All tag results for 'diabetes'

Chaka Khan is looking slim and feeling FINE and FIERCE after switching to a vegan diet.

So much so, she's been able to say goodbye to her diabetes medications!

The singer states that her previous diet caused her poor health and she knew she needed to switch to a different path in life.

She says the following:

Tags: chaka khan, diabetes, diet, health, inspiration, vegan, vegetarian, weight

It's always sad when a pet's heath begins to decline and it's always tough to decide when they are in pain or suffering more often than not.

So Dana wrote in to Dr. Patrick Mahaney:

Hi Patrick,

My rottweiler/shepperd mix breed, Deacon is nearly 15 years old..I have had her since I was 19 years old, and since she was only a 6 week puppy.. So, we've grown up together….

About 2 1/2 years ago she was diagnosed as being diabetic. I give her insulin injections twice a day, morning and night.. Within 6 months of being diagnosed, she was 100% blind in both eyes….. the last 6 months or so, she's been acting very depressed.. I don't have as much time with her (with a baby in the house, and working full time).. I feel like at her age, and with all her health issues maybe it's time we have her put to sleep… In addition to her acting depressed, her vet bills are mounting and I can barely keep up.. Feeding my family is hard these days, let alone the $140 a month it costs me in insulin, syringes and special food for my old friend….

Her vet always tells me "she's like a tank, she's fine"… But, when I take her to the vet she's just excited to see everyone.. She has to go to the vet once a month for blood work, so it's like a second home to her…..I'm on the fence.. Sometimes I feel selfish for keeping her around, I see a sad lonely dog. But, part of me feels selfish for wanting to have her put to sleep……. advice? Suggestions?

Dana Wombles

Dr. Patrick responded:

Dana,

Good luck,
Dr PM

Have any pet questions? Tweet them to Dr. Patrick HERE!! OR Check him out on facebook!

Tags: diabetes, dog, dr patrick mahaney, euthanasia, old, q and a, sad, sick, sleep

Good for her!!

Our most fave talk show is using her star power to inform people about cause near and dear to her heart (and stomach): The vegan lifestyle.

The site says:

"Scientific studies supported by the American Dietetic Association have confirmed that vegan and vegetarian diets are associated with lower cholesterol, lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, lower risk of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, lower body fat, and lower overall cancer rates. In fact, studies have shown that a vegan diet can actually reverse diabetes, heart disease and even cancer."

Ellens blog features vegan recipes, tips and links to resources and information, and other fun facts like a list of celebrity vegans.

CLICK HERE to visit Ellen's blog!

[image via vegan.ellen.warnerbros.com]

Tags: america, cancer, celebrity, diabetes, diet, disease, official website, vegan, vegetarian

Another reason to adopt a dog!

Dogs may be "man's best friend," but parrots, cats, lizards and horses also form connections to human beings.

Not only can having a pet cheer you up and reduce your stress levels, but your pet could save your life. These pets may be able to detect cancer, diabetic crises, seizures, migraines and Parkinson's "freezing," helping owners get timely — and often critical — help.

Detecting Cancer
Dogs can actually be taught to detect cancer. Melanoma is the least common but most deadly skin cancer, accounting for 79 percent of skin cancer deaths!

Seizure Assistance Dogs
Dogs can also be trained to respond to seizures, keeping owners safe by fetching help or medication. But we still don't know why dogs have the ability to pick up on a seizure before it occurs. It may be that they cue into subtle body signals, or even chemical changes that make our bodies smell different.

Migraine Alert Dogs
Migraine medications work best when taken as early as possible. Dogs, cats and other pets often naturally detect pre-migraine characteristics.

Diabetes Alert Dogs
The British Medical Journal published a report that discussed how pet dogs sensed an imminent hypoglycemic shock in their diabetic owners and warned them ahead of time to take proper medication.

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: cancer, diabetes, dog, dogs, esp, health, migraine, parrot, seizure, trained, wow

Seksier than EVER!

Nick Carter recently revealed he and his bandmates have adopted vegetarian diets in an effort to be in top shape for their summer tour with fellow boyband New Kids on The Block - and officials at PETA are totally psyched!

A spokesperson said:

"As the Backstreet Boys make the switch to a vegetarian diet, they are sure to experience some of the many health benefits associated with it, including an increase in energy, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

"According to the American Dietetic Association, vegetarians are less prone to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes than meat-eaters are - and they're an average of 10 to 20 pounds lighter too. And there's nothing sexier than a guy who chooses a humane diet over one that hurts animals."

The boyz join a growing number of public figures, from Carrie Underwood and Russell Brand to Bill Clinton and Natalie Portman, who have decided to think before they eat and turn away from meat.

Click HERE to see when NKOTBSB will be preforming near you!

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: animals, backstreet boys, diabetes, diet, new kids on the block, peta, vegetarian

How can you tell if your dog or cat is too fat?

The scale only provides a number, which cannot reasonably give an accurate estimate of your pet’s health regarding their weight. Therefore, it is best to evaluate your pet’s body condition score (BCS).

The ideal BCS is 5 out of 9. The extreme obesity and a serious candidate for The Biggest Loser Pet Edition is 9 out of 9.

Place your hands onto your pet’s ribs. Can you feel the individual ribs and the spaces in between?

Stand your pet up onto all four feet and carefully observe them from above and from the side. Does your pet’s abdomen (“stomach”) stick out beyond their ribcage (from above view) or swing pendulously down towards the ground (from side view)?

If you have answered yes to any of the above then your pet is too fat and has a BCS between 6 and 9.

Pets carrying excessive weight are more likely to develop arthritis, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, constipation, and other health problems.

Schedule an examination with your veterinarian to address your pet’s excessive BCS and establish a healthy weight loss plan.

Please feel free to "like" and share this post on Facebook, and tweet this tip to your favorite pet loving tweeps.

PS - Click HERE to "Follow" Teddy's celeb pet vet Dr. Patrick Mahaney on Twitter, where you can tweet him your pet questions!

Tags: diabetes, disease, dog, facebook, health problems, obesity, pet, question, tips, vet, veterinarian

Teddy Hilton's own vet to the stars, Dr. Patrick Mahaney, answers your pet care questions!

Today's question comes from TeddyHilton reader, Brittany, who needs help with her mom's bff: an 11 year-old mini Schnauzer named Mariah.

Brittany asks:

As of lately.. She has become blind in one eye. She is one of three dogs, a 5 year old Beagle, and a 9 month old Puggle. She has sadly started walking into walls, the other dogs, and just about everything else.. We have to shove her face into her food just so she can find it.

She seems absolutely miserable ever since the new Puggle came home. Is there anything we can do to help her from running into stuff and to be happier than she seems to be as of lately?

Dr. Patrick's Holistic Pet Care Tip:

I am sorry to hear of the vision problems affecting Mariah as of late. Especially since she is a senior dog, I highly suggest you have her evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as your are able.

There are a variety of conditions that can lead to gradual or acute onset blindness, including cataract, glaucoma, lens displacement (from trauma), cancer, infections, metabolic disease (diabetes, other), and others. Mariah may need to be evaluated by a veterinary ophthalmologist (eye specialist). If you are in Los Angeles, I suggest seeing Dr Christin Fahrer from Eye Care for Animals in Culver City, CA.

As you speak of her being unable to find food, we really need to put the food in a spot where she can easily locate both food and water.

Additionally, block off stairs, keep her off of the sofa and couch, and avoid situations where she could fall and traumatize herself.

We all hope Mariah gets back to her normal self soon!

Tags: animals, diabetes, disease, dog, dogs, food, pet, reader, sad, teddy, veterinarian