Canine Cancer Treatment

Oncology company PharmAust (PAA) has found success in its canine cancer treatment trial.

Pet dogs with naive B cell lymphoma were treated with new monepantel (MPL) tablets.

Six out of seven dogs completed the “at home” treatment with their owners. One dog failed to medicate in accordance with the study and was removed from the trial in the early stages. However, this dog continued with MPL tablets and has now reached over 120 days of treatment with prednisolone added to the treatment regime.

Following 14 days of treatment, veterinarians reported that one dog achieved a partial response with more than 60 per cent reduction in total tumour burden (cancer cells). Additionally, this dog also has one lymph node (neck and head) tumour, which is regressing completely.

Four dogs have achieved stable disease, meaning the tumour is neither growing or shrinking. However, unfortunately, one of the dog’s tumour is continuing to grow.

The results showed that the tablet trial reported better results than the original MPL liquid trial.

“This outcome provides a meaningful trend, comparing favourably with the treatment used in the original “liquid” monepantel formula,” the company said.

After the 14 days of treatment, one dog with progressive disease and another with a partial response but with high liver enzymes discontinued the MPL treatment.

All four remaining dogs completed the 28-day treatment schedule, with all of the pets achieving a stable measured lymph nodes condition. A new lesion became apparent in two of those dogs and some high liver enzymes, though this did not result in clinical illness.

An unexpected outcome from this trial was, at higher dosing levels, the dogs lost appetite and weight, making it hard for owners to get the dogs to take the tables. So, reducing the target dose in future trials is anticipated to result in better outcomes with efficacy, safety and dosing.

Plasma MPL levels were recorded in all dogs and reached levels up to 50 times higher than those recorded in the human trial undertaken at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2014/2015.

PharmAust reported that some variability was observed in plasma levels, and unexpectedly, at the lower blood levels of MPL there were better outcomes.

“This observation may be consistent with the mechanism of action of mTOR inhibitors (class of drugs) and lends itself to reducing and optimising the future dosing of monepantel tablets,” the company explained.

The principal investigator overseeing the trial, Dr Claire Cannon, was pleased with the results.

“Monepantel appears to be showing anti-cancer activity in dogs with lymphoma and I believe that controlled phase three trials are now warranted to investigate the efficacy and safety of lower dose monepantel,” she said.

“The phase two trial results suggest that monepantel, perhaps in combination with standard of care lymphoma therapy, may represent a future prospect for treatment of dogs with this disease,” she added.

This trial has provided enough data for further evaluation of this new canine cancer therapy.

Phase two is now on hold while the PharmAust finalises its interim report for Elanco U.S., which will highlight both the efficacy parameters as well as the induction of lack of appetite and higher liver enzymes at very high dosages levels.

Elanco develops innovative products that protect and enhance animal health.

“Having the monepantel tablets achieve a 60 per cent reduction in tumour burden in one dog, with one lymph node returning to normal, is a terrific and unexpected outcome,” CEO Dr Richard Mollard said.

“The correlation of lower MPL blood levels with superior outcomes is also a very positive trend, providing flexibility for better outcomes in a future phase three trial,” he added.

No Ordinary Dog

The almost 20-year war on terror has claimed many American casualties. For those who survived their time on the front lines, sharing their stories can be therapeutic. That includes former Navy SEAL Will Chesney, who participated in the mission to take down Osama Bin Laden.

He’s now written about it in a book titled No Ordinary Dog: My Partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Laden Raid. It focuses on his four-legged partner Cairo who, Chesney says, saved his life in more ways than one.

“I don’t like talking about myself but I’ll talk about Cairo, he’s pretty easy to talk about,” Chesney told CBN News.

The 36-year-old says he’s always had a love for dogs and knew as a teenager he wanted to be a Navy SEAL.

It wasn’t until years later, after achieving that goal that his two loves came together after hearing the testimonials of military dog handlers.

“Raise your hand if a dog’s ever saved your life, and everybody’s hand went up pretty much,” Chesney said of the group of trainers. “The first time I met Cairo was at Dam Neck at the training facility. I remember him coming out toward the bunkers where we were working. He was a good looking, calm dog, and had a great bite. I got pretty lucky getting him.”

