In Memory of Rosie – Until We Meet Again on Rainbow Bridge

Rosie

By Patricia D. Gillenwater

Our sweet Rosie passed on to the Rainbow Bridge today after succumbing to the Big C. Rosie came into our lives in a serendipitous moment. She needed us and, after two losses of two wonderful rescue critters for extreme health issues, we needed Rosie. She was with us for nearly ten years and traveled across country many times.

Rosie was different from our prior rescues in personality. She was quiet and had not a demanding bone in her body. She freely gave of herself through love and trust. We responded in kind.

As time went on we were treated to how intelligent she was — she entertained us, showing off her skill in rolling over, high five, high ten and crawling on her tummy when asked. She quickly learned commands that were needed to keep her safe.

Rosie was a worrywart. Pat’s neurological mobility issues were of great concern. She watched her like a hawk. While Rosie’s size did not allow assistance after a fall, she was always there encouraging Pat’s attempts to get up. Rosie and Chris shared a fear of lightning and thunderstorms. They were comfort to each other as both took shelter in a dark hallway glued together and taking drops of Rescue Remedy.

Rosie’s little rescue sister, a Manchester terrier named Annie, was the alpha dog. This fact seemed not a big issue for Rosie. Rosie only drew the line when her favorite bone was at issue.

Rosie loved to watch birds. She exhibited fascination with rabbits and loved an opportunity to chase. When she caught up with a rabbit, she would lie down as if to say “Run Rabbit run. I won’t hurt you.” Rosie loved receiving presents. Besides chasing rabbits, receiving a toy was the most exciting event of her life.

Rosie brought much joy and love to us. A gift we will forever cherish.

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Canine Cancer Tops List of AKC-Funded Research for 2013

Story at-a-glance

• In 2013, the AKC’s Canine Health Foundation will fund 17 research grants totaling $1.7 million. Foundation funding partners include Nestlé Purina PetCare and Pfizer Animal Health.
• Many of the grants will include a One Health component, which in this case means potential canine disease treatments may in the future also be used in human healthcare.
• Six of the 17 research projects – and almost $750,000 of the $1.7 million – will go to canine cancer studies.

By Dr. Becker

Recently the AKC’s Canine Health Foundation Oak Grant program awarded 17 research grants totaling $1.7 million to various institutions and universities for research into canine health concerns.

The AKC’s foundation was started in 1995. Its sponsors include Nestlé Purina PetCare and Pfizer Animal Health.

AKC Foundation Grants Contain One Health Components

According to Veterinary Practice News, many of the 2013 grants include a One Health component. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the One Health initiative, the following is the organization’s mission statement:

Recognizing that human health (including mental health via the human-animal bond phenomenon), animal health, and ecosystem health are inextricably linked, One Health seeks to promote, improve, and defend the health and well-being of all species by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, other scientific health and environmental professionals and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals.

Dr. Shila Nordone, the foundation’s chief scientific officer, points out that “Naturally occurring disease in dogs is emerging as the most rigorous model for breakthroughs in treatments and therapies.”

For example, one of the 2013 grants will evaluate a new procedure to treat brain tumors in dogs – a procedure that might at some point also be used in the treatment of human brain tumors.

See 2013 funded projects HERE

Technorati Tags: Dr. Becker,Cancer,AKC,Canine Cancer,JOMP,Just One More Pet,pet health

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I care not for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.” -Abraham Lincoln

Please join the fight to stop animal cruelty and senseless euthanization…

and help to toughen the sentences for all those who abuse animals… dogs!

Homeless With Pets… Choosing Pets Over Shelter  –>  Where there is a will…

And Help people in need feed and keep their pets~

Life With Canine Cancer – The New Normal

Canine Cancer Foundation:  We Are the Cure – Help Join the Fight!

It’s nine o’clock on Tuesday evening. I don’t know what to do with myself. The dishes are done, the dogs are fed. They are quite relaxed for Border Collies; they romped for hours in the warm spring air.

I don’t want to sleep. Tomorrow everything will change. But right now my two B&W companions are snoozing happily next me on the bed. I want to hold this moment still for as long as possible. I want it to stretch out and wrap its memories around me forever. Right now, this moment, all is right with the world.

Tomorrow at 8AM, I drop Daisy off for her chemotherapy treatment. This is our “normal.” She has cancer; we live with it. We treat it; we won’t be able to cure it. We play a lot of Frisbee and are still amazed at how much weight we are both gaining.

Tomorrow at 11AM, I take Daisy’s sibling Duncan in to see her internist/oncologist. We have him checked yearly for signs of the same type of cancer that Daisy has as it can be genetic. But that’s not the reason for this visit.

Duncan, aka Lad of the Lumps, has nine lipomas. When I found out that one in ten lipomas are malignant, I joked with his veterinarian that he has one more to go. I know it doesn’t work that way, but when you’re dealing with cancer on a regular basis, sometimes a warped sense of humor seeps out.

This past Sunday, I found the tenth growth. It is huge, almost baseball-sized, and located in an area that doesn’t seem typical for lipomas. I can’t believe that I’ve somehow missed this growth. I had just checked him on Saturday as he has an upcoming visit with his holistic veterinarian and I was searching for new lumps so they could be checked and aspirated during the visit.

I didn’t feel the growth on his shoulder then. How did I miss it? How long have I missed it?

About six months ago Duncan had his regular check up with the chiropractor. He’s a wild boy and has of late been getting a little creaky. His chiropractor examined him thoroughly, made a few minor adjustments and proclaimed him good to go for another six months or so.

Since then, I’ve noticed him limping slightly on his right front leg. Not enough to inhibit his all-out ball chasing, but just enough that I could see it ever so slightly. And then there was the overall stiffness during the evenings after these rambunctious games of fetch. It wasn’t consistent; it would come and go. But something about it kept nagging at me. So I made an appointment with his holistic vet to start the diagnostic process. That appointment is scheduled for this coming Saturday.

I’ve gotten really good over the past year at not anticipating diagnostics. Long-term cancer treatment has that effect I guess. Besides, the clinical reality and the dog reality can be two different things. I look to my girl to tell me how she is doing. I watch her play chase and inhale her food. I watch her snarfle in the pillows and wrestle with her brother. All is good.

It’s not that I forget she has cancer. It’s just that sometimes I don’t remember. And in between chemo treatments and ultrasounds and blood tests, I’ve learned not to worry about the next set of results. There’s nothing I can do about it. Besides, I think she’ll tell me long before a test will.

In this moment, everything is still okay. I cherish it. I want to drench myself in it like a favorite perfume with the scent lingering for days. I watch their deep synchronized breaths, their occasional sighs and stretches. They are happy, content, relaxed. They are not thinking about tomorrow. I really wish I could say the same.  — Barbara Dobbins

Posted by Barbara Dobbins at 03:00PM – Comments: (16)  -  September 26, 2011

Related:  Canine Cancer Awareness

Dogs Know

This really is a great story

Lucky Dog….

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You’ll like it even if you don’t and you may even decide you need one!

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box..

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease….in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.

She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.  The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her… what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him!  The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom.  Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap..

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called.  It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong.  She couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!  While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.

He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying.  Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It’s been 12 years now, and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky, he still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure..

Remember… Live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget… the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.  They are the ones that care for us.  For those of us true pet lovers, our dogs and cats are people too; perhaps even better friends than our human friends and acquaintances.

Live simply… Love seriously. Care deeply.  Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

A small request
All you are asked to do is keep this sharing this, even if it is only to one more person, in memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still fighting their battle.

And also to use it as an encouragement to fight against animal abuse.  Please intercede on their behalf whenever you are needed, even if it is just a hunch.

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Getalife Petrescue: Vaccinations & Plenty of Good TIPS!

Vaccinations & Plenty of Good TIPS!

Vaccinations: What you Need to Know

The most important thing for you to know is that annual revaccination of your pet is unnecessary! This information is based on scientific studies conducted by Dr. Ron Schultz, a very well respected veterinary immunologist. What continues to amaze me, is how few people know about this important information. The studies I am speaking of were done over 10 years ago. This is not new information. The truth is that the majority of veterinary practices continue to not only offer annual revaccination, they insist upon it.

We have become a nation of over-vaccinated and over-medicated people and animals!!! Time to educate ourselves and to use common sense!!

