Seattle, WA.  Veterinary specialists revealed the latest in cutting edge veterinary medicine at the 25th Forum of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, June 6 through 9 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle. Over 3,700 veterinary professionals from 30 countries attended the conference sharing the latest research from specialists in internal medicine, oncology, neurology and cardiology.

            Examples include Dr. Barbra Kitchell, veterinary oncologist at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing who explained that instead of trying to come up with new drugs to treat cancer, one fairly new way to deal with cancers is to find ways to cut off the blood supplies which feed them (this is called antiangiogenic therapy).  “We have a trial going of little small doses of daily medication, and we have, so far, seen responses in dogs,” says Kitchell. “We’re seeing tumors shrink on minimal therapy. And this, in theory, could work for just about any kind of cancer. We’re very early in the study and getting ready to publish our initial pilot study.”

            Veterinary oncologist Dr. Philip Bergman, who just resigned as director of the Donaldson-Atwood Cancer Clinic at the American Medical Center Flaherty Comparative Oncology Lab in New York City, NY explained a new vaccine to treat canines with melanoma is now approved. The vaccine is the first of its kind commercially available for human or animal medicine.  Bergman partnered with human oncologists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City who have developed a similar DNA-based vaccine for people. Though approval for the DNA-based melanoma vaccine to be used for people appears to be inevitable, it will take more time.

            Does aspirin really help cats who suddenly develop blood clots (suffering stroke-like affects) as a result of a common kind heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomypathy)?  Veterinary oncologist Dr. Dan Hogan, associate professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN explained he’s working on a study to determine the answer. Hogan said he is also investigating the use of another anti-clotting drug commonly used in human medicine, called CLAVIX (Clopidogrel Bisulfate). He’s just begun his study, and doesn’t yet have results.

            Also, several Seattle area pet owners showed off their own miracle pet survivor stories at the conference. It was an event staged for the media, but certainly showcasing the kind of cutting edge medicine now readily available from boarded specialists.

Dr. Shirag Shah and Lulu, with Sammy and Kim Clifton. both Lulu and Sammy are cancer survivors.

            Human oncologist Dr. Chirag Shah said that debated about whether or not to put his then 8-year old beagle, Lulu, through chemotherapy when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. “We first went to see our general vet,” he says, “And she began to cry. It turns out, she had just lost her mother to cancer. But I was to quickly learn the extent veterinarians’ care, and I do mean truly really care about their patients. I’ll tell you the truth; we didn’t – at first – believe it was humane to put Lulu through chemotherapy. But then the veterinary oncologist (Dr. Karri Meleo of Seattle, WA) explained the toxicity is really low, and how treatment really is likely to increase her lifespan.”

            Shah said his doubts and those of his wife (Dr. Jennifer Reichel, also a human physician) revolved around concerns that Lulu wouldn’t understand why she was in pain, and suffering. “I was amazed that there was very little pain and suffering,” he said. “There were really no side affects (from the chemo), but there were a lot of cookies – so in that sense Lulu enjoyed the treatment. We forget that dogs don’t know they have cancer; they haven’t read the medical report. Lulu wanted a chance. And we gave it to her.” Six months later, Lulu is doing just fine, though her long term prognosis is unclear.

            To learn more about specialties in internal medicine, neurology, cardiology and oncology, check out www.acvim.org.

© Tribune Media Services, Steve Dale