Dogs diagnosed with a very common type of cancer called Lymphoma now have new hope due to the efforts of veterinarians at North Carolina State School of Veterinary Medicine
This is the first vet clinic in the United States to offer bone-marrow transplants for dogs. They expect to perform their first operation within the next month, according to Dr. Steven Suter who is heading up the transplant efforts.
The procedure is possible due to three leukophoresis machines donated by the famed mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The machines, which cost about $80,000 each, harvest healthy stem cells from canine patients with lymphoma cancer which often originates in lymph nodes. The healthy new cells are then reintroduced to the dog after total body radiation is used to kill the cancer cells left in the body.
Although the Mayo Clinic has used the machines for people, little to no modification are needed for it to be used on dogs. Bone-marrow therapy treatments were tested on dogs for many years before being used for people.
The cost is estimated at approximately $15,000 for each dog. While this seems pricy at first glance, the truth is that it’s not that much more than many pet owners spend to provide chemotherapy for their canine companions with lymphoma. The problem with chemotherapy is that aside from cost, it offers no real cure and ultimately these dogs do not survive.
Expected survival rate for dogs that undergo a bone-marrow transplant is estimated at 30 to 50 percent. Some chemotherapy will still be used in addition to the transplant. That cost should be less than $1500.00.
While bone-marrow transplants have been performed on dogs in research settings for decades, only a few have been done by veterinarians in private practice. Dr. Ed Sullivan of Bellingham, Wash., near Seattle, has performed six of the procedures over the past few years, charging as much as $35,000 for the operation.
Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine hopes to offer the transplants for dogs in the near future according to Dr. Jeffrey Bryan, who is the leader of the transplant effort in the WSU vet school.
Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health updates and news for your dog and cat. Holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. successfully works with many dogs diagnosed with lymphoma, extending their life span naturally by an average of 2 quality years, rather than the average 4-6 months past diagnosis. Dr. Osborne is available for personal pet consultations Toll Free at 1-866-372-2765.

A 10-year old lab mix, named Chai, ended up having his tongue amputated after chewing on a “pimple ball” made by Four Paws. Specifically the item is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)

Chai was chewing on the toy, which because it only had one hole (instead of 2 holes) in it, a vacuum was created that sucked his tongue into the hole of the ball. Chia’s owner because aware of the problem when he began to whimper with the ball in his mouth. They tried unsuccessfully to remove it but his tongue was so swollen, it could not be released.

They took Chai to the Animal Medical Center, a world class veterinary hospital in New York City where veterinarians tried to try to remove the ball. Because the size of the opening in the ball was so small, all circulation to Chai’s tongue was cut off. The vets had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue was so swollen he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with to be observed overnight for any changes.

By the following morning Chia’s tongue had swollen even more. After several days, insertion of a feeding tube and tremendous pain, suffering and expense his tongue had to be amputated.

Apparently this was not the first dog to be a victim of the pimple ball. According to the company, no more pimple balls are being shipped and they are trying to correct the problem.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health updates for your dog and cat.

Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. is available for personal pet consultations toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

Four Paws is not related to or associated with PAAWS Pet Vitamins in any way.

Rabies still considered disease of epidemic proportions across most of the world!

Chagrin Falls, Ohio; September 2, 2008- It’s a disease that can frighten people by simply mentioning the name. Rabies! Hearing that word causes many people to envision Cujo, teeth bared, foaming at the mouth and ready to lunge. Modern medicine may have beaten back this killer, but rabies is still out there, waiting for its moment to strike!

Dr. Carol,

As I promised when we spoke last week. The attached are pictures of Max who will be 12 in October. I am not sure how long he has been on PAWS vitamins but my guess would be at least 4 years.

A woman I met in the neighborhood recommended PAWS to me and at that time her dog was 21. Freddie lived to be 23 years of age.

Thanks
Lucie and Max

Dr. Carol,

You’re a sweetheart of a woman!
Best to you Dr. Carol, you have a huge heart!

Brandy, (and I) strike a pose for you…………LOL!………poor brandy, just know, I don’t dress her but for very special occasions, and this was her first stay in a 5 Star Hotel in New Orleans in February 2008, and well, she had to have the dress when she went left the room on walks, as she had a door man always open the elevator and front door for her, when we walked her across the street to Lafayette Park on St. Charles/Poydras Ave, in Uptown New Orleans, how funny that was, well the Pekingese were bred for Royalty, right? Well, the park is ab fab gorgeous, our balcony suite overlooked it, brandy loved to people watch and it was too tranquil and harmonious of a feeling for my hubby and I, and brandy too I think, plus we had a huge suite and that was too nice.

