fact of the month: 

There are several similarities between human and canine or feline cancers. In fact, much of the research being done today is done by observing dogs or cats and applying this information to human cancers. 
                                                                                                      - Dr. M. Margaret King The Edmond Sun

AUTHORS' CORNER

Stop the Shots!

Sorry we're a little late this month. John's new book seems to have gobbled up the time. There's already considerable buzz on the Internet discussion groups and forums about Stop the Shots!  We had no idea about the need that obviously exists out there for simple, balanced information on pet vaccinations. The reviews and quotes so far have been very gratifying.  If you'd like to see some early quotes, you can go to the book's Web site at StopTheShots.com.

Foley Square Books, our publishing company, has received hundreds of pre-orders so far, without the benefit of any advertising or promotion. We love the 'Net -- word gets around so fast!  Are you in an online pet-related group?  Why not tell them about "Stop the Shots!"?

Last month, we promised  that we'd offer our newsletter readers a special offer on the book. We'd like to really kick off this book with a BANG!! -- and want it to get noticed. The vaccination issue deserves everyone's attention. 

Plus -- we'd like all our readers to own a copy -- so we're having a sale on Amazon.com-- just for you. This sale isn't being announced anywhere else but here -- and it's only for one day -- December 4th, 2006. You'll be able to order Stop the Shots! at 1/3 off the regular price -- $5.97!  As we said before, we want EVERY PET OWNER to have this book!

Wishing you and your pets the best of health --

"Success in all your battles,"

    -- Josée and John

Got ideas? We would like to hear from you! authors@sparkyfightsback.com .  

MELANOMA TREATMENT PROMISING

Wisconsin School Developing Vaccine Treatment 

"Vaccines" used as treatments for diseases are a different category than vaccines used for immunizations. There can be similarities in these "treatment vaccines" -- which can involve stimulating the immune system-- but the two shouldn't be confused. 

Last January, the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine posted a report on their Web site about a new experimental vaccine for treating canine melanoma. We planned to print this news here, but somehow it got filed away. They are working on a vaccine, and as of the beginning of the year 40% of the dogs testing were responding.  

Melanoma is a very aggressive skin cancer in dogs. The Wisconsin study is ongoing and we assume trials are continuing -- funding seems to be a problem. 

The Wisconsin folks, along with other scientists around the country, are working on the vaccine, and it is most interesting: "The vaccine is created from dog melanoma cells that are grown in the laboratory. The cells are treated so they can no longer divide and cause a tumor. DNA is then inserted into these cells, which directs the cells to secrete an immune stimulant. This combination of cells and immune stimulant, when administered as an injection into the patient's skin, has been shown to stimulate the immune system to specifically fight against the melanoma cells..."

The results have been promising. Dogs in this study that received the vaccine (always after having had  melanoma surgery) experienced total remissions that were twice as long as dogs that didn't get the vaccine. It is hoped that with further work survival rates will be increased.

full story. . .

PET FOODS RATED

How Good Is Your Kibble?

Commercial pet foods, as you well know, are not all alike. Some owners feed commercial products exclusively; others feed NO commercial foods, and some feed natural foods complemented with a bit of kibble or canned products.

Here's a site that's tested most of the pet foods and come up with a rating system. "With the help of Dr. Linda Wolf, DVM, Animal Ark set out to evaluate various dog and cat foods. These foods were then rated based on a strict set of criteria on a scale of 1 - 4 stars, with 4 stars being the best possible rating. To get more information about any specific formula, click on the formula name. . ."

full story. . .

PET INSURANCE BUSINESS GROWING

Veterinary Pet Insurance Kicks Off  Pet Cancer Awareness Month

 BREA, Calif., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) launched Pet Cancer Awareness Month in November 2006 to call attention to the nation's number one killer of dogs and cats. The company is continuing its campaign of education and philanthropy and has added an additional benefactor to this year's program. Visitors to www.petinsurance.com are asked to help in the fight against pet cancer by purchasing limited-edition Pet Cancer Awareness dog collars and pink magnetic paws with all proceeds going directly to the Animal Cancer Foundation and the National Canine Cancer Foundation, respectively

full story. . .

Pet Health Insurance Takes Off

THE MARKET POTENTIAL IS ENORMOUS: 62 percent of all American households have at least one pet, and yet only 2 percent of these animals have health insurance. Direct Pet Health Holdings, Inc. projects a 45 percent growth rate for the industry to sell coverage for the 68 million dogs, 73 million cats and 5 million horses currently not protected.

A national epidemic? Not really, but the opportunity to sell insurance to pet owners is fueling new competition. . .

full story. . .

WARNING! GO EASY THIS THANKSGIVING!

Say NO to Table Scraps

"As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, please do everything in your power to avoid feeding even the smallest amount of Thanksgiving treats to your dog.

Veterinarians are besieged on the days after Thanksgiving by pet owners with very sick dogs suffering the effects of feeding all that rich food to our canine pals. . .

full story. . .

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This newsletter is for informational purposes only, and the intent is to provide sources of possible veterinary assistance, treatments and other help for owners of animals with cancer. The authors do not in any way endorse or make claims for any of the medical personnel, medical facilities, treatments, therapies, medicines, or methods recommended, described or quoted herein. Nothing herein should be deemed to be medical or veterinary advice, since no doctors or veterinarians are employed by or connected with this publication. Visitors are directed to consult with licensed veterinarians for all medical advice. Although every effort is made to avoid factual errors, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any of the content of publication.

To order 

"Sparky Fights Back: A Little Dog's Big Battle Against Cancer,"  
go to our Book Page
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