going to discover remnants of sinfulness in our lives‚ which we should repent of and move beyond. Which is why I said there’s always room for self-evaluation.” So when suffering hits‚ evaluate and endure. Don’t ignore it or fear it as a sign of God’s condemnation—both those responses are wrong (Rom. 8:16–17). Whether or not we can tell that a certain sin has caused our suffering‚ we respond the same way. When suffering hits‚ evaluate and endure. In reckoning with the pain inflicted on Job’s life‚ we must be aware of his sin. And our own. All of us are worthy of God’s judgment as “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3). So anything and everything we are given that’s not judgment is “undeserved.” Every breath we take‚ any moment we don’t suffer—it’s all “undeserved” grace to sinners. Aware of this‚ we can be assured that “no injustice from God is ever done to any human. On the earth‚ everyone is treated by God better than we deserve—everyone.” When it comes to the justice of the global flood‚ “until we feel the depth and horror of sin like this‚ much of the Bible will simply make no sense to us at all.” Global tragedies remind us of the horror of sin against God. Redemption Matters Redemption doesn’t end our suffering in this life. Christians suffer (1 Thess. 3:3; 2 Thess. 1:5). But we suffer in the comfort that our pains are “in the hands of our all-wise‚ all-powerful‚ all-good Father.” Not in the hands of Satan‚ fate‚ or a god who’s self-amused by our pain. Every sting in life is appointed and managed by a loving Father toward our final good (Rom. 8:28). So we can draw comfort from the fact that (1) God appoints our pain‚ (2) for our ultimate good‚ (3) to advance his wise purposes. Through it all‚ he will hold us fast. On this topic‚ redemption matters. Never confuse judgment and discipline. Between them is “an infinite difference.” God judges his enemies—the “misery” he brings on those without “any purifying or restoring or rehabilitating purposes‚ but solely to express his holy justice‚ his retribution‚” not restitution (Rev. 16:5–6). This is made especially clear in his coming eternal judgment (19:1–3). But God disciplines his children—a stark contrast. Discipline is “not retribution” for God’s enemies; it’s reserved for the sons “he loves and means to improve‚ even though it involves God’s displeasure‚” all to our final good‚ “that we may share God’s holiness as loved children” (see Heb. 12:5–11). Purifying Discipline The sobering truth is that “many of the painful things in the Christian’s life are owing to our own sins: some that we committed before we were Christians‚ and some that we have committed since we have been Christians.” Our sin can even warrant physical death (1 Cor. 11:30). Every sting in life is appointed and managed by a loving Father toward our final good. In such extreme situations‚ this discipline prevents something worse (vv. 31–32). It’s “a stunning example of God’s disciplinary judgment that goes so far as to bring about the death of his child. And that death is the disciplinary effect of sin in the child’s life because it keeps him from going to hell.” So “there is an infinite and precious difference between God’s retributive justice in punishment and God’s purifying discipline in our pain. And that difference does not lie in the origin—the human origin—of the pain‚ whether good or evil. It lies in the purpose and the design of God in our suffering.”

