Arthritis in Our Pets
As the weather gets colder and our pets get older, we may notice they are starting to slow down. It may begin as lying down more or not wanting to go up the stairs as often. Arthritis in dogs and cats may be subtle, but as their joints gets worse, the signs become more obvious. Luckily, there are ways to spot early changes in their behavior and get them the relief they need.
By the time most of us notice our pets suffering from arthritis, they have probably already been symptomatic for months, if not years. Early signs include being slow to get up after long periods of rest and hesitation going up stairs. Once they are up and moving, generally they act like nothing is painful and they remain active. As arthritis progresses, inflammation of the joints worsens. This is generally seen as limping or more difficulty sitting and getting upstairs. Cats, as usual, like to hide their illnesses and it can be much harder to identify those suffering from arthritis. If their activity level drops or they aren’t jumping on your countertops anymore, they could potentially have arthritic changes to their joints. X-rays can also confirm the presence of arthritis as it involves changes to the bones.
Many owners of arthritic pets feel they are not painful because they still run around and chase toys, but overall, they are uncomfortable. Imagine not being able to take Advil when you are feeling stiff or have joint pain. Human orthopedic surgeons recommend joint supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin daily to help keep joints well-lubricated and healthy. Veterinary equivalents containing these supplements are readily available at pet stores or through your veterinarian and are a good first step to maintaining joint health. For those pets that have progressed into arthritis, or need more than just a supplement, prescription veterinary-specific NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) for are recommended for those dogs healthy enough to handle them. Routine bloodwork monitoring is generally required, but these medications can do wonders to bring back a comfortable quality of life for your pet. At this time, joint supplements for cats are also available, but daily safe usage of NSAIDs is not. Do not give your pets any over-the-counter medications, including aspirin, without first consulting your veterinarian for drug interactions that can be severe.
HEALTHY HOLIDAY LEFTOVERS
With the holidays approaching, being stuck with leftovers is a given. What individuals don’t realize is that these leftovers can be morphed into interesting, yet still healthy, meals to eat at any time of the day. The key to eating healthy, but still enjoying these holiday favorites, is to take advantage of mouthwatering alternatives.
There are multiple ways to enjoy your leftover turkey and vegetables while still making heart smart choices. Whip those left over mashed potatoes into a nutritious breakfast by transforming them into pancakes topped with an omega rich egg. Instead of tossing the uneaten cranberry sauce and carrots into the trash, turn them into muffins by adding cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. And that delicious left over turkey? Convert it into a wholesome turkey Bolognese sauce by shredding it and mixing in lots of vegetables with marinara sauce to use as a topping for fresh whole grain pasta.
One of the more popular ways to make use of those turkey leftovers is by tossing together a turkey chili. In this chili, you will get lots of protein and fiber in addition to reduced amounts of fat. Choose low sodium beef or chicken broth as a base for your chili. In order to keep the sodium content low, stick to “no salt added” tomato paste and “no salt added” kidney or navy beans. Add freshly chopped vegetables such as onions, carrots and celery in addition to fresh oregano for flavor and fragrance. Leftover dark or white meat turkey is suitable to use, but dark meat is best to use with this recipe because it is richer in nutrients than white meat. A more detailed version of this recipe is available in the Medicine Shoppe 2016 calendar along with other nutritious choices for all year round.
This holiday season, experiment with exciting, healthier, ways to enjoy leftovers. Make sure to safely store all leftovers so they will be readily available to create these unique meals. Remember to focus on adding ingredients that are low in sodium and cholesterol to make these choices the healthiest they can be. We here at the Medicine Shoppe wish you and your families a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
The Medicine Shoppe, Woodbridge NJ
COLONIA THEN & NOW
Donations
Debbie Caccaro, an original member of the Colonia History Club and an excellent source of information about Dr. and Mrs. Albee and the U.S. Army Hospital #3 in Colonia has provided to me, three original hand-written letters dated November 1918. Two of the letters were written by Louis Dieruff (pictured above) to his parents in Minersville, Pa. The stationary came from the Army and Navy Young Men’s Christian Association. (YMCA). He gives his location as Rahway, New Jersey. Louis volunteered for service in the Army Medical Corp and was stationed in Colonia. The son of a coal miner, Louis graduated from what is now Kutztown State University in 1912 with a teaching certificate. He married his wife Alma in 1917 and makes reference to her visits to the hospital. His letters talk about inquiry into his mother’s health and his bout with influenza that killed two in the hospital. Another tragedy he speaks of is about a fire that killed two Officers (Captains) in the Officers’ Quarters, which was located on the corner of New Dover Rd. and Meredith Rd. (Recently the ranch home on the property was demolished. My map of the Hospital grounds indicates that the Quarters were located almost on the exact location as the house.) He helped to remove one of the men from the ruins but it was too late. Louis also refers to the most “thanksful Thanksgiving” we have had for a century. The letters were written after the armistice was signed to end the ‘Great War’. As it turns out, Louis returns to Allentown after the war and spends his entire educational career in the school district until he was forced to retire by state law at the age of 70. He was so loved in Allentown for his dedication to this students and town that the second Senior High School in Allentown was named Louis Edgar Dieruff High School in 1959. Sadly, he passed away in his home Saturday October 17, 1964. Thanks to Debbie for her continued support of this article and for her interest and time spent preserving Colonia’s history. Any contributions are always welcome to continue the investigation and discoveries of days gone by in our section of Woodbridge Twp.
