‘Miracle Dog’ Beats Aggressive Cancer March 24, 2009

Cancer-Fighting Drug Works in Dogs; Can It Do the Same for People?

Source: WebMD Health News, by Kelli Miller Stacy, March 23, 2009

Researchers with the Cleveland Clinic have successfully treated cancer in dogs without toxic side effects or discomfort. The feat could soon lead to a powerful new strategy for treating the disease in people.

Joseph A. Bauer, PhD, with the Center for Hematology & Oncology Molecular Therapeutics at the Cleveland Clinic, detailed the extraordinary achievement at the 237th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Salt Lake City.

Bauer’s team’s success story begins with a “miracle dog” named Oscar, a 10-year-old male Bichon Frise stricken with an extremely aggressive form of cancer called anal sac adenocarcinoma. Chemotherapy and radiation failed to treat the dog’s disease, which left him unable to walk. Oscar had about 3 months left to live.

That’s when Bauer and colleagues gave him an innovative cancer-killing drug called nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl). Within two weeks, Oscar’s cancer significantly improved and he was back on his feet.

‘Trojan Horse’ Kills Cancer

The NO-Cbl drug targets cancer cells like a biological “Trojan horse.” A Trojan horse is a damage-causing substance hidden in something apparently harmless.

In this case, the drug is made of a cancer-killing substance called nitric oxide, which is attached to vitamin B12. Substances called receptors on a cell’s surface attract the vitamin and help it enter the cell. Cancer cells grow abnormally fast with extra B12 receptors. NO-Cbl spots these receptors, sneaks into cancer cells, and releases the nitric oxide, which kills the cancer cells from within.

Scientists have been trying for more than 60 years to develop a successful B12-based “Trojan horse” to fight cancer, according to a news release from the American Chemical Society.

Bauer’s team is reporting promising results in two other dogs without any negative side effects. Ultrasound and MRI imaging showed significant reductions in tumor size in all three dogs. Nine months of NO-Cbl treatment shrank a spinal tumor in a 6-year-old golden retriever named Buddy by 40%. Buddy, who once had nerve damage in his right hind leg, is now taking 2-mile walks. The treatment also significantly reduced inoperable thyroid cancer in a 13-year-old female Giant Schnauzer. The dog had a 77% reduction in tumor size in less than 10 weeks. The team is now treating a spinal tumor in a fourth dog, a golden retriever named Haley.

The team wants to successfully treat 10 dogs with NO-Cbl and then quickly get FDA approval to test the drug in people. Bauer points out that people and dogs are genetically similar, which may help the drug’s “chance of getting through the FDA’s strict drug approval chain.”

Focus on Pets, Too

Each year in the U.S., an estimated 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer. Pets with cancer afford researchers an opportunity to study cancer treatments in animals that are more genetically similar to people.

“The [National Cancer Institute] gets data on pets that are exposed to the same environmental factors their owners are,” Bauer says in a news release. “They breathe the same polluted air and drink the same polluted water that you and I do every day. If you can find an agent to treat cancer that occurs in a dog with success, there is a higher likelihood that you can take that to the human population and have a much higher response rate than with mice.”

Such research also provides pets access to potential life-saving therapies, such as the case with Oscar.

“We are one of the few research groups that is offering to treat dogs with cancer that otherwise have no hope,” Bauer says. “With no other options available, most people in this situation opt to euthanize so that their pets don’t go through the pain of disease and trauma of surgery.”

Bauer, a dog owner, says his research is “one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life.”

CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods Donates Funds from Raffle to Cancer Charities March 23, 2009

Source: PRWeb.com, March 23, 2009

San Luis Obispo, CA — CANIDAE Pet Foods conducted its first Amgen Road Bike Raffle to benefit cancer research in people and pets at the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. The race brought together a world-class field of cyclists and teams from multiple nations including Lance Armstrong in his return to U.S. professional cycling after a three-year hiatus. While Armstrong placed seventh, Levi Leipheimer won the Amgen Tour of California for the third consecutive year.

CANIDAE chose to conduct the raffle to support the race’s mission of promoting cancer awareness and research. Half of the proceeds went to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation to fund canine cancer research, and the other half to Armstrong’s Livestrong Cancer Awareness Foundation.

