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About Ginsense

Ginsense loves to share knowledge in business, science, health, environment, advocating for improving our lives next to working quietly on embroidery projects.

Cat Litter and Toxoplasmosis at Home

Cats get Infections too

A cat can be quite a lovely creature with their lithe grace, silky fur, purrs and playful antics. They even have us trained to provide a litter box for them so they can tend to their ‘bathroom’ needs. Who can’t help but become friends with a cat?

Many people love cats aka ‘crazy cat’ lady or man. Cats do provide us an outlet to express our love and they are a source of comfort and lift our Spirits with their playful and silly antics.

Disease in our Cat

Unfortunately, they can also be a source of a disease known as toxoplasma infection aka toxoplasmosis. Now, what does a cat have to do with infections?

Infections in our cat arises from contact with a germ and those germs can thrive in various environments, wet, cold, hot, dry. As long as they have their needs met, such as, food, water and shelter they will thrive and our own bodies provide a perfect environment. It seems our own bodies can betray us, don’t it? But we are own keeper, responsible for our own bodies.

the Guilty one – cell Germ

Toxoplasma gondii a sporozoan Parasite

Toxoplasmosis begins with the germ, ‘Toxoplasma gondii‘, a sporozoan parasite, and is borne out of infected meats such as mutton, venison, pork, goat meat but also when in contact with cat feces. Careful handling and cleaning a cat’s litter box is important since we are not always aware if the cat is infected.

A cat becomes a carrier if it eats an infected mouse or rat. Studies have found infected rodents are not afraid of cats and will seek them out by scent. This is due to how it changes the behaviors of cells in the brain, ‘dendritic cells‘ secrete ‘GABA’ergic secretions which inhibits fear and anxiety.

Types of Infection for Cats and Humans

The types of infection depends on how it was acquired. Infants born with toxoplasmosis are considered as having the ‘congenital‘ form which affects the central nervous system and may cause blindness, brain defects, or death.

The ‘acquired‘ form falls into two categories, ‘lymphadenopathic‘ which resembles mononucleosis and the second version, ‘disseminated‘, which causes lesions to appear on the lungs, liver, heart, muscle, skin, brain and meninges.

Medical Definition
  • Congenital – present at, or existing at birth
  • lymphadenopathic, enlarged lymph nodes
  • disseminated, scattered, or distributed over a considerable area

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health

Research studies of changes in a ‘host‘ have found, that people with various psychiatric disorders, are found to be infected with toxoplasmosis. There is evidence infection may be found in people who are extroverted or exhibit risk taking and aggressive behaviors.

Rate of Infection and Symptoms

Analysis of records suggest that up to 30% -50% of the global population may be infected, with 60M infected in the US (CDC). Humans have lived with this parasite for a long time.

Initial infection may cause ‘flu‘ like symptoms and then disappear into a ‘dormant’ phase and depends upon the strength of one’s immune system. It can be fatal for those with weaker immune systems (HIV/AIDS) or the unborn fetus.

Inflammation of the choriod and retina aka ‘chorioretinitis‘ eventually occurs in the congenital or chronic form with symptoms of pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, black spots.

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is difficult and expensive. Bloodwork is drawn and stored for comparison purposes. Biopsy’s of cysts, and swollen lymphs may also provide visual changes.

vet cat care
vet cat care- Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Treatment and Therapy for Cat and Owners

Humans ; Treatment is effective with a combination of drug treaments and Folinic acid (a derivative of folic acid used to treat folic acid deficiency)with the following;

  • Pyrimethamine (Daraprim), and sulfadiazine or triple sulfonamides for a total of thirty days and reserved for those with weak immune systems.

Newer drugs are proving effective and may also, be additionally used. Inflammation of the eyes may be treated with corticosteroid, anti-parisitic or antibiotic drugs, dark glasses, and may include laser surgery to remove lesions.

