Rottweiler Health Foundation - Rottweiler Health Issues

Removing the Stigma of Genetic Disease
By Jerold S Bell, DVM First published in the October, 2003 AKC Gazette

An inevitable consequence of breeding is the occurrence of genetic problems. No one wants to produce affected dogs, yet some breeders and owners are quick to assign blame. There are no perfect dogs, and all dogs carry some detrimental genes.

The emotional reaction to producing a dog with a genetic disorder often follows what is called the grief cycle:

Denial: This isn't genetic. It was caused by something else.
Anger: This isn't right! Why is this happening to my dogs?
Bargaining: My dog sired more than 100 other dogs that are healthy. So this one doesn't really count, right?
Depression: My kennel name is ruined. No one will breed to my dogs.
And, finally, acceptance: My dog was dealt a bad genetic hand. There are ways to manage genetic disorders, breed away from this, and work toward a healthier breed.

Getting beyond denial

Unfortunately, many breeders can’t get beyond the denial stage. Some will hold to increasingly improbable excuses, rather than accept that a condition is genetic. They will falsely blame relatively rare disorders on common viruses, bacteria, or medications. The fact that these organisms or drugs are common to millions of dogs annually that do not have these disorders is not considered.

Some owners state that their veterinarian recommended not sending in a hip radiograph because the dog would probably not get certified. Then these owners lull themselves into believing that since the dog wasn't evaluated, it does not have hip dysplasia. The fact that a dog does not have an official diagnosis does not mean the dog is normal or "not affected."

It is important to confirm diagnoses of genetic disorders with blood tests, radiographs, or pathology specimens. However, the primary concern should always be for the individual dog. If an affected dog is not suffering, it should not be euthanized simply to obtain a pathological diagnosis. The increased availability of non-invasive techniques has made diagnoses easier to obtain.

Once confirmation of a genetic disorder is made, denial sometimes becomes deception, which is not acceptable. There are breeders who actively seek to prevent diagnoses and later necropsies, but who eventually realize that their actions are detrimental to their breed, and in the long run to themselves.

Working together to improve our breeds

Reducing the stigma of genetic disease involves raising the level of conversation from gossip to constructive communication. Dealing with genetic disorders is a community effort. Each breeder and owner will have a different level of risk or involvement for a disorder. We do not get to choose the problems we have to deal with. Breeders should be supportive of others who are making a conscientious effort to continue breeding their dogs while decreasing the risk of passing on defective genes.

Breeders ought to follow up on the puppies they have placed. They should periodically contact their buyers and ask about the health of the dogs. Some breeders fear they will be castigated if a dog they placed develops a problem. However, the vast majority of owners of affected dogs are pleased that their breeder is interested in their dog, and in improving the health of the breed so that other affected dogs are not produced.

A breeder cannot predict or prevent every health problem. If an owner's dog is discovered to have a problem, show your concern.

Breeders and breed clubs should be cooperative and supportive of researchers studying genetic disorders in their breed. Through research funded by breed clubs and by the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), new genetic tests for carriers of defective genes are continually being developed.

The Canine Health Information Center was established by the CHF and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. CHIC is an online registry that works with the breed parent clubs to establish a panel of testable genetic disorders that should be screened for in each breed. The beauty of the CHIC concept is that dogs achieve CHIC certification by completing the health-checks. Passing each health test is not a requirement for certification. CHIC is about being health conscious, not about being faultless.

My hope for each breed is that there will eventually be so many testable defective genes that it will not be possible for any dog to be considered "perfect." Then we can put emotions aside and all work together on improving our breeds.

Breeders must lead the way to remove the stigma of genetic disorders. The applications for both the OFA and CHIC health registries include options that allow for open disclosure of all health-test results or semi-open disclosure listing only normal results. It is up to breeders to show that we are ready to move genetic disorders out of the shadows and check off the boxes for full disclosure.

More national clubs are having health seminars and screening clinics at their specialties. It was thought these events would scare away potential owners. We now know that without addressing the problems, in the long run, the breed may not be there for the owners.

