Pet Scan: 1月 2012

2012年1月31日星期二

What Makes a Cat Purr?

Cats are different from all other animals in the sense that cats have the unique ability to purr. This odd sound a cat makes is akin to the vibrations of a automobile motor running on idle. While most people are aware that cats purr, they may not have a clear understanding of why a cat will purr. So, to dispel a few myths as to why cats do this, here is a brief overview of what purring is as well as its purpose.

Oddly, despite many decades (if not hundreds of years) of veterinary medicine study, it has never been understood how cats are able to make a purring sound. The biology of a cat is not far removed from many other mammals. Yet, cats have the special ability to purr while other animals are completely unable to do this. Why do cats develop the ability to purr when others do not? Most likely, it is the natural evolutionary development of a trait necessary for survival. Specific evolutionary traits are common among all animals and with cats purring is among several behavioral traits that these pets have embodied.

For example, have you ever wondered why cats like to perch atop high places? This is a survival mechanism that has allowed cats to survive through thousands of years through evading predators. By being perched high, cats can easily scan movement in a very expansive perimeter. This way, they can spot encroaching predators (and potential prey) almost immediately. Such traits have become ingrained in cats over the years as a means of self-preservation. Purring is a similar derivative of such behavior.

When a cat is born it is both mute and blind. This makes its ability to communicate with its mother difficult. So, when the kitten is distressed, it will not be able to let the mother know it is sick or ill. Conversely, the kitten cannot tell its mother that it is doing well through meowing or through its behavior. As a result, cats developed the ability to purr. By purring, the kittens convey to its mother that it is fine and doing well.

Why do cats still do this when they reach adulthood?

When cats where first integrated into people's homes as pets, they were not completely sure what to make of their human owners. Cats are not pack animals and prefer to be solitary. However, they do certainly appreciate the human that opts to care for and feed them. Now, cats have a very strong memory and can recall their time as a kitten. As a result, they will look at a human being as a surrogate mother. As such, when the cat's owner allows the cat to sit on his/her lap or pets the cat, the cat will start to purr. This is a sign of happiness, safety, and contentment in the presence of an owner. Once again, the cat is conveying the message that it is ok. Any why should it not be? It is in the presence of a loving owner that cares for the cat's every need!

So, when you hear your cat purr, you can rest assured that your cat is happy, safe, and displaying affection towards you. Consider it a cat's version of a term of endearment.

KM Warner runs Cat Lover Products [http://www.catlover-products.com] where you can learn more about cat purring [http://www.catlover-products.com/why-do-cats-purr/97/] and see great gifts for cats.

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Preventing the Loss of Your Dog

The loss of a dog is heartbreaking and statistically hundreds go missing every year, never to be found again. As a responsible owner, there are a number of ways in which you can prevent the loss of your dog or increase the possibility of the dog being found and brought back home. The following information and guidelines will be useful to all dog owners:

1). If your dog is outside in your garden or yard, make sure the gates are locked and that there is no other method by which he can escape. Regularly maintain your fences and repair any holes; fill in any tunnels your dog may have dug under the fencing.

2). If your dog is out with you never let him off the leash, unless he is familiar with the area via his training sessions. If you have driven somewhere with the dog in the car connect the leash to his collar before you think about opening the car door. Maintain a firm grip on the leash as you open the door.

3). If you have been out shopping and it is necessary for you to make more than one journey from the car to the house, secure the dog first and then go back for the packages. In this way you will prevent the possibility of your dog escaping.

4). If you are thinking about taking a vacation or moving house, train your dog to stay in his crate before taking him to a new area. Don't release him from the crate, apart from when you take him out for a walk on a leash, until he is accustomed to his new environment.

5). Don't allow strangers, children or adults, to walk your dog unless you are with them.

6). Make sure that your dog wears a collar and tag, with his name and your current contact information including your cell phone number, at all times. Also have the vet inject a microchip, which will not cause your dog any pain or discomfort. This small electronic chip contains your contact information so if you lose your dog, a vet or animal shelter will be able to scan and immediately identify him. If you move house ensure that you update the information on the chip and tag.

7). Keep a supply of photographs of your dog or save them on your computer. If you and your dog are away from home take some of the photos with you.

8). Immediately you become aware that your dog is lost or missing, call all the local vets, dog wardens and animal rescue shelters. Produce a flyer with your dog's picture and information details so that they can be pinned up in all relevant areas. If your dog belongs to a kennel club or breed association let them know about your dog's disappearance. You might also want to place an ad in the local newspaper together with finding as many sites as possible on the internet to post details and photos of your dog.

If you lose your dog, you will alleviate some of your grief by having a clear and organized strategy in place to retrieve him.

Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - see the new selection of dog sofa beds & dog feeders

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2012年1月30日星期一

How to Deal With Dementia?

Dementia is the diagnosis to people who find it extremely difficult to think and/or communicate. The usual symptom of dementia is the loss of memory. They forget simple tasks like putting on clothes or even their names. It is not a disease but a condition.

There are many underlying causes of dementia, such as: Alzheimer's disease, head injury, tumor of the brain, and stroke. All these causes can affect brain cells that ultimately lead to dementia.

Brain functions include language, memory, perception and cognitive skills. To be diagnosed with dementia, two or more functions of these brain functions must be remarkably affected while the patient is still conscious.

There are some drug remedies for dementia. They cannot totally treat dementia but can delay the progression of the disease. Dementia slowly progress from mild, to moderate, then severe.

Mild Dementia

People with mild dementia can still go on with their daily activities like driving. They however experience difficulties in working and socializing already.

Moderate Dementia

Close attention and supervision is necessary. Living alone is dangerous for them. Driving is prohibited.

Severe Dementia

Round-the-clock supervision is required. People with severe dementia are unable to observe personal hygiene, can't express themselves clearly and find it difficult to speak. People in this late stage are psychologically handicapped and may lose muscular functions.

Families with a member afflicted with dementia find it hard and difficult to deal with their sick loved ones. Communication is the number one challenge. It is frustrating not to be able to express feelings verbally.

Family members are usually expected to be the first ones to understand the condition of the demented. It is not good to argue with them because they cannot understand. They will just be agitated. Be informed about this condition so as not to be disappointed when dealing with demented people.

A demented is agitated easily with abrupt changes in the environment. They are also agitated in challenging situations, like being unable to express what they want. Give them easy and simple tasks as much as possible.

People with dementia hallucinate in frightening situations. Keep a lively and joyful environment in their presence.

Demented people are prone to accidents because of their condition. Careful not to embarrass them to preserve their dignity. Be sensitive. They need all the love and understanding.

Accidents commonly happen in the bathroom. Be a step ahead in helping demented people use the toilet. Always have a commode and pads within reach in the bathroom.

Put fences in your yard to keep them from wandering too far. Place warning signs or stop signs to doors. It sometimes help to conceal doorknobs to prevent them from going out alone. Install an alarm system. A medical bracelet is useful to track them when they get lost. Set regular physical activities or exercises for them.

There are lists of diagnostic procedures for dementia. Doctors usually start with the patient's history. Physical examination and neurological evaluations can help identify causes of dementia such as stroke. CT or Computed Tomographic scan, MRI, EEGs or electroencephalograms, functional MRI, SPECT, PET, MEG or magneto encephalography are some of the diagnostic tests. Laboratory tests such as CBC, urinalysis, alcohol test, test for blood glucose, and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid are necessary in ruling out conditions producing the same symptoms.

For more information on Early symptoms of Lung Cancer and Early Symptoms of Skin Cancer please visit our website.

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Lung Cancer Diagnosis - How This Works

What produces a lung cancer diagnosis? The physician evaluates a person's medical history, smoking history, exposure to environmental and occupational substances, and family history of cancer as well as a physical examination and chest X-ray to find the cause of the symptoms. Other tests may also be performed as needed.

