The Petsecure Holiday Gift Giveaway continues with MORE uniquely designed Petsecure Gifts for you an your family!
Today's giveaway are Holiday Cards! Choose from Husky Holiday, Purrfect Package or Ruff n' Tumble Happy Holidays!
Click on the images below, print out your cards and give them to family and friends! These holiday cards are sure to bring a warm smile to on cold day!
|
|
|
|
Check back tomorrow for another surprise giveaway!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Petsecure Holiday Gift Giveaway continues…
Today’s Holiday Gift Giveaway is Petsecure designed Ornaments! his one's a great activity with the kids!
Click on the image below. Print out your Petsecure designed ornaments. Colour them, cut them out and, using ribbon, hang them from your tree!
Check back tomorrow for another great Petsecure Gift Giveaway!
Our Petsecure Holiday Gift Giveaway continues…
Today’s Holiday Gift Giveaway is Petsecure designed Gift Tags!
Cut them out and attach them to all your gifts! Your loved ones will be pleased to have these beautiful accents on their gifts!
Check back on Monday for your next free Holiday Gift Giveaway!
From December 1st - 23rd (Mon-Fri only), we'll be giving away some great uniquely designed Petsecure holiday gifts to help you and your family prepare for the holidays!
Today's holiday gift giveaway is our Holiday Themed Desktop Wallpapers for free download! Choose from 3 styles - Blizzard Buddies, Purrfect Package and Petsecure's very own Ruff n' Tumble Ready for the Holidays!
|
|
|
|
Check back tomorrow for another Petsecure Holiday Giveaway!
No two canine cancer patients look alike. Dogs can have benign tumours requiring only surgical removal for complete recovery. They can have devastating malignancies that have no known cure. Oncology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the study of cancer. Veterinary medicine is making new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in pets. Lymphosarcoma (lymphoma, LSA) and osteosarcoma (OSA) are two cancers commonly seen in dogs.
Lymphosarcoma
Lymphocytes are white blood cells which normally play a vital role in the immune system and fighting infection. Lymphosarcoma or lymphoma refers to a type of tumour where lymphocytes proliferate in a cancerous manner. These abnormal cells may invade anywhere in the body but are typically found in lymph nodes, the spleen, the liver, the gastrointestinal system, or the skin. Many dogs are initially brought into the veterinarian for swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck area. These swellings are generally non-painful and patients may not show any other signs of illness in the early stages.
Lymphosarcoma is not considered to spread or metastasize because the lymphocytes are normally present in virtually all organs of the body. A patient’s prognosis and treatment plan is based on the stage of LSA as assessed by physical examination, blood tests, lymph node aspirate or biopsy, x-rays, ultrasound, and bone marrow aspirate. Special tests can be performed to determine whether B-cell lymphocytes or T-cell lymphocytes are the predominate cell-type present. B-cell forms may have a better prognosis, although treatment protocols are similar.
Staging of Lymphosarcoma
Stage I: single lymph node enlarged
Stage II: multiple nodes enlarged on either the front half or back half of the body
Stage III: multiple nodes enlarged on both front and back halves of body
Stage IV: involvement of the liver and/or spleen
Stage V: bone marrow involvement, or involvement of other organs (e.g. gastrointestinal, skin, nervous system)
Each numbered stage can be further divided into substages, of which there are two: A and B. Patients with substage A feel well while patients with substage B are ill.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for lymphosarcoma. Some protocols use several medications scheduled over a number weeks while other protocols use a single agent over a specific time period. A veterinarian will decide which protocol to use in an individual patient based on the wellness of the dog at the start of the treatment, actual staging, the pet parent’s own philosophy about therapy and cost. Chemotherapy drugs can be expensive, and protocols require patients to be hospitalized for IVs and monitoring-just like in people.
The goal of chemotherapy in dogs is somewhat different than the goal in people. We want our pets to have a reduction in clinical symptoms in order to have an improved quality of life and, hopefully, have the disease go into remission. Veterinarians use lower doses of chemotherapy in our patients, and so fewer dogs will show significant or lasting side effects. Lymphosarcoma is generally not considered a curable disease in canine patients, but most dogs will have initial remission times of 6-9 months. With subsequent chemotherapy, we expect the remission times to be shorter. Many dogs will survive over 12 months.
Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumour in dogs causing approximately 85% of tumours in the skeleton. There is an old adage that suggests these tumours occur away from the elbow and toward the knee, but OSA can occur in any bone. Osteosarcoma is usually seen in mature adult or elderly dogs, but the large and giant-breeds may tend to develop tumours at younger ages.
The tumour arises deep in the affected bone and progressively destroys the normal bone from the inside out. As the tumour grows, the area becomes painful. In older dogs, OSA may be mistaken for arthritis in the early stages. Over a few months, these dogs become more lame due to microscopic fractures in the bone and swelling of tissue. Depending on the location of the tumour, a swelling or lump may be seen in affected leg. In certain forms of OSA, the lameness appears to occur quite suddenly, possibly because of fractures associated with the weakened bone. Any change in gait or pain associated with the limbs in large or giant-breed dogs that does not resolve with symptomatic treatment needs to be investigated by your veterinarian.
Osteosarcoma is known to spread or metastasize to other organs, often the lungs, in the majority of dogs. Most dogs (over 90%) are considered to have metastasis at the time of diagnosis even when the signs are not clinically apparent. Osteosarcoma is diagnosed based on clinical examination, x-rays, blood tests, and lymph node sampling.
Treatment
When we treat OSA, veterinarians looking to improve the quality of life (relieve pain) and increase lifespan. Amputation to remove the primary tumour and chemotherapy to control the metastatic disease are the best options to achieve these goals. While the prospect of amputation can be quite difficult for a pet parent, most dogs without problems like arthritis do very well. Limb sparing treatments can be considered when the tumour is located near the wrist. Palliative treatments with pain relief medications, drugs aimed at slowing down bone break down, and even radiation therapy are available to the veterinary patient. Gene-therapy trials suggest future promise in OSA treatment. Veterinarians and pet parents need to establish a frank dialogue about the prognosis for quality of life and lifespan, potential complications, and costs of therapy to ensure that the therapeutic plan takes into account the best interests of the dog.
The prognosis for dogs treated with amputation or limb-sparing surgery and treated with chemotherapy is fair to good. Approximately 50% of dogs will be alive at one year after diagnosis; approximately 25% of dogs will be alive two years after diagnosis, and occasionally dogs will be cured. Dogs treated with amputation alone have an average lifespan of 6 months before complications of the local tumour or metastatic disease are fatal or result in euthanasia.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among mature pets. Tumours may affect any part of the body, and regular physical examinations by your veterinarian are the key to early intervention in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Please remember that while statistics in the above article may be useful, they will not be able to predict how an individual patient will respond to any specific therapeutic regimen.
Help Petsecure ‘FURther the Fight’. For every new Facebook friend or Twitter follower, Petsecure will donate $1. to the Ontario Vet College Pet Trust Fund towards pet cancer research.
For more information about pet cancer, visit: www.petsecure.com/pcam
Dr. Colleen Skavinsky,Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr. Colleen Skavinsky keeps Petsecure pet insurance connected to vet practices and the vet community. Her wealth of knowledge helps Petsecure pet insurance with products, ongoing claims and advice to members.
Here's what a Petsecure pet parent wants to know...
I have a 2 year old Ridgeback with a calcium build up on his spine neck/shoulder area. We’re looking into rehab, do you have any suggestions? Will he ever be the dog he used to be?
Dr. Skavinsky says: My thoughts are with you and your big guy. Cervical spondylolisthesis is one of a multitude of names given to a syndrome where the spinal cord is compressed because of instability in the vertebral column at the level of the neck. There are several variations and conformations which result in similar symptoms. The condition is also known as Wobbler Syndrome because affected patients tend to have an awkward swaying movement in their hindquarters when they walk. The signs are generally progressive to some degree, and some dogs will eventually become paralyzed in all four limbs. A complete physical examination and x-rays can result in a strong suspicion of the syndrome, but myelography and MRIs (both specialized tests that assess the actual spinal cord) are required to diagnose and evaluate the individual patient most completely.
Progression of the disease can take months or years, and some dogs do remarkably well for some time. Depending on your own dog’s condition, there are medical and surgical therapies than may be beneficial. Where indicated, your veterinarian will be able to guide you through any alternative therapies or rehabilitation that may also help your dog. Because his condition involves instability within the spine, you want to be very cautious regarding exercise and physiotherapy. We don’t want to make his situation worse than it already is.
Have a question for Dr. Skavinsky? Email us wat askavet@petsecure.com and your question could be featured in our next Ask-A-Vet blog.
How did you pick your veterinarian? I write quite frequently about the importance of the veterinarian-client-pet relationship. I strongly believe you and your veterinarian should have a similar commitment to care for your cats and dogs. I have a few suggestions to offer in helping find the right doctor for your pet family.
The relationship with the right veterinarian can span years. You and your pet deserve to find that perfect connection in order to give him or her the healthiest, happiest life possible.
Have your pet health questions answered by our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Colleen Skavinsky. She keeps Petsecure pet insurance connected to vet practices and the vet community. Her wealth of knowledge helps Petsecure pet insurance with products, ongoing claims and advice to members.
Send your pet health questions or concerns to Dr. Skavinsky at askavet@petsecure.com
Happy Thanksgiving! I love this time of year when I can share the blessings of my life with family and friends. Did I mention how much I enjoy the aromas of a roasting turkey and baking pumpkin pie and the eating of all those goodies that weigh down the dining room table? Well, I do-almost as much as your family dog or cat!
Keep your pets happy, healthy, and safe during the coming holiday season with these tips:
Dogs and cats do not tolerate foods with a high fat content. You may literally kill a pet with kindness by feeding them turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, and gravy. The digestive system can’t handle the extra fat in these meals and may cause an overload on the pancreas, the organ that secretes the main enzymes for breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. If the pancreas becomes over-taxed, a pet may develop a condition known as pancreatitis. Dogs, in particular, will begin with vomiting and lethargy which can become life-threatening and require intensive veterinary care in severe cases.
Most of us know to keep chocolate and grapes away from our pets, but there are a few other common foods that can be toxic to pets. Never feed your pet raw potatoes which contain solanine, a substance that can cause abnormal heart rhythms and kidney signs if eaten in large enough quantities. Ingestion of onions may cause Heinz body anemia, a disorder where the red blood cells actually rupture inside the blood stream, leading to acute oxygen deprivation within the body. Raw bread dough with actively fermenting yeast can produce alcohol and carbon dioxide within the stomach. In some cases, we will see dogs develop bloat, gastric obstructions, or ethanol toxicoses. Sage is wonderful in turkey stuffing, but the essential oils and resins of some herbs can cause vomiting and diarrhea-and even central nervous depression when eaten in large amounts. Cats are especially prone to these types of effects.
Be on the look-out for table-hoppers and counter-cruisers. Pets jumping up to check out the goodies may inadvertently knock over hot pans and seriously burn themselves.
Family gatherings can be stressful to cats and dogs who aren’t used to a lot of commotion around the house. If your pet is shy around company, keep him or her confined or in a quiet place. Make sure your pet is properly identified with microchip, tattoo, and/or collar tags. You never know when he or she might make an escape attempt between the legs of your eight-year old nephew as he walks through your door. In 2007, the Journal of the American Veterinary Association reported that fewer than half of lost dogs and only one in five lost cats had proper identification when they went missing.
The best treat you can offer to your dog or cat during the holiday season is your affection and your time. Cuddle your cat for a few more minutes at the end of the day or take your dog for an extra trip to the dog park. Your love is always the one thing your pet will be most thankful for on any day of the year.
Get cozy or get in the Hallowe'en spirit this October with Petsecure pet insurance's free desktop wallpapers! Dress up your desktop with these two new styles 'Black Cat' or 'Cozy Dog'!
| 1280x1024 | |
Subscribe by email
