Veterinarians Answer: What Do You Consider The Biggest Breakthrough In Veterinary Medicine?

Are you curious what veterinarians consider the biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine? 

I broke the question into two parts:

a) what do they consider the biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine of all times
b) what do they consider the biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine in the last decade

Are you ready to find out?

I believe that the biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine of all times is the distemper, parvo and rabies vaccines. Hands down these have saved more lives for puppies and dogs then anything else.

The biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine in the past decade is a toss up. Interestingly, considering my all time breakthrough, one of my choices  is the realization that we have been over vaccinating our pets and we have changed vaccine protocols.

Equally as important is the more wide acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine and therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, nutritional therapies, and equine and canine rehab.

—Dr. Daniel Beatty, DVM, Dog Kinetics
    Dr. Dan on Facebook and Twitter

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I think that the spay and neuter (surgical and the new chemical) procedures have been the biggest breakthrough in vet med, if you can call it that. I do believe the procedures are more of a game changer to the health of pets and the pet population worldwide than anything else.

As for this decade, the increasing prevalence of generic drugs available for pets. The barriers to allow pets access to non-brand name drugs have been extensive, and still are. Many vets have dug in their heels, and the bill requiring vets to provide prescriptions didn't get passed  (it did have some flaws indeed), but there are hundreds of generics now available for pets.

More importantly, attention has been drawn to this area and many vets are embracing this. Imagine that—veterinary medicine where vets get to practice medicine and not push Rimadyl off their shelves before it expires. I believe in another 10 years veterinary medicine will have advanced leaps and bounds in this regard, and I can't wait!

—Dr. Laci Schaible, DVM, VetLIVE
    Dr. Laci on Facebook and Twitter

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Vaccines have to be the biggest medical breakthrough of all time for animals be it those on 2 or 4 legs. It has caused the fading from the collective memory of the diseases that vaccination has pushed to the periphery of our awareness. This has somewhat unfairly left issues related to side effects, real or imagined, more forefront in the current lexicon than they warrant.

However standing back and considering the effect to the individual , the population, and the economy of the diseases that vaccination has controlled more than overcomes the negatives, real or perceived. Diseases that vaccination has controlled include, Rabies, Tetanus, Distemper, Parvovirus,Kennel Cough, Brucellosis, Small pox ,Polio, Equine Rhinopeumonitis, Atrophic Rhinitis, Feline Leukaemia, Infectious Laryngitis-Tracheitis , Newcastle's Disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, Erysipelas, Leptospirosis, Measles, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis ,Anthrax, Botulism, Rinderpest., and many many more.

Not only have these listed diseases been managed, currently and in the future there are vaccine solutions being pursued for types of cancer, parasites like malaria, and therapies  derived from vaccine technology are being  adapted to deliver gene therapy for inherited diseases.

The big leap forward recently would be the general improvement in parasite management. With rare exceptions parasites can be readily controlled with the products available now. Fleas, Heartworm, Hookworms, Roundworms, Strongyles, Warbles, Lice, Whipworms, Tapeworms, Sarcoptes, Ear mites and so on are parasites that succumb to the currently available products..  Admittedly some parasite diseases also require rigorous management of population densities, care in mixing different generations and identification of those individuals lacking in innate resistance. That being said the impact of parasites on the development of other secondary diseases such as allergies, anemia, hypoproteinemia, starvation, intestinal obstruction, heart -lung disease, and so on is now a rare rather than common event.

—Dr. Rae Worden, DVM , Fergus Veterinary Hospital
    Dr. Rae on Facebook and Twitter

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I thought long and hard on this one.

I decided to narrow down the list by just sticking to veterinary exclusive products, (those designed for pets only... Because so much of our products have trickled over from the human side).

I think the biggest breakthrough in vet medicine of all time is vaccines. Can you imagine where we would be without a rabies vaccine? Or distemper? Or any if the rest of them. I am lucky enough to have not had to practice during the times before "routine vaccines" were available. I don't know if my heart could endure watching whole litters of  puppies die from what we now consider "preventable diseases."

I think the last ten years biggest breakthrough is micro-chipping. At my clinic I provide them for free to every patient because I have witnessed first hand how many lives it saves. Tragically many pets never find their homes if they end up at a shelter. Those with micro-chips have a considerably better chance of being reunited with their family if they have a micro-chip. I tell my clients that it costs me $12 bucks to give it to them for free, and that I hope they never need it, but if they do it will be there for both of them.

