Whether you’re north or central in Austin – there’s something going on at both ends tonight for you dog lovers out there!
“Ask the Vet” Happy Hour: Your Pet’s Oral Health Come join Austin Urban Vet Center tonight night for “Ask the Vet” Happy Hour! This month, Dr. Homburg will discuss the importance of oral care, home preventatives, and dental cleanings. Come find out how to get 15% off a dental cleaning in February while enjoying a cocktail and hors d’ oeurves at AUVC!
Mutts & Martinis Enjoy a cocktail while you and your pooch shop at the Mutts & Martinis event! Offering exclusive discounts and free samples. And Metrodog will donate 10% of ALL proceeds to Austin Dog Rescue! Nail trims $5, nail grinding $7. Cash only please.
And of course every day at Live Oak Pharmacy is Pet Day! Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy and our Downtown Austin Pharmacy location is at 1611 W 5th Street. Come in today with your pet and talk with our pharmacist about how we can turn medicine time into treat time! Visit us online at LiveOakRx.com and be sure to check out our facebook page Bark and Branches!
A Swinburne University researcher and the Wrigley Science Institute have found that gum chewing can lower stress levels and improve performance. For the study, participants performed a battery of multitasking activities while chewing gum. Among the findings? Gum chewing . . .
Relieved anxiety. During mildly stressful activity, chewing gum was found to reduce anxiety in gum-chewers by 17 percent when compared to nongum-chewers. During moderately stressful activities, the reduction rate was 10 percent.
Increased alertness. During mild stress activities, gum-chewers were 19 percent more alert than nongum-chewers. During moderate stress, gum-chewers were 8 percent more alert.
Reduced stress. Salivary cortisol (a physiological stress marker) levels were 16 percent lower in gum-chewers during mildly stressful activities; during moderately stressful activities, the difference was 12 percent.
Improved performance. Gum-chewers improved mean performance by 109 percent during mildly stressful activities, and 67 percent during moderately stressful activities, when compared to nongum-chewers.
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare. To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
We’re into the second month of the new year, don’t give up on the diet and exercise resolutions. Consider the following tips:
Be realistic. If you’re trying to lose weight, know that you’re human and prone to setbacks. Don’t let a failure to stick to a plan derail you from picking up and trying again.
Be specific. Don’t say you’ll exercise more. Instead, commit to walking 30 minutes during your lunch break three days a week. Whenever possible, take the stairs; it’s free exercise, and every little bit helps.
Find a buddy. It’s almost always easier to get any goal accomplished if you have a partner who’s trying to accomplish the same thing.
Log your progress. Writing down how much you’ve walked in the past week gives you a sense of accomplishment—and the encouragement to keep going. Also, it helps you to spot any trouble spots before they impede your overall progress.
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare. To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
Make certain you’ve taken these precautions to increase the likelihood that Rover or Fluffy won’t ever be gone for long:
I.D. tags. Equip your pet with an I.D. tag that carries two current phone numbers on it, including area codes. Check regularly that the information is legible and not wearing off. (This is a common problem at shelters: The animal has a tag but nothing on it is readable.)
Microchips. Shelters and vets across the country are equipped to read microchips now and can immediately identify a pet’s guardian. If microchipped pets lose their I.D. tags, they’re still identifiable. And the procedure to inject the chip is similar to giving a vaccine. If your pet doesn’t already have one, consider getting a microchip.
Photos. Take close-up color photographs of your pet from at least two different angles—a full-body picture from the front and a full-profile picture of the side(s). Keep these photos or negatives close at hand or stored on your computer.
Come into Live Oak Pharmacy and order a Red Dingo pet tag for your four legged friend today! Red Dingo Dog Tags are made from durable enamel and polished stainless steel, include free engraving and are mailed directly to your home or office!
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy and a Downtown Austin Pharmacy plus we’re pet friendly! Come in today and learn more about why reader’s of the Austin Chronicle voted us Best New Local Business or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
Good dental health is important for everyone! Including your four legged friends! “According to AVMA, periodontal infections can even spread to internal organs and lead to life threatening disorders.” As a pet owner, be sure and take care of your pet’s dental health on a regular basis, just as you would your own teeth. Follow these 3 easy steps!
STEP 1:Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam. If you suspect a problem, don’t wait for her annual checkup.
