Open Question: Pug puppy with stenotic nares and a heart murmur?
I just purchased an 11 week old AKC registered pug puppy (female) from a breeder yesterday. She is the sweetest thing ever! I took her to be vet checked today and the vet advised me that one of her nostrils was closed and the other was partially closed. (Stenotic nares) She said that this would require sugery if they do not open up as she gets older. In addition she said that she has a heart murmur. She said that it is possible that she will outgrow it, but it could be a sign of heart disease. I hate to take her back but I am worried about the cost of her care and her quality of life. Anyone have any experience with this, or some helpful advice?
I did some research on the breed prior to purchasing. Yes obviously not enough or I would have checked her nostrils prior to purchase. There is no question that I would get the surgery, as it is a fairly simple and inexpensive procedure usually done while they are being spayed or neutered. One problem is that if the murmur does not resolve itself, she is at very high risk for anethesia, which would make it almost impossible to spay her or do the nasal surgery. I worry about the murmur worsening and losing her very young which would break my heart and that of my childrens. What I’m asking is if anyone has had experience with the murmurs getting worse, or if their pug continued to thrive with a murmur.
There was no health contract with her. She had not even been vet checked by the breeder, which is why I took her to the vet right away. I love her sooo much and I want to keep her so bad that I am willing to overlook the cost of care that is not an issue. My last dog had a brain tumor that cost us over 3 grand to do an MRI and treat, only to lose him a year later. I don’t want to go through losing another pet after being such a big part of our lives. i am looking for advice from pug owners who have experience in this area. I am aware of the respiratory problems associated with pugs, only a small percentage of pugs are born with stenosis, as it is a congenital defect. Please don’t reply unless u have some useful and knowledgable information about this topic. I’m not asking if I should keep the dog, I already am keeping the dog. I would like to hear from people whom have experienced with their own pugs, and some advice on the best treatment for these conditions.

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:39:15 GMT

Open Question: Religion - how is it reasonable?
I don’t want to turn this into a bitter argument, but I struggle to understand how people that are properly educated can see no flaw in their beliefs of god/gods.
If there is a god, and he did create us, and we are the only beings in this entire universe… why did he create all those other galaxies and a seemingly endless amount of space?? Does it not seem a little bit illogical to believe we are on the only populated rock in the cosmos??
Why does it seem that those who believe in religion are more adamant about the end of the world? Do you feel that you will finally be rewarded for your faith? Why should courteous and conscientious people be exempted from an eternity of bliss strictly because they do not have faith, considering their actions are based off the goodness of their heart, rather then being dictated by what the person may experience in the afterlife?
I realize not all religions are like this, I lived in Thailand for a year and grew a great appreciation for Buddhism. I still do not believe in it. But, I will say one thing that appealed to me…was the fact they were so ACCEPTING of others and their religions, which you cannot say for many other religions. It’s generally, “You either believe in my religion or you’re 100%….. WRONG!!!”
After I arrived back from my trip I was reading through the newspaper and found an article about a family going over to Thailand to help some poverty stricken areas and were putting on a fund raiser to help those that were less fortunate. My hand was on its way to my back pocket until I read, “The Johnson(fake name) family will be hoping to spread the word of Christianity while on their trip aswell” If they didn’t have this hidden agenda would they really be going over to “help”? To go over to these countries where people have nothing, desperate and are willing to grasp onto anything… is it right to take advantage of these people like this?? Why not commit these actions strictly because you want to? Why not allow these people to continue to believe in what they want? Are you of the opinion they’re suffering because they do not give credence to the “right” religion/god??
While I was there I did my share of volunteer work with no expectations of spreading any sort of faith. I found a very pleasant family, that had fallen on extremely hard times and had lost their house, along with their good health due to being homeless. Once I arrived home, I sent them the majority of my pay cheque for several months in order to build them a home, and continue to help support them to this day, I do however recieve compensation every once and a while from these people….. A simple “THANK YOU!!”
I don’t want to sound like I believe Thailand and Buddhism are perfect, because I still question Buddhists logic for believing in what they do. But, I don’t see the harm in HOW they believe, and I feel they believe for the RIGHT reasons. The western world and its religions can certainly learn a thing or two from them.
Now with the unemployment rate through the roof in the ‘God Blessed’ United States of America. As your job hangs in the balance, every morning is uncertainty, do you not begin to ask yourselves “Hey, I’ve been a good person, I’ve gone to church every Sunday, why me, god? God?! you there!? This guy never seems to answer me!!!”(Those must be riveting conversations) What about all those good religious people that I’m sure were guilty of participating in the greed which led to the demise of the great booming economy?? Are they not condemned to hell? Or did they make it to church on time to confess their sins, earning themselves a spot back in the line leading to the pearly white gates?? Right in front of that genuinely good Athiest who was killed thanks to his selfless act of pushing that little girl out of the way of a bus??
I like to keep things succinct, hahaha, so I’ll wrap this up with a quote from a movie that sums up my view point of what we truly are.
“I’d like to share a revelation that I’ve had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you’re not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You’re a plague and we are the cure.” - Agent Smith, The Matrix
and on a happy note…..
If life is a waste of time, and time is a waste of life, then let’s get wasted all of the time, and we’ll have the time of our lives.

