4 Promising Studies: Early Detection and Treatment Options for Canine Hemangiosarcoma

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVosnCi37_zLvwICFPaliIpAR73vdVVP-Hhvf-O2c5Xmzzqlu_RZ98uwodGno43sTr2blk37i8LPCU0WkMCQCp1N2dI0UpNftukMnq7rb1SS-xfqy5HA1-qK3MbfzW4BuD8POrrtSNsJm/s1600/golden-retriever-dog-1364426710r9x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVosnCi37_zLvwICFPaliIpAR73vdVVP-Hhvf-O2c5Xmzzqlu_RZ98uwodGno43sTr2blk37i8LPCU0WkMCQCp1N2dI0UpNftukMnq7rb1SS-xfqy5HA1-qK3MbfzW4BuD8POrrtSNsJm/s320/golden-retriever-dog-1364426710r9x.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=35696&picture=golden-retriever-dog" target="_blank">Courtesy of Public Domain Images</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Hemangiosarcoma is a form of cancer found almost exclusively in dogs. A relatively common canine cancer (6-8% of all canine cancers) it is estimated that 2 million of 73 million dogs currently alive in the United States will develop the disease and die from it.<br /><br />At this time, it is considered incurable, as it remains symptomless until the advanced stages of the disease.  The current standard of care, surgery and chemotherapy, have proven to extend the life to the affected dog a mere median of 180 days with surgery alone, and an additionally 180 days with chemotherapy added to surgical intervention.<br /><br />In the wake of these poor treatment outcomes, research has focused on<a href="http://themodernbark.blogspot.com/2013/03/15-warning-signs-of-cancer-in-dogs.html" target="_blank"> early detection </a>of the disease as well as a new, very promising alternative medicine approach.<br /><br /></div><h3>Hemangiosarcoma</h3><div class="MsoNormal">Hemangiosarcoma is an indolent cancer, meaning it initially develops very slowly, asymptomatically and painlessly.  The most common primary sites of the disease are the spleen, right atrium of the heart and the tissue beneath the skin.  In the later stages of the disease, the cancer aggressively metastasizes to the lungs, liver and intestines.   While dogs of any age and breed may be susceptible to hemangiosarcoma, it occurs more commonly in dogs beyond middle age, and has a higher incidence in breeds such as German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs and Skye Terriers, suggesting a genetic component is involved.<br /><br /></div><h3>The Canine Genome</h3><div class="MsoNormal">The completion of the Canine Genome Project has spurred research into the genetic components of a wide variety of physical ailments believed to have heritable factors. Researchers at Modiano Lab at the University of Minnesota have taken an interest in the genetic components contributing to hemangiosarcoma.   Three of the more promising approaches involve mapping the risk alleles associated with the disease, determining the genetic, breed-specific abnormalities of the tumors themselves and developing a blood test for early detection of cancer cells via flow cytology.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The first project, developed in collaboration with Dr. Matthew Breen, focused on the possibility of breed specific abnormalities that may be detectable in tumors arising in dogs of different breeds. The initial results were promising; the data showed that tumors from dogs of one specific breed are functionally and genetically more similar to each other than they are to tumors from dogs of other breeds. This information demonstrates that heritable risk factors contribute to the development of canine cancer. More importantly, these results are the first step toward developing prevention and treatment strategies that address the specific causes underlying the biology of canine hemangiosarcoma.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The second project of great promise, developed in collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, has begun the process of mapping the risk alleles for the development of both Lymphoma and Hemangiosarcoma in the following target breeds:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJhMAFPqipxzL7E3EEZzwAjSxDJTzRRkIBUhuFBxZCgmG62IG79ypQJmPqbOi1hnzJgMT9PZ1BU5MwnR5xUkizZkZ02nDB-gQM_sTZhCrKn_qO2xyt-l8qTl0Y0fK0urtBp6r_CXtKsMu/s1600/Turkey+Tail+Fungus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJhMAFPqipxzL7E3EEZzwAjSxDJTzRRkIBUhuFBxZCgmG62IG79ypQJmPqbOi1hnzJgMT9PZ1BU5MwnR5xUkizZkZ02nDB-gQM_sTZhCrKn_qO2xyt-l8qTl0Y0fK0urtBp6r_CXtKsMu/s1600/Turkey+Tail+Fungus.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Tail Fungus - Penn State's Magic Mushrooms see below<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;">Courtesy of Wallwork Family Pages</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Source:<a href="http://www.wallwork.me.uk/backgrounds.html" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://www.wallwork.me.uk/backgrounds.html</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><ul><li>Australian Shepherd</li><li>Bernese Mountain Dog</li><li>Border Collie</li><li>Boxer</li><li>Briard</li><li>Bullmastiff</li><li>Cocker Spaniel</li><li>Flat-coated Retriever</li><li>German Shepherd Dog</li><li>Golden Retriever</li><li>Greyhound</li><li>Irish Setter</li><li>Keeshond</li><li>Labrador Retriever</li><li>Mastiff</li><li>Poodle</li><li>Portuguese Water Dog</li><li>Rottweiler</li><li>Vizsla</li><li>Saluki</li></ul></div><div class="MsoNormal">Researchers are currently seeking samples for this research in the form of blood samples and tumor samples with associated pedigree information.  Samples from mixed breeds and other breeds are welcome from both healthy (aged) dogs and affected dogs.  To learn more about how to contribute to the project visit the <a href="http://www.modianolab.org/studyInfo/studyInfo_index.shtm" target="_blank">Modiano Labs website</a>.