SPAYING AND NEUTERING STUDIES ON PETS SHOWING INCREASE IN CANCER AND JOINT DISEASE.

(Warning: This is an extremely controversial topic that is heavily debated and more studies are on the way. This is simply the other side that is being presented. By no means is anyone advocating for irresponsible pet ownership or non-sterilization. Please read the entire blog, and follow the links, to get the full details and to really understand what the article is about.)

Yet another study confirming the link between spaying/neutering and the increase of cancer rates in pets!

Last June, we posted a study conducted on the increased rates of cancer in desexed Vizslas and methods of sterilization that help decrease the rates. The post almost broke the internet with comments. (http://ow.ly/E0OTe)

What we the pet owners, and the veterinarians of the medical profession, have been taught about spaying and neutering our pets early (6 months) to prevent mammary and testicular cancer seems to be all wrong, according to all the new research that is being spit out!

“… maybe what I learned in vet school about early spay/neuter was not so straightforward after all!” - Dr Sue Cancer Vet, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology)

“Sterilization increases the risk of joint disease and cancer in both golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers.” - Veterinary Practice News

“The removal of hormone-producing organs during the first year of a dog’s life leaves the animal vulnerable to the delayed closure of long-bone growth plates,” said Dr. Benjamin Hart of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

This was in reference to the latest study conducted on spaying and neutering by the researchers at the University of California, Davis (published in the journal PLOS ONE). (http://ow.ly/E0uMT)

The UC Davis researchers further confirmed what previous studies have shown - intact dogs of both breeds have lower rates of joint disorders and cancer than desexed dogs.

A study conducted at the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation found: “Taking away ovaries during the first four years of life completely erased the female survival advantage. We found that female rottweilers that kept their ovaries for at least six years were four times more likely to reach exceptional longevity compared to females who had the shortest lifetime ovary exposure." (http://ow.ly/E15GU)

So what other methods are there instead of desexing our pets? Research is now pointing to another direction: the possibility of sterilization.

“To sterilize without desexing. This means performing a procedure that will prevent pregnancy while sparing the testes or ovaries so that they continue to produce hormones essential for the dog's health and well-being. This typically involves a vasectomy for male dogs, and either a tubal ligation or modified spay for females. The modified spay removes the uterus while preserving the hormone-producing ovaries,” explains Doctor Karen Becker.

Dr. Becker continues: “Whenever possible, I prefer to leave dogs intact. However, this approach requires a highly responsible pet guardian. […] My second choice is to sterilize without desexing.” (http://ow.ly/E1oqb)

By spaying and neutering our pets, we are ripping out their parts, including their hormones, (complete removal of the ovaries and uterus in female dogs, and the testes in males) to prevent over population and behavioral problems from developing. By desexing our pets, some argue that they are no longer male nor female, as we have altered their sex. However, research is showing that our pets drastically need these hormones in order to prevent the most aggressive cancers (osteosarcoma, bladder transitional cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and mast cell tumors) and other diseases from developing.

The problem is that most veterinarians do not have the proper training to conduct this not-so-new technique of sterilization and often opt for the desexing methods as demanded by pet owners. So, if this option is not available to you, what else can you do?

Quoting the world’s top veterinarian Cancer Doctor, Dr. Damian Dressler (dogcancerblog.com): “Most dogs reach sexual maturity at about 24 months approximately at the fourth heat in females at this point in their development dogs have received the protective benefit of adult sexual hormones and are at a decreased risk for cancers mentioned above.

If you choose to spay or neuter your dog my general recommendation is to spay females sometime between the third and fourth heats which will have the added benefit of reducing the risk of mammary cancer and neuter males sometime between the ages of 18 and 24 months.” (http://ow.ly/E15MC)

I write this blog for one reason and one reason only. I do not want to promote irresponsible pet ownership and overpopulation. I do, however, want to encourage you, the pet owner, to make the right decision for you and your pet. In order to do so, you need to know all the facts! Today, the cancer rate is 1 in 2 dogs and 1 in 3 cats. It’s time we better ourselves.

Pet Nutrition Blogger - Rodney Habib

 — with Beth Patrick and Angela Coady.

You want to know the cure for pet cancer today? Easy. The cure for cancer, all species alike, is to prevent it!

