*~* HAPPY SUMMER *~*

I am reading my current issue of PULSE, July 2008 and I thought I'd share some material from the article "Tibial Tuberosity Advancement: One More Way to Stabilize the Stifle":

"Cruciate ligament disease is the most common orthopedic ailment seen in dogs. In 2003 a study was published which estimated the economic impact of treating dogs with cranial cruciate insufficiency in the United States at just over $1 billion...The most recently developed surgical techniques modify the geometry of the canine stifle to restore biomechanical function of the joint. They include tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), tibial wedge osteotomy (TWO) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). ..." there is also the lateral imbrication technique or extracapsular repair which is being done with great frequency but does not change the biomechanical function or structure. Most of the research that I am reading these days seems to discuss the TTA (vs. a few years ago it was nothin' but TPLO talk) and puts the rate of success in the 80th-90th percentiles. In a study of 57 dogs that underwent TTA after an average of 6 months of lameness (ouch!),

"...67% showed radiographic progression of osteoarthritis."

This is signifcant to me because it implies that time passed while a definitive decision was being made about whether or not to have surgery. And based on what people have told me through the years. In other words, it is highly doubtful that it took 6 months to get in to see the surgeon. In these TOUGH economic times, choosing the "expensive" route may indeed be a decision that takes time. But, the longer the knee goes untreated, the more advanced the progression of arthritis. And in many cases, the more pain and inactivity your dog experiences. I'm not a surgeon so I don't profit in any way from your choosing or not choosing surgery; this is just education. All the research I've heard and have been shown relates this same progression of arthritis and the ligament does not heal itself nor does the condition resolve on its own.  Don't wait. Get all the information you need before you make an informed decision that is in the best interests of you and your dog.

"Use of Alternative Therapies is Growing", OC Register, 5/28/08

The trend in veterinary medicine mimics what is happening with people...holistic medicine comprises a group of medical and healthcare practices and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used with conventional medicine, while alternative medicine is used in place of it. The most comprehensive findings to date on American's use of complementary and alternative medicine were from a study released in 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Center for Health Statistics...62% of those surveyed said they use some form of complementary or alternative medicine. Most said they do not tell their (regular) doctor about it...A 2006 study by the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences shows the same trend among pet owners. More than half of the pet owners surveyed said they use complementary medicine to help their cats and dogs...A survey of 254 people whose pets were being treated at the university...Many of those people said they don't tell their vets they are receiving these treatments, nor do they seek input on the treatments from a vet..."

(above taken in brief from Dr. Gordon's regular column. Brings to mind some interesting and concurrent thoughts about: consumer preference and choice, consumer thoughts regarding conventional medicine, and medical "trends"....Thoughts?)

This has nothing to do with work, by the way; I'm back to talking about food. I love to bake and it's a good thing I don't do it that often for health and financial reasons. ($-it cost $50 for 3/4's of the ingredients needed to make a tiny batch of vegan caramel slices!) I love (good) cookies.

Here is the recipe for the infamous Neiman Marcus cookie. I thought at first the person was misquoting the ingredients because I didn't see "big huge Hershey bar that you will spend an hour grating by hand..." but then I remembered that was infamous Miss Field's cookie.

Ingredients



# 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

# 1 cup light brown sugar

# 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

# 1 large egg

# 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

# 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour

# 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

# 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

# 1/2 teaspoon salt

# 1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder

# 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips



Directions



1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds)



2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.



3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips.



4. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.



Yield: 2 dozen cookies

"Pudging the Numbers

Aging, overeating, genetics and lack of exercise are causing diabetes, heart disease and other maladies in pets--the same afflictions that are commonly seen in obese humans. A recent study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine reports that between 22 and 40 percent of dogs are obese. Labrador retrievers, beagles and cocker spaniels are all breeds likely to carry some extra pounds. Overweight dogs and cats may also suffer from decreased heat tolerance and stamina, increaced skin conditions, decreased immune function, and multiple musculoskeletal and bone problems. "Avoiding obesity is an important part of the overall wellness of an animal,"says veterinary nutritionist Dr. Craig Thatcher of Virginia Tech. "Pets and their owners alike will enjoy a much higher quality of life when the pet maintains a healthy weight."  (Amen!)

--Best Friends magazine, May/June 2008

The following is an exerpt from an email sent to a friend of mine: "This is a very important message to my family & friends who have dogs-cats--and to alert you to the hazard of using a new Flea & Tick Preventative called *&$&*@)! This is a new product designed to be a more effective product than other flea/tick treatments that was just released this year. It is available thru a vet and not currently on-line.

I got *&@)#_$ this week for my 7 dogs (6 Huskies & 1 Golden-Airedale), and the results were debilitating for nearly all of them-including me. Since my incident this week, my vet has pulled it from distribution and alerted the manufacturer, Fort Dodge .

Here are my results: Within less than 2 hours after applying, 4 of my dogs had vomited from 2-4 times, 3 were disoriented and stumbling, 1 was dragging his back leg, 1 was salivating. I had very similar symptoms like an allergic reaction...."

There's more to this email and if you are a current newsletter subscriber and/or client than you KNOW . In our home, we have not tried this new product but we have tried many with disasterous results. The only thing that has worked consistently (&safely) for years is ____

(wanna know? )