<br /><br /></div><h3>Early Cancer Detection: Flow Cytometry</h3><div class="MsoNormal">Once we have a genetic test that can forewarn us of a genetic predisposition to developing specific cancers, we will want to be able to detect the disease at an early stage of its development, well before it becomes symptomatic. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As cancer tumors grow, they shed cells into the blood stream.  However, the tumor cells are shed so infrequently that they cannot be detected in routine blood tests. Enter the technology called flow cytometry. Here cells are “tagged” with fluorescent molecules that identify their lineage of origin, they are then run through an instrument (the flow cytometer) that combines optics and fluidics information through a software capable of analyzing hundreds of thousands of cells in a matter of minutes.<br /><br />Researchers have employed this technology, and have successfully shown proof of principle for this test. Idexx Laboratories has licensed the technology from the University of Colorado, although the ultimate affordability of employing this technology in local veterinary practices tests remains to be seen.  Another issue with this technology, is that it does not tell us where the site of origin of the tumor is. Early treatment will therefore need to be able to treat the disease independent of the site of origin.<br /><br /></div><h3>The Biggest Breakthrough In Hemangiosarcoma Cancer Treatment: Penn State’s Magic Mushrooms</h3><div class="MsoNormal">In a Penn State study funded by Chinese Medicine Holding LTD. and released in September 2012, dogs with hemangiosarcoma were treated with a compound derived from the Coriolus Versicolor mushroom, resulting in the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Coriolus Versicolor mushroom, known commonly as the Yunzhi mushroom, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. A compound within the mushroom, polysaccharopeptide, or PSP, is believed to have immune-boosting properties. Over the past two decades, studies have indicated that PSP may also have a tumor-fighting effect.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Penn State researchers studied dogs with naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma to see what effects, the Yunzhi mushroom would have on their patients. Fifteen dogs that had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma participated in the trial. Divided into three groups of five, each group received a different dose — 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day — of <b><a href="http://www.imyunityfordogs.com/order-now.html#!/~/product/id=18691546" target="_blank">I’m-Yunity</a></b>, a formulation of PSP which is also readily available over the Internet. The dog owners were instructed to give their dog a capsule of I’m-Yunity, daily. The owners brought their dogs to Penn’s Ryan Veterinary Hospital for follow-up visits on a monthly basis for blood sample testings and ultrasounds to determine the extent that tumors had developed or spread in the dogs’ bodies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">“We were shocked,” Cimino Brown said of Penn State. “Prior to this, the longest reported median survival time of dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen that underwent no further treatment was 86 days. We had dogs that lived beyond a year with nothing other than this mushroom as treatment.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Not only had the dog’s survival times increased with the use of PSP, but unlike chemotherapy, there were no reported side effects.  Dogs receiving the highest dosage, 100 mg/day, had the longest median survival time, however the difference in survival times between dosages was not statistically significant.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">While not inexpensive, this treatment is certainly more affordable than chemotherapy.  Those on tight budgets, may consider using this supplement at the lower dosage without fear of significantly impacting survival rates.  However, it should be noted that while the PSP, I’m Yunity, extends life and improves quality of life, it has not been shown to be a cure for hemangiosarcoma.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Penn State researchers are preparing to pursue further trials of I’m-Yunity in dogs with hemangiosarcoma to confirm and refine their results. One upcoming trial will compare I’m-Yunity to a placebo for those owners who choose not to pursue chemotherapy for their pet; the other will compare the compound with the current standard-of-care, chemotherapy.<br /><br /><h4>Here are some options for Organic Turkey Tail Mushroom Extract </h4> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00CDAHGHA&asins=B00CDAHGHA&linkId=PXXVBRHALUJ4UTUA&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B009EV6762&asins=B009EV6762&linkId=7BPU4X7KTGGQWIJH&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=bungonews-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000I4DHXK&asins=B000I4DHXK&linkId=3632AZP2VJQY62JH&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><br />The liquid form may be easier to administer.  The capsules are 500mg, so you would need to open the capsule and shake out 1/4 of the mushroom extract. For larger dogs (80 lbs and up) you may want to give them one third of a capsule or approximately 165mg.<br /><br />We will keep you posted as more information comes in from the ongoing Penn State Research.<br /><br />For information on Canine Osteosarcoma please <a href="http://themodernbark.blogspot.com/2013/04/osteosarcoma-in-dogs-diagnosis.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>

