New Treatment Zaps Cat Allergy Symptoms for Two Years

Canadian researchers have developed a treatment that protects cat allergy sufferers for up to two years. Just four doses kept many symptoms at bay two years after patients started treatment.

The scientists are affiliated with Ontario's McMaster University. They pronounced their vaccine successful after the second phase of a clinical trial to treat allergies to cats, according to Medical News Today.

Michael Larché, professor of medicine, presented the findings at an annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) in San Antonio. McMaster partnered with Circassia, Ltd., a UK biotech firm, to develop the treatment.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that between 15 and 30 percent of individuals with allergies are allergic to cats and dogs. Allergies to cats occur about twice as often as those involving dogs.

One common misconception, the AAFA says, is that pet hair is the cause. People with cat allergies actually suffer from a reaction to the feline's dander -- dead skin the animal sheds -- instead of its fur. However, cat fur collects dander.

According to the AAAAI, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed of cat or dog. While the easiest way to relieve an allergy is removing the pet from the environment, many cat owners instead opt for allergy injections from an allergist or immunologist. Over time, this treatment can reduce the symptoms of the allergy, which is actually allergic rhinitis, in many sufferers.

McMaster University says that the team's work built on research conducted for 10 years in Canada and Britain, and tested a vaccine that has almost no side effects. They developed the treatment by deconstructing a molecule in cat dander responsible for most problems connected to allergies to cats. By utilizing an amino acid code found within a protein that activates T-cells in the human immune system, they produced an effective vaccine.

The second phase of the trial included 202 patients who received either the vaccine or a placebo over a 12-week period. The researchers reassessed 50 subjects after two years for symptoms. Those who received four doses of vaccine still showed significantly fewer symptoms while exposed to cat allergens for four days. If additional tests prove positive, the vaccine could be available within two years.

My husband and I have taken over-the-counter medications for airborne allergies for years. In the 1980s, I completed eight years of injections for dust and mold. Five years ago, we founded a cat rescue. Our allergy symptoms significantly worsened within six months.

Although some cats are short-term guests, others are permanent residents. Given the volume of animals, it's impossible to figure out which might be culprits in order for us to be currently immunized. A broad-spectrum vaccine that could banish cat allergy symptoms for two years would definitely be on our medical wish list.

Vonda J. Sines has published thousands of print and online health and medical articles. She specializes in diseases and other conditions that affect the quality of life.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/treatment-zaps-cat-allergy-symptoms-two-years-191900413.html

February is Pet Dental Health Month

Did you know that a healthy mouth is a necessary aspect of your pet's overall physical health? February is Pet Dental Health Month and we urge you to bring your pet in for a dental appointment this month! Keep your pets’ mouth fresh and disease free this February!

Few things can negatively impact the health of a dog or cat like the pain, inflammation and infection associated with unchecked periodontal disease. Data suggests that an unhealthy mouth can negatively impact the health of a distant organ like the kidneys and the heart. Fortunately, periodontal inflammation is a disease that is both preventable and treatable.

The most important part to excellent dental health is home care. Daily brushing of the gums and teeth with your finger, a finger toothbrush, or best yet a soft toothbrush combined with an enzymatic toothpaste is the most effective tool in periodontal health. Combine brushing with a dog's natural tendency to chew on toys or rawhides,and you have a strong recipe for success. Five minutes per day chewing on an appropriate chew item will halt plaque from hardening into tartar and help condition the gums, thus preventing gingivitis (inflammation). Bones, antlers and hooves are too hard for most dogs and frequently result in chipped or broken teeth. I recommend offering large rawhides given under direct supervision (to prevent a dog from swallowing large pieces). 

Although brushing and chewing are the foundation of good home care there are a myriad of products available to supplement these efforts. Oral rinses, water additives, and powders may assist with dental health, but are often never truly tested for effectiveness and sometimes not even safety tested. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) was created by veterinarian dental specialist to review product data to see if effectiveness claims had any validity. I recommend you choose products that either your veterinarian has recommended or that carry the VOHC seal. 

