Canine Cancer

BioCurex Inc. has developed OncoPet(tm), a blood test to be used for cancer detection in dogs.

2009-06-20T19:57:00.000-04:00

RICHMOND, British Columbia, June 17, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioCurex Inc. (OTCBB:BOCX) today announced that it has developed OncoPet(tm), a version of its RECAF(tm) blood test to be used for cancer detection in dogs.

The new test performance matches that of its human counterpart: In a study including 116 dogs with cancer and 150 control dogs, the test detected 85% of the animals with a variety of cancers at the standard 95% specificity level (i.e. 5% false positives).

Consultations with the pertinent Government agencies in the USA and Canada indicate that neither the "homebrew" tests for veterinary use, nor the production facilities require regulatory approval.

Given the absence of regulatory delays as well as the fact that the technology is ready for use, the Company expects to take OncoPet(tm) to market within the next few months and to that effect, it has already registered the www.oncopet.net domain.

Marketing research indicates that the fastest and most profitable approach to commercialization of this product is to offer the testing service directly to veterinarians, to be done in conjunction with routine blood work. In British Columbia over 120,000 blood tests are carried out on pets every year. In addition, BioCurex shall consider licensing these tests to large veterinary diagnostic companies on a non-exclusive basis. The use of RECAF for veterinary purposes is not included in the current licensing agreements with Abbott Laboratories and Inverness Medical Innovations.

There are approximately 75 million dogs in the United States - that is a dog for every 4 people - and on average their owners spend $219 per year on veterinary visits(1). Overall, 4 out of 1,000 dogs get cancer every year(2). "It is the number one cause of death among dogs and cats in the United States, Europe, and Japan," says Dr. Greg Ogilvie, a professor at Colorado State University and a world expert in veterinary oncology. More than 50% of all dogs ultimately die of cancer, and some breeds, like golden retrievers and boxers, have even higher cancer rates. In fact, pets are more likely to get cancer during their lifetimes than their owners(3).

Statistics reveal that almost all pet owners feel a strong human-animal bond. About 49.7% of survey respondents consider pets to be part of the family, and 48.2% consider pets to be companions4. Between 1996 and 2006 the number of dog-owning households that spent $1,000 or more per year on visits to the veterinarian quadrupled - from 2.2% to 8.4%4. During 2006, dogs averaged 1.5 visits to the veterinarian(4).

Dr. Moro stated: "OncoPet(tm) is our response to generate revenue as quickly as possible. It is now ready for use and it requires no approvals that would excessively delay its launching. Marketing in North America is straight forward and the veterinarians we consulted are enthusiastic about the potential the test has to offer. Other markets such as Europe and Japan may be accessed via licensing or distribution agreements. OncoPet(tm) is now ready for use with dogs, but we anticipate it will also be as effective for cats, which approximately doubles the market size.

On June 3rd, Pfizer announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the first cancer drug, named Palladia(tm), made specifically to treat cancer in dogs(5). The ability to diagnose cancer with OncoPet(tm) and treat it with Palladia(tm) presents an intriguing synergy."

Moro added: "Finally, it is of paramount importance to keep in mind that this RECAF test for companion animals is not a substitution for our RECAF tests to be used in human patients but rather an addition aimed to accelerate revenue generation while the human tests get to market."

About BioCurex:

BioCurex, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing products based on patented/proprietary technology in the areas of cancer diagnosis, imaging and therapy. The technology identifies a cancer marker known as RECAF(tm), which is found on malignant cells from a variety of cancer types but is absent in most normal or benign cells.

BioCurex has signed licensing agreements for its cancer detection blood tests with Abbott Laboratories and with Inverness Medical Innovations.

The cancer marker RECAF(tm) has emerged as a potential biomarker that may be useful in the development of new cancer diagnostics tests. Preliminary studies from the investigators at BioCurex have reported a high level of clinical sensitivity and specificity for RECAF in many of the most common cancers, including prostate, breast, colorectal, lung and others.

To read more about the Company, please visit the News section in our web site (www.biocurex.com).

FDA approves cancer treatment for dogs

2009-06-04T20:54:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug made specifically to treat cancer in dogs.

Until now, all cancer drugs used in veterinary medicine were developed for use in humans and weren't specifically approved for animals. Federal law allows vets to administer cancer medicines and other human treatments under controlled circumstances.

The new drug, Palladia, manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc., has been approved to treat a type of cancer that accounts for about one in five cases of canine skin tumors.

Canine cutaneous mast cell tumors — the cancer in question — can appear small and insignificant when dogs have them, but while some are easily removed, others can lead to life-threatening disease, according to the FDA.

"This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine," Bernadette Dunham, director of FDA's center for veterinary medicine, said in a statement Wednesday.

"Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs, without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs," Dunham said. "Today's approval offers dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, an option for treatment of their dog's cancer."

Palladia is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that works by killing tumor cells and cutting off blood supply to the tumor. Common side effects include diarrhea, decrease or loss of appetite, lameness, weight loss and blood in the stool.

'Miracle Dog' Beats Aggressive Cancer

2009-03-25T21:06:00.001-04:00

By Kelli Miller Stacy
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MD March 23, 2009 R

Researchers with the Cleveland Clinic have successfully treated cancer in dogs without toxic side effects or discomfort. The feat could soon lead to a powerful new strategy for treating the disease in people.

Joseph A. Bauer, PhD, with the Center for Hematology & Oncology Molecular Therapeutics at the Cleveland Clinic, detailed the extraordinary achievement at the 237th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Salt Lake City.

Bauer's team's success story begins with a "miracle dog" named Oscar, a 10-year-old male Bichon Frise stricken with an extremely aggressive form of cancer called anal sac adenocarcinoma. Chemotherapy and radiation failed to treat the dog's disease, which left him unable to walk. Oscar had about 3 months left to live.

That's when Bauer and colleagues gave him an innovative cancer-killing drug called nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl). Within two weeks, Oscar's cancer significantly improved and he was back on his feet.

'Trojan Horse' Kills Cancer
The NO-Cbl drug targets cancer cells like a biological "Trojan horse." A Trojan horse is a damage-causing substance hidden in something apparently harmless.

In this case, the drug is made of a cancer-killing substance called nitric oxide, which is attached to vitamin B12. Substances called receptors on a cell's surface attract the vitamin and help it enter the cell. Cancer cells grow abnormally fast with extra B12 receptors. NO-Cbl spots these receptors, sneaks into cancer cells, and releases the nitric oxide, which kills the cancer cells from within.

Scientists have been trying for more than 60 years to develop a successful B12-based "Trojan horse" to fight cancer, according to a news release from the American Chemical Society.

Bauer's team is reporting promising results in two other dogs without any negative side effects. Ultrasound and MRI imaging showed significant reductions in tumor size in all three dogs. Nine months of NO-Cbl treatment shrank a spinal tumor in a 6-year-old golden retriever named Buddy by 40%. Buddy, who once had nerve damage in his right hind leg, is now taking 2-mile walks. The treatment also significantly reduced inoperable thyroid cancer in a 13-year-old female Giant Schnauzer. The dog had a 77% reduction in tumor size in less than 10 weeks. The team is now treating a spinal tumor in a fourth dog, a golden retriever named Haley.

The team wants to successfully treat 10 dogs with NO-Cbl and then quickly get FDA approval to test the drug in people. Bauer points out that people and dogs are genetically similar, which may help the drug's "chance of getting through the FDA’s strict drug approval chain."

Focus on Pets, Too
Each year in the U.S., an estimated 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer. Pets with cancer afford researchers an opportunity to study cancer treatments in animals that are more genetically similar to people.

“The [National Cancer Institute] gets data on pets that are exposed to the same environmental factors their owners are," Bauer says in a news release. "They breathe the same polluted air and drink the same polluted water that you and I do every day. If you can find an agent to treat cancer that occurs in a dog with success, there is a higher likelihood that you can take that to the human population and have a much higher response rate than with mice.”

Such research also provides pets access to potential life-saving therapies, such as the case with Oscar.

“We are one of the few research groups that is offering to treat dogs with cancer that otherwise have no hope,” Bauer says. “With no other options available, most people in this situation opt to euthanize so that their pets don’t go through the pain of disease and trauma of surgery.”

Bauer, a dog owner, says his research is "one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life."

One man's journey to raise awareness for canine cancer

2009-03-01T14:07:00.000-05:00

February 26, 1:13 PM
by Jane Porricelli, Providence Dogs Examiner

For Luke Robinson, the answer to that question is quite literal - 2,400 miles. On foot.

On March 16, 2008, Robinson left Austin, TX with his two Great Pyrenees dogs, Hudson and Murphy, by his side. They are now nearly one year into - and halfway through - the hike of their lives, one that Robinson hopes will help save lives.

This hike, which Robinson is chronicling on his website, www.2dogs2000miles.org, is taking the trio from Austin to Boston, all to raise awareness for canine cancer, which took Robinson's beloved Great Pyrenees, Malcolm, in 2006.

Robinson says that Malcolm's two-year fight, "was truly a life defining experience and one that's made me re-evaluate my place in the world and what my contribution can be." This re-evaluation led to his decision to quit his job, sell his truck, put all of his belongings in storage, and plan his cross-country walk in honor of Malcolm and all those touched by cancer.

As one of those people touched by cancer myself, I am deeply humbled by Robinson's selflessness and dedication to the cause. In fact, he told ZooToo.com that since losing Malcolm he has, "devoted the rest of my life to canine cancer, to raising awareness for it."

I lost my Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, Bismarck, to an aggressive form of Gastrointestinal Lymphoma in July 2007. He wasn't even 6 years old. Seeing how one man has turned his devastation over losing his dog - a feeling I know all too well - into a journey to help so many others has left me inspired beyond words.

Robinson's itinerary is not set in stone. Along the way, he has changed his route up a bit, made some unplanned stops, and stayed a bit longer in some places than others. But Boston is where this particular trek of his will end. And whenever that ends up being, I plan on being there. To shake his hand. To pet his pups. And to thank him. On behalf of Bismarck - and all of those touched by cancer.

After all, it will take me just 40 miles to get from Providence to Boston. Not even close to the 2,400 Robinson will have traveled to get there.

'Superhero' dog appears to be winning battle against brain cancer

2008-12-01T17:41:00.005-05:00

'Superhero' dog appears to be winning battle against brain cancer

He was named 'Batman' due to his long, pointy ears.

But the ten and a half year old shepherd mix may in fact have superhero powers. How else can you explain that Batman is alive and thriving nearly four months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer?

In truth, his survival is directly credited to a unique medical research team that combines top talent from the University of Minnesota Veterinary school, and the U's Masonic Cancer Center.

"This has never been done," said John Ohlfest, Associate Professor and researcher at the Masonic Cancer Center. "No one has ever combined gene therapy in the brain for a brain tumor with vaccine."

Immediately after surgery to remove the tumor in August, areas of Batman's brain were injected with gene therapy. In the following weeks, the dog received shots of a vaccine grown with his own cancer cells.

At today's checkup, Batman hopped around the room like a puppy. His blood work is promising, and M-R-I's show no regrowth of the tumor.

"He's definitely back to his old self now, that's really a miracle," remarked owner Anna Brailovsky. "I'm really glad about that."

The research team is treating another dog with a brain tumor, and hoping to work with others. If things continue to go well, they could file human clinical protocol plans some time in the coming year.

"We're gonna push forward. We're going to write a human clinical protocol, and try to push this forward in people," insisted Ohlfest.

Some lumps can spell big trouble for dogs and cats

2008-12-01T17:34:00.001-05:00

November 28, 2008 - 5:13 PM
ANNE PIERCE, COLUMNIST
In my last column, I noted that some scary-looking lumps on your pets may end up being nothing serious, and getting a proper diagnosis can allow you to get some sleep at night instead of worrying that something bad is going on.

This column looks at the other side of the coin - the lumps and bumps that can spell trouble, and how to deal with them.

The most common malignant mass I see on the surface of a dog's skin is a mast cell tumor. These often appear as raised pink lumps that sometimes increase and decrease in size rapidly. To the naked eye, mast cell tumors often look exactly like the benign histiocytomas we talked about two weeks ago. But when cells collected from the lump are placed under a microscope, the difference between the two is usually quite visible.

Most mast cell tumors can be cured by complete surgical removal if caught early. Once the tumor has grown to the size of a softball and has started rotting in the middle, however, it becomes considerably more challenging to remove and has likely had enough time to send out satellite tumors to far-reaching parts of the body, making cure with surgery impossible. When the tumor has spread, there is not a lot of effective medication or chemotherapy that will help for a long period of time, and death becomes inevitable.

Cats get mast cell tumors, too, but much less frequently than dogs, and theirs tend to be more benign, making them very likely to be curable with removal.

Any lump along the mammary chain in a female pet has potential to be a mammary tumor - the animal version of breast cancer. In dogs, about 50 percent of these lumps are benign and can be helped with surgery. But about 50 percent are aggressive, will recur after surgery, and will cause death because there is not much effective treatment.

Mammary tumors in cats are even more likely to be malignant.

Fortunately, we have a simple way of preventing mammary tumors: Female dogs and cats that are spayed before they go into heat for the first time (about 7 to 8 months old for dogs, and about 6 months for cats) develop mammary cancer at a rate of essentially 0 percent. And while spaying at a slightly older age can eliminate a host of reproductive problems down the road, it does not convey significant protection against the development of future mammary cancer. It breaks my heart to watch helplessly as an animal that was never intended to breed is consumed by mammary cancer just because nobody got around to spaying her for a few years.

When I see a dog come in for "lumps under the chin," I think first about lymphoma. This is the most common kind of cancer in dogs and cats, and in dogs it can cause the lymph nodes near the surface of the body to become enlarged.

A dog will often have a matching pair of firm swellings at the corner of the lower jaw and neck. Further examination often shows that the lymph nodes in front of the shoulders and behind the stifles are also enlarged. Often these lumps appear over the course of a few days to weeks.

Cats tend to hide their lymphoma inside their bodies, so prominent lumps on the outside are not a common tip-off for them.

Diagnosis can often be made with a needle aspirate of affected tissue or by removing an affected lymph node and sending it to a lab.

Lymphoma has a bit of a silver lining, because it tends to respond to chemotherapy better than just about any other type of cancer, and most pets tolerate the chemotherapy drugs without the terrible side effects that people often suffer. With aggressive treatment, we hope to be able to buy a year of good-quality life, but in the end the cancer always wins.

Without treatment, the average life expectancy after diagnosis is about one month.

This short list covers just a few of the more common lumps I see in practice, but there are thousands of things out there that cause visible lumps on pets. Is it a pocket of infection?

Is it a parasitic fly larva? Is it a glob of fat? Is it cancer?

In spite of apparent demand for it, I have yet to develop the skill of determining the composition of a lump over the telephone. But with an examination and a needle we can start getting down to the business of figuring it out and coming up with a plan to deal with it.

-

Anne Pierce is a Colorado Springs veterinarian and co-owner of High Plains Veterinary Hospital, a Colorado Springs small-animal clinic. Reach her at petdocs@highplainsvet.com.

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY BEGINS CANINE STUDY TO HELP SAVE LIMBS OF ANIMAL, HUMAN BONE CANCER PATIENTS

2008-11-08T21:28:00.000-05:00

FORT COLLINS - Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center researchers are embarking on a study that may save limbs of both human and animals with bone cancer that would otherwise be amputated. The study, which uses new state-of-the-art machinery at the university's James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, is seeking dogs with osteosarcoma who may qualify for the study.

The study is designed to deliver doses of radiation to within 2 millimeters of precision to tumors in the legs of dogs with osteosarcoma. The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences' Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator, a highly advanced machine that delivers radiation to tumors, makes such meticulous delivery possible.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer in dogs and people, so this study will benefit both. The most common treatment and current standard of care for this disease in dogs is amputation and chemotherapy said Dr. Stewart Ryan, a researcher at the Animal Cancer Center and professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences.

"This is one of the first studies that uses objective measurements of how well dogs use their legs after this sort of treatment," Ryan said. "The results of this study may help prevent amputations in future veterinary patients and would also have a translational aspect to help humans with bone cancer who don't want amputation. It may also have a role in decreasing the number of cycles and intensity of chemotherapy before limb-spare surgery in people, giving them a higher quality of life during the treatments.

When veterinarians are able to perform limb-sparing surgery for dogs, there are often complications that can result in additional surgeries and expense or ultimately end up in amputation.

"Now that we have this new equipment, we started to think about how we could develop high-dose radiation therapy as a non-surgical limb salvage treatment and a potential cure," Ryan said.

Bone cancers can be difficult to kill with traditional radiation. Instead, radiation mainly has been used to provide pain control and not to kill all of the tumor. When using radiation on osteosarcoma tumors, doctors must use a low radiation dose to avoid damage to normal tissues such as skin. With too much radiation, the skin can be damaged to varying degrees, including causing wounds that will not heal. If too little radiation is given, the tumor can come back or continue to grow. Radiation also can make the bone weak and susceptible to fracture.

Traditional limb-sparing surgery, which involves implanting canine cadaver bones or artificial metal implants after removing the bone cancer, also carries the risk of the tumor returning, infection in the bone, or screw or plate malfunctions. Options for this sort of surgery also are limited to tumors near the wrist joint in dogs.

The Varian Trilogy Accelerator is so technically advanced it can target a tumor with significantly more radiation than it delivers to the skin and tissue it travels through to reach the tumor. It can also focus more radiation at a tumor than the area of tissue immediately surrounding the tumor, regardless of the complexities of the shape of the tumor. A special computer program is used to make individual plans for patients to control the depth, intensity and duration of each round of radiation, based on each patient's CT scan and tumor shape.

Because tumors must receive more than one treatment with radiation and because the accelerator can deliver higher doses to tumors without damaging surrounding tissue, dogs in the study would get fewer numbers of radiation doses at levels eight to 10 times stronger than typical treatments. The precision at which the doses are delivered is key to preventing complications in the skin and maximizing the amount of tumor killed.

Ryan and collaborators Dr. Susan LaRue and Dr. Susan Kraft, along with radiation oncology staff at the hospital, have developed a system to ensure that radiation delivered to dogs in the study will be given to exactly the same spot every time. The study is limited to dogs with osteosarcoma in their limbs. Small wires or pins are inserted into the bone of the leg needing radiation. A ring is connected to these wires or pins outside of the leg, which is attached to a frame on the accelerator table when the dog undergoes treatment. The ring, which is protected when the dog is not receiving radiation, is worn like a bracelet for about a week to 10 days until treatment is completed.

The accelerator can take X-ray images of the dog's leg, which is securely positioned on the frame. The dog is anesthetized during treatment to ensure that he remains still. X-ray images taken at the initial treatment become the template for alignment for each consecutive treatment. X-rays taken at each consecutive treatment are compared to the initial images before radiation is delivered to ensure that the dog is lined up exactly the same way every time. If not positioned correctly, the Varian's table automatically readjusts the position.

Dogs in the study will be given three radiation treatments each spaced two to three days apart. They also will receive a dose of chemotherapy, which can make tumors more sensitive to radiation. At the end of the third treatment, the bracelet and wires or pins will be removed. Dogs in the study will be candidates for amputation. This treatment is also being offered to clients who do not want to participate in the study because they are not opting for amputation. Valuable information also will be obtained from those cases.

The success of the study will be measured through blood and urine tests that indicate the amount of bone turnover, MRI images, the amount of weight that dogs put on treated legs and the amount of tumor killed.

People interested in enrolling in this study or finding out more about treatment of osteosarcoma with high-dose radiation may contact Dr. Ryan by e-mail at stewart.ryan@colostate.edu or by calling (970) 297-4159.

3-legged dog a leader in cancer treatment

2008-11-08T21:23:00.000-05:00

Drug therapy that starves tumors may soon be used to help people

Ernie Taylor should have been dead several times over.

Instead, the courageous canine is living high on the dog, so to speak, with his own table at a foothills restaurant and his nameplate on the Long Realty door of his owner, Bob Taylor.

That's not even the amazing part.

The 16-year-old, three-legged terrier-mix is also beating cancer for the second time in less than three years - this time with a groundbreaking treatment that may one day be used on humans.

Ernie's first bout with the deadly disease in 2000, treated with chemotherapy and surgery, cost him his leg.

His second bout is being treated with the "Navy Protocol," a cocktail of FDA-approved drugs meant to starve tumors of their blood supply.

A golden retriever named Navy was first treated with such a mix in 2000. Navy's owner, Marion Haber, was a veterinary student in Boston who worked as a research fellow at the Angiogenesis Foundation, a nonprofit that came up with the treatment.

All traces of Navy's cancer were gone within 16 months.

Ernie, who started the treatment in May, just had a remarkable slate of X-rays in August, said Taylor, 63.

"He's in remission," Taylor said. "He's almost cancer-free."

Taylor feeds Ernie the drug cocktail through a syringe twice a day. The drugs are available at Prescription Lab Compounding Pharmacy.

"They mix them with chicken or beef broth so he doesn't mind the taste," Taylor said.

Ernie's regular checkups are with longtime family veterinarian T.K. Warfield of Valley Animal Hospital, who came up with the proper dosage for the 22-pound pooch.

Ernie's earlier cancer treatment cost more than $7,000.

The drug cocktail costs $175 each month. Ernie will be on the treatment for a year, or $2,100 worth.

Cost, however, has never been a factor when treating what Taylor calls "Tucson's miracle dog."

Taylor and his wife, Lori Taylor, 62, first met Ernie when he was a feral dog running with the coyotes around their Catalina Pueblo neighborhood near North Campbell Avenue and East Skyline Drive.

The most contact they had with Ernie was when he'd dash onto their porch to snatch bones they'd leave for him.

When Bob Taylor came home from back surgery in 1999, all that changed. Ernie made a beeline into the couple's house and jumped on Taylor's bed.

They've been best friends ever since. Taylor said it's hard not to love a dog that used to greet him after work by running beside his car and jumping in the window.

Ernie has also secured a private table at Blanco Tacos + Tequila, his own office space at Long Realty and a place in the heart of everyone who meets him.

Ernie's a fixture in his little red stroller along the Rillito River walk, church services at First United Methodist Church and a host of outdoor concerts.

He especially perked up when an Elvis impersonator recently performed at Reid Park.

Ernie's next project is getting certified as a therapy dog so he can visit children cancer patients at University Medical Center.

"I want to take him down there to show even pets and animals can go into remission from cancer," he said. "Ernie is a wonderful animal and I want to bring some of that joy to everyone we can.

