Will Dogs' Systems Help Humans Cure Cancer for Both Species?

Two researchers with personal stakes in the outcome make use of dogs' similarity to people.

Anyone who has loved a dog as part of the family can tell you just how much dogs have in common with humans. The joy that they show when they're rewarded, their shame when they're punished for doing something wrong, the way that they bond with a family and its home -- all these things feel intimately human, and it's why so many of us see dogs as companions more than pets or property.

But like good companions, we share a lot of bad with the good. One of the things that dogs and humans have in common is cancer. Just like us, the cells in a dog's body can mutate and grow into tumors until everything else in the body stops working.

Two scientists in Philadelphia and New Jersey are hoping that something good might come out of that similarity between dogs and humans. Professor Karen Sorenemo studies mammary cancer, the dog equivalent of breast cancer, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Since 2009, she has collaborated with Olga Troanskaya, an oncologist at Princeton, to see what studying cancer in dogs can tell us about cancer in humans.

The two met when Troanskaya brought her own dog, suffering from cancer, to be treated by Sorenemo. Over the next six months, they talked about their work and began to see the benefits of putting their heads together.

At Penn, Sorenemo runs the Shelter Canine Mammary Tumor Program, which cares for shelter dogs that have developed mammary cancer. The project means a lot to her, she told Delaware Online: "It's a feel-good program for me personally because it has provided me the opportunity to care for these more vulnerable dogs who are mistreated and neglected and really need to have their luck turn. ... The dogs receive care, and if we can learn how their mammary cancer evolves we may be able to determine if there are comparisons with humans."

The rate of mammary cancer in shelter animals is extremely high, because so many of the dogs are unspayed. Spaying a dog before she goes into heat for the first time reduces her chances of developing mammary cancer to only 0.5 percent; unspayed adult dogs develop it four times more often than spayed dogs.

From the scientific perspective, the shorter lifespan of dogs also means that the cancer grows and spreads more quickly. It's easier for doctors to see tumors in many different stages of development in dogs as compared with studying human tumors. When Sorenemo removes tumors from the dogs, she freezes the tissue and sends it to Princeton, where Troanskaya and her team performs molecular analysis on them. What they really want is to find what hormones or genetic factors cause a benign tumor to become malignant.

For both women, it's a deeply personal study as well: Sorenemo's mother died of breast cancer, and shortly after she teamed up with Troanskaya, her sister and Troanskaya's mother were diagnosed with the same disease.

As for the dogs themselves, not only do they get the needed medical care, but coming to Penn is an escape from overcrowded shelters. When their treatment is done, the former patients are placed in foster care or with permanent families.

Via Delaware Online

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Creature, An Award-Winning "Ugly" Dog Has Cancer -- and a Bucket List

Creature appeared on the ugly dog circuit but then was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma.

Creature, a Mexican Hairless Dog, is a very ugly dog, according to people who vote on such things. According to her Facebook page, she is "Utah's Ugliest Mutt," and in 2012 she got second place in the World's Ugliest Dog contest. 

And, as everyone who's seen an ugly dog knows, part of being an ugly dog is being cute at the same time. It doesn't make sense, but there it is. Look:

Unfortunately, Creature's short spell in the limelight is drawing to a heartbreaking close. She has high-grade lymphoma, according to her owner, Taylor Stokes. In June, Stokes posted the news on Creature's Facebook page, after finding lumps on the dog's leg and stomach. 

"From what we understand, this is a very aggressive cancer with no good outcome. We are completely heartbroken," she wrote. "We realize that our time with Creature is now limited and we just want to make that time the best for her. Due to her age we are a little concerned with using aggressive drugs. We just want to give her the best quality of life possible for her remaining time. As of right now Creature is happy and comfortable and does not seem to be in any pain. We hope to keep her that way for as long as possible."

That was back in June. Shortly thereafter, Stokes changed course and pursued chemotherapy.

"No one knows how much time Creature has left, but we are doing everything we can to make sure that every day she is here, she will be happy, comfortable and well loved," she wrote. 

And since then, Stokes has been doing exactly that. Creature has a bucket list, and he's been cracking them off like a champ, with a little help from Stokes and well-meaning Creature lovers. 

