The stages of dental disease: From mild to irreversible
Pet dental disease progresses through four stages from mild disease to severe gum disease that may be irreversible, writes veterinarian Karen Dye. Preventing dental disease is the best option for maintaining oral health, notes Dr. Dye. Thorough dental cleanings under general anesthesia are necessary to fully evaluate all oral structures, clean the teeth above and below the gum line, and apply antibiotics and extract teeth if needed in advanced cases. The Culpeper Star-Exponent (Va.)
Most odors from a dog’s mouth come from periodontal disease and bacteria in the mouth. Plaque and tartar build up along with inflammation cause periodontal disease (the periodontium includes the bone, connective tissue, and gingiva which surrounds and supports a tooth).
There are several stages of periodontal disease, from Stage 1 (the most mild) to Stage 4 (the most severe). Dental disease affects more than just the teeth and gums. Over time, bacteria accumulate in the mouth along the gum-line, where they enter the bloodstream.
Once enough bacteria are present in the bloodstream they begin to cause systemic damage, affecting the liver, kidneys and heart.
Bacteria in the bloodstream can also cause sepsis (generalized invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms). Obviously, an additional concern is tooth loss and pain associated with dental disease. These conditions can take years off your pet’s life. Most studies show that 80% or more of all adult dogs have periodontal disease and at least 70% of all cats have some form of dental disease.
Dental disease is easily treated if done at the appropriate time.
A dental prophylaxis performed at periodontal disease stage 1 or 2 can help ensure that your pet will not suffer any of the aforementioned conditions. Once your pet has reached periodontal disease stage 3 or 4, irreversible damage may have already occurred and extracting teeth may be the only option to maintain your pet’s oral health.
Dental extractions are uncomfortable for the patient and can be financially costly for their owners.
Therefore, detecting periodontal disease early and treating early with a prophylactic cleaning are important.Q: What happens during a dental cleaning?
A: At Clevenger’s Corner Veterinary Care, we recommend pre-anesthetic blood work to detect any underlying disease that may affect our anesthetic protocol. Your pet will be under full anesthesia, while being monitored by a trained technician as well as monitored by pulse oximetry machines and Doppler blood pressure. Core body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate are also monitored.
Our patients all receive IV fluid support during the dental prophylaxis. The oral cavity will be examined closely for any unusual discolorations or masses. The teeth and gums will be evaluated to determine the degree of dental disease. The teeth will be checked for fractures, pulp exposure, irreversible gum recession, cavities and abnormal wear. The tartar will be removed using an ultrasonic scaler as well as hand scaling instruments by a licensed veterinary technician.
Using special curettes, the plaque, tartar and bacteria will be removed from the tooth surfaces as well as under the gum line.
At this stage of the procedure, the doctor will determine if the patient would benefit from additional therapy such as extractions or special antibiotics applied directly under the gum line.
Finally, the teeth will be polished and fluoride applied to help prevent re-accumulation of tartar and bacteria.
If necessary, the patient will go home with pain medication and/or antibiotics.
After a dental prophylaxis, it is important to follow up with home care. There are several options including brushing (the best), oral rinses or water additives, and special dental chews.
It is also quite possible that your pet may need an additional dental prophylaxis in the future.
Hopefully with diligent home care we can increase the time between professional cleanings.
Bully dog snacks loaded with calories, may contain bacteria
Dog treats known as pizzle sticks or bully sticks, made from bull or steer penis tissue, were found to be packed with calories and some were contaminated with bacteria, according to a study led by veterinarian Lisa Freeman of Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. “While calorie information isn’t currently required on pet treats or most pet foods, these findings reinforce that veterinarians and pet owners need to be aware of pet treats like these bully sticks as a source of calories in a dog’s diet,” Dr. Freeman said. Bacteria found on the treats include Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News
MONDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) — Popular dog treats called bully or pizzle sticks may contain more calories than expected and could be contaminated by bacteria, according to a new study.
The treats are made from the uncooked, dried penis of a bull or steer.
Researchers examined 26 bully sticks made by different manufacturers and found that they contained between 9 and 22 calories per inch. That means that the average 6-inch bully stick had a total of 88 calories, which is 30 percent of the daily calorie requirement for a 10-pound dog and 9 percent of the daily calorie requirement for a 50-pound dog.