"For however long I have him, he will help me and others see what kind of life medication and technology can give us now."

USA TODAY contributed to this article.

Pythiosis or Swamp Cancer is Bad News

2008-11-08T21:14:00.001-05:00

By Dr Lana Watler
Cayman Animal Hospital

My dog loves to swim. A friend of mine told me, that I shouldn’t let her swim in the canals because she could catch swamp cancer. Is this true? What is swamp cancer and do I need to keep her out of the water?

Swamp cancer is the lay term for a disease called pythiosis. Pythium is a fungal-like organism found only in tropical and subtropical climates like the Cayman Islands. The parasite is a member of a class of organisms that are most similar to algae. They are microscopic organisms that are impossible to see with the naked eye. The infective stage of pythium is called a spore and is released in stagnant or swampy water. An unassuming dog victim can catch the spore by either standing or drinking contaminated water.

The spore can enter the skin through cuts or it can be ingested into the digestive tract. The infection can be presented in one of two different forms. If the spores enter through the skin, it causes a skin pythiosis. If the spores enter in the stomach and/or intestines it forms a gastrointestinal pythiosis.

Dogs with the skin or cutaneous form of pythiosis develop non-healing wounds, draining tracts and ulcerative nodules most commonly on the face, tail, feet and rump. The wounds are generally very itchy and usually develop secondary bacterial infections.

Dogs with the gastrointestinal form of pythiosis, usually present with non-specific signs such as anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. This form is more common and can be very deadly since the pythium forms tumours called granulomas in the stomach and intestines. This can cause a complete blockage of the intestines and therefore the dog will not be able to keep any food down. The dog will subsequently lose a lot of weight, and usually dies without radical and immediate treatment.

Diagnosis of both forms can be achieved by a specialized blood test or through microscopic examination of the organism on skin sections or intestinal biopsies. Medical treatment has been very frustrating with only approximately 25% of the cases responding. Radical surgery is usually required for dogs with either the skin or gastrointestinal form of the disease.

Pythiosis or swamp cancer is not a very good disease to contract as the cure rate is very low. In order to keep your dog healthy and safe, prohibit your dog from swimming or playing in stagnant or swampy water. Swimming is great exercise, but is best done in free flowing water like at the beach.

To contact Dr Lana Watler, call the Cayman Animal Hospital on 946-8387

12 Tips on Living with Cancer in Your Animal Companion

2008-11-08T21:08:00.001-05:00

by Sandra Murphy

“I’m sorry, but she has cancer.” More and more people are hearing these words from their veterinarians. I heard them when my dog, Izzie, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. From that moment, life became an emotional roller coaster as my whole focus shifted toward buying more time for Izzie. I had difficult decisions to make and had to adapt as circumstances changed. The following 12 tips helped me through Izzie’s illness with dignity and grace.

1. Assemble a good team of veterinarians. Ask for recommendations. Make sure the doctors respect the choices you want to make for your dog or cat. You may decide, as I did, to mix conventional and holistic treatments. Acupuncture after chemotherapy or radiation helps boost an animal’s immune system and fight nausea. You may also want to upgrade your animal’s food and perhaps add vitamins and herbs. It is essential that your veterinarians are comfortable with this and that you trust them.

2. Keep each day as normal as possible. Animals react to our moods and feelings. If we are constantly worrying and checking up on them, it will affect their well-being. Your dog or cat is going through a lot already, with frequent examinations and treatments. Sticking to a daily routine will be comforting for both of you.

3. Live in the “now.” This is admittedly a hard one to follow. You’re not only worried about your animal, but also the effect, outcome and cost of treatment. You may find yourself constantly watching for new symptoms and wondering, “could I be doing more?” Try to focus on today. Look at the experience as an opportunity for you and your animal to bond more closely. Remember that each day you have together means your animal is a cancer survivor for that day. Celebrate!
4. Find someone to talk to. A lot of people are caring for animals with cancer. Ask your veterinarian to put you in contact with them. Talks with my friend, Skip, helped — his dog, Beau, was having daily radiation treatments, so he faced some of the same problems.
You can also participate in email discussion groups. Go to Yahoo Groups and search out canine or feline cancer to find a group that best fits your needs.
Your animal can be another source of support. Lesley’s dog, Greta, is always happy, able to tolerate medical treatments, is pain free and always focuses on the carrot (her favorite treat). Her upbeat nature helps Lesley cope with her own feelings.

5. Find an outlet for your emotions. You will have a lot of anger aimed at the cancer. Your frustration level may rise, and you’ll have trouble concentrating. A physical outlet will do wonders for your disposition and mental health. This may be the time to take up kickboxing!

6. Don’t cry in front of your animal. Your impulse may be to hug your dog or cat while pouring out your worries or sadness, but don’t do it. While your tears will relax your own tension, it will stress your animal. Cry in the shower instead, or see a sad movie. Wear comfortable clothes, eat popcorn and chocolate, cry through the movie and you’ll feel better afterwards!

7. Adapt your routines to new limitations. Your animal’s mind is still sharp, but his body may be tired. Instead of going for a one-mile run with your dog, for example, take a leisurely walk with lots of stops to smell the roses (and the trees, park bench, gate, etc.). Stimulate your dog’s mind by walking or driving to a new location. The change will do you both good. If you have a cat, it’s still important to play with her, but stop when she wants to rest.

8. Make new memories. Take lots of pictures, or start a scrapbook. Encourage your partner or kids to share their favorite stories about the animal. This helps you celebrate his life and the time you’ve had together, and not just focus on his illness.

9. Tell your friends and relatives your animal is ill. If you don’t want sympathy, say so. Tell them what is wrong, what you are doing to fix it, and what might happen. Tell them when you feel like talking and when you want some space. You will hear some insensitive remarks, but exercise patience. Not everyone will understand your choices, especially the money you’re spending on treatments.

10. Ask for a sign. Tell your veterinarian to let you know if your animal begins to suffer. You may not see it yourself. Ask what symptoms to look for. Then ask your animal to give you a clear sign if or when he is finished with treatment and medications. Trust him to let you know. Mine did.

11. Make plans for “after.” If your animal’s cancer is terminal, you’ll need to give some thought to his passing. Do you want to bury him in a pet cemetery or arrange for cremation? Although this may not be for everyone, I donate Izzie’s body to research when she passed away in Nov. of 2004. She went to the University of Missouri in Columbia. This was an extremely difficult decision and I did it only with the stipulation that the instructors, when discussing Izzie’s autopsy for classes, would also tell the story of her life – her rescue, her work as a therapy dog, and her valiant fight against the cancer. It helps to know her memory lives on with the students as well as the people she visited as a therapy dog.

12. Forgive yourself if you can’t follow all these tips. It can easily happen. You might find yourself getting upset when your animal won’t eat, or losing your temper when someone questions spending so much money on an animal. Your good intentions of spending quality time with your companion every day may get sidetracked. Life gets in the way. Don’t feel guilty. Just do the best your can. Your dog or cat will never ask for more.
Keep in mind that not every cancer diagnosis is a death sentence. The amount of time you can buy for your companion will vary depending on your choices and the nature of the illness. Whether he’s old or young, terminal or cured, these tips will help you build a better relationship with him. Most of all, remember — it is not your fault.

Sandra Murphy lives in St. Louis with Avery (a Cairn/Yorkie mix) and a herd of cats. When not writing or working at her computer, she works as a pet sitter.

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

2008-11-08T21:04:00.001-05:00

Canine Cancer Takes Center Stage
Every November, Pet Cancer Awareness Month seeks to educate, empower pet owners.
Posted: November 4, 2008, 5 a.m. EST

A month-long campaign aims to educate pet owners on the prevalence and management of cancer in cats and dogs and stress the importance of early detection.

National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, first launched in November 2005 by Veterinary Pet Insurance, seeks to empower pet owners so they can make optimal health care decisions for their pets, said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI. “Even though nearly one in four pets will be diagnosed with cancer, few pet owners know how commonly it occurs and what treatment options exist,” she said.

With the development of sophisticated treatments and the willingness of pet owners to pursue those options, cancer is claiming fewer four-legged victims these days, according to the pet health insurer.

Knowing the signs of cancer in your pet is key. Common signs include the following:

A growing lump or sore that doesn’t heal.
Discharge or bleeding from any opening.
Weight loss despite normal exercise and activity.
Going more than a day or two without eating.
Demonstrating an unusually excessive appetite.
An over consumption of water, followed by frequent urination.
Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
Any unusually bad smell coming from your pet.
Tiring easily and unwillingness to exercise.
In addition, McConnell said routine physical examinations are essential for every pet. “Successful treatment of pet cancer depends on early detection,” she said.

Another way to fight the disease is through supporting cancer research for pets and people. Funds for research will be raised through sales of Pet Cancer Awareness dog collars now until the end of November, and a K9K pet cancer awareness walk for people and their pets, Saturday, Nov. 15 in downtown Long Beach, Calif.

Fourth Annual National Pet Cancer Awareness Month

2008-10-05T07:39:00.001-04:00

Show Your Support – Put a Collar on Pet Cancer!

More than 25,000 canine and feline cancer-related claims were filed with VPI in 2007, an increase of nearly 4,000 claims since 2006. Such a growth indicates the importance of routine veterinarian visits to monitor pets for early signs of the disease. This year’s National Pet Cancer Awareness Month is VPI’s fourth campaign since the company launched the initiative in 2005. The educational endeavor has sparked increased cancer awareness and philanthropy among pet owners nationwide.

VPI policyholders and concerned pet owners everywhere are encouraged to contribute donations through the purchase of a VPI limited-edition Pet Cancer Awareness dog collar. These handsome collars, adorned with the Cancer Society’s signature ribbon, will be available in four different sizes. All sales profits go directly to the Animal Cancer Foundation. Let you and your canine companion show your dedicated support for the fight against pet cancer -- order yours today!

A Minneapolis dog is the first to try an experimental treatment that could work on incurable brain tumors in people and dogs.

2008-08-10T19:31:00.002-04:00

Batman has always been a hero to Anna and Eric Baker. Not the comic book variety, but a furry, 38-pound, bat-eared one who patiently lets their toddler climb all over him.

Now, if all goes well, he may also become a hero for the thousands of people -- and tens of thousands of dogs -- who each year have brain tumors diagnosed that are equally fatal in both.

Tuesday, Batman was the first patient to get an experimental therapy that researchers at the University of Minnesota hope will cure his brain cancer, which is the same kind that Sen. Ted Kennedy has. If it works for Batman and other dogs, they say, it holds enormous promise as an effective treatment for people, too.

Batman has joined a relatively new field of research called comparative oncology, where researchers leverage what they learn from pets for both animals and people. Advances in molecular and genetic testing show that many diseases in animals don't just look the same in humans, they are the same, said Dr. Jaime Modiano, professor of comparative oncology at the university's veterinary school.

The approach is gaining momentum because testing experimental treatments in animals is also a lot faster and easier than testing them in people. There is no federal regulatory approval process, for one. Since dogs and most other animals don't live as long as humans, both their diseases and treatments progress or fail seven to ten times faster.

That means the Bakers will know within three to seven months, rather than years, whether Tuesday's surgery and the experimental treatment will prevent Batman's cancer from returning.

A hefty vet bill is avoided

The price is right, too. Because it's part of a federally funded cancer research trial, the Bakers are spared a $6,000 to $9,000 vet bill for surgery and painful radiation that might have done their dog as much harm as good.

"He was always the most popular member of our family," said Eric Baker, 45. "Now he's the most popular and the most famous."

"And the one with the best medical care," added Baker's wife, Anna Brailovsky, 37.

She and her husband, who live in Minneapolis, found him while they were graduate students in Berlin, Germany, in 1999. They threw a party. Two hundred people and one bat-eared dog showed up.

He is 10 years old now. Two weeks ago he had a seizure. Then in a matter of days he had two more. A university vet said he might be fine. Or he might have a brain tumor. Only a $1,400 MRI could tell them.

They faced the dilemma that many pet owners confront. Should they spend thousands for diagnostic testing and treatment that might -- or might not -- extend his life a little, but could also make him miserable? Eric Baker is out of work and their debts are piling up.

"Should I let my dog die because I didn't have the money," Anna Brailovsky said. It might be different if Batman was near the end of his life, but he was still lively. "I could no more do that to him than I could for a person," she said.

Then they got a call from Dr. Elizabeth Pluhar, a veterinary neurological surgeon at the university. She had a proposal. If he had a tumor, Batman could be the first of 50 dogs they hope to enroll as part of a federally funded research trial to test a combination of gene therapy and vaccine.

Both are experimental treatments for human types of cancer, but so far neither has proven to work especially well.

Just across town, Dr. John Trusheim is experimenting with a cancer vaccine in people with brain tumors. By coincidence, the first Minnesota patient got his first injection just last week, said Trusheim, a brain cancer specialist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

While vaccines have had limited success on other types of cancer, scientists are eager to try it with brain cancer, Trusheim said.

"We're up against a tumor that has just a miserable prognosis," Trusheim said. Such tumors kill 13,000 people a year and are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children.

Early studies of the human vaccine, called DCVax, showed it slowed tumor progression by several months, he said. But the results of this study, which will involve hundreds of patients nationwide, won't be known for at least two years.

Gene therapy at work

John Ohlfest, head of the neurosurgery gene therapy program at the university's Masonic Cancer Center, is combining a vaccine with what is known as gene therapy. After surgically removing the tumor, the remaining cancer cells are triggered into producing a protein that makes them visible to the body's immune system. A vaccine made from dead brain tumor cells directs the body's immune system to attack and destroy new tumor cells.

Both he and Trusheim say it's the first time a combination therapy has been tried beyond mice, where it has cured them three-fourths of the time, which Ohlfest said is remarkable success.

It would take a decade or more to win approval from the Food and Drug Administration to try the combination therapy in people, Ohlfest said. But dogs are twice as likely as humans to develop such tumors and there's no good effective treatment for them either.

"We will figure out how to treat these animals and tell the FDA we can do it in people," he said.

On Tuesday morning Batman lay on an operating table at the university's hospital for small animals. Anna Brailovsky watched the room packed with animal and human doctors from a window.

"The only thing that stops me from being nervous is that they have so much at stake in keeping him alive," she said.

2 dogs, 2,000 miles - Austin to Boston to Cure Dog Cancer

2008-07-13T12:07:00.000-04:00

By Wendy Ledbetter

When Luke Robinson’s Great Pyrenees Malcolm became ill, it didn’t take Robinson long to discover two things – he was going to be devastated by the loss of the animal who had become friend and companion, and there are no options for a dog with cancer.

That started a crusade to bring awareness to canine and feline cancer and a possible answer to the problem. Robinson said that drug companies create cancer in laboratory animals so that they can test potential treatments. Robinson said that instead of making healthy animals sick, he’d like to see the drug companies use dogs and cats that already have cancer. The potential is that animals afflicted with cancer would have access to cutting-edge treatments which is not currently the case.

“To me it was unacceptable that the only cancer drugs available were decades old,” Robinson said.

Even more disturbing to him was the fact that those drugs had been removed from the shelves of human treatment options because they didn’t work and the cost of treatment is prohibitively expensive.

Robinson said he’s not promoting treatment of animals above humans or even that human cancer treatment options should be pushed aside in favor of animal options. Instead, he proposes a marriage of the two, giving pet owners hope of finding something that works when their companion falls ill while providing a way for drug companies to continue human treatment development.

Robinson said that when he started looking for a way to create awareness for this problem, he came up with the idea of “2 Dogs, 2,000 miles” and the plan was to walk with his two canine companions – Murphy and Hudson – from Austin, Texas, to Boston, Mass. But Murphy developed a limp along the way and is currently being cared for by a couple in Texarkana. Robinson said that when Murphy became ill, the first fear was that he had developed bone cancer but tests revealed it was a stress fracture. Murphy is to rejoin Hudson and Robinson somewhere around Memphis.

Robinson said he has met many wonderful people along his route so far. He said that he has also encountered those who don’t understand why he’s set out on this mission.

“I just had to do something,” he said.

And his motivation?

It was all because of his bond with Malcolm.

Robinson said that he had never developed that kind of bond with a dog before he brought Malcolm home. Soon after the dog arrived in his life, he had that “man-to-man” talk. “Don’t chew on the loafers,” was among the instructions given to Malcolm. Robinson said he told the dog that he wasn’t going to talk baby talk to the dog and that he was expected to respect Robinson’s possessions.

“He broke me in a week,” Robinson said. “And when he got cancer, it shattered my world.”

Information about Robinson’s cause is available online at www.2dogs2000miles.org.

Robinson was in Prescott June 26, was to be in Little Rock over the weekend and planned to pick his route back up to be in Gurdon on June 30 or July 1 and in Arkadelphia on July 3 or 4.

Dog lovers find natural ways to keep their furry friends healthy

2008-07-05T21:55:00.001-04:00

BY LINDA BICKFORD • lbickfor@visalia.gannett.com • June 30, 2008

Dog lover Valinda Marston of Visalia thinks there's a time to take a pet to the veterinarian and a time to do something else.

For Marston, as for many others, the "something else" includes prevention of illness with good nutrition, along with herbal or homeopathic remedies when a pet does become ill.

Nutrition is where it all begins, for pets as well as for humans, she says.

"Nine years ago a friend asked me why I fed my dogs dog food," Marston said. So, she started doing research. "If you find out what's in dog food, you wouldn't feed it to a rat. It's really bad."

Marston started mixing raw meat with her German shepherds' food, then gradually ditched the dog food and now feeds them raw meat, which she buys from a supplier, with raw vegetables — mainly the pulp left over from the juices she and her husband make for themselves.

Her dogs, Konig, 9, and Dallas, 3, also get raw organic eggs, avocados and raw bones. She says the dogs are never sick.

That hasn't always been the case, though. When Marston first got Dallas, the breeder had already given the 9-week-old pup two vaccinations.

"We brought her home, and two weeks later she came down with parvo," Marston said.

The vet told her there was a good chance she would lose Dallas.

"She couldn't even lift her head up," Marston said. "I had to make a decision: Did I want to put what I had been reading into action?"

She opted to bring Dallas home.

"I thought it would be better — if I am going to lose her — to make her comfortable and give her love and not just leave her at the vet's to die," Marston said.

She spent the night on the floor next to Dallas. She knew from her research that dehydration is a big factor in parvo.

"Any time she stirred, I gave her water," Marston said.

Marston says at 5:30 the next morning she felt the pup's fever break and by 7 a.m., Dallas was able to lift her head.

"She has never been sick since," Marston said, adding that her dogs don't have fleas, ticks or heartworm.

"The fleas aren't interested," she said. "They would rather go to a dog with a weaker immune system, just like any other kind of parasite."

Do the research
She encourages others to do research and to be comfortable with their choices.

"I may have had a whole different opinion if I had lost that puppy," she said. "But that success led me to look into more [holistic] things."

Marston advises people to key the letters "BARF" (bones and raw food) into a search engine for a whole host of Web sites on nutrition and natural healing for pets.

Another fan of using the Internet to research holistic remedies for pets is Woodlake resident Mary Hornback.

"Frontline [flea medication] is spooky to me because it's got all those chemicals in it," she said.

She is currently researching the use of diatomaceous earth instead.

"It's silky in your hand, but when you put it on your dog, it's like razors to the fleas," she said.

Molly, Hornback's 13-year-old Bassett hound-Labrador mix, and Texie, her 7-year-old golden retriever-Bassett hound mix, get their ears washed weekly with a vinegar solution, various recipes for which Hornback found on several Web sites.

According to the vet, Molly had an ear infection and Hornback checked to see if there was something natural she could do for the pooch to augment what the vet recommended.

She says the vinegar solution keeps the infection from recurring.

One recipe for the solution lists equal amounts of rubbing alcohol, vinegar and water and another has just vinegar and water. Hornback uses either, depending on whether she wants the drying effect of the alcohol.

If a dog has an active infection, she mixes the solution daily in a measuring cup, pours a little solution into the dog's ear, then folds the ear closed and massages it to spread the liquid around. Then she wipes the ear all over inside with a soft paper towel.

For prevention or maintenance, once a week she dips the towel into straight vinegar and wipes the inside of the ear.

Both processes end with Hornback letting the ears fold back into their normal position.

"The fumes go down the canal," she said. "It keeps bacteria and fungus from growing."

Hornback says she can tell when either of the dogs' ears are itching because they shake their heads and rub their ears on the ground or floor.

Human health tips
Certified herbalist and iridologist Marene Mayer of Visalia works on humans, but her friends and acquaintances often ask her about her experiences when their pets are ill, and she is happy to share with them what has worked for her own pets.

Mayer became interested in treating her pets in 1989 when her 6-year-old dog, Sheena, developed lymphoma.

A doctor from a cancer clinic in Mexico suggested she try red clover, and within six weeks Sheena's lumps started disappearing. The dog lived to be 13, Mayer said.

"I like working on animals because they just take their supplements and get better," she said.

Continuing her research and networking with animal practitioners, Mayer says she "read until I was blue in the face," and learned acupressure and chiropractic adjustment for her animals from a Santa Cruz chiropractor.

A Dinuban's story
Sharon Lehner of Dinuba called Mayer a couple of months ago when her dog had a fungal infection.

Mayer told her that when her own dog had a fungus, she gave it the herb pau d' arco, and the fungus cleared up. So, Lehner decided to try it on her shih tzu, Hallee, 9.

In about a week, Lehner could see a difference. Hallee's appetite returned and she had more energy.

Cynthia Martinez, who works in the College of the Sequoias nursing division, went to see Mayer for her own health situation.

When she saw photos of Mayer's pets, she told Mayer about a problem one of her dogs, a 7-year-old German shepherd named Cassy, was having with hairless patches on her hip.

Veterinary treatment during 18 months had failed to improve the condition, Martinez says.

The hip was becoming so painful that the dog's mobility was affected.

Martinez ended up giving Cassy an herb orally and using a paste of coconut oil mixed with an herb on the patches.

She says it wasn't long before Cassy was playing like a puppy again.

"It takes perseverance and effort to stay on [a holistic] program," Martinez said. "Every morning and every evening you have to mix these herbs in with a bit of soft food.

"If I have to do that to keep them healthy so that I can enjoy them, and they can enjoy life more, it seems a small price to pay."

Is Tap Water Safe For Your Dog?

2008-06-15T13:58:00.001-04:00

With all the concerns about what's in our food and our water, many of us are paying even more attention these days to what we are giving our pets.

You can't blame pet owners for taking a few precautions. After all, pet food recalls raised concerns about chemical contamination; even treats have been scrutinized.

