Being prepared for an animal emergency
You’ve just clipped Rover’s nail too short and now it’s bleeding – QUICK – what do you do? Being prepared for emergencies can help save your pet’s life. If you’re struck by a moment of panic when something happens to your pet and you’re not sure what to do, the following advice from Dr. Gretchen Schoeffler, Chief of Emergency and Critical Care at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, may help.
While most injuries should still be looked at by your veterinarian, providing your pet with first aid can increase the chances of speedy recovery. Dr. Schoeffler stresses that one of the most important things you can do is to make sure that you have readily available your pet’s health records and the contact information for your regular veterinarian, an emergency veterinarian to use during off-hours, and an animal poison control hotline. Also, everyone should have a pet first aid kit on hand. This kit may contain many of the same items as your family’s first aid kit. For instance, Dr. Schoeffler recommends the following:
Pet first-aid kit contents
- Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) – to induce vomiting, administer only under direction of veterinarian (stay away from syrup of ipecac unless your veterinarian recommends it).
- Styptic powder or sticks – for toenails that you have over-clipped. It is especially important for minimizing blood loss in birds because even small amounts of blood loss in birds can be fatal.
- Clean towels or bandages – for a temporary fix to stop blood and keep area clean. Dr. Schoeffler cautions against using stretchy material such as ace bandages, which can cut off circulation if wrapped too tightly.
- Neosporin ointment – for scrapes, to be used under the direction of a vet.
- Backboard, wood, door, blanket – to act as a temporary stretcher to transport your pet to a car.
- Scissors – for cutting bandages to size.
- Tweezers – to remove a tick.
- Eyewash (like contact lens wearers use) – if something gets into your pet’s eye, this can be used to flush it out.
- Thermometer – you should have a dedicated thermometer for your pets and a lubricant to ease taking a rectal temperature.
- Plain diphenhydramine tablets (Benadryl) – can be used in dogs that have an allergic reaction, but should only be used as directed by your veterinarian.
- Muzzle – to minimize the risk of being bitten while trying to help an animal that’s in pain.
- Pet carrier – to make sure your pet is safely restrained for transport to the vet.
How do I know when I should immediately take my pet to the veterinarian?
According to Dr. Schoeffler, there are some times when pet owners should immediately seek their veterinarian’s help.
1. Consider your pet’s behavior – is it acting out of character? A dog that’s normally very bright-eyed, active, and alert, but suddenly becomes lethargic should be checked.
2. Consider the severity of the problem – if your pet is suffering from a bite wound, blunt trauma, burns, its heart has stopped, its breathing has stopped, it has collapsed (even if it recovered), or it is choking, you should immediately seek veterinary services.
How do I handle my pet who has just been hurt and is in pain?
“Be very careful around pets that have just suffered trauma and are in shock,” warns Dr. Schoeffler. Pets that are normally very loving may bite out of fear or pain. When readying your pet for transport to the vet, any movement may cause it further pain, and you should muzzle it to minimize the risk of being bitten. You can use a standard muzzle or fashion one out of a clean towel or gauze bandages.
Poison
“Many things that are not fatal to people can be fatal to pets, especially food, plants, and other common household items,” says Dr. Schoeffler. Never administer over-the-counter human medicine to your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, Dr. Schoeffler recommends taking your animal to a veterinarian, along with any containers of the suspected poison or vomit, or calling ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435). She advises that you should always have the container of the suspected poison when calling for advice. ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center charges a consultation fee, but has the world’s largest database of poisonous substances and is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Only induce vomiting when recommended by a veterinarian, as vomiting is contraindicated in certain circumstances.
Common household items that can be toxic for your pet, according to Dr. Schoeffler
- Anti-freeze – actually it’s the ethylene glycol that is toxic and usually fatal to all pets if not treated immediately. Some anti-freezes have less toxic substances in them.
