Canine Spleen Cancer. Guthrie Rebuild. Pets In Cold. Walmart's Pork. Dog Saves Lady. Dogs Trapped. Ex-Slaves to Africa. Queen Elizabeth. Yard Sale Remnants.

For "Mammal Monday":

This subject is very close to me, as my beloved little Levi died of this 6 years ago yesterday, on 5th. February of 2006.  Well, he was put to sleep, as it was terminal. 

Canine Splenic Hemangiosarcoma: How a Simple Diagnostic Test May Save Lives

"Splenic cancer is silent – evidence that a dog has the disease does not appear on routine blood tests taken to screen for other illnesses like liver or kidney disease. However, an ultrasound can help vets visualize problems with the spleen.  Per Dr. Haase:

"The spleen is easily visualized by ultrasound, and normally appears as a very bright organ with a smooth, bright white and thick capsule that defines it well from other organs in the abdomen. Tumors will appear in various forms, but the most common and alarming appearance is a large irregular mass with multiple black cavities of blood divided by thin walls of tissue. These are the tumors that are at high risk for rupture and fatal bleeding."

Dr. Haase recommends that in breeds at high risk for splenic hemangiosarcoma, regular ultrasounds of the spleen should start at around age five and be repeated at least yearly. Ultrasounds are non-invasive, without side effects, and are well-tolerated by most pets

In addition to regular ultrasounds, it is also recommended that high risk dogs be seen by a vet every six months for a careful palpation of the abdomen to check for any abnormalities or changes."   Sources:  Suite101.com February 26, 2011    Modianolab.org

Dr. Becker's Comments:

"Hemangiosarcoma is cancer of the endothelial cells - the cells that line blood vessels. Unlike other cancers, it is almost exclusively a disease of dogs.

Dogs of any breed and age can develop hemangiosarcoma, but it is most commonly seen in dogs over the age of six, and in the following breeds:      Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Portuguese Water Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Flat Coated Retrievers, Boxers, Skye Terriers.

Hemangiosarcoma generally develops slowly and no signs of disease are present in the early stages. Even dogs with large tumors will show no symptoms early on. Unfortunately, by the time a dog is symptomatic he is usually in an advanced stage of this life-threatening disease.

Fewer than half the dogs treated with surgery and chemotherapy survive more than six months after diagnosis. And many dogs die from uncontrolled internal bleeding before or during treatment.

Hemangiosarcoma Sites and Symptoms

The usual organs involved in hemangiosarcoma in dogs are the spleen, the right atrium of the heart and the tissue beneath the skin, called the subcutis.   The tumors invade surrounding normal tissue and also metastasize (spread to other parts of the body).   Over time, small ruptures in the tumors can develop which allow blood to escape into the abdomen, chest, the sac around the heart, or subcutaneously (right below the skin).  This blood loss causes some dogs to show intermittent symptoms of lethargy and weakness, but usually the signs are so subtle they go unnoticed or are attributed to another less serious cause.

Other subtle signs might include:

• Decrease in appetite
• Mild anemia
• Slight elevation of liver enzymes

When the tumors metastasize they aggressively invade the lungs, liver and/or intestines. Often dogs with hemangiosarcoma die abruptly from a ruptured tumor which causes severe hemorrhaging.

Signs of life-threatening hemorrhage might include:

• Weakness
• Pale color to the tongue
• Panting
• Rapid heart rate and a weak pulse
• Distended, fluid-filled abdomen
• Collapse

More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/04/19/splenic-hemangiosarcoma-in-pet-dog.aspx

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From Me:

For several years, I took care of Ray's black Lab, Princess, during the day while he was at work.  I used to take Princess and Levi down to the lake to run every afternoon, and they were good buddies. 

When old Princess had to be PTS in January of 2006, Levi obviously missed her, so it wasn't apparent right away that he was sick.

A few days later, I called for an appointment at the vet, but they couldn't see me until the following Tuesday.  When vet felt around his abdomen, he said that he had a tumor in his spleen.  I left Levi at another vet for an ultrasound that very afternoon.  

