“Saving Pets, Saving People: Dogs Defeating Breast Cancer - Denver Channel” plus 1 more

Saving Pets, Saving People: Dogs Defeating Breast Cancer - Denver Channel

Posted:

PHILADELPHIA -- Are dogs really man's best friend? Or, are they researchers' best chance for curing cancer? A one-of-its-kind program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is matching sick shelter dogs with willing owners and advancing our knowledge of human breast cancer at the same time.When Millie Edmonds wanted to adopt last year, she scoured the Internet looking for dogs that needed a good home. That's when she found Cali. Cali was rescued from a puppy mill. She spent her first year locked with other dogs in a wire cage."Their feet spread. They looked like web feet. Now, she's got little paws," Edmonds told Ivanhoe.

For Edmonds, it was love at first sight, even after she got sobering news -- Cali had 12 tumors in her mammary glands. You could say the two were destined to be together. Edmonds is a two-time cancer survivor."Dogs with mammary gland tumors who live in shelters really belong to the most vulnerable population," Dr. Karin Sorenmo, an oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School of Medicine, told Ivanhoe.Tumor-ridden dogs have usually not been spayed or neutered. They're older, expensive to treat, and much harder to find homes for."It's very difficult. People think, 'Oh, my gosh. A mammary tumor. Cancer. The dog's going to die in a few months,'" Lori McCutcheon, of Last Chance Ranch Animal Rescue, told Ivanhoe.But like breast cancer in women, early detection can save a dog's life. Turns out, that's not the only similarity. Last year, Dr. Sorenmo created the Shelter Canine Mammary Tumor Program. She and her veterinary students provide free care to shelter dogs with tumors. They collect the canine tissue samples for scientists to compare with human ones"Some of the preliminary studies show that yes, it's actually very similar at the genetic molecular level," Dr. Sorenmo told Ivanhoe.Unlike humans, dogs have five pairs of mammary glands. Most dogs that have tumors in one gland will develop others. Researchers can study the tumors in all stages of development."So, if we can figure out what happens when a tumor becomes malignant, what are the most important genetic alterations, maybe there will be a target that can be drugged," Dr. Sorenmo said.That could potentially stop the spread of the cancer cells.Edmonds says Cali is part of the family -- a family with a history of cancer that she hopes will stop before her granddaughters come of age.The dogs used in the trial all came from shelters at one point or another. Only 10-percent of animals received in shelters have been spayed or neutered. Dogs that are not spayed are at least four-times more likely to get mammary tumors. A female dog spayed before she comes into her first heat cycle has only a .5 percent chance of developing one.

Saving Pets, Saving People: Dogs Defeating Breast Cancer -- Research Summary

Cancer In Canines: Out of all types of cancers affecting dogs, skin cancer is the most prevalent, occurring in 50% of reported cases. These can vary in shape and size, from the pea-sized granuloma to enormous lumps. Benign cysts, such as sebaceous cysts, appear as well. Mammary gland cancer is the second most common type, seen about 20% of the time. The remaining types include cancers of the alimentary system (10%), lymphatic system (10%), reproductive system (5%) and various others (5%). Bone tumors are more commonly seen in larger breeds, usually at the ends of the long bones in growth plates, but are also known to affect other areas such as the skull and the pelvis. These tumors are usually very malignant. Oral tumors also occur, and are also malignant. Unfortunately, these tumors aren't detected until they are in advanced stages, when bloody saliva and eating difficulties provide the first clues. Canine lymphoma is another commonly seen cancer in canines, occurring in two variations: multicentric (entire body) or specific (developing only in the alimentary, cutaneous and thymic glands). More rare are nasal tumors, which are harmful to the local area but don't spread rapidly, gut tumors, spleen tumors, and lung tumors. (SOURCE: irishwolfhounds.org)Causes Of Canine Cancer: Veterinarians are still unsure of what exactly causes cancer in dogs, but a few risk factors are clearly present. Hormonal activity is linked to some cancers, as it is known to stimulate tumor growth in mammary and perianal tumors. Air pollution is another possible risk factor, as it has been linked to the development of tonsil and lung tumors. Skin cancer in canines is also environmental, believed to be caused by exposure to sunlight. Genetics also play a part, as osteosarcoma in dogs is believed to by the result of a cancer gene. Geopathic stress is another known risk factor. (SOURCE: irishwolfhounds.org)Cancer Treatment For Dogs: In the summer of 2009, the FDA approved the first drug treatment for canine cancer. The drug is called Palladia, and is used to treat canine cutaneous mast cell tumors, which grow on the animal's skin. Palladia works by first destroying the tumor cells and then preventing blood flow to the tumor cell area. Before this treatment was approved, veterinarians relied on human oncology drugs, which were not intended or tested for use on animals. (SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov)