Patient's history - If the doctor suspects lung cancer, they will: Investigate your medical history; Perform a thorough physical examination; Order further specialized medical tests. As part of your medical history, your doctor will ask: If you smoke or have smoked previously;?Your occupation and

place of work; If you have been exposed to occupational hazardous substances or radiation; Whether you have a family history of lung cancer.

Diagnosing Lung Cancer

Screening helps to discover cancer at an earlier stage when it is treatable by a series of tests performed before a person shows any symptoms. Early detection of abnormal tissue or cancer proves favorable of curing the cancer completely as opposed to detection during symptoms when the cancer might have spread.

There are several ways of diagnosing if someone is in the early stages of lung cancer. A physical examination and history taking: A physical examination checking for general signs of health or ill health such as disease and unusual lumps, bumps and anything else that seems atypical. The doctor will also get the history of personal health habits, any past illnesses and treatments given for those illnesses.

Laboratory tests: Procedures for testing samples of tissue, blood, urine, and other substances in the body. The tests will also help to diagnose the disease as well as assist in the planning, management and monitoring of it.

Sputum test: This can show evidence of cancer cells in the lungs. To ensure a more accurate diagnosis with a single sputum collection, the sputum is usually collected over a three-day period.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy: An examination using a small flexible lighted tube to pass into the nasal canal and then into the appropriate bronchus (airway) down to the cancer. If cancer is detected then a small piece of the cancer is removed for a biopsy examination so the exact type of cancer can be determined and appropriate treatment given.

Percutaneous needle biopsy: This examination involves inserting a thin needle through the skin and chest wall into the tumor. This test is for tumors that are close to the surface of the lung and often used in conjunction with a CAT scan to assists in guiding the needle into the tumor.

Excision or surgical removal: This process can lead to further diagnosis of the suspected tumor via a small incision into the chest. A small thin video camera is inserted into the chest to assist in removing a small block of lung tissue using a mechanical surgical stapling device or laser with this clinical procedure.

Mediastinoscopy: This test helps evaluate how extensive the tumor is by looking into the mid portion of the chest through a small incision made just below the collar line. Samples are taken from the lymph nodes in the central part of the chest (mediastinum). The chance of surgically curing the lung cancer is automatically eliminated if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

Mediastinotomy: Unlike mediastinoscopy, the chest cavity is opened by cutting through the sternum (breastbone) and/or the ribs allowing the surgeon to reach and test more lymph nodes by removing samples of mediastinal lymph nodes. This is a complex test, and the patient has to undergo general anaesthesia.

Thoracentesis: A sample of fluid surrounding the lungs is taken using a needle to check for cancer cells.

Thoracotomy: To test for malignancy the chest wall has to be opened so this procedure is performed in hospital as a major operation.

Thoracoscopy: A procedure using a thin, lighted tube connected to a video camera to monitor and view the space between the lungs and the chest wall.

Bone marrow biopsy: With a needle a sample of bone is removed usually measuring about 1/16 inch across and 1 inch long. This is often taken from the back of the hip bone. Microscopically the sample is checked for cancer cells. This procedure is performed predominantly to diagnose small cell lung cancer.

Blood tests: A complete blood test checks for an accurate number of different cell types by showing whether you have anaemia or other related problems. Blood chemistry tests show abnormalities in organs and other parts of the body. Blood tests are repeated regularly especially if someone is undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy drugs affect the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and sometimes cause lots of problematic side effects. If cancer has spread to the liver and bones, it might cause certain chemical abnormalities in the blood and exacerbate any problems already suffered by the patient.

Other Tests and Procedures to Detect Lung Cancer Include:

Chest x-ray: Chest x-rays account for about half of all x-rays obtained in hospitals. The x-rays are typically performed to obtain an assessment of the lungs, heart and chest wall. A chest x-ray is the first test a physician will order to look for any tumor or spots on the lungs. If it is normal there is a high probably there is no lung cancer, but if anything suspicious is spotted, the doctor will order further tests. Pneumonia, heart failure, emphysema, other medical conditions, and lung cancer can all be located with a chest x-ray.

CT Scanning or Computed Tomography also known as CT or CAT Scan: This equipment is to obtain multiple cross-sectional images of organs and tissues of the body. A CAT scan is especially useful for diagnosing tumors as it is far more detailed than a conventional chest x-ray. It shows different types of body tissue including the lungs, heart, bones, soft tissues, muscle, and blood vessels at the same time.

Modern CT scans capture images of the chest from many different angles using a method called spiral (or helical) CT. With the assistance of a computer, it processes the images to create cross-sectional pictures or "slices" of the area causing concern. The images can then be printed out or examined on a monitor. To achieve a better picture, after the first set of scans are taken an intravenous injection of a radio-contrast agent is administered to help outline the structures within the body. A second set of pictures is then taken so they can be examined together.

Information on the size, shape, and position of a tumor are provided by the CT scan. This helps discover any enlarged lymph nodes, which could contain cancer, which has spread from the lung. When looking for early lung cancers and to ensure patients receive the treatment they need as soon as possible, CT scans are much more sensitive than an ordinary routine chest x-ray. In looking for tumors in the adrenal glands, brain, and other internal organs usually affected by lung cancer spread a CT scan is also useful.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI scans use radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays. The energy released from the radio waves is absorbed and re-released in a pattern shaped by the type of tissue and the disease being investigated.

A pattern of radio waves is given by the tissues and organs forming very detailed images of the parts of the body using a very sophisticated computer. This can also produce slices parallel with the length of the body just as a CT scanner produces cross sectional slices of the body.

Positron emission tomography (PET): This scan uses glucose, which is a form of sugar containing a radioactive atom. Large amounts of radioactive sugar are absorbed by the cancer cells and a special camera is then able to detect the radioactivity.

To discover if someone is suffering from early stage lung cancer a PET scan is a very useful test. It is often used to discover if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. PET scans are valuable in ascertaining whether a shadow on a chest x-ray is cancer or not. PET scans are also helpful when a doctor thinks the cancer has spread, but isn't sure where the spread may be.

Because PET scans scan your whole body sometime they are used instead of several different x-rays. Bone scans: A radioactive substance (usually technetium diphosphonate) is injected into a vein. The radioactive substance builds up in bone areas suspected of having cancer metastasis, (spread). Due to the small amount of radioactivity used this does not cause any long-term effects.

Bone scan results need to be read in conjunction with results of other tests performed as other bone diseases can also cause abnormal scan results. Bone scans are usually performed on patients with small cell lung cancer and also in non-small cell lung cancer patients when other test results or symptoms suggest the cancer has spread to the bones - lung cancer diagnosis

I for one know there's a ton of lung cancer information scattered all around the web, and I know it can be somewhat depressing to go through much of it. I have compiled all that researched so it might benefit others. I put many months of research into a useful guide. There's no charge of course and I think you'll appreciate the simplicity of it. Its at MyLungCancerGuide.com. While you are there, you'll find this article about Lung Cancer Diagnosis and many other very straight forward, helpful articles.

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Little Dog Left For Dead Is Now Our Buddy

My family has had an amazing experience with a seemingly doomed-for-death dog since Tuesday, February 12th 2008. He was found outside of a department store by the people who work there. My lovely wife is one of those people. This precious pooch had been abandoned at a shopping mall, hidden behind a bush, locked up inside a small carrying case, in the freezing rain no less!! He was wearing no collar, he had no dog tags. The initial thought was that someone may have left him out there while they were shopping. The workers in the department store had found him just in the nick of time. They all could have been very "corporate" and cold about this doggies unfortunate circumstances. But they weren't! They were very kindhearted to this poor, forsaken dog. They refused to leave him wet, stranded and alone. Although it is against store policy to have any kind of animal inside, they were determined to get him out of the sleet and freezing rain that was falling. The entire staff at this department store fell in love with him at first sight!

