Veterinary Highlights: Better Dog Cancer Detection?

One of the troubles with cancer in dogs is that when you see the signs, it's typically already quite advanced. Like any other disease, the sooner you identify and address the problem, the better for the outcome.

Many serious diseases can be detected early during regular wellness exams and routine testing. When you suspect a problem, urinalysis or blood testing will often tell you what you're looking at. With cancer, not so much.

We are not at the point when we can run some blood work and see whether there is cancer brewing.

Current cancer screening test technologies still have a long way to go.

Every once in a while, though, it seems we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

One of the latest and greatest is the VDI-TKcanine+ cancer test for dogs.

This test can be helpful when cancer is suspected, ant to monitor the treatment once cancer is confirmed. The two available tests, VDI-TKcanine+ and INCase, are looking for specific biomarkers that are elevated in dogs with cancer.

It seems to be one of the better tests out there.

At this time, these tests have been validated for dogs with lymphoma or hemangiosarcoma. It is important to remember, that such tests can produce false positives and false negatives, which can further cloud the issue. The more sensitive the test, the more false positives you can get.

What is important, though, is that the researchers are paying attention to it and we might be closer than ever to detecting dog cancer in early stages.

Source article:
The Facts About Dog Cancer Screening Tests

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Angry Vet On Leptospirosis

by Dr. Robert Foley, DVM

As a sad reminder of the dangers and reality of leptospirosis, we had two cases of acute renal failure in otherwise healthy young dogs. 

One of these dog’s kidneys completely shut down and would not respond to treatment. She was euthanized humanely. The other dog, I am pleased to report has responded, and is now home and expected to make a full recovery.

This post is dedicated to Sandy, our unfortunate patient who died far too young:

A differential that is high on the list when an acute renal patient presents is leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that affects primarily dogs that drink water contaminated with the urine from rodents and mammals like raccoons.

Once infected, your dog can become sick, sometimes gravely sick, with kidney and/or liver failure.

Symptoms can include drinking and urinating excessively progressing to scant or no urine production, vomitting, anorexia, and lethargy. Response to antibiotic therapy is possible if instituted early.  If there is resistance to antibiotics or if antibiotics are instituted  too late, progressive organ failure can lead to death. It must also be noted that leptospirosis can be transmitted from pets to humans.

Our recent exposure to this bacteria re-raises some of the questions with which we at Angryvet frequently wrestle. 

While we do carry the leptospirosis vaccination, we don’t recommend it as one of our core vaccines. We offer it to people whose pets have exposure to wildlife and who feel that the benefits of the vaccination outweigh the risks.

The leptospirosa vaccination typically contains four (at least) serovars/strains. 

Scanning electron micrograph of Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni.
Image: Medical Books Online

The problem is that there are hundreds of serovars, and immunity against one serovar does not necessarily predict immunity against another.

In theory, the strains chosen are strains that are known to occur in a local area. This is typical of the flu shot given to people where scientists try and predict which flu strain will be out during a particular season and subsequently which strain(s) will be put into the vaccination. These predictions often fall short in providing protective immunity.

Canine leptospirosis vaccinations are not changed with such frequency, so we can expect vaccination immunity to frequently fall short.

Also, predictably , the immunity that is obtained to any strain is fleeting (sometimes 9 months or less). This is because the immunity from bacterial vaccinations is different from the immunity from viral vaccinations. It necessitates the activation of various cell-mediated immunity pathways (natural killer cells, etc.) and not the humoral immunity (antibody production) activated by viral vaccines.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, the leptospirosis vaccination is most frequently associated (anecdotally) with vaccine reactions in the patient.  

These reactions are sometimes severe and can necessitate emergency treatment.  Reports of death, while rare, can occur.

One of our patients, the one who died, tested NEGATIVE for leptospirosis.  

Negative test does not guarantee that he did not have it. The tests can provide false negatives. Interestingly, this dog was vaccinated against leptospirosis recently. This means that either the vaccination failed or that her renal failure was caused by something else. Contaminated dog food from China remains a distinct possibility.

The other dog, who tested POSITIVE for the disease, was not vaccinated.  

A positive test does not guarantee that she had an active leptospirosis infection that triggered her renal failure. The test can also show false positives. The likely scenario is that leptospirosis was indeed responsible for her renal and hepatic failure. She is, fortunately, making a nice recovery.

With all of that said , vaccinations can be very effective biological weapons against disease.  When one determines whether to use a particular vaccine they should ask …

1. How effective is the vaccine?
2. How safe is the vaccine?
3. How long lasting is the immunity that is conferred from the vaccine?
4. How likely is it that the animal will be exposed to the disease with which we are concerned within her environment?.

