Health

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By David Dunaief

Dr. David Dunaief

Happy 2024! If you’ve watched any media in the past week, you’ve probably been inundated by ads for weight loss plans, apps and other tools intended to help us achieve our New Year’s resolutions. Many of these are oriented around helping us increase the “stickiness factor” of our new habits.

Setting a goal that is simple and singular helps. We often overdo it by focusing on an array of resolutions, like eating better, exercising, developing better sleep habits, and managing stress better. While these are all admirable, their complexity diminishes your chances of success. Instead, pick one to focus on, and make the desired impact part of your goal, for example: improve health by losing weight and reversing disease. 

Changing habits is always hard. There are some things that you can do to make it easier, though. 

Your environment is very important. According to David Katz, M.D., Director, Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, it is not as much about willpower as it is about your environment. Willpower, Dr. Katz notes, is analogous to holding your breath underwater; it is only effective for a short time. Instead, he suggests laying the groundwork by altering your environment to make it conducive to attaining your goals. Recognizing your obstacles and making plans to avoid or overcome them reduces stress and strain on your willpower. 

According to a study, people with the most self-control utilize the least amount of willpower, because they take a proactive role in minimizing temptation (1). If your intention is to eat better, start by changing the environment in your kitchen to one that prompts healthy food choices.

Support is another critical element. It can come from within, but it is best when reinforced by family members, friends and coworkers. In my practice, I find that patients who are most successful with lifestyle changes are those whose household members are encouraging or, even better, when they participate in at least some portion of the intervention, such as eating the same meals.

How long does it take to form a new habit?

When does a change become a new habit, or automaticity? The rule of thumb used to be it takes approximately three weeks of daily practice. However, the results of a study at the University of London showed that the time to form a habit, such as exercising, ranged from 18 days to 254 days (2). The good news is that, though there was a wide variance, the average time to reach this automaticity was 66 days, or about two months.

How do you choose a diet that will help you achieve your goals?

US News and World Report ranks diets annually and sorts them by objective, such as weight loss, healthy eating, diabetes diets, heart-healthy diets, etc. (3). Three of the diets highlighted include the Mediterranean diet, the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet, and the Flexitarian diet, ranked one through three, respectively. These were also the top three for healthy eating, for diabetes, and for heart health, although their rankings among the top three shift in some cases.

What do all the top diets have in common? They focus on nutrient-dense foods. In fact, the lifestyle modifications I recommend are based on a combination of the top diets and the evidence-based medicine that supports them.

For instance, in a randomized cross-over trial, which means patients, after a prescribed time, can switch to the more effective group, showed that the DASH diet is not just for patients with high blood pressure. The DASH diet was more efficacious than the control diet in terms of diabetes, decreasing hemoglobin A1C 1.7 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively; weight loss, with patients losing 5 kg/11 lbs. vs. 2 kg/4.4 lbs. It also achieved better results with HDL (“good”) cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and blood pressure (4).

Interestingly, patients still lost weight, although caloric intake and the percentages of fats, protein and carbohydrates were the same between the DASH and control diets. However, the DASH diet used different sources of macronutrients. The DASH diet also contained food with higher amounts of fiber, calcium and potassium and lower sodium than the control diet. 

Therefore, diets high in nutrient-dense foods may be an effective way to lose weight while also treating and preventing disease. 

I will share one more tip: take it day by day, rather than obsessing over the larger picture. I have found many patients make better headway by choosing to change one meal at a time — like starting with what they choose to eat for breakfast or for snacks each day. Once this is a habit, they shift their focus to another meal.

Best to you for optimal health in 2024!

References:

(1) J Pers Soc Psychol. 2012;102: 22-31. (2) European Journal of Social Psychology, 40: 998–1009. (3) www.usnews.com/best-diet. (4) Diabetes Care. 2011;34: 55-57.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Commack has been recognized on Newsweek Magazine’s list of America’s Best Nursing Homes 2024, securing a top 15 spot on the list of Best Nursing Homes in New York 2024.

Compiled in partnership with global data research firm Statista, Newsweek’s annual ranking evaluates skilled nursing providers throughout the United States.  Data used to determine the best nursing homes is culled from five sources, including Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services performance data, peer survey data, management of COVID-19, as well as accreditation and resident satisfaction data from The Joint Commission and Commission.