Mall security was notified, shoppers were asked questions, every resource available to them was used to find the owner of this mysterious mutt. There was no success in locating the person ( I use the term "person" lightly), that thoughtlessly dropped the life of this dog, never to return. Although many of the associates working there wanted to take him home, they're personal circumstances at home wouldn't allow them to. At the end of a 9 hour shift, he remained unclaimed. Considering the sad story and the precious picture of a helpless canine that my soul mate text messaged me, we adopted the poor little cast aside pup. He had just found himself a new home, at my house. The puppy's new family now includes 3 children, two cats and another dog. Oh yeah, . . . . . . . my better half and myself too!

She was really excited to get home and share all of the dog with all of us. When they stepped in the front door, the pup was really excited to be in a new home! His little white tail wagged at light speed it seemed! He may have been a little bit frightened at first in new surroundings and all the new faces. After he met me, one teenage girl, two teen boys, our dog named Stewie, and our two cats, he seemed to fit right in. Actually, . . . . he was sooooooooooo excited to be in his new home!

One of our cats is named Fishie and the other one is Sockie. They didn't like this new resident of the home one bit at first. I told you the pup was all wound up right? Well, he almost immediately reached the point of way too much excitement! He couldn't hold in the pee that was in his tiny little bladder! Our kids wanted to name him Whizzie because he was peeing in the house so often when we played with him. We called him Whizzie, Pee-Pee head, and Valentine (which has nothing to do with peeing!) but he's the cutest little guy! We couldn't even get mad at him for going pee-pee inside the house! Thank GOD for wood floors! (and cute dogs!)

He was wagging his tail and running around . . . but he looked kinda funny when he ran. At that point, we had no idea that he had been injured sometime ago in his past. He didn't whine, he didn't cry, he didn't bark or complain at all!!!

The following day (Wednesday, Feb 13th) I took him to our vet to have him scanned for a tracking chip. Maybe we could find out who's dog this is. You know, . . . a final chance to find the owner. Well, there was no identifying chip found. So we had our vet give him a full doggie check up. We thought that was a wise idea since he's now finally, officially becoming part of our family. I was asked several times at the vets "what is his name". I couldn't decide if pee-pee head was the right name, whizzer or whizzie. I had a really tough time figuring out his name of all things! Our vet wanted to do a thorough exam on him and I was instructed to leave him there for a few hours. They said he had to stay for a while so they could run tests on him. By the time I had to leave him there, I realized that I had been calling him my little buddy. That's when his name Buddie materialized! Right then I said to "officially put his name "Buddie" on the paperwork". They told me that they would call me in a couple of hours to come and pick him up after his exam.

Several hours later when I got the phone call from the vet, I got the shock of my life! They told me that he's a healthy little guy . . . . . besides the fact that his pelvis is broken in eight to ten places!

I WAS SHOCKED!

I was also amazed at how pleasant he has been despite the fact that he is all busted up.

We picked him up from the vet and brought him home around dinner time on Wednesday evening. We paid for some pain medicine to help him forget about his injuries. We were given the X-rays that were taken of his pulverized pelvis. Our veterinarian highly recommended that we take him to a doggie hospital the following day because of the exam results, and that's what we did. That's when this puppy story really takes off! You can get caught up, hear about the conclusion of his hospital stay, meet Buddie and his family on the website that is dedicated to him. Our buddy, Buddie!

Go to [http://www.servant4u.org] and experience the joy that this little buddy of ours brings. If you'd like to see how adorable Buddie is and see his new found family friends, then this website is the place to go. GOD bless!

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2012年1月29日星期日

The Classified Ad Search Engine As A Lifeboat in Expansive Waters

The Internet is a cluttered mess of content, and we can all agree that's putting it mildly. It is such an enormous, intertwining web of information and multimedia that we must rely on search engines (such as Google) to even begin to find content of interest to us.

Imagine the world today without search engines and what a frustrating affair that would be. Only the major sites such as Youtube or Myspace would win popularity enough to attract hordes of users and gain substantial name recognition, while the vast majority of sites (many of them small or independent) would scarcely be found - if at all. Most of the truly helpful and informative sites would be virtually unreachable without search engines. How would you find a job you really want online if you couldn't search for it? What about car parts and repair services? The only way these sites would be discovered without search engines would be if they convinced the major/popular websites to link to them or if they engaged in expensive advertising campaigns.

It's safe to say that without search engines the Internet would not be nearly so accessible or easy to navigate as it is today.

As large and expansive as the internet is, the amount of webspace dedicated to free online classified ads is strikingly extensive. A simple Google search for free classified ads yields an overwhelming and seemingly boundless number of responses, each from a different site dedicated to classified ad services. To compound the issue further each site is typically dedicated to one or more categories (the most common being jobs, homes, rentals, cars, etc.). The classifieds sector of the Internet is a sweeping and competitive arena packed with independent websites, it's akin to a vast spiderweb stuffed with far too many flies for anyone to digest.

Then there are the well known, major classified sources (like Craigslist, Monster, Cars.com, etc.) and none of them are interconnected, so you're forced to browse each of them individually if you want to discover a wider sample for the ads for your area - and even then there's no way to go through all the classified sources and find all the options for what you're looking for. You have to pick and choose from certain sources and, in the process, may be missing out on some great deals, but that's the nature of the beast - it's just impossible to look through all the classified websites quickly.

To avoid the confusing array of websites, most people simply stick with the known, major classified sources: places that should ring familiar, sites like Craigslist.org, Monster.com, and Cars.com.

Unfortunately none of these are connected or interwoven, and so you're forced to browse each site individually if you'd like to find a wider range of ads in your area. Even then you still are confined to what the major sites have, regulated to picking from certain sources. There's no easy way to find all the options available online.

Or, at least that's how it used to be.

Introducing the classified ads search engine: The optimal means to index and search for free online classifieds. The concept is simple, it's a search engine but instead of scanning through the entire Internet it searches through the varying classified directories and websites. It brings you as many listings as it can find for your area, and allows you to narrow your search to find whatever sort of job or home you're looking for across all the different classified websites in one interface.

The beauty of this concept is that you no longer have to keep switching between the different classified websites and, if you're looking for a certain item, job, car or home, you can simply search them all at once!

One of the most promising newcomers in this field is GoSasa.com. GoSasa allows its users to search for anything they need through more than 52,000 classified sources (both national and local). Rather than merely looking at Craigslist, and then Ebay and then one or two others, users can search Craigslist, Ebay, and all the others in one click and the results are retrieved in real time. GoSasa further provides its users with an in-depth statistical analysis of their search results with its "SasaIndex" feature.

SasaIndex compiles relevant statistical data for each classified listing it encounters, allowing the user to compare and contrast deals within nearby metro areas of his/her own location or within the rest of the state of major U.S. Metro areas. For someone looking for the cheapest rent in the San Diego area for example, he/she would be given an easily accessible chart listing the different rent prices within the cities of San Diego. One might find that the nearby La Mesa area offers cheaper rent than Downtown San Diego while being only a couple of miles away. This tool is particularly helpful for those looking to make informed decisions.

What this essentially means is that it's no longer necessary to flounder about in a maze of classified websites, to discover thousands of different websites through a simple google search, to wonder which to click on, which to gamble on, and which site may have the results you really want. What this means is that gone are the days of uncertainty and hours of painstaking searching. What this means is that now there is an alternative means to find the precise classified ads that you want, to find all the relevant ads for your search from thousands of different sources all in one, and that means is the classified ad search engine.