That vet called later with the diagnosis that it was terminal, and asked me if he should euthanize Levi.  I could not say yes right  away, and brought him home with some pain pills.  I took him on a trip to the beach at Galveston in my comfy motor home, and then took him to an Emergency Clinic to be PTS.  He was ready.  I wasn't, but I knew it had to be done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is such a nasty disease as it comes up on them so quickly, and sometimes the 'parent' will just come home one day to a dead dog.

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Rebuild From Tornado at Guthrie Animal Shelter.

Here is another way your FREE clicks helped: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_home_from_vet_thankyou_sitenav

"Rescue U Volunteers from Pennsylvania and Oklahoma come together to rebuild Guthrie Animal Shelter. The shelter was demolished in May 2011 by an F5 tornado. This video captures Day 1 of the build."

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What to Do If You See a Pet Left Out in the Cold

"It can be a crime to leave pets outside in extreme temperatures without food and shelter."

• Concerned neighbors rescued Barbie and her puppies from neglect. Scott Townsend

"As the temperature plummets in many parts of the country, The Humane Society of the United States sees a marked increase in the number of complaints of dogs and cats left outside with no food or shelter. We encourage you to contact local law enforcement agencies, because pets left outside in extreme temperatures without food and shelter are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and even death, placing their owners at risk of facing criminal charges.

The act of leaving a pet outside without food or adequate shelter often receives less attention than a violent attack against an animal, but neglect is a crime. Especially in these cold months, it is important for people to bring their pets inside and for others to report neglected animals to law enforcement,” said Ashley Mauceri, The HSUS's deputy manager for animal cruelty investigations, who fields these calls."   If you see a pet left out in the cold, speak out—you can help »   More at: http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/12/keep_pets_inside_winter_122110.htm

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If you see a pet left out in the cold, speak out—you can help

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Walmart's Pork Supplier Exposed

"WARNING: Contains graphic footage.
The Humane Society of the United States investigated two of the top five pork producers in the US, one of them being a direct supplier of pork to Walmart, to find the ugly truth behind the gestation crate system and the misleading quality standards and animal welfare commitments from the industry."

 

 

"Breeding pigs are locked inside tiny gestation crates, unable to even turn around for virtually their entire lives. Dead pigs were found inside these crates. Pigs were living amidst feces and urine with abscesses and injuries.

TAKE ACTION here: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5320
You can help today by using the form below to send a brief, polite message to Seaboard and Prestage and urging them to end their use of gestation crates to confine breeding pigs. We encourage you to add your own thoughts or comments about this issue in the editable portion, so these companies know how important this is to you personally."

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Foster Dog Saves Lady.

"Last Friday, one of the foster dogs -- a Miniature Schnauzer named Danny -- returned Bennett's favor by saving her life. After slipping on a tile floor and breaking her femur, Bennett lay unconscious on the floor of her home.

She woke up after being licked by Danny and remembered that no visitors were scheduled to arrive until the following Tuesday. "I was scared. I really thought I was going to die," Bennett told ABC News. That's when Danny sprang into action, knocking over the telephone and nudging toward Bennett. When she asked him to bring her paper, Danny brought over five pieces, including one with neighbors' phone numbers. Bennett called 911 and then neighbors, who located a spare key and let paramedics into the house"  More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/service-dog-saves-life-arizona-bethe-benne_n_1248293.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D132441

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Dog Owners Speak Out Against Killer Trapping Method

"Earlier this week, a Springer spaniel named Penni died after getting caught in what some call a “body grip trap” – a device designed to kill animals instantly by breaking their neck or windpipe."     More at: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/01/28/dog-owners-speak-out-against-killer-trapping-method/

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Trapping and dogs: There's got to be a better way

