Apoquel
Is anyone treating their dog with this drug? You need to do some research. My dog is now dying of cancer. Medium to high-grade lymphoma. All of her superficial lymph nodes are involved.
The vets sold apoquel to me as safe for breeding animals and those being treated with steroids. That is not true. According to Zoetisus.com it is not safe for breeding animals and has never been proven safe with steroids.
"—The use of APOQUEL has not been evaluated in combination with other systemic
immunosuppressants, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine
APOQUEL is not for use in dogs with serious infections, or for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs."
If it's not safe for a bitch in pup, or feeding pups why not??
As for steroids, if they don't know they should say so.
From their own blurb:
"After completing APOQUEL field studies, 239 dogs enrolled in an unmasked (no placebo control), continuation
therapy study receiving APOQUEL for an unrestricted period of time. Mean time on this study was 372 days
(range 1 to 610 days). Of these 239 dogs, one dog developed demodicosis following 273 days of APOQUEL
administration. One dog developed dermal pigmented viral plaques following 266 days of APOQUEL
administration. One dog developed a moderately severe bronchopneumonia after 272 days of APOQUEL
administration; this infection resolved with antimicrobial treatment and temporary discontinuation of APOQUEL.
One dog was euthanized after developing abdominal ascites and pleural effusion of unknown etiology after
450 days of APOQUEL administration. Six dogs were euthanized because of suspected malignant neoplasms:
including thoracic metastatic, abdominal metastatic, splenic, frontal sinus, and intracranial neoplasms, and
transitional cell carcinoma after 17, 120, 175, 49, 141, and 286 days of APOQUEL administration, respectively.
Two dogs each developed a Grade II mast cell tumor after 52 and 91 days of APOQUEL administration,
respectively. One dog developed low grade B-cell lymphoma after 392 days of APOQUEL administration.
Two dogs each developed an apocrine gland adenocarcinoma (one dermal, one anal sac) after approximately
210 and 320 days of APOQUEL administration, respectively. One dog developed a low grade oral spindle
cell sarcoma after 320 days of APOQUEL administration."
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.