As I write this in the middle of August, during an oppressively humid heat wave, the term “the dog days of summer” comes to mind.
If you have never heard that term, it refers to the hottest, most stifling period of summer. Quite apropos, as we are currently experiencing a heat wave.
But where did the term come from?
Interestingly, it has nothing to do with dogs lazing around because it’s too hot. Although we all know they do that.
The term’s etymology lies in ancient astrology and mythology.
Sirius (the dog star) is the brightest star in the Canis Major (Latin for “Greater Dog”) constellation. During antiquity in the Mediterranean region, Sirius’ “heliacal rising,” or when the star first became visible just before sunrise, coincided with the hottest stretch of the year.
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that when Sirius rose near the sun, the combined heat was the reason for high temperatures. The Romans called this time dies caniculares, literally “days of the dog star,” which later became translated in English to “dog days”.
So, what does any of this have to do with anything?
My little 12-pound Cockapoo is 16 years old. And, like many geriatric dogs (and people), is taking a few meds to manage chronic conditions.
Both of the meds she’s currently on are in tablet form, and because she’s so small, she needs to be broken into smaller doses for the correct daily doses.
Just like most pet owners, we get her meds directly from the veterinarian’s office.
On a recent refill, the office staff informed me that there was a change in the shape of one of her meds from circular with score lines to break the tablet into quarters to a triangular shape with just one score line down the middle to break the tablet in half.
This new shape caused a bit of a quandary since my dog needs to take three-quarters of a tablet twice a day. I immediately broke into a cold sweat, cursing myself for not paying attention in geometry class.
But, having figured out this SAT-level math question, the new tablet proved to be better than the old one, as it has a slippery coating on it that helps with administration. If you have a picky little dog, you are familiar with the trials and tribulations of getting them to take their meds. At least with the slippery coating, she would have a hard time spitting it out.
Interested in this new dosage for, I had to do some research. I learned that this medication is now mostly produced by an outsourcing compounder, and the triangular-shaped tablets are officially called Mighty-Med Triangles™.
I’m just happy the new med has taken some of the heat off me when giving my pup her meds. Especially during these dog days.
Mike Auerbach
Group Editor-In-Chief
[email protected]