TERRE HAUTE — The most common type of bone cancer in dogs, cats and humans is osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is more common in the larger breeds of dogs such as Rottweilers, greyhounds, golden retrievers, etc. Eighty-five percent of all major bone tumors in dogs and 70 percent in cats are osteosarcoma. Approximately 5 percent of all primary bone tumors in children are osteosarcoma-related.
A number of studies suggest a possible link between osteosarcoma and the exposure to fluoride. According to the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), they “conclude that fluoridation of public water supplies should stop because of risks that outweigh the possible benefits, especially for infants and young children who consume more water than adults, relative to their size.” The Environmental Working Group has been concerned with healthy ingredients and the safety of pet food. EWG pet food testing has revealed high levels of fluoride in various major brand pet foods. Veterinarians are reporting a rise in cancer rates found in dogs and many are wondering if diet is a contributing factor.
George Glasser, press officer/water quality adviser, National Pure Water Association, reports, “A low-fluoride commercial dog food contains 40-60 parts per million of fluoride. A high-fluoride dog food can contain up to 460 parts per million of fluoride.” A study at the University of Montana indicated the average level of fluoride in leading pet foods to be 11 to 193 ppm, with canned food having the highest amount. The Montana researchers discovered that fluoride accumulates in pets’ bones. 84 to 1,535 milligrams of fluoride was found in the leg bones of dogs. 74 to 1,190 milligrams was found in cat bones, and it increased with age. A number of lower-grade dog foods may contain up to 2,000 ppm of fluoride. The government daily limit said to be safe for children over 3 years of age is 2.5 milligrams. Tolerance levels have been identified for domesticated animals, with the lowest values for dairy cattle at 30 mg/kg feed or 2.5 mg/liter drinking water.
Numerous research has been done on sheep, pigs, goats, cattle and chickens on adverse health effects from fluoride, with little information relating to cats and dogs. “Consequently, it is safe to assume that many of dogs and cats who appear to be suffering with arthritis, dysplasia, spinal deformities, etc., may have actually developed skeletal fluorosis.” Even though a particular breed may be genetically predisposed to such health problems, fluoride in pet food could prematurely trigger the disease.
“The primary source of the fluoride in pet foods is from the added mineral supplements: defluorinated phosphate rock, raw soft phosphate rock, mono and tricalcium phosphate. The less expensive the dog food, probably the higher the fluoride levels because they use raw phosphate.
Raw phosphate, mainly because of its fluoride content (3 to 4 percent), is the most physically damaging animal mineral supplement because it is not processed and is the least-expensive. These facts have been known since the 1920s in early animal nutritional research of fluorine in animal nutrition.
Isiah
Young Isiah and his two brothers, Elijah and Josiah, came into the shelter without a mom. The playful threesome are hoping their potential family is out there just waiting to meet them. Because they are still small, they have been temporarily put into foster care. If you would like to meet Isiah, Elijah or Josiah, call (812) 232-0293. Stop by the Terre Haute Humane Shelter at 1811 Fruitridge Ave. to meet many of our available kittens and puppies (as well as our wonderful cats and dogs)!
Valley Life
PAW PRINTS: Fluoride in pet food: The link to osteosarcoma
- Valley Life
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Terre Haute museums keeping history alive
Even if you don’t have a mystical Egyptian tablet that brings museum inhabitants to life at sunset like character Larry Daley in the “Night in the Museum” movies, history can come alive for you, your friends and family at the many museums in the Wabash Valley.
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ANNIVERSARIES: Feb. 12, 2012
• Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Jackson
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Learn brief history of Social Security at Brown Bag
Join Amy Long, Social Security operations supervisor, for a brief history of Social Security, including why and how Social Security was created, changes over the years and information on the future at 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the Vigo County Public Library for a Brown Bag.
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Terre Haute’s litter leads to trashy look, feast for crows
Dear My Fellow Hoosiers,
Why do you litter? When I moved here in April 2007 there were two things that I noticed right away about the Wabash Valley. -
PAW PRINTS: Enjoy a pet-friendly Valentine’s Day
Every year, the poison control experts see a rise in pet cases around Feb. 14, with many involving chocolate and lilies (a flower that is potentially fatal to cats).
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Greene’s Goose Pond offers Marsh Madness, March 2-4
Special to the Tribune-StarWildlife Area’s annual Marsh Madness bird festival takes place March 2-4 at multiple locations around Greene County.
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WEDDINGS: Feb. 12, 2012
• McBride Menestrina
• Baer-Marshall
• Miller-Lunsford
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ENGAGEMENTS: Feb. 12, 2012
• Archer-Cooper
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VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
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Vectren cautions public about snow, ice removal
Vectren Energy Delivery wants to remind customers to proceed with caution when removing snow and ice around natural gas meters at their homes or businesses this winter.
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Workshop to emphasize basics of alpaca farming
A one-day seminar on the fundamentals of alpaca farming is planned for Saturday at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
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Genealogy Society offers free forum
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering a free educational forum titled “Brick Wall Hurdling” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in rooms A, B and C of the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
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PAW PRINTS: Want to adopt a pit bull? Here are some helpful hints
Despite the bad publicity, pit bulls can be very lovable and loyal family dogs. There is a great deal of confusion associated with the label “pit bull.” The most accurate definition refers to two breeds: the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier. Some people include other breeds in this group because they share similar head shapes and body types.
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Purdue Extension to offer diabetes cooking school
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service-Parke County is offering a diabetes cooking school starting Feb. 27.
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Pepsi Community Caps Program to benefit charities
Refreshment Services-Pepsi will kick off its 2012 Community Caps Program on March 1. The Community Caps Program will benefit several charitable organizations and schools in Clay, Parke, Vermillion and Vigo counties in Indiana and Edgar County in Illinois.
- Special Occasions: Feb. 5, 2012
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Serve as 4-H judge, volunteer
The 2012 4-H Bi-State Judges and Leaders Clinic will be Feb. 18 at Ivy Tech Community College’s Main Campus, at 8000 S. Education Drive.
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Feb. 5, 2012
With January now history we can report new faces in both master point races, male and female.
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Tried 'n' True: Upside Down Pizza calls for crescent rolls
When our boys were young, we went every Sunday evening for pizza in Charleston, Ill. When they got to be older and they were working on the farm, I would make pizza from scratch.
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Extension to offer basic food preservation workshops
Purdue University Extension will be offering basic food preservation workshops at Clabber Girl Culinary Classroom in Terre Haute. Two sessions will offer different methods.
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GRAPE SENSE: Trips open my eyes to new wines in new regions
The wine industry spends a lot of money worldwide to promote brands, regions, and wine tourism. One of the many ways the wine industry invests is press trips.
Depending on when you read this column, I’m either in France or just returned from a press trip.
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Clay Habitat plans open house
Habitat for Humanity of Clay County will stage the dedication ceremony and open house for the Mary Ann Hofmann family home from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at 518 E. Ridge St. in Brazil.
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Born to perform: Terre Haute South senior to sing in Carnegie Hall
Soon, the domed ceiling of Carnegie Hall and the archway in the Hayes family kitchen will share a special connection.
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8th District Rep. Bucshon visits CASA volunteers
The U.S Representative of the 8th Congressional District, Larry Bucshon met with CASA volunteers earlier this month to learn more about the Vigo County Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Paw Prints: Animal protection law ranking hits home
The Humane Society of the United States released the 2011 “Humane State Ranking” of all 50 states and Washington D.C.
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Tried 'n' True: Here's a recipe for all you chocolate lovers
This recipe is for all you chocolate lovers.
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Soybean farmers build state fair building
Since 98 percent of Americans no longer live on farms, Indiana soybean farmers are going to bring the farm to the public in a new exhibit building at the 2012 Indiana State Fair.
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Sign up now for Rockville Public Library’s ebook class
Rockville Public Library will have free demonstrations on how to use ebook readers with its downloadable ebook service, Overdrive.
- Weddings, Anniversaries: Jan. 29, 2012
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Sullivan Foundation looking for Volunteer of Year
The Sullivan County Community Foundation is currently seeking nominations for its “Volunteer of the Year” award to be announced March 29.
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