H-Town is on absolute fire here in free agency

Well ... this is incredibly awkward

Another month‚ another inconvenient Consumer Price Index report- and another embarrassment for the Biden administration which the Regime Media now have to spin away or‚ as in the case of the evening network newscasts‚ outright hide from viewers. The lone network to report on the February inflation numbers‚ in an embarrassingly brief report at that‚ was ABC. Here is that report in its entirety as aired on World News Tonight on Tuesday‚ March 12th‚ 2024: DAVID MUIR: Now to the economy tonight. A new report suggesting the inflation fight has stalled. Consumer prices in February were up 3.2% from a year ago‚ that's slightly above what was expected. The cost of gas and rent rising last month‚ but food prices were flat. The Federal Reserve meets next week‚ analysts still think a rate cut could come this summer. That’s about all of 18 seconds‚ which is 18 seconds more than NBC and CBS were willing to muster for this steaming pile of an inflation report. It goes without saying that had the inflation numbers come closer to where they need to be in order for the Fed to announce a rate cut‚ and thus provide Team Biden with a huge boost ahead of the reelection‚ the reporting would have been extensive‚ exultant‚ ebullient‚ and comprehensive across the dial. But that’s not the kind of inflation report we got. Per the report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)‚ shelter and energy continue to drive the “unexpected” increase in inflation. Anchor David Muir mentioned that in his brief‚ what with his references to “the cost of gas and rent”. However‚ Muir did not mention the cost of in-home gas service as an additional driver of inflation. Mind you‚ it’s still winter out there. The report closes with the usual rate cut wishcasting. And if this report from Reuters is any indication‚ Muir may need to keep on wishcasting until June at the earliest: Those continued price pressures will not change what Fed policymakers do next week‚ when they are universally expected to leave the policy rate in the 5.25%-5.5% range where it has been since last July. But it means too little data might exist by their April 30-May 1 meeting to give them confidence that inflation is durably on a path toward the Fed's 2% goal‚ analysts say. Even by June‚ there may be insufficient data to justify more than a couple of rate cuts all year. Tuesday's inflation report "is an ugly read that will do nothing to soothe nerves" at the Fed‚ wrote BMO economist Scott Anderson. "Clearly‚ restrictive monetary policy has not yet fully done its work and a patient and slightly hawkish Fed must remain in place for the monetary medicine to fully take effect." Given the choice to report the full extent of the significance of this inflation report to the American consumer‚ one major evening newscast flicked off a minimalist report and the other two omitted the subject altogether. The election might still be close to eight months away‚ but the media are already in midseason protect-the-precious form.  

You can tell exactly how damaging the migrant crime narrative is to the left‚ the media‚ and the Biden campaign (pardon the redundancies)‚ by the intensity with which the media try to squash it. The latest such instance comes via‚ of course‚ MSNBC- specifically‚ host Chris Hayes. Watch as Hayes closes his report by suggesting that migrant crime does not exist‚ and that such reports are merely a “roar in the right-wing media machine”‚ created to instill “fear‚ not facts”: CHRIS HAYES: And then this month‚ guess what happened? Manhattan prosecutors dropped the charges against Boada‚ you know why? They told the judge that further investigation proved that Boada‚ that guy‚ who had always professed his innocence‚ did not participate in the attack in question. They misidentified him. It wasn’t him. They got the wrong guy. Not him. He didn’t do it. Have you seen coverage of that? You think they’ve run 84 segments on Fox News about that? Of course by then‚ the man’s life is upended. The myth of migrant crime had already become a roar in the right-wing media machine‚ and they will do it over and over again. Whether it’s false rumors of a migrant caravan about to destroy America or the Guardian Angels live on Fox wailing on a man they claimed was a migrant thief when he was neither. He was an American from The Bronx who had not stolen anything. That happened last month. Remember all of this the next time you hear an immigration horror story out of Republicans. Aiming for fear‚ not facts. “Fear‚ not facts” is how best to describe MSNBC on any given issue‚ but I digress. Here Hayes cherrypicks two stories: the sex trafficking victim mentioned in Sen. Katie Britt’s State of the Union response‚ and the migrant who had charges dropped against him in the gang beatdown of two New York cops in Times Square. I don’t know the extent to which MSNBC viewers might accept Hayes’ fantasy fiction as truth‚ but the fact remains: NYPD cops were beaten