Laurie Anne Walden, DVMWarm weather brings some extra risks for pets. Some animals need protection from sunlight, and all animals need protection from hot temperatures. Sun-Related Skin Conditions Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight causes skin damage in animals just like it does in humans. Fur and melanin (dark pigment) protect the skin from UV rays, so animals with short white hair or no hair are at higher risk than those with thick dark fur. Most animals with sun-related skin disease spend a lot of time outdoors, but even indoor cats can develop skin disease caused by UV rays coming through windows. Sun-related skin damage typically affects areas of the body that don’t have thick fur and are exposed to the sun. Any part of the body with thin or light-colored hair can be involved, but these are the most common areas:
Solar dermatitis, also called actinic dermatitis, is skin disease caused by exposure to UV radiation. It can be mistaken for allergic skin disease because the lesions are similar and it is often seasonal. Affected skin is red, painful to the touch, and scaly or flaky. Bumps and oozy lesions might develop. Over time, the skin becomes thickened and scarred. Because solar dermatitis usually causes a secondary skin infection, the lesions might improve with antibiotics, at least at first. UV radiation causes mutations within skin cells, so solar dermatitis can transform into skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma or hemangiosarcoma, for example). These cancers are malignant: they can spread throughout the body. Solar dermatitis and skin cancer are diagnosed with skin biopsy. Heat Stroke Heat stroke is a life-threatening risk to animals during warm weather. Unlike solar dermatitis and skin cancer, it doesn’t require direct exposure to UV rays. The outdoor temperature doesn’t even have to be very hot for an animal to develop heat stroke. The temperature inside a parked car quickly rises higher than the outside temperature, so animals inside parked cars are at risk even in moderately warm weather. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) animals like pugs and bulldogs are at especially high risk. Signs of heat stroke include panting, dark red or purple gums, vomiting, collapse, and seizures. Heat stroke requires immediate first aid (cooling with water, not ice) and emergency veterinary care. For more information, see the blog post on heat stroke. How to Protect Your Pet The best way to protect animals is to minimize their exposure to UV rays and heat:
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Image source: Elisa Kennemer on Unsplash Laurie Anne Walden, DVMAnimal exposures to marijuana have increased dramatically in recent years. As more states legalize medical or recreational marijuana for human use, more pets are likely to have access to cannabis products. To keep things clear, here are a few terms used to describe cannabis products:
Sources of Exposure Edible products account for most THC exposures in pets. Edible products made with butter or oil infused with medical-grade marijuana have a high concentration of THC. Edible products can also contain other ingredients, like chocolate and xylitol, that are dangerous for animals. Cannabis plants are also a risk for animals. The THC content of cultivated C sativa has increased over time and varies among plants, so it’s hard to know just how much THC an animal that eats part of a cannabis plant or inhales the smoke has received. Vaping devices containing CBD, THC, or synthetic cannabinoids have caused toxicosis in animals. Animals have also been poisoned by eating marijuana in discarded cannabis products and—this one is gross—human feces. CBD products have been reported to cause poisoning in animals. It’s possible that the toxic effects were caused by contamination with THC or another substance, not the CBD itself, but the effects of CBD on animals are still being investigated. Another concern with CBD is that it might interact with prescribed medications, possibly affecting liver function. Signs Marijuana toxicosis makes animals sick but is rarely fatal. However, 2 dogs have died after eating baked goods containing medical-grade marijuana butter. Signs of poisoning start within a few minutes to several hours after exposure, depending on the type of exposure. These are some of the signs of marijuana toxicosis in animals:
Exposure to THC or synthetic cannabinoids can also cause changes in heart rate, inability to regulate body temperature, aggression, seizures, and coma. Diagnosis Over-the-counter human urine tests for marijuana don’t work well in dogs and tend to return either false-positive or false-negative results. The diagnosis of marijuana toxicosis is usually based on clinical signs, although many diseases and other toxins can cause the same signs. Knowing that an animal could have been exposed to marijuana certainly makes the diagnosis easier, but owners aren’t always willing to tell a veterinarian that their pet had access to a cannabis product. Treatment Whether an animal with marijuana poisoning needs to be hospitalized depends on the severity of the signs. Treatment is mostly supportive care, with medication used as needed to treat specific problems (like heart rate abnormalities). Inducing vomiting can be unsafe, so an animal that has eaten a cannabis product might need to be sedated so the stomach can be emptied through a tube. The prognosis is usually good for animals with marijuana poisoning. The risk is higher for animals exposed to medical-grade marijuana products or synthetic cannabinoids. Sources
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nida-nih/28147221034/in/photostream/ Laurie Anne Walden, DVMSpring is the start of snake season in North Carolina. The vast majority of snakes in our state are harmless. Only a few venomous snake species (copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, and coral snakes) live in North Carolina. In the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, the copperhead is by far the most common venomous snake. Learn to recognize copperheads. Copperheads have a distinctive hourglass pattern that from the side looks like a row of Hershey’s kisses. It’s easier to identify a copperhead by its markings than by the shape of its head or pupils. Head shape isn’t a reliable way to tell if a snake is venomous; some nonvenomous snakes can flatten their heads to mimic a pit viper’s triangular head. As for pupil shape (round vs vertical slits)—seriously, just don’t get close enough to a wild snake to check. You can see photos of North Carolina snakes on the Herps of NC website: https://herpsofnc.org/snakes/. You’ll notice that copperheads and also a lot of nonvenomous snakes are brown with splotches. This color combination is common because it’s great camouflage, but unfortunately it means that nonvenomous snakes are often mistaken for copperheads. Don’t worry too much about identifying a snake that’s bitten your dog. Treatment is based more on symptoms than on snake species, and it’s more important to get your dog to an emergency clinic without delay. If you want to identify a snake you’ve seen outdoors, take a photo so you can look it up online, but don’t approach or disturb the snake. Dogs get bitten because they’re curious, not because snakes are aggressive attack animals. Snakes hide in small spaces where they’re relatively safe from predators and can find food (mostly small rodents like mice). Woodpiles, tarps, underbrush, tall grass, leaf litter, rock crevices, and yard debris are all possible snake habitats. Snakes bite for defense. A dog that steps on a snake or sticks its nose into a snake’s hiding place can be bitten. Because of their color camouflage, copperheads are hard to spot. You and your dog might not even know a copperhead is there unless it bites one of you. Avoid snake areas. If you see a snake, leave it alone and walk away. Here are some ways to reduce your dog’s chance of a snake encounter:
If your dog is bitten, seek emergency veterinary care right away. Copperhead venom isn’t as toxic as cottonmouth or rattlesnake venom, but a copperhead bite can still be quite serious for a dog. Copperhead bites are very painful and cause swelling and tissue damage. The venom can also interfere with blood clotting. Dogs with snakebite are usually hospitalized for pain management, intravenous fluids, wound care, supportive care, and observation. Copperhead bites aren’t often treated with antivenin, but dogs with severe symptoms might need it. If your dog is bitten, stay calm and take your dog to an emergency clinic. Don’t use ice, a tourniquet, or anything to remove venom from the wound; all of these can make the tissue damage worse. Leave the snake alone. If you try to catch or kill it, you could be bitten too. CDC image source: https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=10841 Laurie Anne Walden, DVMLaundry and dish detergents contain chemicals that are unsafe for animals. Detergent pods pose a bigger risk than bottled liquid detergents or detergent powders. Toxic Ingredients Detergents contain anionic and nonionic surfactants, which lift dirt and oil off of surfaces and fabrics. These types of surfactants cause mild irritation to the skin and eyes. If swallowed, they can cause vomiting. Fabric softeners, disinfectants, and sanitizing solutions sometimes contain cationic surfactants, which are more corrosive than anionic and nonionic surfactants. Cats are especially sensitive to cationic surfactants. Direct contact can injure the skin, and cats that lick these products from their paws or fur can also have damage to the mouth and digestive tract. Some detergents are alkaline (they have a high pH, the opposite of acids). Concentrated alkaline products damage the stomach if swallowed. Detergents might also contain ethanol and other potentially toxic ingredients. Detergent Pods Animals (mainly dogs) that