If I could answer part B with the greatest breakthrough in the last 25 years I would say flea & tick and heartworm preventatives. They to have saved millions of pets lives AND provided a safe, effective, and easy way to control the parasites our pets face daily.

—Dr. Krista Magnifico, DVM, Diary of a Real-Life Veterinarian
    Dr. Krista on Twitter

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In my mind the biggest breakthrough (the one that has had the greatest impact on the largest number of animals) in the last decade was the discovery that taurine deficiency was the major cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (a uniformly fatal disease) in cats.

Perhaps I am biased because Dr. Paul Pion who was one year behind me in veterinary school at Cornell made this discovery. With the addition of taurine to commercially prepared cat foods, dilated cardiomyopathy in cats has virtually disappeared.

In terms of all times....... I would say vaccinations have saved more lives than anything else.

—Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, Speaking for Spot
    Dr. Kay on Facebook and Twitter

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I think the biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine of all times is when (many) animals made the transition from being tools to companions. This freed veterinarians from being something akin to mechanics (e.g., why pay to fix the mouser when I can get a new one for less) to actually practicing medicine because the individual in question has inherent value.

The biggest breakthrough in the last ten years is regenerative medicine, in other words the use of a patients own stem cells to repair damaged tissue. I think we are on the cusp of something truly revolutionary and am beyond excited to see where this field of study is going to take us.

—Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, Fully Vetted

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The biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine...in my opinion would be the use of diagnostic imaging such as MRI, ultrasounds and digital radiography.  Allows us to get a better appreciation of what is going on with our patients while minimizing the invasive nature of many procedures.

The biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine over the past decade....in my opinion it would be proper and adequate pain recognition and treatment.  There has been a lot more research recently in how to assess pain in our patients and how to adequately treat the animals level of pain.

—Dr. Roxane Pardiac, DVM

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The biggest breakthroughs in the last 30 years are the parvo vaccine and ivermectin.

In the last 20 years would be Frontline / Advantage and/or Rimadyl.

In the last 10, social media. :)

—Dr. Greg Magnusson, DVM (Leo's Daddy), Leo's Pet Care
    Dr. Greg on Facebook and Twitter

***

The biggest breakthrough of veterinary medicine of all time is the concept of vaccination. If you made me choose the most important veterinary vaccine of all time, it is the rabies vaccine.

The biggest breakthrough of the past ten years is more difficult! My top one is advances in anesthetic safety.

Also big are the melanoma vaccine and other cancer prevention and treatment advances, heartworm treatment advances, digital radiography and improved nutrition for dogs, cats and small mammals.

—Dr. Shawn M. Finch, DVM, Riley & James 
    Dr. Shawn on Twitter

***

Is that what you expected or did the answers surprise you? What do YOU think has been the biggest breakthrough in veterinary medicine?

Is there a question you would love to hear the answer to?

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Tackling The Veterinary Terminology: Suffixes (-oma)

Remember the Spelling Bee? Big words are easier to tackle when you understand how they're put together. Veterinary terms are composed the same way. Just like with any other words, the main parts of veterinary terms are a prefix, a root, and a suffix. The difference is that they typically originate from Greek or Latin.

The suffix is the bit that will tell you about what procedure, condition, disease or disorder you're dealing with.

-oma [oma] from Greek - swelling, mass, tumor

This is probably the most despised of all veterinary (and medical) suffixes, because it's associated with cancer. What the suffix itself really tells you, though, is that there is a lump or bump. Nothing more.

Not all medical terms that end with -oma mean a death sentence.

For example, a hematoma (hemo - blood) stands for a localized swelling caused by accumulation of blood due to damage of a blood vessel(s). An ear hematoma is really just a bruise gone wild. Seroma is similar, except it's a pocket of fluid/serum, rather than blood.

Aural hematoma. Image Pet Doctor Mom

A glaucoma is a condition caused by increased pressure in the eye. It's not a good thing but it is not cancer either.

What about the masses and tumors?

What does the word tumor mean anyway? A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue. That by itself doesn't tell you whether the tumor is benign (mostly harmless) or malignant (cancerous).

A good example of a mostly harmless tumor is a lipoma. Lipoma is a fatty growth which can generally cause problems only when it gets in a way or when it has something else hiding inside it.