- Avocado – toxic to birds
- Chocolate – toxic to dogs and cats
- Coffee – toxic to dogs and cats
- Garlic – toxic to cats (cats are more sensitive to it than dogs)
- Grapes – toxic and potentially fatal in dogs (unknown in cats)
- Lilies – toxic to cats (unknown in dogs)
- Naprosyn (anti-inflammatory drug) – toxic to dogs and cats
- Onions – toxic to cats (who are more sensitive to it than dogs)
- Pennies minted after 1984 – toxic and potentially fatal in dogs and cats due to the high levels of zinc contained within them
- Potpourri oils/essential oils – toxic to dogs and cats
- Tylenol – toxic and potentially fatal in cats (dogs may tolerate low doses but cats are more sensitive)
- Raisins – toxic in dogs (unknown in cats)
- Xylitol – toxic in dogs (unknown in cats)
Bleeding
According to Dr. Schoeffler, if the amount of blood loss is small, you should be able to take care of it on your own by applying direct pressure to the area with a clean towel for 15 minutes. If the animal is bleeding profusely, you should do the same, but immediately get your pet to the veterinarian, as severe bleeding can be fatal. Many pet owners, especially dog owners clip their pet’s nails. If you cut into the quick, it will cause the nail to start bleeding. Make sure you have a styptic stick or powder nearby to apply directly to where it is bleeding. The nail should stop bleeding within five minutes on its own.
Breathing Difficulty
Any animal exhibiting distress or difficulty breathing should be assessed by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Difficulty breathing is different from noisy breathing. Brachyocephalic breeds (animals with short noses – Bull Dog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Persian cat, etc.) commonly have compressed narrow air passages and long, soft palates which predispose them to breathing problems. Classically, these patients will have noisy or open-mouth breathing, snoring, panting, and exercise intolerance. Environmental factors such as stress, exercise, or extreme temperatures, and some types of systemic disease can intensify the signs associated with this syndrome. Dr. Schoeffler cautions that if you have a brachyocephalic breed and they exhibit noisier breathing than is typical or have any exercise intolerance, do not push them. Minimize stress and exercise and move them to a cool room. If their signs improve, you may be able to wait and talk to your veterinarian about the problem at your earliest convenience; if however, their signs escalate or they show any signs of distress, seek emergency care immediately. Some long-term management options include exercise restriction (especially when it is hot), obesity prevention, and elimination of stress. Treatment of severe cases or a crisis situation may involve hospitalization, oxygen therapy, medications, assistance breathing, and ultimately surgery.
Seizures
When your pet is having a seizure, don’t try to help it, other than making sure that nearby objects can't hurt the pet. Time the length of the seizure and note what you’re seeing so that you can describe the seizure to your vet.
With pet first aid, you might just be able save your pet’s life. Dr. Schoeffler advises, “When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian. You know your pet best. If something doesn’t seem right and you’re concerned, get it checked out.”
The Flea Days of Summer
Summer is now in full swing and so is the war against the tiny, wingless,
blood-eating fleas that make our pets miserable during these hot, humid days.
The flea, while extremely annoying to both pets and humans, is actually quite a
fascinating insect. According to Dr. Allan Paul, a veterinary parasitologist at
the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, the life
cycle of the flea is divided into several stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
The flea's body is flattened slightly to allow it to move between the coarse
fur of a cat or dog with ease. The long, specially adapted legs of a flea allow
it to jump up to 200 times its own body length, making it the best jumper in the
animal kingdom.
Adult fleas will spend the majority of their lives on a host animal if they are
able to find one. Once on the host, an adult female flea can lay up to 50 eggs
per day, or about 2,000 eggs in a lifetime. These eggs will then fall off the
animal and hatch into larvae within a few days.
Thankfully,
preventing and controlling fleas is much easier today than it was a decade ago
as safer, more effective, and easier to use products have become readily
available to the public.
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Dr. Paul explains that these larvae will then develop in the environment,
thriving in warm, moist, dark places like under furniture, decks, and yard
waste. Within 7 to 10 days the flea larvae will form a cocoon, entering the pupa
state. With the proper conditions, the pupa will develop into adults within 1 to
2 weeks.
The pupa is a resilient life stage for the flea and, if conditions including
heat, vibration, and carbon dioxide are not right, the pupa may not emerge from
its cocoon for months. There is no life stage of the flea can survive freezing,
which is why flea populations and infestation problems decline significantly
after the first frost of the year. However, the pupa stage does have the ability
to survive the winter in indoor environments and in areas where freezing and
frost does not occur. This means that pets are susceptible to fleas year round.