The city is trying to come back since Katrina…………….

Blessed time we had there, we could see the street cars, but not hear them………….yeah, they are kinda old and squeaky……..
ok, well that is all.

Thank you again, Dr. Carol, for being so genuine of a person, it means so much to us!
DeLise C.
Loganville, Georgia

Hi Dr. Carol,
I sent you 2 pictures. One is our precious Tiffany that we lost last year, the other is Wilson and Patch. We got Wilson after Tiffany died. Patch was very depressed. He wasn’t eating and had lost 1 1/2 lbs. At 7 lbs, he doesn’t have a lot to lose. We found Wilson through a rescue group, and he and Patch bonded almost instantly and are a total two-some. Wilson is on the left.

We started using your VitaLife vitamins for Tiffany in particular; she had a heart murmur and was slowing down quite a bit. About a month after we started the vitamins. She seemed to have more energy, and was her saucy self until the day she died. We have continued giving your VitaLife vitamins it to our other dogs to keep them as healthy as possible.
Thank you,
Marge K.

Dr. Carol,

This is a picture of my 10yr 9mo old Newfoundland / retriever mix, who will be 11 years old this November. His name is Garth and the best dog we ever had.

Garth tore his knee up back in 2004 and had it surgically repaired. He suffered from arthritis ever since.

My sister-in-law used your paaws vitamins for her German Sheppard and after she passed on she gave me the remainder of what was left.

To our amazement your PAAWS vitamin product has changed his life. The people who know him at our dog park always comment on how well he is getting around.

Thank you so much for such a great product and to anyone who is considering using it, don’t think twice cause IT WORKS.

Thank You,
Ray B.
Stroudsburg, PA

Moldy food in your trash may contain fungal toxins that can make pets very ill and in some cases has a fatal outcome.

Chagrin Falls, Ohio; August 22, 2008-Beyond the dangers of chicken bones and other inedible items, there is another good reason to keep your pet away from the garbage. Some moldy foods can contain a fungal toxin referred to as a mycotoxin that can cause nerve disorders and muscle tremors in dogs and cats.

These mycotoxins can cause weakness in dogs and cats, muscle tremors or even convulsions, which may last for several days. Specifically, Neurotoxin Penitrem A and Roquefortine C have been food in moldy foods, especially grains and nuts. Walnuts, almonds, and pecans have all been associated with these mycotoxins.

Signs usually occur quickly and may include drooling, panting, restlessness and mild incoordination. The severity of the symptoms is correlated directly with the amount of moldy food your pet eats. If your dog and or cat has ingested a large amount of moldy food and muscle tremors occur, without prompt treatment the result can be fatal.

If your dog and/or cat shows any of the above mentioned signs and has a history of scavenging the trash, you should call your veterinarian immediately.

Treatment consists of inducing vomiting and giving activated charcoal through a stomach tube to help to minimize absorption of the toxin.

Medications are usually effective to control the muscle tremors and seizures and with good supportive care and early aggressive treatment, the prognosis is good.

Veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. offers these tips as preventative measures owners can take to ensure their pets safety and avoid moldy food.

• Use up all of your dogs and cats food stored in a given container before adding new food. Pouring a new bag of food on top of left over older food opens the door for mold growth and heath related issues.

• Rotate foods so that you are always using the food in order of expiration dates.

• Clean areas around bird and squirrel feeders. Avoid letting your pet into areas where birds are fed and where pigeons roost as their feces make an ideal site for fungal growth and mold. Not only are the feces attractive for pets to ingest but the spores generated from the moldy feces aerosolize and are easily inhaled by humans. People can encounter very serious health problems as a result. The high percentage of seeds in bird food allows for mold to grow quickly, especially when it is lying on moist ground.

• Avoid throwing moldy bread and bread products to birds…dogs and cats are often inclined to enjoy it.

• Keep trash containers out of your pet’s access and be sure they are safely secured with pet proof lids.

• If you don’t feel a particular food is safe for you to eat, it isn’t safe for your pet either!

Bookmark http://www.carolonpets.com as your source for up-to-date and accurate pet health news and information. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. is available for consultation toll free at 1-866-372-2765

Chagrin Falls, Ohio; August 21, 2008 Currently, there are over 200 Zoonoses, or animal diseases, transmissible to people that are a significant infectious risk to human health. Effective control of these diseases in animals is paramount to their control and prevention in people.

Proactive approaches to health care in the 21st century require closely controlled surveillance systems to detect and monitor disease problems that threaten both human and animal health.