The “Trees”
As you know, the “Trees” the home of the Cone Family on the “S Curve” on New Dover Rd. has been subject to a subdivision that has changed the nature of the acreage and the Historic home. Two homes will be built on the front lawn between Middlesex Ave. and Sherwood Rd. Construction has begun on one and the hardwood trees have been removed on the adjacent lot. It seems that the original purchaser has decided not to demolish the home and build a home for himself and put the home on the market for sale and let the new owner decide its fate. The home has been placed under contract recently. The status has not been clarified but I am not optimistic about the outcome. I am providing a picture of the “Trees” for prosperity sake. Look carefully and you will see the “Cone clan” assembled on the porch of the home. The picture was probably taken around the turn of the century. If there is any doubt of why it is called the “Trees”, let the picture prevail.
Thanks for reading,
Daniel D’Arcy 908-599-3958 dandrc@aol.com
Shine a Light on Mental Illness & Let Others Know There is Hope and Understanding
By: Nanditha Krishnamsetty, M.D. Raritan Bay Medical
...READ MOREAddiction: Why is “Detox” a Necessary Step?
By: Bonnie Nolan, PhD, Addiction Services Coordinator
Woodbridge Township Department of Health & Human Services
“Detox” is another of the many curious new words that have become part of our lexicon in the context of the opioid epidemic. Debate rages, even in the clinical community, about the need for medically-monitored detoxification prior to treatment for opioid use disorder. We have known for centuries that withdrawal from alcohol (and more recent anxiolytic benzodiazepine drugs like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, aka “benzos”) can produce life-threatening seizures and therefore require medical monitoring. The data on opioid withdrawal is less clear.
As the nation responds to the opioid epidemic in a more evidence-based fashion, it becomes necessary to examine the consequences of “white-knuckling” detox, that is, coming off the drug of choice without medical assistance. While it is difficult to get exact figures on these rates, as they are obviously not being reported to agencies like the CDC, we know that withdrawal is an incredibly painful and frightening experience to a person who is addicted to opioids like prescription painkillers and heroin. In cases where there is advanced addiction, symptoms can be so severe that an addicted person is awakened at night by illness even after using just before going to sleep. In other words, symptoms begin almost immediately after the drug effects peak. These symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, nervousness, agitation, muscle spasms, sweating, shaking, diarrhea and intense craving. Subsequent use is thus referred to as relapse.
Relapse rates among people with opioid use disorders are high even with medication-assisted detox if no subsequent treatment is provided. There are many reasons for this, but one important reason is that withdrawal symptoms can persist well beyond the 1- 5 days of acute symptoms. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, drug craving and anhedonia (inability to feel joy). This can lead to major depressive disorder and increased risk for suicide. While not all treatment is created equal, evidence-based strategies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and others are known to significantly reduce relapse rates. Since most licensed facilities require medication-assisted detox with medical clearance prior to admission to an inpatient treatment program, persons addicted to opioids should seek medical help.
Unfortunately, medically monitored detox services are difficult for many to attain. Because withdrawal from heroin was not traditionally considered life threatening, hospitals have not been required to treat withdrawal symptoms, and insurers have not been required to pay for it. This is slowly changing with regard to private insurers; they are now generally required to pay for detox when it is deemed medically necessary. However, the age group most affected by the opioid epidemic is between the ages of 26-44, and these patients typically have Medicaid or no insurance. The only option covered by Medicaid is hospital-based detox, and there are about 7 of these facilities in the state of New Jersey. More hospital-based detox facilities would certainly go a long way to stemming the tide of opioid overdose deaths.