STEP 2:Begin a dental care regimen at home. Your veterinarian can suggest a variety of different steps from brushing your pets to teeth to specially formulated foods.
STEP 3:Schedule regular veterinary checkups. Just like you need to see your doctor regularly, so does your pet. Talk with your Your veterinarian about when to schedule the appropriate visits.
For more on pet health & wellness, be sure and “like” us at Bark and Branches on facebook.
Live Oak Pharmacy, winner of Best New Local Business in the Reader’s Choice of the Austin Chronicle, is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare for you and your family as well as your four-legged family members! To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
The key to innovation and creativity is to train yourself to look at questions from different angles. Opening your mind can be hard to do at first, so here’s an exercise from the book Warmups For Meeting Leaders, by Sue Bianchi, Jan Butler, and David Richey (Pfeiffer & Co.).
Every once a while, ask yourself some offbeat questions like these:
What shape is a wish?
What would happiness look like if it were something physical?
What color best represents today?
What does blue taste like?
What does a rainbow feel like?
What color is the smell of your favorite dessert?
What is the distance of your life so far?
What is your favorite sense?
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare and we’re all about thinking outside the box. Compounding prescriptions is a solution oriented approach to healthcare. If conventional medications aren’t working for you, come in and talk with our pharmacist today about collaborating with your doctor to get you feeling and being your best! To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
Research shows that back pain is one of the biggest reasons people miss work. But is there anything the average person can do to keep his or her back healthy? You bet, say the people at Harvard Medical School (www.health.harvard.edu). Here are their recommendations:
Keep fit. This is the most important thing you can do to maintain your back’s health. If you’ve had an episode of back pain already, you’ll want to consult your physician and get started with a fitness program appropriate for you. Generally, a program that focuses on strengthening your back and abdominal muscles will be ideal. Activities such as bicycling (regular or stationary), swimming and walking are ideal. That’s because these are low impact activities that strengthen the back and abdominal muscles and stimulate endorphins, which help kill pain.
Watch your weight. Added weight adds to the load your spine must carry and increases the chance for a painful episode.
Don’t smoke. Research has established a link between smoking and back pain. Scientists believe nicotine hampers the flow of blood to the vertebrae and disks. Smokers tend to lose bone faster than nonsmokers, which puts them more at risk for pain.
Lighten up. If you carry a backpack, purse or briefcase, try to streamline and carry only what is necessary. Don’t carry the load to one side. Keep the items as close to the center of the back as possible when using a backpack.
Don’t remain standing or sitting in the same position for too long. Take breaks to stretch and shift your position. When possible take short walks to loosen up.
When sitting, keep your knees a bit higher than your hips and bend them at a 90-degree angle. Sit with your feet comfortably on the floor. If your feet don’t reach the floor, put a book or small stool under them.
Choose an office chair that offers proper support. That means you’ll want one with an adjustable backrest, lumbar support, armrests and wheels. Also, make sure you set up your workspace so that you don’t have to do a lot of twisting.
Sleep on your side if you can. You’ll also want to curl your body up a bit. Choose a pillow that keeps your head level with your spine. Your mattress should be firm enough to support your spine—that means it doesn’t sag into your bed.
Have questions? Come in and talk with our pharmacist! Live Oak Pharmacy is Austin’s Compounding Pharmacy and we can work with your doctor to make a customized pain medication for you. We also offer a wide variety of homeopathic, herbal and OTC muscle pain relievers. Just another way Live Oak Pharmacy is Customized For Your Health.
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare and we compound topical pain medications. To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
Dr. Justine Lee is an emergency critical care veterinary specialist, and the author of two humorous Q:A pet books entitled “It’s a Dog’s Life… but It’s Your Carpet” and “It’s a Cat’s World… You Just Live In It.” She is the pet columnist for Prevention magazine, and one of PetMD’s veterinary bloggers. She has a 12 year old rescue pit bull named JP and two cats! To learn more about Dr. Justine Lee visit her facebook page here.
After JP, my 12 year-old, rescue pit bull had a dental cleaning, followed by a cancer-like mass removed from his jaw, followed by his spleen and adrenal gland removed 9 months later, I was in the hole $5,000 (and that’s with my professional discount!). One year later, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After a CT, MRI, and stereotactic radiation therapy, I was in the hole a whole lot more… It was just about that time when I was finally considering pet insurance. But was it too late, and is it worth it now?