“We are extremely proud of our continued recognition on Newsweek’s top nursing home list,” said Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System. “To be acknowledged once again for providing the highest quality healthcare services is a testament of the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and the compassionate, person-centered care they provide to all those who turn to Gurwin in their time of need.” For more information, visit www.gurwin.org.

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By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Dear Santa,

It’s that time of year again and, like so many others, I have a last-minute request. You are a model for kindness and generosity around the world, for which I’m grateful. I would like you to be a role model in another arena, as well — health.

Kids marvel at your round belly, which shakes when you laugh like a bowl full of jelly. They literally feed that belly by setting out cookies and other sweets for you on Christmas Eve to sustain you during your travels.

I have nothing against your round belly, but I’m concerned about the message it sends. We’re currently facing an epidemic of overweight kids and an ever-increasing number of children with type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, the percentage of U.S. children between ages 10 and 19 with type 2 diabetes nearly doubled from 2001 to 2017. You, Santa, with your influence, can help reverse this trend.

Obesity has a high risk of shortening your life span, not to mention affecting your quality of life. The most dangerous type of obesity is visceral adipose tissue, which means central belly fat. An easy way to tell if someone is too rotund is if their waistline, measured from the navel, is 40 inches or more for a man and 35 inches or more for a woman. Risks for pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and heart disease increase dramatically with this increased fat.

Santa, here is your opportunity to lead by example — and, maybe fit back into that skinny tracksuit you’ve had in the back of your closet since the 16th century, when you were trim.

Think of the personal advantages of losing that extra belly weight. Your joints won’t ache with the winter cold; it will improve your posture, so your back doesn’t hurt as much; and you will have more energy. Plus, studies show that a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains can reverse clogged arteries and help you avoid strokes, heart attacks and peripheral vascular disease. With a simple change, like eating a small handful of raw nuts each day, you can reduce your heart disease risk significantly.

Losing weight will also change your center of gravity, which will make it easier for you to keep your balance on those steep, snowy rooftops. No one wants you to take a tumble and risk a broken bone – or worse.

Exercise will help, as well. Maybe this Christmas Eve, you could walk or jog alongside the sleigh for the first continent or so. During the “offseason” you and the elves could form small groups of workout buddies to keep each other on track with your workout goals. And who doesn’t love an impromptu game of tag with the reindeer? With time, you’ll start to tighten your abs and slowly see fat disappear from your midsection.

This might also make it easier to steal a base or two during the North Pole Athletic League’s Softball season. The elves don’t even bother holding you on base anymore, do they?

Of course, the cookies don’t help. You might take a cue from the reindeer, who love their raw carrots and celery. Broadcast that the modern Santa enjoys fruits, especially berries and veggies, with an emphasis on cruciferous veggies like broccoli florets dipped in humus, which have substantial antioxidant qualities and can help reverse disease.

And, of course, skip putting candy in our stockings. We don’t need more sugar, and I’m sure that, over the long night, it’s hard to resist sneaking a few pieces. Why not reduce the temptation? This will also help you minimize the waves of fatigue you feel as you pull your worldwide all-nighter.

As for your loyal fans, you could place active games under the tree. You and your elves could create an app or website with free workout videos for those of us who need them; we could follow along as you showed us “12 Days of Dance-Offs with Santa and Friends.”

You could gift athletic equipment, such as baseball gloves, footballs and basketballs, instead of video games. Or wearable devices that track step counts and bike routes. Or stuff gift certificates for dance lessons into people’s stockings.

As you become more active, you’ll find that you have more energy all year round, not just on Christmas Eve. If you start soon, Santa, maybe by next year, you’ll be able to park the sleigh farther away and skip from chimney to chimney.

The benefits of a healthier Santa will ripple across the world. Your reindeer won’t have to work as hard. You might fit extra presents in your sleigh. And Santa, you will be sending kids and adults the world over the right message about taking control of their health through nutrition and exercise. That’s the best gift you could give!

Wishing you good health in the coming year,

David

P.S. If you have a little extra room in your sleigh, I could use a new baseball bat. I know the Yankees need help, so I’ve been practicing.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney and Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependance (LICADD) Executive Director Steven Chassman held a joint public service announcement on Dec. 14 to remind Suffolk County residents that, in light of the increased prevalence of overdose during the holiday season, there are reputable agencies in Long Island that can help those struggling with addiction as well as their families.