Happy hunting.

Michael Klark has worked within the online classified industry for nearly 8 months.

You can learn more about GoSasa.com by reading its Squidoo Lens at http://www.squidoo.com/GoSasasite or by visiting the site's homepage at: [http://www.gosasa.com]

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Tips on Online Shopping for Dog Pajamas

Doggie pajamas and other dog apparels are widely sold through the web these days. Some shoppers prefer to make purchases online because it is convenient and less time consuming. Another advantage is the availability of wide array of choices. They can shop right from your own home and can scan various varieties of designs in just a few minutes. However, some may also think that online shopping is expensive.

This notion is wrong. There are actually a lot of affordable items on the web. Their price is as competitive as those in the local pet stores. Some even offers free shipping provided that you reach the required amount of purchase.

Shopping online can sometimes be risky. But these risks can be avoided if you will be meticulous enough to pay attention to details. When you shop online for dog pajamas, these tips may be helpful:

• Verify if the site is not a scam. You can browse the net for any feedback or reviews about the site. This will provide you evidence that is operating legally.

• Verify if the site using a secure transaction. Your financial information is very confidential. If it comes into the wrong hands, you will be in a financial turmoil.

• Read everything before making purchase so you will not regret later when the item is already delivered.

• Familiarize yourself with the purchase agreements of the website. Like with the return policy, you just are informed on the valid reasons and the number of days allowed in returning an item.

• Identify the contact person and get his number or email address so you can make follow ups.

• Get your pet's body measurement and compare it with the sizes that are available online. This is the best way to get the right fit for your pet.

• Specify every detail of the item of your choice. This is to ensure that the item that will be delivered to you is the right one with the right size and color.

With these tips you will enjoy the benefits of online shopping for doggie pajamas with no worries.

Praline Ramirez is a writer for HandsNpaws, an online pet boutique. Visit us at http://handsnpaws.com

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2012年1月28日星期六

New Book Helps Worried Owners Of A Pregnant Cat

'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what to do!' Not a day goes by without someone posting this message to an Internet forum.

Worried cat owners will know what to do if they read How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat. This new publication is one of the first English-language books in many years exclusively on cat pregnancy.

The author, journalist and long-time cat lover Marc de Jong, is the owner of Cat Pregnancy Report. This web site started in August 2004 and quickly established itself as a very popular site.

'Before I started my site, it was quite difficult to find a comprehensive guide on the Net about pregnancy in cats', says de Jong. 'Many cat sites and forums tell owners only to spay their cat and almost flame people to death if they say their cat got pregnant. Of course they are right when they say there's an overpopulation of cats. However, it's also a fact that millions of cats do get pregnant unplanned. If you don't tell their owners what to do and what to expect, you can endanger the life of these cats.'

Marc de Jong received dozens of e-mails from worried cat owners since he started his site. 'Questions were often so detailed that I had to do a lot of research to answer them. The information I gathered was so valuable that I wanted to share it with all cat lovers.'

Instead of adding it to his already very informative web site, he decided to publish a book. 'Web sites have limitations', de Jong says. 'People tend to scan pages and miss half of the text. They are constantly persuaded to click through to another site. Also, printing a page isn't always easy. And if you have a dial-up account, then the more you read, the more money you pay.'

To give cat owners immediate access to his book he turned How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat into an e-book, a digital publication downloadable from his web site. He added extra value by interviewing award-winning breeders and veterinarians specialized in cats. Their insider tips are all in the book.

How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat covers almost every subject related to pregnancy in cats. Heat cycles, mating, signs of cat pregnancy, food, care, birth, raising kittens ... it's all there.

'The first response from readers is very good', says the author. 'There's no doubt the book is a great help for owners of a pregnant cat.'

Click for more information: http://www.pregnant-cat-care.com

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Traveling With Your Chihuahua

Travel season is finally here again and that means hundreds of cats and dogs will be lost and never again found by their heartbroken owners. Many years ago I lost a dog for three days. They were among the worst days of my life but I learned a valuable lesson. No matter how careful and protective you think you are, it still can happen...even to you.

Before you set out for your travel adventures this year, take some precautions to be sure your Chihuahua stays safely with you at all times. Make your travel as great for your Chihuahua as it is for you.

So, what are some of the things you can do to prepare for your trip with your Chi?

Bring a harness with you and be sure it is secured properly on your Chi before opening any doors. I prefer a harness because of the Chihuahua's susceptibility to a collapsed trachea. The harness, if fit properly to the Chi's size, will put less pressure on the throat, or possibly no pressure at all. They are also more difficult for the Chi to slip out of.

Bring plenty of bottled water for both you and your Chihuahua. You may not always have fresh water available to you on your travels. You don't want your Chi to drink any water that you can't be 100% certain is fit for consumption.

Take your veterinary records and information with you. Place the documentation in a sealable plastic bag to protect it from getting wet or damaged. This will be very helpful should you have any emergencies along the way. Your Chihuahua may have an allergic reaction to something or simply have an unexpected medical emergency. If this happens you will want to be able to have quick contact with your own veterinarian for advice. Be sure you have their emergency number, as well as their regular office number.

Pack an ample supply of fresh food and treats. Plastic containers, like Tupperware, are great for keeping food and treats fresh. Be sure to check the package for refrigeration needs, if any. Like people food, some pet foods require refrigeration once opened. Unless you have an RV or other means of keeping the food cold for long periods of time, you may want to be careful of what you bring. Not all pet foods will necessarily be readily available to purchase along your travels. Once opened, food can spoil very quickly.

Plan to make scheduled stops to let your Chi get some exercise and do their duty, so to speak. The fresh air and movement will be good for you too. However, be careful of where you walk your Chi. It is not uncommon to find broken glass and other dangerous items along roadside stops.

Did you know that you can have a rice-sized microchip implanted in the scruff of your Chi's neck for tracking purposes should he/she become lost? Check with your Veterinarian or local animal hospital for more information on this unique tracking device. Many pets have been reunited with their rightful owners because of this tiny implant. These chips can be scanned by veterinarians and other medical facilities for the information necessary to bring your pet back home to you.

Pack your favorite shampoos and drying towels.

Don't forget flea and tic treatment. While these may not be necessary at home if your Chi is an indoor dog and using a litter box, when traveling they may need to go outdoors to relieve themselves.

Bandages are a good thing to have along in case they step on a small piece of glass or other sharp item at the many stops you will be making along the way.

Pack your Chi's favorite sweater. Depending on where you live, where you're traveling too, and when you are leaving, you may have a cool evening or two. Chihuahuas get cold very easily so have a coat or sweater just in case.

Bring a carrier or two. If you are traveling by plane you will want an airline approved carrier that can fit under the seat of the plane while in the air. When on the ground you may prefer a purse style carrier to keep your Chihuahua from being stepped on while shopping or in a crowd. These are available in various styles and sizes.

Okay, I know this seems like a lot of packing but it will be worth your while. Following are items you need to consider bringing with you when traveling with your pet:

Bandages and wound treatment

Bottled water

Carrier (airline and/or purse style)

Crate (if your Chi is used to being in one and you have room for it.)

Crate bedding material

Feeding dish and water dish

Fresh food and treats

Grooming needs (brush or wipe cloth)

Harness

Pet Blanket, bed or pillow

Sweater

Shampoo

Drying Towels

Medication (flea, tic, skin, other)

Toys

Veterinarian: regular phone no. and emergency phone no.

Veterinarian: medical records (history)

Veterinarian: list of ones along the route you are taking.

The bottom line is take precautions, prepare ahead of time, have a check list to be sure nothing is left behind by accident, and have a great vacation or trip with no mishaps along the way that can't be handled quickly and easily.