down by a migrant gang in Times Square. Whether or not young Mr. Boada was a part of that beatdown becomes immaterial to the broader story‚ which is that migrant crime actually exists. Hayes expects his viewers to forget the fact that a young Georgia woman was brutally murdered by a migrant. An illegal alien‚ if you will. President Joe Biden addressed the murderous alien as such during the address‚ and that triggered no small amount of caterwauling on MSNBC. Migrant crime exists. Additionally‚ there are many such cases that go unreported in national media. This doesn’t mean that they didn’t happen‚ no matter how badly Hayes wishes it so. There’s the Tren de Aragua murder in Miami‚ the robbery epidemic in New York City‚ and several reported rape cases- including such cases where minors are involved.  No matter how fervently Hayes might want this story to go away‚ it won’t. Hayes’ report very much reminded me of that scene in The Wire where Marlo walks away from the security guard after boosting a lollipop‚ but not before saying: You want it to be one way. But it’s the other way.  The left and the media would very much like Biden’s border disaster to go away‚ and these migrant crime stories to disappear from public memory. But it’s the other way. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned segment as aired on MSNBC’s All In With Chris Hayes on Tuesday‚ March 12th‚ 2024: So it’s been a few days since the Republican response to the State of the Union. By now‚ the performance of Senator Katie Britt has been roasted and panned by Democrats‚ Republicans‚ SNL‚ pretty much everyone. But beyond the spectacle of it‚ there's a very serious story of misinformation she included that night. Now she’s being called out for it.  In the speech‚ if you recall‚ Britt took the horrible‚ incredibly graphic and disturbing story of a Mexican sex trafficking survivor from 20 years ago in Guadalajara‚ in the interior of Mexico‚ and tried to blame Joe Biden's current border policy for it. Britt was roundly criticized by journalists and by the survivor herself. KARLA JACINTO: In fact‚ I hardly ever cooperate with politicians because it seems to me that they only want an image. I think she should first take into account what really happens before telling a story of that magnitude. HAYES: That was Karla Jacinto Romero‚ with good advice that Republicans absolutely refused to take. Her story- her horrible story appropriated by Katie Britt. The twisted claims were wildly and grossly misleading. She implied it was happening in the U.S. now because of Biden's border policy? But here’s the thing. That’s gotten a lot of attention. It’s dime a dozen when it comes to right-wing immigrant fear mongering. Remember this guy? Remember him? He's a migrant from Venezuela named Johan Boada. He was the focus of the right-wing media's hate last month after he was accused of being part of a gang that attacked NYPD officers in Times Square‚ and then he was subsequently photographed flipping the bird while leaving court. And to be clear‚ when I saw that image and this story break earlier this year‚ I thought‚ “if I were a Fox producer‚ or worked at The New York Post‚ I’d be running with this. I mean. I’m a bleeding heart liberal and even I found this image provocative‚ let’s say. So did actual Fox producers‚ who covered Boada in at least‚ get this‚ 84 segments over 38 days‚ according to Media Matters.  SEAN HANNITY: …were caught on tape giving the middle finger as they waltzed out of jail.   DANA PERINO: He's being let out of court yesterday on bail and he gives America‚ the press‚ everybody there the double bird.  JESSE WATTERS: So let me get this straight. He strolls across the border‚ was given free shelter‚ beat up cops and suffered no consequences‚ and this is how he thanks us.   ROBERT ALMONTE: This guy coming out and flipping off the camera‚ really what he's doing is he’s flipping off all of America. HAYES: The hatefest even went from Fox News to a political ad cut by a pro Trump superPAC. And then this month‚ guess what happened? Manhattan prosecutors dropped the charges against Boada‚ you know why? They told the judge that further investigation proved that Boada‚ that guy‚ who had always professed his innocence‚ did not participate in the attack in question. They misidentified him. It wasn’t him. They got the wrong guy. Not him. He didn’t do it. Have you seen coverage of that? You think they’ve run 84 segments on Fox News about that? Of course by then‚ the man’s life is upended. The myth of migrant crime had already become a roar in the right-wing media machine‚ and they will do it over and over again. Whether it’s false rumors of a migrant caravan about to destroy America or the Guardian Angels live on Fox wailing on a man they claimed was a migrant thief when he was neither. He was an American from The Bronx who had not stolen anything. That happened last month. Remember all of this the next time you hear an immigration horror story out of Republicans. Aiming for fear‚ not facts.  