“Unfortunately, I spend many hours meeting with families who have lost loved ones to addiction or because somebody made the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Their grief is immeasurable. Keeping our streets safe is of the utmost importance to me and this office. That is why my office has partnered with LICAAD to do this public service announcement because we understand how important it is to take a proactive approach to addressing the addiction crisis in this county. However, make no mistake, if you are selling illegal and dangerous substances in Suffolk County, profiting off the backs of those suffering from substance use disorder and other addictions, we will prosecute you.”

“LICADD realizes that substance use disorder (SUD) is a disease that needs to be treated like any other,” said Steve Chassman LCSW, CASAC, Executive Director of LICADD. “While our clients need to be held responsible for their actions for public safety, the best thing they or their family can do is seek help before destructive decisions are made. LICADD is here 24/7/365 to support those with SUD during the stressful holiday season.”

District Attorney Tierney believes Suffolk County can be kept safe by utilizing aggressive prosecutions of drug dealers that prey on our vulnerable citizens, but also by spreading the word that there is help out there for those who are suffering. For those suffering from addiction and mental health co-occurring disorders, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office urges you to make a phone call to one of the many treatment and prevention resources that the county has to offer. There is help.

Help us fight addiction. You can always contact the SCPD if you suspect illegal drug activity. However, you can also report it anonymously through our website at: www.suffolkcountyny.gov under the “Contact Us” tab then Click on “Contact the DA.”

The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence is a non-profit organization with offices in Hauppauge and Westbury whose mission is to address the addictive climate of our times by providing initial attention and referral services to individuals, families, and children, through intervention, education, and professional guidance to overcome the ravages of alcohol and other substance-use related problems. If you are or know of anyone who is experiencing an alcohol and/or substance-use related issue and need help, please call LICADD’s 24-hour hotline at 631- 979-1700.

Most thyroid nodules are found incidentally. METRO photo

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Thyroid nodules are often diagnosed incidentally on radiologic exams, such as CT scans of the chest, MRI scans, PET scans and ultrasounds of the carotid arteries in the neck. It’s rarely because of symptoms. More than 50 percent of people have thyroid nodules detectable by high-resolution ultrasound. Fortunately, most are benign. Depending on the study, the percent that are malignant can range from 1.1 to 6.5 percent of nodules. 

This leaves us with the question of what to do with a thyroid nodule. What’s the short answer? It depends on the size. If it is over one centimeter, usually it is biopsied by fine needle aspiration (FNA). While most are asymptomatic, if there are symptoms, these might include difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, pain in the lower portion of the neck and a goiter.

FNA biopsy is becoming more common. In a study evaluating several databases, there was a greater than 100 percent increase in thyroid FNAs performed over a five-year period from 2006 to 2011. This resulted in a 31 percent increase in thyroidectomies, surgeries to remove the thyroid partially or completely.

However, the number of thyroid cancers diagnosed with surgery did not rise in this same period. Thyroid nodules in this study were least likely to be cancerous when the initial diagnosis was by incidental radiologic exam.

Addressing indeterminate FNA results

As much as 25 percent of FNA biopsies are indeterminate. We are going to look at two techniques to differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules when FNA results are equivocal: a PET scan and a molecular genetics test.

A meta-analysis of six studies of PET scan results showed that it was least effective in resolving an unclear FNA biopsy. The PET scan was able to rule out patients who did not have malignancies, but it did not do a good job of identifying those who did have cancer.

On the other hand, a molecular-based test was able to potentially determine whether an indeterminate thyroid nodule by FNA was malignant or benign.

Unlike in the PET scan study above, the researchers were able to not only rule out the majority of malignancies but also to rule them in. It was not perfect, but the percent of negative predictive value (ruled out) was 94 percent, and the positive predictive value (ruled in) was 74 percent. The combination test improved the predictive results of previous molecular tests by 65 to 69 percent. This is important to help decide whether or not the patient needs surgery to remove at least part of the thyroid.

What is the significance of calcification?

Microcalcifications in the nodule can be detected with an ultrasound. The significance of this may be that patients with microcalcifications are more likely to have malignant thyroid nodules than those without them, according to a small prospective study involving 170 patients. This does not mean that a patient has malignancy with calcifications, but that there is a higher risk.