Long-term consumption of disinfected tap water -- the stuff that flows from our faucets after being treated with chemicals such as chlorine -- has been associated with bladder cancer in people. But the study, which was led by Dr. Lorraine Backer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that there is no such association in dogs.

There may be more than one reason why dogs that drink tap water don't have an increased risk of bladder cancer, even though people apparently do. First, a dog's exposure to drinking water disinfection by-products -- the chemicals that are produced when things like chlorine interact with natural organic matter -- is different from that of its human owners. Dogs don't gulp down a big glass of water like people often do. Their water usually sits in a bowl for hours, which allows the chemical concentrations to decrease over time.

Second, dogs don't take long showers or baths like people do. And showering and bathing are important routes of human exposure to chemical by-products of tap water.

The study focused on 200 dogs living in residential settings, 100 of which had bladder cancer and 100 of which did not. While the results showed that dogs with bladder cancer were exposed to higher total chemical by-product concentrations than the control dogs, the difference wasn't significant enough to draw a connection between tap water consumption and bladder cancer, the study says.

MAF offers Web program on canine cancer

2008-06-15T12:06:00.000-04:00

Denver - Veterinary oncologists from two leading canine cancer research centers, at Colorado State University and Cornell University, participated in a canine cancer exclusive presentation now featured on the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Web site, www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
The MAF exclusive includes a question-and-answer session led by three veterinary oncologists from CSU's Animal Cancer Center, the world's largest facility of it kind. Questions were submitted from owners whose dogs have cancer, the leading cause of death in dogs over age 2, and from dog breeders, boarding kennel managers and others.

The presentation also includes canine cancer facts and updates from Cornell's Sprecher Institute for Comparative Cancer Research. Links are provided to Cornell's "Pet Owner's Guide to Cancer" and other educational sites.

The MAF site also offers links to other veterinary cancer centers in the United States and United Kingdom, to help anyone interested contact the center nearest their home.

Denver-based MAF, which has funded nearly 1,400 humane animal-health studies, is conducting a global campaign aimed at curing canine cancer in the next one to two decades, while seeking to develop more effective treatments in the meantime. For details, visit www.CureCanineCancer.org.

Cross Country Bike Ride for Dog Cancer

2008-06-15T12:04:00.000-04:00

Nampa, Idaho -- An Oregon man is bicycling across the country to raise money and awareness about dog cancer.

Ted Schneck traveled through the Treasure Valley as part of an 82-day ride that will end in Virginia Beach, Va.

Schneck was inspired to hit the road after he lost his pooch, Marty, to cancer after a 15-month battle.

"I got a letter from one man saying he'd sold his truck, his only transportation, to get his dog the first surgery and his dog had been with him through divorce and everything. He's bi-polar and has no idea what he's going to do when he loses his dog," said Schneck.

Schneck is raising money by selling space on his website, www.dogcancerride.com, where people can put up tributes to their pets.

The cash will go to three canine cancer charities, that help pet owners that may not be able to afford costly medical treatments.

Veterinarians are making stunning progress with adult, animal stem cells.

2008-05-31T09:15:00.001-04:00

Nearly crippled dogs are suddenly walking, even running again. And there's hope that it will work on humans, too.

When you hear stem cells, you may instantly think controversy. Embryonic stem cell research has been fiercely debated because those cells can be derived only from human embryos.

But what we're talking about here is taking adult stem cells from your own body. It's already being done with great success in horses, cats and dogs. Man's best friend often shares some of man's worst ailments.

Hali, a 12-year-old golden retriever mix is helping to blaze a trail in cutting edge medicine. "I've seen animals that have gone from barely being able to walk to trotting and running down the driveway," said Dr. Cheryl Adams. Adams is a pioneer of stem cell therapy. One of only two vets in Illinois certified to do it, she's treated 30 dogs so far.

She extracted stem cells from River, an 8-year-old German Shepherd mix who may look familiar because of how he got his name. In the winter of 2001, the lost pup was trapped out on the ice of the Chicago River. The man who led the rescue, Chicago Police Lieutenant Jim Gantz, wound up adopting him and naming him, of course, River.
"He's just been a terrific dog, he's the best," Gantz said. But over the years, River developed osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. So now, Adams is removing fat from River's abdomen.

The vials are then packed up and shipped overnight to a company called Vet Stem in San Diego. The fat cells are put into a centrifuge that separates the stem cells. And two days later, they're re-injected into the dog's joints.
"This science actually gives a chance to rejuvenate tissue, tendon, ligament and bone. So the dog can actually get better," said Gantz. "It really is cutting edge stuff, it's pretty exciting stuff."

It costs about $3,000, but Adams says River's results, as in most cases, have been spectacular and almost immediate. "His energy level went through the roof, and we increased his range of motion by 20 degrees on his right hip," said Adams.
As hopeful and exciting as this is for canines, imagine if they could do it for humans. Well, you won't have to imagine much longer. It's already in the works.
Vet Stem is already testing treatments for repairing damaged livers, kidneys and hearts in dogs and cats.

The hope is someday soon, stem cells will not only help humans suffering from arthritis, but also stroke and heart attack victims, maybe even regenerate damaged spinal cords. It's a hope made all the more real by the long-term success of Hali, the golden retriever. Two years after being treated, Hali is still a different dog. And her owner, a neurosurgeon, is a true believer that the day is coming when stem cells will help many of us.

"She's done remarkable. I mean here's a dog who couldn't go up and down the stairs, who didn't want to walk, now goes up and down the stairs and barks every morning at 4:30 to go to the park," said her owner.

Experts say adult stem cell therapy for humans is about a decade off in the U.S., although it's already being done in some other countries. This treatment is not for every dog or cat. Those with cancer or some other conditions are not considered good candidates. But those that are have seen some incredible results.
(Copyright ©2008 WLS-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

Second-hand smoke and your dog

2008-05-31T09:12:00.001-04:00

In the past I have been asked on many occasions if I feel that second hand smoke in the home is bad for dogs. Just recently the subject came up again when I received an e-mail from a reader asking the same thing.

While I could offer a very long winded personal opinion on this topic, I have decided to provide the following article which I hope will answer the question to some degree.

This was printed in the May Dogs in Canada issue. A multi-published writer, Jeff Grognet, B.Sc. (Agr), runs a veterinary practice in Qualicum Beach B.C., along with his wife Louise Janes, D.V.M. He writes:

"Second-hand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is known to play a role in the development of cancer, lung disease and heart disease in people. Now evidence shows it is a health hazard to dogs as well.

"ETS is linked to canine nasal sinus (nose) cancer. Dogs in ETS households have a greater chance of developing this cancer than dogs that are not exposed to second-hand smoke.

"Long-nosed dogs such as Collies are at the highest risk for nasal cancer. Two hypotheses have been proposed for this. One is that their longer nasal passages contain more cells than those of short-nosed dogs, so have a greater opportunity to develop tumors.

"The other hypothesis is based on how smoke is inhaled. Cigarette smokers inhale through their mouths and the carcinogens in the smoke are deposited directly in the lungs, triggering lung cancer.

"On the other hand, bystanders inhale ETS through the nose, which filters cancer-causing chemicals. You can imagine that these nasal filters are effective in long-nosed dogs so the carcinogens become concentrated.

"In contrast, squat-nosed dogs have shorter nasal passages that are less efficient at removing carcinogens from the air. The result - short-nosed dogs have fewer nasal tumors but more lung tumors than their long-nosed counterparts.

"Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon also delved into the question of whether cigarette smoke affects overall health. They performed physical exams, had owners fill out questionnaires, and performed a myriad of tests.

"What they found was that dogs from smoking households had more muscle on the left side of the heart, supposedly reflecting a heart that is working harder to pump blood. This, along with poor relaxation of the arteries, indicated the dogs had high blood pressure.

"Although the changes in the dogs' hearts did not seem to create signs of illness, the same heart changes in people often lead to significant cardiac disease. We don't know what the heart changes mean for the dogs' long-term health, so studies are ongoing.

"As we share more of our lives with our dogs, they are exposed to the same environmental hazards that we are. We know that second-hand smoke is bad for people. Now we know it's bad for our dogs."

I hope this sheds a little light on the subject.

* Pet Chat is a weekly question and answer column written by Greater Moncton SPCA Shelter Manager Nanette Pearl. Do you have a question about pets, the Moncton SPCA or anything else "pet" related? Send your questions by e-mail to nanette@monctonspca.org or visit the Moncton SPCA website at www.monctonspca.ca. The staff and volunteers of the SPCA remind readers to please spay and neuter their pets.

Bone Marrow Transplants to Become Available for Dogs

2008-05-16T21:36:00.000-04:00

Michael Rollins, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
SEATTLE -- Washington State University plans to start offering bone marrow tranplants for dogs with cancer. They won't be cheap, with cost at upwards of $20,000.

The bone marrow or stem cell transplant -- a procedure that every year saves tens of thousands of human lives and won for the Seattle physician who pioneered it the 1990 Nobel Prize in medicine -- appears poised to come full circle and become more widely available to those who first made it all possible.

"They helped us figure out how to help save ourselves, so this represents a big give-back to the canine species," said Dr. Jeffrey Bryan, a veterinary oncologist at WSU.

Bryan is spearheading a project to soon launch what would be the world's first large-scale clinical transplant program for dogs. The program is expected to become available to treat dogs with lymphoma this summer.

Bone marrow transplants had been done experimentally in dogs over the decades, Bryan said, and clinically for a few dogs by some pioneering private-practice veterinarians. However, the procedure has never before been routinely offered as a cancer therapy for the canine community, he said.

The Kanzius Machine: A Cancer Cure?

2008-04-26T21:54:00.002-04:00

What if we told you that a guy with no background in science or medicine-not even a college degree-has come up with what may be one of the most promising breakthroughs in cancer research in years?

Well it's true, and if you think it sounds improbable, consider this: he did it with his wife's pie pans and hot dogs.

His name is John Kanzius, and he's a former businessman and radio technician who built a radio wave machine that has cancer researchers so enthusiastic about its potential they're pouring money and effort into testing it out.

Here's the important part: if clinical trials pan out-and there's still a long way to go-the Kanzius machine will zap cancer cells all through your body without the need for drugs or surgery and without side effects. None at all. At least that's the idea.

The last thing John Kanzius thought he'd ever do was try to cure cancer. A former radio and television executive from Pennsylvania, he came to Florida to enjoy his retirement.

"I have no business being in the cancer business. It’s not something that a layman like me should be in, it should be left to doctors and research people," he told correspondent Lesley Stahl.

"But sometimes it takes an outsider," Stahl remarked.

"Sometimes it just - maybe you get lucky," Kanzius replied.

It was the worst kind of luck that gave Kanzius the idea to use radio waves to kill cancer cells: six years ago, he was diagnosed with terminal leukemia and since then has undergone 36 rounds of toxic chemotherapy. But it wasn't his own condition that motivated him, it was looking into the hollow eyes of sick children on the cancer ward at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

"I saw the smiles of youth and saw their spirits were broken. And you could see that they were sort of asking, 'Why can't they do something for me?'" Kanzius told Stahl.

"So they started to haunt you. The children," Stahl asked.
"Their faces. I still remember them holding on their Teddy bears and so forth," he replied. "And shortly after that I started my own chemotherapy, my third round of chemotherapy."

Kanzius told Stahl the chemotherapy made him very sick and that he couldn't sleep at night. "And I said, 'There’s gotta be a better way to treat cancer.'"

It was during one of those sleepless nights that the light bulb went off. When he was young, Kanzius was one of those kids who built radios from scratch, so he knew the hidden power of radio waves. Sick from chemo, he got out of bed, went to the kitchen, and started to build a radio wave machine.

"Started looking in the cupboard and I saw pie pans and I said, 'These are perfect. I can modify these,'" he recalled.

His wife Marianne woke up that night to a lot of banging and clamoring. "I was concerned truthfully that he had lost it," she told Stahl.

"She felt sorry for me," Kanzius added.

"I did," Marianne Kanzius acknowledged. "And I had mentioned to him, 'Honey, the doctors can't-you know, find an answer to cancer. How can you think that you can?'"

That's what 60 Minutes wanted to know, so Stahl went to his garage laboratory to find out.

Here's how it works: one box sends radio waves over to the other, creating enough energy to activate gas in a fluorescent light. Kanzius put his hand in the field to demonstrate that radio waves are harmless to humans.

"So right from the beginning you're trying to show that radio waves could activate gas and not harm the human-anything else," Stahl remarked. "'Cause you're looking for some kind of a treatment with no side effects, that's what's in your head."

"No side effects," Kanzius replied.

But how could he focus the radio waves to destroy cancer cells?

"That was the next $64,000 question," Kanzius said.

The answer would cost much more than that. Kanzius spent about $200,000 just to have a more advanced version of his machine built. He knew that metal heats up when it's exposed to high-powered radio waves. So what if a tumor was injected with some kind of metal, and zapped with a focused beam of radio waves? Would the metal heat up and kill the cancer cells, but leave the area around them unharmed? He did his first test with hot dogs.

"I'm going to inject it with some copper sulfate," Kanzius explained, demonstrating the machine. "And I’m going to take the probe right at the injection site."

Kanzius placed the hot dog in his radio wave machine, and Stahl watched to see if the temperature would rise in that one area where the metal solution was and nowhere else.

"And when I saw it start to go up I said, 'Eureka, I've done it,'" Kanzius remembered. "And I said, 'God, I gotta shut this off and see whether it's still cold down below.' So I shut it off, took my probe, went down here where it wasn’t injected. And the temperature dropped back down. And I said, 'God, maybe I got something here.'"

Kanzius thought he had found a way attack cancer cells without the collateral damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation. Today, his invention is in the laboratories of two major research centers - the University of Pittsburgh and M.D. Anderson, where Dr. Steven Curley, a liver cancer surgeon, is testing it.

"This technology may allow us to treat just about any kind of cancer you can imagine," Dr. Curley told Stahl. "I've gotta tell you, in 20 years of research this is the most exciting thing that I’ve encountered."

That's because Kanzius impressed Curley with another remarkable idea: to combine the radio waves from his device with something cutting edge - space age nanoparticles made of metal or carbon. They are so small that thousands of them can fit in a single cancer cell. Because they’re metallic, Kanzius was hoping his radio waves would them heat up and kill the cancer.

"If these nanoparticles work then we truly have something huge here," Kanzius told Stahl.

Enter Rick Smalley, another cancer patient at M.D. Anderson and the man who won the Nobel Prize for discovering nanoparticles made from carbon. As luck would have it, Dr. Curley was called in one day to examine Smalley. Before leaving, he asked him for some of his nanoparticles.

"I proceeded to tell him what I wanted to do and that I thought they would heat. He looked at me with sort of a studied long look and didn’t say anything. And then he looked at me and said, 'It won’t work,'" Curley remembered. "And just laughed and said, 'Well, look, I'll give you some. But don't be too disappointed.'"

So Dr. Curley brought a vial of those precious nanoparticles to John Kanzius.

(CBS) And on an August day in 2005, Curley and Kanzius put them to the test. Would the metallic nanoparticles heat up enough to kill cancer?

"So we take the nanoparticles, we put 'em in the radio field. And in about 15 seconds, they’re boiling and heating and Steve Curley couldn't contain himself. He called Rick Smalley and he said, 'Rick, you’re not going to believe this. He just blew the smithereens out of your nanoparticles,'" Kanzius recalled.

Smalley's response? "The only thing that I got out of him after this pause was, “Holy s…,'" Curley recalled.

Not long after that day, Smalley died of lymphoma. Once a skeptic, he had become one of Kanzius' biggest supporters.

"He didn’t expect it, but he embraced it to his death bed when he told Dr. Curley this will change medicine forever. Don't stop, no matter what you do," Kanzius told Stahl.

And they haven't stopped. They’ve already shown that the Kanzius machine can heat nanoparticles and cook cancer to death in animals. Dr. Curley with rabbits, and in Pittsburgh, Dr. David Geller demonstrated to 60 Minutes how he used nanoparticles, made from gold, to kill liver cancer cells grown in rats.

"Now what we’re going to do is inject the nanoparticles," Dr. Geller explained. "Directly into the tumor."

In the study the rats, anesthetized to keep them still, were exposed to the Kanzius radio waves. Dr. Geller later examined their tumors under a microscope.

"What you can see is that cells are starting to fall apart. You see white spaces in between them. The body of the cell is shrinking, the cells are starting to die," Geller pointed out.

"And can you tell from this whether the area surrounding the tumor had any destruction?" Stahl asked.

"Grossly inspecting the animal, we did not see not see any damage to the surrounding tissue," Geller said.

So far, the Kanzius method has only been applied to solid, localized tumors in animals. The ultimate goal is to treat cancer that has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. Those undetectable rogue cells are what most often kill people with cancer and the trick is finding them.

"If we can't target the microscopic cells this is not going to be a cure," Curley said.

That’s why Curley is trying to use special molecules that are programmed to target cancer cells and attach nanoparticles to them.

He showed Stahl an animation of how he hopes the targeting will work in people one day, with a simple injection of gold nanoparticles into the bloodstream.

"What we’re seeing here is an example of a gold nanoparticle in this case with an antibody on it, so the antibody would be the targeting molecule," Curley explained. "You can see it is tiny compared to a normal red blood cell just imagine all of these billions of these gold nanoparticles circulating through the body and then once they get into the blood vessels going to the tumor, these nanoparticles would go through and bind on the surface of the cell."

"The cancer cell. It wouldn't bind on a normal cell," Stahl observed.

"That's right, they would bind only to the cancer cell. Now here’s the nanoparticles in the cell, here comes John's radio frequency treatment. The cells get hot and they’re destroyed," Curley said.

"Gosh, it does look like one of those science fiction movies," Stahl remarked.

"Right now it is a little science fiction," Curley agreed. "We’re not quite to the real time yet, but it’s got a lot of promise."

Even if all goes well in the lab, it'll be at least another four years before human trials can start. But John Kanzius says he's afraid he doesn't have that much time. So to help speed up the research, he's been raising millions of dollars and getting press coverage about his invention.

"Now I can't count the number of times the journalistic community, has done stories on a cancer cure," Stahl said. "I did one in 1973. …How many times have we seen these things work in the Petri dish, work with animals. And then you get them into humans and they don’t work."

"Dozens," Curley replied.

But if this one does work, it most likely won't be developed in time to help the man who invented it. John Kanzius may have the option of a bone marrow transplant that could buy him more time, but after six years of chemo it would be another grueling ordeal.

"Did you ever say, 'I’m not going to do this anymore. I’m not going to put myself through it,'?" Stahl asked.

"Yes. I said that-only about a year and a half ago," Kanzius replied. "I changed my mind because I think with all the research that’s going on with the institutions, that maybe, I'd like to be around for the first patient to get treated and just have a smile."

"Oh my God," Stahl said.

"And then I don't care anymore," Kanzius replied.

Sunscreen for your dog?

2008-04-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

Alexandra HackettBradenton, Florida - They all remembered a leash, but no one at this dog park brought the sunscreen.

"I take my dog outside all the time. I have to he's just so hyper," said dog owner Marie Hunter.

Until now, it didn’t dawn on Marie Hunter her terrier

Oreo was in any danger.

"Most of the times dogs are very stoic about pain," explained Bradenton veterinarian Michael Fleck

After 35-years in the industry, Fleck has seen his share of doggie sun damage.

"We see at least 25 - 50 cases a year and I'm a single person practitioner”

A flash-bulb lit up about three years ago and Fleck forged ahead, his mind set on a sun protectant for dogs.

"It comes out as a mist rather than a spray so that will penetrate the hairs," he said.

Fleck hooked up with a chemist, spent tens of thousands of dollars on research and development as well as extensive testing with the FDA. “Epi-Pet” sunscreen got the green light.

"You need to rub in around the face, ears and muzzle," said Fleck.

He said his sun block will prevent sunburn and protect a dog against skin cancer. Little short haired terriers, like Oreo, he says, are more prone.

Marie doesn’t know if Oreo ever had sunburn. Now she insists she not taking any chances.

Fleck says the product will hit store shelves in the bay area in the next few weeks.

A container costs $18. Applied daily, it should last 3 to 4 months, depending on the size of the dog.

Did a Guy Find a Cure for Cancer Using Pie Tins and Hot Dogs?

2008-04-18T17:16:00.001-04:00

John Kanzius, a former businessman and radio technician who never graduated from college, may have discovered a way to kill cancer cells throughout the body without surgery, drugs, or side effects.

Kanzius was diagnosed with terminal leukemia six years ago, and after 36 rounds of chemotherapy and meeting children enduring the same, he decided to find a better cure. One night, he had a flash of inspiration, aided by his lifetime of experience with radio equipment. High-powered radio waves are harmless to human flesh, but will heat up metal particles. So if you can somehow lodge bits of metal into cancer cells, you can cook them with radio waves without damaging healthy tissue.

So he started playing around with his wife’s pie tins to try to reflect and concentrate radio waves, and ended up creating a prototype device that could send radio waves between two boxes. He then shelled out another $200,000 to create a more advanced, high-powered version, which he tested out with a copper sulfate-injected hot dog. If you’re hungry for details about how it works (or for a radio-cooked hot dog), read the patent; basically, the metal got hot, the rest of the doggie stayed cold.

But you can’t really go around cancer wards injecting copper sulfate into people’s tumors—and breasts and prostates aren’t hot dogs—so after months of MacGyver moments, Kanzius finally went for a more high-tech tool: nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be made out of metal, and thousands can fit inside a single cell. Kanzius took this idea to M.D. Anderson liver cancer surgeon Dr. Steven Curley.

Conveniently, one of Dr. Curley’s patients was Rick Smalley, the Nobel laureate who discovered carbon nanoparticles. Curley asked if he could experiment with some of his metal nanoparticles, and Kanzius ended up using his machine to “blow the smithereens out of [them].”

Curley has now used “the Kanzius machine” to cook cancer out of rabbits, and Dr. David Geller at the University of Pittsburgh has used it to destroy liver cancer cells in rats—which he even demonstrated on 60 Minutes.

The big problem is targeting only the cancer cells. Curley mentions that his goal is to find a way for the nanoparticles to bind only the cancer cells, but this is a serious challenge. People have already been trying to target chemo drugs for many years with limited success.

