In the News

In this issue A Message From Dr. Crowley Read the article. Beverly Dog Ban Attempts Read the article. Flower Essence Therapy Read the article. In the News: Cat Cancer Study Pets Helping Prevent Allergies Read the articles. In Memorium News Archives Cat Cancer Study A new study at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine showed that cat whose owners are smokers are three times more likely to develop the cancer lymphoma than cats living with nonsmokers. Dr. Anthony Moore published the study in The American Journal of Epidemiology in August. The researchers surveyed owners of 80 cats with lymphoma and 114 cats with renal(kidney) disease which strikes cats at about the same age but not linked to known environmental factors. The study showed that all cats exposed to tobacco smoke had a far higher risk of lymphoma. It was also proportionate to how much smoke was in the house and for how long. Cats are often kept 100% indoors so they are exposed to the smoke all the time. They groom themselves frequently and they often smell of smoke on their fur. Dr Moore is hopeful that the study will not only help cats but also their owners by raising awareness of the dangers of smoking. "People often think if their cats as members of their family, and they should realize that when we smoke, we are increasing the risks faced by those around us. If we can prevent this disease in cats, I’d be happy. If in doing so we can decrease the risk of cancer in people, I’d be doubly happy." Pets Helping to Prevent Allergies The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study for all you pet lovers and parents out there in their August 28th edition. The study found that children who lived with two or more dogs or cats during their first year of life were half as likely to develop allergies by age 6 or 7 as children who didn’t have pets. The allergies where not just to pets but environmental allergens as well such as ragweed and dust mites. The researchers suspect that the pets help the children by exposing them to endotoxins (bacteria associated with pets) which help the immune system respond differently and protect them against common allergies.