Over vaccination can be hazardous to your pets health. Vaccines have been linked to a number of autoimmune diseases: interstitial nephritis in cats, pancreatitis in both dogs and cats, Addisons, Cushings and thyroid disease. Other diseases that can be triggered or worsened by vaccines are: seizure disorder, allergies and cancer.

To protect your pet:

1. Vaccine selection should be based on risk assessment. There are a variety of vaccines on the market for dogs and cats and not all of them should be given to every pet. The AVMA has set guidelines for the core vaccines (what they feel every animal should have).
a. Core vaccines in dogs are: Distemper, Parvo and Rabies.
b. Core vaccines in Cats are: FVRCP and Rabies
c. Core vaccines in both dogs and cats have been scientifically proven to provide immunity for 3-7 years.

2. 3 year vaccines are readily available for the core vaccines in dogs.

3. Non-adjuvanted vaccines (those that are supposed to be less likely to cause Feline Sarcomas in cats are currently only labeled for 1 year. This does not mean that they don’t provide immunity for a much longer period. It just means that the manufacturer has not done studies to prove duration of immunity.

4. Titer tests are available for both dogs and cats. These tests will show if the pet has antibodies to the diseases tested for which is one indication that the pet remains protected. Titer testing costs more than vaccinating but is the safer alternative.

5. Vaccines are labeled for use in healthy animals only. If your pet is sick with either an acute or chronic illness, he/she should not be vaccinated. This means that animals diagnosed with seizures, cancer, cushings, addisons, thyroid disease, allergies just to name a few should be deemed too sick to vaccinate. As we mentioned above, the fact is they probably don’t need to be revaccinated anyway!
I have to say that this is probably the hill I will chose to die on. Why? My practice consists mainly of the treatment of chronically/terminally ill animals and I continue to see other veterinarians vaccinating these pets prior to their coming to me for treatment.

If you are not my client, I want you to know that as the advocate for your pet’s health, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE VACCINATIONS, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR A 3 YEAR VACCINE OR TITER TESTING. Just learn to say NO! Your pet will thank you.
The photo at right is a picture of an injection site sarcoma in a dog, that was taken by my good friend and colleague, Dr. Patricia Jordan, while researching her book, “Mark of the Beast”, on vaccine damage. To see more of her photos, click this link: http://www.jordanmarkofthebeast.com/gallery.htm

Renal Disease in Cats linked to FVRCP Vaccination

I have attached a research study that clearly shows a link between vaccination with FVRCP vaccination and interstitial nephritis in cats. Kidney disease is one of the most common problems facing our feline animal companions and vaccination with a common feline vaccine can cause or worsen that condition. I have been telling my clients about the dangers of over vaccination for years and I am still trying to spread the word that this routine procedure carries risks when done too frequently. Scientific studies are available that clearly show most vaccines given to small animals provide effective immunity for up to 7 years.

Cats already suffering from renal disease should never be vaccinated.
If you know someone who is still vaccinating their cat annually, please share this article and help save a life.

This is a new program for me. If for some reason the attachment is not present and you would like a copy, email me directly at drmarcia@creatingwellbeings.com and I will send you one.

Feline House Soiling: No Easy Solution

One of the most difficult problems I face as a veterinarian is the issue of house soiling. I think this is probably the number one reason that people re-home or euthanise their companions.

I would like to say there is an easy answer to the problem, but I would be lying. House soiling generally requires a multidisciplinary approach.

1. Rule out physical causes of the condition: at minimum I would want to run a urinalysis, a urine culture and an abdominal radiograph. The few tests will rule out: bladder infection, diabetes, crystalluria and bladder stones as the underlying cause. In an older cat, I would want to add a CBC, chem profile and a T4, to rule out renal insufficiency or other metabolic illness and hyperthyroid disease.

2. Address diet: cats fed a dry food diet are much more likely to have crystalluria and associated cystitis. A raw food diet is the most species appropriate diet for all cats. If this is not an option, then a high quality grain free canned would be the second choice. For more information on feeding cats: http://www.felinefuture.com/

3. Address litter box issues: My friend and feline homeopathic vet, Andrea Tasi has addressed this very well, click the link to see the full article: http://kingstreetcats.org/Dr.%20Tasi’s%20General%20Litter%20Box%20Suggestions.pdf

4. Emotional issues: House soiling is often triggered by emotional upset and stress. Try and identify any household stress: personality clashes between cats, new human household members, death of either an animal or human friend, move to a new home, construction. Bach flower remedies and felaway spray and plug ins can be helpful.