The grand prize winner of the CANIDAE Amgen Road Bike Raffle, Phil Diffenbaugh of Ridgecrest, California, won a Felt Z35 Road Bike donated by CANIDAE (estimated value $2,199.00) at the Rose Bowl during Stage 7 of the race on February 21. Diffenbaugh, a firefighter for the last 32 years and father to five children, and his wife Susan are avid cyclists and pet owners. Their household includes a dog, a cat, 3 hamsters and some hermit crabs.

“I estimate that over the last 20 years, I have ridden more than 31,000 miles to and from work. Even my wife and children often ride to work and school,” said Diffenbaugh. “Our Lab mix just tolerates the dry food we normally feed him. When we gave him the samples you sent he became an enthusiastic eater. I’m confident that with regular feeding the quality ingredients will improve his appearance and overall health,” commented Diffenbaugh after receiving some samples of CANIDAE All Life Stages dog food for his Labrador mix.

Part of the CANIDAE Mission Statement to promote Responsible Pet Ownership includes proper medical care and support for pets with health issues such as cancer. Nothing is more central to the core values of CANIDAE than the health, happiness and well being of pets.

In addition to selling raffle tickets benefiting the cause of fighting cancer in people and pets, CANIDAE Pet Foods distributed samples and coupons. CANIDAE pet foods for dogs and cats adhere to the highest standards of excellence for product quality, palatability, and customer satisfaction. Formulated for the long-term health of pets, these all natural holistic pet foods use only the finest human grade ingredients available — proudly raised and grown in the United States. CANIDAE stands behind the guaranteed analysis of each and every one of its products and invites cycling fans to discover for themselves and their pets the healthful benefits of its pet foods.

“We are so excited that Mr. Diffenbaugh won the bike and that we are able to help fund organizations that fight cancer in people in pets at the same time. The positive atmosphere at the event and the enthusiasm of the cycling fans has us very interested in sponsoring more events”, said Jason Castillo, Controller for CANIDAE. “Canidae is planning on being at several national events throughout the year promoting Responsible Pet Ownership, and supporting local independent pet food retailers while raising funds for cancer research in people and pets at the same time. We are finalizing charity events at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California in April and are working on events at several of the larger marathon races. When the details are finalized, we will publish them on our website at www.canidae.com.”

Vet points to pet acupuncture as a way to heal, NC March 3, 2009

Source: Chapel Hill News, by Deborah Meyer, March 1, 2009

If there’s ever a fan club for veterinarian Doug Knueven, it’s likely that Jenn Merritt will start it.

Merritt attended two lectures Knueven gave at an Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference on topics such as natural diets and minimal vaccinations.

“I was just so impressed with his perspective,” said Merritt, who owns Blue Dog Creature Coaching. “I just thought I have to get him to North Carolina so I can share that knowledge and common-sense perspective with other people.”

Knueven integrates traditional veterinary medicine with alternative modalities, including acupuncture, in his Beaver County, Penn., clinic. On March 21, he’ll give an all-day Canine Health Seminar at Paws4Ever (the former Orange County Animal Protection Society) in Mebane.

Knueven received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Seven years later, frustrated with the limitations of conventional veterinary medicine, he took the 150-hour International Veterinary Acupuncture Society Course.

“It was an eye opening experience,” he said. “Chinese medicine is a totally different way of looking at the body, health, and disease. Once you become aware of this new paradigm of medicine you start to apply it.”

The first case where Knueven used his new knowledge and ability involved a cat with mouth cancer. The cat had stopped eating and was hiding. Knueven told the owners he would try acupuncture at no charge because it was experimental for him. The cat started eating and stopped hiding, despite the cancer.

Another early case involved a little Yorkshire terrier with kidney failure. He too had stopped eating. The owners brought him in to euthanize him.

“I was on my way to get the solution and I came back in and said, ‘Let’s try acupuncture,’” said Knueven, who did a quick treatment and sent him home.

He didn’t hear from the owners for three days and decided the dog had probably died. When he finally called, the owners told him the dog had started eating and was bouncing around like a puppy again.

“We treated him weekly with acupuncture and the dog stuck around for another six to eight months,” Knueven said.

Knueven is the author of “Stand by Me: A Holistic Handbook for Animals, Their People, and the Lives They Share Together,” (ARE Press, 2003) and “The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Whole Dog” (TFH Publishing, June 2008).