Leptospirosis is a very difficult vaccination to weigh in on. 

In some heavily endemic areas, where outbreaks are frequent, recommending the vaccine may be much more clear cut. Conversely, if an animal is paper trained or is indoors (or mostly indoors), the decision to not vaccinate may be easier.  It has been suggested that certain breeds like Dachshunds are more susceptible to reactions.

In my particular area of Long Island and Queens we do see some outbreaks. 

We offer the vaccine to new patients and provide the information to the owners as to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine to allow people to make their own decision for their own pet.

I do not personally vaccinate my dogs against leptospirosis.

As data changes so too may our recommendations…

***

Angry Vet's blog offers objective opinions on many controversial topics often not readily available from your local veterinarian. This includes health concerns with over-vaccination, spaying and neutering controversy, and nutritional issues.

Dr. Robert Foley and Dr. Michael Ferber, founders of Angry Vet blog, are raising questions about the general recommendations that veterinarians are taught to give to their patients. Why do veterinarians vaccinate so much? Why they recommend spaying and neutering as a dogma, and as the only option? Is an intact animal actually healthier? Why are certain diseases so prevalent in our pets? Why is "people food" unhealthy for our pets but processed dog or cat foods superior?

Are you asking the same questions? And if you're not, should you? Check out  Angry Vet blog or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.

Articles by Angry Vet: 
Really Angry Vet: Winston's First Seizure  
Ruptured Cruciate Ligaments And Early Spay And Neuter  
Itching For A Diagnosis
Angry Vet On Ear Infections (Part I) 
Angry Vet On Ear Infections (Part II)

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Tackling The Veterinary Terminology: Prefixes (myelo-)

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

A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning by providing additional information. It usually indicates number, location, time, or status.

myelo- [mī′ĕ-lō] - New Latin from Greek - having to do with a spinal cord or bone marrow

This suffix is dangerously similar to myo-, and I imagine they can be easily confused. I know I had a hard time before I figured out what's going on with these two.

No, it's not like tomato, tomahto, all the same. These prefixes might look and sound similar but mean different things. Myo- refers to muscles, while myelo- refers to spinal cord or bone marrow. 

Once you get over that bit, the rest is straightforward again.

Though I was curious how did bone marrow and spinal cord ended up in one bag.

Turns out, that the original Greek word meant marrow. As medical terminology was developing, spinal cord got thrown in the same bag in the days when there was still little understanding of the function of both the spinal cord and the marrow. They had to call it something and it made sense at the time.

After all, both of them are kinda the stuff inside the bones, right? So there is no deep secret to it.

As for some  examples, you might encounter following medical terms. 

Myelitis, inflammation of the bone marrow or spinal cord. Myelogram, imaging of the spinal cord. Myeloma, a tumor of the bone marrow. Myelopathy, any disease of the bone marrow or of the spine, such as degenerative myelopathy, or cervical spondylomyelopathy, aka Wobbler syndrome. (Btw, are you noticing the parade of suffixes we've already discussed?)

***

Related articles:
Veterinary Suffixes (-itis)
Veterinary Suffixes (-oma) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-pathy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-osis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-iasis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-tomy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-ectomy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-scopy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-emia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-penia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-rrhea) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-cyte) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-blast) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-opsy)
Veterinary Suffixes (-ac/-al)

Veterinary Prefixes (hyper-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (hypo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (pyo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myo-)

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Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) Survivor: Pete's Story

by Jenny MacKay

It was the evening of Monday, October 24 2011, when my husband, Mike, and I first heard the term IMHA. 

We searched the internet for everything we could find and what we learned filled our hearts with fear... but we hoped for the best.

This is the story of Pete's illness and recovery

Mike and I adopted Pete, a Basenji Corgi mix, from the BC SPCA Sechelt branch in April 2010. Pete was 10 years old, had serious allergies and eczema caused from the stress of being in a shelter environment; he had such a sweet temperament and obviously needed a loving home - it only took 5 minutes for Pete to steal our hearts.

Over the next year and a half Pete became, and still is, an integral part of our lives. He spends his weekdays in the office with Mike and the rest of the time snuggled next to us on the sofa, going for walks on the beach, or hogging as much of the bed as he can while we sleep.

Forward to Sunday, October 23, 2011, we left Pete at home happily snuggled in his bed, then returned 2 hours later to find a very different dog. 

He stood in the corner, his head lowered; we called his name several times and, when he finally turned toward us, he had trouble walking. His back legs buckled under him.