It is estimated that over 6 million (and growing) dogs die from cancer each year! More than 1 in 2 dogs (1 in 3 cats) are diagnosed with cancer, and up to 50% of dogs will be affected by some type of tumor in their lifetime. 

There is a medicinal herb that so desperately needs to be incorporated into our pets’ lives; an herb that is one of the most thoroughly researched plants in existence today.

That herb is turmeric root.

“Science Confirms Turmeric As Effective As 14 Drugs” – National Health Federation

“Turmeric is one the most thoroughly researched plants in existence today. Its medicinal properties and components (primarily curcumin) have been the subject of over 5600 peer-reviewed and published biomedical studies.

Indeed, turmeric turns the entire drug-based medical model on its head. Instead of causing far more side effects than therapeutic ones, as is the case for most patented pharmaceutical medications, turmeric possesses hundreds of potential side benefits, having been empirically demonstrated to positively modulate over 160 different physiological pathways in the mammalian body.

What is so amazing is not that turmeric may have value in dozens of health conditions simultaneously, or that it may improve conditions that are completely resistant to conventional treatment, but that there are over six hundred additional health conditions it may also be valuable in preventing and/or treating.” – greenmedinfo

Adding a quarter of a teaspoon per ten pounds of your pet’s body weight to their diet will not only help stop cancer from knocking on their door but it will also aid in the following:

Destroys multi-drug resistant cancer;
Destroys cancer stem cells (arguably, the root of all cancer);
Protects against radiation-induced damage;
Reduces unhealthy levels of inflammation;
Protects against heavy metal toxicity;
Prevents and Reverses Alzheimer's Disease associated pathologies;
Anti-Inflammatory;
Detoxifier;
Treatment of epilepsy;
Relieves allergies;
Prevents the formation of cataracts;
Treats depression;
Kills parasites;
Heals stomach ailments, aids in digestive disorders, and reduces gas and bloating;
Acts as a binding agent, great for treating diarrhea;
Fat metabolism and weight management;
High in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals.

Want to read more? - http://ow.ly/zN15S

"Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise." - The Health Ranger

COCONUT OIL KILLS BACTERIA, VIRUSES AND FUNGI IN/ON YOUR PET!

Ranked in the top 10 most important food medicines, coconut oil is a must add to your pet’s diet! With over 13 Evidence-Based Medicinal Properties, the one we love the most is its yeast-bustin’ abilities!

Almost 50% of the medium-chain triglycerides found in coconut oil are lauric acids, saturated fatty acids that our bodies convert into monolaurin. Monolaurin is one of the natural world's greatest antivirals, antibacterials and antifungals. Because they come from natural sources, these fatty acids pose no danger to your pets' bodies, unlike man-made antibiotics and anti-virals.

Coconut has been used for wound healing for thousands of years. A new study published in the International Journal of Dermatology confirms that coconut oil aides in treating atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition characterized by scaly and itchy rashes.

Furthermore, one study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that “coconut oil is extremely effective at killing Candida albicans, a common yeast infection in humans.” Another study published in the Journal of Bacteriology discovered that “coconut oil can help kill Staphylococcus aureus, which is a common cause of skin conditions and respiratory diseases.”

The recommended dosage for feeding is:

• ½ teaspoon for every 10lbs of body weight daily

Or, if using topically, just rub the oil on your hands and apply to your pet’s coat (remember not to over do it!).

For 34 more reasons why you should add this wonderful oil, follow this link: http://ow.ly/E56pI

URGENT & IMMEDIATE: AMBER NEEDS PLACEMENT ASAP
**AVAILABLE FOR RESCUE TRANSFER OR QUALIFIED FOSTER CARE ONLY. PLEASE SHARE.**

7 Facts About Aurora, Colorado's Breed Ban Before Tuesday's Vote

Posted: 11/03/2014 1:37 pm EST Updated: 11/03/2014 1:59 pm EST

Tuesday, voters in Aurora, Colorado will have the opportunity to repeal the city's 9-year-old breed ban.

The city has discussed the potential repeal multiple times since the law's inception and finally decided to take the repeal idea to the voters. I personally think it's an uphill battle to win a repeal via a public vote, generally because if a ban is in place, most of the residents have had very little personal interaction with the banned breeds and thus, are more apt to have to rely on the media coverage as the basis for their opinions. To this point, the area media has not been terribly accurate in their reporting.

So with that, here are seven facts that voters in Aurora need to know prior to heading to the polls.