Papilloma (papillomatosis) is a wart-like growth, typically caused by a virus.

Papilloma. Photo Organic Pet Digest

Some tumors can go either way.

For example, mammary gland tumors in dogs can be both either benign or malignant. Hair follicle tumors (trichoepitheliomas and pilomatricomas) are generally benign, but not always.

Melanomas (tumors of melanin/pigment producing cells) can be either benign or malignant.

Unfortunately, some tumors are always evil.

For example, a lymphoma (lymphosarcoma), a cancer of lymphocyte cells (type of white blood cells); Jasmine's best buddy died of that.

Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, very evil, unfortunately the most common bone tumor in dogs.

Some -omas are evil, but not all. Before getting a heart attack at the sound of the suffix, find out what exactly you're dealing with.

Other suffixes:
Veterinary Suffixes (-itis)

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Tucker Gets His Life Back With Stem Cell Therapy

by Vet-Stem

Tucker was a 4 year old Boxer who was EXPLOSIVE in his energy level.  He would run and play outside for 4-6 hours a day.  One day he saw a cat and followed it off a 12 foot embankment at a dead run.

He sailed through the air and when he landed his right rear leg buckled.  

When he got up he was limping and it got worse after a few days, so his pet parents took him to the vet and he was put on anti-inflammatory medication.

This went on and off for the next 12 months as his hind leg deteriorated to the point that he could not walk up steps and stopped playing outside.  

He did not want to go on walks anymore, other than to go outside and take care of business.  His pet parents were scared that he would not be able to walk at all in 6-12 more months.

Then they found out about Vet-Stem and, 1 month past his 5th birthday, Tucker got his stem cell treatment.

Well, it took 6 months to fully take effect, but Tucker was back to his old self of running, jumping, and playing for hours outside.  

It's been almost three years since Tucker had the treatment and he is like a young Boxer again.

***

Since its formation in 2002, Vet-Stem has endeavored to improve the lives of animals through regenerative medicine. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine.

 Looking to the future, Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, as well as organ disease and failure. Vet-Stem works with its human medicine partners in the hope that Vet-Stem’s work in the veterinary field will lead to advances in human medical treatment, so that both animal and owner will reap the benefits of these efforts in the form of a markedly improved quality of life.


You can follow latest Vet-Stem news on Arthritis in Dogs Blog
or connect with Vet-Stem on Facebook or Twitter

Related articles:
In The Beginning There Was Fat: From Vanity To Revolutionary Therapy 
Digging Deeper: The Science Behind Adipose Derived Stem Cell Therapy
Stem Cells for Dogs? Oh yeah, baby!
Interview with Dr. Robert J. Harman, D.V.M., M.P.V.M. - CEO and founder of Vet-Stem
Jasmine is Vet-Stem's poster child! 
Zeus Gets Stem Cell Treatment 
Jasmine Is Headed For Her Next Stem Cell Treatment 
Jasmine's Stem Cells Are In 
Running With The Wind: Trago's Elbow Dysplasia Surgery And Stem Cell Treatment
Were All Stem Cell Treatments Created Equal? 

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Adoption Monday: Selena, Labrador Retriever Mix, Deerfield, NH

Check out this wonderful girl at Mary's Dogs Rescue & Adoption!

Selena is a sweet and amazing girl. 

She is a 1-2 year old black Lab mix and she is as sweet as can be. 

She walks calmly on the leash and she is gentle; an absolute darling.  Selena is house trained, spayed and up-to-date with routine shots.

Want more info on Selena? Call Mary's Dogs: 603.370.7750 or send along an email: marysdogsrescue@gmail.com

Ready to bring Selena home? Tell us about yourself and your interest in Selena in our adoption questionnaire. Check out all the wonderful dogs on Mary's Dogs Facebook Fan Page.

***

Mary’s Dogs rescues and re-homes dogs and puppies from Aiken County Animal Shelter, a high-kill shelter in South Carolina, USA. They also serve as a resource to communities in Southern New Hampshire and pet owners nationwide by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition.

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Flea Life Cycle Up Close

Video from the Willard Veterinary Clinic channel.

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Jasmine's Episodes: Back To The Allergies Dilemma

For the longest time, Jasmine's vet and us couldn't come to an agreement whether allergies could be behind Jasmine's episodes (and some of her other off-and-on issues)

Allergies have always been one of the theories on the table, with our vet being quite convinced that this is at the root of the problem.