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General: Dog - uncommon; no age, sex or breed predilection

Etiology: Delayed type hypersensitivity; percutaneous contact with plastic vinyl, and synthetic rubber (the latter contains accelerators and antioxidants which are allergenic); usually associated with feeding dishes

Clinical features: Distribution - lips and nose; lesions - depigmentation (leukoderma) plus erythema and alopecia (hair loss); diagnosis including history and physical examination

Treatment: remove dish and administer glucocorticoids

Prognosis - pigment rarely returns

Hard to hear but not to fear, heart murmurs demand serious listening to ensure your dog is sound. If you veterinarian detects a heart murmur in your dog, the first questions are always, "What is a murmur and what effects will it have on my dog?" Basically, a heart murmur is an abnormal sound detected when the heart beats. The sound is caused by alterations in blood flow patterns into, through or out of the heart. A heart murmur is a signal that something has changed the normal blood flow. It does not, however, necessarily mean the change will significantly affect your dog's health.

Many people have "innocent" murmurs -- heart murmurs that are not caused by significant changes and that never lead to health problems. Although dogs can also have innocent murmurs, most are not innocent and are called pathologic. Pathologic murmurs present at puppyhood are usually caused by birth defects called congenital defects, such as subaortic stenosis (SAS) and patent doctus arteriosus (PDA). Some, but not all, birth defects of the heart are inherited.

The majority of murmurs in dogs are acquired -- that is, they are not present at birth but they develop during adulthood. Most acquired murmurs are associated with leaky heart valves. When the valve does not close tightly, blood leaks through it during the heart's contraction. The leak produces abnormal blood flow, which causes the murmur. When the valve itself is abnormal, the condition is considered primary valvular dysfunction. The most common primary valvular disease of dogs affects the mitral valve.

Secondary valvular dysfunction occurs in normal valves when the heart muscle or other supporting structures change. The most common cause is cardiomyopathy, a degeneration of the heart muscle. When this muscle becomes too thick, too thin or doesn't contract normally, the valves distort, become leaky and generate a murmur.

Although the likelihood is great that a murmur is pathologic and not innocent, pathologic murmurs are not necessarily severe, life-threatening or even significant. Unfortunately, simply listening to a dog's heart cannot help one differentiate between an innocent or a pathologic murmur. Special tests are needed to determine what a murmur means for the health of the dog.

Any diagnostic tests to look at the heart must be performed on a moving target because, unlike any other organ, the heart is always beating, and thus always moving. Although vets may recommend a chest x-ray when a new murmur is detected, results of x-rays cannot differentiate between an innocent or pathologic murmur, nor can they differentiate between primary valvular disease, cardiomyopathy or heart disease. Without an exact diagnosis, designing a treatment protocol, predicting the prognosis and identifying healthy breeding stock are little more than guesses.

Cardiac ultrasound is the most efficient and least invasive test that can usually reveal information to determine the diagnosis, severity, treatment plan, prognosis and heritability. Ultrasound examines the entire heart while it works. Measurements taken during different stages of contraction and filling reveal how well or poorly the heart works, and where the murmur is being generated. More subtle abnormalities or more complex defects may require more difficult tests.

One of the most frustrating challenges concerning murmurs is accurate detection. Many factors determine whether or not a murmur will be detected. First and foremost is the vet's skill. Like all other talents, detecting heart murmurs requires special skill and experience. Very loud murmurs are no problem for most vets, but soft, subtle murmurs are easily missed. Even moderate murmurs may go undetected by some vets, particularly if the pup or dog is squirmy, breathing hard or panting.

Patience is invaluable under less-than-ideal circumstances. Breath sounds can be mistaken for murmurs if the vet is not careful or is not highly skilled at listening. Background noise, such as barking, fans, ringing phones, music and conversation can hinder the detection of murmurs. Vets particularly interested in hearts, as well as those who recognize certain breeds as prone to heart disease, will spend extra time to listen comprehensively. Owners often wonder if a murmur can be significant when it is so hard to hear. The answer is a definite yes. Certain types of heart disease generate very soft murmurs.

Board-certified cardiologists are the gold standard for detecting murmurs, especially in potential breeding dogs or pups. A board-certified specialist in internal medicine is a great resource if a cardiologist is unavailable. Many general practitioners are adept at detecting murmurs; however, since many vets practice in groups, having more than one vet listen to each dog may be worthwhile.

Irritable Bowel Disease, Colitis, Gastritis and Ulcers
By Lew Olson LMSW-ACP PhD Natural Health, www.b-naturals.com

One of the leading problems in dogs today is a gastric problem. The problems are frequently accompanied with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. These can lead to either poor appetite (or always appearing hungry), loss of weight, and coat and skin problems, which result in worry and frustration for the owner. These problems appear to be inflammation of either the small or large intestine and in some cases both. Some dogs may suffer spasms in the digestive tract, which create pain and loose stools. This creates increased inflammation in the digestion tract and poor absorption of the nutrients in the food. It is generally believed that if the irritation and inflammation is in the small intestine, more vomiting will be seen. If the seat of the problem is in the large intestine, frequent loose stools will be seen. It can also be a combination of both of these symptoms.