But if the device doesn’t turn out to be the cancer killer he hoped for, Kanzius can figure out how to use his machine for other purposes—last year, for example, he used it to burn salt water.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Presents Data on SPI-1620, a Novel Adjunct to Chemotherapy, at the American Association of Cancer Research Meeting

2008-04-18T17:11:00.001-04:00

IRVINE, Calif., Apr 15, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Nasdaq:SPPI) announced that data on a field study with SPI-1620 in dogs with spontaneously occurring tumors were presented via poster presentation at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), held in San Diego, California. SPI-1620, a highly selective endothelin-B receptor agonist, is being developed as an adjunct to cancer therapy. In earlier preclinical studies, SPI-1620 had demonstrated evidence of transiently enhancing the blood flow to tumors, thus increasing the delivery and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors, sparing normal tissues.

"In an ongoing field study with tumor-bearing dogs, being conducted at the University of Missouri- Columbia, SPI-1620 thus far has demonstrated evidence of selectively and transiently increasing blood flow to spontaneously-occurring tumors," said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "This dog study is a more predictive study than transplanted tumors in rodents. In previous rodent model studies we have demonstrated that SPI-1620 enhances the efficacy of a wide variety of chemotherapeutics in different tumor models. We believe that SPI-1620, currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial, could have a broad range of applications for use in conjunction with radiation and chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer."

#365 Use of a Novel Endothelin-B Agonist (SPI-1620) To Alter Blood Flow to Solid Tumors for Improved Chemotherapy Delivery in Dogs with Spontaneously-Occurring Tumors

Tumor-bearing dogs were enrolled in a field study and evaluated via physical examination and hematologic assessment. SPI-1620 was injected intravenously over one minute, and then laser Doppler probes (Periflux 4000(R: 67.12, +3.05, +4.76%), Perimed AB, Sweden) were used to measure perfusion in tumor and distant normal tissue for 3 hours. Cohorts of three dogs per dosage level were treated starting at 0.2 ug/kg. On day 7, SPI-1620 treatment was repeated followed 15 minutes later by chemotherapy. Toxicity monitoring included clinical observation and hematologic assessment.

To date, 5 dogs have been treated (3 at 0.2ug/kg and 2 at 0.4ug/kg) without toxicity. All vital signs have remained normal during and after each treatment for all dogs. All blood parameters have remained normal until after treatment for all dogs. Tumor perfusion increased 38-94% starting 17-20 minutes after SPI-1620 injection, with maximum effect by 1 hour and lasting for 3 hours post-injection. Perfusion to normal tissue changed less than 15%. One dog with metastatic mast cell tumor experienced a partial response. Enrollment in escalating dosage cohorts is ongoing.

It was concluded that SPI-1620 appears to affect blood flow to solid tumors and is well tolerated. This may improve delivery of chemotherapy to tumors and warrants further investigation of the effect on drug delivery and efficacy.

About SPI-1620

According to the most recent American Cancer Society estimates, in the United States, approximately 1.4 million new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed in 2008 and over 565,000 persons were expected to die from the disease in 2008. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. Chemotherapy is one of the mainstays of therapy for solid tumors. However, chemotherapy often fails because adequate tissue levels of the cytotoxic agents are not achieved in the tumor and serious side effects result from toxicity to normal cells. Consequently, any means to increase the delivery of a cytotoxic agent selectively to tumors, while minimizing its concentration in normal tissues, would be beneficial.

SPI-1620 is a highly selective endothelin-B agonist that causes a selective and transient increase in blood flow to tumors, thereby, as demonstrated in preclinical studies, increasing the delivery of anticancer agents to the tumor, and as a result increasing the efficacy of these drugs. In these pre-clinical studies, when anti-cancer drugs, such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, cisplatin, 5-FU, cyclophosphamide and others, were administered shortly after SPI-1620, the anti-cancer drug concentration in the tumor increased several fold. This resulted in increased anti-tumor efficacy at a given dose of the cytotoxic agent, and thus might allow physicians to maximize efficacy of reduced cytotoxic agent doses with resultant decreased toxicity to the normal organs. Preclinical proof of principle studies have been successfully conducted in a wide variety of indications such as breast, ovarian, melanoma, and prostate cancer. SPI-1620 is currently in a Phase 1 trial that is an open label, dose-escalation study assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SPI-1620 in patients with recurrent or progressive carcinoma.

Spectrum has proprietary worldwide rights to SPI-1620.

About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals

Dogs, cats get sunburn, too

2008-04-06T18:43:00.000-04:00

The approach of summer will bring constant reminders about the danger of overexposure to the sun and the need for sunscreen.

The dangers are real, and we should all take appropriate measures to prevent skin damage and skin cancer. But, did you know that the family pet is susceptible to many of the same diseases? Dogs, cats and even horses suffer from sunburn, solar dermatitis, and skin cancer.

The skin of a sunburned animal is red and painful, just as in people. Hair loss may also be evident. The most common sites for sunburn include the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skin around the lips, groin, abdomen and inner legs. Pets that have light-colored noses and skin, thin or missing hair, or have been shaved for surgery are at greater risk for solar induced skin diseases.

Sunburn can progress to solar dermatitis which is characterized by redness, hair loss, crusting and ulceration of the skin. With continued sun exposure skin cancer (such as squamous cell carcinoma) may occur.

The best way to prevent sunburn is to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This can be done by keeping the animal inside or providing shaded areas in the yard. Horses can be protected in a barn. Using a black felt-tip marker or tattooing depigmented areas of the nose can help absorb some sunlight, but alone will not prevent sunburn.

Sunscreens may help prevent sunburn in our pets. They are not only a good idea, but are actually recommended by The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) in appropriate animals. The sunscreen should be fragrance free, non-staining, and contain UVA and UVB blockers. Because most human sunscreens can be toxic if ingested by a dog or a cat it is best to use a pet specific product. Sunscreens should be applied liberally and reapplied every 4-6 hours during the brightest part of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Doggles, Nutri-vet, and Epi-Pet all produce pet specific sunscreens and can be found on-line. Be sure to inquire which product is right for your pet as some products should not be used on cats.

Ideally, it is better to prevent sunburn than to treat it. However, if sunburn does occur your veterinarian can provide you and your pet with treatment options.

Austin-Boston walk to raise research funds for canine cancer

2008-04-06T18:30:00.000-04:00

Jordan Wentz
Luke Robinson is walking from Austin, Texas, to Boston with his two dogs to raise money for canine cancer research.

"Big Dog" Luke Robinson, and his "boys," two canines that answer to calls of Hudson and Murphy, put one paw in front of another earlier this month to begin a 1,957 mile walk to raise money for canine cancer research.

The Austin, Texas-to-Boston trek honors Robinson's dog, a Great Pyreness named Malcolm, that died of osteosacrcoma after two years of cancer treatment that included a leg amputation and chemotherapy, Robinson wrote on his website.

With Hudson and Murphy, also Pyrenees, in tow, Robinson hopes to reach Boston in December, said Robinson's friend Mark Vogel, who works with the Northeast Pyrenees rescue. He left Austin March 16.

"He really is a pretty dynamic but down-to-earth kind of person," said Vogel. "He's a good person to bring people together because he's honest and he means it."

Vogel said volunteers have come together for Robinson's walk. People have offered their homes for Robinson and the dogs to stay in or their backyards for them to pitch their tent, he said.

When reached earlier this week, Robinson was traveling in an area of Texas with bad cellphone reception and could not be interviewed.

The trio's schedule is tentative because Robinson wants to avoid interstates, state highways and long-spanning bridges when possible, according to his website.

When the walk started, the plan was to move up to 10 miles a day, but weather conditions affect the amount of ground that Robinson, Hudson and Murphy actually can cover, Vogel said.

In addition to raising canine cancer awareness, Vogel said they hope to raise money for cancer research through corporate sponsorships and individual donations.

Vogel said that little research has been done in treating dog cancer. "It's very crude," he said.

Vogel said Robinson chose the Animal Cancer Foundation as the sole beneficiary of any money the walk raises because he wanted collaborative -- human and animal -- research to be done by a group that would unite people with a common goal.

ACF founder and President Gerald Post said it is one of the "few" foundations funding comparative oncology research, which studies cancers occurring similarly in animals and humans, he said.

"If we can figure out how to treat cancer in dogs and cats better, then we can better treat cancer in people," he said.

Human and animal cancer is molecularly similar, but testing cancer prevention and treatment on animals is easier because they have a shorter lifespan and the effects appear sooner, he said.

"This is a win-win-win situation," said Post. "If it works in dogs and cats, then it's good for the pet, it's good for the pet owner and it's good for people in general."

Researcher finds dog-human cancer link

2008-03-09T20:24:00.001-04:00

The treatment of a dog's cancer could lead to advances in human treatment.
By Devin Henry

By nature, best friends have many things in common - favorite movies, similar hobbies and common interests.
But University researchers have recently found man's best friend may have something more substantial in common with their masters.

Jaime Modiano, a professor in oncology and comparative medicine, discovered that humans and dogs share a genetic link for certain types of cancer, which could help with human cancer research in the future.

Not only that, but the similarities happened naturally - researchers didn't need to induce the disease to see it in the animals.

Modiano called it "paradigm changing."

"This is the first time the abnormality has been documented in a species other than humans where the cancer happens spontaneously," he said.

Modiano said the cancer is related on the genetic level and it works a bit like a jigsaw puzzle.

Genes fit together like puzzle pieces in different ways, based on what the animal is. The genes remain the same despite the animal.

"The exact same genetic abnormality is associated with what would be exactly the same type of cancer in the two species," he said.

Modiano said this development could potentially lead to better cancer research, with the dogs as the subject.

Humans and dogs get cancer with the same frequency - about one-third of each species will get cancer at some point, Modiano said. As dog owners bring their pets in for treatment, researchers will be able to look into implications for human cancer through the dogs' treatment.

"It's one way in which dogs can help us accelerate the development of cancer therapy that would be really difficult to do if we didn't have access to this population," he said.

Jim Mickelson, a professor in veterinary biomedical studies, said humans and animals share many similar genes, and thus share traits such as hair color and conditions like arthritis and diabetes.

"With our genes being very similar, a lot of the genetic conditions that are due to mutations in those genes are similar," he said.

University researchers are also looking into canine epilepsy, Mickelson said, as well as certain muscle diseases in horses and how they relate to human conditions.

"It doesn't surprise me at all that there can be similar bases for conditions because of the overall similarity in the way molecular biology works," he said.

Senior global studies student Eleanora Franz said she isn't surprised to know that humans and dogs share genetic links for some conditions.

While it isn't cancer, Franz said she knows when her dog, Penny Lane, is sick.

"Penny seems to get food poisoning from anything that doesn't agree with her stomach," she said. "Not only does she vomit, when she's not all energetic and laying in her bed, I can tell that she's probably sick."

The Humane Society of the United States reports that approximately 74.8 million pet dogs are owned in the United States.

Modiano, who owns two dogs himself, said as dogs become a bigger part of owners' families, people will be more willing to have them treated for diseases, a situation which lends itself to research opportunities.

"I don't want to sound like this is the turning point that's going to cure cancer," he said. "It is an incremental, although important, finding in rounding out our understanding of why cancer happens in multiple species."

That, Modiano said, is the ultimate goal.

"Only as we understand cancer better in its most fundamental basis are we going to be able to develop strategies to help us prevent and treat it in both humans and pets," he said.

Sales of Custom Designed Collars Raise Money for Canine Cancer Cure

2008-03-09T20:21:00.001-04:00

2 Hounds Design and artist Xan Blackburn team up to raise money and awareness for canine cancer research through Hope for Hounds.

Indian Trail, NC (PRWEB) March 5, 2008 -- It's an annual occurrence. 2 Hounds Design - creators of distinctive, custom made martingale dog collars - develop and sell limited-issue collars in support of Hope for Hounds. The goal is to raise both money and awareness in the fight against canine cancer.

According to Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University, "Approximately 80-85% of all canine skeletal tumors are diagnosed as osteosarcomas (OSA). Canine OSA occurs most often in dogs 7-9 years of age. Large breed dogs are at 150 times greater risk of OSA. Highly aggressive, over 90% of all clinically significant OSAs have already micrometastasized by the time of diagnosis."

2 Hounds Design owner, Alisha Navarro, recalls, "I have watched too many dogs lose their battles to cancer. I wanted to do something to help find a cure for this horrific disease before it claims the lives of any more helpless pets. I am excited about the progress Dr. Couto has made with his research and am delighted to be able to support his efforts."

To help further the cause, each year 2 Hounds Design releases limited-issue, custom-designed collars. This year, the collaboration between 2 Hounds Design and artist Xan Blackburn has produced an entire line of fashions for hounds and humans.

The ribbon for 2008 (created exclusively for 2 Hounds Design) depicts the words "hope, believe, and love" separated by silhouettes of hounds play bowing and standing. The ribbon is layered atop 10 different colors of grosgrain and handcrafted into Martingale collars, buckle Martingale collars, side-release collars and leashes for pooches. Their pet parents can purchase matching headbands and key fobs.

From now until March 31, 2008, 2 Hounds Design will double their donation to $10 for each collar sold, $6 for each leash, $5 per headband, and $3 for each key fob sold. To purchase items for charity, visit Hope for Hounds Collars.

Dr. Couto is grateful for the added contributions, saying, "The Ohio State University Greyhound Health and Wellness Program is actively engaged in clinical cancer research. Hope For Hounds and 2 Hounds Design have been instrumental in providing support for studies on osteosarcoma in Greyhounds. With their help and additional funding from the Morris Animal Foundation we have completed a clinical trial of a new chemotherapy combination that has resulted in excellent survival times in Greyhounds with bone cancer." To date, 2 Hounds Design has helped raise in excess of $18,000 for canine cancer research by hosting two charity auctions and by donating a portion of proceeds from special release collars.

2 Hounds Design is a woman-owned company that provides high-fashion, designer Martingale and side-release dog collars for all breeds, with a special focus on large breeds such as Great Danes and sighthounds such as Greyhounds, Whippets and Afghan Hounds. More information on Dr. Couto's work can be found at http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/GuillermoCouto.htm.

Room And Board For Pet Owners

2008-02-24T13:19:00.001-05:00

By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune
Published: February 20, 2008

EGYPT LAKE - For many pet owners, their furry companions are more than friends; they're family.

That's what Japanese akita Tesa Mari and border collie/Australian shepherd Kelli Boy are to Terry Buckley. Her dogs are her babies, and whenever they need her, she's there.

On occasion, Tesa Mari, 10, and Kelli Boy, 6, have been patients at Florida Veterinary Specialists, and on each of those occasions Buckley has been by their side.

Darryl Shaw, a hospital administrator, said he remembers her camping out in the lobby. Buckley said she has crawled into Tesa's cage to give her love and support.

"I have sat up all night with mine in the hospital," she said. "When people bring their pets to the hospital, they don't want to leave them."

Although Florida Veterinary Specialists, 3000 Busch Lake Blvd., is only about 15 minutes from her Seminole Heights home, those few minutes can seem like an eternity away from her loved ones.

This is why staff members at the veterinary hospital are proposing to build three guest cottages on the property to accommodate those who want to stay close to their pets. They will be studios and one-bedroom suites, with all the accommodations found in a hotel, Shaw said.

"I'm very pleased. I'm just thrilled to death that this is going to take place," Buckley said. "The very fact that you're there with them makes them feel better because they're hurting."

"They're no different from any member of your family that goes into a hospital," she said. "They're frightened. They're with strangers. This way with family close by, they can comfort them."

The cottages are a project five years in the making. After dealing with patients who have pets suffering from cancer and other diseases, the veterinary hospital staff members realized they needed to find a way to keep the families united. The cottages will be to pets and their owners what the Ronald McDonald House is to parents and their children.

Florida Veterinary Specialists, which opened in 1996, has a staff of 120 and cares for 24,000 patients each year, according to its Web site. The hospital has a cancer treatment center and has opened facilities in Brandon and Clearwater.

The first cottage is named Frankie's House after Candy and Eddie DeBartolo's greyhound, Frankie, who died of bone cancer when she was 10. Their daughters, Lisa, Tiffanie and Nikki, donated $125,000 to build the home. The daughters' dad is known for a development company that has built malls across the country. He also once was owner of the San Francisco 49ers.

"Frankie was the sweetest, nicest dog ever," Lisa DeBartolo said. "She was actually my dad's favorite daughter."

The DeBartolo siblings' donation was a birthday present for their parents, who both turned 60 this year.

"I thought, what is a better gift than something that could honor their dog," said Lisa DeBartolo, 38.

The hospital's vacant parcel is zoned solely for residential use, but Florida Veterinary Specialists is interested in building a combination of clinic space and guest cottages, Shaw said. The proposal will be heard in the Zoning Hearing Master hearing in spring.

"It's a wonderful idea," Lisa DeBartolo said. "I know that anybody that has to bring in an animal and sit in a waiting room, it's so impersonal."

Those interested in donating money to Frankie's Friends, the veterinary hospital's charitable foundation, should call Cari Sadler at (813) 933-8944 Tuesday through Friday.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

Unleashing a cure

2008-02-24T13:18:00.000-05:00

Posted: Feb 19, 2008 04:02 PM EST
Updated: Feb 20, 2008 05:12 PM EST

West Lafayette - If someone you know or love has cancer, there's new hope thanks to a discovery made at Purdue University.

Biochemist Dr. Phillip Low has found a way to target and kill cancer cells without killing healthy cells. It's a treatment veterinarians at the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine hope will save a dog named Lucy.

Lucy is the companion of WTHR Executive Producer Margaret Cordes.

Margaret found out about the research after her ten-year-old Border collie mix developed a rare type of cancer that can spread quickly.

"I noticed her legs were swollen," Margaret recalled.

When she took Lucy to the vet, "She felt her joints and right away she looked a me and said, 'These joints are warm and that's not good.'"

Lucy has transitional cell carcinoma, or TCC, which is similar to invasive bladder cancer in people.

Her vet referred Lucy to Purdue where veterinarians removed a large mass from her abdomen. It was the size of a melon and involved one of her kidneys. The surgery was risky but successful.

Surgeons were hopeful until they spotted another tumor in Lucy's liver. The news was devastating for Margaret.

"A lot of people say, 'A dog is a dog.' Well, a dog is a part of a lot of people's families and this dog has been part of mine for ten years," Margaret said.

It's why Margaret volunteered Lucy for a study through Purdue's Comparative Oncology Program. The study could make medical history.

"For me it's not a choice. You have to try it," Margaret said. "I wasn't going to put her down with so much life in her. I wasn't ready for that and she wasn't ready for that."

In late January, Lucy became the first dog with cancer to undergo a diagnostic test developed by Dr. Low.

As Chief of Clinical Oncology Dr. Deborah Knapp said, "[This] visit is all about learning how extensive Lucy's cancer is. Then with this information the next step would be to begin treatment."

Veterinary techs began the procedure by injecting Lucy with a radioactive dye that seeks out and sticks to certain cancer cells, making them easy to spot under a special camera.

As Dr. Knapp said, that allows them to know where the cancer is "without having to biopsy all those sites."

What researchers didn't know before injecting Lucy was if the radioactive dye would stick to the type of cancer cells she has.

After sedating her, they placed Lucy under a special camera and watched the images of her unfold on a computer screen. Certain areas glowed or lit up, indicating the presence of tumors. The test was working. The dye was sticking to the cancer cells.

The medical team, led by Dr. Ryan Rothenbuhler, was ecstatic.

"We know in humans there are folate receptors in tumors, but we've never done a dog," Rothenbuhler said.

What they found was promising not just for the study but for Lucy as well.

Researchers believe this same method of detecting cancer also could be used to treat it, sending cancer-killing drugs only to the tumor, not to healthy cells like standard chemo does now.

Rothenbuhler told Margaret Lucy's test could mark a turning point in their research.

"I have a company that would potentially like to license their cancer therapy. To be able to go to them and say, 'Look, we have our first tumor,' might jump them on board and put some money into it and [having Lucy here] could potentially help," he said.

That company is Endocyte, Inc, also based in West Lafayette. This is about more than helping Lucy, as her cancer is similar to a type of bladder cancer in humans.

"And in humans there is still a great need to improve the methods to detect and treat it," Dr. Knapp said. "Therefore, what we learn in dogs may help us figure out better ways to deal with this cancer in humans."

The significance was not lost on Margaret, whose 80-year-old father has been fighting bladder cancer for ten years.

"I thought to myself, 'Oh, my gosh, if this can help in the future, someone else when their father has bladder cancer or they have it, there may be a way to treat it earlier,'" she said.

Lucy received standard chemotherapy following the first test. The Purdue vets are quick to point out that the side effects of chemo are usually less severe in dogs than in people. Lucy was back to chasing squirrels in her backyard the following day.

Three weeks later, she returned for a repeat test. It indicated the cancer had spread. But this time, instead of standard chemo, Lucy may become the first dog to receive the targeted treatment.

Margaret knows it probably won't save Lucy's life.

"You always wonder why is this happening," Margaret said. "And I can't make her live two, three, four or five more years but if I know I've done everything I can do and that we've found something, then maybe someone else won't have to go through this. You have to keep trying."

Margaret says Lucy is doing great on the treatment, with daily walks and begging to play ball. Lucy's veterinarians remind us that dogs do not suffer through chemotherapy like humans do.

Learn more about the research

Pet Connection: The big C no longer a death sentence

2008-02-17T07:24:00.000-05:00

By Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori - Universal Press Syndicate
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, February 16, 2008

Cancer is the most common natural cause of death in dogs in the United States and Canada. And while the diagnosis is one that every pet lover dreads, canine cancer is more treatable than ever. Even better: Veterinarians now know more about what steps can be taken to help prevent the dreaded disease.

To reduce the risk of cancer in your pet:

• Adopt a healthy dog who fits into your lifestyle. If you're considering a purebred dog, know that cancer hits some breeds more than others. Do your homework before deciding on a breed, and work with a reputable breeder who is aware of the health problems of the breed and is working to reduce those problems. Because of the breed-specific health problems in purebred dogs, some believe it's better to bring a mixed-breed into your home. (There's no guarantee that a mixed-breed dog won't be stricken with cancer, of course.) Shelters and rescue groups will be happy to help you find your best pet, no matter your choice.

• Make sure your dog has good nutrition, weight-management and plenty of exercise. Help your dog to maintain a fit body for life. A fit dog will have a wasplike waist and a tucked-in abdomen.

• Feed your dog a high-quality diet made by a reputable company or a home-prepared diet prepared with the help of your veterinarian. Start with the amount of food recommended for your dog and adjust accordingly with how your pet's body responds. Cut down on extra calories by substituting baby carrots as treats or by adding volume to meals with green beans.

