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.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Pythiosis or Swamp Cancer is Bad News
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
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
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.
“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
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.
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.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Fourth Annual National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
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!
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!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A Minneapolis dog is the first to try an experimental treatment that could work on incurable brain tumors in people and dogs.
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.
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.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
2 dogs, 2,000 miles - Austin to Boston to Cure Dog Cancer
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.
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.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Dog lovers find natural ways to keep their furry friends healthy
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."
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."
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