In December, Merritt took her dog Big Sandy to Knueven. In Louisville, Knueven had talked about spondylosis, a degenerative spinal condition in dogs and people too. Big Sandy was diagnosed last year.

“I have been working with him to treat her using a natural diet and Chinese herbs. She is [no longer] having a lot of the other issues she was having like bladder infections, incontinence and kidney problems,” Merritt said. And though she loves her local vet, acupuncturist and chiropractor, “Dr. Doug brings it all together because he is all of those things.”

TO REGISTER

Dr. Doug Knueven’s March 21 seminar costs $80. Topics include canine nutrition, vaccines, massage herbs, spinal health and homeopathy. Register at www.paws4ever.org or call 304-2300, ext. 233.

Dock dog’s death may lead to hope for canines with cancer, OR October 6, 2008

Source: By Helen Raptis and KATU Web Staff

NEAR SCAPPOOSE, Ore. – When Cera Reusser held a bundle of a black lab back in 2000, the connection was immediate.

“Chase and I met on the fourth day of her life and we just had a bond instantaneously,” she said.

Chase made an impact that day and continues to make an impact years after her death.

“Nobody else could hold her except for me and through all of the training that we did – the field training and the dock dogs training that we’ve done – everything that little girl did was for me,” said Cera.  “It’s an unconditional love that you get from dogs.”

Cera will never forget that night when she knew something was wrong with her award-winning dock dog.

“I’d given her the normal nighttime loving after I came home from work and there was a lump.  And I’m like - that wasn’t there yesterday,” she said.

The news from the veterinarian was devastating – it was cancer and it was spreading.

“She had a tumor from her canine to her brain,” Cera said.  “It was too far gone and we couldn’t do radiation.  We did do one round of chemo on that following Monday.”

“She started bleeding up from her gums and I let her go the next day,” said Cera.  “And yes – that was the hardest thing.  I never want to have to do that again.”

Chase was only six years old.  The average life span of a medium-sized lab is about 10 to 12 years. Cera soon learned that the rate of canine cancer is extremely high.

“One in three dogs die of cancer,” she said.  “The phone call that I got that my little girl was sick and, I don’t know.  I know you’ve fought cancer and you know what that (feeling is) where you’re just like all of a sudden – what?”

Today, Chase’s aunt, 12-year-old Smokey, is among the three black labs Cera and her husband, Terry, own.

Cera and Terry have been married 26 years and with no human kids, these dogs are their babies. And would you believe that Terry is allergic to dogs?

“Just being in a sleeping bag with a dog on top of you, it’s a good thing,” he said.  “It far outweighs any negative part of it.  So I take the Claritin and live with it.  I love my puppies.”

In addition to old Smokey there is 4-year-old Ricky, Chase’s daughter, and 7-month-old Elsie, Chase’s granddaughter.

These are lucky labs.  They live and play on two acres just outside of Scappoose and a former garage has been transformed into an upscale condo for canines.

Mementos from the life of the talented dock dogger are everywhere and since Chase’s death, Cera has created Chase Away K9 Cancer, a nationally-known fundraiser for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Foundation.

Cera’s own mother died of cancer when she was just 2 years old and advances in human cancer treatments give her hope for Chase Away K9 Cancer.

“When I used to compete with Chase – I’ve got a wristband in the house that’s actually by her ashes – it said ‘Life is a Team Sport.’ And I wore it at every competition with her.   When I lost her, I had this one (a different one) made up and it says Chase and the year that she was born and the year she passed away.  And it says ‘forever in my heart,’” she said while choking back tears.

Cera also has a tattoo of Chase’s paw print on her leg that is a permanent reminder of her little girl.

Smokey, Ricky and Elsie are carrying on Chase’s memory as well by also competing in dock dog events. Cera, an endlessly energetic dog owner, trains them often.

Cera says if you are hoping to have your own great dock dog, it first takes what she calls ‘toy drive.’  Then it takes pounds of patience and most importantly – lots and lots of love.

“You need to love them every minute of every day because you don’t know how long they’re going to last,” she said.  “And every minute is precious.”

(All photos courtesy of Cera Reusser)

We lost a great friend today… September 11, 2008

Deku Barley, Passed onto the Rainbow Bridge September 9, 2008.

Thank you for spending your short time here with us.  We will all miss you so much buddy.

Eli sends her love…

Deku