Sniffing for Cancer

Another way to “Be Kind to Animals” is to give them a job, make them feel wanted, useful, and yes loved. Here’s a program at the University of Pennsylvania where they’re training dogs to sniff out ovarian cancer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/health/At_Penn_dogs_will_sniff_out_ovarian_cancer.html

For years we’ve been reading anecdotal reports of dogs who have found tumors on their owners or the people around them. Now someone is finally doing something official with this ability.

Dogs are famously sniffing out drugs, explosives and contraband every day now so we know how sensitive their noses are. Researchers have also found that cancers put out a unique odor but don’t worry, people can’t smell it. Isn’t it only natural that dogs should also be employed to sniff out life-threatening diseases?

So the next time you visit a doctor don’t be alarmed if you see a dog sitting sentry at the doorway. It might be there for your health.

Twygal - Oct 1, 1994 to April 27, 2012

Fred (Toe) - Fall 1995 to Oct 2011

Rainbow - April 7, 1994 to April 15, 2012

Twygal's last day

Twygal on Wednesday: she didn't like her trip outside

Friday morning Dr. Tammy will be helping Twygal escape her suffering. But I’m afraid she has already left the fold in part.

It has been a difficult week because Twygal has continued to eat, drink, and even play despite the growing lump on her face. However, on Wednesday she stopped eating. On Thursday she became very grumpy, refusing even to be petted. She has always been a very sensitive cat and I’ve had to tread lightly with her emotions and moods but that’s just a part of her wonderful personality.

Thursday evening she started bleeding from her mouth and nose again and she’s having even more difficulty breathing. I’m just comforted that she will still sleep on top of me in bed. That is, as long as I don’t touch her.

I worried about her last moments because she always gets very stressed when I take her to the clinic. I don’t want her passing to be so traumatic for her, though it definitely will be for me. To make her transition a little less stressful I will be giving her a light sedative before leaving home.

Though they were never friends in life perhaps Twygal will join with Bluebird and Rainbow and romp happily in heaven.

New Cancer Research Benefits Pets and their People

Scientists are now developing a registry for pets, especially dogs, with various forms of cancer that will link them with research studies on that type of cancer. The thought is that by treating pets with the experimental drugs and/or treatments we will come up with new treatments sooner. Note that the safety of these drugs/treatments will still go through rigorous safety studies in research mice before they reach the stage where they are used in pets. Dog and cat responses are much closer to those of humans so researchers believe this to be a more accurate way to develop treatments for use in humans and their pets. Read more about this idea here.

What do you think of this idea? Do you think it will be beneficial? Would you be willing to participate if your pet needed a new drug or treatment for cancer? I'd like to hear what you think.