Click to Skip Ahead Signs Causes Diagnosis Care Tips FAQ Osteomyelitis is a serious disease seen in cats. It can be life-threatening and it causes excruciating pain for our feline companions. If left untreated‚ it can result in the amputation of affected limbs. The word “osteomyelitis” means inflammation of bone tissue and it can occur anywhere in the body where there are bones present. The inflammation may occur with or without infection present. If there is no infection‚ this is classed as sterile osteomyelitis. In cats‚ it is more commonly seen with an infection. Infections of the bone occur when bacteria or fungal infections become established in the bone or bone marrow. An event such as a fracture or surgery can allow for infectious organisms to directly enter the bone. Alternatively‚ an infection can spread from another part of the body via the blood. Signs of osteomyelitis can be very generalized. Contact your vet immediately to arrange an appointment if you suspect your cat is ill—the quicker the problem is diagnosed‚ the better the prognosis for your cat. What Is Osteomyelitis in Cats? Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory disease affecting bones. Any bone can be affected by osteomyelitis‚ however‚ the long bones such as the humerus‚ the tibia‚ and the femur are more commonly involved. There are different types of osteomyelitis. These include: Bacterial infection: This is by far the most common type of osteomyelitis in cats 1. The bacteria can be brought to the bone via the bloodstream from an infection elsewhere in the body. Alternatively‚ it can gain direct entry via a surgical wound‚ or an injury such as a fracture or a bite. Bacterial infections can be acute or chronic. With acute infections‚ cats tend to present unwell with clinical signs such as fever‚ lethargy‚ and pain. Chronic infections may present with a seemingly well cat with a mild limp‚ but no other abnormalities reported by the owner. Fungal infection: Fungi can establish an infection in cats in many different ways. They are usually picked up via a skin wound or inhaled into the lungs. Once inside the body they move into the blood and travel around. Different fungi are prevalent in different areas so be aware of what your cat may be exposed to where you live.  Sterile Osteomyelitis: This is inflammation of the bone with no sign of the presence of infectious agents. This type is rarely seen in cats. What Are the Signs of Osteomyelitis in Cats? Clinical signs of osteomyelitis very much depend on the location of the disease. Common clinical signs include: Lameness:Limping or lameness in the affected limb(s) is the more common symptom seen. The lameness is caused by pain and inflammation from the damage and destruction of the bone tissue. Swelling:Due to the inflammation‚ the affected area is likely to swell up. Pain:The area affected will be sore and painful to touch. Your cat may resent being held or stroked suddenly. They may start to pant‚ become restless‚ or start vocalizing. Fever:Depending on the cause of the osteomyelitis‚ cats may have a systemic fever. Fever is usually seen with infectious causes. Lethargy:This can be due to the systemic effects of an infection. Loss of appetite:As mentioned above‚ if your cat is feeling unwell‚ they may go off their food. Loss of function of limbs/restricted movement: If your cat has a well-established infection‚ their mobility may be compromised. Muscle Wastage:If the affected limb is not being used‚ the muscle mass will reduce. Pus/discharge:Your cat may have purulent discharge leaking from the affected area. What Are the Causes of Osteomyelitis in Cats? The most common causes in cats are listed below: Injury (fracture/trauma/bites) Surgery Dental disease Soft tissue infection The most common cause of osteomyelitis in cats is a bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi. This can be by direct access through an injury such as a fracture or surgery or sometimes a severe cat bite. The bacteria or fungi can also enter by a different route and travel to the bone via the blood‚ such as inhalation or ingestion. Contamination of a wound can also lead to infection of the blood and widespread disease in the body. Kittens and immunosuppressed cats are more likely to become infected remotely via the bloodstream. Healthy adult cats usually encounter infections through an injury. A common route of infection is the mouth. Cats frequently experience dental diseases. Dental abscesses that involve bone are classed as osteomyelitis. Common dental issues include plaque and tartar buildup‚ gingivitis‚ and tooth root abscesses. All of these can lead to osteomyelitis in the jaw bones of the cat. Fungal infections are usually only seen in specific areas in America. Different types of fungi are seen in each location. Your vet will be able to advise you if there are any found in your area. Fungi are usually inhaled by the cat and gain access to the bone via the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Image Credit: Hryshchyshen Serhii‚ Shutterstock Diagnosis of Osteomyelitis in Cats Your vet will obtain a full clinical history and carry out a physical exam on your cat. They will discuss any clinical findings in detail with you. It is important to mention any recent injuries or wounds‚ or equally any chronic issues such as a mild limp. Your vet will carry out routine blood work and urinalysis. If they suspect osteomyelitis‚ they will need to carry out X-rays or other imaging to look for