• Consider adding omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

• Spay or neuter your dog early in life. Spaying and neutering have been shown to be an effective method of preventing cancer. Spaying has a significant effect of preventing breast cancer if it is done before a dog goes into her first heat cycle.

• Choose clean living for your dog. Eliminate exposure to environmental carcinogens such as pesticides, coal or kerosene heaters, herbicides, passive tobacco smoke, asbestos, radiation and strong electromagnetic fields. Each one of these factors has been identified as a potential carcinogen.

You may do everything you can and still end up with a cancer diagnosis for your pet. Don't despair. Cure rates and an improved quality of life are increasing because families are working with veterinarians to identify the disease in its initial stages and to employ new technologies that are highly effective in the early stages of cancer care.

Even for those dogs who cannot be cured, most who are treated are still able to enjoy an improved, robust life. In most situations, animals undergoing cancer treatment experience limited or no decrease in their quality of life.

Almost all dogs with cancer can be helped. You can defeat the darkness of cancer with knowledge. Work with your veterinary team to learn as much about the disease and its treatment as possible. Be proactive. Ask questions and obtain resources to tear away the many misconceptions about cancer and cancer therapies. Tackling the emotional aspects of cancer can enhance your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and begin to find the hope and opportunities that lie before you as you deal with your dog's cancer.

Understand there are no wrong decisions – only decisions that are right for you. Do not worry what other people will think about your decisions. You know your dog better than anyone else in the world. Once you are empowered with the information you need, listen to your heart and you will make the right decisions.

Cancer: Symptoms of disease

If you notice any of the following symptoms, don't waste any time getting your pet to your veterinarian to have the problem checked out:

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.

2. Sores that do not heal.

3. Weight loss.

4. Loss of appetite.

5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.

6. Offensive odor.

7. Difficulty eating or swallowing.

8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.

The Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research Sponsors Six Morris Animal Foundation Cancer Studies

2008-02-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

DENVER, Feb 12, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research, http://www.petcancerawareness.com, a Connecticut-based organization dedicated to raising awareness for canine and feline cancer, has made a generous donation to Morris Animal Foundation (MAF: 12.98, +0.05, +0.38%) in the nonprofit's global effort to cure canine cancer and prevent feline cancer. The Blue Buffalo Foundation has provided financial sponsorship for two important feline cancer research studies and four important canine cancer research studies. The MAF Canine Cancer Campaign is seeking to prevent canine cancer, while immediately seeking treatment advancements to help dogs suffering from cancer today. Learn more and donate to the campaign at http://www.CureCanineCancer.org or http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

"When our beloved dog Blue had his last bout with cancer, we realized there was a need to direct more resources toward animal cancer research and prevention," states David Petrie, co-founder and president of The Blue Buffalo Foundation. "We started the Blue Buffalo Co. (http://www.bluebuff.com), a healthy and holistic natural food for dogs and cats, and then created our charitable arm, the Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research. We felt that the thorough and selective process Morris Animal Foundation has in place to choose and oversee health studies, in combination with their proven commitment to animal health, made them an ideal and like-minded partner for us."

Petrie believes that supporting canine and feline cancer research is an investment in the future of all animals, and his Foundation will continue to support Morris Animal Foundation in this important work. For a complete list of studies or to find out how to sponsor a study, please visit http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/studies or call 800-243-2345.

About Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948, is dedicated to funding research that protects, treats and cures companion animals and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals in some 100 countries, spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF has its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The Foundation has funded nearly 1,400 humane animal health studies with funds totaling more than $51 million. One hundred percent of annual, unrestricted contributions support animal health programs. For more information, call (800) 243-2345, or visit http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.

Her best friend, a dog, is sick

2008-02-16T07:28:00.000-05:00

By Sharon Tubbs, City Times Editor
Published February 15, 2008

Cary Hardin is a server at both Pinky's Diner and Cappy's Pizzeria in South Tampa, and a sometime English tutor, too.

She rents a two-bedroom in Bayshore Beautiful and drives a white 1999 Audi. She doesn't shop much. Doesn't dine at extravagant restaurants or anything like that.

The 39-year-old is happy just getting by.

Life got harder, though, when she realized Buck was sick three weeks ago. Soon, Cary will be about $9,000 deep in medical bills.

She has taken out a line of credit to pay for about half of it in the short term. She'll need to sell the Audi, maybe get a hooptie for $1,000 or so.

Co-workers at Pinky's began baking coffee cake and oatmeal raspberry coconut bars at home, then bringing them to the diner for donations. They call it Bucks for Buck. The first week, they raised $120.

Buck, of course, is a dog - a 5-year-old wirehaired pointing griffon.

Most people are supportive when Cary talks about all this. There are those, however, who look at her like she has lost her entire mind: Is she really going into debt ... for a dog?

"Yeah, I'm spending a lot of money, but there are a lot of people in South Tampa spending money on Botox and fake boobs," she says. "I'm not judging at all, but some people are judging me."

Everyone makes different choices in life. For Cary, Priority No. 1 is a 60-pound pooch with silver hair and brown spots.

"Buck is her best friend. Buck is her everything," says Summer Wallace, the manager at Pinky's and Cary's good friend.

Cary bought him as a pup while living in Breckenridge, Colo. She has no husband, no kids.

"I was 34 when I got him and kind of ready for a commitment."

She owned a bookstore at the time and wanted a gentle dog she could take to work. She did the research and found a breeder in Calgary, Canada, paid $1,000 for Buck and had him shipped to the United States.

It was a sacrifice from the beginning. Cary would pay about $50 a bag for organic food, taking veterinarians' advice to read ingredients carefully.

"I didn't feed him Ol' Roy from Wal-Mart," she says. "I was always so conscientious about it."

That's why she couldn't believe what happened in late January. She noticed what looked like a spider bite in Buck's groin area. It grew in the days to come, so she took him to the vet. Doctors performed a biopsy and determined that Buck had cancer.

Cary didn't have pet insurance, so she would have to pay for the chemotherapy herself. The recommended six-month treatment would cost $5,000.

That first week, Cary couldn't stop crying. Both of her parents had died of cancer - her father when she was 12, her mother when Cary was 26.

The day Buck was to start chemo, Cary noticed him heaving and rushed him to the vet. His stomach had "flipped" into an abnormal position, a condition with a long medical name typically shortened to "GDV." She was presented with two options: They could operate immediately or put Buck down.

The surgery cost $4,000.

Buck started chemo that same day.

Faith keeps Cary's spirits up. "I'm very spiritual," she says. "I know that there's a plan for this."

She loves to see Buck running along the sands of Picnic Island or chasing seagulls and swimming in the bay along Ballast Point. If his treatments are successful, Cary says, her research suggests he could live another one to five years.

Proper care is essential. Cary was already into healthy alternatives and the environment, recycling and using her own cloth bags at the grocery store. Now she's taking "green" to another level.

She used to drink bottled water but recently put a filter on her faucet, fearing that plastic containers may carry toxins harmful to Buck.

She got rid of all chemicals, including cleaning supplies, and now uses vinegar to wash windows and floors.

She turns the other way if she sees a pesticide truck bumbling down the street while she's walking Buck.

And that pricey organic dog food is no longer good enough. She cooks Buck's meals now, using fresh organic chicken and beef with organic vegetables and dashes of garlic.

Cary herself is a vegetarian. She usually nibbles on a little something at work. What she spends on Buck exceeds her personal grocery bill "by far," she says.

But more time with Buck, she says, is worth it all.

How to help

For love of Buck

To donate to Bucks for Buck, go to Pinky's Diner, 3203 Bay to Bay Blvd., or call the restaurant at 831-9339.

Homemade Dog Food Recipes – Vegetarian Dog Food Recipes

2008-02-16T07:23:00.000-05:00

By Ricky Lee
February 14, 2008

John Miller´s 245 homemade dog food recipes is a good resource to check out if you´re interested in homemade dog food recipes. You should know that commercial dog food contains chemicals that can prove unhealthy and hurt your dog.

With these 245 dog food recipes you can save 50% of what you used to spend on dog food and your pet will be much more healthier.

The food that a dog eats influences his life and health, so you need to pay attention what you feed him. Food poisoning, together with diseases and old age, is one of the major sources of fatality for dogs. Just imagine how devastated you or your kid would be if your pet would die because of contaminated dog food.

You can read below a few reasons why you should go with homemade dog food recipes and not with commercial dog food.

Prevent food poisoning

With all the deaths that happen because of commercial dog food, preparing your own homemade dog food recipe is a good idea. Making your own homemade dog food insures that it will be without any contamination or chemicals that could harm your pet. This way you can enjoy your favorite pet for a longer time.

Prevent diseases

If your dog eats something that´s unhealthy for him, even if it doesn´t cause sudden death or poisoning, it can provoke a number of diseases that can be dangerous for him. Some of the diseases that can be provoked by the chemicals in dog food are chronic diarrhea, allergic reactions, stomach or kidney cancer, liver problems and a number of other fatal diseases. All that can be prevented if you prepare a homemade recipe dog food.

This will make your pet happier, healthier and he will feel better. That´s because these homemade dog food recipes will provide your dog the needed vitamins and nutrients.

Another thing that your pet will be thankful for is that these homemade dog foods don´t have any chemicals in them. This book by John Miller, 245 homemade dog food recipes, is something you need if you want to learn how to make treats, dog bones, vegetarian dog food or gourmet recipes.

The war on canine cancer

2008-02-16T07:21:00.001-05:00

As with humans, weapons and costs are on the rise
By Sarah Sumadi | Special to the Tribune
February 10, 2008

Two years ago, both of Dana Nelson's golden retrievers were diagnosed with cancer a day apart. She took them to the University of Wisconsin veterinary school in Madison for radiation and chemo, making the two-hour drive from her home in St. Charles more than 20 times. At home she made them meals of raw meat, steamed vegetables and vitamins.

Conventional treatment cost about $14,000, and Nelson said she can't even estimate how much she spent on holistic therapy, supplements and extra consultations for Jazz, who lived an extra 10 months, and Cameo, who survived 17. Nelson, a dog trainer, is still paying off vet bills.

"You go out to dinner less often, treat yourself less," she said. "I wouldn't do anything differently."

Nelson isn't alone. As new tests and treatments become available, more dog owners are choosing to treat their canine's cancer, no matter the cost. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, killing one in four, and it's the fastest-growing pet insurance claim. The Morris Animal Foundation, the world's largest non-profit organization, devoted to funding animal-health research, has launched a $30 million campaign to cure the disease within 20 years.

Ironically, vets say, cancer is in the spotlight because dogs now live long enough to get it, thanks to leash laws, better nutrition and vaccines. "The high cancer incidence is the result of a good thing," said David Vail, professor of oncology at the Wisconsin vet school. Cancer kills half of dogs over age 10 and has become an epidemic now that the geriatric canine population is higher than ever -- about 40 percent of America's 45 million dogs.

The typical intensive course of treatment -- usually a combination of surgery, chemo and radiation -- costs about $10,000, said Lillian Duda, professor of radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school.

There's no shortage of owners willing to pay. Jan Dykes, a nurse from Leavenworth, Kan., has lost four dogs in the last five years to cancer and just finished paying off more than $40,000 in veterinary bills. "People kept telling us, 'They're just dogs,'" she said. "But you can't understand unless you've had one."

Joan Travelstead, a sales rep who works in Crystal Lake, spent $4,500 on chemo for her 4-year-old golden retriever, Shadow. Travelstead is a single mother with two children, and the family cut back on dining out and entertainment to make ends meet.

"I'm sure my kids got tired of hearing we can't afford this or that because of Shadow's treatment," Travelstead said. "But we don't regret anything." Statistically, Shadow will likely relapse within a year and need another round of chemo -- and as long as he isn't suffering, Travelstead will continue treatment. "I'd sell everything I owned to keep him around."

But what does Shadow want? It's an ethical quagmire.

"You can't explain to a dog why we're sticking him with a needle," Duda said. The silver lining: "Dogs don't wake up worrying, 'Is my cancer back?' If they feel bad one day, they don't remember it the next."

Owners should periodically ask themselves a few questions: Is the dog happy to see me? Is he eating?

"It's different for every dog," said Sue Lana, oncology professor at Colorado State University. "Whatever they like to do -- whether it's running six miles or lying on the couch all day -- once they stop doing that, you know it's time."

The possibility of preventing canine cancer is hazy. But many vets agree that the typical commercial dry food may not be the best preventative. Cancer feeds on carbs, and cheap kibble is largely made from grains such as corn and poor-quality meat byproducts. According to Marty Goldstein, Oprah Winfrey's vet and a regular guest on her show, dogs should eat a mix of raw meat and vegetables, but that's often unrealistic for most owners. On his Web site drmarty .com/feeding.htm, Goldstein also suggests a mix of superpremium, grain-free canned and dry foods.

A few owners, such as Elaine Cuttler, refuse to settle when it comes to fighting cancer. Every night, the nurse from Millburn, N.J., cooks her 10-year-old shepherd mix, Shayna, a grain-free dinner of organic chicken, broccoli and pumpkin.

Cuttler has spent $27,000 on treatment for Shayna's renal cancer, giving the dog more than 10 vitamin supplements and twice-a-day enemas with ozone-infused water, which she believes kill the cancer cells. Her husband calls the treatment "over the top," and her mother says she's getting ripped off. "But I'll never second-guess the

Dog Owners Being Warned of Road Salt Toxicity

2008-02-09T13:53:00.000-05:00

Ottawa, Ontario (PRWEB) February 8, 2008 -- An Ottawa man who lost his dog to cancer is warning dog owners about the toxic dangers of road salt.

Mark Watson, a former IT professional, says that his dog Grover and two other dogs on his street suddenly died of cancer in 2004 likely because of exposure to road salt.

Explaining why road salt can be dangerous to dogs, Watson says: "Upon returning home from their walks, my dog Grover and my neighbours' dogs would ingest this toxic substance by licking their paws."

A veterinary oncologist suggested to Watson that a toxin in the environment, such as road salt, was likely responsible for the dogs' cancers because she had seen similar symptoms in several other cases.

Watson's full story can be heard through a 7 minute You Tube video: http://ecotraction.wordpress.com/

Watson will also be sharing his story at the Green Living Show in Vancouver at BC Place February 29 to March 2, and in Toronto at Exhibition Place April 25-27.

Road salt was declared "toxic" in an extensive 2001 assessment report done by Health Canada and Environment Canada. Their conclusion: we must reduce our use of the pollutant. See full report: www.roadsaltistoxic.com

In early 2006, the Sierra Legal Defense Fund and RiverSides Stewardship Alliance initiated a campaign to legislate the reduction of road salt use in Ontario.

"A Low-Salt Diet for Ontario's Roads and Rivers highlights current regulatory inconsistencies with respect to the use of road salts for winter road maintenance in Ontario," says the report summary. "Road salts have been determined to be an environmentally toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Despite the finding that road salts are environmentally toxic, there are no mandatory requirements for managing road salts storage, application or snow disposal in Ontario."

Read the full campaign report: http://riversides.org/index.php?cat=3&page1=8&page2=10&page3=&page4=

In December 2007, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty stated that he agreed with the province's independent Environment Commissioner Gord Miller who strongly recommended taking further action to reduce the use of toxic road salt in Ontario. See: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2007/12/05/road-salt.html

As per the 2001 Environment Canada report which declared road salt "toxic," about 4.9 million tons of road salt is released every year on our streets and may poison some birds while being detrimental to wildlife and their habitat.

Veterinarians have also raised red flags about the dangers of road salt to animals. CBC News quotes Dr. Michael Bratt of the Granville Island Pet Hospital as saying that road salt can make animals sick. He says that when ingested by our pets, the ice melters "can upset animals' digestive systems, causing vomiting and diarrhea." CBC News article: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2006/11/28/bc-salt-pets.html

CBC also reports that the University of Victoria published an initial study in 2000 that found links between "road salt" and "cancer." Acknowledging the study, the Canadian Cancer Society later stated that we shouldn't yet make final conclusions until further medical and scientific research is done. Read CBC article: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/1999/12/30/salt991230.html

Today, University of Victoria Prof. Harold Foster stands by the initial study and continues to state that we are spreading toxic road salt on our streets at our peril. He hopes to see further studies done.

Foster explains that ferrocyanide is often used in road salt as an anti-caking agent to prevent the salt from clumping-up. He says that the problem with ferrocyanide is that it breaks down and generates hydrogen cyanide, a substance also present in cigarette smoke that can facilitate the action of carcinogens. See: http://www.elements.nb.ca/theme/transportation/salt/salt.htm

After losing his dog Grover to cancer, Watson searched the globe for natural alternatives to toxic road salts and ice melters.

"My searches took me further and further around the world and eventually I came across a green volcanic mineral that has amazing traction properties and is 100% safe for pets, property and the environment," explains Watson.

His discovery, along with his drive to offer dog owners a safe alternative to toxic road salts, compelled him to launch a new product in 2005: "EcoTraction."

To watch a 1 minute video of Watson explaining why his innovative product provides several times better traction than sand, visit: www.ecotractionvideo.com

He says that his product is not only safe but he claims that it even helps to absorb toxins and heavy metals from the environment. "Some municipalities use this mineral to filter their drinking water as well as to clean up chemical spills," says Watson.

He explains that in the Spring and Summer, EcoTraction becomes a mineral nutrient for the lawn and garden instead of destroying vegetation like road salt does. He also says that it is used by organic farmers as a natural soil amendment and as a safe food additive for cattle and chicken.

Marc Appleby is the President of Earth Innovations Inc. under which he and Watson, CEO, manufacture and distribute EcoTraction. Quoting research by Debi Andrus, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business, Appleby says that an estimated 29 per cent of Canadian households own a dog. To read about Andrus' research, visit: http://tinyurl.com/ysodqf

"Millions of dog owners are concerned about their pets' health and EcoTraction is the safest and most effective solution to address their needs," says Appleby.

"We at Earth Innovations not only encourage consumers to switch to a green and safe product but we also want to work with municipalities to reduce the environmental impact and long term costs of toxic road salt."

His partner Watson explains that the 4.9 million tons of road salt used every year in Canada is enough to fill 1.2 million minivans or the Olympic stadium 3 times. He says that Canadian cities and municipalities can't continue to ignore the long term costs associated with using toxic products such as road salts.

Watson says: "Not only does it harm wildlife, our pets and possibly our children, but it rusts our cars, pollutes our underground water streams and destroys the environment. Road salt also eats away at our bridges and highways and will cost tax payers billions in repairs and replacement costs."

Appleby believes that a good first step for governments would be using EcoTraction in environmentally-sensitive areas like parks and trails, as well as residential neighbourhoods.

Watson says that it may take years before we can persuade elected officials to take unprecedented steps to ban known toxic substances and move towards greener and healthier alternatives but that at least today consumers can move in the right direction.

"We're grateful for Home Depot's leadership in making EcoTraction available across Canada throughout their stores," states Watson. "It's an important relationship to us and to all dog owners who can now feel comfortable knowing that their pets will no longer be intoxicated with all the known toxic ice melting products out there."

Mark Watson and Marc Appleby are both available for media interviews.

Contact information for the media

Earth Innovations Inc.
Contact: Mark Watson, CEO
Tel: (613) 232-4379 ext. 104
Fax: (613) 232-6746
mwatson(at)earthinnovations.ca
http://www.earthinnovations.ca

Treatment developed for canine malignant melanoma

2008-02-05T07:18:00.000-05:00

2/4/2008 5:33 AM
By: Ivanhoe Broadcast News

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer that can be found in humans and dogs.

In humans, it is often associated with the sun. But in dogs, it is often found in the mouth and is called canine malignant melanoma.

Owners may notice difficulty chewing or a strange odor in their dog's mouth. Canine melanoma is the most common type of oral cancer in dogs and can account for almost 5 percent of all cancers that veterinarians diagnose.

It can also appear in the nail bed, foot pad or other areas. It can happen in any breed of dog but is more common in those with dark pigmented skin. The outlook is not good for dogs whose cancer is diagnosed late or has spread. The prognosis is usually only a one- to five-month life expectancy.

Dogs are often treated with surgery and radiation. Studies have shown that this type of melanoma is often not responsive to chemotherapy treatment.

Researchers from The Animal Medical Center in New York and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center collaborated on a treatment for canine malignant melanoma. They developed a type of vaccine that can kill this aggressive type of cancer in dogs. They hope this will pave the way for human treatments.

The vaccine is DNA-based, and dogs given the vaccine create antibodies against the proteins coded for by the DNA. This creates antibodies against the cancer as well, so the body kills off cancer cells in the dog.

Studies have shown that dogs that receive surgery or radiation as well as the vaccine live three-times longer than expected, and some dogs survived another three years. The vaccine is also being tested in humans.

"Both humans and dogs develop this cancer in exactly the same way. The disease occurs spontaneously through an interaction of genes with the environment," says Jedd Wolchok, M.D., Ph.D., an oncologist on the Clinical Immunology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "By conducting trials in humans and in animals that live in the same surroundings as humans, there can be a synergy that we hope will result in improved cancer treatment for all."

In 2007, the USDA approved the use of this vaccine for the use in dogs with canine melanoma. The treatment is only available from veterinarian oncologists. The vaccine is given via a new Canine Transdermal Device, which delivers the vaccine without the use of a needle. It is given four times, two weeks apart.

A booster vaccine is given every six months after treatment. The cost of the vaccine is around $1,000, but dogs also undergo surgery or radiation, so the cost for total treatment can run $4,000-$5,000.

What’s Your Dog’s Real Age?

2008-02-02T15:19:00.000-05:00

What’s Your Dog’s Real Age?
By Lisa Acho Remorenko (Contact)

The old standard in determining a dog’s age was to multiply their age in calendar years by seven. This is somewhat accurate, but it is a very rough estimate. To be more precise, you need to take into account your dog’s size. For instance, a 20-pound dog who is six years old is equivalent to 40 human years, yet a 90-pound dog of the same age is closer to 50 human years.

There are other caveats that play a role in determining your dog’s age, such as environment, diet and mental health. To determine your dog’s real age, look at the conversion chart pictured below to determine your dog’s human age. Then, subtract years from your dog’s human age, when applicable, after answering the following questions:

Is your dog spayed or neutered? If so, subtract 5 years from your dog’s human age.

Having your female dog spayed helps minimize the risk of mammary cancer and having your male dog neutered protects him from testicular cancer and prostate problems.

Does your dog visit the veterinarian at least once a year for physical examination, vaccinations, heartworm and/or flea prevention? If so, subtract four years from your dog’s human age.

