Local Tv Spot On Canine Cancer

[Guest luckydog]

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=...&id=5315196

 

May 17, 2007 - A national campaign is working to raise awareness about cancer in dogs. And locally there is groundbreaking research aimed at saving hundreds of pets, and people suffering from cancer as well.

 

The statistics are shocking! One in two dogs over the age of two will get the disease, and one in four will die from it. For Kyra, the testing came just at the right time.

 

"She's doing great. Eating, running, jumping," said Kyra's owner Eileen Eisenhower.

 

Nine-year-old Kyra is now a happy dog. But last year she was diagnosed with canine lymphoma after her owner noticed a large lump on the back of her left leg.

 

"Her sister was diagnosed three months earlier so when I saw that lump on the back of her leg, I just knew it."

 

Kyra had to endure 20 weeks of chemotherapy. But Eileen said she handled it like a champ.

 

"She had some lethargy, laid around a lot maybe didn't eat as quickly as usual but otherwise she really handled it well."

 

She's the first dog to be part of a clinical trial, testing a vaccine that will hopefully help keep her cancer in remission. The goal is to also gain information on treating human cancer.

 

The trial, funded by the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, is taking place at the University Of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital.

 

"We can get very valuable information about whether this is a very feasible strategy to vaccinate humans specifically kids with cancer," said Dr. Karin Sorenmo.

 

Kyra's vet, Dr. Sorenmo said there is no way to know exactly how many dogs get cancer each year because many cases go undetected.

 

"There are certain breeds that are more susceptible to certain types of cancers."

 

For instance, Collies are linked to nasal cancer, Rottweilers to bone cancer; Pugs are susceptible to skin cancer and Labs and Golden Retrievers, lymphoma plus blood and spleen cancer. In fact, 60 percent of golden retrievers will die of cancer.

 

"In many cases a dog will be suffering terribly before you really know how badly the dogs hurting," said Michael Burke of The Morris Foundation.

 

A national campaign by the Morris Foundation is trying to raise not only awareness about this heartbreaking disease, but money as well.

 

"The point is to develop treatments and to develop ultimately a cure so the dogs don't get cancer anymore."

 

Fighting canine cancer can cost pet owners thousands of dollars, Dr. Sorenmo said that's just one reason research is key.

 

"Many dogs and cats die because of the limitations of the current standards of chemotherapy, so it's very important to find new treatments."

 

As for Kyra, she's not out of the woods yet, but she's on her way.

 

"She's doing well, and she's in remission. We are very hopeful that Kyra is going to do well."

 

Some of the symptoms to look for in detecting canine cancer are:

# Abnormal swellings that continue to persist or grow

# Sores that don't heal

# Sudden weight loss

# Loss of appetite

# Persistent lameness or stiffness

 

 

[Guest Lala]

That is cool that the word is getting out about this epidemic. Yay Morris Foundation! Thanks.