Allergies might be the most viable theory we have, at least one that couldn't be disproven—does that make it a good one, though?

It is true that Jasmine's past allergy test came back positive for all kinds of things. It is also true that long enough into an episode she will start licking and chewing at her front feet (the episode has to last at least 5 hours for that to happen). It is also true that release of histamine could lead to rise in temperature and the panting.

On the other hand, Jasmine is not an itchy dog! She is the least itchy member of the household! Her episodes seem related to weather changes but NOT seasons. Her appetite and stool quality doesn't seem to have any correlation to the episodes.

If this is a disagreement we've had for a long time, why does it matter now?

Because now the sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is available. It seems to have good results and it is way safer than the injections. So IF allergies were indeed behind Jasmine's episodes, this would be a good way to go.

So what's the problem?

Well, for one thing, I do agree with the philosophy “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.” Do positive lab results really always translate into actual problems? In the past, hubby had tested positive for about everything under the sun, and only couple of specific pollens actually give him real trouble.

Of course, there is no harm in testing, other than this test requires quite a large amount of blood, which will make Jasmine pretty unhappy, and one has to wonder how much being under stress may or may not affect the results.

Secondly, the lab that provides the SLIT for us up here in Canada has quite a stiff price for the testing bit.

• allergy testing indoor, outdoor and common foods $398
• optional, but recommended, allergy testing for uncommon foods $102
• if a candidate for allergy drops, 12 allergens or less $135
• 22 allergens or less $195.

This whole adventure could add up to $695.

If we were to do this, it would make sense to go with the whole shebang. Not that we haven't spent (and spend regularly) a whole lot more on Jasmine, but we don't have extra seven hundred dollars lying around. And if we do come up with it, what if something else crops up? (not unusual for Jasmine at all)

Here is the thing. If I were convinced that the allergies are the problem, we'd do it, no doubt.

But neither hubby or myself are convinced.

We love our vet. I know he has a picture in his mind, based on the available information and his experience. Unfortunately, this picture doesn't match to the one in our minds. On the other hand, he is an awesome vet and we put a huge value on his expertise; he's earned it. Otherwise we wouldn't be having a dilemma in the first place. But we see Jasmine 24/7.

My biggest concern is, and has always been, making a wrong call for Jasmine.

What if it really is allergies and the treatment could just be the miracle she needs?

What if it is not, or the treatment doesn't work (doesn't work in about 30% of dogs) and we spend all this money and won't have it to deal with something else urgent that comes up? Jasmine's maintenance doesn't come cheap. There is her chiropractic care, hydrotherapy and acupuncture she gets regularly. She does seem to be benefiting from those. Then there are all the supplements and goodies she gets. And then there is the precedence of something always cropping up.

For a fresh set of eyes, yet again, I turned to VetLive.

VetLive has become my go-to place when facing a dilemma or dealing with a problem when our vet isn't available.

They tend to agree that this doesn't look like allergies. You would think that would make me feel better and make my decision easier.

Interestingly enough, this did NOT make me feel better, or make my decision easier. 

Perhaps I was hoping they'd agree that it IS allergies? Is it possible that our observations are more truthful than our vet's conclusions? He is, after all, THE vet—REALLY smart, competent, experienced and invested in Jasmine's well-being.

Another thing is that we cannot take forever with our decision.

The treatment takes quite a long time, it is best done during allergy off-season, and I'd prefer to do this outside any vaccinations or other challenges to the immune system. Jasmine will be due for lepto as well as her 3-year rabies vaccine next spring. I would also like to keep these to apart and fit them into the allergy off-season. Which means we'd best start as soon as possible.

Presently we're having an ongoing dialog with Jasmine's vet. Somehow we need to come to an agreement. We have to come to a conclusion we can both be convinced is right.

What do you think? What is your experience with allergies in your dog?

***

Here is the conversation we had with VetLive.

VetLive: Is there anything in Jasmine's history, other than the feet and occasional eye discharge that is making your vet think this [immunotherapy] is a good route (not saying it's not, I just want to make sure I have as complete a picture as possible).

As far as the panic and distress, what happens? Any idea what causes this? Is this a new problem?

Has the foot chewing gotten worse over time? Is it seasonal? Is it only after panic, stress, boredom, anxiety?

What treatment do you do for the pododermatitis?

