A pair of landscape gardeners were left shell-shocked after digging up an unexploded bomb from World War II, while working on a back garden. Residents were evacuated from their homes in Worcester, England, while police and bomb squads rushed to the scene following the discovery by Paul Probert and James Dobson. The pair had been […] The post Landscapers Spot Unexploded WWII Bomb While Digging in Garden–Saving Themselves and Homes Before Evacuation appeared first on Good News Network.

The post Mast Cell Tumors in Cats: Signs, Causes, Care & FAQ (Vet Answer) by Dr. Joe Mallat DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead What Is a Mast Cell? What Are Mast Cell Tumors? Signs Causes Diagnosis Care Guide FAQ The mast cell tumor (sometimes referred to as a mastocytoma) is a relatively common form of feline cancer. These tumors can arise on the skin, in the spleen, or the intestines. While some mast cell tumors are relatively benign, with the possibility of cure, others can be malignant and carry a greater risk of spread throughout the body. Hearing the diagnosis of a mast cell tumor can be overwhelming. What caused this to occur? Where do we go from here? What even is a mast cell? This article will answer common questions about feline mast cell tumors, exploring signs, causes, treatment options, and more. What Is a Mast Cell? Mast cells play an important role in your cat’s health. They are a type of white blood cell that performs several important immune functions. If a cat is “invaded” by allergens, parasites, or even venom, mast cells are activated as one of the immune system’s first responders. Mast cells release several chemicals in an effort to restore the body to normality. One of these chemicals, which is relatively well known, is histamine. Histamine is the chemical that triggers redness, inflammation, and itching during an allergic reaction or hay fever episode. What Are Mast Cell Tumors? Mast cells, just like many other cells in the body, can turn cancerous. When this occurs, the normal and controlled division of mast cells has become de-railed, leading to aggressive and uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells. In cats, mast cell tumors can arise in three parts of the body: Skin (sometimes called a cutaneous mast cell tumor) Spleen (a blood-filtering organ in the abdomen) Intestines (bowels) Image Credit: Dr. Karyn Kanowski Signs of Mast Cell Tumors in Cats The signs of mast cell tumors in cats are variable. They depend largely on which of the above three organs are affected, how aggressive the tumor is, and how far the cancer has progressed. If the tumor is on the skin, you may notice a firm plaque (hard, flattened area) or a lump under the skin; however, mast cell tumors can take on many different appearances. While they commonly occur around the head and neck, other parts of the skin can be affected. The lesion may be itchy as a result of histamine release by the tumor. If your cat has the splenic form of disease, weight loss, vomiting and loss of appetite are common signs. These signs are vague or “non-specific”, and can be confused with other diseases. If the tumor affects the intestines (bowels), gastrointestinal signs are more common. These include vomiting and diarrhea. Fresh red blood may be visible in your cat’s stool, or the stool may have a dark/tarry appearance (representing digested blood). Weight loss and reduced appetite are also possible. Unfortunately, feline mast cell tumors can spread to neighboring organs and lymph nodes. What Are the Causes of Mast Cell Tumors? Like many cancers in pets and people alike, the exact cause of mast cell tumors remains unknown. The formation of mast cell tumors is likely “multifactorial”, meaning several factors contribute to tumor development. Some of these factors are environmental, and others are genetic or hereditary. A certain tiny protein called KIT helps control or regulate mast cell division. It is believed that this KIT protein undergoes a mutation, allowing mast cell division to occur in an abnormal and aggressive manner. Diagnosing Mast Cell Tumors in Your Cat Diagnosis of mast cell tumors can be very straightforward, or relatively challenging. If the tumor is on the skin, your vet may be able to take a fine needle aspirate and reach a fairly conclusive diagnosis. This involves using a small needle to “suck up” some cells from the lump, which are placed onto a glass slide and analyzed under the microscope. If mast cells and histamine granules are in abundance, the lump is likely a cutaneous mast cell tumor. Surgical biopsies may or may not be indicated. However, it is not possible to perform a fine needle aspirate on