Prevention of this disease, is done with emphasis on avoid eating raw meat, that may contain ‘cysts’, avoiding contact with cat feces, and ensure visits to your Veterinarian for your cat. Best practices when handling raw meat, do not cross-contaminate your knives and other utensils in the kitchen, or with other foods or liquids.

Use disposable gloves, face mask and disinfectant, when cleaning the cat’s litter box. Make sure to wash the area where the litter box is placed too.

Cats ; A Veterinarian specializes in caring for animals and will treat your cat. Like humans, blood work must be done first to verify the presence of the t. gondii germ. Cats will normally develop an immunity after their initial infection and shed germs for approximately 24 days. They can still get infected from eating raw meat with tissue cysts (bradizoites stage) or passed from mother to kitten while pregnant for both felines and humans.

Adult cats immune systems are strong enough to overcome the infection but not kittens. They will have symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, coughing, difficulty breathing, sneezing, and runny nose. Severe illness in cats will have seizures, uncoordinated gait, leading to death. They can be treated with antibiotics, anti-convulsants and if weakened by the infection, they will remain at the Vet’s office for fluids and intravenous feeding.

Life of t. Gondii germ

The stages of the Toxoplasma gondii germ are as follows;

  • Tachyzoites, fast growing stage, able to cross Placental barrier both pregnant felines and humans.
  • Bradyzoites, tissue cyst form, cause damage to organs and tissues, hard to remove
  • Sporozoites, in oocytes stage, immature form

Absolute care must be taken when handling raw meat and importance of not cross- contaminating other dishware and work areas with used knives or cleaver. This germ can be cleared with the following steps;

  • Soap and water does kill these germs so do ensure washing your hands, work surface and utensils.
  • Cook meat at 153 degrees Fahrenheit (67 degrees Celsius) – thoroughly.
  • Freeze meat at 9 degrees Farhenheit ( – 13 degrees Celsius)
  • Avoid tasting food while cooking

Another method found to kill this t. Gondii germ is with gamma radiation. I’m not sure where ordinary folks would find that but good to know?

Feeding your Feline

Owners of cats, me included, may love the ‘routine’ their cat sets in regards to meals. I wake in the mornings and get immediately met with yowling, purrs and body rubs from my cat, and he walks me to the kitchen straight to his bowl. Yes, cats do develop a personality.

Food for your cat should consist of canned, dry cat kibble or cooked food. Cleaning of the litter box should have you wearing a disposable mask and gloves. Wash the litter box with disinfectant and I go an extra mile, spritz rooms with disinfectant spray plus turn on the HVAC air exchanger. It’s good practice to have good hygiene habits.

Learning in Motion

Further Learning Resources

The history of Toxoplasma gondii–the first 100 years

Garden veggies and poopy parasites

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

I hope you found this article informative. Please feel free to leave your comments, Share the post with friends and family. Use the Ask a Question form and make a request for a topic that interests you. It’s FREE to subscribe to my RSS Feed.

AIC| An Informal Cornr, all rights reserved. Ginsense creates and posts articles online about business development, second income idea’s, health, science, technology and society.

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Newbies Guide to Make a Website

newbies guide to make a website
how to make a web site

Creating a website seems like a planet far, far away from us. An area somewhat vague and unknown yet a daily part of our lives with all the connected devices we have in our homes and carry with us as we go about your day.

Now, how would we get our own website out there? can I get a website too? Answer, Yes! it can be done!

Let’s explore the idea and what’s available out there so we can make a website for blogging or eCommerce, or other available options.

Building a Website

A website put together by yourself will give you a great sense of pride and accomplishment. As mentioned, it may seem as a task only for professionals but it really can be a simple experience and life lesson. A lot of web design programs can be simple copy, drag and paste programs, and these are included in a Web Host’s cPanel dashboard.