Also, there is obviously no harm in doing the testing; do you want another opinion as if I think it is a good way to spend limited funds?  I have done some initial research on SLIT and so far, it looks pretty promising. I have no experience with it myself, so I would like to see if I can learn what a dermatologist or clinician with a strong interest in allergies has to say about it.

Jana: She does have eosinophilic gastroenteritis which was concluded a result of food allergies (SLIT environmental ones only, though)

It is true that the old test does list a number of allergies to all kinds of things.
It is also true, though, that she gets the episodes independent on seasons.

Her vet observed her during one of the episodes, when she was seriously going after her front feet.

It is true that she tends to eventually have raised temperature if the episode lasts long enough, which could possible be as a result of histamine release?)

These episodes can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 36 hours. There seem to be correlation between the episodes and weather changes (typically BEFORE, not DURING storm etc; weather change without storm, such as now Sandy, will likely lead to one also)

All other theories about what is causing the episodes on and off table (e.g. not Cushing's; I don't believe actual panic/anxiety ...). Atypical Cushing's considered but was told that effects of treatment likely make her more miserable than the problem itself if that was the case.

The episodes are not a new problem, started when she was about 2. Interestingly, when diagnosed with hypothyroidism and put on Thyrotabs, episodes disappeared for about half a year; just to return again (and this seems not related to her thyroid hormone levels)

Foot chewing only long into an episode. Some time back she was licking her foot a lot (that's when the swelling, fungal infection and furuncle discovered).

My observation is that
a) licking follows infection, not the other way around; of course I could be wrong
b) front feet start bothering her when episode lasts long enough

Feet were treated with either Dermacool, kept under control by spraying ear cleaner from all things, or 50/50 betadine/rubbing alcohol

There is no harm in the testing part (other than large volume of blood which she will hate having taken) other than the cost ($500) which is money we won't have available for other things. So question is whether this is a beneficial investment or taking resources from things she might need/benefit from more

There is slight potential harm from the treatment, for which this testing would be done, hopefully Jasmine might surprise us and have no reaction.

So the reason for asking mainly is - should we drain resources by doing this or should we keep for other things (e.g. she is getting regular chiro, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, supplements - all these things cost money, plus something new might crop up)

Strangely enough, we still don't grow money in trees ... ;-)

We find it difficult to invest $600 into something we are not convinced she needs. So the question is, does she need it and will she benefit from it?

I do think SLIT is a good thing to try IF dealing with allergies. (I do think that what they charge for the testing is rather criminal)

Reasons vet feels this better than injections
- lesser chance of adverse reaction (apparently no anaphylaxis reported with SLIT and only reports of minor local reactions such as mouth itching ...? Of course Jasmine's body has always its own ideas)
- apparently better outcome possibility with multiple allergens while traditional needle injection limited in results for multiple allergens?
- Jasmine hates needles

VetLive: When you did the testing in 2008, was any desensitization treatment pursued? If not, was there a reason?

As far as the testing, did you get a quote for intradermal testing? I know the Heska testing is expensive and the hospital I worked out that did intradermal was many years ago so I am not sure what the current costs associated with intradermal are but is considered superior.

Jana: No, on the premise that positive results unlikely with so many allergens and how does one pick just a couple? Also that one was MAINLY done in the process of coming up with the IBD management. Also too many other things on the table then.

Didn't consider intradermal, have to admit that I hate the idea of doing this to Jasmine, plus she has a hard time regrowing shaved fur.

You see, when I compare Jasmine with JD, for example, would have to be JD who suffers with allergies (scratching and licking himself way more than Jasmine). It is true he hasn't had any skin infections or any other secondary issues but he is 10x itchier than Jasmine is.

 VetLive: There are a couple of things that would make me "guess" more towards the side of no. It is such a tough call though because we know Jasmine isn't normal and doesn't tend to follow the typical information available.

Still, I am trying to be scientific and rational in my thinking. With just the foot chewing there, and it being year round, and associated at odd times, I am not convinced it is actual allergic chewing.

I think the hypothyroidism is more likely—statistically speaking—to be the cause of the skin problems, which don't seem to be widespread skin problems. I also can't make sense of the episodes and foot chewing stopping when the hypothyroidism was first diagnosed and treated. Yes, allergies get worse with time, but why did they stop if mysteriously at that time? True, it could have been a coincidence, but I think other reasons are more likely.

