Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Sniff It Out Fundraiser


 Sniff It Out Fundraiser

Benefitting the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit
K9’s : Zaso, Rajah and Nika
Don’t miss  K9 demonstrations by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Dept @ 12 and 2   
   Join us for Lunch $7 plates

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQWjp1ew0BzC0TsFcmWEQBytvhrXPEbmEPGVlMD3cvYGblBW-Fzbw                        (Burgers/hot dogs, potato salad, chips and a drink)

                                  POLICE OFFICERS EAT FREE

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                                                       Win with our RAFFLES

                                                      1 ticket = $1

                                                     6 tickets = $5

       Raffle items will include a training package with dog trainer, Joe Blankenship, flea and tick     
                                              preventatives and Capitol Illini gift certificates!

All proceeds from lunch and raffles will go to purchasing the K9 Unit devices for basic training and the
                                                      narcotic detection course.

 

                            Capitol Illini Veterinary Services

                                1020 Jason Place, Chatham

      Saturday, September 6th         

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                               11 am – 3 pm

                                      For more info or videos of the devices go to

http://milnelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/facebook-like-button.jpg                              http://www.elitek9.com/k-9-proLaunch/productinfo/sd504/

Attention Scottie Owners




 Tackling the Beast Head-on!
 
New TCC Screening Study Announced


Marcia Dawson, DVM, Chairman HTF


 
For those who have never known a Scottie afflicted with bladder cancer, you can count yourself fortunate.  In a breed estimated to be 16-20 times more at risk for Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) than other breeds, any effort to tackle the disease is indeed welcome news. Now, with the STCA’s endorsement and approval of HTF funding for a new screening study to be conducted by Dr. Debbie Knapp at Purdue University, the news could not be better.

Dr. Knapp is already well known to Scottie owners and the STCA for her tenacious, long-term research and clinical trials on TCC, a cancer that far too many of us have experienced in our dogs. Thirteen years ago, she and Dr. Larry Glickman conducted the first epidemiological study to characterize this disease in Scotties. Six years later, Dr. Knapp joined forces with Dr. Elaine Ostrander at the NIH to research the genetics of TCC in Scotties and other high-risk breeds, a project of major significance that is still underway. And now, in her study entitled Screening and Early Intervention to Positively Transform the Management of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Scottish Terriers, Dr. Knapp plans to follow a population of 100 Scottish Terriers over a 3-year period with twice-a-year screenings.


The ultimate goal of this study is the development of a successful and routine screening protocol for Scotties and other high-risk breeds, leading to early intervention when needed using a relatively low risk medication. This protocol may ultimately save the lives of thousands of dogs, while avoiding the side effects from traditional cancer treatment and helping to lower health care costs for the owners.


The screenings will consist of a physical exam, ultrasound of the bladder, urine collection by free-catch for specialized urine assays and urinalysis, blood collection, and paperwork to be filled out by the owners. The screenings will take place year-round at Purdue and also in the fall and spring at two off-campus locations: Louisville, KY (Rose Shacklett, coordinator) and Chatham, IL (Lisa Hills, coordinator). There will be no cost to the Scottie owners for the screenings. If abnormal lesions are discovered in the screening, follow-up diagnostic work will be offered at Purdue, also at no cost to the owner.

Dr. Knapp’s new study is an innovative approach in veterinary medicine in that it focuses on the prevention, early detection and early intervention of TCC in Scotties. In human medicine, we know that routine screenings and early diagnosis of disease can result in more successful treatment outcomes. But this is not a typical course of action in veterinary medicine. Too often the diagnosis of TCC in Scotties is made too late, when the cancer is too advanced and often has already spread to other areas, making treatment much less effective. Dr. Knapp is taking a proactive approach in that she wants to screen apparently healthy dogs starting at the minimum age of 7 years and then follow these dogs carefully over 3 years. This will allow Dr. Knapp and her team to detect the earliest, pre-cancerous changes in the bladder wall, even before there are any symptoms in the Scottie. If abnormalities are found on screening and a diagnosis of TCC is then confirmed, Dr. Knapp will be able to intervene earlier than ever before with Deramaxx®, a drug similar to piroxicam. It is expected that this early intervention with a pill taken every day will result in regression or long-term control of the disease in the majority of affected Scotties.


Weighing the importance and the potential benefits of the study for our Scotties, the HTF and the STCA Board agreed to help fund the project to the level of $30,000 per year for a 3-year period. The sponsor agreements with Purdue University are now officially signed, and the project has the green light!


There is no question that this study is a big commitment for the HTF, one that we enter into with consideration and care. Yet, we firmly believe that this project has the potential to provide the tools to routinely screen for, diagnose early and manage this terrible disease in our beloved Scotties, both now in the future. In fact, the study is already having an impact! In a practice run at Purdue on June 18th, TCC was discovered in Barb Zink’s 11-year-old Rita, one of 7 Scotties screened. After confirmation of the diagnosis with a biopsy via cystoscopy, Rita is now the first case on Deramaxx, and so far, she is doing well.


In the ultimate analysis, the success of this important study can be achieved only through the participation of Scottie owners. If you are able and willing to enter your Scottie(s) in this study, please contact the individuals listed in the accompanying fact sheet for more information and details. For those unable to participate, and for all Scottie owners who understand the ravages of this disease, please consider contributing to this cause, in memory of so many beautiful dogs that we have lost and for the future of so many Scotties to come.


Marcia Dawson DVM ©2014
Chairman, STCA Health Trust Fund
hijinkscot@hughes.net



The Screening Study is scheduled to start September 1st 2014 and will span the next 3 years. All appointments for screening clinics will be schedules in advance. Times and dates to be announced.

For information about the study and to enroll your Scottie:
Patty Bonney, BS, RVT
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Purdue Comparative Oncology Program
College of Veterinary Medicine
625 Harrison St.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
(765)494-1130
bonney@purdue.edu

Springfield, IL Contact:
Lisa Hills
Kinross@comcast.net