The ‘wait and follow-up’ approach

As I mentioned above, most thyroid nodules are benign. The results of one study go even further, showing that most asymptomatic benign nodules do not progress in size significantly after five years. The factors that did contribute to growth of about 11 percent of the nodules were age (<45 years old had more growth than >60 years old), the existence of multiple nodules, greater nodule volume at baseline, and being male.

The study authors’ suggestion is that, after the follow-up scan, the next ultrasound scan might be five years later instead of three. However, they did discover thyroid cancer in 0.3 percent after five years.

How does thyroid function affect outcomes?

In considering risk factors, it’s important to note that those who had normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were less likely to have a malignant thyroid nodule than those who had high TSH, implying hypothyroidism. There was an almost 30 percent prevalence of cancer in the nodule if the TSH was greater than >5.5 mU/L (13).

Fortunately, most nodules are benign and asymptomatic, but the number of cancerous nodules found is growing. Why the mortality rate remains the same, year over year for decades, may have to do with the slow rate at which most thyroid cancers progress, especially of the two most common forms, follicular and papillary.

References:

(1) uptodate.com. (2) AACE 2013 Abstract 1048. (3) Thyroid. 2005;15(7):708. (4) European Thyroid Journal. 2022 Jun 29;11(4) online. (5) AACE 2013 Abstract 1048. (6) thyroid.org. (7) AAES 2013 Annual Meeting. Abstract 36. (8) AACE 2013 Abstract 1048. (9) Cancer. 2011;117(20):4582-4594. (10) J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Online May 12, 2015. (11) Head Neck. 2008 Sep;30(9):1206-1210. (12) JAMA. 2015;313(9):926-935. (13) J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(11):4295.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common problem with a stigma. In fact, I have had several patients who resisted telling me they suffered from this malady. Because it can be a symptom of other diseases, it is crucial that you share this information with your doctor.

ED affects approximately 1 in 10 men on a chronic basis. If it occurs less than 20 percent of the time, it is normal; whereas if it occurs more than 50 percent of the time, there is a problem that requires therapy, according to the Cleveland Clinic (1). 

There are oral medications for ED. You’ve probably seen ads for them everywhere. Its prevalence has led pharmaceutical companies to saturate the airwaves, especially during sporting events. Approved medications include sildenafil (Viagra, or the “little blue pill”), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and avanafil (Stendra). These drugs work by affecting the endothelium, or inner layer, of blood vessels and causing vasodilation, or enlargement of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the penis. Unfortunately, this does not solve the medical problem, but it does provide a short-term fix for those who are good candidates for treatment.

ED’s prevalence increases with age. In a multinational MALES study, ED affected 8 percent of those aged 20-30 and 37 percent of 70-75-year-olds (2). What was surprising was that advanced age had the least association with ED, increasing the odds by only five percent. So, what contributes to the rest of the increase as we age? Disease processes and drug therapies.

What is the relationship between medical conditions and ED?

Chronic diseases significantly contribute to ED. The opposite may also be true; ED may be a harbinger of disease. Typical contributors include metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and obesity. In the Look AHEAD trial, ED had a greater than two-fold association with hypertension and a three-fold association with metabolic syndrome (3). In another study, ED was associated with a 2.5-times increase in cardiovascular disease (4).

A randomized clinical trial (RCT) showed that patients with ED had significantly more calcification, or atherosclerosis, in the arteries when compared to a control group (5). They were more than three times as likely to have severe levels of calcification. They also had more inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein. 

How do medications contribute to ED?

About 25 percent of ED cases are thought to be associated with medications, such antidepressants; NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium; and hypertension medications. Unfortunately, the most common antidepressant medications, SSRIs, have the greatest impact on ED of all antidepressants. 

The California Men’s Health Study, with over 80,000 participants, showed that there was an association between NSAIDs and ED, with a 38 percent increase in ED in patients who use NSAIDs on a regular basis (6). The authors warn that patients should not stop taking NSAIDS without consulting their physicians.

Also, high blood pressure drugs have a reputation for causing ED. Beta blockers were thought to be the main culprit. A meta-analysis of 42 studies showed that beta blockers have a small effect, but thiazide diuretics (water pills) more than doubled ED, compared to placebo (7).

