Purdue Best Bets
December 12, 1997
JOURNALISTS: Here are story ideas and Purdue events during the next two weeks.
Purdue expert: Pet-proof your home for the holidays
Chocolate, tinsel and poinsettias are holiday staples, but a Purdue animal specialist
urges pet owners to keep festive items away from animals. Alan Beck says some items
are toxic and even life-threatening. "Fatty foods, salty foods, animal bones and
alcohol all can cause big problems for your pet's digestive tract," Beck says. "In addition,
tinsel, string and ribbon can put animals in a lot of pain if ingested. Electric
shock can occur if pets chew through light cords, while holiday plants have leaves
and berries that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and suppress an animal's central nervous
system." He also encourages pet owners to tell guests if pets live outside. "During
this cold weather, animals have a tendency to crawl under or into cars for warmth,"
he says. "Ask your visitors to bang on the hood of the car and even honk the horn to waken
any sleeping animals before starting the engine." Beck is a professor of animal ecology
and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond. CONTACT: Beck, (765) 494-0854; e-mail, abeck@purdue.edu
Don't take a holiday from your medications
Holiday celebrations and travel can upset our daily routines, making it difficult
to stick to a medication regimen. Purdue Professors Nicholas Popovich and Olivia
Bennett Wood say it's especially important at this time of year that people know
how and when they are to take their medication. Popovich, professor of pharmacy practice, says
people should know if their medication is to be taken with or without food, or if
they must avoid alcohol. "It becomes important at this time of year when they may
be exposed to alcohol at different times of the day, and exposed to more food." He suggests
that patients who aren't sure contact their pharmacist for complete information on
how the medication is to be taken. People also must use caution in mixing alcohol
with over-the-counter remedies, he says. "New warnings from the Food and Drug Administration
recommend that you use alcohol with caution if you use over-the-counter pain killers
such as aspirin or Tylenol on a daily basis."
Wood, associate professor of foods and nutrition, suggests that if you are trying
to avoid alcohol, be sure and ask the hostess if party drinks such as eggnog or punches
have been "spiked." She also suggests that people plan ahead so that party snacks
and foods don't interfere with medications. "You may have to adjust your schedule somewhat
to accommodate special celebrations or meals." CONTACTS: Popovich, (765) 494-5966;
e-mail, nick@pharmacy.purdue.edu; Wood, (765) 494-8238; e-mail, woodo@cfs.purdue.edu
A real big bird for Christmas dinner
Expect a lot of people at your home for Christmas dinner? Think you need a larger
"bird" than you usually serve? Hubert Schmieder, catering chef in Purdue's Department
of Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional and Tourism Management, has a suggestion for
you ... serve ostrich! The American Ostrich Association says there is approximately 90 pounds
of meat on the average 12-month-old bird. The butcher at your supermarket should
be able to order whatever portion of the bird you want. Compared to beef, ostrich
costs a little more, but there are some advantages, Schmieder says. "It's lower in calories
and cholesterol and higher in iron than any other red meat. The absence of fat gives
it a different texture than beef, but it's very juicy and tender when cooked properly." CONTACTS: Schmieder, (765) 494-5997; the American Ostrich Association, (817) 232-1200;
Web, http://www.ostriches.org
Photos and b-roll available from Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2096.
Events
Sunday, Dec. 21
. Board of Trustees meeting. 10 a.m. Room 304, Purdue Memorial Union. President Steven
C. Beering and members of the board will be available in Purdue Memorial Union Room
256 after the meeting to answer questions from journalists. CONTACTS: Jeanne V. Norberg, director, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2084; home, (765) 449-4986; e-mail, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu,
or Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for University Relations, (765) 494-2082; home,
(765) 463-1731; e-mail, joe_bennett@purdue.edu
Sunday, Dec. 21.
Purdue will conduct commencement ceremonies in Elliott Hall of Music at 1:30 p.m.
and 5 p.m. President Steven C. Beering and Alumni Association President D. Charles
Boonstra will address students. Students in the schools of education, liberal arts,
management, pharmacy, nursing, health science and technology will graduate at 1:30 p.m.
Students in the schools of agriculture, consumer and family sciences, engineering,
science and veterinary medicine will graduate at 5 p.m. Journalists who want to cover
the ceremonies will need tickets and should reserve space for camera equipment. Contact:
Roy A. Johnson, associate registrar, (765) 494-6163.
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
To the Purdue News and Photos Page