bite detergent pods are at higher risk than animals that lick liquid detergents or detergent powders. Even when the ingredients are similar, the consequences of exposure are more serious with detergent packaged in pods. Detergent in pods is concentrated and under pressure. When a tooth punctures a pod, the detergent sprays the inside of the mouth, from where it is swallowed, inhaled into the lungs, or both. Animals that lick spilled liquid detergent aren’t likely to consume very much of it because it doesn’t taste good. In comparison, dogs that bite detergent pods get a larger dose of product at a higher concentration. The most severe effects of detergent exposure are lung inflammation and pneumonia, which happen when detergent—or vomit that contains detergent—is inhaled into the lungs. Pneumonia can be fatal, so it’s possible for dogs that chew detergent pods to die. Signs of Detergent Toxicosis
If Your Pet Is Exposed
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Image source: Antonio Jose Cespedes on Pixabay Laurie Anne Walden, DVMUveitis is inflammation inside the eye. Some of the many conditions that cause uveitis affect the whole body, so a diagnosis of uveitis often triggers a series of tests to find the cause. The uvea is a pigmented layer within the eye. The iris, which gives the eye its color, is the part of the uvea that you can see when you look at your pet’s eyes. The other structures of the uvea (ciliary body and choroid) are behind the iris, sandwiched between other layers of the eye. The uvea has a blood supply to deliver nutrients to the eye, so anything that can travel through blood vessels—like infectious organisms and cancer cells—can reach the uvea and cause uveitis. The uvea also produces and drains fluid within the eye. Inflammation of the uvea interferes with fluid balance inside the eye, so untreated uveitis can lead to glaucoma (increased eye pressure) and blindness. Causes Some of the things that cause uveitis are problems with the eye itself:
Problems outside the eye can also cause uveitis:
Signs Uveitis causes the same nonspecific signs of eye trouble (like redness) as nearly every other eye disorder. It can also cause changes that are more specific to inflammation inside the eye, like a change in iris color. Animals with uveitis sometimes have no obvious signs at all. These are some of the signs of uveitis:
Diagnosis Uveitis is diagnosed by examining the eye with an ophthalmoscope to look for signs of inflammatory debris inside the eye. The eye exam might be the only diagnostic test needed if it reveals an eye problem that’s causing the uveitis. If the animal doesn’t have an obvious eye abnormality causing the inflammation, the next step is to conduct diagnostic tests to find the cause. The animal will most likely have baseline blood tests, tests for various infectious organisms (especially viruses and the many organisms carried by fleas and ticks), and possibly x-ray imaging or ultrasound. The patient might need to be referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Treatment Uveitis is treated with medication to reduce inflammation. This medication is usually in the form of eye drops or eye ointment. Some animals need oral medication in addition to eye medication. The purpose of this anti-inflammatory medication is to relieve pain and reduce the risk of glaucoma. Whatever caused the uveitis also needs to be treated. The prognosis for uveitis depends on the cause. If uveitis is diagnosed quickly and the underlying cause is treatable, the prognosis is generally good. Some conditions that cause uveitis have a more guarded prognosis. Image source: Wall Boat on Flickr Laurie Anne Walden, DVMThe French bulldog is now the most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club (which defines popularity by the number of purebred dog registrations). This result is no surprise; Frenchies have been rising in the popularity ranks for several years. But these little dogs have a host of potential health problems, just like other animals bred to have flat faces and short noses. Brachycephalic Head Shape Short-headed (brachycephalic) animals like English bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs, and Persian cats have a shortened upper jaw and nose. The lower jaw is typically not shortened, so when they close their mouths, their lower incisor teeth might stick out in front of the upper incisors. Brachycephaly affects only the bones, not the soft tissues (skin, tongue, soft palate, and so forth), so brachycephalic animals have too much soft tissue for their face size. This is why brachycephalic animals have skin folds between their nose and eyes. They have the skin to cover a nose that just isn’t there. Respiratory Problems In a brachycephalic animal, the soft tissues inside the mouth and throat are crammed into an upper jaw that’s too short to hold them. All of this excess tissue blocks the airway, causing a cascade of problems related to the