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured article: Comment Is Free But Freedom Is Slavery - An Exchange With The Guardian's Economics Editor.

Overweight pets a problem - Highlands Ranch Herald

Posted:

There is an old adage that says, "If your pet is overweight, you are not getting enough exercise."

That said, it should come as no surprise that a nation where 68 percent of adults over the age of 20 are either overweight or obese would produce a population where over 50 percent of our pets are the same. The fourth annual Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) Pet Obesity Study found that approximately 53 percent of America's cats and 55 percent of our dogs are either overweight or obese.

APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward says, "This year's data suggests that our pets are getting fatter. While the general trend of overweight pets has remained fairly steady at around 50 percent, the number of obese pets is growing.

"This is troubling because it means more pets will be affected by weight-related diseases such as arthritis, joint problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease costing pet owners millions of dollars in avoidable medical costs."

APOP began conducting nationwide veterinary surveys in 2007 and has seen a steady increase in the percentage of pets classified as obese since. In 2007, roughly 19 percent of cats were found to be obese, while in 2010 that number increased to 22 percent. Unfortunately, for dogs, obesity rates have doubled from 10 percent in 2007 to 20 percent today.

So, who's to blame here? Are our feline and canine buddies taking the car keys in the middle of the night and sneaking down to the local fast food joints?

Simply put, if your pet is overweight it is taking in more calories than it needs. Set all other excuses aside — excessive weight in an otherwise healthy pet is a direct result of how much their owners are feeding them.

Let's set the record straight on some common misconceptions regarding pet obesity. Healthy dogs and cats do not necessarily need to eat every day — regardless of the pet food industry's image of the "eager eater."

The experts at PetMD.com suggest not to entice your pet to eat if it isn't interested. If you provide good quality food and a liberal amount of water, your pet will eat when it wants, which is significantly better for your pet then eating when you want.

Another common myth maintains that spraying and neutering causes obesity in pets. Veterinary experts say this is absolutely false.

The surgical procedures may slightly slow the pet's metabolism — as will normal aging — and your pet simply needs less food. The surgery doesn't cause the weight gain, eating too much does.

Whether your cat or dog is a nibbler who eats all day long, a beggar who cons you out of table scraps, a good pet who gets treats for favorable behavior or the gourmet pet who only eats prime rib, they can only get food from you.

If you think your pet is overweight or obese, experts suggest you have your Veterinarian evaluate your dog or cat's thyroid gland for proper functioning. Hypothyroidism is a very common cause of excess weight in pets and if this condition exists, it needs to be corrected.

And while you're at the Vet, get her or his recommendations as to the appropriate way to go about getting your furry friend into a healthy weight category. It could save you a ton of money and — quite possibly — save your pet's life.

That's the least we owe our cats and dogs for their unconditional love. After all, they trust us to take good care of them.

Cord Prettyman is a certified Master Personal Trainer and the owner of Absolute Workout Fitness and Post-Re-hab Studio in Woodland Park. He can be reached at 687-7437 or cordprettyman@msn.com.

Pets Zone

Thursday, March 10, 2011