How to protect yourself from ticks year-round
WASHINGTON — Ticks can be active in any season and it's important to check for and remove the bloodsuckers as quickly as possible — especially after you've been outside hiking, gardening or enjoying nature.
'Humans are outside more in summer so we hear about more tick infections ,' said Sam Telford, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts University. But he urges caution year-round because 'every season is tick season.'
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34 minutes ago
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We Asked 3 Diabetes Experts How to Prepare for Traveling—This Is What They Said
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNTraveling with diabetes presents unique challenges beyond blood sugar–friendly eating. Diabetes experts say there are strategies to make travel less stressful and help manage blood glucose. These include packing healthy snacks, a separate medication bag and a water is one of life's great pleasures, offering new sights, fresh experiences and a chance to break away from the daily grind. But if you're living with diabetes, the excitement of hitting the road (or air, boat or train) can come with an extra layer of planning. Between blood sugar monitoring, meal timing and keeping medications stored properly, even a quick getaway can feel like a juggling act. If you've ever wondered how to balance the spontaneity of travel with the routine of diabetes care, you're probably not alone. Fortunately, traveling with diabetes doesn't have to feel like an uphill battle. It just takes a little up-front preparation. From navigating airport security with your supplies to making sure you're ready for unexpected delays or meals that don't quite match your plan, small adjustments can make a big difference. To make your next trip easier, we reached out to three diabetes experts for their favorite tips for traveling with diabetes. Because who better to guide us than the pros who know the ins and outs of this territory? Stay tuned because we're about to share their best strategies for ensuring your next trip is as smooth as it is memorable. When traveling, it's a good idea to pack your medication—and any supplies like syringes, lancets or testing strips—in a separate carry-on bag. 'This specialized bag typically doesn't count towards your standard carry-on limit, ensuring you have all essential medications, devices and snacks readily accessible,' says Lindsay Cohen, RD, LD, CDCES. While you're at it, Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND, suggests packing more medication and related supplies than you expect to need. 'This is especially important to avoid being without key resources like medications if you experience significant travel delays or lose your bags,' she says. Additionally, it's a good idea to carry a note from your health care practitioner explaining your condition and the necessity of your supplies. Also, be sure to pack your medication in its original containers. These steps can be helpful in case of an emergency or during security checks. Since traveling with medications can sometimes cause slowdowns when going through security, you may also want to allow extra time to avoid having to rush through the airport. Before you leave, it's also helpful to put together a complete list of all your medications and their dosages in case you require care while away from home. Planning a visit to a tropical destination? In addition to packing your sunscreen and swimsuit, you may want to pack a cooler bag or ice pack. Why? 'If you take insulin and plan to travel to a warm destination, it's important to protect your insulin from high temperatures, as insulin can lose its effectiveness if it gets too hot,' says Cohen. Ditto for GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic or Wegovy, especially if they haven't been opened yet. Cohen also recommends packing a specialized cooling solution, such as a BreezyPack or Frio bag, to keep your medications at a safe temperature without the need for refrigeration or ice. Packing snacks is basically the golden rule of travel, whether you're living with diabetes or not. Between unexpected travel delays and lack of access to healthy noshes, having nourishing snacks on hand when traveling is always a good idea. However, with diabetes, having readily available blood sugar–friendly snacks is especially critical. We don't have to tell you that managing blood sugar levels on the go can be challenging. Carrying a variety of diabetes-friendly snacks may help prevent sudden glucose drops or spikes. 'Pack snacks that are fast-acting carbohydrates in case of hypoglycemia [aka low blood glucose],' suggests Toby Smithson, M.S., RDN, CDCES. In addition to glucose tablets, she recommends snacks that contain protein and carbohydrates to keep blood glucose steady, like peanut butter on graham crackers. She also suggests tossing some low-carbohydrate snacks like dehydrated cheese balls or jerky into your bag in case your blood glucose rises above target. Paying attention to time changes while traveling is incredibly important for keeping blood sugar on track. At home, you may not think twice about sticking to a regular schedule for things like medication, snacks and meals. But crossing time zones can throw that routine off, potentially causing your blood sugar to go too high or too low. 