Rick Patrick, rick@greenepublishing.com
On their final meeting of the season, the 55 Plus Club heard from local veterinarian, Dr. John Lewis. Dr. Lewis gave a very informative presentation on some of the issues he has encountered over his many years of practice caring for animals of all sizes.
One problem he addressed is the problem of obesity in household pets, namely dogs and cats. Dr. Lewis said for both dogs and cats, being overweight can lead to other serious health problems, such as diabetes, joint problems, pancreatitis and more. “It's not really the food they're eating, it's the amount of the food they're eating,” said Dr. Lewis. Dr. Lewis suggested increasing the amount of exercise and decreasing the amount of food a pet receives each day. Another issue he spoke on is the increase in breast tumors in female dogs seen in his office. According to Dr. Lewis, there is “zero percent chance of breast tumors in female dogs if they are spayed before their first heat.”
Dr. Lewis also spoke on the dangers of venomous snake bites, which can be a concern for those living in more rural areas of the county. There are vaccines on the market that are formulated for western diamondback rattlesnake bites, but they are still not fully tested for eastern diamondback rattlesnakes. Dr. Lewis said the effectiveness does look promising. Dr. Lewis said the size of the dog makes a big difference in the survival rate from snakebites. This is partly because most venomous snakes can regulate the amount of venom injected during a bite. Snakes often will bite a larger dog as a way of defense, therefore is more likely to be a “dry” bite. Small dogs, on the other hand, could be seen as a potential meal by the snake and could be a likely recipient of a larger dose of venom. Dr. Lewis said his office keeps a supply of anti-venom on hand for the treatment of snakebites. Prompt action is usually a large determining factor in the survivability of a snakebite. The quicker medical attention can be administered, the greater the chance of survival.
The 55 Plus Club meets the second Wednesday of each month, September through May, at the United Methodist Center, located approximately five miles north of Madison on Colin Kelly Hwy. The 55 Plus Club is an outreach ministry of the United Methodist Cooperative Ministries and is open to all Madison County residents who are 55 years old and older. There are no fees of any kind and no reservations are necessary. A free lunch is always provided at 12 p.m., before the program. For more information about the 55 Plus Club or any outreach ministry of the United Methodist Cooperative Ministries, please contact Coordinator Deborah Brown at (850) 253-2133.