While pet insurance has been around for over 30 years, it hasn’t grown in popularity when compared to other countries. For example, over 30% of pets in the United Kingdom are insured, compared to < 1% of pets in America. So why is that? First, pet insurance is indemnity insurance, and is different than your human health insurance. Both involve a third-party insurer, but with pet insurance you pay the bill directly to your veterinarian first, then seek reimbursement for the amount (or some part of the bill) by submitting a claim to the pet insurance company. Keep in mind that some pet insurance companies reimburse only a portion of the bill. And, all of them will have pre-existing medical condition limitations or breed-limitations on coverage (in other words, if you own a German shepherd where hip dysplasia is rampant in that breed, it won’t cover your dog for this!).
When it comes to pet insurance, it’s important to educate yourself as a pet owner on whether or not it’s a good fit for you. Ask yourself the following three questions to consider whether or not to invest in pet insurance:
What’s my financial situation?
Pet insurance is beneficial for large veterinary expenses or catastrophic emergencies – in other words, for that dog who swallowed a sock and needs emergency surgery in the middle of the night, to the cat who ran outside and got hit by a car. If you can’t afford a several thousand dollar surgery in the middle of the night, even partial reimbursement may help in your financial situation. Again, it’s important to remember that you still must pay the bill in full, and seek reimbursement later with your veterinary pet insurance. If you can’t afford to put yourself into debt on your dog’s behalf, pet insurance is a great emergency backup plan.
What’s my bond with my pet (i.e., stop treatment amount)?
My pets are family members in my household – they sleep with me, eat with me, share my bed, and have a high pecking order in my family circle! That said, not all pet owners share the same human-animal bond, and may not want to pursue aggressive treatment on their pets (including anesthesia for an MRI or chemotherapy). If you find yourself saying “Well, he’s just a dog,” pet insurance may not be the best option for you, as your “stop-treatment amount” is likely low. If you’ll walk the ends of the earth for you pet – as I would – extra financial help and insurance may best support your needs for your pet.
What’s my tolerance for risk?
If you worry about the veterinary costs each time your dog sneezes, or cringe each time your cat looks at you cross-eyed, pet insurance may be for you. If you aren’t comfortable with the risk of paying several thousand dollars for your pet’s emergency surgery at the last minute, indemnity insurance offers you protection. If however, you find that you tolerate financial risk well, and are willing and able to shell out a few thou’ at 2 am without any problem, you likely wouldn’t benefit as much from pet insurance.
Ultimately, pet insurance does offer the right person and the right pet adequate coverage – especially in cases of emergency, and as costs for veterinary care continue to grow. When in doubt, thoroughly research your options out there for pet insurance and talk to your veterinarian about how to educate yourself on the best pet insurance plan for you and your pet.
The opinions expressed by our guest bloggers do not necessary reflect the opinions of Live Oak Pharmacy. The opinions expressed by guest blogers are their own, unless otherwise stated. No financial agreement exists between guest bloggers and Live Oak Pharmacy.
Live Oak Pharmacy, winner of Best New Local Business in the Reader’s Choice of the Austin Chronicle, is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare for you and your family as well as your four-legged family members! To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
A National Sleep Foundation survey found that great sleepers get an average of about one hour more of sleep than others. “On weekdays, a great sleeper gets an average of seven hours and nine minutes of slumber per night, compared with an average of six hours and two minutes for those who get good sleep less often.”
Most Americans feel that the comfort and cleanliness of their bedroom are what’s key to getting a good night’s sleep. Responders also mentioned other important factors:
keeping your bedroom at a cool temperature
keeping your sleeping area dark and quiet
making sure the room is free of allergens
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about sleep.
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare. To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
Your exercise routine sets the stage for good health. Get your workout off to a good start with a light snack that can provide you with the energy and hydration your body needs. Consider these options:
One ounce of salted pretzels
A medium-sized banana
Raisins (50 or so)
One cup of whole-grain cereal
Six ounces (about two cups) of low-sodium vegetable juice
Live Oak Pharmacy is an Austin Compounding Pharmacy. We focus on an integrative approach to healthcare. To learn more about Live Oak Pharmacy, an Austin Pharmacy, visit our Austin downtown pharmacy location at 1611 W 5th Street or visit us online at http://LiveOakRx.com