"Unfortunately, the hot and humid summer days in the Midwest lend the
ideal conditions for flea development and during the summer the flea life cycle
will take around 28 days to complete," explains Dr. Paul "Thankfully,
preventing and controlling fleas is much easier today than it was a decade ago
as safer, more effective, and easier to use products have become readily
available to the public"
According to Dr. Paul these stand alone topical and oral flea preventatives are
usually enough to stop any flea infestation in its tracks. However, in cases of
heavier infestations your veterinarian may recommend increasing the frequency at
which the preventative is applied or spot treating the areas in your home or
yard where fleas thrive. Dr. Paul also advises that you should never make any
changes to your pet's flea prevention regime without consulting your
veterinarian.
While the majority of the products on the market will work to some degree, not
all flea preventions are created equal, making it best to purchase your flea
preventative from your veterinarian. The products available through a
veterinarian may combine flea prevention with heartworm, tick, intestinal
parasite, or other external parasite preventative medications.
Oftentimes you can simply apply a liquid product or give your pet a chewable
tablet once a month to make sure your pet is protected against fleas and the
plethora of other parasites that may threaten your pet. As always, consult with
your veterinarian to decide which products and control programs are best suited
for your pets.
Sometimes, despite your pet being on the best flea preventative on the market,
fleas may still appear. Dr. Paul explains that if you find yourself in this
situation don't panic. No product on the market is able to kill fleas
instantly. Give your pet's medication some time to work; the fleas that you
might see have likely not bitten your pet yet and will die before laying any
eggs.
"The best way to look for fleas is to check your pet for flea dirt, a
pepper flake-like substance that is actually flea feces," says Dr. Paul.
"The most likely place to find flea dirt is at the base of the tail or any
other area where the animal usually cannot reach to groom."
If you are administering a preventative medication after an infestation has
already occurred, it is important to remember that preventative medications work
best if given before fleas have a chance to jump onto your pet. Once the
medication has time to circulate through your pet's system you should see a
huge difference in the flea population.
Dr. Paul recommends thoroughly washing your pet's bedding and vacuuming
your house, including under and on the furniture and any other area in which
your pet spends a lot of time. This will remove a large portion of the eggs,
larva, and pupa that reside in these areas. Bathing your pet will help to remove
the adult fleas and give your pet some relief until the flea medication has a
chance to take effect.
After the flea problem has been cleared from your pet and home Dr. Paul
recommends that owners should be on the lookout for any sign of an intestinal
parasite called the tapeworm. Some signs of infection include the appearance of
rice-like worm segments in the feces or on the animal, unexplained weight loss,
and lethargy.
Your pet can become infected with this parasite by accidentally ingesting
fleas, which will happen when your pet grooms itself or bites at the fleas. It
is important to remember that the tapeworm is a zoonotic parasite, which means
that the both the two-legged and four-legged members of your family are
susceptible to infection if a flea is accidentally ingested.
If you have any questions about fleas or how to protect your pet against this
pesky parasite, contact your local veterinarian.
Author: Sarah Dowling
Winn Feline Foundation, the only
international charity devoted solely to the advancement of feline
health, has initiated a new “Excellence in Feline Research Award.”
Winn Feline Foundation President Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline),
announces that Dr. Michael Lappin of Colorado State University is the
2009 recipient of this award in recognition of his work in feline
medicine. Dr. Lappin’s research mirrors Winn’s efforts to improve
the lives of “Every Cat, Every Day.”
Dr. Lappin received his DVM from Oklahoma State University in 1981 and
his PhD from the University of Georgia in 1988. He was board-
certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in
1987. He is currently Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at
Colorado State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical
Sciences. Dr. Lappin studies feline infectious and immune-mediated
diseases and has written many primary research manuscripts and book
chapters. His principal areas of interest are prevention of
infectious diseases, vaccine-associated adverse effects, the upper
respiratory disease complex, infectious causes of fever, infectious
causes of diarrhea, and zoonotic diseases of cats.
The Winn Excellence in Feline Research Award is accompanied by a
$2,500 cash award. It is paired with a matching scholarship award by
the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) for a veterinary
student interested in feline medicine. The two awards are designed to
promote and encourage feline health studies by both established
veterinary research scientists and by those entering this field of
study.
Dr. Lappin will be presented with the award at the AVMF Annual
Convention Recognition Event to be held on Sunday, July 12, 2009, in
conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association
Convention in Seattle, WA.
Winn Feline Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation
are pleased to work together in this endeavor to improve and enhance
the lives of “Every Cat, Every Day,” and to recognize those veterinary
students and researchers who share this goal.