One of them is Jamie Usry, development director for Humane Society of Utah, who's been helping Stokes complete some tasks. 

“She wanted to meet Betty White, that has not happened yet but you never know. We’re fulfilling her first class convertible ride today. She’ll be in a Mustang convertible," he told Fox13Now.com. "Her doggy-date night, doggy-themed movie night we’re fulfilling tonight, and she is going to get a pet massage session. She is going to get a pet psychic session, all sorts of things."

One thing Creature received was not on her list but very well could have been: a special plaque by the Humane Society of Utah, to express appreciation for the influence her life has had on others.

There's still plenty of stuff left on Creature's bucket list -- and if you can help, Stokes writes on the page, "we would like everyone’s help in sharing Creature’s page and spreading the word about these adventures we would like for her to have. If you are able to help her accomplish any of the things on her list, please contact us here on Creature's page or by e-mail at rsqdogs@yahoo.com."

Without further ado, here's Creature's bucket list, via her Facebook page:

Have a reading with an animal communicatorReceive an animal blessing -- DONE! (Crossed off 06-23-13, thank you Animal Chaplin Sandy Byland)Get her picture taken with Betty WhiteTake a ride in a convertible -- IN THE WORKS!Spend a day relaxing on a beach -- DONE! (Crossed off 06-20-13)Appear in an animal magazine -- IN THE WORKSAttend a doggie birthday partyHave a portrait painted of her -- DONE! (Crossed off! Thank you Bev Nicholson and Mugly! And also thank you to "Drawings for Pit Bulls and those who love 'em," and thank you to Fred Grower for the oil painting!!)Go to work with Dad -- DONE! (Crossed off 07-19-13)Get a doggy massage -- DONE!Have a dog-themed movie night with family -- DONE!Attend a Hairless Dog playgroupVia Fox13Now.com; photos via Creature's Facebook page

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Dog with Cancer Celebrates Life with a Fabulous Doggie Party

When Wendy Diamond got the news that her Maltese, Lucky, had only three months to a year left to live before succumbing to the effects of spleen cancer, she decided to make it an occasion to celebrate the life of one very special dog, rather than mourn.

Wendy and Lucky all dressed up.

Adopted in 1999, Lucky was an anxious dog suffering from separation issues, so Diamond readjusted her life so Lucky could accompany her anywhere and everywhere. As her name suggests, the dog was in the right place at the right time -- specifically, a dinner party at which Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant were in attendance. Acting on a stroke of inspiration, Diamond approached Grant and, after telling him that Lucky the dog was his biggest fan, asked if he would pose with the pooch. Since then, Lucky and Diamond have made a habit of posing with celebrities such as Kristen Stewart, Bill Clinton, and -- yes -- Snoop Dogg. The quest has landed Lucky in the Guinness World Records 2013 as the Most Photographed Animal with Celebrities.

Adorable!

Which is why Diamond decided to throw Lucky a very special doggie bridal shower. No one has put a ring on it yet, but Diamond is certain Lucky will have a partner for her July 12 wedding. Diamond jokes that since Lucky will be getting married in New York, where gay marriage is legal, Lucky is totally open to wedding another lady dog. Or even a cat! Either way, every bride-to-be needs a fun bridal shower, and Lucky's was exactly that!

Lucky peruses the party.

Congrats to the Lucky lady.

Dressed in a pink dress, Lucky gathered with 32 guests and their dogs -- with champagne, cupcakes, sandwiches, and tea -- to celebrate in style while raising awareness for Animal Fair, a charitable group Diamond founded in 1999 to assist animals in shelters. 

Though it may be bittersweet, we would like to congratulate Lucky and wish her the very best!

Story via msnbc.com, photos via the Wendy and Lucky Diamond Facebook page

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Rescue Dog Rescues Owner by Detecting Her Breast Cancer

Effie, rescued dog turned rescuer (Image: WXYZ)

A mammogram — the gold standard in breast cancer detection — failed to detect Lisa Hulber’s malignant tumor. But Effie, her rescued hound mix, did. The dog whose life Hulber saved helped save hers after she sniffed her to the point where she decided to get double-checked.

This time, doctors found Hulber’s tumor, and did an excisional biopsy. But Effie was ahead of them again. She started sniffing around and apparently detected the only lymph node that had the cancer. Hulber underwent a double mastectomy and 20 weeks of chemotherapy, and will soon start radiation.