'If you will be traveling [to] a significantly different time zone, check with your doctor or diabetes educator about any changes required for taking your diabetes medications,' says Smithson. You may have to adjust your insulin doses and keep an especially close eye on your glucose levels. So, it's key to be prepared in advance. People with diabetes are more likely to become dehydrated because high blood sugar levels can cause the body to lose more fluids. That makes adequate hydration critical. In addition, if blood sugar isn't well managed, it can lead to imbalances in electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Dehydration can also put extra strain on the kidneys, which work harder to flush out excess sugar. This can make it harder for the body to reabsorb water, leaving you even more dehydrated. 'Take an empty water bottle with you to fill up after security and stay hydrated,' says Sheth. In addition to drinking plenty of water, you can also sip low-sugar fluids like low-sodium vegetable juice, nonfat milk or unsweetened soy or almond milk to maintain a healthy balance of electrolytes. Traveling with diabetes may require a bit of extra planning. But it's entirely possible to enjoy every moment of your trip and keep your health in check. Simple dietitian-approved strategies like packing a dedicated medication carry-on bag, plenty of diabetes-friendly snacks and a water bottle can help you feel confident and prepared for whatever adventures come your way. You'll also want to be sure to protect your medication from temperature extremes and prepare for time zone changes. And don't forget to allow a little extra time for airport security. Whether it's a weekend getaway or your dream vacation, taking these small steps up front can mean more peace of mind and more time to soak in the sights, experiences and memories that make travel so rewarding. Safe and healthy travels! Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Does pet insurance cover dental treatment?
Dental treatment is an important part of medical care for pets. Dental problems can be painful and make it difficult for pets to eat, and they can also lead to larger, more expensive medical issues. 'We see tooth loss that can lead to pain, and bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and enter the heart, liver, and kidneys,' said Sandra Faeh, a veterinarian in Wayne, Illinois, and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Most pet insurance covers some forms of dental treatment, but the coverage and costs can vary depending on the insurer and the type of policy. Here are some pet dental issues to watch out for, and how pet insurance can help cover the costs. Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide. Yes, pet insurance covers dental treatments. In fact, dental disease was the fourth most frequent type of pet insurance claim for cats and the sixth most frequent claim for dogs at Nationwide Pet Insurance, said Emily Tincher, chief veterinary officer for Nationwide Pet Insurance. Dental accident and illness coverage is included in most general pet insurance policies, rather than as standalone coverage. The exact services covered vary by type of policy. 'Typically, dental illnesses and accidents, like a broken tooth or gum disease, are covered under an accident and illness policy, which is designed to help protect you from unexpected veterinary expenses,' said Elliott Brown, a licensed customer care agent for CarePlus by Chewy, which sells pet insurance. 'On the other hand, routine dental cleanings are usually covered under a [pet] wellness plan.' Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers The cost of dental care depends on the pet's age and size, the geographic location, and the type of dental treatment they need. According to claims data from Pets Best, which provides pet insurance and wellness plans for dogs and cats, the average cost of treating dental disease in 2024 was $1,263 for dogs and $1,281 for cats. Costs for dental treatment often include anesthesia and x-rays in addition to exams and extractions. 'It's important to understand that imaging — radiographs or CT scans — is generally needed to determine if teeth need to be extracted and if other tooth roots are diseased,' said Preston Turano, a doctor of veterinary medicine and veterinary advisor at ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. 'I know practices where an anesthetized oral exam, radiographs, and dental cleaning can cost $500 and other practices where it can be more than $1,000,' said Dr. Naomi Hoyer, a board-certified veterinary dentist and chair of the American Veterinary Dental College's advocacy committee. An estimate including extractions, which is often the treatment for periodontal disease and abscesses, could add an additional $200 to $400 or more, depending on the severity of the disease, she said. Costs for cleaning can vary by location and the services that are included. For example, Chewy Vet Care charges $699 for a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment, which includes examining teeth, gums, and oral tissues under anesthesia, taking dental x-rays, and performing necessary treatments such as cleaning, scaling, and polishing. Dental issues tend to be different for pets than they are for people. 'In people, we think about cavities, but they are less common in pets,' said Faeh. 