Boronia

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-29/cancer-vaccine-for-dogs-could-help-humans/4851234 Canine cancer vaccine could be trialled on humans: researchers By medical reporter Sophie Scott and Jeanavive McGregor Updated 17 minutes ago Photo: Sally the kelpie is still alive two years after surgery for a tennis ball-sized cancer tumour in her liver. (ABC News) Researchers say a new cancer vaccine that appears to be helping dogs could soon be used in human trials. The vaccine, developed by researchers at Sydney's Kolling Institute, has been trialled on almost 30 dogs with advanced melanoma, bone cancer and liver cancer. Early results found the vaccine not only slowed the growth of the original tumour but also helped to prevent more developing. Dr Chris Weir, who developed the vaccine, said the anecdotal results are promising. "I decided to use dogs because they have a high rate of malignancy and because vets use chemotherapy and radiation therapy on dogs with cancer, in much the same way as humans with cancer are treated," he said. "When a vet tells you this dog has 12 months to live and they are kicking on over two years later, you have to hold hope that we can roll this out not only for dogs but also for human patients." The vaccine is made using cells from individual tumours, creating a unique and personalised vaccine for each canine patient. It also contains a bacteria that stimulates the immune system to kill cancer cells. The results of the early trial have not been published in a scientific journal because researchers want to patent the vaccine technology first. Medical oncologist at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Professor Stephen Clarke, hopes that human clinical studies will start in six months to one year. "Prior to the last few years, cancer vaccines had been a great hope but hadn't really resulted in any clinical products so we have substantial hope about this," he said. "These guys in the lab have spent quite a lot of time developing the vaccine in the way that it will stimulate the greatest immune reaction, so we have high hopes. "These animals' data are really good prelude to undertaking clinical studies." Success story for Sally the kelpie Vet student Jenny Millar found out about the study when her kelpie Sally was diagnosed with liver cancer. The kelpie had a tennis ball-sized cancer in her liver. Surgeons were only able to remove 90 per cent of the tumour, but the Ms Millar wanted to avoid chemotherapy because Sally was nearly 13 years old. "After the surgery we gave her the vaccine and sure enough, two-and-a-half years later, completely defying all expectations, she is still with us," she said. She says Sally, now 15, is a happy and healthy old dog with no signs of the cancer reoccurring. "She's the best dog in the world. Nobody was expecting it, we just enjoy every day we have with her," Ms Millar said. Veterinary oncologist Dr Miles Alexander has been using the vaccine since 2011 as an add-on therapy for dogs with terminal cancer. "I have seen no adverse side effects and so far I am encouraged by the patients who have lived well beyond my expectations while maintaining a great quality of life," he says.

I gave each of mine a fresh sardine outside...Daisy rolled in hers and Mac buried his to have at a later date, Penny ate hers up too fast and up-chucked it...it stayed down the second time though :laugh:

I have noticed an improvement mostly in Penny (Mac is harder to figure out as he is a little 'special' anyhow). Penny has become much bossier, she very rarely barks but was telling Mac off for lying on the sofa in the exact spot that was above the hard-foam cushion that is used to help them jump onto the sofa...she wanted to hop up in that exact spot. She has never attempted to jump up on O/H chair but has managed to get up on it the last 2 days. She appears to be more supple (if that is the word), perhaps she is, or perhaps she is not feeling her aches and pains so much. She is also hopping up and down the steps (all 17 of them) much easier. Mac just do's what he's gotta do :) though his seems to be more cheerful, hard to tell though, he is pretty cruisy anyhow and I may be reading positive results when there are none there. He still goes huff huff huff (the same noise a child makes when you are trying to take off their band-aid) when I wipe his eyes or grind his nails...I don't think that'll ever change!

Maybe something like this (link has pictures as well!)---> http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KITCHEN-INSTANT-HOT-Water-Portable-Electric-Water-Heater-System-For-Tap-DT378A-/261220653695?pt=AU_HotWaterSystems&hash=item3cd1f6da7f

$43 altogether, I think it was $33 for the Synflex and $10 post, I ordered it in the afternoon and I got it 2 day's after. If you want to talk to George just fill in the contact details page here--> http://www.dogcancer.net.au/canine-cancer-contact-us.php, he will probably phone you back.

He certainly likes his comfy spots and his warm blankie :D His back-hair looks good now...Good Work!

Q: and where else would he be sleeping apart that particular spot eh? A: nowhere else thank you very much!

A thank you to all you wonderful rescuers

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I second these vets (his name is Kevin, Donatella) If you make an appointment always ask to see either Kevin or Jo. Kevin saved Penny when she had a lump of pig-trotter cartilage stuck in her oesophagus, it was stuck right at the end and very difficult to get out without opening her up. eta...it's about 46k's from Forest Lake

I know that there are many Dolers out there who are more experienced in dog behaviour than I am, but I am thinking that if she has peed and pooed on the indoor mat it may be an idea to put that mat outside and take her there when it's toilet time. It will have the smell on it and perhaps it may just 'click' with her to do her business on it.

And if you have received his harness a photo of him in it would be good as I may have to get one for Penny as she uses the tension on her lead to give herself some momentum when we go walking. ETA I would need to sew a D-shackle on the chest-part (rather than use the one on the back) as it'll keep the tension on the lower part of her body.