5. Boredom: all animals need mental stimulation. Cats in the wild spend a great deal of time hunting. Toys and activities that simulate stalking and capturing prey can be very helpful in alleviating boredom.

6. Treatment: The conventional veterinary treatment if the changes mentioned above fail to help, is the use of sedatives and other psychotropic drugs. Classical homeopathy can also be very effective in treating these animals.

Homeopathy: The Best Treatment Choice for Your Entire Family!

As most of you already know, I consider homeopathy to be the most amazing form of medicine available for the treatment of humans and animals.

Dana Ullman is one of the world’s premier homeopaths and homeopathic educator. Follow this link to listen to him explain how homeopathy works: http://www.youtube.com/user/HomeopathicDana#p/a/u/2/xedLd9djgyg.
Dana’s book “Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines”. Is an excellent reference for you to have for treating ACUTE illnesses in your family members. Remember that acute illnesses are those that are naturally self-limiting: the flu, food poisoning, minor injuries, etc. These are quite readily treated at home with a minimum of homeopathic knowledge. However, chronic illnesses such as: allergies, cancer, thyroid disease, etc., should only be treated by an experienced and well trained homeopath. In the near future, I plan to offer a course in homeopathic first aid to help you feel more confident in this treatment modality.

If your pet has an acute illness, remember you can also call me for a phone consultation ($15/5min + 20/5 min case analysis and remedy selection) and I can prescribe for your pet over the phone and hopefully save you a trip to the veterinary emergency room. If I feel that your pet is too sick to be treated without diagnostics or hospital care, I will refer you to a veterinary clinic or emergency room. Avoiding ER visits is also the new wave in human medical care with telemedicine consults becoming more available.

Homeopathy has always offered this service as it is a modality that lends itself easily to phone consultation.

I also recommend that everyone read “Beyond Flat Earth Medicine” http://www.beyondflatearth.com/ which is available as a free online read. It is a fun book that does a great job of explaining homeopathic theory and will really help you become a true advocate for your family’s health.

For More Information!
Visit my website and my blog:
http://www.creatingwellbeings.com
http://www.drmarcia.wordpress.com

Min-Pin LOVE @ GALPR♥

Homeopathy Beyond Flat Earth Medicine, Second Edition

New Drug Development Offers Pet Cancer Hope

Development of a potentially life-saving cancer drug for cats and dogs may be accelerated by the partnership of two specialized organizations.

MBF Therapeutics Inc. (MBFT), a development stage veterinary oncology company, and the Philadelphia-based Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) have joined forces to support the development of a novel treatment for common aggressive cancers in dogs and cats. MBFT have been developing a drug named MBFT-101, which is described a combination of two drug molecules that act together to kill cancer cells. The intended result of the drug development is a different treatment for dogs and cats that can be taken orally at home for a period of 4 to 6 weeks.

Each of the molecules in  MBFT-101 starves cancer cells of essential nutrients, with no effect on normal cells. One of the molecules is MBF-1569, a proprietary polyamine transport inhibitor, and the other is DFMO, a potent inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), for treatment of solid tumors and lymphoma. This mechanism effectively starves tumor cells for essential polyamines.

“Cancer is a devastating disease that affects both humans and animals alike,” stated Dr. George Prendergast, LIMR President & CEO. “The Lankenau Institute is very excited about our new, unique relationship with MBF Therapeutics. MBFT will utilize research performed in our laboratories to advance the development of needed, new therapies for our beloved pets while also setting the stage for future studies in humans.”

“Together we are able to evaluate MBFT-101 in cats and dogs with natural disease, concurrently with crucial preclinical studies in laboratory animal models,” said Thomas Tillett, MBFT President and CEO. “At the same time we are developing these treatments for companion animals, we will advance our understanding of how to effectively treat human cancers,” he added, noting that dogs, in particular, are the best animal models for emerging treatments of certain types of human cancers.