Nonstop training built trust, relationship, and deep dedication.

“We ask these dogs to do some pretty dangerous stuff,” Chesney said. “Sometimes they lay down their lives to save ours.”

That almost happened during a 2009 mission in Afghanistan when Cairo was shot while protecting his teammates.

“When I saw him, he collapsed and I thought that he had passed away,” Chesney said.   “I thought he was dead right there.”

But Cairo survived and went on to take part in the mission to finally get Osama Bin Laden, the infamous mastermind behind 9/11.

“My job that night was to do a sweep to the perimeter, put the dog in the best position to find any explosives or tunnel systems,” Chesney said.  “I like to say I was just there to babysit Cairo pretty much and let him do all the work. I remember…I’ll never forget looking around and seeing that everybody was still alive and okay afterward, and we had accomplished the mission and I got to do it with my dog!”

Assignments then took Chesney and Cairo in different directions. About a year later, a grenade blast left Chesney with a brain injury and post-traumatic stress, resulting in a difficult discharge from the Navy.

By then, Cairo was also reaching the end of his career, and Chesney was able to bring him home.

“Cairo was a huge part of getting me through the tough times as well, Cairo got me through some really tough times,” Chesney said.

After watching Cairo suffer from cancer, Chesney had him put down in 2015. He says he wrote “No Ordinary Dog” to honor Cairo’s memory while bringing attention to military working dogs and service animals in general.

“He took care of me, I took care of him and I just want to tell Cairo’s story,” Chesney added.

Animals continue to play an integral role in military service members.

Just last week the Defense Department said soldiers helping the fight against COVID-19 in New York are getting stress therapy from service animals provided by an organization called Puppies Behind Bars.

That’s why, even with shrapnel still in his body, Chesney says he’ll continue to advocate for animals who assist and protect our military and first responders. He believes Cairo would be proud.

Man’s Best Friend

A Lakewood Marine is doing his best to honor the soldier that has had his back on and off the job.

Richard White-Pickett, a contractor for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, has spent his last year working and living with his partner, bomb-sniffing canine, Abel. The team serves their country by helping clear and sweep areas of possible explosives to ensure the safety of all.

You better believe when a man and his dog work in such a high-stakes and precise field, they develop an unbreakable bond. The trust must be absolute when it comes to this kind of work, and White-Pickett and Abel spent a lot ot training time to become an efficient team.  And that is why White-Pickett needs our help. They both will be returning stateside soon, and he wants to keep Abel by his side. Unfortunately, Abel is owned by a company that contracts working dogs to the military and other organizations, and White-Pickett’s request to take his canine companion home with him to Lakewood was denied. Abel will likely go back into service with another handler. So White-Pickett decided to raise the funds to pay for Abel, who is valued at about $25,000 due to his highly specific skills, and make the company an offer he hopes it won’t refuse.

White-Pickett started a petition and created a GoFundMe to see if he can garner the support need to persuade Abel’s owner to have a change of heart. Any funds raised beyond the purchase price will be donated to the Rescue22 Foundation: if Abel’s current owner doesn’t sell him to White-Pickett, all the funds raised will go to the foundation.

“It is my goal to certify Abel as a service and therapy dog, partner with multiple foundations, and share him with as much of the world as I possibly can,” White-Pickett said.

Paws With Love Therapy Dogs

Animal Get On Zoom Video Calls

Video calls are bringing families and friends together during the pandemic. Some are also taking people for a walk on the wild side with animal cameos.

Through a non-profit animal sanctuary in Northern California, people across the world have been using Zoom to visit llamas, goats, sheep and cows. Nate Salpeter, a co-founder of Sweet Farm, says demand is so high, they’ve booked more than 600 appointments for their “Goat-2-Meeting” program and more than three thousand cameos across their network of affiliate sanctuaries. Sessions start at a $65 donation for a happy hour appearance and go all the way up to $750 for a VIP virtual private tour.

“It’s a way to break from the norm–the new norm, I should say, and get outside even through a video screen,” Salpeter says. “It’s a very uplifting opportunity for folks.”