1. All national organizations with expertise in dog behavior support repealing breed bans.

Every. Single. One. These organizations of professionals are basing their reputations on their opposition to breed-specific laws. And these organizations are very diverse, and include the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the National Animal Control Association (NACA), American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and the American Bar Association all agree that laws targeting breeds are ineffective and should be replaced with laws targeting aggressive dogs based on their behavior, not their breed.

2. The 9-year-old breed ban has NOT been effective at improving public safety.

In fact, the number of bites in Aurora has actually increased by 77 percent since the law was put into effect and the law seemed to reverse what was a trend of decreasing dog bites, and bites immediately began trending upward after the law passed. In fact, the four highest years in total dog bites occurred AFTER the law was enacted to supposedly improve public safety. Here are the raw numbers from 2003-2013:

Year -- Total Bites / Bites by targeted breeds / Bites by other breeds

2003 -- 213 / 28 / 185

2004 -- 211 / 33 / 178

2005 -- 137 / 27 / 110

Ordinance Passed October 24, 2005

2006 -- 137 / 8 / 129

2007 -- 172 / 15 / 157

2008 -- 224 / 8 / 216

2009 -- 229 / 9 / 220

2010 -- 194 / 6 / 188

2011 -- 252 / 9 / 243

2012 -- 241 / 6 / 235

2013 -- 243 / 10 / 233

It's also worth noting that the breed ban was set at addressing only about 15 percent of the dog bites in Aurora -- and never even attempted to address 85 percent of the cases.

#3) In spite of the total bite data being easily available via Freedom of Information Act, not one single media outlet in the Denver/Aurora area has decided to publish it.

#4) What the ordinance has done is lead to the mass slaughter of more than 1,100 dogs that look like pit bulls -- at taxpayer expense.

According to a memo produced by Aurora Animal Care PR Specialist Cheryl Conway, dated January 27th, 636 pit bulls were killed in 2006 -- the first year after the ban was passed. 173 were killed in 2007 and roughly 100 every year since then.

The ordinance has led to the direct killing of more than 1,000 family pets since it was enacted. An article from the Aurora Sentinel put the death tally at 1,158 nearly a year ago. While the rest of the nation is working hard to save healthy, treatable dogs, the city of Aurora is using taxpayer money to round them up and kill them.

#5) Aurora City Council members that support the law have acknowledged that the law isn't about improved public safety and is not rooted in factual information.

Last week, Aurora City Council Woman Molly Markert told ABC 7 in Denver:

"Oh, you bet if I could, I would ban the owners too. By banning the dogs, we lose the violent behavior that comes with the owners." She then went on to say that breed bans make people feel safer. "It's not about a fact, it's about a feeling."

In saying this, she acknowledges that she is racist, or at the very least classist, vs the stereotypes of people she THINKS own pit bulls. Never mind that pit bulls are among the most popular breeds of dogs in the country, and owned by people of all races, income levels, and professions including lawyers, academics, and young professionals.

Markert's reactions should be extremely frightening to anyone who believes in fact-based decision-making and policies not designed to target people by perceived race or class.

#6) The expense of managing the ordinance has been substantial, including substantial legal fees that are being paid with taxpayer funds.

An email from Assistant City Attorney Julie Heckman from February 2014 notes that the city has suffered many legal challenges, to which they have suffered substantial losses.

In the ADA case, Grider, Belcher and Piltz vs the City of Denver & Aurora, the city of Aurora endured more than $130,000 in legal fees associated with defending the law (in a case which they eventually lost).

They also have been challenged in their breed identification of more than 100 dogs -- and ended up being wrong on the the breed ID in 77 percent of the cases. Again, all at taxpayer expense.

#7) City officials have already acknowledged that the original breed ban was a failure.

The original law banned 10 different breeds of dogs back in 2006. However, in April 2011, the council voted to remove 7 breeds from the banned breeds list due to their struggles in enforcing the law.

The law is a failure. It's failed in public safety. It's cost innocent pets their lives. It's cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. And the council members who support the law acknowledge it's not rooted in fact, and only makes people feel better. And the law has no professional support.

Voters in Aurora, I urge you to vote to repeal the city's breed ban on Tuesday. The rest of the nation is watching.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brent-toellner/aurora-colorado-breed-ban_b_6078432.html?utm_hp_ref=denver&ir=Denver