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Terry Kelley CVT, CPDT, CAP1 (Spring 2006)
First Published in Yankee Dog Magazine In memory of our beloved Holly, Lady and Keesha
Dog Genome Project for Canine Cancer Research
Every year, thousands of families receive the heartbreaking
news that their beloved dog has cancer. We are shocked and
anguish over the diagnosis. We ask “Why did this happen to
my dog? What can I do to help him? What can I do to save her?”
First, we cry and deny the possible outcome. Then we rally, we
pray and hope for a miracle cure. We get ourselves motivated
and do everything in our power to save our cherished companion.
Because of the advancements in both human and veterinary
cancer research, some of us will find our ‘miracle’. For the
lucky ones, our dog will be cured or experience a long term
remission, sometimes with years of good quality life. For others,
the outcome for our dog is bleak and swift. Sadly, we must say
goodbye to our dearly loved companion.
I know all of this because that is what happened when my
beloved Keeshond "Holly" was diagnosed with stomach
cancer (adenocarcinoma) in 1999. Based on the veterinary advice
available at that time, we opted to do surgery to try and remove
the malignant mass in her stomach, as we were told there was no
chemotherapy for her disease. The surgery was horrible. A massive
incision, 26 staples and she had lost 1/2 of her stomach. She had
to spend 5 days in intensive care, with supportive care and she
was in pain even though she was on morphine to control her pain.
The tumor started to grow back immediately and her quality
of life was not good. She started to vomit frequently and began to
lose weight. She died seven weeks later at age 10 1/2. There was
nothing we could do for her, to stop cancer from taking her life.
In December 1999, five months after Holly died, we rescued two
senior Keeshond girls, Tasha and Keesha. Tasha was 10 and
Keesha was 12 1/2. What we did not know was that Keesha had cancer
that had already spread to her liver and lymphatic system and there
was nothing we could do to stop the disease, except to make her
comfortable. We only had her five months, but it was a great five
months. Keesha celebrated her 13th birthday and her quality of
life was very good, until she took a sudden turn for the worse.
We lost Keesha May 1, 2000.
Several years after we lost Holly & Keesha to cancer, my parent’s
12 year old Chihuahua was diagnosed with Lymphoma. By then, there was
a cancer chemotherapy protocol for "Lady" and she did remarkably
well getting 51 weeks in her first remission! She would be sick for
about a day after her chemo, but then would rally and bounce back to
her sweet personality. Overall, Lady had a very good quality of life
during her 19 months of chemotherapy. So, science is making progress
in the fight against canine cancer.
How You Can Help Beat Canine Cancer
Now, there is a way for all of us to help find new treatments and
possible cures for canine cancers. The Dog Genome Project at
the Broad Institute (an affiliation of the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Harvard and affiliated hospitals in Cambridge Mass.)
finished sequencing the canine genome last summer. They are now looking
for participants who are willing to send in DNA samples (a small amount
of blood) from their purebred dogs.
Why do they need purebred dogs for their DNA samples?
The goal of the Dog Genome Project is to better understand
and ultimately treat the variety of genetic diseases found not only
in humans, but in canines as well. In order to achieve this goal,
they need help from our dog community. By comparing DNA samples from
healthy dogs and dogs with illness, they can locate areas on the genome
that differ. This will help develop tests to identify carrier dogs and
ultimately lead to improvements in the treatment of diseases.
If you would like to assist in the Dog Genome Project, it will require
you invest a little time, a little money and a willing canine participant.
The end results of the research could mean longer, healthier lives for our
dogs. Here is what you need to do:
That’s it. You can do it, just like I did and you will feel good about it.
So, do it for yourself, your dog and all the dogs that have cancer now or may
have it in the future. For more information, check out their web site at:
Dog Disease Research at Broad Institute - How Your Dog Can Help
Update
For the first 5 months, Joey did not vomit at all. Starting in March
2008, he started having occasional bouts with vomiting and days where
he does not feel well and will not eat. On those days, he gets an opioid
medication to help with his pain. Since his diagnosis, Joey gets to eat
anything he wants, including lots of chicken, steak and cheese. Keeping
his weight steady is imperative to maintaining his quality of life and to
date he has not lost any weight.
As of August 18, 2008, he is still doing well and his quality of life is
good. On August 6th Joey was 13 1/2 years old and we hope he will be with
us for many more, great months and get to celebrate his 14th birthday next
February 6, 2009.
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