There is no way to diagnose this problem through blood work or a physical examination. Occasionally elevated liver enzymes may be present or decreased protein appears in the blood work. However, the most definitive way to proper diagnosis is through the use of an endoscope. A gastric specialist can use an endoscope to obtain a small sample in the intestine. The sample is checked by biopsy to note inflammation of the intestines. If inflammation is found, often a diagnosis is given of Irritable Bowel Disease.

While there is no apparent reason for how this disease occurs in some dogs and not others, some theories include genetics, poor immune system, autoimmune disorder, allergic responses to food and even a particular tendency in dogs that are hyperactive or of an anxious nature. Other problems that can mimic IBD symptoms include parasites, hyperthyroidism, bacteria infections and liver disease. These problems need to be ruled out, so it is important to always get a veterinarian check up and diagnosis for gastric issues.

Traditional treatments for gastric problems include the use of antibiotics, metronidazole (flagyl), steroids, certain immune suppressive drugs, anti-inflammatory agents and antidiarrheal drugs. Most frequently high fiber prescription diets are offered. Another management technique is to use hypoallergenic diets with one protein source and one carbohydrate source. While some of these treatments may be effective to help reduce vomiting and produce better stools, they don't offer a permanent solution, they often keep the immune system suppressed, and they offer a less than nutritious diet. High fiber foods help to remove excess moisture in the large intestine for a more normal looking stool, but it also continues to irritate the intestinal tract. Thus these methods may offer temporary solutions, but only while they are being used. Most dogs will relapse once these techniques are stopped. Long-term use of steroids (including prednisone) can cause liver and kidney problems, increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, panting, increased chance of pancreatitis, thinning of hair coat, and continued immune suppression. The following web link contains information on tapering off of steroids for IBD patients and side effects: http://homepage.mac.com/ sholland/Papers/Steroid.html.

Flagyl is not FDA approved for dogs and long-term use can cause liver problems, neurological signs and occasionally allergic reactions such as itching. While most of these treatments are recommended and prescribed, common philosophy is that IBD and other gastric problems cannot be cured, but merely controlled. Consequently, the owner and the health care practitioner battle to create a balance between anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medicines and steroids, along with high fiber diets.

Newer treatment options have been developed for human patients over the last few years and many of these have been also found effective in dogs. These have few if any side effects and are designed to help digest the foods better, help to heal irritated and inflamed digestive tracts and assist better assimilation and motility of the food through the digestion process. These include:

There is also some speculation that these disorders may be autoimmune related. Antioxidants are important for dogs diagnosed with IBS, as the poor digestion in these animals often creates a deficiency in these nutrients. These would include vitamin C, Bioflavanoids, vitamin E and zinc. Equally important are the B complex vitamins. Mineral supplements could be offered by kelp, alfalfa and algae blends, which are high in phytonutrients and other immune enhancing nutrients. These single cell foods are easy to absorb.

Diet. This is an important topic for dogs with gastric problems. Most commercial dog foods offered, including premium or prescription foods, are high in fiber and grains. These generally come in kibble form and the texture, dryness and high fiber content tend to make digestion more difficult and it adds a burden to the dog's short digestive tract, which is not designed to handle high fiber foods. They also contribute to gassiness and spasms of discomfort in the intestinal tract. Even human IBD and Crohn's diets are suggesting less fiber for times of setback and relapse. Both raw diets and home cooked diets are a better alternative for dogs, as the fiber content can be reduced to amounts that are better tolerated. Fresh foods that aren't heavily processed such as in commercial diets are more bioavailable (easier to digest and absorb) and aid in ease of digestion and absorption.

