Latest news with #OakBrook
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Does your dog or cat have allergies? Common symptoms and what you can do to help
About five years ago, Gail Friedman noticed her Parson Russell Terrier was constantly licking his paws and seemed extremely uncomfortable. 'The poor dog. I would put baby socks on his feet so that he wouldn't lick them or bite at them,' said Friedman, who lives in Oak Brook, in the US state of Illinois. 'I was constantly changing the socks, washing his feet a lot. Nothing worked.' It turned out her canine companion, Mr Friedman, had allergies. Allergies are a common and tricky problem in pets. They are caused by various things such as pollen, dust, mould, chemicals and food. But veterinarians say there are several ways to ease animals' suffering. Various shampoos and cleansing products for treating allergies in pets sit on a shelf at Thrive Pet Healthcare – Elmhurst, in the US state of Illinois. Photo: AP What sorts of allergies do dogs and cats get? Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. Cats and dogs react to many of the same things that people do, as well as pests like fleas.
The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Dogs and cats can also suffer from allergies, but there are ways to help our furry friends
About five years ago, Gail Friedman noticed her Parson Russell Terrier was constantly licking his paws and seemed super uncomfortable. 'The poor dog. I would put baby socks on his feet so that he wouldn't lick them or bite at them,' said Friedman, of Oak Brook, Illinois. 'I was constantly changing the socks, washing his feet a lot. Nothing worked.' It turned out her canine companion, Mr. Friedman, had allergies. It's a common and tricky problem in pets — caused by various things such as pollen, dust, mold, chemicals and food — but veterinarians say there are several ways to ease their suffering. What sorts of allergies do dogs and cats get? Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. Cats and dogs react to many of the same things people do, as well as pests like fleas. There are no definitive recent statistics on how many pets have allergies, but research suggests the problem is growing. 'I probably see allergic dogs and cats every single day, probably multiple times a day,' said Dr. Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst in Illinois. About 90% of allergic pets react to environmental triggers, Woodard said, and the rest have food allergies only. Dog breeds that are especially vulnerable include various types of terriers, boxers and bulldogs; in cats, it's Persians, Siamese and Himalayans. Pets can even be allergic to other animals — cats to dogs, dogs to cats and either to another species. 'It's possible for them to be allergic to us, just like we are to them,' said Thrive's Dr. Anthea Elliott Schick of Scottsdale, Arizona, immediate past president of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. How can you tell if your pet has allergies? Allergic cats and dogs aren't as likely as humans to sneeze and cough. More often, they scratch and lick themselves, shake their heads and develop ear infections. Woodard said her Yorkie mix, Teddy, had the classic signs — scratching around his shoulders and getting rashes and ear infections starting as a six-month-old puppy. She lived in the South at the time, and he tested positive for allergies to various trees and grasses there. A common sign of allergies in her feline patients is 'overdoing their grooming,' said Woodard, who's on the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association's board of directors. 'Cats shouldn't be pulling their hair out when they groom. So if you start seeing bald patches on your cat, even though the skin underneath it looks normal, that could be a sign of allergies.' Even food allergies, often to chicken, beef, lamb or other protein sources, frequently show up on the skin, although pets can have vomiting or diarrhea, too. Rarely, pets can develop life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, perhaps after being stung by an insect. But most allergies are simply miserable for the animals. 'It breaks my heart because it gets to a point that not only do I have socks on poor Mr. Friedman — which is humiliating for him — he sometimes gets so bad he has to wear the cone of shame,' Gail Friedman said. 'And that's not fair because he can't move around right, he can't sleep right. It's terrible.' How can you help your pet? The first step is to get a diagnosis from the vet. This could involve allergy testing, or in the case of food allergies, an 'elimination diet,' which involves feeding limited ingredients the pet hasn't previously eaten. If the allergy culprit is environmental, there are medications like anti-inflammatory drugs and newer oral and injectable medications for dogs to block chemical signals associated with itchiness. Food allergies may be treated with special diets such as 'hydrolyzed' food, in which proteins are chemically broken down into tiny pieces. All this can get expensive. Friedman estimates she's spent about $10,000 on testing, medication and care for Mr. Friedman and another allergic dog. But vets say there are also ways to help pets at home by cleaning their bedding frequently, wiping their fur with a wet washcloth and giving them baths. Outdoors, 'they're almost acting like little Swiffers, getting allergens on their skin, and it goes through their skin and actually becomes a problem,' Schick said. 