I’d also recommend if you can’t afford paying for a Web Host, check out a free web host, where you can eventually upgrade to paying for your own domain. Do be aware there are people who do not recommend using ‘Free’ sites but not everybody can afford immediate payments for a full domain host. There are many free web hosts available such as the following site :

web hosting

I have found Free Web Hosting has worked well over all with zero downtime and notified when it’s scheduled. Their assistance was wonderful when I eventually upgraded my site to it’s own domain. I have any questions, I send a ‘Ticket’ which is responded to quickly and they help me make understanding ‘geek’ a lot easier. Give them a trial run. 🙂

Extra Web Host Features

  • A web host may offer other web building programs. One hugely popular site for blogging is WordPress and it can be ‘launched’ quickly and easily.
  • They will assign you an ‘account name’ for your FTP program (FTP – File Transfer Protocol). You may have to download a third party FTP program too, such as, CuteFTP, Cerberus, Fetch onto your own computer.
  • A web host will have a ‘cPanel’ dashboard with various ‘tools’ and ‘programs’ which can provide further options to explore while learning to navigate your cPanel.
  • Other building tools you can use or build, include Classifieds, Forums, eCommerce, along with other blogging platforms such as Joomla.

A few of the ‘tools’ found inside your web host ‘panel’ will have strange names, such as ‘My SQL’, PHP, file manager or htaccess generator. Consider them as ‘attached’ to your WordPress or other site, as they are used to store the files to operate these sites. They are important and strong password to your cPanel will help protect them.

You may need to enter these areas to ‘tweak’ your site. Again, your web host will assign you, or recommend for your account, a ‘name’ and strong Passwords for security reasons. I’m sure you don’t want to get ‘hacked’. You will also usually find a ‘Back Up’ area in the ‘cpanel’ and you must use this regularly, in the event you’re ‘blocked’ from entry to your web site. A back up will help restore your site to it’s original place and appearance. WordPress also has plug-ins that can back up your site also from their dashboard.

cpanelbdpicBb

a Web Host cPanel

Research to Begin your Website

The skills you gain and knowledge you learn along the way are beyond priceless and you will enjoy this project. I assure you, that this is one very fun skill to learn, which you will also be able to share or offer to others, for a reasonable fee. For myself, I prefer an affordable annual payment and just need to pay attention to ‘dates’ for renewal.

I highly recommend that you research and read all you can about web hosts, WordPress, or other program you’re considering. Being duly informed and educated will help make your entry into the world of web sites less painful or frustrating.

Understanding the basics of Coding such as CSS, PhP, hex color codes, etc., helps you to be able to ‘change and tweak‘ your web site over all design. It also gives you confidence when entering those areas with your web site coding source. I preferred to keep my site as minimal as possible and hopefully not make anybody ‘bug eyed’ from the blue light of computers.

A last note that I’ve learned in regards to changes and tweaks to your site. Keep a RECORD of those changes such as ;

  • the date
  • time
  • file name
  • line number
  • code snippet changed, or added
  • and keep a copy of the original code

A record will help you quickly UNDO any unforeseen wreckage of your website and it’s broken. Your record can quickly point you to where you need to return the original code which you can fix inside your cPanel and domain files. Yes, I broke my website a time or two and it’s not fun but I was able to repair it too. 🙂

Learning in Motion

Further Learning Resources

CodeSandbox

How do I Protect my Website from Content Theft?

What is Malicious Code: A Comprehensive Guide

I hope you found this article informative. Please feel free to leave your comments and Share with friends and family. Use the ‘Ask a Question’ form and make a request, on a topic of your own interest. It is FREE to my RSS feed.

An Informal Cornr, all rights reserved. Ginsense writes articles on business skills, development, health, science, technology and society and enjoys advocating for independence, security and a better world for all of us.

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Discover a Career as a Manufacturer Representative

travel across the glove manufacturer rep
Manufacturer Rep Jetsetting Career

The world of scheduling meetings between Buyers and Sellers from your own home office from around the world, can prove an interesting career choice. This can be quite an exciting and potentially high earning self-employment opportunity.