A pilot study is underway in which cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma – the most common feline oral cancer – are treated with MBFT-101 by the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Clinical Investigation Center. Later this year, MBFT will initiate a pilot clinical study using dogs.

Source: The Pet People

Posted: Just One More Pet

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Pet Health Alert: Cancer Prevention in Older Dogs

Cancer is not only a risk for human beings—it can affect our canine companions, too. “Veterinary research estimates that the incidence of cancer in older dogs ranges from 50 to 75 percent,” according to Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Director of Medicine at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH).

Such high numbers of the disease may have to do with innovations in pet health care, such as vaccines and deworming. “Nowadays, more pets are protected from parasites, heartworms and viral disease,” observes Dr. Murray. “As a result, they are living longer and developing cancer in their old age.”

Veterinary oncologists are also detecting cancer more often and at earlier stages with the help of sophisticated diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, CT scans and even MRIs for pets.

Though we cannot prevent all cancers, there are certain steps pet parents can take to greatly diminish the chances of their animal companion contracting the disease:

• Spaying and neutering pets before their first heat cycles can significantly reduce the occurrence of mammary tumors and helps prevent ovarian, uterine and testicular cancers.
• If you notice a mass on your pet’s skin, have it examined immediately by a veterinarian. If it is cancerous, have it removed as soon as possible.
• Don’t allow your pet to be exposed to cigarette smoke.
• Use pet-formulated sunscreen on vulnerable, fair-skinned pets.
• Avoid chemical lawn products, which are proven to cause cancers in pets, including bladder cancer and lymphoma.
• Avoid Toxic Substances in Your Home
• Avoid Toxic Plants and Food for Your Pets

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Posted:  Just One More Pet

Pfizer’s New Cancer Drug for Dogs Is Mixed News for Rover

Pfizer will launch a new cancer treatment for dogs. The oral drug, Palladia, will help fight mast cell tumors, often seen as skin lumps. This is a good news/bad news situation for dogs.

First, older dogs often get fat lumps on their skin that are harmless. With Pfizer’s publicity for Palladia, many owners will drag their dog to the vet to see if those lumps are cancer or not. Dogs are just going to love that.

Second, Palladia does not cure dog cancer. It merely treats it. Pfizer says:

… 60% of dogs had their tumors disappear, shrink or stop growing…

Meaning Palladia can shrink tumors, but only until they start growing again. In fact, dogs with systemic tumors were excluded from the study. Read the details in the PI. This may extend your dog’s life, but check out the side effects seen in dogs on Palladia:

• Diarrhea 46.0%
• Anorexia 39.1%
• Lethargy 35.6%
• Vomiting 32.2%
• Lameness 17.2%
• Weight loss 14.9%

All these effects were higher than in dogs on placebo (except for vomiting) — so they’re not a result of the cancer.

It raises a question that Americans frequently get wrong when it comes to their pets: When my dog gets sick, what is the best thing to do? Most people answer

a) “Everything humanly possible.” But the correct answer should frequently be

b) “Everything you can, but only until the dog becomes so unhappy that putting him to sleep is better.”

So this drug could, potentially, put a lot of dogs through some unnecessary pain.

I would advise trying some natural alternatives as well…

Posted:  Just One More Pet

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Dog that saved owner from fire is euthanized

Bulldog whose barking awakened owner had been diagnosed with Cancer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A terminally ill bulldog whose barking awakened her owner in time for both to escape from a burning house in Michigan has been euthanized.

The Grand Rapids Press reports that 9-year-old American bulldog Brittney was euthanized Tuesday at an animal hospital.

Owner Scott Seymore said Brittney woke him up early Saturday when a fire started in his home in Grand Rapids. 

The fire came two weeks after a veterinarian discovered the dog had several cancerous tumors. 

The vet said the dog might not survive surgery and Seymore believed chemotherapy would be too hard on Brittney.  

He decided to let Brittney live, with medication for pain. But since the fire Brittney’s growing misery changed his mind.  

Seymore says it was “really depressing.”  

As we all know, it is part for the cycle of life, but it doesn’t make it any easier!

 – Photo by: Johnny Quirin / The Grand Rapids Press

Posted:  Just One More Pet