The virtual visits can offer much-needed relief. In San Diego, the handler of a certified therapy dog is now offering free sessions to help with stress relief. Judy Fridono was inspired by their work with veterans with PTSD to focus on healthcare workers but says time with Ricochet, a 12-year-old golden retriever, is available for whoever needs it.

“If you hold back your anger, that just ends up festering, so if you can tell Ricochet what you’re angry about, it doesn’t affect anybody,” Fridono says.

Fridono asks people to write a letter to Ricochet beforehand to read out loud.

Diana Moczygemba spent an hour talking with Ricochet. The San Antonio nurse has been working with critically ill coronavirus patients.

“I feel good having let it out,” she says. “Having had someone to listen without judgment, that was hugely important.”

Greyhound Racing

A greyhound racing ban was passed by an overwhelming majority in the November 2018 election. Greyhound racing is now active in just three states: Iowa, Texas and West Virginia, and it is being actively phased out in Arkansas.

Barbara Masi is President and Founder of Awesome Greyhound Adoptions in Boynton Beach, which is one of the groups overseeing the adoptions from the Bonita Springs track. The coronavirus pandemic has caused the sudden closure of several other tracks in Florida too, but the greyhound adoption network—the “Greyhound Nation,” she calls it—is stepping up.

“They are coming off the track quickly. We are placing them quickly,” Masi said. “We do not euthanize any of them. They’re all taken care of.”

Karen Feldman of North Ft Myers is a longtime greyhound owner. She now lives with her 7th and 8th greyhound. They’re very easy to love, she says, and nowhere near as active as many people think.

“They’re very laid-back,” Feldman said. “People will say, don’t you need a big yard? They need about 5 minutes of exercise a day. What you need is a big couch, you need a good-sized bed. Because they will want to join you. They really do think they are lap dogs.”

They’re also good, Masi says, at being service dogs. She is part of a program called Hounds & Heroes, which donates greyhounds that can aid veterans.

“The tallness makes them good for veterans with mobility assistance and they are so intuitive, they can help with night terrors. They can help with a lot of issues that veterans do have,” said Masi.

So as the Florida tracks close, the greyhounds move on to new homes and new jobs.

Pet Groomers Adjustments

As the ongoing health crisis continues, area groomers have made big adjustments and are following social distancing guidelines.

Staff members at the Fancy Paws dog grooming company located on Saratoga Boulevard say they temporarily closed in March.

Workers were able to reopen early with permission from the governor’s office and the City of Corpus Christi, but with a few rules and regulations to follow.

Workers say they service about 15 to 20 dogs a day but it’s not so much of the contact with the animals they’re worried about.

“We’re more worried about contact with other humans, that’s the quickest way it spreads,” says Fancy Paws groomer April Wilcher.

With these concerns in mind, day-to-day operations led to a few changes.

The lobby in the building is closed to customers. Instead, visitors would need to place their name on the sign-in sheet and wait in their vehicle.

After every transaction, surfaces are wiped down, and at the beginning of every shift, dogs are given a bath.

Staff members say a dog’s fur is also considered as a surface and must be cleaned especially during concerns with the coronavirus.

Works also are aware of how dogs can test positive for COVID-19 which is why it’s important to take these precautions.

“We do have elderly clients, we don’t want cross-contamination if we were to touch a dog someone had sneezed on and then touch their dog that could be a risk for them so we’re trying to minimize the cross-contamination between families and that kind of thing,” says Wilcher.

Groomers also say they do not service dogs that are sick and advise the animal should see the veterinarian.

Future Service Dogs

Susan Tyson is a volunteer puppy raiser for Susquehanna Service Dogs. Tyson watches over a cute litter of Labrador Retriever puppies for the non-profit.

She is using this time during the pandemic to show how service dogs are raised and trained to assist children and adults with disabilities, and she’s doing it all through an interactive live stream.