A long trip is much more pleasant if you are properly prepared and if everyone is able to stretch frequently so don't be in a hurry to reach your destination. Enjoy the trip from start to finish.

About The Author

Joanell is the founder of Weller Solutions, a company dedicated to pets, and a lover of Chihuahua dogs. For more information and products please visit [http://www.aboutchihuahuadogs.com] Visit Joanell’s Blog at: http://www.aboutchihuahuadogs.blogspot.com This article may be freely reprinted without any changes made. The links to aboutchihuahuadogs.com and aboutchihuahuadogs.blogspot.com must be kept, as they are, in the article and must be clickable. A courtesy copy to weller752@cox.net would be appreciated.

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The 5 Most Important Cat Survival Tips

1) Identification Microchip: These are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted by your veterinarian just under the skin at the back of their neck. When scanned by a chip reader, your name and contact information is displayed and you get your cat back. These chips can be implanted in a large variety of pets including horses.

2) Small animal pet carrier or "crate": these will keep your cat safe and calm. Your cat is very likely going to be stressed by what's happening around it as emergencies often create stressful situations. If you have to evacuate, you don't want to waste valuable time trying to round up your scared cat! Controlling your cat is essential.

3) Be as calm as possible yourself. Our pets are keenly attuned to us and react strongly to stress that you exhibit. Additionally, bright lights, sounds, and smells will agitate your cat. The "fight or flight" self preservation mechanism will be very strong.

4) The more prepared you are in advance, the less stressful the emergency situation will become. Think out your plan in advance; starting NOW. Gather your survival items or purchase a pre-assembled 72 hour emergency survival kit for yourself and loved ones. Keep your car's fuel tank a little fuller just in case you need to evacuate the area. Large scale evacuations from hurricanes or wildfires have resulted in traffic delays of several hours.

5) Assemble or purchase a cat survival kit. These should include food, water, and bowls; first aid items; cat toys; clean up items including some cat litter; and leash and collar. These are minimum requirements and you likely will want to add other items as well as any medications your cat requires. Your vet's phone number is another reassuring thing to have in your cat's kit.

Now you know the tips to keep your cat safe and have it survive the next emergency disaster!

Jim German resides in Evergreen, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their dogs and horses. He is a Lieutenant on the Elk Creek Fire Department and a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician. He is America's Urban and Rural Emergency Survival Expert holding many state certifications. For additional information visit http://www.SurviveAndLive.com or for survival kits and equipment.

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2012年1月27日星期五

Guide to Taking Fun and Creative Pictures

Photography can be a fun and rewarding hobby for everyone in the family. You do not need to be a professional photographer to make memories with you camera. Here is a guide to help you take more rewarding and creative pictures:

1.Move in closer to your subject to show more details and create pictures with great impact. Go eye to eye and get down to the subjects level. Interesting shot scan also be taken by laying on the ground and looking up.

2.Take several pictures quickly to get at least one picture you want. Take lots of pictures to increase your chance of capturing just the right moment. You can always delete pictures later.

3.Compose picture by using a plain background or cropping out items you do not want in the picture. Experiment with framing your subject in interesting ways.

4. Move items or people from the middle of the picture. Try moving in or out to get the best composition for your picture. Move subject around creatively for an interesting composition then take picture.

5.Focus on your subject and less on background items. If you want a picture of a larger area move back so all is in focus.

6. Look at the light and see how it is affecting your picture. Different times of day will affect your pictures. Also know your flash range and use the flash for outdoor pictures. Bright light behind your subject will put your subject in the shadows and details will become obscure.

7. Keep your picture simple. Sometimes too much in a picture will make it cluttered and will take away from the focus of your picture.

8. Be Bold and experiment taking a variety of pictures. You can never take too many pictures and with digital cameras you have inexpensive ways to store your pictures.

9. Experiment by taking vertical pictures to show different views of the subject.

10.Direct how you want your picture to look by placing objects and people where you want them in your picture.

11. When photographing children be patient and wait and once the moment arrives, take picture(s) quickly.

12. Take spontaneous pictures of kids, family, friends and pets. They do not always have to be posed pictures. Take a variety of pictures of everyday life. Includes your kids friends so kids can look back on photos and remember occasions and people..

13. Lock the focus. Most auto-focus cameras focus on the area in the center of the viewfinder causing surrounding subjects to be blurry. To solve this problem focus on the subject in the center of the viewfinder then press the shutter button down halfway. Hold the button down while you position your subject in the viewfinder then press the button all the way down to take your picture.

14. When taking pictures of animals or your pets be patient and your voice calm. Try to take pictures during natural activities rather than directing your pet. Use props to direct your pets attention. Get down on your pets level to create warm and intimate pictures.

15. Take spontaneous pictures by having your camera pointed in the direction of the activity so you will be ready to snap the picture at the right moment. Be invisible and try to fit in your environment so as not to intimidate your subjects.

16. When taking nature pictures look for an interesting combination of color, light, shadow and texture. Morning light gives you warmer, yellow colors and late afternoon, or evening light provides colors with more red tints. Block direct sunlight by standing in shade or by shading your camera with your hand. This will prevent flare on your image.

17, Look at life through new angles. Look up, look down, look all around you and take wide angles and close ups to show new perspectives.

18. Capture the whole view of a landscape using panoramic view. Also take several pictures of a view by turning in a circle and capturing all parts of the landscape. Using a Photoshop program these can be combined into one large panoramic picture.

[http://www.kidsdigitalcamerapro.com]

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Your Puppy Must Have ID!

You can be the most attentive, loving, and responsible puppy owner ever. But despite all that, your puppy might still go missing. If she does, she may well end up in an animal shelter, where almost a third of the many millions of dogs they gather up every year are house pets who somehow got separated from those that love them. If the owners of these poor creatures cannot be located and no other loving family decides to take them home, then they are all but certain to be euthanized not long after they are picked up on the street. Your own puppy can easily avoid this fate, however, by simply having some form of ID on her at all times.

The traditional method of doggie ID is a tag hanging from her collar. This tag should have the basic information necessary for anyone who finds your missing puppy to get in touch with you. That would include your name, address and phone number. This information can also be engraved on a metal plate attached to the surface of the collar, or it can woven into the material of a personalized collar.

But collars are not foolproof. They can be lost or removed. Two other methods of ID do not have this problem. Some owners have their puppy tattooed with a number that is registered with a national group that keeps track of such things, like I.D. Pet. The problem with this of course is that a lot of people who might find your missing puppy would have no idea what that number means. You could also have your name, address and phone number tattooed on your puppy, but that's a lot of data to place on a small animal (and it would be out of date the moment you moved or changed your number). Some also say the tattoo fades with time.

The most modern puppy ID method is to have a microchip about the size of a grain of rice implanted between the puppy's shoulder blades. That chip can be scanned with a device like a grocery store scanner, which would turn up a number registered with a microchip manufacturer who has all the information about the puppy. The average animal shelter has such a scanner, but the average person who might find your dog doesn't. So the best solution is a combination of solutions: a microchip for the shelter, collar tags for the good Samaritan who finds your wayward puppy and brings her to safety.

Pet Places offers resources on how to choose which puppy to buy and how to take care of puppies.

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In Wolf's Clothing

They sat on the back porch as morning breathed a frosty zephyr across the weathered planking. The cold air stung the man's work and time-worn hands, but he didn't notice. He reached out and placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder. Danni turned a smiling face to the man.

They shared their breakfast here, watching the stars blink out as the sun spread its amber mantle over the meadows and hills. In the fields, sheep shuffled closer together. When hungry lambs called out to their mothers their breaths puffed out in misty plumes.