'We see more broken teeth and broken roots, periodontal [gum] disease, infected teeth and abscesses,' which is a bacterial infection around the root of the tooth. Pets can also develop tumors in the mouth, and some dogs — especially small-breed dogs — may not lose their baby teeth automatically and need extractions. Periodontal disease is the most common dental problem for dogs and cats, which can include tartar accumulation on the teeth, inflammation of the gums, and bacterial infection of the gums and the periodontal ligament that holds the teeth in place, said Emily Singler, doctor of veterinary medicine and the veterinary content specialist at the American Animal Hospital Association 'This can lead to tissue damage, loose teeth, pain, trouble eating, teeth falling out, bad breath and in severe cases, spread of infection via the blood stream to other parts of the body, like the kidneys, heart and lungs,' she said. Dogs tend to have more dental problems from aggressive chewing and broken teeth than cats. 'Dogs are more likely to fracture teeth, break them off, and affect the nerve,' said Tincher. 'There are different ways to go about fixing that, but most of the time the tooth is removed.' Cats tend to suffer more frequently from tooth resorption, where the surface of the tooth erodes and exposes the sensitive part of the root. 'Sometimes this starts when they are still kittens, and in some cases it also includes inflammation of other tissues in the mouth, a condition called stomatitis, which is very painful and can make eating challenging,' said Singler. Tincher said that pet insurance policies at Nationwide often start at $30 to $50 per month for younger pets, depending on their location and breed. You usually have to pay part of the cost of covered care. Most pet insurance policies have a deductible, copayments, and an annual coverage cap. For example, you may have to pay a $250 deductible before coverage kicks in, then pay 20% of the cost of care, up to an annual coverage limit of $5,000. Find out if the policy has separate coverage caps for dental care or an overall cap for all covered pet care. Preexisting dental conditions usually aren't covered. 'If you're interested in pet insurance, it's important to enroll early before dental disease is present. You don't want to enroll with a broken tooth and expect it to be covered,' said Faeh. Find out exactly how the plan defines preexisting dental conditions. 'Determine if the presence of tartar on a pet's teeth at the time the insurance policy is written is counted as a preexisting condition that precludes coverage,' said Singler. Learn more: Pet insurance that covers preexisting conditions Pet wellness plans usually cover annual check-ups, routine dental cleanings, vaccinations, blood and urine tests, and other preventive care. Some have an annual coverage limit for dental cleaning, such as $100 to $150 per year, or an overall annual coverage limit of $300 to $700, depending on the plan. Learn more: Does pet insurance cover vaccines? General practice veterinarians can handle most pet dental issues, including extractions. But the pet may need to go to a veterinary dentist for specialty care: for a difficult-to-reach extraction or to try to preserve the tooth, for example. 'Most of the time, when teeth are damaged, they are removed,' said Tincher. 'But when we have working dogs — like police dogs and military dogs — their teeth are important for their work, and they'll try to go to a board-certified dentist.' These veterinary dentists can perform root canals and caps to try to preserve the working dog's teeth, which can cost more. Preventive dental care can help catch problems early and reduce future costs. The vet typically examines the pet's teeth during their annual check-up, but they may need to put the dog or cat under anesthesia to identify some of the bigger issues. Singler recommends that most dogs and cats have a dental cleaning under anesthesia by the time they're two years old, and every few years after that. 'This allows not only for a cleaning of all teeth above and below the gumline, but also a full oral evaluation to take dental X-rays and an examination of the teeth, gums, and other structures in the mouth,' she said. Pets can't tell us they're in pain, but they can give us a lot of clues. 'Bad breath, visible tartar on the teeth, bleeding gums, dropping food, drooling more, pawing at the mouth, and shaking the head after eating can all be signs of a dental problem,' said Singler. 'Other signs can include swelling around the mouth or under the eye, teeth chattering, and flinching or turning away when their face is touched. Some animals won't let on that their mouth is bothering them at all but may seem depressed, lethargic, and just not themselves.' Contact your veterinarian if you see any of these warning signs. 'You know your pet better than anybody,' said Faeh. 'We'd rather have you call earlier than wait too long. Having that good relationship with your veterinarian is key.