Canine Cancer?
September 10, 2008
What is the Kate Koogler Canine Cancer Fund one may ask? Up until one year ago I had no idea what canine cancer even was. I met Dr. Teresa Koogler while planning the first Furmont Days in 2007, and discovered an ugly disease that affects not only humans, but dogs as well, thousands each year. Dr. Koogler lost her Rottweiler Kate in September of 2002 to Chondrosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. As a vet, Dr. Koogler comments “As a Veterinarian I cannot explain how powerless I feel when I have to deliver the diagnosis of bone cancer to the family of the pet.” After losing longtime friend Kate, Teresa felt helpless, since there is no cure. Dr. Koogler & husband Robin established the Kate Koogler Canine Cancer Fund a 501 c-3 non-profit organization to raise money for bone cancer research. “Studying this disease in dogs may also provide vital information that can be used in the treatment of people” Dr. Koogler notates. On October 4, 2008, Teresa & Robin will host their sixth annual Canine Cancer Ride. The motorcycle ride will encompass the beautiful back roads of Frederick & Washington County, and end at Penn Mar Park for an outing. (You don’t have to have a motorcycle to participate) Ironically, this past April my Boxer was diagnosed with bone cancer, and the feeling of sadness was devastating.
The American Caner Society is researching what causes this, and why certain breeds are over represented, Rottweiler’s, Boxers, & Labs. For more infomation or how you can help deck out www.katefund.org. Dr. Koogler oractuced in Thurmont, and o1d the clinic to Dr. John Bramson & Dr. Susan Keane, as we know it as Catoctin Vet Clinic. Remember www.katefund.org
Household Hazards to Your Pets
September 10, 2008
Below are reasons to puppy/kitten proof (and adult pet proof) your home to prevent harmful, even fatal accidents. Be aware of foods, chemicals, medications and other products that can be dangerous to pets. Some things should be secured out of reach or just not used at all. Confining some pets, like puppies, in a crate from a young age can be a good way to avoid exposure, especially when you cannot supervise them.
In the Kitchen
Food - Do not allow cats and dogs access to these foods: coffee grounds, avocado, tea, Grapes and Raisins, any chocolate (Baker’s is the worst) , onions, fatty/greasy foods, salt, yeast dough, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol (including beer), chewing gum and candy (Xylitol is the problem), breath fresheners, garbage- because rotten food has bacteria and molds that can cause food poisoning
Cleaning Products
Store products in a secure cabinet out of reach of pets in their original containers. Read the label directions. For example, if it says “keep pets away from area until dry,” it is important to do so. If bleach has been used and the surface is still wet, ingestion could cause stomach upset, drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. Inhaled fumes could cause respiratory tract irritation. Skin contact can cause serious chemical burns.
Insecticides/Rodenticides
Read and follow directions before using any pesticide. Some flea and tick preventatives are only for dogs. Never use these on cats or any other pets which could cause poisoning. Mouse or rat poisons often contain an anti-coagulant that causes internal bleeding. Unfortunately, they taste good to cats and dogs. Pets will seek them out in hiding places and get to them. It is better to use non-toxic glue traps or other traps.
In the Bathroom
Human medicines can be dangerous or even deadly to pets. They should be tightly closed and stored in a cabinet above the counter. These include:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen-they can cause stomach ulcers, vomit, diarrhea, and kidney damage
acetaminophen(Tylenol)- this will kill cats
prescription medicines diet pills antihistamines
cold medicines vitamins antidepressants
Never give any medicines without asking your veterinarian.
In addition, soaps, toothpaste (it’s good to brush your pet’s teeth, but not with your toothpaste) , and sun block should be kept away from pets. They cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If the toilet bowl has been chemically treated, keep the lid shut. Even better is to avoid leaving chemical residues.
In the Bedroom/Living Room
Keep medicines off of night stands , coffee tables, and counters.
Liquid potpourri has substances that can cause oral ulcers if ingested. Keep it out of reach.
Mothballs, tobacco products(pets can get second hand smoke too), pennies, and alkaline batteries (found in the remote control, cameras, etc.) are hazardous if ingested.
In the Garage/Yard
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which tastes sweet to pets and can be fatal to dogs and cats even in small amounts.
Other products that can cause illness are:
Insecticides, fertilizers, weed killers, ice melt products, and gasoline.
If the lawn is treated, keep pets off for the specified time per manufacturer. Wet chemicals or granules could stick to paws that get licked causing harm.
Paints/Solvents
Paint thinners, mineral spirits, and other solvents cause severe irritation or chemical burns if swallowed or on skin contact.
Some special paints contain heavy metals.
Plant List (partial)- For a complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants go to www.apcc.aspca.org
Philodendron, corn plant, castor bean, Hybiscus, Hydrangea, Lily of the Valley, Oleander, azalea, yew, foxglove, Rhubarb, Shamrock, Sago palm
Outdoor Mushrooms
Common problems caused are vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney and liver damage.
Everyday Household Hazards
Check for small items on the floor. Coins, buttons, small kids’ toys, medicine bottles, jewelry, nails, screws are interesting to curious cats and dogs, young and old. They can cause damage to a pet’s digestive tract even requiring surgery to remove them.
Electrical cords pose a hazard if chewed causing oral burns or electrocution. There are bitter tasting deterrents that can be applied, but avoidance and physical deterrence may be the only way to prevent a problem.
