Entries Tagged 'Dog Cancer' ↓

If you consider microchipping your dog so you can locate it in case it gets lost or because the law requires you to do so, you may be doing it more HARM than good.

Here are some true stories of dogs that developed cancer after being implanted with microchips…

Seamus, a 5-year old bullmastiff, developed a tumor (hemangiosarcoma) around 2 microchips implanted in between the shoulder blades in Sep 2009. Three months after the tumor was removed, the cancer returned. He was eventually put to sleep in Feb 2010.

The owner wanted to prevent Seamus was from being stolen, so he thought he did the right thing by giving him the microchip implant. Little did he know that it was a death sentence for his dog.

Read more about: Seamus killed by pet microchip.

Scotty, a 5-year old Yorkshire terrier, also developed a tumor (malignant lymphoma) between his shoulder blades where the microchip was implanted. He was given 1 year to live.

Leon, a 9-year old french bulldog, was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma at the site of the microchip implant in April 2004 and eventually died. Here’s a memorial website dedicated to: Leon and sharing the real TRUTH about pet microchips and vaccines.

Several studies have clearly shown the link between microchip implants and cancer in laboratory animals and dogs.
Dr Katherine Albrecht discusses the literature published in toxicology and pathology journals showing a causal link between implanted radiofrequency (RFID) microchip transponders and cancer in laboratory rodents and dogs in “Microchip-Induced Tumors in Laboratory Rodents and Dogs: A Review of the Literature 1990–2006″

I strongly encourage you to check out the FAQs on microchip implants for pets and human posted by Dr Albrecht. Discover how microchips cause cancer and how a leading microchip manufacturer lied and misled the public, causing unnecessary deaths.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted a test on 10 popular dog food brands for fluoride levels and found 8 of them contain 1.6 and 2.5 times higher than the Environmental Agency’s maximum allowable in drinking water for humans.

Health effect of fluoride on dogs

The effects of high fluoride levels on dogs are not known as no safe amount of fluoride for pets has been determined. However, people who consume too much fluoride tend to have mottled teeth, weakened bones, reproductive and developmental system damage, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption and bone cancer.

Three studies have shown that 6- to 8-year old boys who drink fluoridated tap water are more at risk of developing bone cancer (osteosarcoma).  This is worrying as dogs are 10 times more susceptible to bone cancer than humans. High fluoride levels can potentially increase the risk of canine osteosarcoma, a common type of cancer in dogs.

Sources of fluoride in commercial dog food

The EWG has identified bone meal and animal byproducts as sources of fluoride in commercial dog foods in the 8 dog food brands. It defines animal and bone meal as “ground bones cooked with steam, dried and mashed to make a cheap dog food filler”.

Dogs are also exposed to fluoride in drinking water. If they are fed commercial dog food only, they can easily over consume fluoride. The combination of fluoride from water and pet food can cause potential health problems in the long term.

What you can do

Pet health, food and products come under lax regulations or standards. The FDA is doing very little to protect our pets. You minimise fluoride health risks by feeding your dog with home cooked food. If cooking is not an option, choose commercial dog food without bone meal, animal byproducts and additives. Check out my previous post: What’s the best pet food?

Source: The Environmental Working Group - http://www.ewg.org/book/export/html/27364

Secondhand smoke has been known to adversely affect non smoking people. Are you aware that pets are also seriously affected? Several studies have shown that secondhand tobacco smoke causes certain types of cancer in dogs and cats.

Colorado State Univ conducted 2 studies to determine whether exposure to environmental tobacco smoke increases the risk of nasal and lung cancer in dogs.

They discovered that:
- long-nosed dogs such as pugs and pit bulls, have an increased risk of nasal cancer. This could be due to enhanced filtration and exposure of nasal membrane to carcinogens.
- short-nosed dogs such as collies and German Shepherds, have an increased risk of lung cancer. A possible explanation could be that the lungs are exposed to more carcinogens as less are being filtered in the nose.

In a study conducted by Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Massachusetts, cats exposed to environmental tobacco smoke have a higher risk of developing feline lymphoma.

In another study, also by Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Massachusetts, cats develop feline oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Cats living in a smoking household are exposed to carcinogens through inhalation and ingestion. As cats tend to lick themselves during grooming, they also ingest other types of chemicals from anti flea products. Cotinine (metabolized nicotine) has been detected in the urine of cats exposed to passive smoking.

