The daily life of informal caregivers of elderly

Objectives: To identify the reasons why the informal caregivers to take care of the elderly; to identify enjoyed support and the problems/needs senses. Methods: A descriptive, exploratory and cross study. The sample was 366 informal caregivers of the elderly residents in the District of Évora (Alentejo). Applied a questionnaire, which identified the reasons that led to cohabitation, the difficulties experienced by caregivers, experienced changes in their health and support they receive. Results: Most caregivers are women, with a mean age of 54 years. The main reason of care was elderly disease. These caregivers have changed in relaxation and leisure activities, on the organization of day-to-day and on economic aspects. They receive support from health institutions, social security and firemen’s. Conclusions: Family is the support in the disease, despite the difficulties, particularly in relaxation and leisure activities, organization of day-to-day and economic matters. They requested support in healthcare, transportation and economic aid.

Clínica de animais de companhia

O presente relatório pretende descrever as atividades desenvolvidas durante o estágio curricular, realizado no Hospital Veterinário do Restelo, no período de 4 de agosto a 31 de janeiro. A hipertensão sistémica é uma doença insidiosa e progressiva, que se não controlada pode provocar lesões irreversíveis em órgãos alvo. Nos animais o seu desenvolvimento é normalmente secundário a processos de doença ou à administração exógena de alguns fármacos. Nos cães as causas mais comuns compreendem a doença renal crónica, a doença renal aguda e o hiperadrenocorticismo, enquanto nos gatos o seu desenvolvimento está, normalmente, associado à doença renal crónica, ao hipertiroidismo e ao hiperaldosteronismo primário. O diagnóstico da hipertensão e da causa primária responsável pelo seu desenvolvimento constituem um desafio clínico, criado por um conjunto diversificado de fatores associados aos animais, aos métodos de medição indiretos, processos de doença concorrentes e financeiros; Abstract: Small animal clinics The present report aims to describe the activities developed during the traineeship realized at Hospital Veterinário do Restelo, from August 4 to January 31. Systemic hypertension is an insidious and progressive disease, which uncontrolled is responsible for irreversible damage in target organs. In animals, their development is usually secondary to disease processes or exogenous administration of some drugs. In dogs, the most common causes include chronic kidney disease, acute renal disease and hyperadrenocorticism, while in cats their development is usually associated with chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and primary aldosteronism. The diagnosis of hypertension and the primary cause responsible for its development are a clinical challenge created by a diverse set of factors associated with the animals, the indirect measurement methods, concurrent disease processes and financial.

Clínica de animais de companhia

A clínica veterinária de pequenos animais é um mundo vasto e complexo que necessita de um estudo contínuo. Este relatório de estágio está dividido em duas partes. A primeira parte contém a descrição das atividades realizadas durante o estágio curricular realizado na clínica AlcabidecheVet. A segunda parte corresponde a uma monografia cujo tema é doença renal crónica em animais de companhia. A doença renal crónica acomete tanto cães como gatos em idade avançada, tendo uma progressão irreversível. Vários estudos científicos têm sido realizados para melhorar a sua prevenção e diagnóstico, como o estudo de biomarcadores da função renal. A utitilização de biomarcadores no diagnóstico e controlo da doença renal é essencial para o seu estadiamento e para demarcar o avanço dos danos renais. É também necessário conhecer os mecanismos patológicos em ação nesta doença para que o seu tratamento e monitorização providenciem o máximo bem-estar e o prolongamento da vida do animal; Abstract: (Small Animal Practice and Surgery – Kidney Chronic Disease) The world of small animal veterinary practice is vast and complex and needs a continuous study. This report is divided in two parts. The first describes the activities performed during the curricular internship at the clinic AlcabidecheVet. The second consists of a monograph which theme is chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease affects both dogs and cats of declining age, and has an irreversible progression. There’s been scientific advances in its prevention and diagnosis with the study of biomarkers of kidney function. It’s also necessary to understand the pathological mechanisms in action in this disease, so its treatment and control can aim towards the welfare and the life extension of pets.

Chemical composition and pharmacological activities of essential oils of Lavandula spp.

Lavandula spp. belong to the family Lamiatae and some species are often used in popular medicine and have been used for centuries in a large number of medical applications and in aromatherapy. Although similar ethnobotanical properties of Lavandula spp., its essential oils, general chemical composition and therapeutic applications differ from different species. Lavandula stoechas L. subsps. luisieri (Rozeira) Rozeira and L. viridis L’Hér are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, widespread in the South of Portugal, namely in Southern Alentejo and Algarve. The aim of our study was evaluate the chemical composition and toxicological and pharmacological activities of leaves essential oils of spontaneous plants of L. stoechas L. subsps. luisieri (Alentejo) and L. viridis (Algarve). The essential oils of these wild plants, collected in spring, were obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and its chemical composition was evaluated by GC/FID. The acute toxicity of essential oils was evaluated "in vitro" using brine shrimp (LC50) and "in vivo" using Swiss mice (DL50). The analgesic and anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil were evaluated in mouse or rats by the Amour-Smith and carrageen-induced paw edema tests, respectively. Results showed important differences in chemical composition of essential oils from two species analyzed either to diversity and proportion of its constituents. The essentials oils showed citotoxicity against Artemia salina and a DL50 higher than 2000 mg/kg for mice. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils were exhibit for the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg.