They may have boarded a bus traveling across the country

You couldn't be more blunt

The post Is Frankincense Safe for Cats? Our Vet Answers Health Concerns &; FAQ by Dr. Emma Chandley‚ BVetMed MRCVS (Vet) 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. Frankincense is most widely known for being gifted by one of the three wise men in the nativity story. It may not be common knowledge‚ but it is widely used as an essential oil. Essential oils are extracts from plants and trees known for aromatic uses and their medicinal properties. Many essential oils are unsafe for use around cats‚ and some are known to be toxic. It is always advised to keep essential oils‚ including frankincense‚ well out of the reach of cats in your home. Of all the essential oils‚ though‚ frankincense is thought to be one of the safer ones that may even have health benefits for cats. However‚ it is still advised to use with caution and only use after consulting your vet. What Is Frankincense? Frankincense is a hard‚ malleable resin material that comes from the trunk of the Boswellia tree. The resin is extracted and can be used in various ways. It can be burnt as incense‚ put in herbal formulas‚ and utilized as an essential oil. It is frequently used as a fragrance in lotions and soaps‚ and the oil from frankincense is often applied in aromatherapy practices and on the skin. The oil is thought to have medicinal properties by killing certain species of bacteria and fungi. Frankincense has many documented uses including combating aging skin and aiding the healing of wounds‚ although there is little scientific evidence to back these claims up. What Are the Suggested Uses of Frankincense in Cats? Although there is no scientific research currently to prove any of the benefits of frankincense in cats‚ there are lots of anecdotal reports that there are benefits. These can include: Image Credit:sweet_tomato‚ Shutterstock 1. Calming effects and anxiety/stress relief Frankincense is renowned for its calming effects. It is believed to help cats cope with fear‚ anxiety‚ and stress. It is thought to be most effective when used in a diffuser in a well-ventilated room or allowing your cat to sniff the oil in diluted form on a piece of fabric or another soft object. 2. Supporting the immune system It is believed that inhaling frankincense can potentially help your cat’s immune system. More research is required to understand exactly how this happens. 3. Management of pain It has been suggested that frankincense can offer some sort of pain relief for cats. It is thought to be helpful in conditions such as arthritis. It is very important to note that the use of frankincense should never replace veterinary-prescribed medication for cats suffering from arthritis or any other painful conditions. 4. Promoting good skin health Applying a diluted solution of frankincense topically has been thought to be helpful in calming irritated skin. 5. General well being There are some anecdotal reports that the use of frankincense helps cats’ overall well-being. Some owners have said that cats are more relaxed and seem more settled and comfortable. It must be stressed that if you are going to use essential oils around your cat‚ it must only be done after discussing the use with your vet. It is very important that if you do use them‚ you observe your cat for the duration of the use and for a substantial period afterward too. If you notice anything worrying or any adverse effects‚ stop using it and consult your vet immediately. How is Frankincense Used in Cats? There are several ways cats can be exposed to frankincense. Direct skin contact: Oils can be rubbed onto their fur intentionally or accidentally by owners. The oils are readily absorbed by the skin. Ingestion: Cats can accidentally ingest oils‚ for example‚ if there is some on their coat and they groom themselves. Other ways include if a diffuser is knocked over and your cat walks through it and then licks their paws or if an owner intentionally puts some in their food (which is not recommended). Inhalation: Cats can inhale essential oils from plug-ins or reed diffusers around the house. The oils are usually diluted but they can still irritate cats’ lungs especially if they have concurrent diseases such as feline asthma. The 4 Reasons Why Frankincense Can Be Dangerous 1. Lack of research It is important to note with these reported health benefits mentioned above‚ that there are no studies to back up the claims. It should be noted instructions such as “use diluted frankincense” are extremely vague and non-specific. One owner’s idea of a diluted solution may be very difficult to another’s. There are some recommended ratios reported such as using 1 drop of essential oil to 100 drops of a carrier oil. Again‚ there has not been enough research to confidently confirm these are safe to use in cats. A lot of these recommendations are based on usage in humans. Undiluted or insufficiently diluted frankincense oil can irritate your cat’s skin and even burn it causing areas of ulceration susceptible to infections. 2. Potential interactions with medications It is very important that owners have a frank discussion with their vet before using any essential oils around their cat. This is especially vital if the cat has any existing health conditions or if they are currently on any medication. For example‚ if the cat is already on topical treatment for skin issues‚ applying essential oils may interfere with the action of the topical medication. Image Credit: In Green‚ Shutterstock 3. Liver issues Cats have sensitive livers‚ and they can become overwhelmed with some of the chemicals in essential oils. Essential oils can pose a toxic risk to cats. They are rapidly absorbed both across the skin and via the oral route and are then metabolized in the liver. Cats lack a specific enzyme in their liver‚ so they struggle to metabolize and get rid of certain toxins‚ this includes some of the compounds in essential oils. Essential oils also contain phenols and phenolic compounds. Cats are very sensitive to phenols and struggle to metabolize them and get rid of them from their body. The more concentrated the essential oil is‚ the greater the risk to the cat. It is very easy for a cat’s liver to become overwhelmed when exposed to essential oils. 4. Digestive upset Essential oils should never be put in a cat’s food or given in any other way orally. It can cause vomiting‚ diarrhea‚ tremors‚ and death. This is another good reason why essential oils should not be applied topically as cats groom themselves frequently and can easily lick oil off their coat and swallow it. Even diluted oils can be harmful when ingested. Clinical Signs of Essential Oil Toxicity in Cats Image Credit: Tom Wang‚ Shutterstock If you are concerned that your cat may be having an adverse reaction‚ it is vital that you seek veterinary attention immediately. Some essential oils are more toxic than others. Signs of toxicity include: Vomiting Diarrhea often with blood or mucous present Loss of appetite Hypersalivation (excessive drooling) Pawing at mouth or face Increased thirst and urination Dilated pupils Tremors Muscle weakness Abdominal pain Unsteady on feet Coughing/wheezing Breathing difficulties Unsteady on feet/incoordination Lethargy Depression Tremors Seizure activity Slow heart rate Drop in body temperature Collapse Coma Death In general‚ it is oils such as citrus oil‚ lavender oil‚ tea tree oil‚ and eucalyptus oil that can be particularly dangerous for cats‚ frankincense is not as much of a threat. Signs of toxicity displayed do depend on the amount of exposure. Very small amounts of a highly toxic oil can cause adverse effects in cats. The route of exposure is important too‚ some are ingested‚ and some are inhaled. If you suspect your cat has been exposed to essential oils of any kind‚ it is important that you seek veterinary attention straight away. Bring any bottles or boxes with labels to your vet so that they have access to as much information as possible. Do not try to make your cat vomit or treat your cat at home in any way. Early diagnosis and prompt veterinary intervention are essential for reducing the severity of any potential toxicity. What Are the Alternatives to Using Frankincense? There are some cat-friendly alternatives to using frankincense that owners can consider. Feliway diffusers These are plug-in devices that release synthetic pheromones that imitate the nursing mother cat’s scent. This relaxes and calms cats. Not all cats respond to the scent‚ but it works very well with some individuals. Catnip toys Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) is an herb renowned for its euphoric effect on cats. Exposure to catnip is thought to enhance cats’ moods as it targets “happy” receptors in their brain. They can become hyperactive or very docile and drowsy. Spending quality time with your cat Giving your cat focused attention‚ playing with them‚ and having positive interactions can help build a healthy bond between you and your cat. It can also reduce stress and anxiety. Image Credit: Dora Zett‚ Shutterstock Exercise and mental stimulation Ensuring your cat has a good amount of exercise each day can improve their quality of life. There are both physical and mental benefits to this. Providing your cat with toys and enrichment activities can provide vital mental stimulation and keep them occupied. Making sure your cat has regular exercise and adequate mental stimulation can help to reduce any anxiety or stress they may be experiencing. Precautions When Using Frankincense Speak to your vet about any health issues or concerns before turning to essential oils. There may be something your vet can help you with. Always dilute the oil properly. A ratio of 1 part essential oil to 100 parts carrier oil has been suggested. Do not use anything more concentrated than this. Do not ever apply to skin undiluted as this can cause irritation and burning of the skin. Watch your cat after using it for the first time and monitor for any adverse effects. Conclusion The use of essential oils should generally be avoided in cats due to potential toxicity. Of all the essential oils‚ however‚ frankincense is considered to be one of the safer options. Owners must bear in mind that extreme caution should be taken. The use of any essential oils should only ever be undertaken after consulting a vet. Responsible use is vital for your cat’s safety and well-being. While the use of frankincense seems to be promising for certain things in cats‚ there is no current research confirming these claims. Sources NCBI Pet Poison Helpline WebMD NCBI NCBI NCBI NCBI Featured Image Credit: Madeleine Steinbach‚ Shutterstock The post Is Frankincense Safe for Cats? Our Vet Answers Health Concerns &; FAQ by Dr. Emma Chandley‚ BVetMed MRCVS (Vet) 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.

If you’re coming into Tekken 8 from 2D fighters like Street Fighter and Blaz Blue‚ the 3rd dimension can be tricky. Sidestepping is an essential tool‚ but there’s more to it than meets the eye. With this in mind‚ let me show you how to sidestep in Tekken 8. How to sidestep and sidewalk in Tekken 8 In Tekken 8‚ you can sidestep in either direction by briefly tapping up or down. You can also double-tap for the same effect. Pressing up will push your character away from the camera‚ while down will pull you toward it. It’s essential to let go of the button; otherwise‚ your character will jump or crouch on the spot.  Quickly pressing the direction twice will perform an evasive step‚ but if you hold the second input‚ you’ll sidewalk. Sidewalking is an excellent maneuver as you’ll circle your opponent to position yourself for some cheeky off-angle throws. I highly recommend getting used to sidestepping in Tekken 8‚ as you can use it to stay ...

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League isn’t the longest game in the world since the main focus is the endgame grind that most live service looter shooters offer‚ but there’s still a decently sized campaign that ties up the loose ends of the Arkham universe. As the name implies‚ the main storyline of the game involves the newly formed Task Force X hunting down and killing members of the Justice League who have been brainwashed by Brainiac and forced to fight alongside his invading army. As you can imagine‚ that requires a lot of prep work. That’s what most of the main missions have you doing‚ and you’ll be learning new mechanics and unlocking new enemy types even in the later chapters of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League Mission List There are seven chapters in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Arkham’s Least Wanted Task Forced X Worst Laid Plans You Either Die a Villain… Onc...

Building and crafting play a large role in Palworld. Without that‚ the hunting aspect of the game can feel empty. As you level both your base and yourself‚ you earn more things to create. One of the things you can make is Flame Cauldron. Unlike most things in the game‚ it seems to be confusing players as to where it is in the menu. If that’s you‚ this guide will show you how to build the Flame Cauldron in Palworld. Palworld: How to build a Flame Cauldron After buying the Flame Cauldron from the technology tree‚ you head to your workbench to make the cauldron‚ but it’s not there. You look to the production section of your building menu‚ and it isn’t there either. If you’re in the building radial menu‚ you’re in the right spot‚ but in the wrong section. As confusing as it is‚ the Flame Cauldron should be in the Other category which is located on the far right side. Once you locate it and have the proper resources‚ the cauldron is all yours.  Screenshot: PC Invasi...

While playing Persona 3 Reload‚ you’ll need to know the best ways to increase your Charm‚ Courage‚ and Academics. These Social Stats will help unlock more gameplay and dialogue options. There are a multitude of ways that you can increase these three stats‚ but which are the best? We’ll explain the easiest ways to upgrade your Charm‚ Courage‚ and Academics. Persona 3 Reload: Best ways to raise Charm‚ Courage‚ and Academics Social Stats You only have a certain amount of time in a day to perform certain activities. It’s most commonly known that you should save Social Links for the daytime‚ and Social Stat activities for the evening. Let’s dive into the best ways to increase your Charm‚ Courage‚ and Academics in Persona 3 Reload without further ado. Best ways to increase Charm Drink Pheromone coffee at Chagall Café Work at Chagall Café Watch a movie on Wednesday or Thursday Play the Print Club arcade game Screenshot: PC Invasion One...

At least 19 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Thursday for disrupting traffic in the nation’s capital as they demanded a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The pro-Palestinian protesters snarled traffic by blocking five major roads in Washington during morning rush hour‚ including outside the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The protesters’ shouts of “Free‚ free Palestine!” and “We demand liberation!” were intermingled with the horns of commuters stuck in traffic as demonstrators stood in the middle of intersections.  The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department reported arresting eight protesters in connection with crowding‚ obstructing‚ or incommoding at the intersection of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue NW.   U.S. Capitol Police‚ responsible for the grounds at the Capitol‚ reported arresting 11 persons in connection with the same offenses. Three also face charges of resisting arrest‚ police said.   During their demonstration‚ protesters blocked the street in front of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW. In response‚ Sacha Roytman‚ CEO of a group called the Combat Antisemitism Movement‚ released a written statement. “These demonstrators‚ in choosing to stage their protest in front of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum‚ an area of the city with no ties to the U.S. military‚ Israel‚ Yemen‚ or the Palestinian people‚ chose to make their protest about Jews‚” Roytman said. “The museum tells the story of the 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis; it has nothing to do with Israel or the U.S. military‚” he said. “In choosing this location‚ instead of the White House‚ the Pentagon‚ or the Israeli Embassy‚ the protesters showed their true colors. This is antisemitism‚ plain and simple.”  U.S. Park Police did not respond by publication time to The Daily Signal’s request for comment on any related arrests.   Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post 19 Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested After Blocking DC Roads appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis‚ a Republican‚ took a legal victory Wednesday after a federal judge refused to block his demand to oust pro-Palestinian student groups from Florida universities. Two chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine‚ hailing from the University of Florida and the University of South Florida‚ had asked a federal court to stop DeSantis from kicking them off campus after the governor declared that he would do so over the groups’ support for Hamas terrorists who invaded Israel on Oct. 7‚ Politico reported Thursday. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker refused the request of Students for Justice in Palestine to block DeSantis from taking measures to punish them and dismissed the governor as the defendant in the lawsuits. Walker ruled that although the pro-Palestinian groups may perceive DeSantis’ arguments against them as offensive‚ the university has not yet fulfilled his request to kick them off campus and therefore the “threatened deactivation remains merely speculative‚” Politico reported. The judge also argued that‚ even with threats against them‚ the two chapters’ speech had not “reasonably chilled—or chilled at all—for fear of punishment.” BREAKING: A federal court denied our motion for a preliminary injunction‚ ruling Florida officials do not intend to deactivate the University of Florida Students for Justice in Palestine.— ACLU (@ACLU) January 31‚ 2024 The lawsuits by the two campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine argued that DeSantis’ push to get them off campus through a “deactivation order” violated their right to free speech‚ according to the American Civil Liberties Union‚ which represented them. The chapters had asked the court to quash DeSantis’ order through a preliminary injunction. “This court does not fault [the students] for feeling anxious about the fact that the governor—arguably the most powerful man in Florida—has repeatedly disparaged [group] members as ‘terrorists‚’” Walker wrote in his ruling Wednesday. “But this court rejects counsel’s suggestion that it should find … that [student groups have] standing simply because someone cloaked with great power makes coercive statements.” “In short‚ the record demonstrates that neither deactivation nor criminal investigation is imminent‚” Walker wrote. “Instead‚ this court finds that no actions have been taken in pursuit of deactivation under the chancellor’s memorandum.” Walker’s decision gives DeSantis the upper hand in his continued fight to have the Students for Justice in Palestine groups removed from their respective campuses‚ Politico reported. The governor may face another legal battle‚ however‚ should his demand for the group’s removal from Florida campuses be granted. Part of the reason DeSantis’ request has not been granted so far is because the universities are nervous about the legal ramifications of kicking Students for Justice in Palestine off campus for speech-related reasons‚ Politico reported. Lawyers representing the universities also argue that DeSantis’ order is the equivalent of an “open letter” and has no authority or enforcement abilities. This report originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Federal Judge Gives DeSantis a Legal Win Against Pro-Palestinian