splenic and intestinal mast cell tumors, as they lie much deeper, inside the abdomen. These internal tumors tend to be detected on an ultrasound or MRI scan of the abdomen. However, it is impossible to tell from imaging alone what type of tumor is present. Surgical (or endoscopic) biopsies are needed to reach a diagnosis, with samples being sent to an external laboratory for analysis by a specialist pathologist. Once the diagnosis of a mast cell tumor is made, staging may be performed. This involves performing blood tests, and imaging of the chest and abdomen, to see if the tumor has spread to other parts of the body. Enlarged lymph nodes should also be sampled. Image Credit: megaflopp, Shutterstock How Do I Care for a Cat With a Mast Cell Tumor? Caring for a cat with a mast cell tumor requires you to work closely with a trusted veterinarian. There are no at-home fixes for mast cell tumors, and it isn’t recommended to leave them untreated (unless your cat is in a palliative-care state). Surgical removal of tumors is the most common treatment. It is important to note that surgery is always performed under general anesthesia in cats. For mast cell tumors of the skin, this may be the only treatment necessary to achieve a cure, though the risk of recurrence certainly exists. For splenic and intestinal mast cell tumors, a combination of surgery and chemotherapy may be necessary. Your veterinarian will discuss this with you in more detail. Antihistamine and antacid medications are often prescribed to help your cat feel better. Following surgery, pain relief is necessary. Cats undergoing chemotherapy may require antibiotics and anti-nausea medications, too. Treating aggressive mast cell tumors can be fairly involved, requiring frequent discussions with your vet and several visits to the vet clinic for check-ups. Frequently Asked Questions Are There Any Natural Treatment Options for Mast Cell Tumors? There are no natural remedies for mast cell tumors. While the internet may be teeming with viable antihistamines, probiotics, and herbal formulas, there is no evidence to suggest that these will shrink or cure mast cell tumors. For cats undergoing appropriate surgical and chemotherapy treatments, natural medications may be a useful adjunct, though they should always be discussed with your veterinarian. What Is the Prognosis for Cats with Mast Cell Tumors? The prognosis for cats with a single or solitary mast cell tumor on the skin is good if surgery is performed. The risk of recurrence or spread to other organs is relatively low. Unfortunately, cats suffering splenic or intestinal forms of mast cell tumors have a poorer prognosis. Some cats can live a long life following the removal of the spleen. Intestinal mast cell tumors are more sinister, as the spread is common and achieving a cure is rare.  Which Breeds Are at Greater Risk of Mast Cell Tumors? Siamese cats are believed to be more prone to mast cell tumors, though any cat can be affected. Conclusion Mast cell tumors are cancers derived from one of the cells of the feline immune system. They can affect the skin, spleen, and intestines. Prognosis is variable, and appropriate veterinary treatment is recommended. If you have noticed a lump on your cat’s skin, or if your cat is showing signs of being unwell, arrange a consultation with your veterinarian. Earlier detection of mast cell tumors will usually lead to a better health outcome for your cat. Sources https://petcureoncology.com/mast-cell-tumors-in-cats/ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mast-cell-tumors-in-cats https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X12470343   Featured Image Credit: PRESSLAB, Shutterstock The post Mast Cell Tumors in Cats: Signs, Causes, Care & FAQ (Vet Answer) by Dr. Joe Mallat DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Sunday Smiles

You and I can’t understand how a professing Christian could vote for a rabid abortion warrior like Kamala Harris or a mostly-lefty like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or give someone half a vote by writing in another candidate. But based on the many Christian women I talk to every day, I can tell you their calculation. I know you disagree with them. I disagree with them too. But so you know, this is generally their thinking: Abortion is the main issue, and they see every candidate as functionally pro-choice. To true pro-lifers, there is no moral difference between abortion at 16 weeks (Donald Trump’s position), abortion at 40 weeks (Kamala Harris), or an abortion somewhere in between (RFK), since all human life is equal in worth. Most abortions happen before 12 weeks anyway. But don’t criticize