20 Health & Fitness Wednesday, August 14, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon CANCER: Avoid carcinogens with your beloved pet Continued from page 16 be seen by your veterinar- ian. If you9re worried, your veterinarian is probably wor- ried, too. For many reasons, this is why veterinarians like to do a bi-annual exam on your furry friends. By being familiar with your animal it is easier for your veterinar- ian to notice the unusual, too. Remember, you can be very proactive in monitoring the health of your pet.= She added, <Regular screening, blood tests, radio- graphs and ultrasounds can be aids to evaluate the health of your pet. Evaluating their lumps and bumps can help determine how concerning these are. But it is impor- tant to remember even with these thorough diagnostic tools, sometimes you can- not predict when cancer will happen.= Make it a regular practice to examine your dog9s body for unexplained swelling or lumps. Tumors developing in the upper layers of skin are the most common types of cancer in dogs. Many early warning signs of cancer are more subtle. While many of these signs 4 behavioral changes, loss of appetite, increased water consumption, persistent wheezing or coughing 4 are universal, they require basic observational skills on the part of the pet parent. There is no magical diet, supplement, or vaccine that prevents cancer. But, as a pet parent, you can make some choices to improve the odds. Early spaying reduces the risk of mammary cancer in females. In male dogs, tes- ticular cancer is common; neutering eliminates that risk, and reduces the risk of both cancerous and non-cancerous prostate conditions, as well as anal cancer. Pale-skinned dogs have a higher risk of skin cancer. An example of this risk is the Dalmatian, a breed currently high in popularity. Cancer is known to surround 4 but not enter 4 a Dalmatian9s black spots. If you own a fair- skinned, short-haired breed, it9s best to limit your dog9s sun exposure, especially at the times of day when the sun9s rays are the most direct. There is also the territory of nutrition and environment. The less environmental tox- ins your dogs are exposed to the better. Long-term toxic exposure can destroy a dog9s liver, and weaken the immune system, which is the first and last line of defense against cancer. Limiting your dog9s expo- sure to toxins may be harder than you might think. After all, dogs spend their lives on the earth9s most toxic layer, the ground, and in contact with the toxin-covered sur- faces in our homes: carpets which have been cleaned with potentially harmful chemicals, floors which have been sprayed with pes- ticides to dispose of bugs, and garage floors which have absorbed all sorts of toxins. Then there are all the chemicals we pour onto dogs, most notably, flea-killing chemicals of every descrip- tion: powders, sprays, sham- poos, dips and ointments. <Common sense and clini- cal experience make a strong case for avoiding anything that exposes an animal to known carcinogens or weak- ens the immune system,= said Stacey Hershman, DVM, a holistic house-call veterinar- ian in Rockland County, New York. Just like their human companions, dogs live lon- ger, healthier lives when they eat the right foods, get enough exercise, breathe clean air, drink clean water and stay away from harmful substances. STRENGTH: Motivation and accountability are key to success Continued from page 19 a yoke carry, keg-over-bar lifts 4 and an exhibition car deadlift, using cars provided by Sisters competitor Christy Rumgay. The event drew competi- tors eager to test their mettle from all over the Pacific Northwest. <Everybody had a blast,= Hudson said. Most folks probably don9t start going to the gym figur- ing they9re going to deadlift a small car. But you never know. You might surprise yourself. And, ultimately, that9s what strength compe- tition is all about 4 testing your limits and surpassing what you thought you could do. And having a blast while you9re at it. Hudson knows: <It brings the best out of them.= PHOTO PROVIDED An exhibition car deadlift was part of the 1st Sisters Strongman Throwdown last month. WHAT’S A RELAXATION ROOM? Settle into one of our stress-therapy chairs for a calming enjoy! c a l m in ng celestial ceel e s t iall e experience. x p e r i e n c e . Relax,, enj joyy ! Mention this ad…the fi rst treatment friend is complimentary! for you and a fri Relaxation Room Friday-Sunday, Noon to Close F Sisters 5 541-771-0320 20 . Redmond R d d 541 541-388-3091 388 3