Since outbreaks of certain diseases in animals typically precede outbreaks in people, health department’s routinely use animals as early warning signs or “Disease Sentinels” for certain infectious diseases, including Bubonic Plague, Hanta Virus, Equine Viral Encephalitis, and Rabies. This generally allows time for preventative measures to be taken that will reduce the number and/or severity of human cases.

Medical doctors and veterinarians are required to report certain diseases to local health authorities, which is crucial to effectively controlling and ultimately eliminating these diseases. Infectious diseases that threaten our economic welfare such as Mad Cow Disease, Tuberculosis, and Brucellosis must be reported within 24 hours at which point, strict state and federal guidelines geared to ultimately eradicate these diseases are employed.

Case Examples: The virus responsible for causing Mad Cow Disease is also responsible for causing atypical Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (CJD).

Mad Cow Disease, since its recognition in 1985, has caused the destruction of over 1 million dairy cows in Britain. Twenty people with the new CJD variant are also dead. No known treatment for people or animals exists.

The cows were exposed to the virus in their feed, which had been contaminated with protein from sheep infected with Scrapie (Ovine Spongiform Encephalopathy). In 1997, CJD was reported in people in rural Kentucky that ate squirrel brains, which were put into stews or scrambled with eggs. Studies to search for this agent in the brains of squirrels are ongoing.

The virus responsible for causing Mad Cow Disease is also responsible for causing atypical Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (CJD). Mad Cow Disease, since its recognition in 1985, has caused the destruction of over 1 million dairy cows in Britain. Twenty people with the new CJD variant are also dead. No known treatment for people or animals exists.

The cows were exposed to the virus in their feed, which had been contaminated with protein from sheep infected with Scrapie (Ovine Spongiform Encephalopathy). In 1997, CJD was reported in people in rural Kentucky that ate squirrel brains, which were put into stews or scrambled with eggs. Studies to search for this agent in the brains of squirrels are ongoing.

EXAMPLES OF REVERSE ZOONOSES: The mumps virus causes mumps in man and parotiditis in dogs. Tuberculosis in humans causes tuberculosis in elephants, dogs, and deer. Infectious hepatitis in people causes hepatitis in monkeys and other primates.

A bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus causes a skin disease “Furunculosis” in people. In cattle, it causes a mammary gland infection called “mastitis” as well as the skin condition, Furunculosis. The agent responsible for causing Scarlet Fever in people, a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes, causes mastitis in cattle. A protozoal organism Giardia lambia causes nausea and diarrhea in people and beavers. The influenza virus (strains A & B) responsible for the human cold causes severe respiratory disease in pet rabbits and ferrets.

Anthrax is caused by an organism that lives in the soil and has been recognized for centuries. In Europe during the 19th Century, one-third of our nation’s sheep and cattle died each year because of Anthrax. Sudden death in domestic livestock is the rule. Today, livestock in high-risk areas are vaccinated to prevent Anthrax.

In humans, the death rate in untreated cases exceeds 90 percent. Spread of this bacterium by air or aerosolization of Anthrax bacteria is a relatively common terrorist threat here in the United States. Four such threats have been reported since December 1998; so far all have been hoaxes.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news and information to keep yourself and your pets healthy. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. is available for consultations toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

Chagrin Falls; Ohio-August 20, 2008 Anthrax has been reported as the cause of death in a bull and several bison from a herd on a ranch near Ted Turner’s Flying D Ranch.

Three weeks ago, the outbreak began and since then no further cases of anthrax have been reported outside of Turner’s Flying D Ranch.

To date, 257 bison have also died due to the naturally occurring anthrax on Turner’s ranch and, the number of bison deaths per day has been steadily falling for the past nine days, according to officials at state Department of Livestock. Gallatin County Commissioners have announced that they will reopen Spanish Creek Road Friday evening. Officials warn that the area will remain under livestock quarantine.

People traveling on Spanish Creek Road should keep pets inside vehicles and horses should not be unloaded until travelers reach the U.S. Forest Service campgrounds. The area will remain under livestock quarantine for 42 days after the last death attributed to anthrax.

Anthrax of this type is naturally occurring and can lie dormant in the soil for decades before it becomes active under certain weather conditions like heavy rains followed by drought. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing when or where the disease will pop up in the future.

Efforts to limit the outbreak has been a cooperation of a number of agencies and the Flying D Ranch went to extraordinary measures to get the anthrax contained, according to the Department of Livestock.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news and information to keep your dogs and cats healthy. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. is available for consultation toll free at 1-866-372-2765.