Sniffing Out Cancer

Dogs as Cancer Detectors
By Maggie Koerth for MSN Health & Fitness

Man's real best friend may be his best friend's nose. Dogs' sense of smell is incredibly powerful, but it wasn't until recently that scientists began siccing that sense on cancerous tumors. Researchers wondered if canines could be trained to smell the chemical difference between patients with cancer and those without. So far, the results have been promising. Studies show test dogs can accurately pick out patients with lung, breast, ovarian and bladder cancers. In some cases, the pups have hit accuracy rates as high as 97 percent.

But don't book an appointment with Dr. Beagle just yet. The detection method is still in its early stages of research. To really prove that dog detection can work, researchers will need to show that dogs can identify afflicted patients who haven't yet been diagnosed by traditional means, as opposed to using previously diagnosed cancer patients and healthy controls. Critics argue the dogs might not be smelling cancer, but instead some olfactory evidence of lifestyle differences between healthy people, and those who are already addressing (and worrying about) an illness.

Low Shedding Small Breed Dogs

Here is a list of small dogs that don't shed, or shed very little.

Chinese Crested (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Crested_Dog)
Silky Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Silky_Terrier)
Shih Tzu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih_Tzu)
Border Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Terrier)
Boston Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Terrier)
Miniature Schnauzer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_Schnauzer)
Miniature Poodle (http://www.akc.org/breeds/poodle/)
Maltese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_%28dog%29)
Australian Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Terrier)
Scottish Terrier(Scottie) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Terrier)
Welsh Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_Terrier)
Norfolk Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Terrier)
Havanese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havanese)
West Highland Terrier(Westie) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Highland_White_Terrier)
Yorkshire Terrier(Yorkie) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_Terrier)
Cairn Terrier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn_Terrier)
Bichon Frise (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bichon_Frise)
Italian Greyhound (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Greyhound)

The Dalmatian's History in Fire Service

“The Dalmatian is a very physical breed, with a strong, muscular body, and able to run great distances without tiring. The Dalmatian also has what seems to be a natural calming effect on horses. This trait about the breed was seen very early on, and soon the Dalmatian was identified with horses. Possibly horse mounted warriors or hunters first used the breed in their activities. During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries when the mode of travel was by horse or by carriage, the Dalmatians became a society dog, and trained to run along side women's carriages. They became known as Coach dogs or Ladies dogsbecause of this. In fact, the term coaching is referring to how the Dalmatian will take up position justoff the side and towards the rear of a horse and run with them.

In the 1700's, dalmatians were used to protect horses that pulled English stagecoaches. Typically two dalmatians would run next to the horses as they pulled the coach. When other dogs tried to run out and scare the horses, the dalmatian team would chase them away. Over the years, dalmatians formed a close bond with horses.

During this time, horse theft was very common. Because of the potential for theft, stagecoach drivers would typically sleep in a hammock strung between two stalls where they would watch for thieves. However, because of the bond between the dalmatians and the horses, the driver could sleep in a hotel or house if he owned a dalmatian. Why? Because the dalmatians would sleep with the horses and guard against horse theft.

It is during the era of horse drawn fire apparatus that the Dalmatian becomes forever tied to the Fire Service. These fire house horses were required to spend hours at a time at a fire scene, or hours inside the fire house waiting for a call, and despite many misbeliefs, these fire house horses were not broken down old hags, but fine spirited horses. The Dalmatian became the horses pet as it were, to help keep them calm. There are many reports and stories of seeing a fire team rushing to the scene of a call, with a Dalmatian or two running between the horse teams. Once on the scene of the call, the Dalmatian took over as guard dog, insuring that nothing was stolen from the apparatus. The Dalmatian is a very loyal breed to its owners, and an admirable foe when challenged.

Because of the dog/horse bond, the dalmatian easily adapted to the firehouse in the days of horse-drawn fire wagons. Since every firehouse had a set of fast horses to pull the pumper, it became common for each group of firefighters to keep a dalmatian in the firehouse to guard the firehouse and horses. When the alarm came in, the dalmatian led the way for the horse-drawn pumper. In this way, the dalmatian became the firefighters' companion and a symbol of the fire service. Today, dalmatians are still found in many firehouses in England, Canada, and the United States.

Because of this loyalty, the Dalmatian continued in the Fire Service once the horses were replaced with mechanical apparatus. Today, in many large cities, the Dalmatian is the guard dog of the fire truck while at the scene of fires and rescues. In its long history in the Fire Service, there are also reports of how the Dalmatian has rescued trapped firefighters or victims. Overall, the Dalmatian is a brave and valiant dog.”

