Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12-year- old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat.

Katie is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. “The other dogs are jealous,” says Fleischner. “But they don’t know the battle she is fighting.”

Katy is not alone in this war. Canine cancer is one of the leading causes of dog deaths. Of the more than 100 million dogs in North America, about two in four will develop cancer and one in four will die from some form of this dreaded disease. In some purebred dogs, the percentages could be even higher.

Adopted from the Denver Dumb Friends League, Katy was no stranger to hospitals. As a licensed Therapy Dog, she spent many hours at a local hospital, bringing comfort and joy to patients.

However, Fleishner began to notice that Katy – a normally sweet dog – became distracted. “I knew something was not right,” she says.

A physical examination found a growing mass on Katy’s throat. Further testing and surgery would determine that the lump was thyroid cancer.

“Obviously, I was sad,” says Fleishner. “And the whole process of determining the best course of action was so confusing, just making a bad situation even worse.”

After surgery, Katy underwent radiation therapy for the thyroid tumor at Colorado State University. She was able to win this battle, but her war against cancer wasn’t over yet.

Katy was again diagnosed, this time with a lymphoma, requiring more treatments and time with a cancer specialist. Eventually, these treatments saved her life.
Fleishner knows she’s lucky. In her metropolitan area, she had the choice of visiting a veterinary teaching hospital or a specialty center with a veterinary oncologist.

Unfortunately, not all owners are as lucky. Sadly, cancer will claim almost 50 percent of dogs over 10 years old, leaving their owners bewildered and unsure of what to do.

And of the almost 9,000 veterinary specialists, less than 200 specialize in veterinary oncology. A new collaboration, however, may help provide some answers – and options.

The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF; www.morrisanimalfoundation.org) has launched the Canine Cancer Campaign in an attempt to stop cancer in our pets with a goal to cure this deadly disease within the next 10 to 20 years.

Another immediate priority of the foundation is collaborating with cancer specialists ensuring pet owners have access to treatment options and advice. A new service through Oncura Partners, a well-known oncology specialist group is paving the way for owners to receive a free consultation through their veterinarian.

Additionally, the MAF Canine Cancer Campaign brings together research scientists, industry leaders and 44 million dog-owning households throughout the nation in an effort to eradicate canine cancer.

Already, multiple scientific endeavors are working towards this end. A canine cancer tissue bank has been created due to a generous $1.1 million donation from Pfizer Animal Health. The Golden Retriever Foundation has promised $500,000 towards research for early detection. This will be money well spent since approximately 60% of Golden Retrievers die from cancer.

This is great news for Fleishner and her dogs. She considers herself fortunate to have great veterinarians as well as access to cancer specialists. But, “Everyone needs to have options.” She says. “I was lucky – I know sometimes pet owners feel helpless and think that euthanasia is the only option available.”

She happily reports Katy is doing well with her lymphoma treatments, and her sweet, good-natured personality has returned.

Beyond helping our dogs with new innovative therapies, the Canine Cancer Campaign offers benefits for us as well. Many breakthroughs happening in this research will help fuel further prevention, treatment and even cures for human cancers.

Remember, there is hope for dogs and their owners – despite a cancer diagnosis. Like Katy, many dogs will tolerate cancer treatments well. Your veterinarian will work with you, local specialists and national resources to ensure your pet receives the best outcome possible.

To learn more about the Canine Cancer Campaign (www.curecaninecancer.org) or the Morris Animal Foundation, visit www.MyVNN.com for links to their sites as well as a video outlining how you can help defeat cancer in your dog’s lifetime.

FDA clears reintroduction of ProHeart 6 to the veterinary channel
New rules call for client consent, veterinarian training program starting June 12

Overland Park, Kan. — ProHeart 6 is back. In fact, the injectable heartworm preventive (moxidectin) from Fort Dodge Animal Health was reintroduced to the market today following approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The announcement follows an exhaustive review from FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) since its voluntary recall in 2004.