I understand too many things were on the table then, and I completely understand your and your vet's reasoning. I also understand his reasoning of wanting to test to see if this is something. I wonder though, if she tests positive--mildly or strongly, whatever situation you want to imagine--how much is the SLIT going to cut into her other medical budget? Would you still pursue full on treatment if her conditions don't seem to be that severe (at least to me via an Internet consult). If it is going to cut money from chiro, hydro, etc. that you know helps her and she needs, I have a hard time putting foot itching above joint pain. I am not trying to belittle her foot itching, but with it being difficult to even classify it as true allergic itching, this is what brings me back to her needing the more concrete therapies that are keeping a dog with a plethora of ailments leading a happy and pretty healthy life, all considered.

It looks like SLIT is effective from the studies about 70-75% of the time. Some vets have raised questions about if this rate will be different for patients that have GI issues, like IBD. We don't have much data available on this. This isn't a reason to not try it of course and I know you aren't one to hold off because something is new. But, it is because we are picking and choosing with limited funds that to ME, it becomes a consideration that I don't believe I would pursue, at least at this time.

If her symptoms increased, changed, became seasonal, relentless, etc. then I think I would want to test. If she was itchy and as uncomfortable as JD even, then test. But I don't know that I would prioritize this as one of her biggest issues (budget-wise).

The episodes don't look like any allergies I've ever seen, heard of, or read about.

Related articles:
This Is What Jasmine's Episode Looks Like
Gotta Try Everything Once (Or Twice): On The Quest To Figure Out Jasmine's Episodes 
Thundershirt vs. Jasmine's Episodes
Jasmine's Mysterious Swelling And Another Experience With VetLiveThe Diagnosis Is In: Jasmine Has An Interdigital Cyst
Jasmine's Mysterious Swelling And Interdigital Cyst Update  
Is Crawling Under Things Some Kind Of Secret Physical Therapy?  
Is There No Place Safe? Jasmine's Acupuncture Session
Senior Sensory Systems Function: Zero Defects  
It Looks Like A Keeper: Jasmine's New Integrative Vet 
Jasmine's Acute Lameness
Jasmine Doesn't Like "Doing Time"
Our Of Jail Free Pass
When It's Looks Too Good To Be True … The Lameness Returns
The Day Of The Treatment
First Time For Everything: A Healing Crisis(?)  
From Zero To Sixty In Four Days: Stem Cells At Work
The Calm After The Storm 
If It Was Easy, It Wouldn't Be Jasmine
Practicing What I Preach: Jasmine's Semi Annual Wellness Exam  
No Skimping On Oral Care   

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Meet Jasmine
I'm Still Standing! (Happy Birthday, Jasmine)
How Dogs Think (Well, Jasmine Anyway)
How The Oddysey Started: Jasmine's ACL Injury
Jasmine is Vet-Stem's poster child!
Rant About Quality Of Life Versus Quantity, And Differential Diagnoses
Jasmine Is Headed For Her Next Stem Cell Treatment
Jasmine's Stem Cells Are In
Arthritis? What Arthritis? 
Guess Who Is An Ever-Ready Bunny And Really Liking The Bit Of Snow We Got? 
Don't Knock It Until You Tried It: Animal Chiropractic 
Jasmine's Fur Analysis
Back At Chiropractic Care

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Veterinary Highlights: Subcutaneous Chemotherapy?

subcutaneous [suhb-kyoo-tey-nee-uhs] - under the skin; a subcutaneous injection is an injection in which a needle is inserted just under the skin.

Photo Tripawds Blogs

The main drawbacks to chemotherapy are the possible side effects and the stress and inconvenience of multiple trips to the veterinary clinic for treatment.

What if chemotherapy could be done without all the back and forth?

A recently published study evaluated the option of a single subcutaneous infusion of chemotherapy in place of traditional chemotherapy protocol (IV drug administration over several weeks) for post-surgery dogs with osteosarcoma. The results look promising.

The results were comparable to the standard protocol, both in terms of side effects and survival time.

An infusion of the chemotherapy,  using a sterile urinary catheter under the skin, over the course of three, five, and seven days was tested. It doesn't seem to make a difference whether the therapy is administered in three or seven days. Possibly, then, three days might be all it takes.

Source article: Chemotherapy Made Simple
Further reading: Evaluation of a single subcutaneous infusion of carboplatin as adjuvant chemotherapy for dogs with osteosarcoma: 17 cases (2006-2010).

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