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:47:42 GMT
Open Question: Heart Murmur in the Army?
Hi there! My fiance is in the Army, he just finished boot camp and is starting AIT school. His MOS is 31B, Military Police…He went to the sick hall today and they found his heart murmur…he has had it since he was born. When he went to MEPS before he joined, they told him not to write it down…and then they found it today. Tomorrow he is having more tests done but I do not know what this will mean for him? Medical Discharge? Waiver? Ignore it?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:08:32 GMT

Open Question: Question about preventing serious illnesses and diet..?
We are all told to eat healthy and exercise regulary, to what extent percentage wise does this protect us from things like cancer, heart disease ect. ?
Listing the illnesses individually would be a plus and I know that there is no exact answer for the cancer one because there is so many different types of cancer. I hate cancer, hopefully they will find a cure soon, if it is possible Thanks!

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:03:52 GMT

Open Question: Medicine :: What role does Materialism/Secularism (same thing) play in rising illness rates in this age ?
and what is the solution ? and do you think its a neglected topic that needs to be studied more ?
Examples of physical and psychological illnesses caused by materialist secularsit outlook on life - those who are content and not pursuing materialism and believe in a world beyond and divine justice and so forth would not gorge on pleasure foods, which harm the body (rising obesity, heart diseases, etc) and would be less stressed (less depression, suicide, tension etc) as some examples… and bonus question is, can you give other examples of the problems materialism/secularism causes (in the medical field obviously)?
For those interested, here is an earlier question & discussion I did on the effect of materialism and secularism as applied to the world of LOVE and RELATIONSHIPS… and how it is playing havoc in that field as well..
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvgALkwAuvuVu6d1nhXpsnDh5gt.;_ylv=3?qid=20100120231958AAZ2VVv
Basically, I view materialism-secularism as the primary cause of the ills facing the world today.

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:59:25 GMT
Open Question: Will X hurt the heart?
my friend has a heart murmur and wants to roll…will if screw up her heart

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:05:04 GMT

Open Question: German Shepherd dog “haters”?
Ok, so I live on an army post and pretty much every single person has a dog/dogs. Well, I have a week old German Shepherd male (Bear) and we decided to take a stroll through the neighborhood since no other dogs were out (so he couldn’t get any diseases or anything). It was just a short little walk. Well, as we were walking Bear (my puppy) was in a very playful mood. So, as we were walking we walked past a woman and she kept staring at Bear, and moving away as if she was scared of him (he’s still little!). So I just kind of gave her an odd look and kept walking. I heard her say to her friend, “Oh my goodness. Did you see that?! How can someone just walka viscous breed dog around other people like that?!” And oh my goodness. My heart started pounding, I was furious. I turned to her and said, “Excuse me, ma’am- but my dog is most certainly NOT viscous. He is in training as of right now & I’m more than sure that your dog is more likely to attack someone than mine, considering his owner is too stuck-up her own a*s to train him!” And I just walked away, leaving her staring with her jaw dropped! I couldn’t help it, I just had to say it. Do you think I am wrong for this?
1 week old puppy? What’re you talking about?! My puppy is 9 weeks!
Oh my God! I’m so sorry. I meant to put the word nine isntead of a week old. My bad, I’m sorry. Forgive me! NINE week old I mean. I didn’t notice that.

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:09:19 GMT

Open Question: lawsuit for medication causing seizure?
Someone I know was prescribed an anxiety medication while he had blood clots and a heart murmur and the anxiety medicine caused him to have a seizure and pass out. he was taken by ambulence to the hospital where they said he should have never been prescribed that medication. Could he sue the prescribing doctor? how much could you sue for in a case like this?
you are all very negative. you could have answered in a nicer way.