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Remember 'The Price Is Right'? If you ever spent a day home sick from school watching the classic game show, you likely remember Bob Barker ending every episode by encouraging viewers to spay or neuter their pets. Bob had a good point: Besides preventing unwanted litters, spaying and neutering have other benefits, including the prevention of serious diseases like pyometra and some forms of cancer. But one thing that can give owners pause is the cost. Spaying and neutering procedures can add up to $500 or more in vet bills. This embedded content is not available in your region. While pet insurance can be a smart investment, it's not much help when it comes to spaying or neutering procedures. Typically, only wellness plans cover any portion of sterilization procedures (except for extreme circumstances). Here's what you need to know about pet insurance and spaying/neutering. Pet insurance policies provide coverage for unexpected injuries or illnesses, such as broken bones, respiratory infections, or cancer. The standard policies don't provide coverage for preventative care, such as vaccinations or wellness exams, nor do they cover elective procedures. Where does spaying and neutering fit in? Spaying/neutering are surgical procedures to sterilize your pets. But, they are elective procedures, and the veterinarian will perform surgery on a healthy pet. As a result, spaying or neutering is typically excluded from coverage. Because spaying and neutering are typically elective, planned procedures, they're rarely medically necessary — so pet insurance policies won't cover the cost. Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers Despite not typically being included in coverage, there are two ways a pet insurance company might cover spaying and neutering. Learn more: Pet insurance that pays the vet directly: How does it work? The most common way to offset the cost of spaying or neutering your dog or cat is by adding a wellness or preventative care plan to your policy. Wellness plans are optional add-ons that work differently from insurance; they provide a fixed amount of reimbursement per year for certain routine care expenses. For example, a wellness plan may cover up to $450 in wellness expenses, but there are caps for each procedure or treatment type. Here's a sample of a wellness plan's limits: For example, let's say you have a six-month-old golden retriever. You schedule him to be neutered with your veterinarian, and the procedure will cost $500. If you have a wellness plan with your pet insurance company, the insurer will reimburse you for up to $150 of the cost of neutering, so your actual net cost would be $350. With a wellness plan, you're still on the hook for the majority of the expense, but it could still provide some assistance. There are some serious health conditions that can occur in dogs and cats that require sterilization as part of the pet's treatment. For example, pyometra is a serious and potentially fatal infection affecting the pet's uterus. To treat the condition and save the pet's life, the veterinarian may need to perform an emergency ovariohysterectomy — basically, a more complicated form of spaying since the pet is so ill. If the condition isn't a pre-existing condition and your veterinarian decides spaying or neutering is an essential part of your pet's treatment plan, the procedure may be covered under a standard pet insurance accident and illness policy. If so, the usual coverage limits, deductible, and reimbursement percentage will apply. A pet insurance wellness plan can provide some help with the cost of spaying or neutering, but these plans can also reduce the cost of many other services or treatments, including: Wellness exams Vaccines (such as rabies or distemper) Flea or tick preventatives Heartworm preventatives Bloodwork Microchipping Dental cleaning Grooming Tip: When comparing wellness plan options, consider the annual coverage maximum and the limit per treatment category. For example, for a younger dog, a higher limit for vaccines and spaying or neutering may be more cost-effective. Learn more:Does pet insurance cover dental treatment? While a standard pet insurance policy only covers spaying or neutering in extreme circumstances to treat a disease or condition, it's possible to get some help with the cost of sterilization by adding a wellness plan to your policy. These pet insurance plans reimburse you up to a set amount each year for routine or preventative care, making your pet's care more affordable. Not all pet insurance companies offer wellness plans, but pet parents can find several options in our list of the best pet insurance companies of 2025. Spaying and neutering are both elective procedures and (in most cases) not medically necessary. Standard pet insurance policies cover treatments for unexpected injuries and illnesses. In general, it's best to spay or neuter cats by five months of age. With dogs, the best time varies by breed and animal size — for some breeds, it may be a good idea to wait to spay or neuter your pet to give their joints more time to develop. Always talk to your vet to find out what makes sense for your pet. The cost of spaying or neutering will vary based on your location, veterinarian, and in many cases, age and size (for dogs). In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $600. Although spaying and neutering are common procedures, they're still surgical procedures. To perform a spay/neuter surgery safely, your veterinarian will have to do bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy, administer anesthesia, and perform surgery. Afterward, they have to administer pain medication and monitor your pet, so it can be a costly procedure.