If you smoke and own a pet, quit the habit. Don’t risk the lives of your pet and other non smokers (kid, wife, husband, mum, dad, etc) in the same household. Watch out for respiratory problems in your pet as these can be signs of lung or nasal cancer.

North Carolina State University is the first university to offer peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for treatment of canine lymphoma. This treatment has been available to human lymphoma patients for many years. Although the therapy was developed using dogs, it has never been a standard treatment for canine lymphoma until now.

Here’s the link to:

Breakthrough in canine lymphoma treatment

Currently, this is the only cure for canine lymphoma, with a success rate of at least 30%.

The conventional treatment for canine lymphoma is chemotherapy, with 12-18 months remission being the best outcome.

Some types of cancer respond well to a combination of conventional therapy and immune modulation therapy. Find out how K9 Immunity and K9 Transfer Factor can help canine lymphoma:

–> K9 Immunity for canine lymphoma

Cancer is an immune dysfunction disease. It is a failure by the body to recognise abnormal cells as invaders.

The conventional cancer therapy includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs are extremely toxic as they destroy BOTH healthy and unhealthy cells. All of these treatment methods only reduce the number of cancer cells but do not deal with the underlying cause of cancer.

On the other hand, immune modulation compounds have been used to trigger normal immune function so that the body can recognise and kill off cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy drugs, immune modulation compounds are not toxic as they naturally occur in food.

Most types of cancers respond well to a combination of conventional therapy and immune modulation. Aloha Medicinals Inc. specializes in immune modulation compounds for use by cancer survivors. For most dogs, the use of K9 Immunity and K9 Transfer Factor combination regulates the immune system.

Learn more about K9 Immunity and how it can help your dog here:

–> K9 Immunity

The question what causes cancer has been one of the most frustrating questions for scientists involved in cancer research. Despite huge amounts of funding and resource being spent on the subject, there is still an element of doubt behind what causes cancer. At the most we know what the risk factors are because most of the causes carry an element of doubt along with them.

Many factors that increase the risk of feline cancer and cancer in dogs can be classified under two categories:

* Carcinogens - viruses, chemicals and physical carcinogens that can be found in the environment
* There are certain DNA and RNA viruses, normally termed as tumor viruses that have the capacity to pass their own genetic information to the DNA of the cells they infect. It is a complex infection which may involve the virus turning into a cancer causing agent or merge partially with the infected cell.
* There are chemicals that may cause cancer directly or indirectly. Indirect carcinogens need enzymes present in the body to act as catalysts for them to turn carcinogenic. Direct carcinogens, however, are reactive compounds in their own right.
* Physical carcinogens include exposure to radiation: ionized or ultraviolet, fibers like asbestos, tobacco smoke and hyperthermia.

Genetic Disorders - inherited or acquired.

* A dog may inherit cells carrying genetic material from generation to generation. A gene that suppresses formation of a tumor may get inactivated. On the other hand a gene that causes normal cells to change into cancerous cells may get activated in the sperm or the ovum.
* In some cases cancerous cells develop during mitosis, the process of multiplication of cell by division and are not hereditary in nature. This is an instance of an acquired chromosomal defect where a parent cell passes on the genetic information to the daughter cells that it divides into.

Prediction of cancer is highly improbable. It is ultimately left to the correct reading of signs, such as symptoms of liver cancer in dogs, which can lead to an early detection of this fatal disease. Advancements in treatment therapies for cancer have resulted in many success stories of pet cancer treatment. If it is determined before metastasis affects vital organs, it is possible to extend the life of your dog as well as improve its quality for as long as he lives.

The success of any cancer treatment is directly related to the stage at which it is detected. There are strong possibilities of cancer in dogs spreading to vital organs making surgical removal an impossible task.

All cancers do not occur as tumors that can be seen on the surface of the body. And therefore these tumors are not too easy to notice and monitor. In many cases malignant cancer symptoms manifest themselves as symptoms that are related directly to the organ it affects. Symptoms like gastrointestinal bleeding or diarrhea are associated with a tumor in the stomach, small and large intestines or colon. Similarly, cancer in hormone producing organs surfaces in the shape of endocrinal disorders and brain or spinal cord tumors are associated with neurological symptoms.

