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Loading...HVC Newsletter Summer 2010
In this issue:
● Summer in the Northwest
● Leftover salmon?
● Neoplasene for Tumors: What is it?
● We’re on Facebook!
Summer in the Northwest?
We recently came out of a long wet and chilly spring, which even extended through June. We did have a string of several 90-plus-degree days, but lately we have been experiencing unusually cooler summer weather here in the Northwest. The 90-plus temperatures are certain to eventually return, but for now our animals are spared the hazards of dealing with hot summer conditions. When the hot weather does come, there are certain precautions to take with your pets. Check out Summer Pet care Tips from the Humane Society.
Also, from a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) perspective, there are some important health issues for your pets that come up during the hotter months. Check out this article from last year’s newsletter.
Leftover Salmon?
One of the greatest things about summer in the Northwest is having a meal of fresh salmon straight off the grill. Sure we love it, and all those omega 3 fatty acids are great for us, but is it ok throw a piece to the family dog or cat? What about the dreaded salmon poisoning we’ve all heard about? Don’t worry. Table manners aside, go ahead and throw begging Barney (or Creampuff) a piece. Yes, salmon poisoning is a severe and potentially fatal disease, but only of dogs. Cats are not affected. Only if the salmon is raw…and interestingly enough, only if the salmon is caught south of a line about half way up the coast of British Colombia.
Why is that? It’s quite fascinating and complex actually…the disease is caused by a certain bacteria that lives inside a protozoan creature called a fluke (remember that from your high school science class?), which is in turn is consumed by a certain snail that only lives in warmer ocean waters south of a certain latitude in British Colombia. Next, the salmon eats the snail, and the dog eats the salmon, thereby becoming infected with the bacteria that lives inside the fluke that lives inside the snail that lives inside the salmon. Nature is certainly amazing, isn’t it? . This also explains why native Alaskans can feed all the raw salmon they want to their sled dogs with no adverse affects – none of the required snails live in the colder arctic waters.
So it’s ok to give your pets some leftover salmon – cooking kills the particular bacteria. Remember, however, it’s not ok to let your dog eat any raw salmon from our coastal areas. Be sure to watch your dogs carefully when at the beach or at rivers where salmon are running, and don’t let them scavenge any salmon carcases. If your dog does consume raw salmon, they will develop a fever and gastro-intestinal symptoms 4 to 5 days later. Treatment with antibiotics and supportive treatment is very effective if started in time.
Neoplasene for Tumors: What is it?
Neoplasene is the name of a concentrated extract of the herb bloodroot made in Montana by Buck Mountain Herbs (www.buckmountainbotanicals.net). This remarkable product is used to treat skin growths and tumors by causing tumor cells, or neoplastic cells, to die off, without affecting the nearby normal tissue. We have used this product with great success on many tumors of dogs and cats, often avoiding surgery. Neoplasene is usually applied as a salve at home by the client, so treatments are relatively inexpensive. Some tumors can be treated by using an injectable form of the product, which is usually done with the animals under sedation. In other cases the Neoplasene can be used in conjunction with surgery on larger more aggressive tumors to help prevent them from regrowing after surgery.
If your dog or cat has a growth or tumor that you are concerned about, make an appointment. Our doctors will examine your pet, perform any necessary diagnostic tests, and advise you on the various treatment options, possibly using Neoplasene.
We’re on Facebook!
Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic now has a Facebook page. We will be posting photos of some of our patients and announcing specials and newsworthy articles and events. Be sure to check it out.
