Another reason to quit
Secondhand smoke is bad for the lungs, whether it’s human lungs or animal lungs. (Can you believe cartoon characters used to smoke? No wonder kids started smoking!) Here’s some information the Oklahoma City-County Health Department sent out today:
While the effects of secondhand smoke on human health are well known, there’s also evidence that smoke-filled rooms can cause serious health problems for pets. “Most pet owners probably don’t realize that if they smoke they’re putting their pets at risk of debilitating and deadly diseases,” says Mary Pointer of the Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition.
The Oklahoma County Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition will host a booth at the Dachshund Dash this Sunday to provide information for pet owners about the dangers to pets from secondhand smoke.
Research over the past twenty years has found that dogs and cats living in households with smokers may be at significantly higher risk from a variety of cancers. “Secondhand smoke can cause oral and nasal cancers, as well as malignant lymphoma in animals,” says Oklahoma City veterinarian Dr. Richard Mauldin.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, dogs with long noses are the most vulnerable to developing nasal cancers associated with secondhand smoke. “That’s one of the reasons we are reaching out to dachshund owners,” Pointer says. “All pets may suffer health consequences from tobacco smoke exposure, but dachshunds and other long-nosed dogs appear to have a higher risk of nasal and sinus cavity cancers.”
Short-nosed dogs are at greater risk of lung cancer from tobacco smoke. “In short-nosed dogs…less filtration of cigarette smoke occurs in the nasal cavity than in long-nosed breeds,” says University of Massachusetts School of Public Health professor Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson, who conducted several studies on the effects of smoke on dogs and cats. That’s why collies, greyhounds and Dobermans are more likely to get nasal cancers, whereas pugs, boxers and bulldogs are more susceptible to lung cancer.
Other research shows that cats may also be at much higher risk from oral cancers related to household tobacco smoke. That’s partly because cats spend a lot of time grooming. When cigarette smoke settles out of the air, it can leave behind deposits of cancer-causing chemicals on floors, walls, furniture, bedding and cat fur. Scientists have identified more than 40 distinct mutagens and carcinogens in secondhand tobacco smoke.
To help celebrate “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month,” the Oklahoma County Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition is making a special effort to help make the public aware of the dangers of secondhand smoke for pets.
“The best way to protect your pets from tobacco related diseases is to avoid smoking around them,” Pointer says. “And of course it would be even better to avoid smoking altogether- to protect your own health as well as the health of your pets.”
For more information on the coalition or secondhand smoke, please call (405) 419-4247. For free help with your effort to quit tobacco use, please call the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at 1-800 QUIT NOW.
And moments later, this showed up in my inbox from the American Legacy Foundation and the ASPCA:
If you are a smoker and love your dog, there is one VERY important thing you can do to save Toto’s life and yours too: quit smoking. A growing body of research – including the Surgeon General’s Report – shows there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke – for humans and for animals.
An estimated 50,000 Americans lose their lives to secondhand smoke (“SHS”) annually and 4 million youth (16 percent) are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. A number of studies have indicated that animals, too, face health risks when exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke, from respiratory problems to allergies and even cancer.
Toxins in secondhand smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs and malignant lymphoma in cats, along with allergy and respiratory problems in other pets. One recent study shows that nearly 30 percent of pet owners live with at least one smoker – a number far too high given the consequences of exposure to SHS.
In honor of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month this April, Legacy and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) are challenging pet owners to quit smoking for their pets’ health. They are asking smokers with pets to “take it outside” or even better, kick the habit altogether.
“While most Americans have been educated about the dangers of smoking to their own bodies and their children’s, it is equally important that pet owners take action to protect their beloved companion animals from the dangers of secondhand smoke,” said Dr. Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, President and CEO of the Legacy, the national independent public health foundation dedicated to keeping young people from smoking and providing resources to smokers who want to quit.