Oh you'd be surprised. There's a lady who is often seen at the local dog park carrying her pet rabbit in her arms or with her cockatiel on her shoulder. I asked why she brought them and she said that they like going on walks but don't like dogs. Yet she's at an off leash park with them? I did let her know that Kirah, who I'd leashed upon her approach, would quite happily eat her rabbit (no joke) and she replied that perhaps I shouldn't be there with her. Umm ... Oh-Kay then! All the while poor Kirah was licking her lips and most definitely wanted to eat the rabbit. The problem here is that I'm well aware that I own a terrier and don't own pets she was bred to hunt and kill. I therefore can't teach her that bunnies are friends, not food because we don't encounter them -- unless they're wild in which I don't care if she does catch one. That being said, if I hadn't leashed Kirah and she'd jumped up, attacked and killed this pet rabbit, who really shouldn't have been in an off leash park, I'm sure the rabbit's owner would've complained. Would she be within her rights to complain over her own stupidity? Good God! A rabbit in the dog park! it'd be one dead bunny with my three and your Kira RS-A What could she have been thinking, it beggers belief.

Sure will! It was in the letterbox yesterday so Mac and Penny got some with their tea last night and with their brekkie this morning. The instructions reckon to double the dosage for the first week or so, I have not done that as that would mean 8 teaspoons daily and as they are on the lower end of the chart (at 17lb) I reckon that it may upset their tums. They are only mildly creaky and still get around ok, in fact Penny can run flat out, down the steps, down the driveway to the front gate where the next-door-neighbour's ridgie x waits to have a bark-fest on the other side. This is the dosage chat I copied from a Synflex ebay sellers listing this is my calculation from this site My link 8kg = 17lb 10.192oz The chart is odd as the 40-100lb is 1/4 tablespoon which is really 1tsp according to this reference link My link I only gave Penny and Mac 1 tsp each daily. I will need to work it all out again. I think I'll email the bloke at K9 Health and ask him. eta...have just received an email from Sue (I asked them the dosage for an approx 8kg dog): dosage from the company says just under half a teaspoon , you double this amt. for the first 10 days, then return to just under half So my measurements were pretty close, it is of interest is that a US teaspoon is 3tsp to 1 tblsp and Aussie is 5tsp to 1 tblsp

yes, I miss Sheridan and still think about Grumpy, dear old fella.

How about some more photies WM?

Good on you for planning to desex your boy and yes he will still be big, but it really depends what you are comparing him with, for example, he will be smaller than a Saint Bernard but much bigger than a Yorkie.

I always thought Slacks Creek (it's near Underwood) was a pretty awful place until I went there (to buy Daisy) and got lost, we drove around these pretty tree-lined streets and nice houses until we finally got to Daisy's ex-home. There seemed to be heaps of parks and dead end roads that ended at the creek. it looked ok to me.

I emailed K9 Health Support (http://www.dogcancer.net.au/dog-cancer-about-us.php) Sail_Away, giving them my contact details and asking them for postage costs. The gentleman phoned me back and told me the SynFlex is $33 and the postage $10...I am pretty happy about that! While we were chatting he mentioned other dogs (he has an Airedale) that have found this product very beneficial. I am wondering if Ness' lovely Kenzie would do well on it? The SynFlex should arrive in a few days and I am pretty keen to see how Mac and Pen do on it. Thanks for your help

That looks good Sail_Away,thank you for the link. I am giving them Pernaease powder and Vit E as well as oranges or mandarines in their vege-slops, Mac just looks like he needs a bit of a boost, his spine feels a bit bumper than normal and Pen is just a little creaky overall. I'll try the stuff from the Pure Vitamins store first (as they are pretty economical) and if I don't see much in the way of a result after a month I'll order some Synflex. I would highly recommend this product, I've seen first hand the results and improvement it gave my previous dog. I think our vet or breeder recommended it to us originally. It is all natural and has Vit A & E + Omega 3 & 6 etc etc. Also because it is a liquid it is easier to measure and is absorbed into the dogs system much much quicker than tablets - I think I recall seeing an improvement in under 2 weeks whereas some tablets can take up to 6-8 weeks to work because they are metabolised and broken down more first. It is said to help rebuild the cartilage too (if you google sharks cartilage you will see some great reviews about it) - I think the VAN website also recommend sharks cartilage - so rather than just dealing with the inflammation it is meant to repair the joint too We tried lots of other things before this including Sasha's blend (powder form) but my dog would not go near it, plus it stinks! I honestly was so surprised with the improvement found in her, she no longer seized up in the cold and did not look to be in any pain which one did you get exactly? Sail_Away, there is a few different types (I think I may now have to buy the Synflex!)

there is this one Jules--> My link it doesn't have the MSM though

That looks good Sail_Away,thank you for the link. I am giving them Pernaease powder and Vit E as well as oranges or mandarines in their vege-slops, Mac just looks like he needs a bit of a boost, his spine feels a bit bumper than normal and Pen is just a little creaky overall. I'll try the stuff from the Pure Vitamins store first (as they are pretty economical) and if I don't see much in the way of a result after a month I'll order some Synflex.

I did some searching and calculations (which hurt my head) and if I get the 1.5g tablets I need to give Mac a 1/6 (250mg) tablet daily. Dosage rate for 500mg tablets: Dosage:DOGS Daily Under 10kg-250mg 1/2 tablet 10-20kg - 500mg 1 tablet 21-30kg - 750mg 1/1/2 tablets 31-40kg - 1000mg 2 tablets Hopefully I can cut them into 6 equal parts without them breaking all over the chopping board :D

Mac is feeling his arthritis a little now he is 13 and as I am in the process of ordering some rosehip capsules for him (and the other two) I thought I'd order some Glucosamine as well. The tablets are 1.5g, my question is, (for those who are giving their dogs this supplement) how many grams are you giving...Mac is around 8Kg. I am going to buy from a company called Pure Vitamins...they have free postage for the first order, an Aussie company & their products are manufactured here so that'll do me for the moment. Thanks :) ETA advice given by Sail_Away about Synflex so I have ordered it instead of Glucosamine