Raw diets seem to be most helpful in that they are served with raw meaty bones. The bones help to keep the stools firm. Easier digested fiber can be utilized, such as pulped or pureed vegetables rather than grains. Higher protein amounts are found useful and fresh fat or lightly cooked fats are easier to digest than the heavily processed fats found in commercial diets. A suggested diet would consist of a higher amount of proteins, medium amount of fat and low content of carbohydrates and fiber. The following is a sample diet: Meal One (feed 2% to 3% of body weight in total food daily) 3/4 meat, either raw lean hamburger, beef heart, canned, drained and rinsed mackerel or salmon, and 1/4 pulped vegetables (as in a juicer), mostly cabbage and broccoli, celery, dark leafy greens (collards, mustard, turnip greens or spinach). I also add one egg and two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Meal two (suggested amount for a 100 pound dog) four to six chicken necks (raw, skin removed), or four chicken backs, or five chicken wings. A cooked meal would not include bones (these splinter and can be dangerous if cooked) so the first sample meal (meat and vegetables) would be repeated, with the addition of calcium. Save the eggshells from the eggs, dry overnight and grind in a coffee bean grinder. Add at 1/2 teaspoon per pound of meat served. Vegetables from the cruciferous family (cabbage, broccoli) are helpful for healing the digestive tract, so remember to include these daily. A helpful hint for helping to stop vomiting is to boil organic cabbage for twenty minutes and let cool. Save the juice and give 5 CC's to a small dog, 10 CC's to a medium and more to a larger dog for aid in settling the stomach. Repeat as needed. For diarrhea, plain canned pumpkin is helpful in absorbing moisture from the stool. Give one teaspoon to a small dog, half a tablespoon for a medium dog and a tablespoon for a large dog. Repeat as needed.

Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease - 'IBD'
Requires Dietary and Medical Management
Reprinted with permission from Purina ProClub 'Rottweiler Review'

Canine inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is the most common cause of chronic vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Unfortunately, clinical symptoms can be difficult to manage and require taking a systemic approach using dietary and medical therapeutics to treat individual dogs.

For the owner of a Rottweiler suffering with IBD, the main concern is ending a dog's vomiting or diarrhea. "The underlying cause of IBD is poorly understood, which makes it a challenging disease to treat," says Stanley L. Marks, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at the Universty of California-David School of Veterinary Medicine. "Once established, the cycle of IBD is hard to break."

Speculation about the cause of IBD includes a hypersensitivity response to antigens, or substances that cause an allergic reaction, in the gut. There are a number of factors that can precipitate this abnormal response, including dietary proteins, intestinal bacteria, intestinal parasites, and genetic predispositions. The altered intestinal immune response results in the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lining of the gut, causing tissue damage and the clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea or weight loss.

There are a number of different types of cells that can cause inflammation in the intestinal lining, and Rottweilers appear to be predisposed to a form of IBD called eosinophilic gastritis or gastroenteritis. The average at which IBD is diagnosed is 6.3 years, although dogs as young as 6 months are occasionally diagnosed with the syndrome.

A tissue biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of IBD. It is important to realize there are many known causes of intestinal inflammation resembling IBD, thus, diagnosing the syndrome is a matter of exclusion.

Malnourishment
Dogs with IBD often are malnourished to some extent, although the disease and its effects may was and wane. Malnutrition can result because of a loss of appetite, the rapid passage of food through the intestines, fluid imbalances, and vitamin and mineral malabsorption. Water-soluble vitamins such as cobalamin, and fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin K are the vitamins most often depleted in dogs with IBD.

Treatment
Treatment of IBD has three goals: reduction of the incidence and frequency of diarrhea and vomiting; promotion of healthy weight gain and proper nutrition; and reduction of intestinal inflammation. The three goals offer supportive intervention, rather than a curative outcome.

Owners should not be concerned if their veterinary specialist suggests orderings a series of tests and medical imaging to rule out cancer. Intestinal cancer can sometimes mimic the signs of IBD and other gastrointestinal diseases, and it is important not to overlook this possibility.

"Corticosteriods remain the cornerstone of medical therapy of IBD, despite the lack of published controlled clinical trials documenting their benefit in dogs," Mark says. "Oral prednisone is the most common form, but this well-known, powerful drug has both benefits and adverse effects. It is highly recommended that owners and their veterinarians work together closely concerning a dog's condition and any changes in medication dosage."

Other medications may also be recommended in conjunction with prednisone. These drugs might be used to lower the dose of the prednisone or provide a more potent immunosuppressive effect based on the severity of the disease.

Nutrition
Nutrition is important in long-term management of IBD. Among the nutritional approaches that seem to help some dogs with IBD is feeding a novel, highly digestible protein source, Mark says. A hypoallergenic diet is sometimes helpful, especially in dogs with advanced disease or in dogs showing adverse reaction to multiple protein sources.