“While calorie information isn’t currently required on pet treats or most pet foods, these findings reinforce that veterinarians and pet owners need to be aware of pet treats like these bully sticks as a source of calories in a dog’s diet,” study first author Dr. Lisa Freeman, a professor of nutrition at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, said in a university news release.
“With obesity in pets on the rise, it is important for pet owners to factor in not only their dog’s food, but also treats and table food,” she added.
The researchers also found that about one-third of the treats were contaminated with bacteria. One stick had Clostridium difficile, one stick had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and seven had E. coli.
All pet owners should wash their hands after touching such treats, as they would with any raw meat or raw meat diets. Very young children, elderly people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should never touch or handle raw animal-product-based treats and raw meat diets, the researchers said.
The study was published in the January issue of the Canadian Veterinary Journal.
Before adopting, be sure you can afford a new friend, experts say:
It’s essential to understand the costs of pet ownership before choosing an animal, experts say, adding that getting real about costs should stop owners from adopting — and then surrendering — pets they can’t afford. Some 13 million U.S. households acquire a dog each year, but nearly half are taken to shelters within 12 months, according to Dogtime.com. Owners should be prepared for an initial investment that includes fees for adoption, sterilization, vaccinations and training. However, TV trainer Joel Silverman says families who can handle the costs will find dogs worthwhile: “This is your best friend, right?” U.S. News & World Report
By Geoff WilliamsJanuary 14, 2013 RSS Feed Print
So you got your kids a puppy for the holidays. And now, looking at your vet bills, the cost of dog food, and several pairs of chewed shoes, you may be wondering if perhaps you should have just bought them an Xbox.
Maybe you should have. Many pet owners buy a dog without thinking through the financial costs of their prospective pooch. According to Dogtime.com, a news and information website for canine lovers, every year, about 13 million American households adopt a dog or a puppy and within 12 months, half of them have been taken to a shelter.
“I often try and talk people out of getting a pet and [play] devil’s advocate,” says Harrison Forbes, the author of Dog Talk: Lessons Learned from a Life With Dogs, host of a nationwide radio pet show, and a semi-regular pet expert on television, including The Today Show. “There’s an odd peer pressure, especially in the shelter world, that we always need to be pumping up the benefits of pet ownership, and that’s great. I’m fully on board. But it’s like home ownership. Owning a house and having a dog is the American dream, but you only want to do it if you can afford it. You don’t want to have to give either up because you didn’t think it through.”
Robin Ganzert, president of the American Humane Association, agrees. She is, of course, unabashedly on the side of the canine: “My dream would be for every child to have a pet in their lives.” But in the same breath, she also acknowledges, “So many folks are trying to do the right thing and going to shelters to adopt dogs, but that doesn’t mean they’re equipped to do it. They still need to go through the same thought process as you would if you were buying a dog from an expensive breeder. A lot of dogs are recycled back into a shelter or abandoned, and it’s not a good life for them.”
If you have a new puppy and are overwhelmed by the costs or you’re thinking of getting a dog this year, here are some factors to consider before you do anything rash, like replacing your furry pal with a gerbil, or before you get too caught up in daydreams of throwing a Frisbee at the dog park and watching old Benji movies together.
[Read: 4 Things Your Dog Can Teach You About Starting a Business.]
The lifetime costs of owning a dog. Odds are, the cost is more than you think. A variety of sources have different numbers but they’re all high. PetInsurance.com places the average cost of owning a dog—over the dog’s lifetime—at $20,000. In 2011, Bloomberg.com crunched numbers and came up with an eye-popping $59,668.88 for a mutt over its lifetime, but the study assumed the New York City-based family would be sending the animal to doggie daycare, expensive kennels, and would buy virtually every available accessory. RaisingSpot.com, which provides tips on raising a dog, suggests a dog that lives 12 years might cost you anywhere between $4,620 and $32,990.
In other words, if your car is one broken head gasket from putting you into financial ruin, now is not the time to get a dog. If you’re doing OK, well, keep in mind that if a dog costs you $20,000 in the long run, that averages out to a little more than $1,500 a year—a much friendlier number.
Set-up costs. If you’re buying from a breeder, you might easily pay in the neighborhood of $1,000, or much more. If you’re buying from a shelter, an adoption fee might be closer to $100. However, you’ll also need to set aside money for vaccination shots and for the dog to be spayed or neutered (if the adoption fee doesn’t cover it). Your dog will need some smaller items such as a collar, a leash, and a dog license.