5 Reasons Why Dogs Eat Dirt - And You Should Too!

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI8uEOCoeNd_LKBRYZSimiLnc20k6XAwGnHz9YsMDPTD9xSxUwSgZGRHm8xVpOZFYnqePbPEKdFBnhyphenhyphenSYMd0EssSDROAaivomQVROYwoVuc_aNTZPGf43NWQhS_0ucTBIqmeMgeKu35N0/s1600/Beagle+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlI8uEOCoeNd_LKBRYZSimiLnc20k6XAwGnHz9YsMDPTD9xSxUwSgZGRHm8xVpOZFYnqePbPEKdFBnhyphenhyphenSYMd0EssSDROAaivomQVROYwoVuc_aNTZPGf43NWQhS_0ucTBIqmeMgeKu35N0/s320/Beagle+sea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">By </span><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=149" style="background-color: white; color: #3db2d5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: initial;">federico stevanin</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, published on 08 November 2008</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Stock photo - image ID: 1001821</span></td></tr></tbody></table>As scientists of various disciplines investigate the topic of dirt eating, or more accurately clay eating, they are discovering that it is more prevalent across geographic regions and species than previously imagined.  Humans, primates, dogs, cats, parrots, buffalo, deer and even fruit bats engage in clay eating or geophagia, a subset of pica.<br /><br />Until now it has been assumed that the animals engaging in geophagia were either malnourished or suffering from a form of obsessive compulsive disorder originating from boredom.  New studies indicate that there may be other factors at work in the age old practice of clay eating. In our list of five reasons your dog eats clay, we offer up three traditional explanations as well as two new explanations that are gaining credence in the international dirt-eating research community.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>Eating Soil From Boredom, Habit or OCD</b></h3>It has been noted that bored dogs can get into the destructive habit of digging holes and then consuming the unearthed soil or clay as a by-product of the digging behavior.  In some dogs, this behavior takes on an obsessive quality, with dogs digging 2-3 new holes per day, leaving yards pock-marked with ankle-bending divots.  This behavior is different from that of the dog that returns to the same beloved spot in the yard for his daily dose of dirt, frequently an area of moist clay.  Habitual digging is a behavioral issue that should be addressed with training, increased interaction and exercise.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>Clay Eating to Relieve Hunger</b></h3>Some trainers have suggested that dogs fed a single meal a day are relieving hunger pains by adding a clay snack to their diet.  If your dog is on a single meal regimen and eating soil, you may try stepping him up to two meals a day to see if that curbs his clay appetite.  If that does not work, read on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNRIsvzAZDkI4ndTt5sAIgpvKSMBKMIJLxCh-2_zS78dgq447wbMKpOo6XMYqZh4DRrLq76m-wYPmLRW2__qVaThkBoCZRakcgTE4exItm8pT9MeuNvM7Wxgw1qqGsWC86yjn2FSh9WQ2/s1600/Spaniel+lick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNRIsvzAZDkI4ndTt5sAIgpvKSMBKMIJLxCh-2_zS78dgq447wbMKpOo6XMYqZh4DRrLq76m-wYPmLRW2__qVaThkBoCZRakcgTE4exItm8pT9MeuNvM7Wxgw1qqGsWC86yjn2FSh9WQ2/s320/Spaniel+lick.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">By </span><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=503" rel="me" style="background-color: white; color: #3db2d5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: initial;">Tina Phillips</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">, published on 10 August 2012</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;">Stock photo - image ID: 10095988</span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3><b>Dogs Eating Dirt For Missing Nutrients</b></h3>Soil contains many trace elements and nutrients that are not readily available in packaged foods; clay eaters may be seeking minerals that their normal diet is lacking.  In fact, geophagia in expectant human mothers in Nigeria (an area low in available calcium) is a centuries-old indicator of pregnancy.  In other regions of Africa, where calcium is readily available, clay eating is not particularly prevalent among expecting mothers. Perhaps the pregnant, clay-eating women in Nigeria and other regions of the world are adding calcium, sodium and iron to supplement their diets for their developing fetus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>Clay Eating For Relief of Digestive Upset</b></h3>For centuries man has used clay minerals to relieve vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upset.  In fact, Kaopectate, a remedy for relief of gas, bloat and diarrhea, was originally formulated with Kaolin, a clay mineral.  Ironically, clay can also contain parasites, which may create a vicious circle.  The dog eats clay to alleviate the discomfort created by the parasites, while ultimately re-infecting himself with greater numbers of parasites.  It’s a good idea to get a stool sample to the vet if your dogs is eating a lot of clay to rule out parasitic infestations.