How does diet affect ED?

The Mediterranean-type diet has been shown to treat and prevent ED, improving one’s health and sex life at the same time. It’s the green leafy alternative to the little blue pill. The foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, as well as in fiber. Components include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnuts, and olive oil. 

In two RCTs lasting two years, those who followed a Mediterranean-type diet saw improvements in their endothelial functioning (8, 9). They also had reduced inflammation and decreased insulin resistance.

In another study, men who had the greatest compliance with the Mediterranean-type diet were significantly less likely to have ED, compared to those with the lowest compliance (10). Even more impressive was that the group with the highest compliance had a 37 percent reduction in severe ED versus the low compliance group.

A study of participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study looked more closely at both the Mediterranean-type diet and an Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 diet, which emphasized consuming vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and fish or other sources of long-chain fats, as well as avoiding red and processed meats (11). At this point, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that the greater participants’ compliance with either of these diets, the less likely they were to experience ED.

Therefore, it is important to bring ED to the attention of your physician. 

There are very effective lifestyle alternatives to oral medication that provide positive overall health effects and treat associated chronic diseases, while also helping patients eliminate medications that contribute to ED.

References:

(1) clevelandclinic.org. (2) Curr Med Res Opin. 2004;20(5):607. (3) J Sex Med. 2009;6(5):1414-22. (4) Int J Androl. 2010;33(6):853-60. (5) J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46(8):1503. (6) Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jul;97(28):e11367. (7) JAMA. 2002;288(3):351. (8) Int J Impot Res. 2006;18(4):405-10. (9) JAMA. 2004;292(12):1440-6. (10) J Sex Med. 2010 May;7(5):1911-7. (11) JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2021701.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

Jefferson's Ferry

Jefferson’s Ferry, a Life Plan community located in South Setauket, was recently named among the top nursing homes in New York State by U.S. News and World report. Jefferson’s Ferry received a 5 out of 5 rating overall, also achieving the top (3 out of 3) high performance rating in multiple categories including short term rehabilitation and long term care.

The rigorous U.S. News & World Report standards for Best Nursing Homes in New York is determined by state-conducted health inspections, nursing staffing and medical quality measures. They evaluate more than 15,000 nursing homes on care, safety, infection rates, staffing and health inspections. Of the more than 600 nursing homes in New York, Jefferson’s Ferry stood out as one of the best in the state and one of only 10 recognized for excellence on Long Island.

“Being named among the Best Nursing Homes in New York is a great honor and a testament to the outstanding care our exceptional staff provides each day to every resident,” said Bob Caulfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson’s Ferry. “We take great pride in cultivating and recognizing the exceptional talent and compassion demonstrated by our staff, which has a direct impact on the superior care we provide to our residents. This is what is at the heart of Jefferson’s Ferry.”

Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Services at Jefferson’s Ferry concurred and added, “This prestigious acknowledgement not only showcases Jefferson’s Ferry commitment to providing outstanding care and service to its residents, it is especially gratifying to our staff and management to have their commitment and professionalism documented by such a well recognized outside authority.” For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org

Mather Hospital

Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson has created a new Cardiac Rehabilitation Program designed to help those who have suffered a major cardiac event such as a heart attack regain their overall physical, mental, and social functioning.

Studies show that individuals who have recent cardiac events and who participate in cardiac rehabilitation realize many benefits including increased life expectancy; reduced hospitalization; improved function, exercise capacity, mood and overall quality of life; a strong correlation between number of cardiac rehabilitation sessions and long-term results; and improvement of modifiable risk factors such as physical activity, dietary choices, stress levels and more.

The program, which is housed in the Frey Family Foundation Medical Arts Building on the Mather campus, is tailored to meet individual needs, combining education and exercise in a supportive environment. 

Conditions treated include recent myocardial infarction (heart attack); Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Stent); Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG); Chronic Stable Angina; Heart failure (Systolic); Cardiac transplantation; and Valvular heart surgery.

After an initial evaluation Mather Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation service guides patients through a 12-week program that includes exercise training with continuous ECG or heart monitoring, educational classes on heart health, and nutrition counseling.

Their team includes experienced cardiologists, registered nurses, physical therapists, registered dietitians, and licensed social workers. Together, they provide  a thorough health assessment and set up a personalized treatment plan to maximize a patient’s recovery and return to well-being. Learn more at matherhospital.org/cardiacrehab, or call 631-775-2426.