“The average cost for supplies to set up a small dog is around $300 to $350,” says Dawn Burch, the veterinary relations manager for Petco. “The average cost for supplies to set up a large dog is around $400 to $450.”
Dogs will be expensive at the outset, says Forbes. “Fifteen years ago, a lot of shelters’ adoption fees were, like, $20, and there’s a lot of hard evidence that those low costs helped make it easier for people to return their pets,” he says. “Shelters that make you pay $300 to $500 for a dog have way less returns than the ones who give animals away dirt-cheap. When you shell out some money on the front end, you take owning a dog a little more seriously.”
Ongoing costs. Food will be the biggest strain on your wallet, but vet check-ups need to be factored into the budget. You may need to put your dog in a kennel when you travel, or you may want to send your canine to a doggie daycare if nobody’s in the house all day. Of course, there are treats, rawhide bones, dog beds, sweater vests, pet insurance, and an untold number of dog accessories you could purchase as well.
Experts warn not to skimp on food and veterinarian services. “If you go to a grocery and buy a 30-pound bag of dog food for $10, there are health consequences for that with increased vet bills later,” according to Forbes, who acknowledges that consumers often feel they have no choice but to go for the cheap stuff. “When you have to pay your gas bill, dog food always ends up being cut.”
Forbes, who has worked for a number of dog-food brands in the past but is no longer affiliated with any, says if you’re pressed for cash but want to buy something relatively healthy, Pedigree, Purina One, and Iams are sound choices. But he adds that the expensive dog food usually has the best nutritional value.
[See: 10 Reasons Older People Need Pets]
If you’re having trouble caring for your dog and think the shelter is your only option, Ganzert says your local shelter or animal control might be able to steer you to places that can help you access free or inexpensive dog food and low-cost vet care.
Training. Raising a dog on your own can be mentally taxing. Ganzert suggests getting help, whether through an obedience school in your neighborhood (a five-week course can cost between $50 to $350) or a guide book. Or you could opt for the cost-free alternative of watching a dog training TV show, says Joel Silverman, who hosted Good Dog U on Animal Planet for 10 years and currently stars in the TV show Dog & Cat Training with Joel Silverman.
“One of the biggest reasons dogs are returned to shelters, I believe, is due to training issues,” says Silverman, who also cites gifting someone a dog as a return-to-sender route. He believes dog owners should choose their pet to ensure a better bond and match.
Cleaning. You may want to buy cleaning agents, a carpet cleaner, or have a carpet-cleaning service on speed dial. “Look at your house and home facility and what’s likely to be impacted, because you’re going to have accidents the first year,” Ganzert warns.
[Read: 5 Ways to Save on Pet Costs]
And unless you completely puppy-proof your home, you can expect to encounter costs to replace items such as shoes, books, and toys.
Economic benefits of having a dog. Ganzert says furry family members save people more money than they spend. She cites studies that show dogs help lower people’s blood pressure, and show that children who are exposed to dogs at an early age often avoid developing asthma. Kids who have dogs and are walking them and playing with them are less likely to be overweight, adds Ganzert.
Silverman sides with Ganzert as far as thinking the positives outweigh the costs: “These aren’t really major expenses. This is your best friend, right?”
Neutering prevents pet overpopulation and safeguards pet health
Spaying or neutering a pet is an important preventive health measure as well as a means of limiting the number of homeless pets, writes veterinarian Ann Hohenhaus, who notes the AVMA’s Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership encourage owners to help keep the pet population under control. During a neuter operation, a veterinarian removes a male dog’s testicles, the main source of reproduction and testosterone, thereby preventing the dog from siring puppies and protecting it from testosterone-related problems including behavior issues and health threats such as prostate cancer, Dr. Hohenhaus points out. WebMD/Tales from the Pet Clinic blog
By Ann Hohenhaus, DVM
Neutering meets the guidelines
The American Veterinary Medical Association has developed guidelines for responsible pet ownership. One of the guidelines obligates pet owners to control their pet’s reproduction through spaying and neutering; subsequently helping to control pet overpopulation in their community. Neutering is the common term for castration of a male dog or cat and spaying refers to removal of the ovaries and uterus, or in some cases just the uterus, of a female pet.
Lifesaving responsibility
Pet overpopulation is a serious issue in the United States today. According to the Humane Society of the United States, over 4 million unwanted pets are destroyed annually. For every puppy or kitten prevented by neutering an adult pet, there is one less homeless and unwanted puppy or kitten euthanized in an animal shelter.