The review, according to Fort Dodge Animal Health, was based on an "extensive body of scientific data and international experience, which support the decision to return this life-saving product to the market."

Rami Cobb, BVSC (Hons), MACVSc, senior vice president of pharmaceutical research and development for Fort Dodge Animal Health, says in a prepared statement, "We are extremely pleased to bring ProHeart 6 back to veterinarians and pet owners throughout the United States, as it has safely and effectively protected millions of dogs around the world against potentially deadly heartworm disease." Our first and foremost priority continues to be providing products that help ensure the health and well being of all animals."

"At the time of the voluntary U.S. recall in 2004, we believed it was in the best interest of veterinarians and pet owners to thoroughly address the concerns of the CVM before continuing the marketing of this product in the United States. We have always maintained our confidence in ProHeart 6 and the unique medical benefits it brings to veterinary medicine. Fort Dodge has worked with the CVM to address its questions and feels the scientific data, as well as our vast experience with the product internationally, supports confidence in the product and its return to the U.S. market," Cobb explains.

The product is approved in Australia, Mediterranean regions of Europe and Japan. In the United States, the American Heartworm Society reports that 250,000 pets tested positive for heartworm infection in 2004.

As part of the product’s return to the U.S. veterinary market, Fort Dodge has created a post-marketing surveillance initiative based on similar programs to monitor the safety of human drugs.

This program includes comprehensive veterinarian training, pet owner education, consent forms and specific requirements for the purchase of Proheart 6. Fort Dodge reports this post-marketing initiative allows the company to gather additional product data and maintain active communication with veterinarians and CVM.

Veterinarians who want to purchase ProHeart 6 will be required to register with Fort Dodge Animal Health and participate in a Web-based training program scheduled for Thursday, June 12 at 1 p.m. EST. To register go to www.vetsymposium.com/proheart6. If you are unable to attend this session, veterinarians can log any time beginning Friday, June 13. For more information call the company’s professional services department at (800) 533-8536.

Our pets age seven times faster than their human caretakers. They can also suffer from the same ailments as humans, diabetes, kidney disease, dental disease, heart disease, hormonal imbalances and cancer. Some of these conditions can be detected early and treated, thus adding years of an active lifestyle for your pet. Routine, semi-annual physical exams and annual blood testing and other diagnostics can help with the detection of problems. Astute observation by the owners can also alert the veterinarian to possible problems.

Signs of possible problems:

• Increased thirst, drinking more water than normal, urinating more or breaks in house-training.
• Changes in hair coat, lumps, bumps or discolorations on the skin.
• Tires easily.
• Limps, reluctance to jump up or slow to get up.
• Bad breath, drops food or drools excessively.
• Coughing.

Diagnostic testing is recommended annually starting by age seven. A routine panel is done as a comparative for future panels. The following tests help detect diseases earlier.