Something was dramatically wrong. 

We stayed up all night and watched Pete closely. In the morning we took him to the Urban Animal Hospital, they examined him, took a blood test, and advised that given the symptoms it might be something called IMHA but results of the blood test would confirm.

They sent us home and advised us to call if anything changed. 

We diligently monitored his behaviour and for a while he seemed to stabilize. However, within hours everything changed - Pete once again lost mobility and in the space of an hour he could no longer walk. We rushed him to the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic.

Following another blood test they diagnosed with IMHA - Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. 

Pete was immediately admitted and put on several IV drips; the vet provided an overview of immediate treatment- the various costs and options (we are so thankful we had pet insurance with Trupanion). Then came the worst news, the vet explained in depth what IMHA is and cautioned us that even with early detection and appropriate treatment 80% of dogs diagnosed with IMHA do not survive beyond hospitalization. If they do fight the good fight and are able to go home the survival rate beyond 6 months is only 20%.

Pete stayed in the Animal Emergency Hospital and we walked back to the car with an IMHA pamphlet in one hand and Pete's leash in the other, not knowing if he would get the chance to wear it again.

IMHA is a life threatening hematologic disease. It is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks and kills its own red blood cells; without an adequate number of red blood cells the body becomes starved of oxygen and cannot survive.

The causes of IMHA remain largely unknown, with 75% having no found causation at all. 

While some cases may be triggered by an event such as cancer, vaccination, or infection, these do not explain why or how the immune system misdirects and harms the body it is meant to protect.

IMHA occurs more often in middle aged dogs 3 - 8 years old, and in females rather than males. It is a rapidly life threatening disease that even with appropriate treatment is often fatal.

Because IMHA is not well understood there are no known cures or preventive measures.


IMHA comes without any early warning signs. Once the typical symptoms present themselves your animal is already very ill and must get medical attention immediately.

Typical symptoms of IMHA include:

• Pale or yellow tinged gums
• Yellowed eyes
• Dark or pinkish/red urine
• Tiring easily or weakness
• Lack of appetite, lethargy, or rapid breathing

**NOTE: IMHA is a very aggressive disease. It is possible for your pet to show no signs, then for the disease to take full hold within as little as 4 hours!

IMHA Resources: University of Prince Edward Island and Pet Place Canada

Following a very long night at the Animal Emergency Hospital we arrived home mentally and physically exhausted, went to bed but couldn't sleep. 

Early the next morning, groggy and tired, we readied ourselves to make the trip back to the hospital for an update on Pete's condition.

When we arrived the vet warned us that Pete had become very ill during the night and we should prepare for the worst. The vet took us to the back room where Pete was. Walking past all the other hospitalized animals, we readied ourselves.

Pete had an IV in each leg and the symptoms we read about had revealed themselves in Pete. 

His skin and eyes were bright yellow with jaundice; he didn't even have enough energy to raise his head.

When he saw us, he could only move just the very end of his tail... all his efforts to wag his tail were barely perceptible.

I have never before felt so helpless and hopeless in all my life.

Pete's case was very serious; they performed a full blood panel testing and his red blood cell count (RBC) was 12, a normal range is between 40-55. The vet recommended immediate blood transfusion, and reminded us that the procedure was not guaranteed to save his life, that he may require multiple transfusions, and that it would be very expensive. Even without knowing what his response would be or the survival rate, so long as it wouldn't cause Pete any additional pain, we would do anything and everything we could to save his life.

We visited Pete in the Animal Emergency Hospital 3 times a day for the next 7 days. Mike visited in the morning, I visited at lunchtime, and we both went together in the evening after work - staying as long as we could, begging for just a few more minutes after visiting hours closed.

Over the course of those 7 days Pete's condition fluctuated - improving, worsening, stabilizing, and around and around. 

The whole time he kept getting yellower and yellower - the jaundice was getting worse as his RBC was improving at glacial speed. He received all his nutrients, food, and medicine from an IV.

Each time we visited we tried to persuade him to eat; we took purred salmon, white rice, eggs, chicken stock, liver... all his favourites, but to no avail. Pete was just too sick to eat. He was losing weight rapidly. If he couldn't eat then we would do everything else we could think of to make him comfortable. We took his blanket, toys, even our own sweaters - in the hopes that he would recognize our smell and make his feel a little less lonely in the times when we couldn't be there with him.

One evening, when we were visiting the vet told us that she'd never seen it before but was convinced that each time we left Pete cried himself to sleep. It broke my heart. To be honest, it still does...