Danni had been a gift from Aaron's son, Frank. She was a beautiful chestnut, white, and smoky-gray coated Australian Shepherd and so smart Aaron felt a great pride for her. And he had grown to deeply love his ever-happy companion.

After he brought Danni to the ranch, Frank purchased a handsome male Australian Shepherd and bred him to Danni. She was due to deliver soon.

In the glow of dawn, he saw the wolf, low on the trail, watching them. It was the same every morning. Several lambs had gone missing and Aaron suspected wolves were to blame. Aaron began carrying a rifle whenever he was out with the sheep. He was too old to react fast enough to ward off a wolf attack and Danni was not as quick to move out due to her pregnancy.

Her cumbersome weight notwithstanding, Danni was always eager to make her daily rounds in the fields. She was protective of all in her charge, but with the lambs she was especially vigilant.

After her work was done, Danni would head out to the river on the back end of the property, near the woods. Aaron wondered what she did there. Once, curious to find out, he had followed her. When Danni spotted him she turned around and ran back to the ranch. He found her on the porch smiling. Aaron chuckled, figured he wasn't meant to know.

Lush grass blanketed the banks under scrub oak, and lichen covered rocks of all sizes peppered the fields around the stream--This was Danni's place. She would leave in the late afternoon, but not until Aaron gave her permission with a nod. Danni then trotted off with a grin, her body wiggling excitedly as she trotted down the path that took her to the river.

Aaron was out with the flock. The sheep were contentedly grazing and Aaron took a deep breath of the loamy scented air. Sunlight splintered on the horizon as dusk settled into the hills. Over the backs of his sheep Aaron's gaze searched for Danni. He found her weaving around shrubs and boulders. She neared the crest of a hillock and was soon out of sight. It was then that Aaron noticed movement on the same path. Threading its way more quickly than Danni was able, the wolf followed.

Aaron raised his rifle, set his aim on the gray animal and squeezed the trigger. The wolf cried out in pain and stumbled. Whimpering, the wolf reeled in circles, then fell and did not get up.

That night Aaron was wide awake. He looked down at the end of the bed. Danni's blanket was empty and cold. She had not returned. Danni had shared his bed every night. Her warm body was comforting and he fell asleep listening to the gentle soughing of her breath. Felt the reassurance of her presence from the weight of her against his ankles and feet.

He stared out into the shadows of his bedroom. Moonlight dropped a sheet of silver on the floor 'neath the bedroom window. But Aaron didn't notice. Tears obscured his vision. Grief and loneliness bruised his spirit.

The next morning he searched the hills for her. He found her body amidst tall grass. He reached out and touched her shoulder. All that had been embodied in the broken body below him--was gone. As he bent down to gather her up, deep furrowed wounds between her belly and flank caught his eye. Claw marks, from a big cat, most likely a cougar.

Strength left him and he collapsed next to his beloved friend. She had been ravaged, her belly torn open. The pups, so close to delivery, were gone. He lifted his hands up, clasped them at the back of his neck, dropped his head and wept.

He carried her home, wrapped her in her blanket from the bed and buried her out past the back porch.

Two months passed. One morning Aaron found a pup on the porch's weathered planking. The sleepy pup tilted his head and chuffed a welcome. As Aaron bent down to get a better look he heard the rustling of an animal in the nearby brush.

A wolf, and close enough to discern its sex--a female. She rocked back on her hind legs and pivoted to turn. Her right front leg was withered and she held it up as she trotted away. In the gray shadows of dawn he watched as she ribboned her way up the path that crested the hillock. The path that ran to the river. As she passed a rocky ledge, two wolf pups sprang out from their hiding place, fast on their mother's heels.

The pups looked to be the same age as the pup on his porch. And while they displayed all the physical traits of a wolf, the little one at his feet was pure Australian Shepherd and looked just like his mother, Danni.

He had been wrong about the wolf. She hadn't studied them from the hill with malice. She had not scanned the ranch to scope out a meal, but to look for her friend. She had been waiting for Danni, to come and play. In the two months following Danni's death, he had lost 3 adult sheep. But not to the female who had just left him, for she was too crippled now to bring down a full grown sheep.

He turned back to the pup. As the sun spread its shimmering cloak, a golden ray alit in the pup's blue eyes. He opened his mouth and smiled up at Aaron. Aaron cast one last look in the direction of the hills and whispered, "A sheep..." He turned back to the pup, pulled him up, and finished, "in wolf's clothing."

In the not too distant future. When the pup had grown lanky and frolicsome--the wolf would return to the mountainside. She would look to see if a playmate awaited her there, keeping company with the old man.

I wrote this because life can be filled with magical moments and those we care about, humans and animals, are often a part of that enchantment. Such times as described in the story are what make life a special gift and I thank the Creator for the gift.

I live in the Central Valley of California with my husband and fur family. I have five books in print. Through my writing I hope to touch hearts receptive to hope.

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2012年1月26日星期四

On the Brain, the Soul, and the Afterlife

Central to all the Abrahamic religions is the doctrine of an afterlife. Adherents of these religions believe that after this earthly life, people will continue to live on in another state - for an eternity. This doctrine has influenced many human activities, as well as inspired many beliefs. The earthly existence is considered a transitional phase - a temporary abode in which individual destiny in the afterlife is determined. Some people will go to heaven and others to hell. Those who go to heaven will never face suffering again.

It is a comforting notion. It is also a notion that has been essentially refuted by recent scientific research.

The notion of an afterlife necessarily postulates the existence of an intangible, immortal part of the human. This part of the human is commonly called the soul. Now this soul supposedly contains all the intangible parts of a human - self awareness, feelings, intelligence, emotions and personality. When the physical body dies, this intangible soul supposedly continues to live on - into eternity. Depending on the person's activities before death, the soul is cast into either eternal rewards or eternal damnation.

In the past, it was nearly impossible to test the "soul hypothesis". This is because little was known about the human mind. However, nowadays, through such technologies as CAT (computed axial tomography) scans, PET (positron emission topography) and the more familiar MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), scientists have managed to table out the entire brain, together with all the functions of its various parts. This is because the brain is an electrochemical system, and shows higher electric activities in the areas that are active. Through the brain scans, it has been established that virtually every function of the human has a corresponding part of the brain. Some functions correspond to specific parts of the brain, while others correspond to diffused areas of the brain.

There is no single dimension of the human that lacks a controlling brain part.

Further studies into the brain have shown that when a particular brain part is disabled, the corresponding functions simply cease. For example, when the Broca's area in the frontal, left lobe of the brain is destroyed, the person stops speaking - a condition called Broca's aphasia. If, however, the right parietal lobe is stimulated, the right angular gyrus may become excited, and an out-of-body experience results. A massive damage to the left brain hemisphere will result in a person with severe depression. Individual happiness can be enhanced by activating another part called the septum. Surprisingly, religious experiences also have a corresponding brain part: the temporal lobes. Epileptic attacks on these lobes has been known to make people hypereligious. And so on and so forth. Suffice it to say that all human experiences have correspondent parts of the brain.

Now a question arises - since all human experiences are apparently dependent on the physical brain, how can they survive death? After all, in death, the brain disintegrates completely. The parts directly responsible for emotions, personality, consciousness etc get destroyed. Claiming that these human facets survive death hence is like claiming that a person can continue to see even after the eyes have been removed. For just as sight is a function of the eye, consciousness and personality is a function of the brain.

Thus, although the notions of a soul and an afterlife feel comforting, objective research seems to show that the soul is a myth. And if the soul doesn't exist, neither does the afterlife. We have only one life, and thereafter, complete, utter oblivion - for an eternity.

It is a disturbing thought. It is also the closest thing to the truth.

Joseph Wahome has spent a considerable time studying how people think, how they perceive, and how they form paradigms.