"While it’s rare that these traps do catch dogs, the two dogs in the story were killed in a 10-day span. And it only takes one such incident to make people think twice about enjoying time afield with their dogs. One of the dogs killed, an English setter, was a prized hunting dog and was doing what its owner had spent countless hours teaching it to do — find grouse; the other dog was on a routine outing with its owner when it strayed away for just a moment."    More at: http://brainerddispatch.com/outdoors/2012-01-13/trapping-and-dogs-theres-got-be-better-way

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Coyote caught in illegal trap euthanized

"Prescott Valley police euthanized an injured coyote this week after residents reported seeing it running around with a steel trap attached to its leg.  The leg trap appeared to be an illegal trap, since it didn't contain an ID tag and it wasn't anchored to the ground.     "Anybody that would consider using anything like that would have to consider the liability if somebody's pet or child...would get caught in them," Prescott Valley Police Commander James Edelstein said."  More at: http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=102105

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On This Day:

Freed U.S. slaves depart on journey to Africa, Feb 6, 1820:

"The first organized immigration of freed slaves to Africa from the United States departs New York harbor on a journey to Freetown, Sierra Leone, in West Africa. The immigration was largely the work of the American Colonization Society, a U.S. organization founded in 1816 by Robert Finley to return freed American slaves to Africa. However, the expedition was also partially funded by the U.S. Congress, which in 1819 had appropriated $100,000 to be used in returning displaced Africans, illegally brought to the United States after the abolishment of the slave trade in 1808, to Africa."

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Elizabeth becomes queen, Feb 6, 1952:

"On this day in 1952, after a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dies in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Elizabeth, the oldest of the king's two daughters and next in line to succeed him, was in Kenya at the time of her father's death; she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27.

King George VI, the second son of King George V, ascended to the throne in 1936 after his older brother, King Edward VIII, voluntarily abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. During World War II, George worked to rally the spirits of the British people by touring war zones, making a series of morale-boosting radio broadcasts (for which he overcame a speech impediment) and shunning the safety of the countryside to remain with his wife in bomb-damaged Buckingham Palace. The king's health deteriorated in 1949, but he continued to perform state duties until his death in 1952.

Queen Elizabeth, born on April 21, 1926, and known to her family as Lilibet, was groomed as a girl to succeed her father. She married a distant cousin, Philip Mountbatten, on November 20, 1947, at London's Westminster Abbey. The first of Elizabeth's four children, Prince Charles, was born in 1948.

From the start of her reign, Elizabeth understood the value of public relations and allowed her 1953 coronation to be televised, despite objections from Prime Minister Winston Churchill and others who felt it would cheapen the ceremony. Elizabeth, the 40th British monarch since William the Conqueror, has worked hard at her royal duties and become a popular figure around the world. In 2003, she celebrated 50 years on the throne, only the fifth British monarch to do so.

The queen's reign, however, has not been without controversy. She was seen as cold and out-of-touch following the 1996 divorce of her son, Prince Charles, and Princess Diana, and again after Diana's 1997 death in a car crash. Additionally, the role in modern times of the monarchy, which is largely ceremonial, has come into question as British taxpayers have complained about covering the royal family's travel expenses and palace upkeep. Still, the royals are effective world ambassadors for Britain and a huge tourism draw. Today, the queen, an avid horsewoman and Corgi dog lover, is one of the world's wealthiest women, with extensive real-estate holdings and art and jewelry collections."

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Yesterday:

Before Misty and I, both in our coats, went to get Jay, I spent quite a while trying on all the pants and jeans in my closet.  As we are donating things, the ones that I no longer wanted might as well go, too.  

It was chilly, but Jay and I were out in the RVport packing up the yard sale remnants.  I backed the van in there, and we loaded it up with boxes of stuff to be donated to different charities.  While we were at it, in the store room we emptied a hutch full of yard sale contents which never got displayed. Jay found two pairs of sneakers that fit him.  Buried under the bags of stuff were more coffee makers and toaster ovens.  Where does all this stuff come from! 

Still one big table, the 'small appliance' tables, and the clothes rack to be cleared another day.