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Need To Know: Disc Disease and Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs

By:  Dr. Ed Darrin, Board Certified Veterinary Neurologist at CARES
Langhorne, PA
www.vetcares.com
www.Facebook.com/CARESvet

Spinal cord injuries are common in dogs, and the most common type of spinal cord injury is a disc herniation.  Disc herniations can cause anything from minor discomfort to complete paralysis.  Rapid detection and treatment are often the difference between a full recovery and permanent damage.

As a pet owner, it is important to be able to recognize signs of a disc herniation or other spinal cord injury. Following are some common signs:

●    Arching of the back

●    Holding the neck stiff or refusal to turn or lift the head

●    Weakness of the legs (most often the hind legs, but any combination is possible)

●    Loss of coordination—dragging feet, walking on the knuckles, crossing the feet over, acting “drunk”

●    Holding a leg up in the air

●    Muscle spasms along the back, neck, or shoulders

●    Pain when touching along the back or neck

If you see any of these signs, your dog should be examined by a vet immediately.  Early signs of pain can progress to become worse injuries.  Any loss of function in the legs (loss of strength or coordination) should be treated as a true emergency, and you should try to take your dog to an emergency clinic if your primary vet is unavailable.  IF YOUR DOG HAS SIGNS OF A SPINAL CORD INJURY, IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO WAIT.

If your vet suspects a spinal cord injury, they may prescribe anti-inflammatory or pain medication, or they may suggest advanced testing and treatment, depending on the severity of signs.

For severe disc problems, specialty care is necessary for the best chance of recovery.  Advanced imaging, such as MRI, can be used to diagnose the problem, and the most serious cases require spinal surgery.  Primary care veterinarians will typically refer you to a board-certified veterinary neurologist for such procedures.  A specialist can work with you and your vet to provide the best possible care for your pet.

CARES Internal Medicine Service Offers Extended Hours

April 2012

The Internal Medicine Service at CARES is pleased to announce extended hours for new consultations!  In addition to providing Internal Medicine services during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, Dr. Murray and Dr. Adler are now available Tuesday and Thursday evenings and two Saturdays per month.  We hope that these extended hours will provide your clients with greater flexibility and convenience.  Appointments can be scheduled with our friendly reception staff.  As always, your phone calls with any questions are welcome!

CARES Teams with Penn For Osteosarcoma Vaccine Study – Patients Needed

March 20, 2012

Osteosarcoma Vaccine Study

Evaluation of a new cancer vaccine to stimulate anti-tumor immunity and prolong survival times in dogs with osteosarcoma

CARES is excited to announce that it is teaming with the University of Pennsylvania for an exciting new study into the treatment of canine osteosarcoma.  The study will combine the standard of care treatment (amputation and chemotherapy) with the addition of immunotherapy using a novel cancer vaccine.  You are welcome to contact the Oncology or Surgical Service to discuss the study or have the owners come for a consultation with their pet.

Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is most commonly seen in large and giant breed dogs.  It is an aggressive cancer and despite amputation and chemotherapy many dogs will die from their cancer that spreads to the lungs. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a new biologic (vaccine) can 1) stimulate the immune system to attack tumor cells that may remain after amputation and chemotherapy and 2) prolong survival in dogs with osteosarcoma of their long bones.

The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine is conducting a pilot phase I dose escalation study to determine the dose of a L. monocytogenes expressing huHer-2/neu recombinant vaccine that can effectively stimulate an immune response against the tumor  and prolong survival in dogs with osteosarcoma. Only those dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of osteosarcoma by histopathology (either prior to or following amputation) and who have undergone standard of care limb amputation and chemotherapy (4 doses of carboplatin) will be eligible for inclusion in the study. Only those patients whose tumors express the target Her-2/neu will be eligible for inclusion in this study.

At enrollment (3 weeks following the last dose of carboplatin chemotherapy), all eligible dogs will receive basic clinical laboratory tests including bloodwork and urinalysis and a baseline evaluation of cardiac function by echocardiography.  Chest radiographs will be taken to determine whether cancer has spread to the lungs (metastases). Only dogs with no evidence metastases will be eligible for inclusion in the study.  At the time of enrollment, a blood sample will be taken to assess immune function and baseline levels of anti-tumor immunity.

All dogs will be vaccinated at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennyslvania using a L. monocytogenes expressing huHer-2/neu recombinant vaccine; there is no placebo group. The first vaccine will be given three weeks after the last dose of carboplatin chemotherapy. Patients will receive a total of 3 vaccines given three weeks apart. Patients will stay in the hospital for 48 hours following vaccine administration for observation and bloodwork.

Benefits:

  • Complete staging of disease at the time of enrollment  (blood work, urinalysis, immune function assessment, chest x-rays, cardiac evaluation)
  • Three Listeria monocytogenes vaccines
  • Hospitalization for observation
  • Blood work, urinalysis and cardiac evaluation every three weeks for a total of 9 weeks
  • Routine staging every 2 months following last vaccine administration (blood work, urinalysis, immune assessment, chest radiographs, cardiac evaluation)
  • Four doses of carboplatin chemotherapy for dog’s whose tumors expresses Her-2/neu and who are eligible for inclusion in the study

There is no cost to participate in this study.  The cost of carboplatin will be covered for the eligible patients who enroll.   Initial diagnosis, amputation and related charges are not covered by the study.

Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CARESvet

Visit CARES This Weekend – Sept. 24-25

September, 2011

Come visit CARES at two great events this weekend.  On Saturday we’ll be at the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Pet Expo at Mercer County Waterfront Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  On Sunday we’ll be at Paws in the Park 2011 – Take a Bite Out of Canine Cancer.  That takes place at Neshaminy State Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Hope to see you there!

The Cancer Center at CARES Participates In Sarcoma Clinical Trial

The Cancer Center at CARES is now participating in a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel medication designed to improve the quality of life of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.   The study medication being evaluated has been tested in previous studies and found to be safe in canine cancer patients at the doses administered in the current study.

To qualify for the study,

(1)    Patients must be dogs that have a confirmed diagnosis of sarcoma.  This includes tumor types such as hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and histiocytic sarcoma.

(2)    Patient should not have prior chemotherapy treatment within the past 2-4 weeks.

(3)    Treatment recommendations must include Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) chemotherapy treatment given once every 2 weeks for at least 4 treatments.

(4)    Patients must be healthy enough to undergo treatment.

Owners must be willing and able to

(1)    Understand and sign the informed consent.

(2)    Bring their pets to CARES for treatment appointments for approximately 10 weeks.

(3)    Give oral medications at home as per the study schedule.

(4)    Maintain a daily quality of life journal provided by the study.

Benefits of participation in the trial include financial compensation up to $690, standard-of-care treatment provided to the patient, the potential of benefit from the drug being evaluated, and the opportunity to improve the lives of future cancer patients who will benefit from the knowledge gained by this study.

To schedule an appointment to discuss participation and determine whether your pet qualifies, please call (215) 750-2774.

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2010 Cabot Blvd. West, Suite D | Langhorne, PA 19047 | 215.750.2774 | Fax: 215.750.3623

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