However there are instances where cancer produces general symptoms that do not point to a specific organ. For example, the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs like loss of appetite, a distended stomach and weakness can be associated with cancer as well as other ailments. Some of the other non specific symptoms include weight loss, low grade fever, muscle weakness, skin rash, hair loss and lethargy.

As such, a wait and watch policy can prove to be extremely dangerous as there is always an accompanying risk of metastasis. Diagnostic procedures like laboratory screening, radiological testing are very helpful in determining existence of a cancer in the body in its early stages. Procedures employed in human oncology are similar to those used to determine prevalence of cancer in pets including feline cancer.

X-Rays are probably the most commonly used technique for radiographic imaging as advanced facilities like CT (Computed Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are not widely available in veterinary medicine. CT and MRI provide much better results with the ability to render section wise three dimensional images of areas hidden behind tissues.

Ultrasound imaging is commonly used by veterinarians for imaging solid organs and for guiding needles inside the body for drawing out liquid from a tumor for laboratory examination. PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a recent addition in canine cancer diagnostic procedures.

Prevalence of cancer can also be determined by molecules termed as tumor markers. Cancer cells produce molecules that are different from the ones produced by normal cells. Different tumor markers associated with body organs also provide vital information on prognosis, staging and monitoring.

The next step after diagnosis is to determine the stage at which the disease is. Cancer staging is one of the most important aspects of cancer diagnosis that determines the treatment option that are best to take. Tumor size, invasion of regional lymph nodes and an understanding of the extent of spread of cancerous cell is necessary to evaluate prognosis and clinical management.

Although there are no known definite preventive measures to avoid pet cancer, timely intervention can prove to be of great help. It is highly recommended that you consult your veterinarian as soon as you see any signs of discomfort in your dog. It is the least that you owe to your ‘best friend’.

We all know that temporary treatment and relief from cancer in dogs is possible but a permanent cure is not, especially when metastasis has occurred and affected vital organs. Small localized cancers are curable and a dog can live a normal life. Benign tumors do not technically fall under cancer and can be removed surgically without fear unless of course a vital organ is involved.

Treating cancer, including canine and feline cancers with chemotherapeutic drugs is beset with dangers. Most veterinarians are against the use of these drugs since the affects are sometimes worse than the ailment. Mostly veterinarians suggest chemotherapy if the dog owner insists and is adamant to prolong the life of his dog, irrespective of its quality.

If you are looking for a better quality of life rather than just adding the number of years, you should look towards a holistic treatment for cancer. A natural approach is devoid of toxicity, has no side effects and attempts to fight cancer cells in a natural way. Success, of course, is not in your hands but you can provide a comfortable life to an already beleaguered animal.

The first step should be to clear the pet’s environment of all potentially carcinogenic materials and chemicals. Change his environment so that there is no contact with harmful pesticides, chemicals and toxic materials. Clean the household where remnants of these tend to accumulate. Throw out the plastic feeding bowl and use ceramic or metal. Start giving filtered water to the dog.

Homoeopathy can do wonders if a remedy is found that meets all the symptoms present in your dog. Such a remedy can prove to be one of the best tools to manage cancer.

There is a strong correlation between nutrition and cancer. Commercial pet foods available in the market carry preservative and synthetic substances that may be carcinogenic and may cause harm to the process of healthy cell multiplication. Home cooked and organic food is best for your dog’s health. If home food is not an option, opt for health foods for dogs that are available in health stores. Before buying make sure that they do not contain hormones, pesticides or antibiotics.

You may also choose to give therapeutic level supplements of antioxidants, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Many herbs also help in fighting cancer and can be given directly or along with a meal. Discuss with your veterinarian and select a few herbs and natural foods that are rich in zinc, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids. Fish oil or flaxseed oil have anti cancer properties and increase oxygen uptake to cells.

Caring for a dog with cancer requires dog owners to be well-conversed with the minute details of how symptoms of cancer manifest in pets. Cancer tends to remain concealed till a long time. For example, the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs are vague and are normally ignored or associated with milder conditions. Creating a program for home cancer care will go a long way in curbing the growth of cancer cells. If you can start such a program right from the time you bring your dog home, it may even prevent the dreaded disease.