(http://www.local1259iaff.org/dalmatians.html)

Soothing the Depressesd

Calming the Anxious and Soothing the Depressed
Everybody runs into negative feelings at times, including fear, stress, and anxiety, but some people are hit harder than others, and studies show that animals may be able to help. Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to have at least a moderate effect on improving the emotional well-being of humans.

According to a large 2007 study in the journal Anthrozoös, researchers have successfully used animals to calm patients prior to a potentially frightening medical procedure; help patients with post-traumatic stress disorder conquer their fears; and decrease symptoms in people suffering from depression. How does it work? A 2000 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that positive interaction with dogs can give a boost to the brain chemicals that lower blood pressure, which could be the biological basis behind these animal-assisted therapies.

Cat Age Equivalency

Kitten birth to 6 months
A kitten that is 0-1 month old is equivalent to a human that is 0-1 year of age
A kitten that is 2-3 months old is equivalent to a human that is 2-4 years old
A kitten that is 4 months old is equivalent to a human that is 6-8 years old
A kitten that is 6 months old is equivalent to a human that is 10 years old

Junior 7 months to 2 years
A cat that is 7 months old is equivalent to a human that is 12 years old
A cat that is 12 months old is equivalent to a human that is 15 years old
A cat that is 18 months old is equivalent to a human that is 21 years old
A cat that is 2 years old is equilavent to a human that is 24 years old

Prime 3-6 years
A cat that is 3 years old is equivalent to a human that is 28 years old
A cat that is 4 years old is equivalent to a human that is 32 years old
A cat that is 5 years old is equivalent to a human that is 36 years old
A cat that is 6 years old is equivalent to a human that is 40 years old

Mature 7-10 years
A cat that is 7 years old is equivalent to a human that is 44 years old
A cat that is 8 years old is equivalent to a human that is 48 years old
A cat that is 9 years old is equivalent to a human that is 52 years old
A cat that is 10 years old is equivalent to a human that is 56 years old

Senior 11-14 years
A cat that is 11 years old is equivalent to a human that is 60 years old
A cat that is 12 years old is equivalent to a human that is 64 years old
A cat that is 13 years old is equivalent to a human that is 68 years old
A cat that is 14 years old is equivalent to a human that is 72 years old

Geriatric over 15 years
A cat that is 15 years old is equivalent to a human that is 76 years old
A cat that is 16 years old is equivalent to a human that is 80 years old
A cat that is 17 years old is equivalent to a human that is 84 years old
A cat that is 18 years old is equivalent to a human that is 88 years old
A cat that is 19 years old is equivalent to a human that is 92 years old
A cat that is 20 years old is equivalent to a human that is 96 years old
A cat that is 21 years old is equivalent to a human that is 100 years old

Holiday Hazards

Holiday season plants to avoid:

Lilies found in holiday flower arrangements can be deadly to your cat. Many types of lily, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca, cause acute kidney failure in cats.

Poinsettias generally have low toxicity. If ingested, poinsettias irritate the mouth and stomach, causing mild vomiting or nausea.

Mistletoe can have a cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) toxic effect. More commonly, however, mistletoe ingestion usually causes gastrointestinal upset.

Holly ingestion can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Please call your veterinarian for advice in all cases to ensure that your pet doesn't need emergency veterinary care.



Hazards around the christmas tree:

Christmas tree water often contains fertilizers, that, if ingested, cause stomach upsets. Stagnant tree water can have extremely high bacterial content, which can cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested.

Electric cords should be hidden or covered safely. If they were chewed, they could electrocute your pet.

Ribbons or tinsel can get stuck in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction if ingested.

Batteries contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause serious ulceration to the mouth, tongue and intestines.

Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.

Holiday Pet Pics with Santa

Photographic portraits of pets with Santa will be offered Sunday, December 5 from 2:00-5:00pm at the Frederick County Humane Society, 217 West Patrick Street in downtown Frederick. Portraits will be provided in electronic format for a cost of $10. Proceeds from the project will benefit programs of the Humane Society.

Pet Pix will take place during the Santa Paws Bazaar, in which local vendors of specialty merchandise will display their wares at the Santa Paws Baazar. Participants include Tomboy Tools, Scentsy, Bling Bags and the Frederick County Humane Society's Crafters Guild. Vendors will cpontribute a portion of sales to FCHS.

No advance registration is rquired. Plentiful street parking is available. Pet owners are asked to have their pets in a secure carrier or on a non-retracting leash.

For more information, please call 301-694-8300 ext. 203.