“It’s hard to go through cancer and stuff like that,” the Michigan resident said. “I’m not a ‘woe is me’ kind of person and knowing what she did for me, that gift, that’s what makes me cry.”

Hulber thinks Effie got her “medical” training on the family’s kitten, who died of cancer. The dog may have associated the similar scent, and it’s easy to make the leap that Effie was trying to tell her rescuer that something was amiss.

As I wrote in yesterday’s article about the police dog, a dog’s nose can be better than any technology currently available, at least for detecting certain scents.

Way to go, Effie!

Now she has an equally important job: Being there for Hulber as she goes through the treatments, which can be so debilitating. Something tells me she’s already all over that assignment.

Readers, has your dog ever sniffed you in an unusual way and made you wonder if he/she is detecting something you should check out? Do you think rescue dogs sometimes feel an extra need to protect and even “rescue” their owners? Please share your experiences!

Source: WXYZ

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Why I blog about my dog’s cancer

In July, 2008 I took my dog Lydia to the vet to have a tumor removed. While she was gone, I composed a short blog post about it. I whined a little about how much I hated leaving her there, and about being nervous that she was having surgery. It was a way for me to vent a bit about what was going on, and also to keep myself busy until she came home.

Ten days later I wrote another blog post that I had to title, “My dog Lydia has cancer.” It was really hard to type those words the very first time. I remember typing them very slowly and reluctantly. It felt like the act of typing it and sending it out into the world made it real. It’s still difficult to type the words, but I’m stronger about the whole cancer thing than I was then. And a lot of the reason is because I did write about it, and I kept writing.

When I first started blogging about Lydia’s cancer, I did so because I knew it would be therapeutic for me. I’ve always been the type to write when I’m faced with big issues. God knows, cancer is big! So since I’m a pet blogger, it just made sense to blog about her cancer.

After I started documenting Lydia’s story, I was surprised at how many people began frequenting the blog just to hear about her. People reached out and let me know if I needed to talk, they were there for me. People I didn’t even know! It made me feel like I wasn’t alone – like there were people I could turn to if I needed them. Knowing they were there, even if I didn’t write or call them, helped more than I can put into words. And even though it’s been almost three years since her diagnosis, they still follow the blog to read updates on how Lydia’s doing. She constantly has well wishes coming her way, and if I don’t update frequently enough I get emails asking how she’s doing.

As time went on, I realized I was not writing solely for my own benefit. It was clear that Lydia’s story was helping other people who had pets with health issues. A lot of them post on the blog, or write to me privately, because they need someone to talk to. The majority of them have dogs fighting the same kind of cancer as Lydia, but not all. And not all are fighting cancer, but they need someone to turn to and when they find me, they write. I don’t know how many times I’ve emailed words of encouragement, regrets for dogs or cats who have died, or to celebrate improvement. Sometimes only a few emails are exchanged. Other times emails go back and forth for quite a while. Regardless though, I know first-hand that being able to reach out to someone who understands definitely helps.

I did my share of searching for help online when Lydia was diagnosed and found some very helpful people. Sometimes I’d ask about the treatments their dogs were going through, but mostly what I wanted was moral support, and that’s what I’m able to give to people who write to me now. I still struggle with the uncertainty and fears, but being able to help someone else get through it helps me too.

I know I would have muddled through Lydia’s health issues without the Internet, but it would have been much more difficult. Sure, my family knows how much I love my dogs, but they don’t totally get the connection. I have real life friends who get it, but they have lives and can’t always be there for me. With the Internet, there’s always somebody somewhere who totally understands and can take the time to listen. And it’s a heck of a lot easier to find people online who are dealing with the very same health problem. I can’t imagine not having the Internet now, or the support system it’s given me to help get through all of Lydia’s health problems.

And just for the record, I know just how fortunate we are that Lydia is still a happy, active dog, three years post-diagnosis. She’s doing great, and although I know cancer can rear its nasty self at any time, I only hope Lydia stays healthy. Look for another update on her soon, as she goes in for an ultrasound on Monday. They make me a little nervous, but not Lydia. She loves the attention!

Photo: Lydia showing one of her best sides in our backyard.

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