soft tissue and bone changes. If the infection has only recently been established‚ there may not be any dramatic bone changes‚ there may however be mild soft tissue swelling. Changes in the bone include the destruction of bone and new bone formation. If there is any fluid or pus released‚ samples will be taken for analysis. Your vet may also take a bone marrow aspiration or a bone biopsy. These samples can be sent off to a lab for analysis to identify the cause of the bone disease. Advanced imaging may be required such as CT and MRI scans. Fungal antibody levels can also be assessed if your vet is suspicious of a fungal infection. Image Credit: Natalya Erofeeva‚ Shutterstock How Do I Care for a Cat with Osteomyelitis? Treatment for osteomyelitis depends on the underlying cause. If severe bone destruction has occurred resulting in dead bone or bone debris‚ surgery is required for removal of the pieces. If there are surgical implants that are causing issues they will need to be removed too as they will act as a nidus for infection. In these circumstances‚ no amount of antibiotics will resolve the infection‚ surgery and removal is the only choice. Surgery to amputate affected limbs may also be required. An unfortunate complication of osteomyelitis is pathological fractures. This happens when the bone has been weakened so much it breaks under pressure it would normally be able to withstand. The bone cannot be repaired in the usual way as it is diseased—implants will not be able to be attached properly. Often amputation is the only feasible option. Bacterial osteomyelitis needs to be treated with culture-specific antibiotics. This simply means a culture and sensitivity test needs to be carried out prior to prescribing a course of antibiotics to ensure that the bacteria will be eliminated by the chosen antibiotics. Samples can be obtained via bone aspiration or swabs of the affected site. The course of antibiotics required is lengthy. For acute osteomyelitis infections‚ usually‚ 4–6 weeks are required. For chronic infections‚ much longer courses are needed to eliminate the infection. Fungal Osteomyelitis requires antifungal medication. Your vet may also prescribe pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication to make your cat feel more comfortable. Image Credit: Tatyana Vyc‚ Shutterstock Frequently Asked Questions Can osteomyelitis be cured in cats? Depending on the underlying cause of the disease‚ treatment can be curative. Bacterial infections will require culture-led antibiotics‚ fungal infections require antifungal medication‚ and surgical intervention is required for the removal of implants or dead bone. If a limb has been severely affected‚ amputation can be carried out. Usually‚ medication or surgery is curative‚ as long as the owner is compliant. Is osteomyelitis life-threatening? Unfortunately‚ osteomyelitis can be life-threatening. Complications of the disease can be severe and have a hugely detrimental effect on the cat’s life. Aggressive forms can result in the destruction of bone‚ loss of function of limbs‚ septicemia‚ and death. Can Osteomyelitis be prevented? There is no direct method for the prevention of osteomyelitis‚ however‚ certain measures can be taken to reduce the risk. Keep any wounds clean and seek help from your vet if your cat has a bite or a scratch. Some owners prefer to keep their cats indoors completely to eliminate encounters with other cats and reduce the risk of injuries. Keeping up to date with routine dental appointments and maintaining good dental hygiene is important for your cat. Image Credit: M. Arkhipov‚ Shutterstock Conclusion Osteomyelitis is a serious and debilitating disease seen in cats. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment are paramount for a good prognosis. Courses of treatment are often lengthy and will require monitoring and regular checkups.  Cats can be susceptible to repeat episodes depending on the underlying cause. It is important that owners are vigilant and bring cats in for an examination if they see any of the clinical signs associated with osteomyelitis. Sources https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8077129/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31383419/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298660370_Saunders_Manual_of_Small_Animal_Practice Featured Image Credit: Denys Kurbatov‚ Shutterstock The post Osteomyelitis in Cats: Causes‚ Prevention‚ &; Signs (Vet Answer) appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead What To Do Clumping vs. Non-clumping Types of Litter Risks &; Dangers Further Instructions Why is it that our dogs just love to treat the world as their buffet? Edible or inedible‚ they’ll give it a try! Vets around the world can tell you stories about the weird and wonderful things they’ve retrieved from dogs‚ so it wouldn’t be that unusual to find that your dog has decided to test out the palatability of the contents of your cat’s litter box. Often‚ they are after what is buried in the litter‚ but some dogs might start eating the litter itself. So‚ what do you do if your dog has just eaten a mouthful or more of cat litter? The answer is not completely straightforward‚ as there are dozens of different types of litter. The first thing to know is that cat litter is not toxic to dogs. However‚ that doesn’t mean it can’t be dangerous. All cat litter must be created in such a way that if it were to be ingested‚ which it often will be from the fur of cats‚ it is not