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><h3><b>People and Dogs Eat Dirt to Detoxify?</b></h3>Clay has long been considered a detoxifier. The Mesopotamians and ancient Egyptians used mud as a treatment for wounds and to treat various digestive ailments.  Today spas worldwide offer mud baths as a path to detoxification.  As kaolin and other clay minerals have the ability to bind toxins and remove them from the system, this motive for clay eating has now moved to the forefront of scientific research.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Returning to the subject of pregnant clay eaters, women across Sub-Saharan regions and the Southern United States have consumed clay to alleviate morning sickness.  It has been proposed that morning sickness is actually the body's attempt to remove toxins from the system.  Even pregnant fruit bats increase their daily diet of clay.  It is surmised that as they increase their diet of fruit as well as fruit seeds, which contain toxic properties, they are using the clay to remove the additional toxins from their bodies. The binding properties of clay may not only be removing toxins from the system; clay possesses the additional ability to bind food born bacteria and viruses that would be harmful to the mother and developing fetus.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ranchers too have long used clay when preparing livestock feed to inhibit toxin transmission. And now a few researchers are now proposing exploiting clay’s pathogen-binding talents to purify water. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dogs eating packaged foods with traces of antibiotics or chemicals remaining in them or grass, weeds and run-off from treated lawns, may be attempting to remove toxins from their systems.  It is likely that geophagia is a specific defense that has evolved across a spectrum of species to combat toxicity and, also ease mineral deficiencies. <br /><br />But, if you’re feeling that old kaolin craving, we suggest you stick with safe commercial products that have been heated or otherwise sterilized.  If you have a favorite dig in your neighborhood, heat the dirt or clay in the over at 200 degrees for atleast 2 hours before consuming it.  That should eliminate most parasites. <i> Bon Apetite!</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/u4NVm_P_JE0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/u4NVm_P_JE0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/u4NVm_P_JE0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Southern Clay - The Difference Between "Ground Dirt" and Tasty Clay</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/A9DOoTqY6Zs/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/A9DOoTqY6Zs&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/A9DOoTqY6Zs&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pregnant Woman Obsessively Craving Dirt to Eat</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><script type="text/javascript"><!-- amazon_ad_tag = "bungonews-20"; amazon_ad_width = "300"; amazon_ad_height = "250";//--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/s/ads.js"></script>

Canine Hip Dysplasia Can Now Be Predicted At Birth By DNA

<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdMyz2PldAXzv5aGum3zUu2gIy5yEYOWEfxtnBh5PYaD83ZznaFlRln7kj_A8dZDfIUisoJCeCmm9DhI442bBhpczMmEbW4xb8ITPk8ZBJhOPzAfPBVp75MwZaUKfs5r8O8W_67YDGK4Z/s1600/origin_3100685891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdMyz2PldAXzv5aGum3zUu2gIy5yEYOWEfxtnBh5PYaD83ZznaFlRln7kj_A8dZDfIUisoJCeCmm9DhI442bBhpczMmEbW4xb8ITPk8ZBJhOPzAfPBVp75MwZaUKfs5r8O8W_67YDGK4Z/s400/origin_3100685891.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dimas_sc/3100685891/</td></tr></tbody></table>A few breeders and I occasionally have a chuckle over the fact that pet buyers seem to be more concerned with knowing hip scores than are most other breeders.  Perhaps the other breeders have already done their homework on the OFA database or our websites; it certainly appears that the puppy buyers have done their homework regarding finding a reputable breeder. Good for them; that’s the kind of home I like <a href="http://www.solarasbordercollies.com/Border_Collie_Puppies.html" target="_blank">my puppies</a> to go to.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Canine Hip Dysplasia is a physically debilitating disorder that is both emotionally and financial draining for dog owners.  With no cure other than pain management or hip replacement surgery, diagnosis of hip dysplasia is the breeder’s as well as the pet owner’s heartbreak.  Stocky breeds such as the Bulldog and those weighing over 60 pounds such as the St. Bernard experience hip dysplasia rates of up to 72% and 46% respectively.  It is estimated by Cornell University that 22% of canine hospitalizations in the USA are hip dysplasia related. Interestingly, the disease’s occurrence is minimal in sight hounds such as the whippet, saluki, borzoi and greyhound with an average occurrence of just 1-2%.  Border collies fall in the middle range of dysplasia occurrence at around 11%.