Dog Breed Health

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs.

Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors. The drug is approved to treat the tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement.

In a preliminary study of pet dogs with naturally occurring cancer, researchers have developed a way to target delivery of a gene to tumor blood vessels, where the gene product damages the vessels, disrupting blood flow to the tumors but not to the surrounding tissue. The delivery method was well tolerated, and in some dogs, the size of tumors decreased or remained stable. This study provides valuable information that may aid in the design of future clinical trials.

Levi, the family dog in Oregon stricken with salmonella is thankfully doing fine. Levi ate multi flavor dog biscuits from Happy Tails, which were apparently tainted with Salmonella. The first reported salmonella case in a pet was found in Oregon.

The dog biscuits that sickened the Oregon pet were tested and found to be positive for salmonella. Happy Tails biscuits have now been recalled.

Carolina Prime Pet, a manufacturer and distributor of dog treats, is voluntarily recalling four of its dog treats that contain peanut butter made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste.

PetSmart is issuing a new pet food recall that affects certain types of dog food and biscuits as the latest peanut butter product recalls expand.

PetSmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Georgia facility.

A Chinese distributor has pulled a popular dog food brand from its pipeline following reports that about 10 dogs got sick after eating the product, two had died, and a third was gravely ill, the Associated Press reported Monday.

The Health Protection Agency has been made aware of a case of confirmed rabies in a puppy that may have been in contact with UK travellers at the Mabuya Camp backpacker lodge near Lilongwe (the capital of Malawi).

The Agency is asking anyone who stayed at the lodge between 28th October and 14th November and who had any contact with the puppy to seek medical advice. It is understood that around 75 UK travellers stayed during this time.

The world is dancing in the street at the election of Barack Obama. His every word is news and everyone wants to know what he will do next. During his victory speech he announced he will be getting a new family dog for the white house and animal lovers everywhere are weighing in on the best Hypoallergenic Dog for the first family. The blogosphere is buzzing with names, breeds and advice for this major decision.

Pedigree has announced a voluntary dog and pet food recall of Mars brands from its Everson plan and Tops market are alson announcing the recall from the shelves.

Mars Pet Food recall from Pedigree is a Class I recall, which means that this is the most serious. Eating the food may cause health problems or even death.

Here is the letter from Debra Crew (Pedigree US General Manager) about the dog food recall.

A new study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reveals that New York Police Department dogs deployed to the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have not experienced any long-term health effects.

The study focuses on 27 dogs that assisted in relief efforts at the site, many of which remained deployed throughout the 37-week cleanup operation. Both short-term and long-term health assessments were conducted.