increased effort of breathing. The term brachycephalic airway syndrome describes problems caused by anatomic abnormalities that are common in brachycephalic animals. These abnormalities include narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccules (tissue near the vocal cords that is pulled into the airway because of labored breathing over time). Brachycephalic animals might also have an enlarged tongue. Some have an abnormally narrow trachea, which increases the work of breathing and the risk of problems during anesthesia. Other Problems Brachycephalic animals are more likely than others to have heat stress. Their relatively shallow eye sockets and large eyelid openings increase their chance of developing corneal ulcers, dry eye, and other eye problems. Infections can develop between skin folds. Some brachycephalic animals have digestive tract problems like chronic vomiting, possibly related to gastric reflux caused by chronic labored breathing. They usually have crowded or malpositioned teeth. Natural birth is not possible for some brachycephalic dogs because the mom’s pelvis is too narrow for the puppies’ heads. Some breeds—including French bulldogs—usually require cesarean (surgical) delivery. Signs If you have a brachycephalic pet, watch for these signs of trouble:
Treatment Anatomic problems like narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccules can be corrected with surgery. You can see photos of these problems and more information about surgery on the American College of Veterinary Surgeons website: https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/brachycephalic-syndrome. One “treatment” for brachycephalic airway syndrome is to stop breeding dogs for extreme face shape. If you’re thinking of getting a French bulldog or another brachycephalic pet, reward breeders who breed for good health: choose a dog with round (not slit-like) nostrils, minimal or no skin folds near the eyes, and the ability to run, play, and sleep while breathing freely without snorting or gagging. Image source: Dan Blackburn on Unsplash Laurie Anne Walden, DVMEyelid problems are common in dogs and cats. Some eyelid disorders cause damage to the eyeball itself and can affect vision. A pet with eye redness, eye drainage, eyelid swelling, an eyelid lump that is new or changing, or signs of eye discomfort (squinting, pawing at the eyes, rubbing the face) should see a veterinarian. Benign Masses In dogs, most eyelid masses are benign tear gland tumors called meibomian gland adenomas. These masses are located along the lid margin and typically look like raised, bumpy, pink or dark brown lumps. Other types of benign tumors also occur in dogs and cats. A chalazion is a firm lump caused by a blocked tear gland. This type of lump is near the lid margin under the skin, not right on the lid margin like a meibomian gland adenoma. Benign eyelid masses can irritate the cornea (the clear structure at the front of the eye) and can enlarge over time. These masses are usually removed surgically. Removing an eyelid mass means removing part of the eyelid, so it’s best to do the procedure while the mass is still small. Cancerous Masses Most eyelid masses in cats, and some in dogs, are malignant cancers. Many types of cancer affect the eyelids, just like the rest of the skin; some examples are squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and mast cell tumor. The only way to know for sure if an eyelid lump is benign or malignant is to send it to a laboratory for analysis. If an eyelid mass is large or located near the inner corner of the eye, referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist is often the best option in case the patient needs reconstructive eyelid surgery. Cherry Eye The term cherry eye is an informal name for prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. The third eyelid (nictitating membrane) is a pink structure at the inner corner of dogs’ and cats’ eyes. In animals with cherry eye, a tear gland protrudes out of its normal location behind the third eyelid; it looks like a smooth pink or red lump. Cherry eye is treated by surgically replacing the gland in its normal position. The prolapsed gland shouldn’t be removed entirely because it produces tears. Removal of the gland would put the animal at risk of dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). Swollen Eyelids Eyelid swelling could be caused by an allergic reaction, a benign or cancerous mass, inflammation, or infection. Eyelid swelling due to an allergic reaction is sudden and often affects both eyes. Because eyelid swelling is sometimes the first sign of a more serious reaction called anaphylaxis, it always warrants a call or visit to a veterinary clinic. An animal that has swollen eyelids along with other concerning symptoms like vomiting or wheezing should be taken immediately to an emergency clinic. Entropion (Rolled-in Eyelids) In animals with entropion, one or more eyelids are rolled inward so