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For over 40 years, breeders have attempted to minimize the occurrence of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) through the use of phenotypical screening methods.   As a predictive method for removing poor breeding candidates from their breeding programs, responsible breeders have submitted x-rays of mature dogs for hip scoring to institutions such as the OFA, BVA, FCI and University of Pennsylvannia seeking to determine the laxity of the hip joint, and therefore the likelihood of the animal developing CHD as a trait that might be passed on to its progeny.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Various studies of the efficacy of these screening programs have met with mixed results.  Some studies show little to no improvement in the occurrence of CHD. Even in countries, such as Finland, where an enforced threshold of hip scores was applied to registrations, results were varied across breeds, with some breeds demonstrating a lower incidence of CHD and others showing an actual increase in CHD.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Canine hip dysplasia is understood to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.  As a polygenetic mode of inheritance has long been suspected, attempts to isolate the genetics of the disease have long been frustrated.  Breeders seeking to improve their lines and their breed have been marginally successful as a whole, despite their best efforts.  Forty years of breeders’ best efforts may call into question the scoring methodologies of the various institutions.  <br /><a name='more'></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>OFA vs. PennHIP</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">OFA uses a single radiographic view, the hip-extended view, to determine laxity of the hip joint (a predictive measure of the likelihood of developing CHD).  By contrast, the PennHIP method uses 3 radiographic views (the distraction view, the compression view and the hip-extended view) to determine the laxity of the joint.  A study released in 2010 by the University of Pennsylvania <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">(http://webcanine.com/2010/canine-hip-dysplasia-may-be-underreported/)</span>, compared results from dogs scored by both OFA and PennHIP to determine the likelihood of CHD onset. Their findings were disturbing. According to Penn researchers, “Even if breeders were to selectively breed only those dogs having OFA-rated “excellent” hips — the highest ranking but in some breeds, a very small gene pool, the study suggests that 52-100 percent of the progeny, depending on breed, would be susceptible to hip dysplasia based on the Penn Vet scoring method.”  In fact 52% of the dogs with OFA “excellent” scores, 82% of the OFA “good” scores and 95% of the OFA “fair” scores fell below the PennHIP threshold of.3, making them by PennHIP standards susceptible to CHD. (It should be noted that the University of Pennsylvania holds the patent for the PennHIP test, and a financial incentive could exist in their findings).  Could the PennHIP method provide the key to a significant reduction in incidence of CHD?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">PennHIP allows for early testing of puppies; they may be tested as early as sixteen weeks, which is still well beyond the typical puppy placement age of around 8 weeks. By contrast, OFA scores may not be obtained until the dog has reached 2 years of age.  As 3 x-ray views are required for the PennHIP testing method, depending on your area of the country, the cost can be substantially greater than OFA testing.  Additionally, the PennHIP method does not currently have the same recognition international as the OFA methodology.  What if a genetic test existed that could predict the likelihood of developing CHD?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Genetic Testing</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Wx5HSomQCOIaw9-qzps0JWxXIAjIAiLtHSz-LbfhYzc1Sfoi3lLUP8SexjKxrb4HMjy_aEZg5Fu2b4fnBGSwbS4zBxpc_pRKRuufDt8ck8MNFYyu-yNVhLbd5Ec8yPRRvn_7kvywmWPo/s1600/_TWO8578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Wx5HSomQCOIaw9-qzps0JWxXIAjIAiLtHSz-LbfhYzc1Sfoi3lLUP8SexjKxrb4HMjy_aEZg5Fu2b4fnBGSwbS4zBxpc_pRKRuufDt8ck8MNFYyu-yNVhLbd5Ec8yPRRvn_7kvywmWPo/s320/_TWO8578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.genome.gov/12511476" target="_blank">The canine genome projec</a>t, begun in June 2003, determined that the canine genome contains approximately 2.5 billion DNA pairs, much like that of humans and other mammals.  In 2004, a preliminary set of about 600,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which amounts to a SNP roughly every 5,000 DNA base pairs, was released to researchers to aid in the study of genetically transmitted diseases and disorders. Armed with this massive amount of data, researchers at the <a href="http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/articles/PMC3065507/" target="_blank">Department of Animal Science, China Agricultural University,Beijing, China</a> <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;"> </span>developed an algorithm that accurately predicts CHD from genomic data.  