'We say bathe your dog, at a minimum, once a week if they're allergic.' After she's tried nearly everything, Friedman's dogs are still vexed by allergies. But they're doing better. 'I'm going to keep experimenting until we find what stops it completely,' she said. 'All you can do is try.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Dogs and cats can also suffer from allergies, but there are ways to help our furry friends
About five years ago, Gail Friedman noticed her Parson Russell Terrier was constantly licking his paws and seemed super uncomfortable. 'The poor dog. I would put baby socks on his feet so that he wouldn't lick them or bite at them,' said Friedman, of Oak Brook, Illinois. 'I was constantly changing the socks, washing his feet a lot. Nothing worked.' It turned out her canine companion, Mr. Friedman, had allergies. It's a common and tricky problem in pets — caused by various things such as pollen, dust, mold, chemicals and food — but veterinarians say there are several ways to ease their suffering. What sorts of allergies do dogs and cats get? Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. Cats and dogs react to many of the same things people do, as well as pests like fleas. There are no definitive recent statistics on how many pets have allergies, but research suggests the problem is growing. 'I probably see allergic dogs and cats every single day, probably multiple times a day,' said Dr. Karen Woodard, medical director at Thrive Pet Healthcare-Elmhurst in Illinois. About 90% of allergic pets react to environmental triggers, Woodard said, and the rest have food allergies only. Dog breeds that are especially vulnerable include various types of terriers, boxers and bulldogs; in cats, it's Persians, Siamese and Himalayans. Pets can even be allergic to other animals — cats to dogs, dogs to cats and either to another species. 'It's possible for them to be allergic to us, just like we are to them,' said Thrive's Dr. Anthea Elliott Schick of Scottsdale, Arizona, immediate past president of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. How can you tell if your pet has allergies? Allergic cats and dogs aren't as likely as humans to sneeze and cough. More often, they scratch and lick themselves, shake their heads and develop ear infections. Woodard said her Yorkie mix, Teddy, had the classic signs — scratching around his shoulders and getting rashes and ear infections starting as a six-month-old puppy. She lived in the South at the time, and he tested positive for allergies to various trees and grasses there. A common sign of allergies in her feline patients is 'overdoing their grooming,' said Woodard, who's on the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association's board of directors. 'Cats shouldn't be pulling their hair out when they groom. So if you start seeing bald patches on your cat, even though the skin underneath it looks normal, that could be a sign of allergies.' Even food allergies, often to chicken, beef, lamb or other protein sources, frequently show up on the skin, although pets can have vomiting or diarrhea, too. Rarely, pets can develop life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, perhaps after being stung by an insect. But most allergies are simply miserable for the animals. 'It breaks my heart because it gets to a point that not only do I have socks on poor Mr. Friedman — which is humiliating for him — he sometimes gets so bad he has to wear the cone of shame,' Gail Friedman said. 'And that's not fair because he can't move around right, he can't sleep right. It's terrible.' How can you help your pet? The first step is to get a diagnosis from the vet. This could involve allergy testing, or in the case of food allergies, an 'elimination diet,' which involves feeding limited ingredients the pet hasn't previously eaten. If the allergy culprit is environmental, there are medications like anti-inflammatory drugs and newer oral and injectable medications for dogs to block chemical signals associated with itchiness. Food allergies may be treated with special diets such as 'hydrolyzed' food, in which proteins are chemically broken down into tiny pieces. All this can get expensive. Friedman estimates she's spent about $10,000 on testing, medication and care for Mr. Friedman and another allergic dog. But vets say there are also ways to help pets at home by cleaning their bedding frequently, wiping their fur with a wet washcloth and giving them baths. Outdoors, 'they're almost acting like little Swiffers, getting allergens on their skin, and it goes through their skin and actually becomes a problem,' Schick said. 'We say bathe your dog, at a minimum, once a week if they're allergic.' After she's tried nearly everything, Friedman's dogs are still vexed by allergies. But they're doing better. 'I'm going to keep experimenting until we find what stops it completely,' she said. 'All you can do is try.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Gorgeous mansion that looks like a castle hit the market for $4,999,000 and has the ultimate entertainment den