eyelashes and hair rub on the cornea. Entropion can be genetic or breed associated, especially in animals with loose facial skin and animals that are brachycephalic (short faced). The condition can also be caused by scarring, other eyelid disorders, or excessive squinting from eye discomfort. The damage to the cornea is uncomfortable at best and can eventually impair vision. Entropion is corrected with surgery. Young animals with entropion can sometimes be treated with a simple tacking procedure to help the eyelids roll back out to the normal position as they grow. Abnormal Hairs Occasionally hairs similar to eyelashes grow in the wrong location, either along the eyelid margin (distichia) or inside the eyelid (ectopic cilia). These hairs can cause significant pain and corneal ulcers. They’re hard to see and are typically found only with magnification during an ophthalmic examination to find out why an animal has a corneal ulcer. If they’re causing discomfort, the hairs and their follicles need to be removed. Eyelid Inflammation Inflamed eyelids are red and swollen, sometimes with oozy discharge and visible sores along the margins. The hair on the eyelid might be thin or missing. Eyelid inflammation has many possible causes, including immune-mediated disease, parasites (like mange mites), bacterial or fungal infections, and irritants. Diagnosis might require skin scrapings, cultures, and biopsy. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. More Information You can see photos of some of these conditions on the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists website: https://www.acvo.org/common-conditions1 Image source: Hermes Rivera on Unsplash Laurie Anne Walden, DVMKeratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye, is common in dogs and can also affect cats. KCS is caused by a problem with the quantity or quality of the tear film. The condition is uncomfortable and can cause blindness. For most patients, KCS is managed with lifelong eye medication. Causes Tears are produced by glands in the eyelids and third eyelid. The tear film contains water, mucus, and oil. Deficiencies in any of the components of the tear film compromise its functions: lubricating the cornea (the clear structure at the front of the eye), removing debris, and providing nutrition to the cornea. Anything that affects the tear-producing glands can cause KCS. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) animals with protruding eyes that aren’t completely covered by the eyelids also develop KCS symptoms because of excessive water evaporation from the surface of the cornea. These are some of the causes of KCS:
Signs Animals with KCS typically have thick, sticky eye discharge. The discharge is thick because the watery part of the tear film is decreased or absent, so the tear film that remains is made mostly of mucus and oil. Either 1 or both eyes are affected, depending on the cause of the KCS. Tear film deficiencies increase the risk for corneal ulcers, long-term damage to the cornea, and impaired healing of the cornea. These are signs of KCS and the resulting corneal damage:
Diagnosis The tear film quantity is measured with the Schirmer tear test, in which a sterile paper strip with measurement markings is placed inside the lower eyelid for 1 minute. The distance that the tear film is absorbed along the strip shows whether the animal has low tear production. Veterinary ophthalmologists use other tests to find out whether a patient has a problem with tear film quality. Treatment Animals with KCS are treated with a combination of eye medications, most of which need to be applied 2 or 3 times a day. Medications include tear stimulants that reduce immune-mediated inflammation, tear replacements to lubricate the eye, and other medications to treat corneal damage. KCS can be managed but not cured, so medical treatment needs to continue for the rest of the animal’s life. For animals whose KCS doesn’t respond to eye medication, a few surgical options are available. The most common of these is parotid duct transposition, which involves rerouting a salivary duct from the mouth to the inside of the lower eyelid so the animal basically drools onto the eye. This procedure is performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Image source: Jennifer Shishmanian on Unsplash Laurie Anne Walden, DVMDogs and cats need regular dental care, including thorough oral exams and dental cleanings. These procedures are best done under general anesthesia, but some pets don’t receive the dental care they need because their owners are worried about the safety of anesthesia. Most animals handle anesthesia well, though, and the risk is greatly reduced with preanesthetic testing, safe anesthetic drugs, and monitoring during the procedure. Reasons for Dental Anesthesia General anesthesia during a dental procedure allows for better medical care, reduces an animal’s stress and pain, and makes the procedure safer for everyone.