An annual exam is recommended for dogs under the age of six years of age; a biannual exam for dogs over six years of age. All vaccination programs are not the same; some require annual vaccinations, while others may only be once every three years. Ask your vet for a schedule specific to your dog's health care needs and be sure to follow up every year. Certain vaccines, such as rabies, are required by law.

Do you make sure that you feed your dog a high-quality brand of dog food and read the ingredients? If so, subtract four years from your dog’s human age.

Make sure your dog is getting fed from the five food groups — meat, dairy, vegetables, fruit and grain — plus essential fats and oils. The meat sources of your dog’s good should be from a named meat such as turkey, chicken, beef, etc. and not from a meat by-product. Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions for feeding a sick or senior dog requiring special prescription food.

Do you walk your dog for at least 45 minutes per day? If so, subtract four years from your dog’s human age.

Dogs of all breeds and ages need daily exercise to keep them healthy. Recent studies have shown heart functions are affected by obesity even in young dogs. Some dogs require short walks around the block while others require hours of running and playing to match their activity levels. Make sure your dog is getting the exercise he needs. And always remember to use a leash on your dog in public.

Does your dog have a proportional figure, with slightly padded ribs and a distinct waist? If so, subtract two years from your dog’s human age.

Overweight dogs are more susceptible to certain health conditions. Excess weight increases a dog's risk of health complications that can affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, and skeletal systems. One easy way to combat overweight dogs is to provide food at scheduled feedings times only and avoid leaving food out all day long. Talk to your veterinarian for more information if you think your dog is overweight.

Does your dog ride in a carrier inside your vehicle when he rides in the car with you? If so, subtract 2 years from your dog’s human age.

The safest way for a dog to travel by car is inside a carrier in the back seat of the car. If a carrier is not available, try using a harness with a seat belt or a regular leash attached to the armrest. Never allow your dog to ride in an open bed of a pick up truck. Not only is this unsafe, but it’s also illegal!

Is your home free from toxins such as cigarette smoke, poisonous plants, rat poison, phenol and ammonia household cleaners? If so, subtract 2 years from your dog’s human age.

Research shows that the chances of developing smoking-related cancers, as well as lung infections, respiratory problems, asthma and other health problems are greater for dogs living in smoking environments. And keeping your household free from poisonous plants and other types of toxins helps keep your dog safe.

Do you brush your dog’s teeth and/or regularly give dental treats? If so, subtract 1 year from your dog’s human age.

Periodontal disease, caused by plaque buildup, can ultimately affect various organs of the body and the nervous system if left untreated. Dogs over the age of five years old become more susceptible to dental diseases, so it is important to keep your dog's teeth and gums clean with regular home dental care. Providing teeth cleaning chew bones is an easy way to help with plaque buildup.

Please be aware that this real age test is only a guideline and there are other determinants such as genetics or breed that may factor into your dog’s age. As always, talk to your veterinarian for more information on how to help your dog live a long and healthy life!

Secondhand Smoke is Linked to Cancer in Dogs

2008-01-26T21:52:00.000-05:00

On Friday, Oklahoma State University detailed in a press release the serious health risks posed to pets and other household animals exposed to secondhand smoke. It's well understood that secondhand smoke is attributed to the health problems and deaths of thousands of Americans every year, but much less attention has been paid to the impact secondhand smoke is having on the lives of the nation's pets.

Dr. Carolynn MacAllister is an Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service veterinarian. She says it makes sense that secondhand smoke would be harmful to dogs, cats and birds living with smokers. She said: "There have been a number of scientific papers recently that have reported the significant health threat secondhand smoke poses to pets. Secondhand smoke has been associated with oral cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, as well as lung cancer in birds."

In 1992, Dr. John Reif, a professor of epidemiology at Colorado State University (CSU) and the department chairman for environmental and radiological health sciences conducted a study entitled "Passive Smoking and Canine Lung Cancer Risk." In 1998, he lead a second similar study. According to Smoke Free Society, Dr. Reif said: "These studies are really the first to make us aware of secondhand smoke on animals. They are the first of their kind."

During the 1998 study, the researchers took into consideration the number of smokers in the home, how many cigarettes were smoked in the home each day, how much time the dog spent in the home, and the age, sex, size and skull shape of the dog. The study found that a dog exposed to secondhand smoke in the home is 1.6 times more likely to develop lung cancer than a dog that isn't exposed.

Link between microchips implanted in dogs and cancer reviewed

2008-01-26T21:49:00.000-05:00

Microchips and cancer: a review
The VETMED email list had a discussion of the potential link between implanted identification microchips and cancer. I did some research to see what has been published on this topic.

A lot of our assessments of risk are based not on evidence, but on general impressions, as in "Everybody says [something commonly held to be true]" or "I've never seen [some rare adverse effect]." But sometimes, what "everybody says" is wrong. I prefer to look for evidence from scholarly studies when figuring out the risks of a specific drug or device.

When you look at scholarly research, you may not find the large-scale studies that would give you an accurate, quantified assessment of risk. Some years back, one of my dogs had his broken hock rebuilt by an orthopedic surgeon. I wanted to know whether we should remove the implanted bone nails and plates after he recovered, because some implantable devices, such as hip replacements in human patients, are associated with an increased rate of cancer.

When I discussed this with his surgeon and with other vets, it turned out that none of them could give me any evidence-based statistics on the incidence of bone cancer or other malignant neoplasms at the site of bone fixation devices. So, being the curious type, I looked at some of the research on that. I never did find any firm numbers, but what I found was the following things were all associated with an increased risk of cancer: Breaking a bone, implanting metal into the body, and implanting many other types of material into the body. Basically, it seems like anything that encourages more bone to grow increases the bone cancer risk (Goldschmidt and Thrall, 1985). (This is probably one reason that early-age spaying and neutering of dogs is associated with a significant increase in bone cancer risk. (Cooley et al, 2002 and Ru et al, 1998) Early desexing is known to produce taller animals. In intact dogs, the sex hormones of puberty help trigger the closure of the growth plates of the bones. If you spay or neuter a young puppy, the bones grow for a longer period and more bone growth increases the risk of bone cancer.

So, there is some risk of cancer from bone fixation devices, and the risk they pose is higher than the risk of simply breaking a bone - but I never did find research that quantified that specific risk. And I'm certain that the benefit of having a sound leg to walk and run on far outweighs the small risk of cancer from implanting bone fixation devices.

Going back to the issue of microchips, I did find multiple studies and some case reports that indicate that implanting a microchip raises the risk of cancer in animals. Here are some relevant principles that we know from veterinary research on related risks:
Malignant tumors in animals have been linked to implantation of foreign bodies (Brand, 1975b and Moizhess, 1989). Even foreign bodies consisting of relatively inert materials such as glass (McCarthy, 1996 and Brand, 1975a) have been found to cause malignant tumors in animals.

Vaccinations and injections have been found to lead to sarcomas in cats (Kass, 2003), dogs (Vascellari, 2003), and ferrets (Munday, 2003). In the cat study by Kass, the sarcomas are not linked to one brand or type of vaccine, as was previously thought. (In some older studies, specific brands of vaccines were thought to be implicated, but some researchers now feel that was simply a reflection of the popularity of those brands.)

Inflammation, usually transient, occurs at the implantation sites of microchips (Mader, 2002, and Lambooij, 1995).

Tissue inflammation has a role in the development of cancer (Cousins, 2002, and Balkwill, 2001).

A fibrous capsule is formed around implanted microchips (Ball, et al, 1991, Gruys, 1993, Troyk, 1999) even in the absence of a gross inflammatory reaction (Jansen, 1999). This indicates that there is enough inflammation to cause fibrous tissue growth. Fibrosarcoma, which is the most common sarcoma associated with vaccinations in animals, is also rich in fibrous tissue.

So, if you're wondering how microchips could be harmful, the answer is that they can cause inflammation, fibrous tissue growth, and are implanted via injections, a method that is already known to increase the sarcoma risk. Then, add the fact that implanted foreign bodies are known to increase the risk of cancer. It follows that we have good reason to be cautious about microchip implantation.

When people want to dismiss out of hand the idea that there may be a cancer risk in implanting microchips, they should think about the many years that vaccines were given to cats before the issue of injection-site sarcomas was recognized and understood to be a risk.

I am not saying that the risk of implanting a microchip necessarily outweighs the benefit. I think each pet owner needs to decide that for themself. Vaccines are linked to sarcomas, but I vaccinate all my pets for rabies, because I believe the protection from a fatal disease is worth the small risk. The situation with microchips is different, as there are other identification methods available.

It would be unfortunate if the government mandated microchipping of pets and took this decision out of the hands of pet owners. There have been a few municipalities that have passed laws requiring this. I believe that the decision of whether to microchip an animal should be left to the pet owner, particularly since the owner is the one who will foot the bill for veterinary treatment in the case of any adverse effect.

Looking at the studies and case reports that link implanted microchips (also known as "passive transponders") to the development of tumors in various species of animal, it's interesting to note that most of the studies were not done specifically to find problems with microchips. Rather, the researchers implanted microchips in the animals they were using for some other study, and they noticed that their research subjects were developing tumors at the microchip implantation sites.

Some of these articles refer to specific lines of laboratory animals that may be more prone to cancer than the species as a whole. That's not a reason to dismiss the research. Just as some humans carry certain genes predisposing them to some form of cancer, a similar phenomenon is found in some dogs and cats. With implanted microchip devices becoming common as an identification method for pets, you have to assume that some of the dogs and cats that get them will have health issues, such as a genetic susceptibility to cancer. When deciding if a device or drug is safe, you don't just look at the risk to healthy animals, you have to look at the risk to the most vulnerable animals. too.

If anyone wishes to repost or republish this, please email me and ask for permission. I usually say yes, but I like to be asked.

Copyright 2006, S. Pober.
All rights reserved.
Contact the author.

COLORADO STATE’S ANIMAL CANCER CENTER INVESTIGATES PROMISING DRUG COMBINATION TO TREAT BONE CANCER

2008-01-26T21:40:00.000-05:00

FORT COLLINS - The Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center is studying a promising combination of a new and an old cancer drug that may increase chemotherapy effectiveness without increasing unwanted side effects. The study may eventually be useful for the treatment of both human and animal cancer.

The center, which is seeking pet owners with dogs diagnosed with bone cancer to participate in the study, is combining a common chemotherapy drug, called doxorubicin or Adriamycin, with valproic acid, also called Depakote, a drug that previously has been used to treat seizures in dogs and humans. An enzyme called histone deacetylase, which may reduce the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy, can be inhibited with valproic acid.

"By combining these drugs, we think we may make chemotherapy more effective. We think they are stronger together," said Dr. Douglas Thamm, professor and researcher at the Animal Cancer Center. "Both of these drugs are available in generic forms and are widely available, making them affordable to humans and dogs. Our current study will help identify the optimal dose of valproic acid for use in dogs, and we hope it will lead to providing these drugs as a viable, affordable option for pets and humans facing bone cancer treatment choices."

Dogs in the study will receive valproic acid for several days before receiving a standard dose of doxorubicin. Veterinarians will be looking for common side effects of the drug such as liver issues and sleepiness to help identify the right combination. They'll also look at the impacts of the drug on the histone deacetylase enzyme and the effects of the drug combination on the size and spread of tumors.

Valproic acid has been shown in previous tests to "open up" the DNA of cancer cells by inhibiting the histone deacetylase enzyme. The drug may change the actual structure of the cancer cell's DNA, allowing chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin to cause more damage.

While this combination of drugs has shown much promise in the laboratory, it's sometimes difficult to get drug combinations into human trials without years of additional research, Thamm said. "This study will allow us to help dogs with cancer and provide information that may be helpful in future human trials. Both of these drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in humans for many years, but we hope our research into their use in combination will help develop the information needed for the drugs to be considered as a treatment together."

People interested in getting their dog involved in the drug trial should contact the Animal Cancer Center at (970) 297-4195. Dogs much undergo testing prior to the study to ensure that they are eligible and must meet certain other requirements. All treatments must be performed at Colorado State.

USDA Grants Conditional Approval for First Therapeutic Vaccine to Treat Dog Cancer

2008-01-26T21:39:00.000-05:00

Merial, the world's leading animal health company, gained conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a breakthrough vaccine to treat canine melanoma, a common yet deadly form of cancer in dogs. This is the first time that the U.S. government has approved a therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of cancer -- in either animals or humans.

The vaccine will initially be available for use by specialists practicing veterinary oncology, so pet owners will want to ask their veterinarians about how to access this treatment option.

The vaccine was developed through a partnership between Merial, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and The Animal Medical Center (AMC) of New York. Drs. Alan Houghton and Jedd Wolchok of MSKCC were doing laboratory testing of a melanoma vaccine they developed. An inquiry by Dr. Philip Bergman of The AMC, seeking novel treatments for canine melanoma, resulted in the clinical trial of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering melanoma vaccine at The Animal Medical Center. Subsequent parallel trials at AMC and MSKCC refined the dosage and protocol to the current therapeutic regimen for dogs.

"Both humans and dogs develop this cancer in exactly the same way. The disease occurs spontaneously through an interaction of genes with the environment," explained Jedd D. Wolchok, MD, PhD, an oncologist on the Clinical Immunology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. "By conducting trials in humans and in animals that live in the same surroundings as humans, there can be a synergy that we hope will result in improved cancer treatment for all."

Canine melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer that typically appears in a dog's mouth, but also may appear in the nail bed, foot pad or other areas. Dogs with melanomas that have gone beyond initial stages typically have a lifespan of one to five months with conventional therapies. To date, the most common treatments for this form of cancer have been radiation and surgery. "Melanoma spreads readily, and, unfortunately, is often resistant to chemotherapy," said Bob Menardi, DVM, a veterinarian and spokesperson
for Merial.

Clinical studies of the vaccine in dogs led by Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-Onc. at The Animal Medical Center's Donaldson-Atwood Cancer Center and Flaherty Comparative Oncology Laboratory, demonstrated significantly longer life spans even in dogs with advanced stages of melanoma. In fact, many dogs have survived beyond the 389-day median survival of the initial study.

"Historically speaking, treatment of oral melanoma with surgery, radiation or chemotherapy has not been very effective," said Dr. Bergman. "This therapeutic vaccine is an adjunct therapy for dogs that have been
diagnosed with this often fatal disease."

Merial obtained licensing rights from MSKCC and AMC, and, using their access to and experience with DNA vaccine technology licensed from Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq: VICL), completed the industrialization and regulatory requirements for conditional licensure. The vaccine will be administered via a new Canine Transdermal Device, which delivers the vaccine without the use of a needle. The device was developed in conjunction with Bioject, a Portland- based research pharmaceutical device company (Nasdaq: BJCT).

"We're all very proud of what we've accomplished here," said Tim Leard, DVM, PhD, Director of Biologics Research and Development at Merial. "We've brought together a number of partners, all committed to innovation and discovery. This product will improve the health and well-being of dogs, and we're very excited about continuing this work, leveraging technology, and developing more treatments."

The USDA has issued a conditional U.S. Veterinary Biological Product License for this therapeutic vaccine. This conditional license is a response to an application and assurance of safety and purity, and a
reasonable expectation of efficacy based on initial trials performed at MSKCC and AMC.

During the period of conditional licensure, Merial will conduct additional research to further support the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Production under this license is in compliance with all regulations and standards applicable to such products.

SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH IN THE SCREENING & TREATMENT OF CANINE LYMPHOMA CANCER IS A WORLD FIRST

2008-01-26T21:32:00.000-05:00

... one of the most prolific cancer killers in dogs can now be routinely screened for with a simple blood test
November 20 2006, Nottingham, England --- PR Newswire --- CANINE LYMPHOMA is one of the most prolific cancers in the dog population. It accounts for more than 20% of all cancers and in certain high risk breeds this figure could be considerably higher. Now a pioneering British bioscience company, PetScreen Limited (www.pet-screen.com) has announced an innovative screening and treatment optimisation programme which is the first of its kind to be made commercially available.
The screen is inexpensive, minimally invasive and relies on a small blood sample which can be taken by any vet, and then conveniently shipped directly to PetScreen's laboratories in Nottingham from anywhere in the world using a global logistics partnership with FedEx.
PetScreen has developed the screen based on proteomic technology which has emerged from the sequencing of both the human and canine genomes. It facilitates regular, routine screening which enables cancer to be detected at a much earlier stage when, as in humans, treatment has the best chance of success. The problems associated with the late detection of cancer are well understood, and whilst proteomic screening is at a comparatively early stage in humans, an ovarian cancer screen is expected to be announced in the United States next year... the work that PetScreen is undertaking in the canine world will have a significant impact for both four and two legs.
The scientific team, led by Dr Shahid Mian, has uniquely developed advanced biomarker technology for companion animals, specifically canine at the moment, but a feline lymphoma screen is planned for next year. Additional cancer screens for other major canine tumours will also be announced in 2007.
By looking for a “protein fingerprint” in the blood sample, the PetScreen proteomic screen enables very accurate and sensitive detection of the tumour, but just as importantly, indicates that the dog is free of lymphoma. The screen should therefore be regarded as part of an overall wellness programme for all breeds and provides owners with peace of mind ... particularly high risk breeds, which include both golden and flat-coated retrievers, boxers, rottweilers, German shepherds, spaniels and many breeds of mountain dogs. Ideally a mature pup should be screened at twelve months and then annually. For high risk breeds and dogs from middle age onwards, bi-annual screening should be considered, since six months in the life of a dog is equivalent to approximately three years in human terms. Any dog which may have been treated for lymphoma should be screened bi-annually to monitor for recurrence.
One in four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime. Therefore, to complement the screening technology, PetScreen has developed a novel treatment optimisation programme which helps vets select the most appropriate chemotherapy treatment for each patient.
PetScreen recognise the impact of this devastating disease on dogs and owners alike. The company was co-founded by business partners who share a passion for dogs. The company's Chairman Professor Graeme Radcliffe, had lost three young dogs to cancer over a five year period. His determination to do something positive led to a chance meeting with Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Slater, an entrepreneurial bioscientist who had worked on human biomarker programmes. The meeting led to the partnership which founded Petscreen … and the development of this innovative screening and treatment programme.
Release ends

Loss of beloved pet still leaves void

2008-01-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

By Jim Osterman | Monday, January 21, 2008, 07:13 AM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The math is our house doesn’t work.

Three pet dishes are out in the back yard, but there are only two dogs.

There are three large dog pillows in the living room, but only two are in use at any given time.

And in the morning only two dogs come running out of the part of the basement that houses three crates.

On Christmas Eve I fed our three dogs - Jake, Sydney and Molly. An hour later when I whistled them in Jake and Sydney came running. Five minutes later Molly came out the dark, walking as though every step brought pain. It did.

Ten minutes later we were at the emergency vet. And 10 more minutes a sonogram brought the sad report. It was cancer. A tumor that had not bothered her until that might had ruptured. There would be no Christmas miracle and there would be no happy ending.

But there was a blessing for Molly and for us. When she left this world she was surrounded by the four people who loved her best, her family. There would be no more cancer, no more pain and no more fear. We should all be so blessed.

Since that night the house has been slightly out of kilter. As I said, this has been a house for three dogs and now there are only two.

For Jake and Sydney, well, they have not quite been the same. Molly was the alpha dog and no one has assumed her mantle.

And as for us we miss her in a hundred different ways. We not longer hear her sneeze from inhaling dust while searching for crumbs on the kitchen floor. A light rain no longer brings her insistent bark at the back door. A recent trip out of town yielded a smaller-than-usual kennel bill, as two dogs costs less to board than three.

Her leash is still in the car, where it has been since Christmas Eve. There is no hurry or reason to move it.

I know some reading this will be dismissive and will tell me that all this sentiment over a pet is wasted. “It was only a dog,” you might say. And I won’t argue with you, because it’s not important to me that you understand the grief that lingers in the background in our house.

And at night when I bring the dogs in for the evening, Jake and Sydney come tumbling into the house and I hold the door open for an extra second, out of love’s habit.

Canine With Cancer Gives Hope To Humans In Need

2008-01-20T12:42:00.000-05:00

ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBS) ― Thousands of dogs across the country visit hospitals and nursing homes giving lots of love to people who are in the most need of it. Among them is a special Golden Retriever from New Jersey, who is now engaged in a fight of his own, a fight for his life. CBS 2 introduces us to Inker.

Inker brings joy to cancer patients at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Twice a week, the 9-year-old pet therapy dog showers people with love and kisses, helping those low in morale to find the strength to carry on against the most powerful and daunting enemy of all, cancer.

Inker's bond with patients is now even stronger, after being diagnosed with Canine Lymphoma last month. His owner, Pat Dobson, found the lymph nodes around his neck were swollen, and immediately suspected the worse. Dobson's fear became a reality, and the canine started chemotherapy immediately. He goes once a week for a about 20 minutes, and suffers from the same side effects as the very people he tries to cheer up.

While it's been very tough for Pat, who adopted Inker at 18-months-old, she tells CBS 2 her beloved Golden Retriever is as happy as ever.

"The glory and the blessing with animals is that they don't know how sick they are," said Dobson.

Along with his personal hospital tag, he now wears a cancer survivor shirt that helps inspire patients.

"They come in and they say, I don't believe it, he has cancer too, and I say, he's doing it and getting better, you're doing it and you're getting better, together we're going to make it," Dobson told CBS 2.

Inker has 21 more chemo treatments and plans to keep visiting patients as long as he has the energy. He's already visited nearly 900 patients in the past 2 years and has a lot more work to do.

Canine Lymphoma is pretty common and treatable. In half the cases, dogs achieve remission with chemotherapy and according to Dobson, things are looking good for Inker.

Pet insurance grows as employee benefit

2008-01-20T12:40:00.000-05:00

Pet insurance grows as employee benefit
By CANDICE CHOI

At a time when employers are scaling back on costly health benefits, pet insurance is gaining popularity as an employee benefit.

Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation's largest pet insurer, saw its corporate accounts balloon from 15 to 1,600 in the past six years. About 15 percent of Veterinary Pet Insurance's policies, or about 50,000, now come from its corporate accounts.

The growth of this perk comes as pets occupy an increasingly prominent place in the American home. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, pet owners spent an estimated $9.8 billion on veterinary care in 2007, up from $7.1 billion in 2001.

Pet owners are spending more on sophisticated care to give animals some comfort or a few extra years when illness strikes. The cost of a surgical veterinarian visit was $453 for dogs and $363 for cats in 2006, the most recent figures available, but treating a pet for an illness like cancer can cost several thousands of dollars.