Feeding a fat-restricted diet may help IBD canine patients, but there are potential drawbacks as well. Fats are potential drawbacks as well. Fats are a necessary nutritional component, but too much fat can precipitate diarrhea in some dogs. Increasing dietary fiber may aid in treating IBD, particularly if the disease is localized to the large bowel. Different types of fiber can gel and bind fatty acids and bile acids in the bowel, assisting in resolving diarrhea.

A Collaborative Approach
The best outcome in managing canine IBD occurs when an owner and veterinarian work together to determine the optimal treatment for an individual dog, Marks says. Meanwhile, the future holds promise that scientists will eventually better understand the disease and will gain knowledge about certain medications and diet components that can interact to improve a dog's health and well-being.

(Source Unknown) Fears of vaccine-induced diseases date back more than 40 years. But a sharp increase during the past decade in cancerous tumors among cats, between the shoulder blades where vaccines typically are injected, has spurred studies. Some have found a higher-than-expected incidence of side effects. "We see health problems in dogs for which we have no explanation. The classic one is autoimmune disease," says Larry Glickman, professor of epidenuology at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Indiana, who is studying possible links with vaccinations. "We see an epidemic of hyperthyroidism in cats today, and we suspect that these are happening because we're over vaccinating our pets."

Accumulations Are The Danger
Dr. Glickman and his colleagues theorize that repeated vaccination causes dogs to produce antibodies against their own tissue. The antibodies are caused by contaminants in the vaccine introduced in the manufacturing process. While the amounts are minuscule, they gradually accumulate with repeated vaccinations over the years. But Dr. Glickman cautions that more research is needed before a clear link can be established between antibody levels and autoimmune disease.

Vaccination recommendations for cats and dogs vary around the country. Most states require rabies vaccinations every three years, while a handful of states as well as some individual cities and counties have mandated annual shots due to local problems with rabies in wild animals. Some other vaccinations are given only when a pet's life-style or environment exposes it to a particular risk, such as Lymes Disease.

Pet diseases other than rabies aren't a threat to people, thus vaccinations aren't required by law. But veterinarians and vaccine makers have traditionally recommended annual booster shots against potentially fatal diseases such as distemper and parvovirus in dogs and herpes virus in cats. In a policy statement last year, the American Veterinary Medical Association acknowledged that the practice of annual vaccinations is based on "historical precedent" and "not on scientific data."

The emerging evidence of health risks is prompting some vets to change their practices. "We're now doing 40% less vaccinations than five years ago," says Kathleen Neuhoff, a veterinarian in Mishawaka, Ind., and president of the American Animal Hospital Association, Lakewood, Colorado.

"My own pets are vaccinated once or twice as pups and kittens, then never again except for rabies." Ronald D. Schultz, chairman of the University of Wisconsin's Department of Pathobiological Sciences, wrote in the March 1998 issue of Veterinary Medicine.

Some critics of annual shots accuse some vets of ignoring research about vaccine risks for financial reasons. "Vets are afraid they will go broke" without regular vaccines, which account for about 20% of their practice income, says Bob Rogers, a Spring, Texas, veterinarian and outspoken critic of current practices.

Other vets deny that financial motives are involved. ("No one who is motivated by money would ever become a veterinarian," Dr. Neuhoff says.) "The concern is that if we move too quickly to decrease vaccine frequency across the board, we may be opening the door for some animals to become infected when we could have prevented the problem," says Todd R. Tams, chief medical officer of VCA Antech Inc., in Los Angeles, the nation's largest owner of veterinary hospitals.

No one truly knows how long protection from vaccines lasts. Vaccine makers say that proving their duration would be expensive and would require large numbers of animals to be isolated for years. One company, Pfizer Inc., decided to test its one-year rabies vaccine on live animals and discovered it lasted for at least three years. It sells the identical formula simply packaged under different labels -- Defensor 1 and Defensor 3 to satisfy different state vaccination requirements.

No Immunity from Controversy...Vaccination Protocols
by Christine Wilford, DVM taken from the AKC Gazette with permission

The hottest debate over current immunization protocols is "Are we vaccinating too much?" This question addresses two issues: first, do we vaccinate too often, and second, do we give too many types of vaccines? Whether to continue vaccinating annually may be the greatest controversy concerning canine vaccine protocols. Annual vaccine boosters have been a tradition that seemed logical to continue. Scientifically validated studies of current vaccines, however, have not demonstrated the need for annual boosters.

To the contrary, current studies reveal that in most dogs annual vaccine boosters do not significantly increase immunity. Research shows that instead of boosters do not significantly increase immunity. Research shows that instead of boosting immunity, the vaccine viruses can be neutralized by the very immune system they are supposed to stimulate.