toxic. Now that you can let out a sigh of relief‚ let’s talk in a little more detail about the types of cat litter and what sort of effects it may have on your dog. What To Do 1. Find out what sort of cat litter we are dealing with Identify the type of cat litter your dog ingested. Rest assured that it won’t be poisonous to your dog‚ but it will make a difference as to what to do next. 2. Call your vet Depending on what type of cat litter your dog has eaten and how much‚ they may advise you to bring them in‚ monitor them‚ or whether or not to offer them food and water. Clumping vs. Non-clumping This is the main thing we need to understand and be concerned about. Clumping cat litter is particularly popular‚ as it makes it much easier to isolate and scoop out contaminated litter without needing to change the whole amount. The second benefit of this is that you can put more litter in the box‚ creating a deeper layer for your cat to bury their business‚ which they prefer. With non-clumping litter‚ the soiled litter is more easily mixed in with the clean‚ so often‚ you need to discard most or all of it once it has been used once or twice‚ and it is less economical to create a deep layer each time. Obviously‚ the problem with clumping cat litter is that it clumps when it comes into contact with moisture‚ so a dry mouthful can become a solid mass inside your dog’s stomach or intestines. Depending on how absorbent the litter is‚ the clumps may quickly turn into a paste consistency‚ but they may stay formed for a longer time. In either case‚ the litter can cause a blockage on its own‚ or accumulate food and other debris along the digestive tract‚ to form an obstruction. If your dog is unable to pass this obstruction‚ they are likely to require surgery—more on that later. Image Credit: Anciens Huang‚ Shutterstock The Varying Types of Cat Litter We know about clumping and non-clumping litter‚ but within these categories are different types of materials—too many to list every single one. The main types used are clay‚ silica‚ recycled paper‚ wood pellets‚ sand‚ and plant material (e.g.‚ crushed shells‚ seeds‚ or grass). Perhaps your dog might think of these as different flavors. Clay This can be clumping or non-clumping‚ but even the non-clumping can become a problem if ingested. If you’ve ever used clay-based cat litter‚ you’ll know that when it is really wet‚ it can become a muddy mess. If this sort of material accumulates in large amounts inside your dog‚ they could end up with a complete or partial blockage in their digestive tract. Silica Gel/Crystal This is the “pretty” looking cat litter that looks a bit like pearls. It absorbs urine without the need to scoop it out‚ and some even contain chemicals that change color to indicate different urinary problems‚ so it is useful for cats with urinary issues. This sort of litter is not as common‚ as it is more expensive than most others‚ and it also relies on environmentally unfriendly mining. The physical properties of this litter‚ however‚ mean that it is most likely to pass through your dog without incident if eaten because it doesn’t clump or even become sticky when wet. But it does absorb a lot of moisture. Image Credit: kholywood‚ Shutterstock Recycled Paper Cat litter made from recycled paper can either be in pellet form or fluffy sort of flakes. Like with clumping cat litter‚ the main risk with this sort of litter is that it can accumulate in the gut and cause an obstruction. Wood Pellets The wood used to make cat litter should be free from treatments‚ stains‚ or oils to ensure they are safe to use for cats. However‚ woods like cedar or pine have essential oils that could cause gastrointestinal discomfort or upset if ingested. Wood pellets tend to break down with the more moisture they encounter‚ so provided your dog keeps hydrated‚ this type of litter is less likely to cause a blockage. Sand Sand is less absorbent than a lot of other materials used as cat litter‚ but if eaten in large enough quantities‚ can still lead to a blockage. The finer particles‚ however‚ mean that sand will usually be able to shift through the small intestine but can lead to problems in the rectum. Constipation is a common problem seen in dogs who spend a lot of time snuffling around the dunes at the beach. Plant Material This might be the most palatable option on the list‚ and one of the least likely to cause major complications. Similarly to sand‚ the finer particles will usually be able to pass through most of the digestive tract but could still cause a partial obstruction or constipation. Image Credit: Africa Studio‚ Shutterstock Risks &; Dangers Blockage We already know that obstructions are the biggest worry when it comes to eating litter. If your dog only ate a small amount‚ it is likely that there won’t be any problems‚ but if they ate a lot at once or have been eating it regularly‚ they can end up with solid lumps of cat litter blocking the stomach or intestines‚ or gradually building up in the gut walls over time. Signs that your dog may have an obstruction include: Vomiting shortly after eating Inappetence Not keeping water down Abdominal pain No feces or watery feces Dehydration Image Credit: UfaBizPhoto‚ Shutterstock Most cat litters are designed to absorb moisture‚ so if your dog eats that litter‚ it may start absorbing fluid inside them. Crystal litter is particularly absorbent. Depending on how long it takes for the litter to pass through‚ this could result in mild to severe dehydration. This