Student Groups appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Editor’s note: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek‚ Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler‚ and other Oregon leaders declared a state of emergency for downtown Portland on Tuesday owing to an explosion of fentanyl use in the city. The state of emergency will last at least 90 days. According to The Associated Press‚ city‚ county‚ and state authorities will coordinate to address drug addiction and to crack down on drug sales in Portland. This comes following Oregon’s decriminalization of fentanyl and other hard drugs in 2020. Daily Signal Signal columnist Jarrett Stepman wrote about the chaos caused by Oregon’s drug criminaliztion in a Nov. 21 article‚ republished here. There’s a price to be paid for bad policies divorced from human nature. The Associated Press reported Sunday that Oregon’s first-in-the-nation law to decriminalize hard drugs is finally facing serious backlash. This may come as a surprise‚ but according to the AP‚ the state has seen an “explosion of public drug use fueled by the proliferation of fentanyl and a surge in deaths from opioids‚ including those of children.” Who could have seen that coming? Measure 110‚ passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2020‚ decriminalized several hard drugs. It also set up a fund with taxes from cannabis sales‚ to invest in “recovery.” What Oregon residents got was a whole lot of drugs with no recovery in sight. The penalties for hard-drug use are now so light as to be nearly worthless. For instance‚ residents caught with under a gram of heroin are subject to a ticket and a maximum fine of $100. That’s barely more than the cost of a parking ticket these days. It gets even better. “Those caught with small amounts of drugs can have the citation dismissed by calling a 24-hour hotline to complete an addiction screening within 45 days‚ but those who don’t do a screening are not penalized for failing to pay the fine‚” the AP reported. In 2021‚ according to the AP‚ “only 1% of people who received citations for possession sought help via the hotline.” I’m shocked—shocked!—to learn that people caught using heroin aren’t following through. What’s really taken off is fentanyl use‚ which has become a national epidemic. It’s made worse‚ of course‚ by Oregon’s permissive environment. So‚ now the state‚ which already had an issue with drug abuse and homelessness‚ is in a full-blown crisis. The situation is so bad that some Democratic state lawmakers are considering rolling back the drug-decriminalization law. “Everything’s on the table‚” said state Sen. Kate Lieber‚ a Democrat who co-chairs a new joint legislative committee created to tackle addiction‚ according to the AP. “We have got to do something to make sure that we have safer streets and that we’re saving lives.” The fentanyl scourge hit Oregon hard‚ but nowhere is the problem more acute than in the state’s most notable progressive paradise‚ Portland. Portlandia has really been hit with a perfect storm of bad policies. In June 2020‚ the city defunded the police following the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police. It was then rocked with nearly 200 days of protests‚ many of them violent. Portland was in anarchy. Violent crime exploded to an almost unprecedented extent. Of course‚ Portland now struggles to staff its beleaguered police department‚ despite pivoting and re-funding the police. “With just 1.26 officers per every 1‚000 residents‚ the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) ranks 48th among the nation’s 50 largest cities for its staffing-to-population ratio‚” the Manhattan Institute’s Charles Fain Lehman wrote in September. “As a result‚ PPB struggles to provide even basic service‚ taking up to half an hour to respond to high-priority calls.” Qualified applicants don’t want to be police officers in Portland? Incredible‚ I know. But violent crime and lack of police is only part of the equation. Oregon’s drug decriminalization and Portland’s toxic drug culture are clearly making things much worse. “All roads in downtown lead to fentanyl‚” said David Baer‚ a member of the Portland Police Bureau’s bike squad‚ in an interview with Fox News. “Whether that’s stolen cars‚ whether that’s burglaries or thefts or organized retail theft‚ there’s almost always a fentanyl nexus. So‚ we spend a lot of our time currently policing fentanyl and trying to stop that flow.” Portland city leaders tried to ban public drug use‚ but a state law prohibits local governments from passing laws to criminalize the public use of controlled substances. “The 1971 law was established to address substance abuse as a health problem‚ rather than a crime‚” Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Now‚ city leaders have poor health and a whole lot of crime. Portland has become the poster-child model city for open-air drug markets on the West Coast. It’s maybe even worse than the situation in San Francisco‚ where a visit last week by a communist dictator prompted the city to clean up a bit and roll out the red carpet. This is only a temporary fix‚ though. In the end‚ the problem for San Francisco and Portland isn’t drugs. Not really. The problem is ideology. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Oregon Decriminalized Hard Drugs in 2020. Now‚ Portland Declares State of Emergency on Fentanyl. appeared first on The Daily Signal.