Pet insurance is still relatively rare, with only about 2 percent of pets in the United States insured. Another major pet insurer, PetHealth Inc., expects that figure to grow to about 10 percent over the next decade as options for animal medical care grow. PetHealth, based in Oakville, Ontario, saw revenue from all policies jump to $4.3 million in the third quarter, up 12 percent from the previous year. While corporate accounts are growing, the vast majority of policies are still signed up through veterinary offices, retail outlets and animal shelters.

Noninvasive procedures like MRIs, CAT-scans and endoscopies have become relatively common for animals, with many pet owners looking to screen for illness early on. Though rare, owners can now even get organ transplants and pacemaker surgeries for cats and dogs.

"Veterinary science has grown in leaps and bounds. Treatments and therapies that were not available are now available," said John Warden, vice president of insurance at PetHealth. "There's an alternative to euthanasia, but it costs money. That's immediately led to the issue of insurance."

For employers, offering pet insurance doesn't cost a dime, since employees pay the full cost of the benefit, unlike health insurance for humans, where employers typically shoulder most of the cost. Workers typically get a discount of 5 or 10 percent if pet policies are obtained through their company.

Only a tiny fraction of employees typically sign up for the benefit -- usually less than 5 percent, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance. But with big names like Comcast Corp., Home Depot, the Walt Disney Co. and Sprint offering the benefit, policies add up.

"It's really taking a very holistic view of employees," said Patty Friedman, a senior health care strategy consultant for Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a personnel consulting firm. "It falls under the whole umbrella of protecting your financial well-being for you. (Employers) want to make things easy so you have one less thing to worry about."

Voluntary benefits like pet insurance are becoming more common at a time when American workers are feeling the sting of scaled back health benefits for people. According to the Kaiser Foundation, premiums for family coverage have increased 78 percent between 2001 and 2007 and companies that offered health benefits dropped to 60 percent of employers in 2007 from 69 percent in 2000.

For most companies, pet insurance is simply a way to help employees at no cost to the bottom line.

Del Monte Foods Co., based in San Francisco, started offering pet insurance a little over a year ago. Only about 15 or 20 employees have signed up for it so far, but the benefit makes a statement about the company's greater corporate culture, said Paul Berg, Del Monte's vice president of compensation and benefits.

"Nobody's going to leave or stay because of it. But it shows we understand that pets are just a very, very important part of the family," Berg said.

The company's rollout of pet products in recent years also made it a natural fit, Berg said.

Bobbie Stanton, a 55-year-old employee at Del Monte, signed up her two Shetland sheepdogs right away.

Having had to pay to treat her previous dog's mouth cancer, she knew the financial toll an illness could take. She had to borrow $3,000 from her parents to have the tumors removed.

"The alternative was to let him die, and I couldn't do that," she said.

Stanton now pays $313 a year for each of her two dogs. She recently paid $20 to have a burr removed from one dog's ear; the cost without insurance would have been $200.

Depending on the age and type of animal, costs for pet insurance typically range between $10 and $40 a month. Pet owners typically pay up front for vet bills then are reimbursed by insurers.

Pet insurance isn't for everyone, however. Unless your pet's breed is prone to chronic illness, Consumer Reports says pet insurance might cost more than it saves.

The consumer group warns that necessary treatments may not be covered and that policy holders might bump up against lifetime payment ceilings for chronically ill pets. Some policies might limit how much they pay per incident and others might require higher copays as pets age.

Whatever the means may be -- pet insurance, a savings account or any other financial plan -- the key is to simply plan ahead for medical care as with any other member of the family, said Dr. Thomas Carpenter, president of the American Animal Hospital Association.

"That way you won't have to make difficult decision in times of duress," he said.

Unique Gift for Valentine's Day: Canine Cancer Campaign Customized Dog Tag - for Your Dog or as a Beautiful Piece of Jewelry for a Special Human

2008-01-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

PR Newswire
Article Last Updated: 01/18/2008 05:00:47 AM MST

DENVER, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Here's a way to deliver a unique Valentine Day gift for the dogs and or very special humans in your life. Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is offering a beautiful Canine Cancer Campaign pet tag to donors contributing $50 or more to the MAF canine cancer cure research effort. Receive an additional engraved tag for each $50 contribution. Each tag can be personally engraved with your dogs name and information or the special message you desire. The tag celebrates and commemorates the life of our "best friends" of today and those that have left this life. The tag can also be worn by the pet owner as a distinctive piece of jewelry. Go to https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/lucky_pet_order to make a donation and order your MAF Canine Cancer Campaign tags.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040701/LAMAFLOGO)

In April 2007 MAF launched a global research effort to discover new, effective treatments to help dogs suffering from cancer today, while finding cures for this devastating disease in dogs. One in four dogs will die of cancer. Indeed, some breeds have an even higher incidence of cancer death: 60% of Golden Retrievers die of cancer. Breakthroughs in canine cancer are helping engender research in human cancer treatment. Learn more at: http://www.curecaninecancer.org, and http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org.

About Morris Animal Foundation:

Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948, is dedicated to funding research that protects, treats and cures companion animals and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals in some 100 countries, spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF has its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The Foundation has funded nearly 1,400 humane animal health studies with funds totaling more than $51 million. One hundred percent of annual donations go to fund health study programs. For more information, call (800) 243-2345, or visit http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.

Veterinarians are specializing to provide extensive treatment, including ultrasounds, chemo and plastic surgery

2008-01-16T16:39:00.000-05:00

BY CHRIS ANGERMANN

For many Americans, cats and dogs are not just household pets: They are family. So it should come as no surprise that during a medical crisis, many owners lavish extensive care on their four-legged family members.

"People are starting to demand the same level of excellence and service for their pets as for themselves," said animal neurologist and neurosurgeon Dr. Anne Chauvet of Sarasota.

"Advances of diagnostics are huge -- MRIs, ultrasound -- so early diagnoses are more possible."

In recent years, dialysis and kidney transplants for cats have become more common, as have hip and knee replacements for dogs. It is not unusual for pets with cancer to undergo radiation, chemotherapy and gene therapy, as well as surgery.

Chauvet tells the story of Serendipity, a mixed-breed dog, part-schnauzer, part-Labrador, whose hind legs had collapsed because of a cancerous spinal vertebra. The two sisters who owned the dog refused euthanasia. They

mortgaged their house to pay for surgery. In a seven-hour operation, Chauvet and a colleague took out the entire vertebra, replaced it with a bone marrow graft and plated it.

The sisters slept on the floor with the dog for months and took care of all her needs because the healing process required that she not be moved.

Serendipity lived up to her name. Except for no feeling in her tail, she made a full recovery and was able to run again.

"My job as a specialist is to guide the owners, not to decide for them," Chauvet said, although she offers this advice: "Follow your heart."

At Veterinary Neuro Services, Chauvet treats cats and dogs for bone, spinal and brain cancers. In a year, she does 10 to 15 craniotomies, the surgical removal of part of the skull to expose the brain, most commonly performed for brain tumor removal. She also sees pets for hernias, acute traumas and other emergencies. On call 24-7, she spent New Year's Eve operating on a dachshund that had a herniated disk.

Dr. Jeanette Cole; her husband, Dr. Edward Cole; and her sister-in-law, Dr. Kate Cole -- all veterinarians at Gulf Gate Animal Clinic & Hospital -- provide services from simple nail trims and teeth cleaning to major surgery and chemotherapy. But Cole also refers animals and their owners to specialists, including pet oncologists, dermatologists and other surgeons, "for procedures we haven't done frequently enough ourselves," she said. "That's the trend now."

In the Sarasota area, there are ophthalmologists who do cataract surgery and artificial lens implants. The Cat Thyroid Center in Ruskin treats feline hyperthyroidism, a disease common to older cats. Pet dentists perform root canals and treat allergies. In larger cities, you can find specialists who perform only soft-tissue surgery or orthopedic hip replacements for dogs. Even pet plastic surgery is available, both for reconstructive and aesthetic purposes.

For the owners, treatments can be expensive. An MRI can cost $1,500. A hip replacement for a dog can run between $4,000 and $6,000. Depending on where you live, a craniotomy goes from $4,000 all the way to $10,000. Follow-up care can place additional burdens on the owner. After a kidney transplant, for example, cats will have a stomach tube for a month so they can get adequate nutrition. Post-op care can take up to two hours a day -- a big time commitment.

The return on all that time, money and effort can be great. Cole cites the case of Smoky Lion, a cat that suffered from diabetes, intestinal tumors, kidney problems and hyperthyroidism. The treatment was challenging because the chemotherapy used cortisone, which is a no-no when an animal has diabetes. "It was a balancing act that needed a very sharp owner that could watch for symptoms of side effects for drugs," Cole said. But because of the surgery and attentive after-care, Smoky Lion lived to the ripe old age of 16.

Of course, it is not only traditional medical treatments available to pet owners. Just as humans are searching for alternative treatments for themselves, they are looking at some of those same options for their pets.

Kayla, an Australian shepherd, had been in excellent health until just before her eighth birthday. Out of the blue, she suffered three seizures in one day. "It was very frightening," her owner, Kristine Nickels, recalled. "I found her on her side panting, legs and feet spasming. She was foaming at the mouth and had lost control of her bladder and bowels."

Nickel took Kayla to the Sarasota Veterinary Emergency Hospital on South Tamiami Trail, where she received drugs and stayed until she was seizure-free. The heavy doses of phenobarbital and prednisone, however, made her groggy and listless. Later, an MRI showed a brain lesion that was not operable.

Doing research on the Internet, Nickel discovered that acupuncture treatment might be effective. She went to Dr. Howard Rand who combines traditional and holistic animal medicine in Sarasota. One of the first veterinarians in the U.S. to perform acupuncture -- he has been at it since 1974 -- he also does allergy testing and treatment, homeopathy, prolotherapy (injection of tendons and ligaments) and applied kinesiology. "I use alternative medicine to complement conventional wisdom," he said.

Rand put Kayla on a detoxing regimen, prescribed organic food, and gave her acupuncture treatments.

In three sessions, Kayla's health improved to the point that her medication could be greatly reduced. At the time of the interview, Kayla had been seizure-free for a month and had become more like herself again. Nickel feels fortunate that she and her husband, attorney Jack Klingsmith, can provide Kayla with the best treatment available.

"I wanted to return to her the joy that she has brought us," Nickel said.

Help protect your pet against cancer

2008-01-14T11:17:00.000-05:00

Whether we are speaking of people or their pets, present medical knowledge holds that healthy bodies are continually producing cancer cells and that their immune system acts as the gate keeper that quickly destroys these malignant cells before they get a foot hold and develop into a malignant tumor. This, however, begs the question: Why do people and their pets develop cancer?

Some factors that may influence the onset of cancer include genetic defects, toxic exposure, chronic inflammation, malnutrition, poor detoxification and radiation exposure. However, underneath it all the bottom line is that cancer develops when the pet's immune system is unable to respond vigorously enough to eliminate the diseased cells.

So let us take a look at what we can do to prevent cancer in our pets by supporting their immune system. Apart from hereditary defects which we have no control over there are a number of steps we may take to help our pet's immune system do its job more effectively.

Let us start out by discussing how to nutritionally support our pet's immune system. We must feed our pets a complete and balanced diet, a diet that provides a host of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids in adequate quantities and proper proportions. A deficiency in any of these can weaken the immune system and allow cancer cells to get a foot hold. Because poor farming practices have left the soil deficient in important "trace minerals" and because poor manufacturing practices destroy health-giving nutrients, pet owners must fortify their pet's diet with supplements that include trace minerals, essential fatty acids, B vitamins, digestive enzymes and good bacteria.

Next, the diets we feed our pets are frequently out of balance when it comes to Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. There are far too many inflammatory Omega 6's in our pet's diet and proportionately too few anti inflammatory Omega 3's. The consequence of this imbalance is that our pet's immune system cannot effectively control inflammation and this may eventually lead to cancer. Dog and cat diets are usually deficient in antioxidants, which function to reduce the build up of dangerous free radicals that can cause inflammation and lead to cancer.

Supplementing our pet's diet with Omega 3 fatty acids and an abundance of antioxidants will go along way in supporting their immune system.

Food and environmental toxins are becoming more and more of a stress to our pet's immune system. Many pet foods contain an abundance of toxins in the form of chemical preservatives, coloring agents, flavoring agents, and pesticides to name just a few.

These food toxins further stress an immune system that is already working hard to remove many other environmental toxins. Next, feeding carnivorous animals like dogs and cats a grain-based diet that they can not properly digest often leads to an inflammatory condition of the bowel that holistic veterinarians refer to as "leaky gut syndrome." The leaky gut lets toxins that would normally remain in the bowel, leak out into the blood stream where they put an extra work load on liver detoxification and the immune system. The high heat processing and prolonged warehousing of commercial diets can cause fats to become toxic. Feeding our pets a commercial diet that uses natural ingredients rather than artificial chemical, that are meat based with few grains, that are processed under low heat and that are stored for only a short time in warehouses will reduce stress on the immune system.

Of course poor nutrition is not the only predisposing cause of cancer. Reducing environmental toxins such as radon, lawn pesticides, intestinal parasites, and cigarette smoke will help reduce stress on the pet's immune system. Using non-toxic house hold cleaning products will also reduce the immune systems toxic load.

Dr. John Simon is the owner of Woodside Animal Clinic, 27452 Woodward, Royal Oak, (248) 545-6630, where he has treated dogs, cats, birds and rodents with conventional and alternative medicine since 1970. He has written four pet care books and is certified in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary spinal adjustment. Dr. Simon's Web site is www.doc4pets.com

Dog with Bone Cancer Survives and Competes in Flyball Championship With 3 Legs!

2008-01-11T11:07:00.000-05:00

Practice, practice, practice. Every sport requires it. And so does flyball.

"Flyball is really kind of an extreme game of fetch for dogs. It's a relay race for dogs," says dog owner Jennifer Rohling.

Like every sport, flyball also has winners. You can call them four-legged champs or canine celebrities.

Jagger is one of those champions. Named in honor of Mick of the Rolling Stones, Jagger is a big star in flyball. In fact, she's in the Clyde Moore Memorial Hall of Fame, which honors flyball's best.

In the 40-year history of flyball, Jagger ranks as one of the top 15 dogs to ever play the game. Jagger is also an English shepherd playing in a sport better suited to Border Collies. Jagger's story goes beyond being a good dog that's good at a doggy game.

Her story is an inspirational one. She lost her back leg to cancer. Rohling, Jagger's owner, remembers how it began.

"When Jagger was about nine-years-old I noticed she had a little lump in her toe that would come and go. They determined it was synovial sarcoma which is a type of cancer. Unfortunately, they said her only way to survive was to have her whole leg amputated. It was very devastating. Beyond all that, she's my soul mate and my friend and I was worried about her."

Rohling says Jagger may have lost a leg to cancer, but she didn't lose her heart.

"Probably about eight weeks after her surgery we were here at practice and she really wanted to get out there and play, and we let her go up to the box and she hit the box and got the ball. And so we backed her up a little and tried a couple jumps and she proved that she could still do it."

By now you've guessed that Jagger is back competing in the veteran's class and, well, she hasn't lost a step.

And the results haven't changed.

So that's the story of Jagger, a flyball champ with lots of rock, lots of roll. It definitely has a fairy tale ending. Here's hoping, Jagger lives happily ever after.

Pet Food Expert reveals Tips to Avoid the Next Pet Food Recall

2008-01-04T08:18:00.000-05:00

While there is no way to be 100% certain that a pet food will not be tainted or will not be recalled, pet food expert Susan Thixton has just provided a list of pet food ingredients that are potentially dangerous.

Source: Truth About Pet Food
Jan 02, 2008 20:33:37

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(PRLog.Org) – Jan 02, 2008 – Last year turned out to be the worst in history for pet food recalls. While there is no way to be 100% certain that a pet food will not be tainted or will not be recalled, pet food expert Susan Thixton has just provided pet owners with a list of pet food ingredients that have been associated with recalls and are potentially dangerous.

Wheat, Soy, and Corn Glutens were the bad boy ingredients of 2007, but there can be other potentially dangerous ingredients in pet foods. Pet Food Expert Susan Thixton has published a tip sheet of information listing potentially and historically dangerous pet food ingredients that pet owners should avoid in 2008. Thixton’s website TruthAboutPetFood.com helps pet owners worldwide learn how to find healthy and safe foods and treats for their dogs and cats. “The pet food recall that began in February 2007 is still on the minds of pet owners everywhere” states Thixton. “The pet food industry or the FDA have made no changes to regulations on imported ingredients or regulated mandatory testing of pet food. Pets continue to be at risk of another recall. I wanted to do something to help – I’m hoping this list will alert pet owners on what pet foods to avoid to try to keep their pets safe” continues Susan Thixton.

The free pet food ingredient warning list – Tips to Avoid the Next Pet Food Recall – is available to pet owners at www.TruthAboutPetFood.com in the Paws Club section of the website or direct page at http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com/avoidrecall.html The list is also available in an RSS feed format at http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/avoidrecall.rss.

Susan Thixton has been studying the pet food industry over 15 years since the bone cancer death of her dog her veterinarian told her was caused by chemical preservatives in pet food. In 2005 Thixton published the book Truth About Pet Food which led to the development and publication of Petsumer Report™ - an online and paper publication that rates and reviews dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats. Future plans for Petsumer Report™ are to provide chemical analysis of pet foods and reviews on various other pet supplies.

About Truth About Pet Food: Many pet websites report the news, TruthAboutPetFood.com explains the news to pet owners around the world. The site offers a free newsletter and a library of past articles and information regarding pet food.

Tests Find More Toxic Pet Toys

2007-12-30T10:25:00.000-05:00

Tests Find More Toxic Pet Toys
Toxic toys may be hazardous to humans as well as pets
By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.Com

Concerns about toxins in pet toys -- the focus of a ConsumerAffairs.com investigation in September -- continue to be raised nationwide.

The latest concerns surfaced in a recent investigation by WFLD-TV in Chicago, which had a private laboratory test 15 Chinese-made pet products for lead.

Tests conducted by Trace Laboratories, Inc. of Palatine, Illinois, revealed the ink logo on a Paws 'N Claws tennis ball for dogs contained 27,200 parts per million of lead. That's 45 times higher than the national level allowed for lead paint in children's toys. Federal law sets that limit at 600 parts per million.

There are, however, no national standards for lead and other toxins in pet toys.

Trace Laboratories also analyzed a ceramic pet bowl and discovered the paint on the bottom of that product contained 2,890 parts per million of lead – nearly five times the 600 parts per million benchmark.

"I was surprised (by these results) because of all the exposure right now regarding lead in toys," Mitchell Sas, general manager of Trace Laboratories, told us. "You'd think suppliers would be more cautious and get an independent lab (to test the products)."

WFLD purchased the pet products from a Dollar General store and said it could not reach the manufacturers.

The station's tests come on the heels of a recent ConsumerAffairs.com investigation that brought the issue of toxins in pet toys to light.

Standards needed
Our investigation also triggered calls for national "acceptable standards and levels" for lead and other toxins in pet toys from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, veterinarians, and dog and cat owners across the country.

Earlier this month, the director of the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also urged pet toy makers to test their products – and publicly disclose their findings.

As we reported, we hired a private laboratory in Texas to analyze four Chinese-made pet toys -- two for dogs and two for cats -- for lead and four other heavy metals.

ExperTox Inc. Analytical Laboratory discovered one of the dog toys -- a latex one that looks like a green monster -- contained what the lab's forensic toxicologist called high levels of lead and the cancer producing agent chromium.

A cloth catnip toy also tested positive for "a tremendous amount" of the toxic metal cadmium. Two veterinarians, however, told us the levels of toxic metals in the toys did not pose a health risk to dogs or cats.

ExperTox also analyzed two other Chinese-made pet toys – a cloth hedgehog for dogs and a plastic dumbbell toy for cats. The lab detected cadmium in those toys, but said the levels were "about the amount you'd find in one cigarette" and not considered significant.

We purchased the toys from a Wal-Mart in Kansas City, Missouri. All the toys had a tag attached that read "Marketed by Wal-Mart stores and Made in China."

The levels of lead and other toxins in the dog and cat toys we tested were significantly lower than those found in the pet products Trace Laboratories analyzed. Nonetheless, ExperTox's forensic toxicologist called his lab's findings concerning – and even suggested that Wal-Mart pull the products off the market.

"Or put a warning label on them that says if you put this (toy) in your mouth you will get poisoned," Dr. Ernest Lykissa, a forensic toxicologist and director of ExperTox, told us. "There is nothing good about the agents (in these toys) that I'm reporting to you."

Green monster
The green monster toy, Dr. Lykissa said, contained 907.4 micrograms per kilogram of lead.

"That's almost one part per million," he said. "With that kind of concentration, if a dog is chewing on it or licking it, he's getting a good source of lead."

The green monster toy also contained what Dr. Lykissa considered high levels of chromium -- 334.9 micrograms per kilogram.

"With that kind of chromium in there you have what can be an extremely toxic toy if they (animals) put it in their mouths. And dogs put things in their mouths. If a dog puts this in his mouth, he runs a big chance of getting some type of metal toxicity that may shorten his life."

ExperTox also detected other toxic metals in the green monster toy.

"There's cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in there," Dr. Lykissa said. "This is not a clean toy. This is toxic. Bank on it."

ExperTox's tests on the catnip toy detected "concerning" levels of cadmium – 236 micrograms per kilogram. "That one is worrisome to me," Dr. Lykissa said. "That's a big number. It's a good dose of cadmium."

Toxins come right off
There's another reason Dr. Lykissa expressed concerns about the heavy metals in these chew toys.

"These (toxic) materials came off the toys freely, like with the lick of the tongue from a dog or cat," he said. "They were readily liberated from these toys. We didn't take a sledge hammer and pound on them. I just did what a dog or cat would do by licking it. That's why this is so serious."

Dr. Lykissa said toxicologists cut off a small piece from each of the toys, weighed the samples, and put them in acidic water.

"We left the samples for a while and then heated them up to body temperature," he said. "Then we put them in a machine (called an ICP-MS- or Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), and that machine told us this is lead and this is chromium . . .

"We didn't dissolve the toys," he added. "These materials were leeching off the toys. Whatever leeched off the toys is what I'm reporting to you. The material came right off. Somebody's saliva or the sweat in their hands would freely pick up these materials. And that's absorbing it. If you ate the materials, like a dog might, it would be worse."

Physicist agrees
A physicist who reviewed ExperTox's findings echoed Dr. Lykissa's concerns.