In recent times there has been a significant rise in the incidence of cancer in dogs, as well as feline cancer. The main culprit seems to be the manner in which we have treated our environment and the lifestyle of convenience that we have adopted. We look for ready made quick solutions for everything - for ourselves and for the pets we bring home. Home cooked food seems to have become a thing of the past. Commercial pet food containing harmful preservatives and coloring agents are becoming the order of the day with scant regard being paid to the long term effects of chemicals and toxins that go in to produce them.

We all know that cancer takes time to be detected. We also know that it usually manifests itself when it is almost impossible to cure it completely. What most of us would like to know is why it is so. The term neoplasia is used interchangeably with cancer. Neoplasia is the pathological process that results in the formation and growth of a tumor. It requires a billion cells or thirty times of dividing and multiplying before a tumor can be seen. And malignancy occurs only when these rapidly dividing cancer cells invade normal tissue.

Malignant cancers can spread through the blood stream or lymphatic vessels. There are many types of cancers that spread to specific neighboring or distant organs but the most common sites are lymph nodes, lungs and liver. To add to the problem, symptoms of most types of cancer, like the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs, tend to surface prominently only when the disease has reached an advanced stage.

It is imperative that due attention be paid to even subtle behavioral and physical changes in dogs for ruling out or confirming the prevalence of cancer. Many types of cancer can be effectively treated, even cured, if they are attended to in the early stages. Some of the signs that may indicate cancer as an underlying cause are easily short listed into ten symptoms. It will not be out of place to mention here that these signs apply to humans also.

* An abnormal swelling that refuses to go away even after treatment.
* A sore, lesion or a wound that does not heal within a reasonable time period.
* Weight loss despite sufficient diet.
* Incessant bleeding or discharge from any opening in the body.
* Difficulty in urinating or passing stools.
* Chronic diarrhea or vomiting.
* Loss of stamina and difficulty in breathing.
* Subtle changes like increased sleep, lack of interest and refusal to play.
* Bad smell.
* Refusal to eat for more than two days.

Most of the symptoms can be noticed easily if you are observant and indulgent while grooming. Any abnormal sign that was not there when you last groomed the dog should be brought to the notice of the veterinarian. Nine time out of ten it may turn out to be a minor ailment but that should not reason to be negligent. Remember that early detection can save the life of your pet.

With the amount of funds, time and effort that has gone into cancer research, one would think that it is high time that there was a permanent cure or vaccine to prevent the disease. Despite the enormous progress that has been made in this field, science is still far from a permanent solution for human as well as canine cancer.

Every now and then we keep on hearing about vaccines for different types of cancers. For example a study revealed that the human papilloma virus was significantly effective in preventing vulval and vaginal cancer lesions in women. Another significant development reported in recent times is that of a conditional approval of a vaccine for canine melanoma.

It is difficult to treat advanced melanoma regardless of whether it occurs in humans or dogs or as a form of feline cancer. In later stages the melanoma is extremely resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation. This resistance led to a need to look for new modes of treating the deadly cancer. The emphasis was on developing a vaccine that would rein in the immune system.

Melanoma in dogs is similar to a form of skin cancer in humans. In dogs, it usually occurs around the mouth, nail beds and foot pads. It is a highly aggressive form of cancer in dogs that leads to death within a year. A DNA based vaccine, created from actual melanoma tumor cells has shown remarkable results. The cells are first treated so that they stop multiplying by division. DNA is the then introduced in the cells to release an immune stimulant. The combination of these cells and the immune stimulant is injected into the skin of the patient.

Clinical trials have been encouraging with the average survival time of dogs with melanoma increasing from 90 days to 389 days. In 12.5% of dogs out of the 40% who responded positively to the vaccine, the cancer disappeared totally.

Normally cancer does not show early signs. In other cases like the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs, the symptoms are so similar to various other mild disorders that detection is almost impossible based on only symptoms. This particular aspect of cancer often delays treatment, often leading to death as prognosis is directly related to the stage to which the disease has reached.

The recent approval, although conditional, for a vaccine for treating canine melanomas bodes good news for humans as well. Humans develop this type of cancer in the same way as dogs do. The treatments meted out are similar too. Trials being conducted on animals that live in the same environment as humans in conjunction with human trials may help in providing a safer treatment of cancer for all. Let us hope that we hear of a major breakthrough in this research and that it is not hampered by lack of funds, a hurdle that most serious researches face.