can compound the issue at hand‚ as the more dehydrated your dog becomes‚ the more difficult it is for the litter to move through the intestines. Signs of dehydration include: Dry or tacky gums Loss of skin turgor (when you pinch up some skin‚ it does not spring back quickly) Lethargy Panting Constipation The primary function of the large intestine is to absorb water from the waste material before it is excreted. If the cat litter makes it successfully to this part of the digestive tract‚ we can end up with an accumulation of material that is becoming drier and more solid the further it goes. In small amounts‚ this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. In large volumes‚ however‚ your dog could end up with a rectum full of dry cat litter that they cannot pass. Signs of constipation include: No feces‚ small amounts of watery feces‚ or tiny‚ hard nuggets Straining to pass feces Inappetence Vomiting Unable to settle or get comfortable What Will Happen Next? Depending on what type‚ how much cat litter your dog has eaten‚ and how long ago‚ there are a few possible scenarios. If your dog has only eaten a small amount‚ you will most likely just need to keep them eating and drinking and monitor them for any worrying signs. For large amounts of litter‚ or for clumping litter‚ your vet may want to make your dog throw up to reduce the risks of a blockage. Never try to make your dog vomit at home without speaking to your vet. It may not be the recommended course of action and could even make things worse. Image Credit: Tatyana Vyc‚ Shutterstock For litter that is really absorbent‚ lots of oral fluids can reduce the risk of the litter drying out in the digestive tract and causing dehydration. Your vet may also recommend giving your dog intravenous fluids to improve their recovery. Sometimes‚ an oily‚ lubricating meal will help keep things moving‚ but do not give your dog anything to eat until you have spoken to the vet. Your dog could need to be sedated for X-rays‚ so it is best to wait until you have a plan in place. In cases where cat litter is causing an obstruction that cannot be shifted by external methods‚ your vet may need to perform surgery to remove the blockage to prevent rupture of the intestines. This outcome is more likely if it has been several hours or days since your dog ate the cat litter‚ or in cases where they have been grazing for a while and the material has built up over time. Summing Up Although it is a relief to know that cat litter is not toxic or poisonous for our dogs‚ eating it can still cause some major problems‚ especially if they eat a lot of it or eat it regularly. If your dog has eaten cat litter‚ the first thing to do is check what sort of litter it is‚ and the second is to call your vet. Early intervention will reduce the risk of complications. The best way to prevent your dog from partaking in this unappetizing habit is to keep the litter box in an area or room your dog cannot access‚ or invest in a tray that is difficult for them to get into. There are also some great ideas for using furniture to house your litter box‚ making it more aesthetically pleasing and less accessible for a curious canine. If your dog has developed this or other unpleasant predilections‚ ensure that they‚ and your cats‚ stay up to date with their worming treatments! Featured Image Credit: ARVD73‚ Shutterstock The post My Dog Ate Cat Litter: Risks &; What to Do (Vet Answer) appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Overview Signs Causes Care Tips FAQ Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted by ticks to your dog 1. This disease can be found in North‚ South‚ and Central America. Knowing your dog may have RMSF can be difficult as the abnormal signs can be confused with a number of diseases. In this article we will discuss in more detail how your dog may get RMSF‚ what the signs of the disease are‚ and how it can be treated. Prevention is also key with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever‚ and there are some great options available for your dog. What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial disease that is transmitted by ticks. RMSF is caused by an infection with the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsia. The bacteria will infect certain species of ticks‚ which can then bite your dog. As the tick enjoys a tasty meal of your dog’s blood‚ the bacteria are transmitted into your dog’s blood stream. The tick needs to be attached for at least 4-6 hours in order to pass on the bacteria. Therefore‚ having your dog on tick prevention will help keep the tick from being attached long enough to transmit the disease. Most commonly‚ RMSF is spread by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick in the western United States‚ the American Dog Tick in the midwestern and eastern United States‚ and less commonly‚ the brown dog tick or the Lone Star tick in the southwestern United States and Mexico. There are other ticks that can pass the disease‚ but these are the most commonly reported. The name of the disease can be deceiving as only a low percentage of cases are actually reported from the Rocky Mountain Region. Most commonly‚ the disease is diagnosed in the warmer months across the country: April through September. However‚ depending on the area of the country‚ RMSF can be found year-round. Image Credit: Stock2468‚ Shutterstock What Are the Signs of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? The signs of a RMSF infection can