Holiday Hazards
Advise guests not to feed from the table or any left-overs. Any bones, greasy, fatty or spicy foods can lead to vomiting and diarrhea or even an inflamed pancreas which can lead to a hospital stay.
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Candy/gum containing xylitol for sweetening and chocolate are hazardous. Keep all bags of candy up and away from pets. Decorations can be harmful. Anything long and stringy (tinsel , ribbon), favorites of cats, and ornaments can be hazardous if ingested causing intestinal damage and potentially surgery. You may not even want to decorate with these items to avoid a temptation to pets.
Poinsettia, holly, mistletoe should not be ingested by pets. Christmas tree water treated with fertilizer or preservatives or allowed to stagnate will cause digestive upset if ingested.
What about pet birds?
Many of the same items are dangerous to birds, especially if they are free roaming. They are highly sensitive to chemicals in the environment. Avoid respiratory hazards such as aerosol products, tobacco products, glues, paint, and air fresheners.
Keep birds out of the kitchen due to cooking fumes, smoke, and odors.
What to do in the event of a poisoning
Act quickly! Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435-there is a fee to maintain this service. Provide as much information as possible. Keep the product container or plant sample in order to take it to the veterinary office.
Remember prevention of accidental contact or ingestion is the best medicine of all.
In order to obtain more information on pet poisons, visit: www.apcc.aspca.org
This information was taken from an article provided by the AVMAtion of accidental contact or ingestion is the best medicine of all.
In order to obtain more information on pet poisons, visit: www.apcc.aspca.org
Harvest Cider
September 10, 2008
1 1/2 oz Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
1 cup hot apple cider
Combine in a warm mug. It smells wonderful.
Or…
Instead of Captain Morgan’s Spice Rum use Peach Schnapps and add a cinnamon stick as a garnish and call it a “Peach Cobbler”.
Pork Roast with Sweet Potatoes
September 10, 2008
Ingredients:
1 boneless pork loin roast, about 3 - 4 pounds
2-3 large sweet potatoes
1 green bell pepper
? cup apple cider
3 tbsp Brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Put pork in slow cooker. Cut sweet potatoes and green peppers in large pieces and add them. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over all; cook all day on low or about 4 hours on high. Serve with rice. You can also use a cornstarch and water mixture to thicken the sauce if you would like.
Serves 4 to 6.
Since you had to buy a whole bottle of apple cider you might as well not let the leftovers go to waste so here is a hot drink to take away the first chills of fall.
Tasty Tips from Tina - September 2008
September 10, 2008
Thank you again for all the wonderful comments, emails and suggestions. I get so excited when someone lets me know that they have tried the recipes and have enjoyed them. I think my family will be happy when the zucchini crops finally dry up. It seems like everything I cook has zucchini or squash in it.
The kids are getting ready to go back to school and in our house that means the kids are going to turn my husband and me into a taxi service. Mom, take me to the football game..Dad, pick me up from practice..well you get the picture. But I have to admit I absolutely love it even though it makes planning dinners a challenge. With both of us working by the time Friday gets here I don’t even want to think about cooking dinner. I remember one Friday night I was at the stove cooking and there was a knock at my door. I yelled for them to come in. It was the Rocky’s delivery girl holding a pizza. I said hi, she said hi and she looks at me kind of funny. “Mrs. Terpko, what are you doing?” she asked. “I’m cooking,” I said. Then I asked her what she was doing. She told me they had a pizza without a name on it and since it was Friday night they just assumed it was mine. Ok, so I’m not going to get voted “Mother of the Year”. But it was a wake up call that maybe it was time to pull out the crock pot and learn how to use it.
I want to thank one of our readers who suggested a crock pot recipe. Great idea! So our recipe this month is going to be Pork Roast with Sweet Potatoes and Harvest Cider.
Publisher Ponders! September 2008
September 10, 2008
Kids back to school, the Community Show, and football all signs of fall. Time continues to zip by, which brings me to one of my dilemmas this month. I am still pondering how I forgot my dear friend Mark Smith’s column “Rambling”, and Speaks Automotives advertisement. I guess my memory zipped by as well. I apologize to Speaks, and Mark is finally speaking to me, so please be sure to read what Mark is “Rambling” about other than me! We could not print what he said to me, but all is good! I am also pondering why analyst boost grain crops are up 19%, but what they don’t tell you is global population has grown by 132%. With that said, I cannot understand why we are using grain for an alternative source for energy, when according to economist by 2030 we will have a 70% plus shrinkage of product.
Join us in October when Tim Eakin will bring you answers, and examine new economic outlooks, demand vs. supply. How will we feed ourselves? Before closing I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Catoctin Wellness center for Wellness Time with Larry Stouter, LCPC, Becky Uppercue, LGSW, Paul Hadfield, Counselor, and Fred Wolfson acupuncturists. This team will bring to light social problems in the millennium, cause and effect, and how to deal with social problems escalated by stress, technology, and the internet. Larry Stouter will examine pornography –a social problem that has skyrocketed due to the internet.
Thanks for reading the Thurmont Times, and be sure to visit thurmonttimes.com and comment on our articles, and state your opinion. If you don’t have access to the internet, write us at Thurmont Times, 104 Frederick Road, Thurmont.
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