Until recently, many vets believed that even if annual vaccinations weren't necessary, they at least weren't harmful. This belief is rapidly falling from favor. Instead, more veterinarians now realize that vaccination should not be considered an innocuous procedure because of the potential for adverse reactions and long-term negative effects.

Adverse reactions are generally uncommon and thought to be more prevalent in certain breeds and specific families, suggesting a genetic predisposition. But, for many reasons, the true number of adverse reactions in dogs is unavailable. The number that is reported to the USDA, the vaccine companies and the U.S. pharmacopeia reporting system is not very high, despite the fact that in 1996 an estimated 65 million does of vaccine were administered to dogs.

Reports reveal that anaphylactic shock, an immediate life-threatening reaction, occurs in approximately one case per 15,000 doses of vaccine given. What has not been clearly identified are the more insidious long-term adverse effects of annual vaccination and what percentage of dogs experience these effects.

Vaccine-induced protection from potentially fatal diseases has always out-weighed what was perceived as a small risk of adverse reaction. But since most dogs attain persistent protective immunity after completing their first year of vaccines, and that annual revaccinations doesn't increase immunity in the majority of dogs, owners and vets much re-evaluate whether the risks outweigh potential benefits.

Despite mounting evidence to decrease the frequency of vaccination protocols remain common practice. One reason is that the vaccine visit provides the opportunity for vets to perform annual physical exams. Many vets believe that unless vaccines are due, owners are less likely to bring their dogs for an annual exam. They argue that the benefits of an annual exam outweigh the potential risks of the vaccines.

Determining how often to vaccinate should be simple; that is, revaccinate whenever the vaccine wears off. If there were an accurate way to measure protective immunity, dogs could be tested annually for their level of protection and be boosted if their levels fell too low. However, no simple tests accurately measure levels of protection. In the debate, the use of antibody titers to assess immunity is frequently suggested. Results of titers only reveal whether body responded to the vaccine and do not reflect immunity.

Vaccine protocols could evolve to an "as needed" basis, if data were available on the duration of immunity induced by vaccination in the majority of the dog population. Unfortunately, the minimum and maximum durations of protection for most canine vaccines are not known. Long-term, vaccine-induced immunity is also being demonstrated in dogs and cats. For example, several studies have demonstrated protection from canine distemper ranging from five to ten years in dogs that were vaccinated only during puppyhood. As in some people, experts expect some dogs not to develop lifelong protection because of inherent defects in the individual's immune system. Keep in mind there is not and never will be any standard answers or consensus on vaccine issues. Each person must learn what they can and seek out the most current information.

Sub-Aortic Stenosis is a common congenital defect found in dogs. Breeds that are predisposed are: golden retriever, Newfoundland boxer, German Shepard, and Rottweiler. This defect is very uncommon in cats.

SAS is a congenital defect, meaning that is present from birth. There is also very good evidence that it is also heritable, meaning that it is passed on from generation to generation genetically. This genetic trait is what is called polygenic, so that the inheritance is complex. An animal might have the genes for SAS, yet have no sign of SAS. Also, an animal might have signs of SAS, and yet offspring with signs of SAS may not be seen for a couple of generations. Any animal that has SAS should not be bred, because they can definitely pass the defect on to future offspring. There is some controversy as to whether the parents of an animal with SAS should be bred again.

SAS is a disease where the aorta, as it leaves the left ventricle, is narrowed. The narrowing is caused by scar-like tissue just underneath the aortic valve (hence the name sub-aortic (underneath the aorta) stenosis (narrowing). The narrowing makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood forward to the body. The heart muscle, to compensate, gets very thick Oust as lifting heavy weights causes muscles to get larger). As the heart muscle thickens, blood supply to the heart muscle is inadequate, and scarring of the heart muscle itself results from this inadequate blood supply. This scarring causes rhythm disturbances of the heart, and it is these rhythm disturbances that generally lead to problems. The hallmark of this disease is sudden death. These dogs are generally without any symptoms, and then die suddenly from a lethal rhythm disturbance. Some animals may develop congestive heart failure, with fluid in the lungs, but this is not nearly as common.

The prognosis for this disease depends on the severity of the narrowing. Animals with mild sub-aortic stenosis usually have normal life spans and exercise tolerance. Dogs with moderate SAS generally have decreased exercise tolerance, but can have normal life spans. Some of these dogs with moderate SAS will die suddenly at an early age (from 3-7 years of age). Dogs with severe SAS generally have decreased exercise tolerance, and die suddenly at early ages, from 2-4 years of age, although the rare animal may live considerably longer.