be very vague. Commonly your dog may have a high fever‚ be lethargic‚ have a decreased appetite‚ or even be completely anorexic. Some dogs may develop a rash‚ swelling of one or multiple limbs or other body parts‚ vomiting‚ and diarrhea. A fever may develop within a week of the infected tick bite and last for up to 2 weeks. This is important to remember so you can let your veterinarian know if your dog was in an area with a high tick population within a week or two of becoming sick. The disease can cause a decrease in the number of red blood cells and platelets‚ potentially leading to pale gums and spontaneous bleeding. In severe cases‚ your dog may become severely lethargic‚ have an increase in their respiratory rate‚ collapse‚ or start to have bloody urine or feces‚ or even cough up or vomit blood. What Are the Causes of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in a Dog? Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by an infection with the Rickettsia rickettsia bacterium. Ticks are considered a vector. In other words‚ the tick will have a blood meal on an animal and have the bacteria enter their bloodstream. The bacterium then replicates‚ and the tick can bite another animal‚ passing it along to that new host.  RMSF is one of many Rickettsial infections. Many of the other Rickettsial infections are also passed along to dogs‚ and even humans‚ by infected ticks. Image Credit: chaipanya‚ Shutterstock How Do I Care for a Dog With Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? Your dog will need to be treated with a long‚ aggressive course of antibiotics to clear the bacterial disease. No amount of home remedies‚ herbs‚ and oils will clear the responsible bacteria aside from an antibiotic. Doxycycline is the most commonly used antibiotic. However‚ your veterinarian may prescribe a different medication if your dog has an adverse reaction to the medication. Most commonly we will see vomiting and/or diarrhea from doxycycline. Prevention is your best defense against not only Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever‚ but other tick diseases as well. There are many good products on the market today that help prevent both flea and tick infestations. Topical products‚ or products that are applied to the skin of your dog‚ are typically not as effective as oral products. Your dog’s lifestyle – i.e.‚ if you go hiking with them‚ camping‚ what your yard is like‚ and/or if they just live in an apartment and take walks around the neighborhood – will help your veterinarian prescribe the most appropriate preventative for your dog. Unfortunately‚ a lot of the prescription flea and tick preventatives on the market have gotten bad media about rare side effects. Over the counter products‚ or home remedies such as essential oils‚ are not only ineffective but can also cause damage. Always speak to your veterinarian about the risks of preventatives and to help you navigate what is best for your dog. If you find any ticks on your dog‚ you can also remove them yourself. Just make sure that you kill the tick so that it cannot bite you. Image Credit: Dmitriev Mikhail‚ Shutterstock Frequently Asked Questions How Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Diagnosed? As discussed‚ the signs of RMSF are non-specific. In other words‚ other diseases share the same abnormal signs. Your veterinarian will likely perform a CBC and chemistry test to look for decreased red blood cells and platelet numbers. Specialized blood testing to a lab can then further narrow down the diagnosis of RMSF. Can I Catch RMSF From My Dog? If your dog has been diagnosed with‚ and/or infected with RMSF‚ your dog cannot pass it to you per se. In other words‚ your dog can’t pass the bacteria to you by licking and/or biting you. However‚ if the infected tick bites your dog and is in the vicinity‚ it can then also bite you‚ infecting you. Can Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Be Cured? Yes. The antibiotic doxycycline is the recommended treatment for dogs with RMSF. However‚ if left undiagnosed and untreated‚ your dog can develop severe complications and can die from the disease. Conclusion Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by infection from the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsia. Multiple species of ticks act as a vector to transmit the bacteria from one infected animal to another. People can also develop RMSF after being bit by an infected tick. Your dog may have vague signs of lethargy‚ anorexia‚ a rash‚ and bloodwork abnormalities. Your veterinarian will likely start treatment with an antibiotic for RMSF while awaiting specialized blood tests from the lab. If detected and treated early‚ your dog can recover from RMSF. A prescription preventative from your veterinarian is your best defense against Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Sources Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals (vcahospitals.com) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Tick Fever) in Dogs – Dog Owners – Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs – Generalized Conditions – Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs (akc.org) Overview of Rickettsial Infections – Infections – Merck Manuals Consumer Version https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases Featured Image Credit: Natalya Erofeeva‚ Shutterstock The post Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs: Signs‚ Causes‚ &; Treatment (Vet Answer) appeared first on Pet Keen.