Anesthesia Safety Before an animal undergoes anesthesia, the benefits of the procedure are weighed against the possible risks. Although general anesthesia is safe overall, its risks range from minor drug effects that can be anticipated and managed to potentially fatal complications, which are rare. Animals receive a thorough physical exam before anesthesia and might also have preanesthetic laboratory tests. Preanesthetic tests are especially important for senior animals—the age group most often having dental procedures—because liver, kidney, and heart function all affect anesthesia risk. During the procedure, vital signs like heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure are monitored. The patient’s level of anesthesia is also monitored and can be adjusted as needed. If your pet will be having anesthesia, tell the veterinarian all of the medications and supplements your pet is getting at home. Your veterinarian will also need to know if your pet has ever had problems with anesthesia in the past. If your pet has been to more than one clinic, be sure the anesthetizing veterinarian has your pet’s complete medical records and knows of any history of breathing trouble, heart conditions, seizures, or other medical problems. Problems With Anesthesia-Free Dental Scaling Some places offer dental scaling without anesthesia, but this procedure isn’t in an animal’s best interest.
Photo by mahyar mirghasemi on Unsplash Laurie Anne Walden, DVMPolyurethane glues that expand when they’re exposed to moisture pose a serious risk to dogs that chew the container and swallow even a little bit of the product. Some (not all) Gorilla Glue products are expanding adhesives. Some wood glues, craft glues, general household glues, and construction adhesives also expand when wet. Dogs rarely swallow expanding adhesives, but the potential consequences can be severe. Anything that swells up when it’s wet is hazardous if swallowed. With expanding adhesives, the risk is even greater: these products expand to a size much larger than the amount swallowed and then harden to form a solid mass that can block material from entering or leaving the stomach. Expanding adhesives contain diisocyanates, which are chemicals used to make polyurethane products. Diisocyanates are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air. Glues that contain diisocyanates are used to seal cracks and fill gaps. In the moist, acidic environment of the stomach, products containing diisocyanates expand up to 8 times their original volume. Expansion starts within minutes after the product is swallowed. The hardened mass of glue becomes a foreign object in the stomach. A volume of glue as small as half an ounce can form a mass large enough to cause a blockage.[1] Glue that has cured before being swallowed—has already finished expanding and has formed a solid mass—is much less of a chemical risk, although of course it could still cause an obstruction if a dog managed to swallow a big enough chunk. Diisocyanates also irritate the skin and respiratory system, but these problems are much less common in animals than in people who are exposed to high levels at work. Signs and Diagnosis A mass of glue in the stomach causes the same signs as any other foreign object: vomiting, loss of appetite, painful abdomen, and loss of energy. Glue ingestion is diagnosed, or at least strongly suspected, when a dog is seen swallowing glue, the dog’s owner finds a chewed glue container, or the dog has glue residue on the fur. The mass formed by a diisocyanate glue is visible on radiographs (x-ray images) but can look very similar to food in the stomach. Other imaging tests or a series of radiographs taken over time might be needed to definitely diagnose a foreign object in the stomach. Expanding adhesives don’t stick to the inside of the stomach, luckily. In a study of dogs treated for Gorilla Glue ingestion, the glue irritated the stomach lining and caused ulcers in some dogs but didn’t cause serious damage to the stomach in any dog. The dogs had bloodwork abnormalities similar to those caused by vomiting in general or any type of stomach obstruction. Whether the presence of diisocyanates in the stomach caused any other problems wasn’t clear.[1] Treatment A foreign object that’s causing a stomach obstruction needs to be surgically removed. If a mass of glue seems small enough to pass on its own and the dog doesn’t have any worrisome signs like belly pain, the veterinarian and dog’s owner might decide to watch and wait. What to Do if Your Pet Is Exposed
Reference 1. Friday S, Murphy C, Lopez D, Mayhew P, Holt D. Gorilla Glue ingestion in dogs: 22 cases (2005-2019). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2021;57(3):121-127. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7126 |
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The contents of this blog are for information only and should not substitute for advice from a veterinarian who has examined the animal. All blog content is copyrighted by Mallard Creek Animal Hospital and may not be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or distributed without permission.
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