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) - The CBC tests the blood cells for anemia, (low blood count), infections, inflammation and overall healthiness of the cells.
• Chemistry Tests: tests the main organ functions
  • Liver- (AST, ALT, Alk.Phos., Bilirubin, GGT, Cholesterol, Protein)
    • These tests help alert the veterinarian to problems with the liver. If there is an elevation of the enzymes, further diagnostics may be warranted to determine the cause of the problem.
  • Kidney- (BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorus, Amylase, Albumin, Globulin)
    • The kidney is the main filter for the body. When the kidneys start to deteriorate, toxins can build up in the body. 
  • Pancreas- (Glucose, Amylase, Lipase, Triglyceride)
    • The pancreas produces insulin and enzymes to digest fat. Dogs can get pancreatitis and diabetes.
  • Muscle and Bone-
    • Calcium and Phosphorus are helpful in determining the health of the bones. Many dogs fed exclusively table scraps will often have an abnormal balance of calcium resulting in brittle or rubbery bones. The proper ration of Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium is essential for a healthy body.
    • CPK and AST are elevated when there is muscle trauma, damage or inflammation.
    • Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus) - These are important elements in monitoring the health of the body. Elevations of Potassium can occur with kidney disease or blockages and can result with cardiac arrhythmias and death.
• Hormonal imbalances-
  • Thyroid hormone imbalances occur commonly in our pets. Too low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) can result in skin and coat problems, weight gain, and lethargy while too high of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) occurs commonly in older cats resulting in weight loss, heart, blood pressure and kidney diseases.
  • Cushings disease- excessive cortisol production, results in thinning skin, excess urination or thirst, diabetes, whereas Addison’s disease is too little cortisol.
• Urinalysis-
  • Checking the urine helps detect kidney and bladder problems. Crystals, stones or infection can develop in the bladder. Sometimes, radiographs and ultrasound is necessary to detect bladder stones.
• Parasite exams-
  • Older dogs still need routine parasite exams and routine preventatives. I recommend flea control, heartworm preventative and internal parasite control on a monthly basis year round. A parasite check can also alert the veterinarian to other parasites such as giardia, coccidia, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Each intestinal parasite requires a specific product to effectively remove the parasite safely. Also, monthly de-worming helps reduce the environmental contamination of hookworms and roundworms that can expose children to these parasites.
• Heart Exam-
  • Auscultation with a stethoscope can detect heart murmurs from faulty heart valves. If a murmur is detected, further diagnostics with radiographs, ECG, and ultrasound can determine the extent of the heart problem and what type of medication can be used to help with cardiac function.
• Dental Exam-
  • Nearly 80% of our pets have significant dental disease by the time they are seven. Start your pet early with daily tooth brushing, dental chews, dental diets, and oral rinses to prevent the plaque build-up that leads to infection. Dental infections or periodontal disease can trim three years off your pet’s life span by infecting other organs. Have your pet’s mouth examined prior to starting a dental program. Tartar that is already present, fractured teeth, or exposed nerves will have to be treated before you start a dental regime.
• Skin exam-
  • Lumps, bumps or changes in skin color can be an early indicator of skin cancers. Cancer can also occur in the mouth, too and is frequently detected during an oral exam or dentistry.
• Abdominal Palpation-
  • Your veterinarian can sometimes be able to detect masses in the belly of your pet. The spleen, liver, kidneys and lymph nodes can develop cancer. If there is a suspicious mass in the abdomen, further diagnostics, radiographs and ultra sound can be performed.
• Eye exam-
  • Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye), cataracts and other diseases can be detected with an eye exam.
• Blood Pressure-
  • High blood pressure can be caused by kidney disease, hormonal imbalances, heart disease or hyperthyroidism.
• Radiographs-
  • Can help detect arthritis, bone cancers, disc disease, and masses in the abdomen, chest and elsewhere. Newer pain medications have fewer side effects and can help your pet if he develops arthritis.

Steps you can take to help your pet live longer and happier:

1. A Wellness plan with your veterinarian. Semi-annual exams are highly recommended.
2. Parasite control.
3. Good nutrition, limit snacks and keep a healthy weight.
4. Regular exercise, good for both humans and pets.
5. Home dental care.
6. Grooming-reduce mats, check for parasites and lumps.
7. Vaccinations, older dogs can still get distemper, and other diseases. Work with your veterinarian to develop a plan based on your dog’s exposure and diseases in your area.
8. Observe for changes in your pet’s behavior, diet or elimination.
9. Pet Insurance- insurance can help with the expenses of diagnostic testing, surgery, chemo-therapy and treatments. Dogs that are covered by insurance are less likely to be euthanized due to a cost of a treatment.
10. Plenty of Love

Our pets are a part of our family. They count on us to provide them with everything that they need. We can help them live longer and with a higher quality of life. I think that they deserve it,

Pets are living longer and can develop the same ailments as humans. Frequent wellness visits with your veterinarian can detect problems and help your pet live longer with a better quality of life.