The ASPCA, one of the oldest and largest animal welfare organizations in the world, lists tobacco smoke as a toxin that is dangerous to pets. “Tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans,” said Mindy Bough, Vice President of ASPCA Animal Poison Control. “Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause many of the same harmful inflammatory changes in the airways and lungs of dogs as their human counterparts.”
“Nicotine—found in cigarettes and other tobacco products—is also highly toxic to animals if ingested,” said Bough. “A dog that accidentally eats tobacco may develop weakness, decreased breathing rate, and could possibly die. The ASPCA strongly recommends keeping your pet away from tobacco as well as secondhand smoke.”
Legacy and the ASPCA are optimistic that pet owners who smoke will be motivated to quit once they learn about the dangers of SHS to their pets. At the very least, smoke outside and preserve the lungs of your two- and four-legged family members.
Legacy provides resources and information to smokers who want to quit for good through a national campaign called EX® – as in EX-smoker. EX encourages smokers to approach quitting smoking as “re-learning life without cigarettes,” which may include putting that cigarette out the next time you take Toto for a walk! For more information visit www.becomeanex.org. To join or view the community of smokers who are quitting for their pets, visit: http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/groups/27185/quitting-for-our-pets/.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – Sadie’s the best
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Horse owners try to corral lawmakers on dental care. (Oklahoma Capitol)
- Fans, judges agree Sadie is top dog. (New York)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – reindeer poop necklaces
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Rabies test not possible on beaver. (Durant)
- Zoo raises cash with droppings. (Illinois)
- Roundup of horses gets OK. (Washington, D.C.)
- Pet Tales: Photogenic felines have purr appeal during holidays. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Christmas trees are cats meow. (Edmond)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Have a Very Gastric Christmas!
Everyone has their own family traditions when it comes to the winter holidays. Regardless of faith, I know for sure there’s one thing you don’t want to do on Christmas: take your pet to the vet.
But that can happen with all the commotion and extra temptations during the holidays.
Most animals visit their vets on Christmas day because of tummy trouble, according to a VPI Pet Insurance of claims. Here’s a list of the top five reasons pet owners take their animals to the vet on Dec. 25.
- Gastritis/Enteritis
- Lacerations or Bite Wounds
- Soft Tissue Trauma
- Foreign Body Ingestion
- Chocolate Poisoning
During the rest of the year, skin conditions, ear problems and other conditions are the top insurance claims. Only gastritis is in the top 10.
Long story short: keep your food to yourself.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – please and thank you pup
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Dog helps kids’ manners. (Perry)
- Pets can be tested for swine flu, too. (Stillwater)
- Government plans to move wild horses. (Nevada)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Help for Howie
Check out more about this special dog, Howie, and find out how you can help by clicking here.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
OSU helps save 80 dogs
Check out this heart-warming story out of Stillwater from folks at OSU:
When the Payne County Sheriff’s office called the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences on Thursday, Sept. 17, and asked if they could help with approximately 80 dogs and cats rescued from a rural home, faculty, staff and students stepped up to help.
“The Sheriff’s Department alerted us that the animals were coming,” stated Dr. Michael Lorenz, professor and dean of the veterinary center. “We called in veterinary technicians, students and eight veterinarians who were not on call. The animals arrived in the late evening.”
“I was on the phone with one of the ICU technicians and when I heard what was going on, I came in to help,” said Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia).
Because the animals are the subject of legal action and serve as evidence, the intake process included identifying and photographing each animal. Detailed records were maintained for medical and legal purposes.
“We had eight teams each comprised of students/veterinary technicians and one faculty veterinarian,” added Hudson.
“The animals were abused, neglected and poorly nourished,” said Dr. Mark Neer, director of the veterinary center’s Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “While they can’t be adopted until legally released, the plan was to put them in foster care.”
All animals were treated for internal and external parasites including sarcoptic mange, which is a type of mange caused by mites burrowing in the skin especially of the head and face. All adult dogs received Rabies vaccinations and puppies were vaccinated for distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza.