persuadable voters — and ignore them at your peril. Instead, convince them. Trump condemned Florida’s heartbeat law. If it’s truly a “states' rights” issue, then the president probably won’t make a big difference anyway. The “follow your heart” language is also, theologically, a huge turnoff to Christians (see Jeremiah 17:9). When Christians for Kamala puts out an ad demonstrating that Trump doesn’t know the gospel, the kind of Christian woman the group is actually impacting is not the one who will vote Harris. These women know Kamala doesn’t know the Bible from the Kama Sutra and that her policies are evil. But now they may see that Trump also seems unfamiliar with the Bible and consider that his abortion policy may not be that much better. So they are likely to be demoralized altogether or have reason to vote for someone else. So a vital percentage of pro-lifers either will not vote for president or they’ll write in someone else. Another smaller percentage of these women tell me they think RFK’s policies will help lower abortions through other means and that medical freedom is key to their support. But as I engage with these voters, I can tell that most if not all of their votes are still up for grabs. They can be persuaded. And these votes, once secured, are more reliable and therefore more valuable than the secular, independent liberals Trump seems to be vying for. Persuade those people too, sure, but that crowd is fickle. Many of them can’t even be trusted to vote, much less enthusiastically, publicly support Republicans. Trump must fight to secure every single pro-life Christian vote. He cannot win without them. And if you think, “They’ll vote Trump because they have nowhere else to go,” you’ve made a fatal miscalculation. They see voting for a pro-choice candidate as rewarding compromise, and yes, they’d rather Republicans lose than play a role in that. You can call that insane, but maybe try to persuade them instead. Harris' and Walz's record on abortion and straight-up infanticide is so bleak. Their positions on immigration and economics are destructive. They are agents of chaos. All of this has a huge, tangible effect on our children and the neighbors whom we are called to love. A percentage of professing Christian women will vote for Kamala Harris, but they’re not in my audience and they probably can’t be persuaded to switch their votes, as their support for her speaks to some very fundamental errors about human nature, good and evil, and the role of government that we don’t have time to correct in the next few months. But don’t criticize persuadable voters — and ignore them at your peril. Instead, convince them. Remind them of the chaos they’re voting against and the security, stability, and normalcy they’re voting for when they vote for Trump. Editor’s note: A version of this article appeared originally on X (formerly Twitter).

Kamala Harris’ campaign is ramping up its efforts with a massive $90 million ad push over the next three weeks targeting key battleground states and expanding into new markets. Not only do the ads promote flat out lies, one of them specifically — is particularly raunchy. The ad opens with a couple in bed who are apparently about to have intercourse, and as the man reaches over to grab a condom, an old man steals it. “Sorry, you can’t use those,” the old man, who is wearing a suit and hovering creepily in the corner of their room says. “I’m your Republican Congressman. Now that we’re in charge, we’re banning birth control.” “This is our decision, not yours. Get out of our bedroom,” the woman in bed yells. “I won the last election, I’m not going anywhere. I’m just going to watch and make sure you don’t do anything illegal,” the old man responds. A voiceover then cuts in and says, “Keep Republicans out of your bedroom. Vote no on August 8.” “If anyone’s aware of a Republican who’s calling for a ban on birth control, I’d love to hear from you,” Pat Gray of “Pay Gray Unleashed” laughs. “This is a completely manufactured thing by the Democrats so that they can claim that Republicans are so extreme.” “The entire Democrat base of voters are low information voters, that’s why they’re Democrats. So they’ll buy a 30 second ad, hook, line, and sinker,” Keith Malinak adds. Another ad focuses on the issue of IVF, where another old man steals an IVF baby from her parents. “Sorry, she’s not yours anymore,” the old man says. “I’m your Republican Congressman. We made IVF illegal and we’re not letting you criminals raise her.” “Ridiculous stuff,” Gray comments, in awe. Want more from Pat Gray?To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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