Mike and I grieved and hoped, hoped and grieved - with the exception of visiting hours when we saw Pete there was no joy in the world and time seemed to stand still.

Following the blood transfusions Pete showed very slow signs of recovery until finally he was stable enough to come home. 

He'd lost 30% of his body weight and much of his muscle mass, he couldn't walk for more than a few minutes at a time. It was still another week before he would eat on his own, and until he could we fed him from a syringe, ounces at a time, every hour. Pete's appetite slowly came back and within 3 weeks his appetite had returned.

Pete's release included a heavy regime of medications required every 4 hours; the vet warned us that because the medication was so strong and hard on the system that the medication might be as dangerous to Pete as the IMHA.

We kept him with us at all times so we could monitor his health. IMHA is a very tricky disease that has no cure, and only sometimes can it be managed. Relapses are always possible, and quite common, and happen without warning.

For the next 4 months Pete received weekly blood tests to monitor his RBC. 

The first few weeks nothing changed much, then slowly the RBC crept up. He was, and continues, to be on a daily regime of medications. Some suppress his immune system, while others promote the healthy growth of new red blood cells.

For the first two months the medications are not effective as they need to build up in the system before they can affect any change.

Yet, while they are ineffective in fighting the disease, they bring powerful and scary side effects. 

Pete suffered severe thirst. He couldn't drink enough water, always panting, and with that came round the clock visits to the little doggie room for bathroom breaks. Pete developed ulcers on his tongue and had multiple stomach troubles.

One of the medications suppressed Pete's immune system, as this was the crux of the disease, and as a result he was very prone to illness and infection from any cuts or sores. Each blood test the vet needed to work around the previous injection as each took weeks to heal.

More troubling, given his lack of immunity, he developed a serious skin infection and lost most of his fur. 

Given it was winter and he was still underweight, poor Pete was always trembling from cold. Pete accumulated quite the collection of sweaters, booties, and blankets.

While we waited for the medications to take effect, we tried everything we could to speed up and assist his recovery. 

We took him for holistic therapy, gave him vitamins and supplements, herbs, changed his diets, and many other things.

We lived our lives in weekly installments, always holding our breath for the results of the next weekly blood test. 

Slowly, Pete's personality came back. On Christmas day Pete was inundated with gifts from friends and neighbours, and for the first time since October he played (if only very timidly) with his toys.


During the first few months of recovery Mike had to carry Pete to the office, a walk he would normally look forward to twice a day every day. Pete spent his days relaxing under Mike's chair and receiving visits and best wishes from everyone in the office. It took 2.5 months before Pete could walk the whole 30 minutes to the office. 

In late February 2012 the vet gave Pete a 4 month clean bill of health. 

His RBC had gone up to 50. It would not be for another 3 months that Pete would have to endure another blood test. Even though the vet reminded us that the possibility of relapse was always there, and that Pete would be on medication for the rest of his life, we all slept soundly for the first time in 4 months. Mike and I were forced to the far edges of the bed while Pete slept in the middle; that night I even appreciated his snoring. 

On October 24 2012 it was a year since Pete's struggle with IMHA. 

He beat the odds, and is a healthy, energetic and happy dog.

In February 2013 Pete returned to daycare 1 day a week. He was so happy to see all his dog and human friends at Sit Doggie Daycare!

Pete survived the most dangerous first year with IMHA - I strongly believe his will to survive was no match for the disease.

IMHA cost 7 days in the Animal Emergency Hospital, 2 blood transfusions from a Boxer named Beau, 7 days of non-stop IV's, and 4 months physical rehabilitation. It still carries daily medications - this will never go away. And despite all this, it wasn't enough to dampen his spirits.

When we tell this story to others we often hear that they wouldn't spend such a large amount of money or expel that amount of emotional upheaval to control an incurable disease, or they wouldn't be able to watch their pet so ill. Yes, emotionally and financially it was very difficult.

We owe our ability to give Pete all the medical attention he needed to our Insurance provider, Trupanion.

They reimbursed us quickly so we could fund the next course of treatment.

As for the emotional side, it still makes me sad to think of it and even writing this story is hard, reliving those worst moments, but it's an important one to share so others who might be fighting this disease can take a little comfort from this happy ending. And for those who have not heard of it, maybe reading this story will help them recognize the warning signs in their pet.

Most importantly I tell everyone that when we adopted Pete from the BC SPCA, we made a commitment to him - to look out for him, protect him, and love him like a member of the family. It just so happens Pete is the only family member with fur. 