Even with the best home care, eventually gingivitis and periodontal disease will rear their ugly heads. Your veterinarian can identify when this is beginning to happen during your pet's annual exam, or, in the case of elderly dogs, twice yearly exams. Some pets need full dental cleaning/prophylaxis under anesthesia every year, while others can go many years with home care alone. Your veterinarian will help you determine your pet's specific needs. 

Anesthetic based dental prophylaxis versus non-anesthetic cleaning…now the controversy begins! Virtually all the board certified veterinary dentists in the United States are in agreement that non-anesthetic cleaning cannot accomplish their intended health goals and are at best cosmetic, and at worst, detrimental. It is almost impossible to clean and examine the insides of the back teeth unless a cat or dog's mouth remains fully open without movement for the full hour or so it takes to adequately clean, polish and examine both the visible aspects of the tooth and the tooth under the gum line where most of the disease causing abnormalities and inflammation will be found. Also, it is impossible to x-ray teeth when awake and if a tooth is diseased, it is likely to be painful to the dog if probed or curetted while awake. At our practice, we frequently have to address pathology that was missed or aggravated by non-professional, non-anesthetic cleanings done elsewhere, shortly after those "cleanings" have been performed. 

Anesthesia in this day and age is very gentle and very safe. We use multiple methods to monitor animal health during anesthesia (ECG, blood pressure, carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels, etc.). The newer anesthetic agents we now use are the same as used in human anesthesia and allow us to safely anesthetize even compromised patients. Licensed technicians and veterinarians have extensive training and ongoing education in safe anesthetic techniques. When the rare risk of anesthesia is weighed against the risk of not adequately treating periodontal disease, there simply is no rational reason to avoid a complete dental prophylaxis treatment under anesthesia. 

By utilizing all the tools available: tooth brushing, appropriate regular chew items, VOHC approved dental health aids and complete dental prophylaxis under anesthesia, your cat or dog will be able to enjoy a healthy, non-painful mouth over a long lifetime. 

For a view from a veterinarian that once participated in non-anesthetic dentals but then realized their limitations, please see www.youtube.com/user/SeattleVeterinary/videos. 

Stuart Spencer, DVM  

Dr. Spencer earned his degree from the University of California, Davis. He received a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Range Management from Cal Poly San Luisobispo.

"I have a special interest in well patient care, geriatrics, internal medicine, endoscopy and laser surgery." 

He has two dogs, one of which "has a talent for challenging all of my medical abilities with his many chronic illnesses." Dr. Spencer has a strong interest in international development and resource management. Away from the office, he spends time fly-fishing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, soapstone carving, snow skiing, and snowshoeing.

Dog virus outbreak in Puget Sound worries owners

The Associated Press

EVERETT, Wash. —Originally published Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 4:25 PM

An outbreak of canine virus in the Puget Sound region has dog owners nervous.

Parvovirus is highly contagious, can be deadly for young dogs and can live in dirty areas for a long time, the Everett Herald reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/SnLDBm).

The discovery of the virus in the area prompted the cities of Everett and Mukilteo to close municipal off-leash dog parks this week. There have been unconfirmed reports of dogs becoming ill after visiting an Everett dog park, city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.

In Seattle, there has been a spike in the number of reported cases.

After the cities of Everett and Mukilteo closed municipal off-leash dog parks this week, Cheryl Campbell of Mukilteo immediately called her veterinarian, Thomas Koenig, in Everett, for more information.

Campbell's beagles are up-to-date in all of their vaccines, she was assured.

"My vet said the virus can stay in dirt for very long time, so I am keeping my dogs out of the off-leash parks as long as I can," Campbell said. "I am so angry with people who bring sick dogs to public places. If you choose not to vaccinate, you not only are putting your dog at risk, but also hundreds of other dogs."

Koenig said he was not aware of an outbreak of parvovirus in Snohomish County. In Seattle, however, there has been a spike in the number of reported cases.

"Dog stool in this rainy weather can be contagious for six months," Koenig said. "Dogs without vaccinations could be the problem. Get your dog vaccinated if you aren't sure if it's been done."