Treatment options for dogs with SAS depends on the severity of the disease. Dogs with mild disease need no medication or limitations. Dogs with moderate to severe disease may benefit from medication with a beta blocker, but this has not been definitively proven. Dogs with severe disease should be placed on medication with a beta blocker, even though this has not been proven to be beneficial, because the theoretic benefits are substantial. Surgery can be performed, but this is an open heart surgery, and is quite expensive. This surgery is available at very few universities.

There are certain diagnostic tests that are necessary to accurately diagnose sub-aortic stenosis, to tell you how bad the problem is, what can be done about the problem, and what you can expect in the future for your pet. An echocardiogram (or heart ultrasound) is used to look within the heart, confirm the diagnosis, and to look for other problems within the heart that might confound therapy. The echocardiogram must also include Doppler ultrasound to give you complete information. The echocardiogram is the most useful diagnostic tool, and gives very specific information. X-rays (radiographs) are not very helpful with this disease, as most of the heart enlargement is within the heart, and X-rays do are not very helpful in making the diagnosis. If other defects are found by echocardiography, especially a concurrent leak past the mitral valve, then radiographs to look for evidence of fluid in the lungs may be essential. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is very useful to check for rhythm disturbances or evidence of lack of oxygen to the heart muscle (but is not very useful otherwise), and may be repeated to assess response to certain medications. Monitoring at home is difficult, because most of these animals die suddenly without any other signs.

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USDA Grants Conditional Approval
for First Therapeutic Vaccine to Treat Cancer
Merial's New Vaccine Treats Deadly Cancer in Dogs
March 26, 2007

Duluth, Georiga - Merial, the world's leading animal health company, gained conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a breakthrough vaccine to treat canine melanoma, a common yet deadly form of cancer in dogs. This is the first time that the U.S. government has approved a therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of cancer - in either animals or humans.
The vaccine will initially be available for use by specialists practicing veterinary oncology, so pet owners will want to ask their veterinarians about how to access this treatment option.
The vaccine was developed through a partnership between Merial, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and The Animal Medical Center (AMC) of New York. Drs. Alan Houghton and Jedd Wolchok of MSKCC were doing laboratory testing of a melanoma vaccine they developed. An inquiry by Dr. Philip Bergman of The AMC, seeking novel treatments for canine melanoma, resulted in the clinical trial of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering melanoma vaccine at The Animal Medical Center. Subsequent parallel trials at AMC and MSKCC refined the dosage and protocol to the current therapeutic regimen for dogs.

"Both humans and dogs develop this cancer in exactly the same way. The disease occurs spontaneously through an interaction of genes with the environment," explained Jedd D. Wolchok, MD, PhD, an oncologist on the Clinical Immunology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. "By conducting trials in humans and in animals that live in the same surroundings as humans, there can be a synergy that we hope will result in improved cancer treatment for all."

Canine melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer that typically appears in a dog's mouth, but also may appear in the nail bed, foot pad or other areas. Dogs with melanomas that have gone beyond initial stages typically have a lifespan of one to five months with conventional therapies. To date, the most common treatments for this form of cancer have been radiation and surgery. "Melanoma spreads readily, and, unfortunately, is often resistant to chemotherapy," said Bob Menardi, DVM, a veterinarian and spokesperson for Merial.

Clinical studies of the vaccine in dogs led by Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-Onc. at The Animal Medical Center's Donaldson-Atwood Cancer Center and Flaherty Comparative Oncology Laboratory, demonstrated significantly longer life spans even in dogs with advanced stages of melanoma. In fact, many dogs have survived beyond the 389-day median survival of the initial study.
"Historically speaking, treatment of oral melanoma with surgery, radiation or chemotherapy has not been very effective," said Dr. Bergman. "This therapeutic vaccine is an adjunct therapy for dogs that have been diagnosed with this often fatal disease."

Merial obtained licensing rights from MSKCC and AMC, and, using their access to and experience with DNA vaccine technology licensed from Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq: VICL), completed the industrialization and regulatory requirements for conditional licensure. The vaccine will be administered via a new Canine Transdermal Device, which delivers the vaccine without the use of a needle. The device was developed in conjunction with Bioject, a Portland-based research pharmaceutical device company (Nasdaq: BJCT).