The traditional surgery
Surgical removal of the testicles is the current standard of care in both dogs and cats. This surgery renders a male dog or cat unable to reproduce and also removes the major source of the male hormone, testosterone. Removing the source of testosterone eliminates mating behavior in males and also plays a role in eliminating other unwanted dog behaviors. In both the dog and cat, neutering involves a small skin incision through which the testicles are removed. Cats typically go home the same day, but dogs may stay overnight to recover from anesthesia and for incisional monitoring.
My recommendation
Dexter’s owners were concerned about the surgery. They asked if he could just have a vasectomy instead of the traditional neutering surgery. Because my job is to make the best medical recommendations for the specific health concerns of each of my patients, I recommended the traditional surgery for Dexter. It provides him with the greatest number of health benefits. The surgery prevents unwanted litters of puppies and also prevents prostatic disease, testosterone-induced tumors and behaviors linked to testosterone production.
Explaining arrhythmia under anesthesia
When a pet owner asks about arrhythmia under general anesthesia, veterinarian Padma Yadlapalli explains that the issue can result from medications or underlying medical problems. Dr. Yadlapalli writes that in most cases, the arrhythmia can be corrected, but she recommends a frank conversation with a veterinarian to discuss the risks and benefits of anesthesia and the procedure for which it’s needed. Dr. Yadlapalli emphasizes that dental cleanings under anesthesia are an important part of preventive care. The Baltimore Sun
When my Chihuahua had her teeth cleaned last week, the vet said her heart rate went down into the high 60s and that an episode of second-degree heart block occurred, but they reversed it with meds. Does this mean she is at risk of it happening again under anesthesia? Other than perhaps a follow-up EKG at her next comprehensive exam, should anything else be done? I am scared to have her teeth cleaned again.
First, I would schedule a consult with this pet’s veterinarian and review the risks and the benefits
of the procedure.
That said, there are a certain possibilities that could cause the heart rate to drop or cause an arrhythmia. Some medications used to anesthetize pets have the potential to cause bradycardia (a slow heart rate) or other forms of arrhythmia. The good news is that when you have good equipment and, most important, skilled personnel monitoring anesthetized pets to watch for these issues, you can correct them before major problems arise. And some of these medications can be reversed to eliminate those side effects.
Pet dental cleaning should be under general anesthesia
While many procedures can be performed with the patient sedated, veterinary technician Christina Holland emphasizes the importance of general anesthesia for dental cleanings. Holland writes that animals under anesthesia are intubated and have a peripheral intravenous catheter, and these measures allow for a thorough, comfortable cleaning and exam while keeping the patient safe by allowing the veterinarian to respond quickly if an emergency arises. The Airdrie City View (Alberta) (12/21)
General anesthesia (GA) is something to be respected, but not feared. If your pet is being monitored by a qualified person, either a veterinarian or a technician, then issues can be addressed immediately. For most procedures, I would feel more comfortable monitoring a patient who is under a GA rather than one who is merely sedated. A sedated patient cannot be intubated (have a tube put down the airway) and this means that if the patient stops breathing, I first have to place that tube, and then breathe for the pet.
Also in many sedated pets, an IV catheter is not placed, meaning that if I need to give emergency drugs, I first have to place the catheter, which uses precious time. In order to have a better idea of how your pet will do under GA, you should have a physical exam performed by a veterinarian, as well as some bloodwork run. Bloodwork tells us how the internal organs are performing.
If organs are not working as well as they should, different drugs can be chosen that will not be as hard on the animal’s system.
The bottom line is that there are some procedures that definitely can be done with only sedation, such as removing small skin lumps, but a dental procedure really should be done under a general anesthetic. If your pet is only sedated, your vet may not be able to do a thorough job.
I understand your anxiety, and encourage you to speak with your veterinarian about your concerns. Just like you, they only want the best outcome for your pet.
Christina Holland is an animal health technologist in Airdrie. To have your pet questions answered, contact news@airdrie.greatwest.ca
Understanding and preventing hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a developmental disorder without a cure, but there are strategies to limit risk, writes veterinarian Ann Hohenhaus. Research has shown that having good body condition and exercising on soft, level ground as puppies may help prevent hip dysplasia. Obtaining a puppy from parents whose hips have been certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or PennHip may lower the animal’s risk of developing hip dysplasia, although no one can predict the condition of a dog’s hips with absolute certainty. WebMD/Tales from the Pet Clinic blog (1/18)
Today, I received a call from a pet owner whose dog I had taken care of several years ago. I remember how heartbroken she was when I euthanized Stormy, her rescued Labrador. Stormy was not sick, his liver and kidneys were fine and he didn’t have cancer. But Stormy could no longer walk due to the lifelong effects of hip dysplasia. Nursing a large dog with limited mobility in a New York City apartment without an elevator is nearly impossible. After a Herculean effort to keep Stormy going, this loving pet owner realized his time had come.