Veterinarian Steven Templeton, of Animal Health & Wellness in Setauket, pets his two rescue dogs Penny and Emmy. Penny, the black dog, recently passed away. Photo by Stephanie Templeton

Long Island veterinarians are scratching their heads, unsure of whether reports of a new and as yet poorly-defined respiratory illness in dogs is a new threat or whether the ongoing talk is something of a shaggy dog tale.

“No one knows what it is,” said Steven Templeton, a veterinarian at Animal Health & Wellness in Setauket. “Nobody seems to have a clue. Some suggested it was a weird new bacteria, while others suggested it was viral.”

As of now, a potential respiratory infection, which hasn’t been well-defined and differs in its origin depending on whom you ask, could be contributing to making some dogs in other parts of the country sicker than they might otherwise be from the usual assortment of canine maladies that strike at this time of year.

Templeton has seen an increase in respiratory cases in his practice, although none of the cases has become severe.

Some of the illnesses he’s treated are coming from dogs that have no known exposure to other dogs, which “makes you wonder if they’re not catching it from dogs, and if they’re catching it from people,” Templeton added. “It could be a variant of the flu or COVID.”

When Templeton graduated from veterinary school in 1989, he said the conventional wisdom was that dogs didn’t give people viruses and vice versa. Now, he said, that’s turned around, and humans and their best friends can and do share illnesses.

With conflicting reports that this illness could be viral or bacterial, the infection could be a grab bag description for more than one health threat, Templeton said.

As of now, this mysterious dog illness has reportedly affected dogs in 14 states.

At Animal Emergency Services in Middle Country Road in Selden, veterinarian Melody Ribeiro has had one pneumonia case in a dog, which was straightforward in its treatment. 

The dog recovered.

Advice for dog owners

Dog owners have been asking about reports of this infection.

Ribeiro suggested people who are planning to travel check out the facility where they are bringing their pet to make sure they know how the dogs are handled.

Vets also recommended asking kennels or other boarding facilities if they isolate dogs who are coughing or might be contagious.

Templeton, who finds someone who can care for his dogs at home when he travels, added that minimizing group dog contact at this point might also help.

Similar to the advice health care providers who work with people offered during COVID, veterinarians suggested that dog owners should take special precautions with beloved pets who might be in vulnerable categories or who have underlying medical conditions.

Dogs who are particularly young or old, have conditions that weaken their immune system, have poor organ function or are not fully immunocompetent should stay away from gatherings where they might contract viral or bacterial infections.

“We say the same thing for animals that we say for humans for COVID,” said Templeton. “If they have underlying issues, stay away from public [gatherings]. They could be asking for trouble.”

Other dog challenges

Apart from the threat of one or a combination of infections, veterinarians also suggested that dogs continue to struggle with the carry-over from a pandemic that kept many of their human friends home for extended periods of time.

Dogs “feed off the emotions of their owners,” said Templeton. Owners who are stressed or who are angrier than normal can bring tension into their homes that can make their dogs act out.

Dog owners are increasingly asking veterinarians for drugs to help their dogs cope with anxiety or emotional problems.

“The drug approach is minimally effective,” Templeton said. He urged people to get their dogs training and to work with their pets to minimize their distress.

“Anxious owners have anxious dogs,” added Ribeiro.

Holiday risks

During the holidays, dogs can also get into foods they shouldn’t eat, which can lead to pancreatitis, Ribeiro said.

With the legalization of pot, dogs are also consuming products that have tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

The accidental consumption of THC has occurred over the last few years, with dogs coming in who need medical attention, Ribeiro said. Veterinarians urged people to be cautious about where they store their gummies or other products that might prove an irresistible attraction to their dogs.

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Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket hosts a Shed the Meds event on Wednesday, Dec. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. Members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand in the historic section of the library to properly dispose of unused medications. Proper disposal is essential to protect the environment and ensure that old drugs don’t end up in the wrong hands. There is no registration required and all are welcome.

Please note: The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office cannot accept any liquids, needles, creams, or ointments of any kind. They are only accepting unused or expired medications from individuals (not large quantities from a doctor’s office or health care facility).

Questions? Call 631-941-4080.