A stone-clad mansion in Illinois built to evoke the grandeur of a medieval castle is back on the market, complete with turrets, vaulted ceilings and a basement level entertainment wing fit for a king. Located in the opulent Oak Brook neighborhood, the 12,000-square-foot castle-like home was originally listed in 2010 but no buyer snapped it up. Now, relisted at $4,999,000, the five-bedroom, seven-and-a-half bath residence is making another bid to capture a royal buyer. From the outside, the sprawling mansion is a spectacle. Built in 2009, the home's architectural style draws heavily from European Gothic influences set with one-of-a-kind limestone accents, conical turret roofs, wrought iron balconies and arched windows and doorways. The sprawling home sits on just under an acre of land in the wealthy Illinois suburb, nestled roughly 20 miles from downtown Chicago. But, the mansion's castle motif doesn't stop at the front door, inside, the house boasts ornate woodwork, stone columns, grand twin staircases and oversized chandeliers hanging from soaring ceilings. The Oak Brook home's central foyer is 'crowned' by a domed ceiling and sweeping double staircase - a fitting entryway to the castle-like mansion's unique interior. The main level also includes a formal living room and dining room. The mansion's extravagant kitchen is built for both daily use and lavish entertaining, outfitted with a sprawling island, commercial-grade appliances and custommade cabinetry. Adjacent to the luxury kitchen sits a quaint breakfast nook, adding to the home's storybook feel. Upstairs, the primary suite includes a large sitting room with a fireplace, a breath-taking marble-lined bathroom fit with a soaking tub and a walk-in closet 'fit for a king.' As for the other four bedrooms, each is equipped with its own en-suite bathrooms and generous walk-in closet space. But, its the home's lower level that truly sets it apart from the high-priced neigborhood's most luxurious estates. The beautiful basement spans more than 4,000-square-feet and includes 56-by-30 foot recreation room that functions as a full-blown entertainment complex. Inside, the house boasts ornate woodwork and curved stone columns The jaw-dropping recreation space is outfitted with a full wet-bar, a stage-style seating area for a home theater, multiple lounging spaces and access to a temperature-controlled wine cellar. There is also a fully equipped gym as well as direct elevator access to the upper floors. Meanwhile, outside, a stone terrace overlooks the pristinely-kept backyard which features a built-in grill station, stunning pool and a hot tub, for an unparalleled mix of medieval ambiance and modern conveience. The home, situated in the highly-acclaimed Hinsdale Central School District, also includes a heated four-car garage. According to public records, property taxes on the castle-like mansion top out around $50,000 annually. Down roughly $700,000 from the $5.7 million listing in 2010, the home remains on the market with the seller, Paul Iwanski, president of Iwanski Masonry - a development company specializing in education and public buildings such as fire stations - said he 'can wait' as he doesn't expect the home to sell anytime soon. Meanwhile, outside, a stone terrace overlooks the pristinely-kept backyard which features a built-in grill station, stunning pool and a hot tub Iwanski told that he envisioned using the castle as a bed and breakfast until it was sold. Homes in the affluent Oak Brook neighborhood often attract deep-pocketed buyers, according to the Chicago-based outlet, which complimented the area's abundant space and privacy while still being within commuting distance of the major metropolitan. 'Nestled in the vibrant heart of Oak Brook, this property is perfect for buyers seeking to personalize their unique residence,' a Redfin listing reads. 'This extraordinary castle promises a refined lifestyle for those who truly appreciate exceptional homes.'
Washington Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
TreeHouse: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
OAK BROOK, Ill. — OAK BROOK, Ill. — TreeHouse Foods Inc. (THS) on Tuesday reported a loss of $31.8 million in its first quarter. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said it had a loss of 63 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for restructuring costs and non-recurring costs, were 3 cents per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 21 cents per share. The food maker posted revenue of $792 million in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $789.6 million. _____
