INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you have a small animal, ensure that it has a safe cage with a secure door. If your pet is larger, it should have somewhere that it can go if it feels tired or scared, like a kennel for a dog or a barn stall for a horse. Keep your animal's living area, bedding, and food area neat by cleaning it every day.  Make sure to pet-proof your home to make sure there isn't anything dangerous that could hurt your pet. Secure any chemicals or electrical cables, put fragile items somewhere secure so they can't get knocked over, and ensure your pet can't escape from your home. Do not leave poop in your pet's living area. Clean it up as soon as you see it, even if you have an outside animal. Some parasites in feces, including toxoplasmosis and roundworm, become more infectious over time. Even if you keep your pet indoors, there's always a chance it could accidentally get outside and get lost. If you have a microchip inserted at your vet, anyone who finds your pet can take it to be scanned, and the chip will let them know your contact information. Similarly, an ID tag should have your name and phone number so anyone who finds your pet can call you. zx  Collars with an ID tag can sometimes fall off, so a microchip is the most secure option. Remember to update the information on the microchip if your contact information changes! If you do opt for a collar with an ID tag, consider using a breakaway collar. That way, if it gets snagged on anything, your pet won't be choked. Your pet's grooming needs will depend on the type of animal it is. After all, a long-haired cat will need to be groomed very differently than a pig. However, it is important that you know what your animal's grooming needs are, and you attend to them as often as needed. This might mean combing or brushing your pet, bathing it, and clipping its nails, for instance.  Some animals NEVER need to be bathed. For example, a hamster will clean itself by rolling around in a bowl of sand. If your animal's teeth or beak grows continuously, make sure it has wooden chew toys to keep its teeth or beak filed down. In addition to being good for the animal, grooming provides bonding time between you and your pet. It will also give you a chance to spot any injuries or other unusual spots that develop. Play time is very important to a lot of animals. Not only does it provide valuable exercise, but it also helps them hone their instinctive skills, such as hunting or problem-solving. Offer your pet different toys to see what it likes, then rotate the toys regularly to keep your pet interested in them.  A hamster will enjoy having a wheel and a few wooden chew toys, for instance. If you have a horse, it might enjoy playing with a puzzle that dispenses treats. Be sure the toys you provide are recommended for your type of animal. For example, if you give a small cat toy to a large dog, it could swallow it and choke. When you get your pet, talk to your vet about when you should get it spayed or neutered. While not all animals need this procedure, it's usually a good idea for common pets like cats and dogs. Often, your vet will prefer to perform this procedure while your pet is still young, although many adult animals can safely have the surgery as well.  Not only will spaying or neutering your pet prevent unwanted babies, but it will also keep your pet safe. When pets become preoccupied with mating, they will often roam away from home, where they could get lost, wander into the road, or encounter other animals. In addition, they could become engaged in competitive mating behaviors, which could lead to injury. Having your pet spayed or neutered may also improve its health in the long term. When you first get your pet, ask your vet if there are any vaccinations you should get for it. Even if your pet seems healthy, take it back to the vet once or twice a year for a wellness check, as well as anytime it seems sick or injured, or its behavior changes for no apparent reason.  If your pet is unusually lethargic, stops eating, or develops unusual swelling, for instance, you should take it to the vet. Your vet can also advise you whether you should be giving your pet flea, tick, or heartworm medication.

SUMMARY: Provide a safe, clean environment for your pet. Have your pet microchipped or give it an ID tag in case it escapes. Groom your pet as needed. Provide your pet with toys if it likes them. Spay or neuter your pet if your vet recommends it. Tend to your pet's medical needs.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Armour thyroid is an animal-source thyroid replacement used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. It’s used as hormone replacement therapy for people with hypothyroidism. It is also used to reduce the size of goiters and to treat thyroid cancer.  It is a natural mix of pig-derived thyroid hormones. It is measured as grains, and the doses range from ¼ grain to five grains. It is an alternative to synthetic, man-made thyroid hormone replacement. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, dry, coarse hair, hair loss, dry skin, wanting to sleep often, intolerance to cold, decreased heart rate, swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter), unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, constipation, and depression. Since Armour thyroid is prescribed for hypothyroidism or associated conditions, you must go to your doctor. Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by symptoms and lab tests. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to check your thyroid. Your doctor will also take a medical history and have you provide a list of symptoms.  Your doctor will also do lab tests, checking things like your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). If your doctor believes you have need to undergo thyroid treatment, your doctor will discuss your options with you. If your doctor believes you need Armour thyroid, you will be started on the lowest dose, which is ¼ grain. You will be required to go back to the doctor in one to two months. The TSH levels will be remeasured every four to six weeks. Your doctor will look at your TSH levels and adjust the dosage of Armour thyroid so that the TSH values fall within a range between 0.5 and 4.0 mIU/L. Since the TSH level range is rather wide, you will need to keep track of your symptoms during the first few months of taking Armour thyroid. Keep aware of how you are feeling so you can talk to your doctor.  Some people don’t feel well unless their TSH levels go below 1.0. Others feel much better with higher TSH levels. TSH levels can be very individualized, so your doctor will work with you to find the proper dosage. Keep up with any fatigue or wanting to sleep more, changes in your hair, dry skin, sensitivity to cold, swelling of the throat, unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, constipation, and feelings of depression. Once your personal optimal dose of Armour thyroid is achieved, you will likely stay on this dosage level for life. This helps keep your TSH levels at the appropriate place. You should, however, be aware that the dosage required can change. This can happen because of disease, stress, menopause, injury, or trauma. Make certain you talk to your doctor about the level of Armour you take if you experience any of these events. For most people, taking their dose of Armour in the morning one hour before eating works best. However, some people do better taking Armour and any other thyroid HRT in the evening. The only way to know is to try Armour at different times. Talk to your physician about the best way to do this to avoid any unpleasant side effects or other problems.

SUMMARY:
Take Armour thyroid for hypothyroidism. Go to your doctor. Reevaluate your TSH levels every few weeks. Keep track of your symptoms. Take Armour thyroid indefinitely. Determine the best time of day to take your medicine.