Veterinary News

Saturday, 12 February 2011 08:50 |

Our Mission:

We are a team of knowledgeable, dedicated and compassionate professionals working to provide the highest level of veterinary care for your pet. We understand that each pet is accompanied by a concerned owner. Be assured that patient care and client satisfaction are our top priorities.

Last Updated (Tuesday, 15 March 2011 05:42)

Secondhand Smoke Harms Our Pets Too!

In the past 45 years, the number of smokers in the United States has decreased to less than 20% of the population and almost 70% of those current smokers want to kick the habit. Could an understanding of how secondhand smoke affects our pets help encourage more people to quit?

By: Dr. Jim Humphries, Certified Veterinary Journalist, Veterinary News Network

The history of smoking tobacco may reach back many hundreds of years, but research in the 20th century has made it clear how harmful this habit is. Furthermore, secondhand smoke has been implicated in the illnesses and even deaths of non-smokers. What’s even more disturbing is that smokers may have unknowingly contributed to severe disease in dogs and cats.

Most people understand that secondhand smoke from cigarettes contains an incredible number of hazardous substances and many of them are carcinogenic. These chemicals are found in high concentrations in carpets and on furniture around the home. Pets sharing this environment will get these toxins on their fur and then ingest them during normal grooming.

Herb-Drug Interactions for Cancer

By Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, FAAMA

The high-stakes drama in the news this spring told the tale of a teen with cancer leaving town with his mother, who wanted him to have alternative treatment instead of court-ordered chemotherapy.

The panoply of cures peddled for both human and veterinary cancer patients can end up consuming the most limited resources: time and money. People’s allegiance sometimes splits between the tried and true and the too good to –be true. Many pick the middle ground of choosing both, hoping to offset the envisioned misery of chemotherapy with feel-good supplements.

All too often, however, fact-based information about supplements and cancer becomes buried in the chaos of the Internet.

In truth, herbs and supplements can often improve well-being and even outcomes when given appropriately. When administered injudiciously, however, they risk lowering the therapeutic value of chemotherapy and radiation. The oft-touted garlic, for example, induces the P-glycoprotein drug efflux transport system to aid the body in ridding itself of perceived toxins such as chemotherapeutics.

In addition, antioxidants can counter the pro-oxidant effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and plant-derived anticoagulants can predispose patients to unexpected bleeding.