Health
The Virtual Vet Will See You Meow
Milkshake and Pickles are reluctant vacationers. So when Persistence Warren wanted to take the 2 aged cats on a 12-hour drive in February, she hoped to get some pharmaceutical help, particularly for Pickles, a petite grey tabby with a historical past of extreme movement illness.
The dilemma: Taking Pickles to the vet usually triggered the very misery Ms. Warren hoped to keep away from.
“Inside like a minute of being put into her service and put into the automotive, she would normally vomit or lose her bowels,” mentioned Ms. Warren, a political researcher in Missouri. “She would additionally simply cower and be actually scared and meow. And I didn’t need to put her by means of that stress.”
Over the course of the pandemic, Ms. Warren had grown accustomed to having her personal well being wants met just about, seeing a physician, therapist and nutritionist on-line. She questioned whether or not there have been veterinarians who may prescribe anti-anxiety and movement illness medicines over a video name. When she searched on-line, she was stunned to find quite a few choices.
“I actually didn’t understand that digital vets existed,” she mentioned.
Whereas many individuals have embraced digital visits with their very own medical doctors, use of veterinary telemedicine by pet homeowners has lagged. In a single new survey of greater than 1,200 American cat homeowners, 72 % reported utilizing telemedicine for themselves, in comparison with simply 3 % who had used it for his or her felines.
“However issues are altering, and issues are altering quick,” mentioned Carly Moody, an animal welfare researcher on the College of California, Davis, who carried out the survey, which has not but been printed, as a part of an ongoing venture finding out telemedicine for cats.
Throughout the pandemic, quite a few states quickly loosened restrictions on veterinary telemedicine and plenty of clinics in addition to pet homeowners tried distant appointments for the primary time. Some states at the moment are contemplating completely increasing their use.
Though hurdles stay, and it’s not applicable for all pet care situations, scaling up telemedicine might convey quite a lot of advantages, specialists mentioned, like enhancing entry to veterinary care and lowering stress for vet-averse pets like Pickles.
For veterinary medication, Covid-19 “served as a catalyst for change that was obligatory,” mentioned Dr. Christina Tran, a veterinarian on the College of Arizona who’s on the board of administrators of the Veterinary Digital Care Affiliation and is a paid adviser to a veterinary telehealth firm.
Pandemic practices
Some types of telehealth are a long time outdated; veterinarians have lengthy fielded frantic calls from pet homeowners or consulted with colleagues over electronic mail.
However distant video appointments are newer. “Earlier than the pandemic, it was not quite common to make the most of telemedicine in that manner,” mentioned Dr. Lori Teller, the president of the American Veterinary Medical Affiliation, who can also be on the college at Texas A&M College, the place she has developed a veterinary telehealth program. She can also be a compensated adviser for an additional veterinary telehealth firm.
Partially, that stemmed from restrictive state legal guidelines, lots of which required veterinarians to have a pre-existing relationship with an animal — together with having given a previous hands-on examination — earlier than treating them remotely.
However when the pandemic started, some states quickly eased their necessities. Veterinary practices turned to telemedicine to preserve private protecting gear and flatten the coronavirus curve. The share of vets providing distant video appointments rose to 30 % from 4 %, based on one survey of American and Canadian clinicians.
Pet homeowners who had by no means thought of digital care abruptly had few different choices. One morning in Could 2020, Kristyn Sales space, an educator who then lived in Austin, Texas, found that her canine’s eye, which had been injured practically a decade prior, was bulging and crimson. The veterinarian would solely supply a digital appointment.
Initially, Ms. Sales space was nervous. “How can they do that?” she recalled considering. “It’s her eye.”
However the veterinarian recommended that Ms. Sales space drive Lily, a redbone coonhound, to the workplace and take the digital appointment within the parking zone. If the state of affairs regarded severe, they may rush Lily inside.
So Ms. Sales space sat inside her automotive and confirmed the physician Lily’s eye over a video name. She adopted the vet’s directions to softly press across the canine’s eye socket and look below her eyelid for blood. “I felt like I used to be a vet that day,” she mentioned. “They have been proper there in case it was going to go awry.”
The physician prescribed eye drops and despatched Ms. Sales space and Lily on their manner.
Final 12 months, when Lily’s eye bought worse, Ms. Sales space used a video name once more; this time, the physician took one look and knew it was time for the injured eye to come back out, Ms. Sales space mentioned. Lily has coped effectively, she added: “She’s nice. She’s outdated now, and we do every part we will to maintain her glad and wholesome.”
Scaredy cats
Some organizations are pushing for a extra everlasting enlargement of digital vet care.
“The pandemic actually did open up our eyes to the utilization of telemedicine,” mentioned Kevin O’Neill, the vice chairman of state affairs for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is urging states to loosen their guidelines round telemedicine. “We see it as an actual key part to establishing a broader capacity for sufferers and pet homeowners to have the ability to entry that vet care that’s so badly wanted.”