She called today because she was thinking about getting a new dog. She hoped not to repeat the scenario she had experienced with Stormy and asked for advice on how she might help prevent hip dysplasia in her new dog.
What is hip dysplasia?
The end result of hip dysplasia is hip arthritis, but the problem starts much earlier. Hip dysplasia is an incurable developmental disorder. While the exact mechanism is unknown, one theory suggests loose hips in young dogs change the maturation of the hip joint, resulting in abnormally formed hip joints, which later lead to hip arthritis. A competing hypothesis proposes dogs with hip dysplasia have abnormal cartilage and bone formation in their hips as the cause of arthritis. Regardless of the cause, as the arthritis worsens, dogs become stiff, less active and lose strength in their hind legs. In the worst cases, they lose the ability to walk without assistance.
How do dogs get hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia starts with the genetic make-up of a dog. Certain genes have been identified that occur in dogs with hip dysplasia.
Someday, veterinarians hope to be able to screen dogs’ DNA through a simple blood test and determine their risk for hip dysplasia.
Dogs without hip dysplasia
No one can promise with total certainty that your new dog will not have bad hips. Purchasing a dog born to parents with certified hips may decrease the risk. Two well-known organizations are Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and PennHip.
We know small breed dogs are less likely to have hip dysplasia than large breed dogs, but some small breed dogs still suffer from this disease.
Preventing hip dysplasia
Obesity is a hip dysplasia risk factor you can control. Scientific research has shown that thin dogs are less likely to develop hip dysplasia, and if your dog has bad hips and is overweight or obese, losing weight will improve his ability to walk.
A recently published study of Norwegian dogs including Newfoundlands, Leonbergers, Labradors and Irish Wolfhounds, found an association between daily use of stairs in puppies less than three months of age and development of hip dysplasia. For puppies less than three months of age, exercising in an area with soft ground and park-like terrain protected puppies against developing hip dysplasia.
Canine distemper virus: Serious but preventable
Canine distemper virus causes a potentially deadly, multisystemic disease in canids and can be hard to distinguish from canine parvovirus and kennel cough, writes veterinarian Allison Dascoli. Testing can help differentiate between the illnesses, according to Dr. Dascoli, but she notes that canine distemper virus can be prevented with proper vaccination. Charleston Daily Mail (W.Va.)
Canine distemper virus is a severe, highly contagious multisystemic virus that can affect dogs and other carnivores worldwide. We can see the virus in any dog, but it is most commonly diagnosed in young, unvaccinated puppies. This is especially true of puppies and dogs that are kept in close contact in kennels or shelters.
In these situations, the virus is spread by infected animals in all body secretions and excretions. But the most common way it is spread is through respiratory droplets and aerosol spray. Once the virus enters the body, it travels to the lymph system and on into the blood. Once in the blood, it travels back to the respiratory tract, GI tract and nervous system, causing clinical signs of the disease. Animals can shed the virus for up to two weeks after recovery if they are able to mount a sufficient immune response. If they are unable to fight the virus due to a poor immune system, they will die quickly.
The clinical signs of the virus are variable. Generally, these dogs will have a fever, go off feed and be depressed. The respiratory signs include nasal discharge, running eyes, coughing and sneezing. Pneumonia is a secondary side effect and can be viral initially and then change to bacterial. GI signs will include vomiting and diarrhea. Neurologic signs also can occur with or without other signs. The encephalitis that we see can include seizures, pacing, circling, problems walking, paralysis, vision issues and twitches. Some dogs can succumb to neurologic signs weeks to months after an apparent recovery. Other signs you can see are enamel defects on their adult teeth and hardening of the footpads.
Diagnosis of distemper can be difficult. The lifestyle of the pet has to be taken into account. Older, vaccinated pets do not get distemper. Blood work is needed to look at blood cells and organ function to assess involvement. Chest X-rays can show pneumonia. The virus is only detectable for a certain amount of time in different tissues so sometimes a spinal tap is needed to collect fluid for analysis as well. But one of the better tests is called a PCR assay. It can be run on a blood sample, a conjunctival swab or on urine. These are all very expensive tests and multiple tests should be run to ultimately get to a correct diagnosis.