"The fact that these (toxins) were leeching off the toys makes this much worse," said Jim Norling, an Ohio physicist. "He (Dr. Lykissa) was testing how much lead leeched out of the toys. That sounds like water soluble lead, which is more toxic than solid lead that is encapsulated. Water soluble lead is easily absorbed by the body, so this ups the ante on being toxic."

He added: "There's a big difference between lead that is contained and lead that is leeching in water."

Trace Laboratories used a different procedure to test the pet products it analyzed for WFLD-TV. That lab used what's called an X-ray fluorescence analyzer.

"It basically shoots a beam (at the area tested) and reads back the material content in the product," said the lab's General Manager, Mitchell Sas. "In this case, we only screened for lead."

Meanwhile, ExperTox's findings struck a personal chord with Norling and his wife, Karen.

Their two Miniature Schnauzers -- Angus and Taylor -- have repeatedly played with Wal-Mart's green monster toys. The dogs, they said, chewed on the toys for days and eventually tore the squeakers out of them.

Karen is worried about lead building up her dogs' bodies and the long-term affects that could have on their health.

"I wish to God he (Dr. Lykissa) was wrong about all this because if he's not my dogs will inevitably suffer, which will cause me to suffer deeply in the long run."

Her husband shares those concerns for their dogs – and himself and his wife.

"Our dogs love that (toy)," Norling said. "We throw it to them and our hands get wet. Now I wonder how much lead we were exposed to. I work with my hands and if I had a cut, that lead would go directly into my blood and that's very bad."

Wal-Mart dodges
Wal-Mart, however, defended the pet toys we tested and said they were safe. The company also criticized Dr. Lykissa, saying he "severely misinterpreted" the results.

"After reviewing these test results provided to us…the results of these tests actually prove the products are VERY safe," said Wal-Mart's hired spokeswoman, Melissa O'Brien. She works for a private public relations firm called Edelman. "If these measurements are in fact the results, as you have reported, they have been severely misinterpreted by the director of ExperTox's lab, if he is reporting these levels to be 'high' or dangerous.

"The conclusions drawn in this article appear to have been based on incorrect interpretations of the data, and based on the opinions of a person (who is) not an expert in consumer product testing," O'Brien said.

O'Brien did not cite any scientific credentials and did not refer us to any scientific employees or consultants to back up her statements.

ExperTox said Dr. Lykissa is an expert at testing consumer products. The lab also called its findings "rock solid."

A veterinary toxicologist who reviewed ExperTox's results said the levels of toxic metals in the toys did not pose a health risk to dogs or cats.

"I don't see any of those numbers being a toxicity concern for dogs or cats," said Dr. Mike Murphy of the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Latex paint can contain one-half to one percent of lead, which is 10,000 parts per million.

"I disagree with the interpretation that's being made (by Lykissa)," added Dr. Murphy, who holds a Ph.D. in toxicology. "I consider these to be extremely low numbers and they are not a toxicological concern for pet owners."

After learning about Trace's findings, however, Dr. Murphy told the American Veterinary Medical Association that pet owners should be careful about lead exposure in their dogs and cats.

"If your pet is chewing and swallowing a toy then maybe that's not something you should allow the animal to play with," Dr. Murphy said, adding there are other -- more toxic -- sources of lead in many households, including old lead paint, fishing weights, curtain weights, and some older molded-metal toys.

More testing needed
Dr. Steven Hansen, director of the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, said his lab fielded more than 200,000 hotline calls in the past two years. And none of those calls came from pet owners worried about a toy causing lead poisoning in their pets.

Dr. Hansen, however, urged pet toy makers to test their products for lead and other toxins.

"To reassure pet owners, we encourage manufacturers to test pet products for lead and other contaminants and post findings on their corporate Web sites," he said.

An Illinois pet owner, who in August paid to have 24 of her dogs' Chinese-made toys tested for lead, agrees.

Nancy R. of Orland Park, Illinois, hired a laboratory at the Illinois Department of Agriculture to run the tests.

"The only reason I tested these dog toys is because I have lost three Shelties in the last four years and I can only figure out why one of them died," said Nancy, who is also a nurse.

Tennis ball
The Illinois Department of Agriculture's lab found the highest levels of lead in a PetSmart tennis ball -- 335.7 parts per million. It detected the lowest levels of lead in a Hartz Rubber Percival Platypus – 0.02 parts per million.

"These are all within the acceptable limits for lead content in children's toys in Illinois," the lab's director, Dr. Gene Niles, told us. The veterinarian is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology (DABVT). "There are no levels for lead content in pet toys. Are these numbers high or low? All I can tell you is that in Illinois, the state allows up to 600 parts per million for lead in kid's toys and these are all within that guideline."

Nancy, however, says new guidelines are needed specifically for pet toys. And these latest findings by Trace Laboratories illustrate her concerns.

"I want standards for safe levels of lead and other toxins for pet toys," she said. "And I want to know what they (those in the pet industry or with legislative authority) are going to do about getting these standards.

"Originally, my lab convinced me all my toys were safe. But now, I don't know…I don't know if I feel safe with the toys out there. I hope everybody stops blaming each other and starts solving the problem. And the problem is we have no standards for pet toys."

Symptoms
In the meantime, how can pet owners tell if their dogs or cats have lead poisoning?

Dr. Frederick Oehme, professor of toxicology and diagnostic medicine at Kansas State University, said symptoms can include a slightly anorexic appearance, loss of appetite, and behavior changes like twitching and whining in their sleep.

In more advanced cases, he said, there are neurological symptoms that include mild to severe seizures.

Pet owners who notice any of these symptoms in their dogs or cats should immediately contact their veterinarian, Dr. Oehme said.

"Veterinarians are in a very unique position because, when they see lead poisoning in a pet, the veterinarian can then ask if other members of the family -- particularly children -- have been checked for lead poisoning since they live in the same environment," he said. "I've seen a dog that tested with high levels of lead ... from lead soldering, and, when the owner was tested for lead, he also had high blood levels of lead."

Dog Obesity Linked to Cancer

2007-12-28T16:01:00.001-05:00

What you should know about pet obesity

Dog obesity can have serious health effects:

JOINTS AND BONES: "Extra weight aggravates the joints," says Denver veterinarian Kevin Fitzgerald, of Animal Planet's "Emergency Vets" and "E-Vet Interns." "Things like underlying hip dysplasia - if you keep lean, you're not going to add to it. Dogs that are overweight have a much higher incidence of problems with the knees." And in animals that already have a tendency toward bad backs, including specific breeds like the dachshund, "you don't want to put extra weight on those discs that are bad to begin with."

CANCER: Extra weight can increase cancer risk, and the effects are long-term. "Dogs that are obese at one year of age have a higher incident of mammary cancer as 10 year olds," Fitzgerald says. And diets high in fat and sugar make your pets more prone to intestinal cancer and cancer of the colon.

HEART AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: "We have a lot of respiratory problems in overweight animals. Things like collapsing trachea and asthma are tremendously aggravated by being overweight," Fitzgerald says. And the relationship between extra weight and heart disease is well established in both humans and animals. "The more weight you carry, the harder it is for your heart."

DIABETES: As in humans, being overweight carries the risk of diabetes. "Your pancreas is set to an optimal body weight. If your body mass is more than it should be, your pancreas is overworked, stops producing insulin, and bang, you've got diabetes," Fitzgerald says.

LIFESPAN: If you keep your pets at a healthy weight, you're likely to have them with you longer. "Some studies with beagles have shown that optimal weight beagles live one to two years longer than dogs that are 20-30 per cent overweight," Fitzgerald says.

Herbs, Acupuncture & Physicial Therpay for Dogs with Cancer

2007-12-28T15:44:00.000-05:00

A better way to heal
12/22/2007, 9:25 pm

Herbs, acupuncture, physical therapy for Fido

FRANKLIN, MASS. -- When veterinarians diagnosed Mike Catalano's dog, Celeste, with bone cancer in 2004, doctors only gave the mixed breed six months.

"They didn't offer much hope," said Catalano of Blackstone.

Catalano took the dog to veterinarian Margo Roman at MASH, Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton, changed Celeste's diet, added nutritional support, ozone therapy and homeopathy.

"I had two more years left to love and hug her -- that's 14 dog years," said Catalano. In 1975 Roman studied acupuncture. By 1993, she knew there was so much more she could do, so she began adding other modalities to her practice. Roman, who wanted to spread the word about other options in the treatment of animals, planned a documentary on the subject.

The documentary, "Dr. DoMore," an alternative to "Dr. Dolittle," educates viewers on a healthier way to treat animals by integrating options of herbs, acupuncture, physical therapy, and many other practices that enhance the well-being of the animal.

"The caretaker needs to be empowered to have choices -- beyond surgery and drugs," said Roman.

Before a crowd of about 50 recently Roman showed the documentary at Masterpeace Dog Training Center in Franklin. Simone Hnilicka of Concord produced, directed and filmed "Dr. DoMore." Hnilicka and Roman traveled with 60 veterinary acupuncturists from all over the world. Their travels included visiting schools of acupuncture, talking to veterinarians in Tibet about the use of herbs, interviewing 50 homeopathic veterinarians on the use of homeopathic treatment, and attending veterinarian conferences about their approach to nutrition as a way to prevent disease. In total they interviewed 125 veterinarians.

In the film, veterinarians expressed their opinions on subjects such as the overuse of vaccination, which could cause cancer, said Roman.

"Approximately 46 percent of dogs die of cancer and some of them could be very well be caused by vaccinations," said Roman. During the showing of the film, Hnilicka's dog, Ludwig von Beethoven, Luddie for short, walked around the room, visited with other dogs and happily wagged his blond tail. Luddie is one of the lucky dogs receiving alternative treatment.

Hnilicka's previous dog, who had difficulty walking, was given one option. "Shoot the dog with steroids," she said. "I searched for an alternative and met Margo, who prescribed acupuncture, chiropractic, nutritional supplements, and homeopathy. He lived a healthy life for another three years."

Other options

Integrative veterinary medicine -- combined conventional and alternative medicine -- gives veterinarians other options.

Roman and her colleagues plan to take the documentary to screenings to educate viewers on available options and raise enough money to produce a longer documentary on the 12 different alternatives that comprise integrative medical therapies. Next month the documentary will premier in Australia and New Zealand. This month it will be shown in Nebraska and Virginia.

Jennifer Katz went to the preview with her daughters, Jessie and Hannah and their dogs Belle and Bear.

"We're a big dog family," said Jennifer Katz of Newton. "After losing our 12-year-old golden retriever, Max, we want a better choice for Belle. We want to try to do better on food, vaccinations, and pain control."

Katz says while it's fortunate for dog owners to have these options for their pets, she feels it is unfortunate that for some humans, these options aren't available.

Roman and her colleagues hope the treatment of animals will lead the pack in the treatment of humans. Roman hopes they ask themselves: "If my animals are getting acupuncture and massage, why can't I? Why can't we be given something that does not have a side effect?"

"We need pharmaceuticals, but it shouldn't be the first choice," said Roman. "You should think of other ways of choosing."

Since "Dr. DoMore" began airing on www.drdomore.org, the site has had one million hits, said Roman.

"We're about really centering the whole body's health," she said. "The body wants to be healthy. Giving it the tools to help heal itself."

Sick Pets, Life and Death Choices

2007-11-29T17:06:00.000-05:00

(LifeWire) -- Amy Breyer spared no expense to save her cat, Bob, when he was diagnosed with cancer, traveling about 1,700 miles and spending over $10,000 to ensure he received the best treatment available.

James Symington's 14-year-old German shepherd Trakr has degenerative myelopathy.

"Bob was like a child to me, so I was absolutely heartbroken when he was diagnosed," says Breyer, who has an animal law practice in Chicago. "It was never a question that I would try to get treatment for him."

Bob had nine months in remission. After a second round of surgery and radiation therapy, he enjoyed another four months of health before the disease returned.

"When it got to the point for me where it looked like he wasn't enjoying anything anymore, we opted to put him down, which to this day I have conflicted feelings about," Breyer says.

'Sweet goodbye'

In caring for ill and aging pets, quality of life should be the priority, says Alice Villalobos, a founding member of the Veterinary Cancer Society. Well-meaning owners can put their sick pets through procedure after procedure, but if quality of life isn't restored, the result is overtreatment.

If quality of life is the goal, decisions about treatment, care and euthanasia become clearer, though no less difficult to make.

Villalobos cited surveys saying one-third of people who euthanize a pet are haunted by the decision to do so. She sees this as a failure of the veterinary community to counsel pet owners and affirm their decision.

"Medical euthanasia is a sweet goodbye," Villalobos says. "It's literally helping a pet leave before they (go) through the throes and anguish of natural dying. It's a gift that we can give to our pets, but some people feel very reluctant to make the decision."

High costs of care

Another factor that comes into play when deciding how to care for an aging or sick animal is economics. Sometimes owners make the painful decision to euthanize a pet because medical care is simply too costly.

When David Neilsen of Tarrytown, New York, found out his 17-year-old cat Betty had a thyroid condition and a large lump that was probably cancerous, finances were a factor in deciding how to care for her. The initial checkup for Betty and her sister, Veronica, cost over $800, and further tests and treatment could easily have run into the thousands.

"It was a bit of sticker shock for me to see that," Neilsen says.

Neilsen decided to put Betty to sleep. He says he would have treated her if she were younger, but it wasn't worth it for a cat her age. Betty had lived a long, happy life.

While Neilsen was certain about the decision, euthanizing Betty was still painful. "It was very emotional, very difficult," he says. "When it was over, I couldn't stop petting her."

Knowing your options

Expensive treatment and euthanasia are two ends of a spectrum, and it's important that veterinarians inform people of other options for end-of-life care treatment that still provides comfort to the pet.

"Pet caregivers need to be offered more options for palliative treatment and programs," Villalobos says.

One such option is a pet hospice program. Organizations like the Argus Institute at Colorado State University, Angel's Gate in Fort Salonga, New York, and Pawspice, founded by Villalobos for terminally ill pets in the Los Angeles area, provide hospice care to animals to ease symptoms and minimize pain.

At Pawspice, for example, custom care plans developed by vets can include medical treatments, pain management techniques, nutritional advice and hygiene routines. They also may address how to handle euthanasia to avoid a sudden, emotional decision when the time comes. Depending on an animal's condition and treatment options, costs can run into the hundreds of dollars, although some programs take into account how much treatment an owner can afford.

Animal hospice in action

Trakr, a 14-year-old German shepherd, has been a Pawspice patient for about a year. The retired police search-and-rescue dog -- one of the first on the scene of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center -- has a condition called degenerative myelopathy and has lost the function of his hind legs.

"Pawspice provides the support I need to properly care for Trakr at home while preserving his dignity and quality of life," says retired K-9 officer James Symington of West Hollywood, California, Trakr's owner.

"His spirit remains strong and we enjoy every minute that we have together," Symington says. Trakr still enjoys walks and playing catch on the beach thanks to a doggie wheel cart, which helps compensate for his diminished mobility.

"It's been extremely difficult for me to even contemplate the last days of Trakr's life." Symington says. "But I also have faith that I will know just when it's time and (have) the courage to do what is right."

The Importance of Catching Dog Cancer Early

2007-11-29T16:59:00.000-05:00

Reported by:
Dylan Dreyer
Producer:
Laura Stebbins
Contact
LStebbins@whdh.com

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in pets over 10 years old. But just like in people early detection can be a lifesaver. 7's Dylan Dreyer has more in this weeks “Protecting Your Pet.”

Carol Donnelly's dog Scout is her prized pooch.

Carol Donnelly, Scout's owner
"I do agility with him and I show him as a breed dog, and I do obedience with him."

Two years ago, Carol noticed a change in Scout's behavior, and after several trips to the vet, she got some bad news.

Carol Donnelly, Scout's owner
"He did in fact have cancer."

Scout was diagnosed with a fatal form of lymphoma.

Carol Donnelly, Scout's owner
"They did tell me he would have about a year to live, if we treated him and now we're almost close to two years."

Vets say like in people, catching cancer early is the best chance of survival.

Dr. Kim Cronin, the New England Veterinary Oncology Group
"Things that you're watching for are lumps or bumps that grow or become ulcerated, a persistent cough, change in either of bowel or bladder habits, looking for unexplained weight loss."

Breeds at a higher risk of getting cancer are the golden retriever, boxer, Doberman, rottweiler, and many other large breeds. One option of treatment is chemotherapy.

Dr. Kim Cronin, the New England Veterinary Oncology Group
"Many of our patients can live longer good quality lives."

Vets say unlike people pets have little to no side effects to the drugs. Scout started chemo and went into remission. Last year his cancer came back and he began chemo again--Carol says she's keeping her fingers crossed.

Carol Donnelly, Scout's owner
"Some dogs do get cured, I mean once in a blue moon they are able to, so I can always hope!" Donnelly said.

In many cases holistic treatments can also be successful in treating a pet with cancer. Your veterinarian can help you to decide what the best options are for your animal.

Researcher to Study Dog Genome for Clues to Lymphoma in Dogs and Humans

2007-11-20T16:05:00.000-05:00

Dr. Matthew Breen, a professor of genomics at NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine, has been awarded a five-year, $1 million grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to find cancer-associated genes in canines.

Breen, who worked on sequencing the canine genome in 2004, says that not only is the dog genome very similar to the human genome, it is also much easier to pinpoint the location of abnormal areas within the dog genome, due to the lack of genetic variability within breeds.

"If you take DNA samples from members of a particular breed of dog, you'll see very little genetic variation in the samples, because in creating a particular breed, variation gets 'squeezed out' over time as breeders try to get dogs that conform to the breed standard," Breen says.

"The end result is that when you compare the DNA samples from one breed, any aberration within the genome really stands out, making it much easier to identify."

In addition to having similar genomes, dogs and humans also have similar cancers, in part because they share the same environment. Most human cancer research is conducted on mice, but the cancers have to be artificially induced, and the mouse genome is not as similar to the human genome as the dog's is. Cancers in dogs, on the other hand, occur under the same circumstances and have the same characteristics as they do in people.

Golden retrievers, one of the most popular breeds of dog in the United States, have a one-in-eight chance of developing lymphoma. And the lymphoma they suffer from is almost identical to non-Hodgkins lymphoma in humans, which Breen believes may work to the advantage of both species in terms of finding the genetic cause and a possible cure.

"The same genes that affect dogs with cancer affect people with cancer," Breen says. "If we can pinpoint these genes in dogs, where it's much easier to find them, then we know where to start looking for them in people."

Breen has already started to identify aberrant regions within the dog genome, and hopes to have the cancer-associated genetic candidates identified in dogs within the next few years.

"When we identify the three or four genes within a particular region that play a role in cancer in dogs, we can translate that information to the human genome and look to see what impact they will have in the human population. It will benefit both dogs and people."

Source: North Carolina State University

All Dogs DX With Cancer in U.S. Eligible for Free Cancer Consultation!

2007-11-17T07:25:00.000-05:00

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- When Jack Stephens, DVM, founder and president of Pets Best Insurance, was diagnosed with throat cancer, he received emotional support from his small dog, Spanky. Recognizing that cancer now claims the lives of one in every two dogs and cats who are 10 years or older, this cancer survivor set out to find a way to assist companion animals diagnosed with this disease.

Effective immediately, all pets diagnosed with cancer in the United States are eligible for a free cancer consultation from Oncura Partners, a national pet cancer specialty firm with the costs underwritten by Pets Best Insurance. Pet families are not required to have a policy with Pets Best Insurance, but their consultation request must come from their veterinarian.
Veterinarians are embracing this news, including Alice Villalobos, DVM, a pioneer in pet cancer medicine and author of Canine & Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond. "The bonds that clients have developed with their older pets are especially strong and drive the increasing demand for more proficient and highly compassionate medical treatment of companion animals diagnosed with cancer," says Dr. Villalobos, who operates the Pawspice Care Clinic in Hermosa Beach, Calif. and the Animal Oncology Consultation Service in Woodland Hills, Calif. Dr. Villalobos continued, "we applaud this important effort by Pets Best and Oncura Partners. Making treatments for cancer more accessible will certainly save a great deal of grief for many pet families and extend the lives of many, many pets."

Pets Best Insurance recognizes that the key to successful cancer treatment is an early diagnosis and effective treatment regime. Sadly, qualified cancer specialists are not always available locally. This may cause pet owners and their local veterinarians to not seek specialized treatment. Or, the costs may be high and the travel time for treatments may be prohibitive for some pet owners.

With this new initiative, local veterinarians are encouraged to visit the Pets Best web site and click on a special web site created by Pets Best, or go directly to http://www.petcancerfoundation.org/ to obtain the free initial consultation from a board-certified veterinary oncologist who will identify what treatments are the most effective for each specific cancer. Although the Pet Cancer Foundation web site is for pet owners, the consultation can only be provided to a licensed veterinarian. The web site, however, does provide information on cancer in pets for consumers.

"All too often, cancer treatments for pets do not happen because of the hassle of taking your pet elsewhere, sometimes requiring driving long distances for specialized treatments that may be needed weekly or even more often," says Dr. Villalobos. "Or people have to hospitalize their pets far from home for weeks or months."

"Now with this process, many cancer treatments can be successfully implemented, monitored and adapted by a person's own veterinarian with the benefit of a cancer specialist assisting in every step," she adds.

In the broader perspective, this initiative was created to keep pets living longer, healthier lives and enable them to bring joy to their families. "And that is our mission at Pets Best," stated Dr. Stephens. "We strive to provide the reimbursement for the best pet care possible."
This effort by Dr. Jack Stephens and Pets Best Insurance is in addition to the pledge of $1 million to the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) canine cancer cure campaign made in July of this year. Dr. Jack Stephens and Pets Best Insurance have been honored and recognized by MAF as a "Canine Cancer Campaign SuperHero's," joining Pfizer Animal Health as the second $1 million contributor to the campaign.

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

2007-11-14T11:28:00.000-05:00

November has been designated Pet Cancer Awareness Month to educate pet owners on the prevalence and management of pet cancer.

Known and suspected carcinogens (cancer causing agents) include:

herbicides
insecticides
second-hand smoke
radiation exposure
certain viruses
genes/improper breeding
over/unnecessary vaccinations
chemical additives and preservatives in food

The 10 Early Warning Signs of Cancer (From the American Veterinary Medical Association)
Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
Sores that do not heal
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
Offensive odor
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
Persistent lameness or stiffness
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecation

Please consider making a donation this month to one of the many wonderful organizations devoted to finding a cure for canine cancer. One of our favorites is the Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign: http://curecaninecancer.org/