Valley Health Magazine

By Cindy Lea Sambueso

As nutritional information becomes more widely available, and more families seek out organic and whole food alternatives in grocery stores and at farmer’s markets, some of you may have made the leap to asking, “How does this nutritional information apply to my pet?” Or, the thought might never have crossed your mind. After all, dog food is dog food, right? Well, not exactly. In fact, it’s only been in the last 30-50 years that we’ve come to believe that pet food is something that comes out of a can or a bag. Before commercial pet food came along, our animal companions were fed food, just like us. Table scraps, to be exact. Some of the scraps we fed to our animals were things like meat, fish, vegetables, rice, eggs, milk, cheese, fruit, and nuts.  And of course, dogs and cats in the wild exist on a prey diet that includes what was predigested in the stomach of their caught food.

By Jeff DiMarco, R.N.

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. TRY AS WE MAY TO PROTECT OURSELVES, AND DESPITE ALL THE MEASURES WE TAKE TO MINIMIZE OUR RISKS, THEY STILL OCCUR. To some degree, this is why hospitals, emergency rooms, and specialty doctors and surgeons, thankfully exist. If you happen to be seriously injured or disabled, you will most likely find yourself in a hospital where you will be given the medical attention you need in order to survive. During your hospital stay, an experienced medical team who can provide you with the necessary procedures and treatments required to stabilize your condition will be made available. Eventually, you will also most likely be discharged, go home, and scheduled for follow-up appointments and possibly, some rehabilitative therapy sessions.

By Randi A. Galli, M.D., F.A.C.S.

The recent death of Dr. Donda West, 58, mother of recording artist Kanye West, in November 2007, one day after having breast reduction and abdominoplasty (tummy-tuck) procedures, has produced a greater focus on, and concern for potential risks associated with cosmetic procedures. How could this tragedy have possibly been avoided?