I would like to thank all the staff at the Urban Animal Hospital and the Animal Emergency Hospital - both located in Vancouver, Canada, and the blood donor dog Beau - without which Pete would not be with us. I would also like to thank all our friends for their support and kindness.

I don't know what the future holds for Pete but I do know that every day with him is something to be thankful for!

**This article has been written from my own experience and research. I am not a vet; please consult your vet as soon as possible if you believe your pet is ill. 
Jenny Mackay – - Owner, House of Pete www.house-of-pete.com

***

Related articles:
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): Reader Stories (Part I) 
IMHA Is Not To Be Taken Lightly: Know The Symptoms
Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde: Razzle's Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)
Battling IMHA With Integrative Veterinary Medicine (part 1)
Battling IMHA With Integrative Veterinary Medicine (part 2)
I Am An IMHA Survivor! Dylan's Story
Liver Tumor? IMHA? Daphne's Story (Part I)
IMHA Complications: Daphne Didn't Make It 
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): Reader Stories (Part I) 
Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): Reader Stories (Part II) 

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

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

Rosie is a sweet lab mix. Her brother has his home and now she is waiting for hers. 

She is a typical puppy...full of energy and love. 

She says, "Throw me a bone, teach me to be a good girl and give me lots of treats when I am! Then I will be your best friend forever!!!"

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

Ready to bring Rosie home? Tell us about yourself and your interest in Rosie in the 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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Primer On Anemia

What is anemia and what can cause it?



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Dr. Becker is the resident proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian of HealthyPets.Mercola.com. 

You can learn holistic ways of preventing illness in your pets by subscribing to MercolaHealthyPets.com, an online resource for animal lovers. For more pet care tips, subscribe for FREE to Mercola Healthy Pet Newsletter.

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Human-Dog Problem Tree - PART ONE

by Dino Dogan

Lets starts with two basic assumptions.

1. There is more information now on human-dog relationship then ever before and its easier to access then ever. Most of the information is free.
2. Despite all this, human-dog relationship has never been in a worse predicament. For many dogs/owner pairs, the living situation is equivalent to a war zone resulting in dogs being sent to a shelter and later executed.

Why is there such inverse relationship between abundant information and abysmal state of affairs between dogs and humans?

I will argue that there are 3 reasons:

1. Dog professionals (by that I mean dog trainers, TV personalities, authors, etc) are unable to relate certain type of information to their clients (dog owners and consumers of such information). Not because they (dog professionals) don’t want to but because they can’t. And not because they don’t know it but because they don’t see it.
   
   The second reason is…
2. The nature of modern human existence is such that it doesn’t suit humans, much less dogs. We live contrary to our evolutionary code. 10 thousand years of agricultural and then industrial revolution is not enough time to change our underlying psychobiology.
   
   And third and perhaps the most important...
3. The nature of human condition.
   
   We cant blame dog professionals for trying to train us and failing. And we cant blame our environment either. We must take responsability and bring certain necesary attributes to the table. Attributes like compassion, understanding and love.  We will talk about these attributes later. For now...

Lets examine why Dog Trainers are unable to relate fundamental principles that they themselves use when dealing with dogs.

There are 4 things I’ve been able to identify that dog professionals have but don’t teach nor share with general public, and yet, these fundamental principles are key to their success.

But first, how come they are not sharing this info?

If you wanted to learn how to swim, I think you could NOT pick a better teacher then a fish. A fish could teach you how to swim your ass off.

Its effective in water, it has mastered the techniques necessary to move through water, it has all the attributes we need to emulate in order for us to be strong swimmers as well.

But...

Don’t ask a fish to teach you how to breathe under water; cuz fish don’t know.

Dog professionals are exactly the same as fish.

They can teach you techniques but you will not necessarily replicate their success and be able to “breathe under water”.

I think most people know this to be true from first hand experience.

I am sure you’ve read books, watched TV shows or DVDs, paid dog trainers to come to your house and train you…and yet, you were unable to breathe underwater on your own. You were not able to replicate their success and in fact, you may have made things worse. Why?


In PART TWO, we will examine those 4 fundamental principles used by dog professionals that are NOT taught to dog owners, and yet, dog professionals apply them without thinking.

Does anyone want to take a stab at what those 4 principles are before I post them? No peeking :-)


***

Dino Dogan is a blogger, writer, biker, dog trainer, singer/songwriter, Martial Artist. Dino is now busy with his DIY Blogger Net blog. He is also behind the great social media tool, Triberr. Hopefully one day he'll return to dog blogging. Meanwhile, you can connect with Dino on Twitter or Facebook.

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