This means that puppies can be tested prior to weaning, in fact as soon as DNA is available, allowing for poor breeding prospects to be petted-out well before maturity.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Beijing researchers’ model was based on 359 dogs in the first sample and 38 dogs in the second sample.  The dogs whose results were used in the study came from the Baker Institute, The Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Cornell University Hospital for Animals (as the 38 dog control group).</div><div class="MsoNormal">They began by developing an Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) of each of the dogs based on 4 criteria: the dog’s Norberg Angle (NA), OFA score, the distraction index (DI) and the dorsolateral subluxation score (DLS). The former two are evaluated from the extended hip projection and are phenotypically as well as genetically correlated while the latter two are evaluated on different x-ray views and are also phenotypically and genetically correlated. It is interesting to note that the researchers believed that no measure alone completely represents hip morphology. In fact, their methodology was the similar to that of the PennHIP with the OFA score thrown in for good measure.  In the final analysis, the Norberg angle (NA) correlated to the OFA score and as most dogs had NAs measured, NA was chosen for this study to determine the EBV. The researchers then used 22,000 SNP’s across the genome and the EBV of the sample dogs to produce the predictive formula, an algorithm, termed the Genomic Breeding Value (GBV).  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Validation of the Formula Methodology:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The researchers performed two types of validations consisting of a cross validation and an independent validation. For the cross validation they used a Jackknife Cross Validation.  This consisted of hiding the dog’s EBV and removing its GBV from the dataset used to create the original predictive formula. The formula was then recalculated by using the EBV and genotype from the other 358 dogs in the study. This process was repeated for each of the 359 dogs. The cross validation performed showed a strong correlation (R>0.7) above 70% between the EBV (phenotype) and the GBV (genetic). </div><div class="MsoNormal">To develop the independent validation, the GBV formula was applied to 38 Labrador retriever dogs with no pedigree relationship to the original 359 dogs from which the GBV formula was derived. Correlations between the predicted GBV and the actual EBV (the physical conformation of the dog) were compared.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Results:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">When 5,000 SNPs out of the original 22,000 SNPs remained in the formula, the correlation was remarkable, above 0.98 or 98%. The researchers then identified the 100-500 most influential SNPs that had provided the most information to the GBV formula. The reduced number of SNPs showed that genomic prediction could remain effective with the most influential 100-500 SNPs chosen from the original 22,000SNPs.  However, as the number of SNPs in the reference panel dropped below 50, the formula became significantly less reliable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/articles/PMC3065507/" target="_blank">The Beijing researchers</a> expect that a reliable GBV predictive formula for hip conformation will be available for most breeds of interest, “Prediction of CHD from genomic data is feasible, and can be applied for risk management of CHD and early selection for genetic improvement to reduce the prevalence of CHD in breeding programs. The prediction can be implemented before maturity, at which age current radiographic screening programs are traditionally applied, and as soon as DNA is available.” However, phenotypical testing (hip x-ray grading) will continue to be necessary in order to retrain the GBV predictive formula, and thereby refine the accuracy of the genomic predictive model. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">While the majority of the 359 dogs used in the study were Labrador retrievers and Lab crosses with Greyhounds, other minor breeds’ hip morphologies were also well predicted by the GBV formula. Therefore, we can expect that multiple breeds will be able to be integrated together into a single genetic test, even though they are from diversified phenotypic and genotypic populations. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOHEDG0R1nMBAq3G8SHWoMuk6jLxV2LasB_7kKPdARIGo8Z-thdQKUnAtbhMXSyBfs0wd4wEL2MheQn3W222tOGmCG02yGsJcybxOZF-X8NXoA0cRf54cVyLuYSqgwj0_CuIs-ZqmwYDD/s1600/_TWO8581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOHEDG0R1nMBAq3G8SHWoMuk6jLxV2LasB_7kKPdARIGo8Z-thdQKUnAtbhMXSyBfs0wd4wEL2MheQn3W222tOGmCG02yGsJcybxOZF-X8NXoA0cRf54cVyLuYSqgwj0_CuIs-ZqmwYDD/s320/_TWO8581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Implications:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The possibility of a genetic test for predicting CHD in young puppies raises some interesting ethical questions.  