The Winn Feline Foundation receives proposals from veterinary researchers around the world who are interested in improving feline health. Out of 36 proposals for 2009, our team of outstanding veterinary consultants helped the Foundation select twelve projects for funding, as well as an additional project approved pending further fund-raising. The Winn Foundation looks forward to seeing the results of these projects and to sharing them with the veterinary community as well as with cat owners and pedigreed cat breeders.
APPROVED PENDING FUNDING
#09-008: SNP analysis in rapidly progressing feline autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease Robert Grahn, PhD; University of California, Davis; $13,557
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in the domestic cat results from a mutation in the gene PKD1. Knowing a cat has this gene does not tell a veterinarian how severe the disease will become or how long the animal will live a comfortable life, however, because other genes influence the progression of the disease. Several of the other genes that contribute to the proliferation of the disease have been identified in humans. These genes have yet to be investigated in the cat. This study will identify mutations that are correlated with severe disease progression. Knowing which genes are affected may impact the course of therapy and will aid in decisions regarding treatment of cats with polycystic kidney disease.
BRIA FUND PROJECTS
09-027: Determining genetic correlates of FIP susceptibility Jacqueline Norris, BVSc, MVS, MASM, PhD; Steven A. Holloway BVSc, MVS, MACVSc, DACVIM, PhD; Craig McLure, BSc, PhD; The University of Sydney, Australia; $12,240
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease of cats involving variants of feline coronavirus, commonly called feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). The disease tends to be sporadic and is more common in certain pedigreed cats and in
ts from multi-cat environments. This study uses molecular biology methods to examine areas of variability in the cat genetic code that may be associated with susceptibility to FIP. In particular, the study will compare genes from cats with FIP to those of older breed-matched cats that have not developed FIP. The genes selected for examination are known to be involved in coronavirus attachment to cells or to form part of the immune response against the virus. The genes have been selected based upon examination of the complete sequence of the feline genome for areas that are likely to be variable between individual cats. In this manner, the investigators can look for genetic differences between cats that develop FIP and those that are resistant. This information will improve understanding of FIP and may provide genetic tests that will assist breeders in avoiding the use of cats with susceptibility to FIP for breeding.
RICKY FUND PROJECTS
09-017: Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: five year outcomes and risk assessment Philip Fox, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DECVIM, DACVECC; The Animal Medical Center; $14,050
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the cat. Nevertheless, its natural history is unresolved, and factors that promote heart failure and cardiac death remain unidentified. Risk factor identification in human HCM patients has greatly improved patient health and survival.
Of particular relevance are positive family history of cardiac morbidity, genetic mutations, presence of cardiac outflow tract obstruction and arrhythmias, and magnitude of ventricular thickening.
This study is the first comprehensive clinical analysis of feline HCM by virtue of evaluating a large population of 1,200 cats to assess risk factors for heart failure and death. The investigators will identify cats that were diagnosed five years ago with asymptomatic and symptomatic forms of HCM, as well as healthy cats that were examined over the same period for comparison. They will prospectively analyze their echocardiograms, review their history and medical record data, and then conduct follow up health surveys with their owners. Results of this study should contribute meaningfully to developing more useful and cost effective disease monitoring, improving treatment strategies, enhancing ability to assess cardiac risk, and improving accuracy for prognosis.
NEW PROJECTS
#09-002: Nutritional adequacy and performance of raw food diets in kittens Beth Hamper, DVM; Claudia Kirk, DVM, PhD, DACVN, DACVIM; Joseph Bartges, DVM, PhD, DACVN, DACVIM; University of Tennessee; $14,878
There are many benefits claimed for feeding raw food diets to cats, including improved immune function. Although 4% of U.S. cat owners feed raw diets as all or part of their cat’s diet, there are no published studies examining whether these diets are complete and balanced for feeding cats or whether immune function is improved in cats on a raw food diet. The goal of this study is to determine whether a commercially produced raw food diet and a homemade raw diet are nutritionally adequate for feedings kittens and whether these diets enhance immune function and improve digestibility. The outcomes to be measured include growth rate, feed efficiency, digestibility, and various blood and immune status parameters. The long term goal is to evaluate ways of improving feline immune function through diet.
