Puppy Piddling is a Real Pain

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My 6-month-old, medium-size mixed breed dog Jake has a problem I can’t seem to train him out of. Whenever he gets excited, he leaves pee droplets across the oor. Jake is healthy and energetic, and he housetrained quickly. What can I do to stop the piddling? -- Pupper Dad in Ohio

DEAR PUPPER DAD: ere’s a very good chance that it can be resolved. It will take time and training, though.

Puppies under a year old piddle when they get excited or when they think they’re in trouble. Part of it may be a smaller bladder, but another part of it is what’s called “submissive urination.” Dogs piddle instinctively to signal that you are their superior. However, this isn’t a wild dog pack outdoors; it’s you and your dog and your beautiful hardwood oor.

Punishing or yelling at Jake when he piddles will not solve the problem. e real issue is one of con dence and of nding where he belongs in the household. Most puppies stop piddling at around one year old, especially in a home where there’s a predictable structure, as they mature and settle into their place in the family.

Encourage this during Jake’s rst year by staying calm when he piddles. Yelling or trying to correct on the spot can make the problem worse. Clean up the urine and lead him to a di erent spot, and work on a basic command with him like “sit-stay.”

Try not to pay attention to Jake when you come in the door from work. Ask visitors to look away from him when they come in. Later, when you and your visitors are settled on the sofa, pay attention to Jake with lots of praise. Learn more at this link: www.tu syourdog. com/dogtrainingandbehavior/the-three-reasons-puppies-piddle-indoors/.

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The Hidden Benefits Of Water

Water helps the gastrointestinal tract. Water can help maintain normal bowel function. When the body lacks sufficient fluid, the colon will pull water from stools in an effort to stay hydrated. That can lead to constipation, a condition in which people experience difficulty emptying their bowels. By drinking enough water, people can ensure their colon will not have to pull water from stools to stay hydrated, thereby helping them stay regular.

ByFifiRodriguez

1. WEATHER: What is the name of the hot wind that blows from the Sahara Desert to the southern coast of Europe?

2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the name of the condition of seeing human faces in random or ambiguous objects or patterns?

3. GEOGRAPHY: What is the only country that borders the United Kingdom?

4. THEATER: Which Broadway play features a helicopter on stage?

5. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude”?

6. MEDICAL: What is the common name for the ailment called epistaxis?

7. TELEVISION: Which TV comedy popularized the phrase “Yabba Dabba Do”?

8. MOVIES: What is the nickname that Steven Spielberg gave the mechanical shark in the movie “Jaws”?

9. HISTORY: When did the Boxer Rebellion take place in China?

10. MATH: Which number doesn’t have a corresponding Roman numeral?

To Your Good Health

By Keith Roach, M.D.

How to Avoid Calcium While Taking Thyroid Medication

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a thyroidectomy, and I take levothyroxine. Instructions for the medication state not to take it within four hours of consuming calcium. No discussion of the drug has clearly stated whether this only refers to calcium supplements or whether this also includes high-calcium foods.

I usually take levothyroxine when I wake up, between 2 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., to avoid breakfast dairy products (i.e. yogurt, cheese and soy milk) and dinner foods (broccoli, leafy greens, dairy and soy). I go to bed fairly early. I eat mainly plant-based, plus dairy.

I have asked some doctors and pharmacists, only to have them answer with the question: “Doesn’t that only apply to supplements?” I don’t know! That’s why I’m asking. I want my thyroid prescription to work as it’s supposed to. Can you shed light on this issue? -- E.G.

ANSWER: Large amounts of elemental calcium do decrease the absorption of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine. If you were to take thyroxine (Synthroid and others) at the same time as you would a large calcium pill, you could expect the thyroid medicine to be about 7% to 8% less absorbed. (Iron and caffeine also decrease thyroid hormone absorption.)

A glass of cow’s milk taken at the same time will decrease thyroid hormone absorption. Soy milk has not been studied, but I would expect calcium-fortified soy milk to be similar to milk, yogurt and some high-calcium cheeses in their ability to reduce thyroxine absorption. However, I think you may be taking things too far. One hour is probably adequate enough to separate calcium from thyroxine. Furthermore, if you are consistent in taking your medication, your dose will get adjusted to the correct level. I doubt that vegetables have any effect on absorption.

Finally, in a study of people who took thyroxine sometimes with and sometimes without their calcium, the change was not enough to get them out of the desirable range, although the levels were definitely affected. The dose of thyroid hormone has a little bit of leeway in most people, although some people (such as those with a history of thyroid cancer who are now on replacement therapy after surgery) need to have a very exact dosage. So, avoiding calcium, iron and caffeine in those cases is more critical.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

© 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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What The Nutrients Found In Many Fruits And Vegetables Do For Your Body

Potassium: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans established by the United States Department of Agriculture list beat greens, lima beans, swiss chard, baked potatoes (with skin), and yams as great sources of potassium. Kiwi, melon, cantaloupe, and bananas are additional sources of potassium. The T.H. Chan School of Public Health reports that the main role of potassium in the body is to help maintain normal levels of fluid inside the cells. Potassium also supports a normal blood pressure.

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COVID-19 CAN CAUSE KIDNEY INJURY, YET MOST AMERICANS DON’T KNOW IT

(NAPSI)—According to a recent Harris Poll,too many people don’t know all they should about the dangers of coronavirus—particularly how it can affect the kidneys.

COVID-19, it seems, attacks more than just the lungs.

In the new National Kidney Foundation-Harris Poll Survey on COVID-19 and Kidney Health, the findings show low levels of awareness on both the risk of developing an acute kidney injury as a result of COVID-19 and of the long-term effects of kidney damage.

“A significant number of patients going into the hospital to be treated for COVID-19 are coming out as kidney patients,” said Kevin Longino, CEO, National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant patient himself. “We believe this may be a looming healthcare crisis that will put a greater strain on hospitals,dialysis clinics and patients,for whom chronic kidney disease will be a lasting remnant of the coronavirus crisis—even after a vaccine is, hopefully, found.”

Acute kidney injury

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HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY

Has antibacterial and antifungal properties: According to the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, honey is antibacterial. Honey will not foster growth of these microorganisms because it contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Because of these properties, some people say that honey can help disorders such as ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis, or other conditions where fungi and bacteria grow unchecked.

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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days,and is happening in about 15 percent of all hospitalized coronavirus patients, many of whom now need dialysis.

If a patient ends up in the intensive care unit (ICU) their odds worsen; reports indicate that one in five intensive-care patients have lost kidney function. COVID-19 will likely result in a higher number of Americans with chronic kidney disease and/or kidney failure than before the pandemic. Once kidneys fail, dialysis or a transplant is needed to survive.

Hospital shortages

Hospitals aren’t prepared for the expected increase of kidney patients. In hot spots of the outbreak there are shortages of dialysis equipment, supplies and nurses properly trained to administer dialysis in the ICU.Most Americans,according to the Harris Poll, are concerned and want the federal government to step in.

Further, the Harris Poll found that the vast majority of Americans want the federal government to provide more resources toward diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease, and significantly increased funding for kidney research because of kidney-related illness from COVID-19.

More poll results

The poll also found:

• Only17percentAmericansareawareof acutekidneyinjuryasaresultof COVID-19;

• Only 46 percent of Americans are aware that COVID-19 will likely increase the number of Americans with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure;

• 58 percent of Americans are aware that COVID-19 can cause acute respiratory failure;

• 54 percent know it can cause pneumonia;

• 52 percent of those surveyed know COVID-19 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Learn More:Additional information about COVID-19 and how it affects kidneys can be found at www.kidney.org/coronavirus.

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