Puppies genetically predisposed to CHD should be removed from breeding programs, but where do they go?  What are the ethics of breeders presenting puppies to pet puppy buyers knowing that they have a strong likelihood (70% or greater) of developing CHD?  Additionally, if the genetic statistics correspond with those of the University of Pennsylvania survey, we are left with a very small gene pool in many breeds.  Add to that other genetic disorders being researched, such as cancer and breed specific issues, and the gene pool of good breeding candidates is likely to grow even smaller.  Relying on a substantially reduced gene pool could have unintended consequences.  Recessive, genetic “trash” could manifest into new, more terrifying health issues.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">These are all questions that are sure to be discussed heatedly as understanding of the canine genome progresses. Once these tests are available to the public, they will have to be financially feasible in order to effectively make an impact on breeding programs.  As we approach this new era in breeding prospect selectivity, perhaps a stepped approach to improving breeding prospects is in order.  Under this approach, initially breeders would breed one dog with a relatively high EBV and GBV to one with a moderate EBV and GBV, and seek to improve the GBV threshold for the sire or dam on each successive generation.  This would be a measured approach, however canine generations evolve very quickly – every 2 years compared with 20 years in humans.  Your thoughts and comments are welcomed!<br /><br />photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dimas_sc/3100685891/">Dimas_</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a></div>

Canine Comprehension: How Dogs Learn The Meaning Of Words

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMyjcsZJtqO4dprbtQNNzwwzQTFVdpGGYL-qli5OMZvFjlnYfZEbRpVAjjHyZYtfLR7wCeF8SRzlhSbbqR531mxamllRdSWDrBRV6oARHjeIeEj5zRiDPC-EPnkrT_0ovvczaPsxO-_Ec/s1600/Smitty+park+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMyjcsZJtqO4dprbtQNNzwwzQTFVdpGGYL-qli5OMZvFjlnYfZEbRpVAjjHyZYtfLR7wCeF8SRzlhSbbqR531mxamllRdSWDrBRV6oARHjeIeEj5zRiDPC-EPnkrT_0ovvczaPsxO-_Ec/s320/Smitty+park+crop.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The average dog can learn as many as 150 words, a fairly substantial vocabulary beyond sit, stay and come. Research with several border collies has brought those vocabulary numbers up beyond 400 words, and a border collie named Chaser has learned the names of 1022 objects, which he can differentiate and fetch on command.  There appears to be no upper limit in Chaser's vocabulary lessons, as he continues to add words to his lexicon.</div><br />In the wake of such impressive results, researchers Emile van der Zee, Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills sought to determine the presence of a key feature of human word comprehension in canine learning. In the research article, <i>Word Generalization by a Dog (Canis familiaris): Is Shape Important?,</i> the researchers sought to determine if shape bias existed in dogs as it does in humans.<br /><br />Experiments with human 2 year olds, have shown a "shape bias" exists in the learning of new words.  Simply put, once the child associates a name with an object, it then generalizes the shape of that object to other objects with the same shape.  For example, a child taught the word ball, when presented with a group of new objects, will seek other spherical shapes regardless of their size and texture.  Children associate ball with round; do dogs learn the same way?<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Using a 5 year old border collie named Gable, the researchers used random words, such as DAX or GNARK to create a word association with an object.  Once the word-object association was made, researchers began to replace the familiar object with new object choices.  When presented with new objects to retrieve, Gable sought objects that were similar in size to the original object, without regard to the shape of the object.  As Gable became more familiar with the word-object mapping, he replaced the size preference with an association of similar texture of the object. As Gable better understood the word-object relationship, he relied on how the object felt in his mouth to determine the best choice for retrieval.<br /><br />I am reminded of a scene in the film, <i>Best In Show</i>, when the toy, Busy Bee, goes missing.  The pet shop owner offers up a toy similar in size and shape to the panicked dog owner.  She rejects the new toy as it is obviously not a bee, but is instead a fish.  The pet shop owner tries to convince her to purchase the toy stating, "I think the dog is responding to the shape and strips on the toy."  Yes and no. The dog would respond to the similar size and plush material, but not the stripes or shape of the toy.<br /><br />As a practical application of the research, those of you needing to replace a treasured toy should seek toys of similar size, texture and firmness.  