#09-009: Linkage disequilibrium in the domestic cat and its breeds Leslie Lyons, PhD; University of California, Davis; $15,000
The cat lifestyle has evolved to be sedentary and indoor, and diabetes, obesity, and asthma are increasing in incidence, becoming chronic health concerns. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is sponsoring a more thorough genome sequencing project for the cat.
Studies to determine the genetic variation within cat breeds have started. This sequencing effort will promote the development of resources (DNA chips) for genetic studies of conditions that are influenced by many genes. To study both simple and complex diseases and traits in cats, DNA chips generally make use of unrelated individuals, known as cases, that have the trait of interest, and unrelated individuals, known as controls, that do not have the trait but otherwise mimic all other aspects of the cases, including age, gender, breed and environment. The number of cases and controls needed for a study is directly correlated to the amount of inbreeding and selection within the cat population that the cases and controls represent. Inbreeding is also considered in developing an efficient DNA chip. The stronger the inbreeding, the fewer cases and controls required, as well as fewer DNA mutations required for an efficient DNA chip. An adequate estimation of inbreeding of cat breeds has not been accomplished. This project will determine the amount of inbreeding in domestic cat breeds and random bred cat populations. This study will provide the necessary background information needed by all researchers to conduct effective case - control studies in all cat populations and help to develop the appropriate and sufficient DNA chip for the cat.
#09-013: Identification of a biomarker for masked renal failure in hyperthyroid cats Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM; Gary Gadbury, PhD; Ruth Welti, PhD; Richard Jeannotte, PhD; Kansas State University; $15,000
Hyperthyroidism is a common ailment of older cats. The presence of hyperthyroidism can make it difficult to determine whether or not a cat has another common ailment, loss of kidney function. One common treatment for hyperthyroidism is radioactive iodine, and the treatment typically includes a weeklong hospital stay. Kidney problems, masked by the hyperthyroid state and discovered only after treatment, may make the cat ill, may require chronic treatment, and can reduce life expectancy. The aim of this project is to discover a measurable component of a hyperthyroid cat’s urine that is associated with hidden kidney failure. To do this, the team will apply mass spectrometry, a technique that is capable of identifying thousands of urine components. The long-term goal is to devise a test to accurately assess the presence of hidden kidney problems in hyperthyroid cats before treatment is undertaken, thus maximizing the chances for a successful outcome.
#09-015: The incretin effect: A potential role for GLP-1 analogues in the treatment of feline diabetes Chen Gilor, DVM, DACVIM; Thomas Graves, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; $12,638
Incretin hormones are secreted from the intestinal tract in response to ingestion of nutrients. They play a major role in augmenting insulin secretion and in controlling blood glucose concentrations after meals in healthy animals. Drugs that mimic the action of incretin hormones are effective in the treatment of diabetes in humans. Little is known about these hormones in cats. This project will measure the physiologic effect of incretin hormones in healthy cats by comparing the effects of oral glucose to intravenous glucose on the secretion of incretin hormones and on the stimulation of insulin secretion. After showing that incretins have a similar biologic effect in cats as in other species, the investigators will study the effect of exenatide on augmentation of insulin secretion.
This drug mimics the effect of the incretin hormone GLP-1, but it is much more resistant to degradation in the body and thus it is long-acting. Exenatide is as effective as insulin in diabetic humans and is associated with fewer side effects. The goal of this study is to generate data to be used as baseline for clinical trials of exenatide in diabetic cats.
#09-022: Prevalence, identity, and antimicrobial susceptibility of enteroadherent Enterococcus spp. infection in kittens with and without diarrhea – A new pathogen?
Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD; North Carolina State University; $14,918 Kitten diarrhea is a frustrating problem for which few causes, and therefore few treatments, have been identified. Although the intestinal tract is well populated by many healthy bacteria, certain strains can adhere to the lining of the intestine and are strongly associated with diarrhea. The investigators have identified five unrelated kittens aged 3-10 weeks with massive numbers of Gram-positive bacteria adhering to the lining of the intestine. Each kitten had died in a shelter or foster care facility. The bacteria were identified as Enterococcus. These bacteria could not be demonstrated in five age-matched kittens euthanized or dying for reasons unrelated to diarrhea. It is suspected that these Enterococcus bacteria are a potentially significant cause or complicating factor for diarrhea in weaning-age kittens. In this study, the investigators aim to determine 1) whether Enterococcus infection is more common in kittens with diarrhea compared with age-matched controls, 2) what specific strain of Enterococcus is responsible for these infections, and 3) what kind of antibiotics are effective against the bacteria.