A Pet By Your Side

Sadly, mental health problems have been steadily on the rise for a number of years and people are looking for new ways to treat and manage their mental health issues. Traditional mental health medication is often very strong and can have some serious side effects. Powerful psychological drugs can leave people feeling detached or emotionless and so people stop taking their medication. Even for people without serious mental health problems, modern life is extremely stressful and the number of people suffering from depression and financial and social anxiety is skyrocketing. There are many studies that show that having a pet can significantly improve mental health. Pets help us relax and provide a non-judgemental confidante to listen to our problems. In this article, we will explore the mental health benefits of having a pet by your side. Whatever is going on in your life, your pet is a totally non-judgemental listener who you can talk to in complete confidence. Pets can often sense when you are upset or troubled about something and will try to cheer you up. For people with depression, anxiety, or other similar issues, pets can be an amazing listener who you can confide in with complete trust. Dogs can sense when you are feeling sad and are always eager to console you in times of trouble. Dogs make the best emotional support animals because they genuinely empathize and commit themselves to cheer you up when you are down. With all that these pets can give you, it might be the perfect time to get one and you may start if you qualify using a confidential screening test. Unlike people, who might judge you, a dog has no opinion on your actions and merely wishes to help you through whatever problems you are having. One of the most detrimental effects of mental health issues is that they can make sufferers feel totally isolated from everyone else. The best way to feel connected is through physical interaction, and touching a pet is the perfect way to build confidence in physical contact. All of the feelings of anxiety that someone might feel about touching or being touched by another person fade away when you are having physical contact with a calm, patient pet. One of the most negative feelings that a person can experience is the feeling of rejection, but your pet will never reject you. All pets love to be stroked and petted and so you will never feel rejected.

One of the main symptoms of depression and social anxiety is an indifferent malaise that can be really hard to shake off. More and more people these days are experiencing mental health problems that manifest themselves in a general ennui or in a complete rejection of a normal daily routine. It can be very easy to live your life without purpose or with a total lack of motivation, but if you have a pet that depends on you, it will inject some much-needed responsibility into your day to day life.

Pets need and deserve adequate care and attention, so for many people whose mental issues have caused them to step back from societal norms, a pet will ensure that they have something for which they are responsible and cannot just give up. Pets need feeding, cleaning, exercise, and health check-ups, all of which require a conscientious effort and can help people with all kinds of emotional and mental issues to learn how to be responsible.

Our mental health is at its most tenuous when we start asking ourselves what exactly we are living for. Declines in mental health exactly mirror periods of widespread job losses or economic hardships, or at a personal level, the months following the death of a loved one. Many people define themselves by their job and if they experience a period of unemployment it can seriously affect your self-esteem. Studies have shown that unemployed people who own a pet are far more likely to get through a period of unemployment with no lasting damage to their mental health than an unemployed person with no pet. It can be so easy if you are not working to just stay in bed all day and hope that things will turn around, but the responsibilities of looking after a pet cause you to get up and address your situation.

Unfortunately, these days, more and more of us are experiencing the horrible effects of mental health issues. Whilst there are many medications available to help you to function, they are not designed to get to the root of the problem. Pets have been proved by numerous studies to have an incredible effect on our mental health. Pets can help people to stay calm and can provide a companion for vulnerable members of society who otherwise would be very lonely.

Police Dog Injured

A Vancouver police service dog was injured and officers assaulted while responding to a report of a man trying to steal a marked police car from a secure yard early Monday morning.

Vader, a member of the VPD canine unit, suffered a broken tooth and swollen mouth when the 66-year-old suspect kicked and punched him. The suspect also fought the police officers who suffered minor injuries.

“Vader courageously apprehended the violent suspect and hung on while the male kicked and punched Vader in the face, while holding the stolen keys in his fist as a weapon,” said the VPD canine unit on Twitter.

Sgt. Aaron Roed said it was lucky the dog and officers weren’t more seriously injured.

“This man was attempting to start the police car and flee the area … and he had the keys clenched in his hand and was attempting to stab Vader.”

The suspect is facing multiple charges, including assault of a police officer and assault of a police dog. Vader was taken to a veterinarian where he was treated and released.

A city staffer called police to the secured City of Vancouver National Yards in Strathcona at 6 a.m. where the man was attempting to steal the vehicle.

Roed said the man was also arrested on Sunday in Stanley Park for uttering threats. He was taken to jail but then released on an undertaking to appear with conditions.

He is now in a local hospital awaiting assessment.