“It was absolutely amazing to see everyone swing into action,” stated Dr. Jill Brunker, Small Animal Internal Medicine. “People were assigned to a station and we rotated the animals through receiving, triage and treatment. Interns, residents, technicians and fourth year veterinary students worked with one common goal—help these mistreated animals.”
“We were able to do something on a large scale to help the animals and the community,” said Dr. Todd Yeagley, Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery Intern. “It was sad to see so many dogs that had suffered such horrible abuse.”
According to Hudson within two hours 80 animals had been examined.“We were careful to do everything right so that the Sheriff’s Department would have what they needed. Even after all the dogs had been processed, the students recognized that the dogs needed to be bathed to help make them more comfortable and then we still needed to clean up to get ready for the next day, so they stayed,” continued Hudson.
“The students and staff worked until the wee hours of the morning,” added Lorenz. “Oklahomans can be extremely proud of the veterinary team. Despite the horrific scene, the group performed at a high professional level. I am very proud of their dedication and competence.”
“Dr. Neer and everyone at the veterinary hospital could not have been any kinder to the animals or been more hospitable to the people who came to foster them,” stated Garry McKinnis, Payne County Undersheriff. “I have 18 of them at my house. My wife and I took four female Dachshunds and their puppies. We wanted to be sure they received the right care until they are able to be adopted.”
Some of the dogs had to be soaked to loosen the debris matted in their hair and eventually were clipped. According to Brunker, a single dose of medicine usually cures the sarcoptic mange. The parasites should be gone in a few weeks followed by treatments at regular intervals.
“I have seen dogs like that before but one at a time,” said Brandy Kastl, fourth year veterinary student from Sapulpa, Okla. “Never so many at once—it was overwhelming.”
“It was pretty sad, especially the high number of dogs involved,” continued Matt Stone of Springfield, Ill., also a fourth year veterinary student. “We were happy to help the animals.”
“That’s what we do,” added Kastl.
Authorities at the veterinary center report that all dogs and cats involved in the rescue have been placed in foster care as of Tuesday evening, Sept. 22, 2009.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Best cars to park your dog in
As we all know, getting your pet from the house to any other location can be a hassle.
For cat owners, the trouble is getting the cat from the house to the cat carrier. After that, it’s the hassle of listening to your cat scream about what an awful owner you are all the way to the vet.
For large dog owners, the trouble is making sure your dog doesn’t try to hang his head out the driver’s side window while you’re on the interstate. Or at least that’s the problem in my car with my dogs, even when my window is closed.
Well apparently some cars are safer for pups than others. Bark Buckle Up and Edmunds released their list of Top 10 Safest Cars. Here they are, listed alphabetically:
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Flex
- GMC Acadia
- Hyundai Tucson
- Jeep Liberty
- Kia Borrego
- Mazda 5 Grand Touring Minivan
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Subaru Tribeca
- Volvo XC70
The safest vehicle of all: the one carrying a well trained dog that stays in her seat.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
That’s one giant prosthetic
Motala the elephant lost her left front foot and most of her leg after stepping on a land mine in 1999 near the border of Thailand and Burma.
Now she is walking again thanks to a specially made prosthesis that is noticeably larger than your average artificial leg.
Apparently she’s still getting used the the prosthesis but is doing fine after it was permanently fitted to her during a procedure that required enough anesthetic to knock out 70 people. The 48-year-old Indian elephant is walking around but hasn’t put all her weight on the prosthesis yet.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
OSU student wins AKC award
The American Kennel Club sent out this press release. Kudos to our Oklahoma gal who won!
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today it has awarded scholarships to 25 students from 19 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited schools of veterinary medicine. Alicia Davis McLaughlin of Stillwater, Oklahoma was among the recipients.