The relevance of this study is its potential to identify a new bacterial culprit that may cause or significantly contribute to diarrhea, death and euthanasia of weaning-age kittens in shelter or animal control facilities.
#09-028: Cyclosporine blood levels after subcutaneous administration in cats Sandra F. Diaz, DVM, MS; David L. Panciera, DVM, MS, DACVIM; James Blair Meldrum, DVM, PhD; VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; $5,947
Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immune-modulating medication. In veterinary medicine, CsA has been classically used as an immunosuppressive agent in kidney transplantation in cats. More recently, CsA has been reported to be effective for the management of several skin diseases, including allergic skin diseases. Allergy is a chronic, frustrating disease to manage, with few effective treatments available. Although steroids are an effective therapy for allergy in cats, side effects are common. A recent study reported CsA as an effective alternative to prednisolone in cats with allergic skin disease. Absorption of CsA is variable when given by mouth, making monitoring strategies difficult to implement. Additionally, for clients with cats that are difficult to medicate, giving medications by mouth for several weeks or longer, which is often the case with cyclosporine treatment, can be a problem leading to poor compliance and treatment failure. CsA injected under the skin may allow more steady blood concentrations, facilitating monitoring and dose adjustment. In addition, because of the small volume needed, this type of administration is expected to be well tolerated in cats. The objective of this study is to determine blood levels of CsA after subcutaneous administration. It is anticipated that subcutaneous administration will result in more predictable blood cyclosporine concentrations, reduce side effects, and decrease the need for expensive monitoring.
#09-030: PCR amplification and sequence analysis of exon 9 and exon 12 of the c-KIT gene in feline soft tissue fibrosarcomas Amanda J. Smith; Bradley L. Njaa, DVM, DACVP; Catherine G. Lamm, DVM, DACVP; Oklahoma State University; $1,932
Fibrosarcoma is an aggressive cancer of cats that is difficult to treat effectively. Some of the cancer cells found within these tumors produce a protein called KIT. Studies involving several types of cancer in people and dogs have shown mutations in this protein. These mutations can lead to cancer formation and increased tumor growth.
Successful treatment of these cancers in people and dogs has been achieved through chemotherapy directed at the KIT protein. The purpose of this study is to determine whether these mutations are also present in the cancer cells of cats with fibrosarcoma. If mutations are found, it is possible that use of the same chemotherapy may improve the treatment outcome in cats with fibrosarcomas.
#09-031: Investigation of myxoma virus as an oncolytic agent in feline cancer cell cultures Amy L. MacNeill, DVM, PhD, DACVP; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; $15,000
The purpose of this project is to determine whether poxviruses can be used to eliminate cancer cells. Poxviruses have several characteristics that make them ideal cancer therapeutics. Currently this lab has tested several tumor cell lines and many support growth of a poxvirus called myxoma virus. Myxoma virus does not cause disease in any animal except the rabbit; however, it was recently shown that myxoma virus grows in some cancer cell lines. Since myxoma virus only grows in abnormal cells, virus replication in healthy tissue should not occur. Vaccinia virus is another virus that may be useful as a cancer treatment. The effects of virus infection on a large number of feline cancer cell lines will be studied extensively. The investigators hope to show that poxviruses are safe and effective treatments for several types of feline cancer.
#09-032: Molecular pathology of feline oral squamous cell carcinomas Susan M. LaRue DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVR; E.J Ehrhart, DVM, PhD; Colorado State University; $5,808
Feline oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) account for approximately 10% of all feline tumors. Cats will often have mucosal ulceration and bone necrosis that is painful and interferes with eating and drinking.
Cats with these devastating tumors are often euthanized with progression of local disease. The historical failure of treatment of this disease with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy discourages owners and veterinarians from pursuing treatment. This project will evaluate archived tissue biopsy samples from oral SCCs using immunohistochemistry. Several factors will be analyzed to help characterize the behavior of these tumors. This information can be used to develop more effective treatment protocols using radiation or
chemotherapy. There is also the potential for use on pre-treatment
biopsies as predictive assays. This will help develop more effective treatment protocols based on tumor biology.
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