"We're all very proud of what we've accomplished here," said Tim Leard, DVM, PhD, Director of Biologics Research and Development at Merial. "We've brought together a number of partners, all committed to innovation and discovery. This product will improve the health and well-being of dogs, and we're very excited about continuing this work, leveraging technology, and developing more treatments."

The USDA has issued a conditional U.S. Veterinary Biological Product License for this therapeutic vaccine. This conditional license is a response to an application and assurance of safety and purity, and a reasonable expectation of efficacy based on initial trials performed at MSKCC and AMC.
During the period of conditional licensure, Merial will conduct additional research to further support the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Production under this license is in compliance with all regulations and standards applicable to such products.

Cancer
Cancer Research Center Genetics of Canine Cancer - Melanoma and Lymphoma
Report by: Jamie Modiano, Ph.D. - Center for Cancer Causation and Prevention, AMC

Cancer is a group of diseases whose common thread is unregulated cell division and proliferation. Cancer can effect any dog of any breed at any ages. Osteosarcoma was recognized as a cancer that Rottweilers appeared to have a predisposition to. Evolution of tumors is due both to environmental factors and genetics. Tumors are made up of heterogeneous cells populations making them difficult targets to treat. The clustering of specific cancers in breeds and families suggests that a hereditary component may be important in the development or progression of the disease. Unlike other heritable conditions, genetic susceptibility to cancer might not manifest in disease until a dog has reached middle age and long after it has achieved breeding potential. When present, this genetic susceptibility is most likely to be due to a process called loss of heterozygosity. At conception, individuals inherit 2 copies of each gene, one from each parent. Each of these gene copies is referred to as an allele. A family line or breed may have, through the course of time, lost a functional allele of a tumor suppressor gene through mutation. Tumor suppressor genes encode proteins that prevent or retard cell division. The leading cause of cancer is loss of heterozygosity.

RHF Grant
Modiano's study is fairly well explained in literature that I will be submitting to the RHF for distribution. He will be looking at the frequency of mutations in families of Rottweilers studying osteosarcoma. Hopefully this research will lead to tools that will help predict the risk of a dog or its offspring to develop this devastating tumor. When combined with strict breeding practiced the incidence of these cancers should decrease. Additionally, this research should lead to advanced molecular therapies for canine cancer. Cancer in dogs closely mimics cancer in humans. Breed clubs could assist this research by identifying dogs afflicted with disease and blood relatives that are disease free. Read the 2002 Conference Report: 'Genes, Dogs, and Cancer'

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Tramadol - New Horizons for a Safe Pain Medication for Dogs and Cats
By Lew Olson LMSW-ACP PhD Natural Health, www.b-naturals.com May 2005

(Note: We are interrupting the series of “The History of Dog Feeding” to bring you some important information on a new and safe pain medication for dogs and cats. The final installment of the History of Dog Feeding will continue in June and will include recipes that were used at that time. These recipes *not* recommended to be used; however I am will include them simply for historical interest.)

Pain relief medication for dogs and cats did not offer many options until the advent of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) medications such as Rimadyl, Deramax, Etogesic and Metacam. Up until that point, pain in animals was not well addressed, nor was it given the attention it needed. These NSAID medications work by blocking inflammation though inhibiting COX (cyclo-oxygenase). COX inhibitors block prostaglandins, which are considered the precursors of pain. While these drugs looked very promising in the beginning, problems began to develop. Side effects were discovered and included: loss of appetite, change in drinking habits (refusal to drink or increased water consumption), unusual pattern of urination, blood in the urine, sweet-smelling urine, an overabundance of urine, urine accidents in the house, vomiting, diarrhea, black, tarry stools or flecks of blood in the vomit, lethargy, drowsiness, hyperactivity, restlessness, aggressiveness, staggering, stumbling, weakness or partial paralysis, full paralysis, seizures, dizziness, loss of balance, jaundice (yellowing of the skin, mucus membranes and whites of the eyes) http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

When newer drugs were introduced, such as Deramax, further side effects were discovered such as increased bleeding on initial use of the drug and a much higher death rate: http://www.vetnsaids.com

Another problem with NSAIDs is that they can’t be used with steroid drugs such as dexamethazone, prednisolone, Vetalog or Depomedrol. The prostaglandins also protect the liver and kidney and when these are blocked, kidney and liver problems can quickly develop in some dogs (cats should not take NSAIDs). More information on contraindications with NSAIDs can be found on this web page: http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

So for those of us with dogs that have sensitive stomachs or kidney and liver