Sponsors are broken down as follows:
Royal Canin – Chairman’s Award, President’s Award, and the Dr. Asa Mays Award – $10,000 each
AKC Companion Animal Recovery – Twenty (20) $5,000 scholarships
American Veterinary Medical Foundation – AVMF Award – $6,000
AKC Canine Health Foundation – Robert L. Kelly Memorial Scholarship – $5,000“We are thrilled to be able to present these scholarships for the upcoming school year, and thank our partners for their generous support,” said Debra Bonnefond, Director of Veterinary Outreach. “We wish these students the best of luck as they continue on the path to becoming some of the best veterinarians in the nation.”
The AKC Scholarship Program for Veterinary Medicine has existed for 18 years, and the awards are given annually. Each AVMA accredited U.S. veterinary school is asked to nominate four scholarship candidates. From these students, the recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, activities with purebred dogs or related research, and need.
“Royal Canin is dedicated to the health and well-being of dogs, so we are proud to join the American Kennel Club’s Veterinary Outreach program in honoring the people who will be charged with the care of our pets in the near future,” said Dr. Denise Elliott, Director of Scientific Affairs for Royal Canin. “We throw our whole-hearted support behind students who are dedicating their lives to veterinary medicine and wish them the best of luck.”
“As the largest national veterinarian-directed animal charity, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation is designed to benefit veterinary medicine and promote animal health and welfare. We are pleased to offer the AVMF Award for the first time this year, to a student dedicated to advancing canine medicine,” said Mike Cathey, Executive Director of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. “We believe that an important part of our mission is to foster the next generation of veterinary professionals, and help them make valuable contributions to animal health and medicine.”
“Named after our longtime director and founder, we are proud to award the third annual Robert L. Kelly Memorial Scholarship to an exceptional veterinary student,” said Erika Werne, Director of Education, Communications & Club Relations. “This scholarship is unique in that it supports students pursuing dual degrees in veterinary medicine and research, something we are proud to encourage because of the direct effect it has on our own organization.”
“AKC Companion Animal Recovery works closely with veterinarians across the country to identify pets with microchips to ensure that lost pets will be reunited with their owners,” said Tom Sharp, Vice President and CEO of AKC CAR. “We are happy to give back to the community by awarding scholarships to the next generation of vets that will play an integral part in responsible pet ownership.”
The 2009 Veterinary Scholarship Recipients are:
Dr. Asa Mays Award ($10,000.00) – Sponsored by Royal Canin:
Cynthia Willson 2011 – North Carolina State UniversityChairman’s Award ($10,000.00) – Sponsored by Royal Canin:
Kimberly Hitt 2012 – Mississippi State UniversityPresident’s Award ($10,000.00) – Sponsored by Royal Canin:
Joseph Esch 2012 – The Ohio State UniversityAVMF AWARD ($6,000.00) – Sponsored by AKC and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation:
Amanda Taylor 2010 – Texas A & M University
Robert L. Kelly Memorial Scholarship ($5,000.00) – Sponsored by AKC Canine Health Foundation:
Jill Schappa 2011 – University of Minnesota
AKC/CAR Award ($5,000.00) – Sponsored by AKC Companion Animal Recovery
Sarah Vitosh 2012 – Iowa State University
Christopher Potanas 2010 – Kansas State University
Jenna Giangarra 2012 – Kansas State University
Chad Malinak 2012 – Louisiana State University
Heather Grodi 2012 – Michigan State University
Karen Potter 2010 – Michigan State University
Adam King 2011 – North Carolina State
Alicia Davis McLaughlin 2011 – Oklahoma State University
Kari Gorman 2010 – Oregon State University
Kevin Simmons 2010 – Tuskegee University
Theresa Keating 2011 – University of California, Davis
Jenny Glei 2010 – University of Florida
Carole Amos 2010 – University of Georgia
Amelia DiMiceli 2010 – University of Minnesota
Dana Mosher 2012 – University of Pennsylvania
Julia Shih 2010 – University of Pennsylvania
Doris Ranivand 2013 – VA/MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Amanda Oedekoven 2010 – Washington State University
Christina Ramierez 2010 – Washington State University
Michael Gerber 2010 – Western University
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