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Handling a Brain Injury Case

The most complex case a plaintiff's lawyer can face is one where his client suffers a brain injury as a result of an accident. It is difficult because 9 out of 10 traumatic brain injury cases involve injuries that are not visible to ordinary people. So how will a jury believe that your client suffered a brain injury?

Obviously there are the straightforward brain injury cases where the plaintiff suffered a fracture to his or her skull and all experts agree that there was organic damage which is causing the plaintiff's symptoms.

The problems lie in the case where the physical damage does not show up on CT scans or MRI's. The plaintiff often looks normal, and this appearance can be terribly deceptive. He or she may speak well, and this is an even greater problem to overcome. But the brain, like an atom if broken or split, causes an explosion of misery and pain that is horrendous. When the brain is damaged, there is no tool available for the surgeon to come and fix it. We depend on nature and nurture and the ability to compensate.

Family and friends of the person who suffered a brain injury will feel the devastation sometimes as much or more than the injured party.

The overall objective for a lawyer in a brain injury case is to convince a jury that an organic injury has occurred, that it is permanent, and that it is the main reason for your client's impairment.

As much has been written with respect to proving liability, economic loss and family loss related to a negligence case, this paper is only intended to cover aspects of preparing a brain injury case for trial.

Taking the Case

Agreeing to take a brain injury case is a dramatic investment for a lawyer in many ways.

Consider the following case:

Your client, Mrs. Reynolds, was a driver in a car accident that occurred on a relatively busy road. The accident occurred at night. Mrs. Reynolds was proceeding on a road when a van pulled out from a side road to make a left turn. Mrs. Reynolds slammed into the right front corner of the van as the driver of the van made his turn. Both drivers were seriously injured. When the ambulance arrived, Mrs. Reynolds was dazed but able to respond to verbal and physical stimuli. She scored 11 out of 15 on the Glascow Coma Scale for her loss of awareness. She was lucky to survive the accident.

The Initial Visit

When the client visits the lawyer for the first time, the lawyer usually has little or no information about the case. These first meetings are extremely important. Both the client and the lawyer have to like each other right away. Clients, for the most part, are not familiar with the intricacies of the legal system and don't know the lawyer, so they are usually a little apprehensive and uneasy. The lawyer, being familiar with the system and cases like this one, should help put the client at ease.

During the interview, the lawyer thinks of two main issues in an accident case: liability and damages; whereas a client may be thinking of any number of things and is anxious just to tell the entire story. Therefore, the lawyer in an initial interview must be a good listener as well as a persuasive speaker.

Once mutual trust is established, the client and lawyer can work well together.

The client should get information from the lawyer such as:

"Have you handled cases like this before?" ... "How many?"

"Are you familiar with the medical aspects of a case in which there is a brain injury?"

"Have you written any articles?"

"What references can be supplied?"

Finally, the lawyer should satisfy himself or herself that the client has a genuine injury by examining the most reliable evidence. It is essential to speak to the family members and friends closest to your client in order to find out how your client was before the accident. In brain injury cases, you will often hear that your client was high functioning before the collision and now is unable to concentrate in a busy environment. They may also tell you that your client is no longer the same person, lacks motivation and fatigues easily. Finally, you are told that your client's personality has changed, gets frustrated easily and lacks confidence, traits rarely displayed before this accident.

Clients Dissatisfied with Prior Counsel

Many plaintiffs who have suffered traumatic brain injuries have unrealistic expectations regarding how their lawsuits should be handled or how they should eventually turn out. Most lawyers are contacted by brain injured plaintiffs who are dissatisfied with the legal counsel they have previously employed. The most common complaint heard is that the present lawyer doesn't understand the client's brain injury and the problems that flow from such an injury. Lawyers should be guarded in taking on these cases. The lawyer should, in most cases, get the client's consent to discuss the case with the previous lawyer before agreeing to handle the case.

Acquiring Documentation

In building your case for trial, you must obtain all relevant records relating to your client's accident. In brain injury cases, a lawyer will have to assemble massive amounts of documentation. Medical, employment, school and accident benefits documentation will comprise the bulk of such evidence.

From the outset, the lawyer must thoroughly investigate the facts surrounding the case. Obtaining a copy of the Motor Vehicle Accident Report and police field notes will provide a basic understanding of the factual circumstances surrounding the accident. If liability is an issue, an investigator will need to be retained to interview any witnesses, police and visit the accident scene to assist in accident reconstruction.

Evidence of Vehicular Damage

Whenever your client's vehicle or the defendant's vehicle is obviously damaged, photographs of the vehicle's damage are powerful. Photos may have been taken by witnesses, newspapers, the client, family members, police or the insurance company for property loss insurance. Any obvious damage to the interior of the car caused by your client's head should be demonstrated visually and discussed by every witness who can do so.

If there is no vehicular damage, a biomechanical engineer, supported by a reconstruction engineer's estimate of speeds, can explain how the force of the collision can cause a brain injury notwithstanding minimal damage.

Photos of Injuries

Not surprisingly, jurors find it easier to believe the brain is injured if the head or face is injured. Not infrequently, there are very early photos available which record black eyes and cuts to the head. These photographs are important corroborative evidence which are especially effective when enlarged or when projected.

Later, when an expert is explaining the area of the brain which has been affected, it is persuasive to refer to the photograph and have the expert confirm that the affected part of the brain is in the general area to the laceration or bruising.

Ambulance Call Report

The first record to review is the Ambulance Call Report. If the Ambulance Call Report contains any evidence which demonstrates a brain injury, it presents demonstrative evidence which is objective. This evidence, once shared with a Court, will be important for describing your client's condition shortly after the accident.

You may highlight a reference to disorientation or recording of a period of unconsciousness. Secondly, there may be a record of bruising or lacerations to the head. Finally, you will want to emphasize the Glasgow Coma Scale that supports your case.

Every expert who comments on your client's injuries will refer to the Ambulance Call Report and this is why this document may be one of the most important pieces of evidence in the case.

Hospital Records

Next, the emergency records of the hospital where the client was taken must be carefully reviewed. The records will contain the initial history taken and nurses' notes and assessments while at the hospital. Records that indicate a low Glasgow Coma Scale score or disorientation will help demonstrate the continuation of the injury at the hospital. Oftentimes a patient with an acquired brain injury may become violent or aggressive to the hospital staff, which can demonstrate a frontal lobe injury.

Hospital records can also be used to demonstrate the consistency of symptoms of your client. For example, if your client complains of headaches and the nurses' notes reveal the same complaint, this can be compared to your client's later complaints to other specialists.

Radiographic Evidence

From the time of a patient's arrival at the ER through follow-up treatment, a wide variety of complicated testing can be done to help demonstrate the brain injury.

There are two types of neurological tests: those that examine the structure of the brain and those that examine the function of the brain. The CT scan and MRI look at the structure of the brain. The electroencephalogram (EEG), SPECT scan, PET scan and evoked studies examine the function of the brain.

MRI and CT Scans

The MRI and CT scan slice the brain radiographically into slabs. The MRI does this with magnetic fields while the CT scan uses x-rays. The MRI provides more detail than the CT scan. Hence, brain damage as seen on an MRI, as small as 1-2 mm in size, may escape detection by a CT scan. The CT scan is superior to the MRI in detecting fresh blood in and around the brain, while the MRI is better at detecting the remnants of old hemorrhaged blood, called hemosiderin. CT scans are often repeated to ensure that a brain injury is not becoming more extensive, usually in the early stages of ER treatment.

