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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 20, 2011 · 28 mypet myvet Dr. Gesa Kohn-Gould Veterinarian & Owner V myanimalhospital.ca Pets and Arthritis World Polio Week begins Monday The three Oakville Rotary Clubs and their 150-plus members will be promoting World Polio Week starting on Oct. 24 in Oakville. As part of the international initiative to continue to fight the devastating disease of polio around the world, Rotarians will be distributing 'End Polio Now' stickers and pamphlets on Monday, Oct. 24, at the Oakville and Bronte GO train stations. Mayor Rob Burton has proclaimed Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 World Polio Week in Oakville and the Rotary Flag will be flown at town hall on Monday. Since 1985, eradicating polio has been Rotary's top priority and as a consequence polio cases worldwide have decreased dramatically since this campaign began. Internationally, Rotary has contributed more than $1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. The disease remains endemic in four countries ­ Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan ­ although other countries remain at risk for imported cases. Largely due to the efforts of Rotarians, the "End Polio Now" campaign is very close to its goal. Rotary International has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with a commitment to raise $200 million by June 2012. The funding will provide critical support to polio eradication activities in parts of Africa and South Asia. As of September, Rotarians have raised US$190 million toward Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge As Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said recently as the keynote speaker at the 2011 Rotary Convention, "If we all have the fortitude to see this effort through to the end, then we will eradicate polio." The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is spearheaded by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It includes the support of governments and other private sector donors. Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by infection with the poliovirus. The virus spreads by direct personto-person contact, by contact with infected mucus or phlegm from the nose or mouth, or by contact with infected feces. There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Most infections are subclinical infections, which may not have symptoms or could include symptoms such as general discomfort or uneasiness, headache, red throat, slight fever, sore throat and/or vomiting. Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. It is comprised of 1.2 million members working in more than 34,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic regions. Locally, Oakville has three active Rotary Clubs. To find out more about Rotary, visit www.oakvillerotary.org or e-mail rotaryoakville@bellnet.ca. H ave you noticed that your pet seems reluctant to go up or down the stairs? Seems to sleep more and play less? Seems stiff or limps occasionally? In older pets, these signs are typically said to be due to old age, but they could be signs of arthritis. FREE Bench FREE Local Delive i ry FREE First Tuning Warranty t Arthritis is a degenerative disease that can affect any joint. In dogs, many of us have heard of hip dysplasia which can lead to arthritis in the hip joints, even in young dogs. Other common areas of arthritis in dogs are the elbows, knees and hocks. Cats can show more subtle signs of arthritis but older cats often have arthritic changes in their spines and hocks. The good news is that there are many treatments available that can help alleviate the chronic pain of arthritis, increase mobility and improve the quality of life in our pets. Usually a number of treatments are used in combination including weight loss, nutraceuticals (such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, omega three fatty acids), and even physiotherapy. Special prescription diets have been created that have been shown to help in many cases. Newer non-steroidal antisafer for long term administration in dogs and cats than those that were available to us in the past. The kindest thing we can do for our pets is keep them comfortable. Yo Y ur veterinarian can help to distinguish between arthritis and other diseases that could cause similar signs, and advise you of the best choices for you and your pet. Until October 31 ZERO TAX on all new Young Chang pianos! 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