Ultimately, the dog is responding to how the toy feels in his mouth.<br /><br />How this research applies to dog training is an interesting question.  Vision is the primary sense of humans.  Therefore it makes sense that we would rely on object shape in determining associations.  Scent is the primary sense of dogs, hearing is secondary and sight tertiary; scent and sound were not presented as  differentiating factors for Gable.<br /><br />In real world dog training, scent and sound are both factors in our dog's learning.  The smell and sound of treats and objects are likely to be confounding factors for our dogs, unnoticed by humans in our sight driven world.  If you find yourself experiencing a brick wall in your training, if your dog seems to be stubbornly missing the point, consider that he may be responding to another aspect of the situation.  He may have made an association that seems correct to him based on scent or sound.  When you seem not to be on the same page, take a broader view of the situation, and perhaps change objects or locations.<br /><br />Click here to review the research article <i><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0049382" target="_blank">Word Generalization by a Dog (Canis familiaris): Is Shape Important?</a>  </i>The online article at PLOS One also includes videos of Gable's training sessions.  Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- amazon_ad_tag = "bungonews-20"; amazon_ad_width = "300"; amazon_ad_height = "250";//--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/s/ads.js"></script>

UGA Researchers' Findings: Canine Parainfluenza Virus leads to Breakthroughs in Human Vaccines

<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Mighty dogs to the rescue. Once again, our canine companions are assisting in providing invaluable medical advances to mankind.  Previous studies have shown that dogs can detect early stages of cancer as well as super bug infections in patients with hospital acquired infections. Now comes another gift from Man's Best Friend!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 19px;">Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that a virus commonly found in dogs, the parainfluenza virus (PIV5), could serve as the foundation for the next great breakthrough in human vaccine development. </span><span style="line-height: 15px;">PIV5, which does not cause disease in humans</span><span style="line-height: 15px;">, contributes to upper respiratory infections in dogs, and therefore is  targeted in many canine vaccines.  As the virus does not affect humans, researchers turned their eyes towards it as a potential delivery mechanism for human </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">vaccines against</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"> diseases that have previously alluded  development.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Science has successfully used viruses to create vaccines in the past, although for some perilous pathogens it has been difficult develop an effective vaccine.  Such pathogens include most notably HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. The researchers at UGA have found that by placing antigens from other viruses or parasites inside PIV5, it effectively becomes a delivery vehicle that exposes the human immune system to specific pathogens, which in turn allows our immune systems to create the antibodies that protect against future infection.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 15px;">Said Biao He, Professor of Infectious Disease at UGA's College of Veterinary Medicine and lead researcher,  "We can use this virus as a vector for all kinds of pathogens that are difficult to vaccinate against.  We have developed a very strong H5N1 flu vaccine with this technique, but we are also working on vaccines for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria."</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>This technique ensures full exposure to the vaccine, and is much safer, as it does not require the use of attenuated, or weakened, pathogens. Using this approach, an HIV vaccine delivered by PIV5 would contain only those parts of the HIV virus necessary to create immunity, making it impossible to contract the disease from the vaccine.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is estimated that 34 million people worldwide are infected with the HIV virus, with 3.3 million of them under the age of 15.  The leading cause of death for people living with HIV is tuberculosis.  These exciting findings bring new hope to areas of the world lacking the educational resources to help combat the spread of these diseases.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />To learn more about the study click here to visit <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121127111350.htm" target="_blank">Science Daily.com's article.</a></span><script type="text/javascript"><!-- amazon_ad_tag = "bungonews-20"; amazon_ad_width = "300"; amazon_ad_height = "250";//--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/s/ads.js"></script>