In June 2022, 26 % of American pet homeowners reported that there had been instances over the earlier two years after they had been unable to entry veterinary care, based on a survey of 5,000 individuals carried out by the A.S.P.C.A., which offered the info to The Instances. Two-thirds of them mentioned that their pets would in all probability be “seen by a veterinarian extra typically” if they may use telemedicine.
Though not all medical care will be offered by means of a display, routine appointments like post-surgical follow-ups or behavioral consultations work effective from a distance, specialists mentioned.
Telemedicine may very well be particularly helpful for rural pet homeowners, who could reside hours from an animal clinic, in addition to those that can’t afford to take break day from work or lack dependable transportation, specialists mentioned. Digital triage companies might assist individuals decide whether or not their pets’ signs require in-person care or will be monitored at house.
“After which we open up these appointments for the brick and mortar in order that they will in reality see issues that have to be seen in particular person,” Dr. Tran mentioned.
Digital care may be a boon for cats, lots of that are intensely confused by journeys to the vet, Dr. Moody mentioned. In a small unpublished examine funded by the A.S.P.C.A. and Maddie’s Fund, an animal welfare group, Dr. Moody and her colleagues discovered that cats displayed fewer indicators of physiological stress — with smaller pupils, slower respiratory charges and extra relaxed ear postures — throughout distant appointments than throughout in-person ones.
When given clear directions, cat homeowners might even do some fundamental physiological assessments normally carried out by a vet. “I feel we solely had one cat that the proprietor wasn’t capable of get a respiration fee at house as a result of the cat was very wiggly,” mentioned Grace Boone, a researcher in Dr. Moody’s lab who ran the examine.
The digital vet turned out to be excellent for motion-sickness-prone Pickles, who appeared to hate the vet simply as a lot as she liked crashing Ms. Warren’s distant work conferences. “She loves being on digital camera throughout my work Zoom, in order quickly as I turned it on, she was up on my lap,” Ms. Warren mentioned.
The vet prescribed medicine for movement illness and anxiousness, which have been shipped on to Ms. Warren’s house. “Total, it was fantastic,” she mentioned. “I’ve been telling everyone.”
Tele-troubles
Telemedicine will not be a panacea, and a few pet homeowners and veterinarians have run into its limitations.
When Alisa Crane’s 16-year-old cat developed an an infection on his ears and face final November, the one appointment she might discover was a digital one. The appointment felt cursory, she mentioned, lasting “perhaps six minutes.”
The digital veterinarian prescribed painkillers and antibiotics, and the an infection finally cleared, however Ms. Crane, who lives in Sudbury, Ontario, nonetheless doesn’t know what precipitated it or whether or not it was an indication of a deeper well being problem. If she have been in the identical state of affairs once more, she mentioned, she’d in all probability go for an in-person journey to the costly emergency vet. “I don’t assume they have been capable of correctly diagnose him by means of the video name,” she mentioned.
After Friendship Hospital for Animals, in Washington, D.C., started providing telemedicine appointments for some sufferers in April 2020, some veterinarians quickly discovered them to be extra bother than they have been price. “As a result of our sufferers can’t inform us their signs like an individual can, I’m counting on a pet proprietor to interpret their signs,” mentioned Dr. Christine Klippen, an emergency veterinarian on the hospital. “And that may generally be very, very flawed.”
As an example, a pet proprietor who observed their cat straining within the litter field may guide a web based appointment for constipation, usually a comparatively minor ailment, when the cat in reality may need a urinary blockage, a doubtlessly life-threatening emergency, Dr. Klippen mentioned.
“We might get a number of of us that might not discover the animal in time,” she added. “You’d have a scheduled appointment, after which they’re attempting to take video of pets within the closet. It didn’t turn into an environment friendly use of the veterinarian’s time.”
The hospital discontinued the appointments after lower than six months, she mentioned, though the hospital does occasional distant consultations. Digital care is a “nice concept,” she added, however vets and pet homeowners want clearer pointers about how and when to make use of digital visits.
The authorized panorama will be complicated too, with a patchwork of state and federal legal guidelines. However some states are embracing telemedicine. New Jersey, as an illustration, now permits vets to deal with new sufferers just about with out a prior bodily examination, and Arizona lawmakers are contemplating comparable laws.
The American Veterinary Medical Affiliation favors a extra restrictive strategy, largely limiting telemedicine to pet homeowners and veterinarians with a pre-existing relationship, with restricted exceptions for emergencies and specialists. However Dr. Teller mentioned that she anticipated a rising variety of practices to supply digital choices.
“Now that pandemic craziness total is slowing down,” she mentioned, “it’ll be simpler for veterinarians and their groups to take a breath and determine find out how to higher combine telemedicine.”
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Health
Dairy farm worker infected with bird flu; CDC urges workers to wear protective gear
The Texas dairy farm worker infected with H5N1 bird flu was not wearing respiratory or eye protection and had been exposed to cattle that appeared to have the same symptoms as those in a nearby farm with a confirmed outbreak of the virus, according to new details on the case released on Friday.