At the Washington State Veterinary Medicine Association office in Pullman, people are keeping an eye on the King County outbreak.

"It's important to note that parvovirus is in the environment all the time and that outbreaks occur sporadically," association spokesman Charlie Powell said. "Unvaccinated dogs are at risk, but some dogs who have the vaccine may not even be able to fight it. There is no way to avoid the risk of catching parvo, but you can keep your dog out of kennels and boarding facilities where parvovirus has been present."

"However, there is no way to tell whether the virus is at the park two weeks from now. It's like saying we can control the common cold," Powell said. "You can vaccinate, sanitize water dishes and living areas and quarantine sick animals, but that's about it."

He added dogs can survive parvovirus, "but it's really hard on them."

Everett officials are keeping dog parks closed until further notice, while information on the parvo outbreak is gathered, Reardon said.

At the off-leash dog park along the beach in Edmonds on Friday, Jim and Anna Drake let their dogs Bix and Lennie run in the rain and wind.

"It was scary to hear about the outbreak," said Jim Drake, of Edmonds. "But we verified that our dogs are vaccinated. That's about all you can do. We were willing to come out to the park today because we knew that not a lot of dogs would be here."

Colt Mace, also of Edmonds, said he is not worried about his dog, Alpha.

"He's vaccinated and he is old," Mace said. "Where I come from in Eastern Oregon, parvo is just part of nature. You take your dog home and nurse him back to health."

Source: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/up/rr/alertscenter.html

Pet Obesity

Is your pet overweight? We recommend keeping your pet on a healthy diet, and exercising them regularly to prevent weight issues from developing. It’s important to give your pets only healthy foods that are a part of their own diets—human food is strictly discouraged because so much of it can be dangerous for our pets!—and exercise such as daily walks for dogs, and regular playtime for dogs and cats are a definite must to keep your pet healthy. 

Pets & Insects

It's time to go outdoors with your pet and check out all flowers and plants. Make sure to keep an eye on your pet in case a bee decides he doesn't want your pet to get up close and personal. There are all sorts of flying critters out in the garden, so make sure your pet is protected from allergic reactions to insect bites or stings. Protect your pet so you both can enjoy the summer season together!

Vaccine Developed on Mice Holds Promise for Treating Crohn's Disease

Researchers say a synthetic vaccine developed on mice could successfully treat autoimmune diseases, including Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The synthetic vaccine, which tricks the immune system into producing antibodies that fight disease-causing enzymes, significantly reduced symptoms of Crohn's Disease in mice, the study found.

A synthetic vaccine based on nanotechnology holds out the promise of halting autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's and rheumatoid arthritis, it has been reported.

Early research has shown that the molecular principle behind the approach works, at least in mice.
Scientists are excited by the findings, which hold out the prospect of new treatments for a broad range of conditions. The research could also lead to new ways of tackling the spread of cancer.

However, much more work is needed before experts can be sure the therapy is safe for humans. The research is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The vaccine tricks the immune system into producing antibodies that target an enzyme at the heart of autoimmune diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cut through structural materials such as collagen to assist cellular mobilisation and wound healing.

When some members of the enzyme family, especially the enzyme MMP9, get out of control they can promote autoimmune disease and cancer metastasis - the deadly spread of cancer around the body.
MMPs are normally held in check naturally by inhibitor molecules called TIMPs. But the biological mechanism involved is extremely precise and previous attempts to mimic it with artificial drugs have produced severe side effects.

The new research took a different tack by not targeting MMPs directly. Instead, tiny metallic vaccine molecules were created that fooled the immune system into manufacturing its own MMP-suppressing antibodies.

When the vaccine was tested on mice with a rodent version of Crohn's - a form of inflammatory bowel disease - it significantly reduced their symptoms. Untreated mice suffered severe damage to their colons while those injected with the vaccine experienced only "limited" inflammation.

Professor Irit Sagi, from the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel, said: "We are excited not only by the potential of this method to treat Crohn's, but by the potential of using this approach to explore novel treatments for many other diseases."



http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gwKjmjG8Jn-_tvTz1_Rq452qJ8pQ?docId=N0631811324695320764A