There is no effective antiviral treatment for canine distemper. Therefore all treatment is aimed at controlling the secondary symptoms. This includes broad-spectrum antibiotics, humidifiers, bronchodilators and expectorants to treat the pneumonia. Vomiting and anti-diarrheal medicine for the GI effects are given sometimes as necessary. Medicine to control seizures and excellent nursing care with fluids, cleaning the air passageways and balanced nutrition all help to support these patients.
The prognosis for distemper dogs is guarded. Mortality rates are the highest in younger animals and in animals that start to show neurologic signs. Even mild cases can appear to recover initially only to become clinical again.
Vaccination is the cornerstone in preventing canine distemper. The current American Animal Hospital Association guidelines for vaccines start at 8 weeks of age with a modified live virus vaccine and booster every four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. After the initial series, a booster should be given one year later, then every three years for life. If dogs are older than 16 weeks when vaccination is started, booster after four weeks, then one year later, then every three years to ensure protection for life.
The problem with distemper is that it can look like kennel cough and also like parvo, which are very common diseases we see in shelters. If you suspect distemper, immediately talk to your veterinarian. They will recommend testing to try to determine the disease. In all cases, you will need to isolate the pet and clean the environment well with disinfectants until you can get a diagnosis and a treatment plan started.
Antifreeze manufacturers agree to add bittering agent to make products unpalatable to animals and humans
Bittering agent will be applied to products manufactured in all 50 states.
Antifreeze and engine coolant manufactured in the United States will now contain a bitter flavoring agent to prevent animals and children from being poisoned by the sweet-tasting liquid. Although legislation has been passed in several states, the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) and the Humane Society Legislative Fund jointly announced Dec. 13 that the industry would now voluntarily add the flavoring agent to products for sale on the consumer market in all 50 states.
“Poisoning occurs because animals are attracted to the sweetness of antifreeze and engine coolant, which inadvertently spills in our driveways or is left in open containers in garages,” the joint release says. HSLF says estimates range from 10,000 to 90,000 animals poisoned each year from ingesting ethylene glycol, the toxic substance used in antifreeze. The release claims that one teaspoon of antifreeze or engine coolant can kill an average-sized cat.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says ethylene glycol is rapidly absorbed following ingestion, leading to systemic toxicity beginning with effects on the central nervous system, followed by cardiopulmonary effects and, finally, renal failure. Clinical signs may be more subtle in animals than humans.
Veterinary school offers chemotherapy for pets
Dr. Shawna Klahn (left) and Dr. Nick Dervisis (right) have begun a new oncology program. “Bootsie” (left) of Blacksburg, Va., and “Josie” (right), a West Virginia native, are in treatment for cancer
Veterinarians at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine have administered chemotherapy to about 70 animals since launching an oncology program six weeks ago. Four-year-old Burmese mountain dog Dylan’s lymph nodes are back to normal after chemotherapy to treat his lymphoma, says veterinary oncologist Shawna Klahn. “What we have done is bring in a closed or a needless system and updated the safe way of giving chemotherapy,” she said. WSLS-TV (Roanoke, Va.)
BLACKSBURG, VA —
Dylan is a Bernese Mountain Dog getting chemotherapy at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg.
The school is offering a new service with the help of Doctor Shawna Klahn and Dr. Nick Dervisis. A biopsy showed cancer in Dylan’s lymph nodes.
“It came back as lymphoma,” Dr. Klahn explained. “He came into oncology and we started chemotherapy, and his lymph nodes are all down to normal as of today.”
Dylan is only four years old and the treatment he is getting, is expected to give him a better quality of life.
“There are no hopeless cases for us,” Dr. Dervisis says.
Doc is getting chemotherapy for a rare spleen cancer in cats. He is one of more than 70 patients that have gotten chemotherapy in the six weeks it has been offered.
Safety in administering the chemo drugs is extremely important.
“What we have done is bring in a closed or a needless system and updated the safe way of giving chemotherapy,” Dr. Klahn says. “It is safe for our staff, pets and our clients.”
From custom fitted face masks to gloves that are more durable than the typical latex everyone in the oncology department is working toward the same goal.
“Providing hope by improving their quality of life slowing down most of the cancer,” Dr. Dervisis says.