Being so very sensitive, the MRI commonly detects clinically silent (asymptomatic) "brain damage" in the normal population. For example, as we age it is common for myelin in the white matter to degenerate (myelin is a jacket of insulation around axons to help them conduct their electrical discharges quickly down the axon). An MRI can detect this myelin degeneration as white matter hyperintensities. The MRI is also sensitive to cerebral atrophy (shrinkage), another normal phenomenon as we age. Excessive numbers of white matter hyperintensities or excessive atrophy signal a possible neurologic illness or injury.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

PET scanning is based on the fact that the brain uses glucose for energy. By labeling a glucose molecule with a radioactive "tag" and then inhaling radioactive glucose and placing the patient's head under a large geiger counter, one can identify abnormal areas of the brain that are underutilizing glucose. Because cyclotrons are needed to generate the radioactive gas, PET scanning is not widely available.

SPECT Scan (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)

SPECT scanning is similar to PET scanning in that a radioactive chemical is administered intravenously to the patient, but the radioactive chemical remains in the bloodstream and does not enter the brain. As a result, the SPECT scan maps the brain's vascular supply. Because damaged brain tissue normally shuts down its own blood supply, focal vascular defects on a SPECT scan are circumstantial evidence of brain damage. The advantage of a SPECT scan over a PET scan is it is readily available and is relatively cheap. Recent studies have demonstrated abnormal SPECT scans after head trauma when the CT and MRI were normal, suggesting that the SPECT scan is more sensitive to brain injury then either CT or MRI scans. Because the radioactive chemicals used in SPECT and PET scans are carried to all parts of the body by vascular tree, SPECT scans and PET scans are used judiciously in patients of reproductive age.

Obviously there are great limitations to medical science in revealing the intricacies of brain injury. As advocates we must not forget that most jurors will be relying on the evidence of the experts in making their decisions regarding the case. Most jurors will be learning about brain injury for the first time. The lawyer must remind the jurors through expert testimony that although science has come a long way, it is still in its primitive stages. Thus, more reliance can be placed on the lay witnesses who describe how the plaintiff has changed.

Referral to an Expert for an Evaluation

While the plaintiff has probably seen a number of experts since his or her accident, there are often occasions where the plaintiff has not seen the appropriate medical care provider. For this reason it may become necessary for solicitors to refer their clients to additional experts for further clinical evaluation.

Oftentimes while proving that your client's injuries are caused from an acquired brain injury, a lawyer will retain a neuropsychologist. Test results are open to interpretation and debate. If the client moves about normally, speaks articulately and looks perfectly healthy in the structured environment of the courtroom you can expect the defence experts to disagree with your experts.

Other experts will be retained who are not part of the medical treatment team, some of which may include vocational experts, life care planners and even economists.

Discovery

Before a case goes to trial, the lawyers for both parties know not only the case but also the other side's position on all the issues. The system is designed to prevent surprises. In the discovery phase, a lawyer will ask questions under oath of the adverse party. This form of oral testimony provides both the plaintiff and defendant with the clearest view of anticipated trial evidence. The views of the deponents become "locked down" and difficult to alter later during trial.

With a brain injured client is important to remind them that all question put to them are assumed answered as if they have a complete and accurate recollection of the evidence. Often the opposite is true. The lawyer representing a brain injured client must take ample time in advance to prepare their client for this examination so that the evidence is not misconstrued.

Keep in mind that the defence will attempt to use the Examination to undermine your client's credibility by obtaining admissions, which are contrary to your case or commit your client's evidence so that it can later be contradicted through expert opinions or surveillance.

Lay Witnesses

Lay witnesses are people who have known the plaintiff both before and after the date of injury. These include family members, friends, neighbours and co-workers of the plaintiff who help to validate the testimony of the plaintiff and the experts during a trial. These witnesses can be very persuasive because their testimony is easily understood and can often describe the plaintiff's subtle injuries vividly.

Developing a Theme

The theme is the word or phrase that constantly reappears in the litigation to focus the jury's attention upon what the case is really about. Selecting one or more themes is of crucial importance. Themes are like magnets, which constantly attract notice. They must be designed to trigger both rational and emotional responses in jurors. In formulating trial themes, lawyers should focus upon facts, which may be expressed using high impact language, and illustrated by high quality demonstrative evidence. Themes that emphasize "quality of life" issues tend to dominate the brain injury cases because of the severe impact a brain injury may have upon the lives of individual plaintiffs.

There is nothing more effective in persuading any jury of organic injury than evidence that demonstrates that the plaintiff was having a successful and satisfying life before the accident. A timeline can often be persuasive in demonstrating an absence of medical treatment and consistent employment before the injury.

Settlement before Trial

Most times cases settle prior to trial. After a suit is filed and the case proceeds, but before the trial begins, the parties can agree to settle. If that occurs, then one side agrees to pay a sum of money to the other, and the other side agrees to accept it as payment in full for the injuries suffered. Usually a settlement is a good thing. In a settlement, no one loses. The insurance company pays something, maybe a little less than expected by the plaintiff, but the risk of a trial is avoided. In all trials there are big risks for both sides.

The Overall Challenge in a Mild Brain Injury Case

Most insurance adjusters and defence lawyers take a jaundiced view of mild traumatic brain injuries. Some have commented that it represents the "whiplash of the new millennium". Despite this cynical approach, the lawyer taking on a brain injury case must look for proof of an organic injury in order to defeat the following standard defences:

No loss of consciousness: Plaintiffs who sustain mild brain injuries often do not experience true loss of consciousness. Expert witnesses will help present evidence that loss of awareness, confusion or dizziness as a result of trauma can cause significant neurological problems.

The impairment was pre-existing from long standing pre-accident emotional problems.

The injury, if there is one, is only an emotional one that can be cured through treatment.

Negative neuro-imaging results: The absence of positive findings by examinations such as a CT scan or MRI should not be treated as evidence of a lack of injury.

The client is malingering: Defence counsel will insist that the plaintiff is intentionally producing false or exaggerated symptoms motivated by the desire to obtain financial compensation through litigation. Usually malingering can be detected in psychological testing.

Trial

If the sum of money offered by the insurance company in not accepted by the plaintiff, then the matter will proceed to trial. A trial is a risky venture: one side may win a lot of money or get nothing. In any event, the costs of a trial can be extremely expensive for the loser.

Trials can be decided by judge alone or by judge and jury. While negligence cases are brought against the individual who caused the accident, there is always the presence of the insurance company behind the scenes as they are responsible for protecting the defendant up to the limits of their policy.

If you are to persuade the jury that an injury has occurred, you must find a way to overcome the appearance of normalcy as the plaintiff gives evidence. One way to do so is to graphically explain the mechanism of injury so that the jury can appreciate that the brain can be permanently injured without any permanent change to the appearance of the head or face. There is no more effective way to explain the mechanism of injury than to show it, either through the use of medical-legal illustrations, animations or other artwork.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the presentation of a brain injury case is extremely challenging. The lawyer undertaking such cases should be familiar with the long-term consequences of brain injury. If the lawyer does not cover all facets of the case with appropriate witnesses and other evidence, he will do himself and his client a great disservice.

Charles Gluckstein of Gluckstein & Associates LLP Toronto Personal Injury Lawyers ( http://www.gluckstein.com ) was callled to the Ontario Bar in 1999, and restricts his practice to insurance litigation including personal injury, disability matters, occupier's liability issues, product liability and medical malpractice.

Charles is a on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and is a former Director of the Brain Injury Association of Toronto. He is also an active member of the Advocates' Society, the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto, and the American Trial Lawyers Association.

He is involved in assisting many organizations such as the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario, the Ontario Brain Injury Association and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

Charles has written articles on Insurance Law for the Lawyer's Weekly publication and is an editor for the Personal Injury Practice Manual, an industry reference manual. He is a frequent guest lecturer for conferences, seminars and medical-legal workshops.

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