The details, reported online in the New England Journal of Medicine, underscore the risk to farm workers in the ongoing outbreak among U.S. dairy cattle and the need to wear protective gear to avoid infection.
The outbreak – the first in cattle – is so far known to have infected 36 dairy herds in nine states.
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Infection by the bird virus is rare in humans, and the dairy worker’s case, first reported in March, represents only the second known human infection in the United States.
It follows a worrisome spread of the virus in a variety of mammal species, raising concerns that widespread exposure of people could cause the virus to spread more easily among the population and spark a global pandemic.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the report said the farm worker developed a serious infection in his right eye known as conjunctivitis, or pink eye, but had no signs of respiratory infection or fever.
The worker had not reported any contact with sick or dead birds or other animals, but did have close exposure with sick dairy cows, with symptoms such as decreased milk production, reduced appetite and lethargy.
The worker had been wearing gloves but no respiratory or eye protection.
The CDC is urging farmers, workers, and emergency responders to wear appropriate protective gear when in direct or close physical contact with sick birds, livestock, feces, raw milk or contaminated surfaces.
An analysis of the outbreak released on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests the virus has been circulating in U.S. dairy cows for about four months before being reported on March 25.
Preliminary tests of milk, baby formula and other dairy products suggests they are safe to consume, according to the FDA.
Health
Are noise-canceling headphones hazardous to your health? Audiology experts share warnings
Noise-canceling earbuds and headphones can be helpful when you need silence on demand — but could they be hazardous to your health?
The technology has grown in popularity among people who need to eliminate auditory distractions — background chatter, loud children or traffic noise. Yet some experts claim that blocking out the sounds of your surroundings can put you at risk.
“Technology often provides convenience at the cost of awareness,” Josh Gordon, head of innovation at the Singapore technology company Geonode, told Fox News Digital.
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“Noise-canceling earbuds may bring welcome silence, but they might also mask vital sounds that could save your life.”
Generally, good noise-canceling headphones can reduce noise by 20 to 40 decibels (dB), according to Gordon.
“There are positives and negatives to every technology,” Dr. Ruth Reisman, a clinical audiologist and hearing aid dispenser in New York State, told Fox News Digital.
“There can be some negative side effects to wearing noise-canceling headphones, including the reduction of awareness of [people’s] surroundings.”
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One of Reisman’s colleagues recently did a study on this topic, she said.
“It was found that in addition to the volume of the media, the exposure and time of usage can also impact the patients’ hearing,” she noted.
This can potentially result in hearing damage and an “auditory processing challenge,” according to Reisman.
Joel Smith, a California-based audio expert and founder of the music hub AllAxess.com, agreed that noise-canceling headphones can impact hearing if they’re not used properly.
“Blasting the volume for too long can cause noise-induced hearing loss, ringing in the ears called tinnitus or even make it harder to process and distinguish sounds clearly over time,” he told Fox News Digital.
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Constant exposure to loud noise can damage the inner ear hair cells that send sound signals to the brain, according to Smith.
“As those hair cells deteriorate from the loud noise, it makes it harder for your brain to properly interpret speech, background noise and other subtle sounds,” he said.
“It’s like your auditory processing gets muffled or desensitized.”
Another risk, according to Smith, is that earbuds that aren’t cleaned regularly can trap moisture and bacteria, increasing the risk of ear infections.
“Some studies also suggest that excessive headphone use might affect your balance and spatial awareness, since you’re not relying on natural sound cues as much,” Smith added.
Safe usage tips
Noise-canceling headphones have their benefits, experts agree.
They can be helpful for people who have hyperacusis (sensitivity to noise) or those who have autism, Reisman advised.
“This can often make a noisy or disorienting environment tolerable or accessible to individuals with these challenges,” the doctor said.
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Noise-canceling earbuds or headphones can be used safely, Reisman said — “as long as they are set at an appropriate volume and not used for extended periods of time.”
Research shows that anything below 80 decibels is considered a safe volume, the doctor noted, with usage ideally limited to no more than two to three hours per day.
“The question is how to actually measure the amount of decibels at the level of the eardrum,” she said.
“You can potentially go to an audiologist and have [the expert] do a real ear measure, or use a sound level meter at the level of the ear to assess the intensity.”
Some phones also offer some guidance on safe volume levels, Reisman added.
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“I don’t think people need to avoid [noise-canceling headphones] completely, but you’ve got to use them responsibly,” Smith said.
He recommends following the 60/60 rule, which means keeping the volume at 60% or less and taking a break every 60 minutes to give your ears a rest.
“Be extra cautious in loud environments, since you might crank it up way too high to overcome that background noise,” he advised.
Smith recommended taking regular breaks and keeping volumes moderate to prevent auditory fatigue and preserve healthy hearing into older age.
“Technology is a powerful tool,” Gordon added.
“But like any tool, understanding its limitations and using it responsibly is key to staying safe.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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