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:23:15 GMT
Open Question: My dog has terrible teeth, hacking cough, and losing fur?!?!?
My 15 year old beagle, Lady, has had a hacking cough for about 5 months now. Usually it happens when she gets excited (she’s still pretty springy for her age sometimes), but sometimes she will just start out of nowhere. She will hack about 10 times and then the last one seems like something might come out…she does a thing with her mouth like she tasted something nasty. I know that this could be a tell tale sign of heart disease. She hasn’t been to the vet in a while, I’m sad to confess.
She also has VERY bad teeth. She has been a poop eater for practically her whole life. We could NEVER find anything that worked to detour her. We could never afford teeth cleanings, and she wouldn’t let you brush her teeth, nor has she ever been a chewer. A combo of all these things has led to her teeth being in the state that they are. Recently, I took a peek at her teeth and noticed a green patch on her gums. No idea what that is. Her breath doesn’t usually ever smell like poop, but there is definitely a smell of rot. I’m sure she has abscessed teeth in there, and perhaps the infection from them has played into the coughing, too.
Just tonight, I was petting her and noticed a patch on her back half that had lost the fur. There was a black ring around the fur lining it, and when i went to look at it closer, her skin and fur just sort of peeled right off. She didn’t act like it hurt her, but it completely freaked me out.
So basically my dog has some major issues. I know she’s old, but I’m 21 and I don’t remember my life without her. I’m taking her to the vet first thing Monday morning, but I just wanted to see if anybody else had any suggestions of what to be prepared for.

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:36:21 GMT

Open Question: How Much Should I Feed My German Shepherd?
I have 10 month old German Shepherd. He is 80 pounds and everyone thinks he looks skinny. I run my hands across his ribs and can’t feel them unless I put pressure. I do not personally think he is thin but my parents do. Every time I go home from college they gripe at me that he is too thin. He is pretty active but not as active as most shepherds. He has a heart murmur and can’t last long when he runs. There is a field where I live and I take him out and let him off leash to run and he can run around for 5 minutes tops so he is not overly active. I am currently feeding him Beneful twice a day and doing the amount on the back of the bag. I know Beneful is not the best dog food but right now it’s all I can afford. I was feeding him Nutro but I am not working at the moment. Is 2 times a day for a German Shepherd enough or do I need to do 3 times or only once?
Oh yeah, I forgot to add, he is slender in my opinion but not thin. If you get what I’m saying.

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:22:04 GMT

Open Question: Can anyone help me solve this algebra problem?
The body mass index, I, can be used to determine an individuals risk for heart disease. An index less than 25 indicates a low risk. The body mass index is given by the formula, or model. I=700w/H2, where W= weight, in pounds, and H = height, in inches. Francis weighs 213 pounds and stands 75 inches tall. What is his approximate body mass index? Find an inequality describing all weights W that Francis can have and be in the low-risk category.

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:16:03 GMT

Open Question: How do you like this description of using the Pill and Birth Control?
Yes i copied and pasted it………..Welcome to the Pro-life Forum. Glad to have you.
Let’s see if I can put your daughter’s comments in the proper perspective.
If she has 100 friends, and one of them (1%) is shot and killed in cold blood, would she argue that “it’s only one percent.” Of course not.
But that one in a hundred children who is starved to death by the pill, and many say it is far more than that, is no different than one of her 100 friends. That child is a human being, a person whose human rights are violated by his death due to chemical murder.
Second, on a purely humanistic level, one has to wonder why your daughter would use a chemical that increases her chances of suffering from breast cancer, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted disease or heart attack. Why would anybody take a recreational drug, which is what the pill is, with those kinds of side effects? It is not in her self interest to do so.
Finally, on the subject of putting one’s faith in God, allow me to say that the couple devoted to each other who does not wish to put any barriers between them would never use anything including natural methods unless they had a grave situation with which to deal. Couples that love each other that much are usually so happy you could not beleive it and the divorce rate is two percent or less.
Some things to think about.
Well so far the sort of answers i expected from Humanist.And yes i know of couples who were very happily married that never had Children but one or the other was steril or for what ever the reason like one told me one time it was not from lack of trying.The 2% is as good as any body elses statistics.
Oh and pray tell me how does condoms stop the spread of aids as they have a 60% failure rate and only encourage more sexual activity.

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:27:42 GMT

Open Question: Kitten with Heart Murmur - Seller Vs Buyer responsibility?
Hi There,
I recently purchased a silver Bengal male kitten from a breeder. Today I took him to the vet for a well check to assess his health. The vet says he has a 1/6 murmur that probably will go away or become an innocent murmur. But there is the slight chance it turns into something more. The recommendation is to have him checked again at 5 months of age and then do an echocardiogram if still present.
My question is, what is the responsibility of the owner vs. the breeder in paying for the work if it needs to be done. I have a contract with the breeder stipulating that the cat is free of genetic defects, and if not, then I can return the cat for another or get a refund (minus deposit) with in 72 hours. Also, if the cat develops problems down the line due to genetics, then the breeder will supply a new cat.
I really like this cat (great markings and personality), so I’d rather keep the cat, but be protected in paying for an echocardiogram at 5 months if needed. I would like the opinion from people who know more about dealing with breeders than I do.
Thanks,
Nick

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:55:18 GMT