 In the sci-fi thriller, “Fantastic Voyage," doctors and scientists are miniaturized and injected into a fellow scientist in order to save his life.  We may need more time to develop that type of technology, but cutting edge innovations are making their way into veterinary offices, providing a higher level of care for our pets.

Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive type of procedure, was first performed on a dog in 1902!  In the intervening years, human surgeons have perfected techniques to removal gall bladders, relieve the discomfort of endometriosis, and even help individuals with morbid obesity.  Many of these techniques have been adapted by veterinary surgeons as well.

A laparoscope consists of a telescoping rod and lens system connected to a video camera and light source.  The surgeon inserts the laparoscope into the patient through a tiny (less than 1 inch long) incision.  The abdomen is then filled with carbon dioxide to create space to work.  Additional attachments, such as scissors, retractors, and devices for placing sutures are introduced and manipulated to complete the surgery. 

The biggest benefit to laparoscopic surgery is the reduced need for a large incision in the abdomen.  In the case of human gall bladder removal, traditional surgeries would create an incision about 8 inches long.   With the latest laparoscope, 4 incisions, all less than ½ inch, will suffice to remove the gall bladder.  Smaller incisions mean shorter recovery time, shorter hospital stays, and, above all, less pain.

Veterinarians have seen these benefits and are anxious to export them to our pets.   According to Dr. Markee Kuschel, a veterinarian with the Deer Creek Animal Hospital in Colorado, laparoscopic surgery is becoming a viable alternative for pet owners wanting to provide a human-level of surgical care for their pets. 

Surgeries that are considered “routine” by pet owners and veterinarians, such as spaying a female dog or cat, are now considered good candidates for the laparoscope.  Dr. Kuschel states “…the advanced technique of laparoscopic assisted surgery enables better visualization and a reduced chance of hemorrhage during a routine spay."

And Dr. Kuschel is not alone.  Another surgical center in Colorado performed a small study in which 10 dogs were spayed via traditional surgical methods and 10 dogs were spayed with the laparoscope.  The results of this study show that 90% of the traditionally spayed dogs needed additional pain relief medications after surgery whereas none of the dogs in the laparoscopic assisted group did.  Blood concentrations of cortisol, a good indicator of stress levels, increased only in the traditional group.

These findings, as well as her own observations, have led Dr. Kuschel and her associates to eliminate traditional spays at their hospital.  “The price was significantly higher for the laparoscopic assisted procedure, but we actually did the same number of spays from one year to the next.” 

“We increased our level of care and now pet owners actively seek out our services because they know and understand the benefits of this cutting edge technology.”

Veterinarians are not only using this revolutionary new tool for spays, but as an aid to help diagnose disease.  Surgeons are able to biopsy internal organs with laparoscopic surgery and the procedure often requires no more than sedation and a local anesthetic.  Previous protocols for biopsies demand general anesthetic and a prolonged recovery time.   With some laparoscopic biopsies, the patient is often ready to go home in less than two hours!

This high tech gadget can actually save lives too!  Many large and giant breeds of dogs are prone to a twisting of the stomach commonly known as “bloat”.   The occurrence of this emergency and extremely painful condition can be often be prevented by tacking the right side of the stomach to the body wall, preventing rotation.  Prior to laparoscopes, veterinarians would perform exploratory surgery, often generating an incision in excess of six or eight inches.  The modern laparoscope allows this potentially life-saving procedure to be accomplished through an incision just one inch long.

Although this technology is truly leading edge, don’t expect it to show up in all veterinary offices immediately.  For some veterinarians, the initial set up cost of the equipment and time to learn the techniques may not be affordable. 

If you are planning a surgery for your pet, ask your veterinarian about the potential for laparoscopic assisted surgery in your area.  To learn more about the advantages of laparoscopy, view the video below.

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