A few steps are needed to enter the world as a Sales representative negotiating business agreements for the passage of goods and/or services.

Explore a world of business travel, negotiations, Foreign dignitaries and governments, trade shows, transport of goods and more. Do you have the energy to enter a career representing businesses?

Who is the Manufacturer Representative?

A Manufacturers’ agent or representative will need to be a highly energized and positive self-starter. As an Import or Export agent you will be required to represent at least two or more manufacturers and will operate on a commission basis. They help set up business between Exporters and Importers (Buyers and Sellers) of goods and/or services.

Small to medium sized manufacturing companies advertise for manufacturing reps as a alternative to an in-house sales person or staff. Manufacturers are looking for a person to help sell their products whether national or international.

Products are exported and imported around the world and range from sunglasses, shoes, raw materials, machines, electronic equipment or parts, textiles, industrial compounds, all sold to either wholesalers or large retail stores across the country or around the world.

contract negotiations
negotiating agent agreements

Basic Start-up Needs and Duties

Basic start up equipment needed will be transportation, answering service, voicemail, office and mobile telephone, laptop computer, business cards, brochures and enough cash to cover initial expenses incurred to enter this business opportunity if planning to be Independent. Applying for a small business loan that includes costs for equipment, office and travel costs would be included.

The basic steps involved with this business are ;

  • Product, decide on the products you are confident and knowledgeable about, as if you were employed with the company (or least research and build your knowledge). Set yourself up to become a Specialist with the product(s). Take on complementary products but never
  • competing products.
  • Bank, open a bank account for every business transaction that will occur.
  • Introduction, send a letter introducing yourself and your services to a prospective manufacturer. Schedule and accept invitations, to meet if necessary (incurred expense). Bring your Sole AgencyAgreement for review and negotiation of terms – for payment and commission rate, scheduled payments (monthly, quarterly, bi-annual), assigned territory, responsibility of packing, shipping, forwarding, advertising, duration of contract, option to renew contract, improved rate of commission after one year, termination clause, compensation for unreasonable termination, method of payment, supply of adequate promotional literature. Settle these important points before heading out to making sales and contacts.
  • Sample, request a few samples, for presentations purposes at your meeting, or sent by mail. A sample will help you become familiar with their products.
  • Meeting, discuss price of items (c.i.f. quotation, CIF , Cost, Insurance and Freight) and request any available in-house leaflets, brochures or labels.
  • Locate Buyers, locate through Overseas Trade board or similar institution. Also, ask your Banker if they can help as they may have branches in the particular country you are seeking to make sales who may know of prospective customers for you.
  • Vital Sources of Information, write to your Trade Commission, Embassy, Consulates, Association of Manufacturers, Bank, Chambers of Commerce, Business management Associations. They will all assist or direct you to someone who can help you find Buyers and Manufacturers as they would see this as a economic boon to their own country.
transport goods logistics
logistics of transporting goods

A Career with Sellers and Buyers

The business of import and export is very competitive. If you ensure that you can compete in terms of quality, delivery and price then you will be assured of entry with a particular buyers market. You will have to work with your manufacturer to discuss lowest price possible
and top quality is always sent to the buyers.

I highly recommend that further in depth research be done in this business opportunity to ensure your own success. I have only touched the surface of the possibilities and written it in a easy as possible format.

Learning in Motion

Further Learning Resources

How to Become a Sales Representative

Manufacturers Representatives and Independent Sales Representative Network

47+ SAMPLE Agency Agreements

Average Manufacturer’s Representative Salary

I hope you found this article informative. Please feel free to leave your comments and Share your own observations or experiences. Use the ‘Ask a Question’ form to request a post, on a topic of your own interest. It is FREE to subscribe by RSS feed.

An Informal Cornr, all rights reserved. Find articles on business skills, development, health, science, technology and society and enjoys advocating for independence, security and a better world for all of us.

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