Martha Schindler Connors -- dogs & pets clips

THE BARK
July/August 2008
Joint Efforts
Managing your dog's arthritis takes careful coordination

Think of them as the silent sufferers: the millions of dogs who hobble among us, creaking away on swollen joints and dwindling cartilage. Most are older, but the years didn’t make them that way. Arthritis did.

Osteoarthritis is the biggest cause of chronic pain in U.S. dogs. According to most estimates, it affects more than 20 percent (that’s 10 to 12 million animals).

Technically speaking, osteoarthritis, or OA, is a degenerative disease involving one or more joints in a dog’s body. It most often shows up in middle-aged or older dogs, although there’s no standard age of onset, explains Jamie Gaynor, DVM, MS, director of the Animal Anesthesia and Pain Management Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. But OA isn’t just an old dog’s disease, nor is every dog destined to be arthritic.

OA is generally triggered by excessive wear in one or more joints, but dogs who have joint irregularities are more likely to develop arthritis in the affected joint. These irregularities can be caused by trauma—an accident or injury—or by a developmental deformity, such as hip or elbow dysplasia, which is a genetic condition that develops in a dog after birth. Other factors that can contribute to OA are obesity (see sidebar) and overuse. This is a problem for racing dogs as well as for many working breeds; they may not be herding sheep or pointing birds for a living, but many still feel compelled to run around as though they were.

Osteoarthritis is tough to manage, in part because it’s cyclical: Inflammation creates pain as well as physical changes that force the joint to move in an unnatural way, creating more pain and inflammation. Once it gets started, arthritis is difficult, if not impossible, to stop. What’s more, just controlling the pain of arthritis is anything but simple. Researchers have found that arthritis pain follows several different pathways and creates changes in the dog’s central nervous system, which means that keeping an arthritic dog comfortable most often requires more than one type of pain relief. There’s no cure for OA — treatment generally focuses on treating the discomfort and slowing the loss of cartilage and damage to the joints. And vets agree that there’s no silver bullet: No drug or therapy or supplement works on every dog, and no two dogs respond in exactly the same way to any treatment. But there are steps that you can take to slow the progression of arthritis and keep your dog as happy and active as possible.

Dietary Supplements
Veterinarians’ offices, pet supply stores and Internet shopping sites are brimming with supplements, all promising to have your creaky old dog prancing like a puppy. But while there’s plenty of snake oil out there, some supplements do seem to work: some on the pain, others on the inflammation and still others on the cartilage itself.
This last group, known as disease-modifying agents, can create changes in the dog’s body that have a direct impact on the progression of a disease, explains Dawn Boothe, DVM, PhD, a professor and director of the clinical pharmacology laboratory at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Auburn, Ala. In a dog with arthritis, these supplements can make the cartilage healthier and better able to fight off the damaging effects of OA. The supplements listed here can be combined with other remedies, but check with your vet before adding them to your dog’s diet. Give any supplement at least four weeks to work, says Carvel G. Tiekert, DVM, who is executive director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. “If you don’t see any changes after six weeks, try something else,” he says.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. These substances provide the building blocks for polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, or PSGAGs, which are long-chain molecules that hold water and give cartilage its cushion. Research shows they can be very effective in both animals and humans. A recent study found that arthritic dogs given a supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin for 10 weeks had significantly less pain than dogs who didn’t get the supplement.
However, not all glucosamine is created equal. “There’s a huge range in quality of these supplements,” says Dr. Boothe. To be sure you’re getting your money’s worth, stick with products that have been proven effective in studies. Both Dr. Gaynor and Dr. Boothe recommend products from Nutramax Labs, which manufactures Cosequin and Dasuquin. Glyco-Flex III, from Vetri-Science Labs, is also well researched, says Dr. Gaynor.

Thin Is In
Research has consistently shown that dogs who are on the skinny side live longer, healthier lives than dogs who are overweight — or even normal weight. A landmark study published a few years ago tracked a group of Labrador Retrievers from seven different dams and two different sires over their lifetimes. Starting at eight weeks, half of the dogs were fed a standard diet; the others were fed 25 percent less. At age eight, the dogs were all X-rayed for arthritis, and the leaner dogs had much less of it: Only about 5 percent of the dogs fed the skimpier diet, compared to 45 percent of the control group, had arthritis in two or more joints.
"We know that a lot of arthritis is preventable just by keeping your dog at an ideal weight or just slightly below that," says Julia Tomlinson, PhD, a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner in Burnsville, Minn., and a member of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians. "At least half of the dogs that walk into my rehab clinic are overweight, and most of them come in because of a specific problem that's being exacerbated by their weight."

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Supplemental MSM appears to act as an analgesic (like aspirin). In a few small studies, it has improved pain and physical function in people with OA.

DL-phenylalanine (DLPA). DLPA is a synthetic amino acid that seems to relieve pain. One component of DLPA, D-phenylalanine (DPA), has been shown to decrease chronic pain and boost the pain-relieving benefits of some medications (and of acupuncture) in animals and humans.

Fish Oil. Extracts from cold-water fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation. Human studies show that fish oil helps alleviate pain, and a 2008 study found that fish oil improves the synovial fluid in dogs with inflammatory joint disease following a ligament injury.

Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables. (ASUs). ASUs (the leftovers from soap production) act as anti-inflammatories, and can inhibit the breakdown of cartilage and promote its repair.
Perna canaliculus (Green-lipped Mussel). Extracts from this New Zealand mollusk have been shown to reduce joint pain and swelling in arthritic dogs.

Pharmaceuticals
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs. The go-to pain medications in nearly every vet’s arsenal are NSAIDs (NSAIDs for humans include aspirin and ibuprofen). The NSAIDs approved for use in dogs include Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx, Previcox and Zubrin. Of these, the first four are COX inhibitors (they target the cyclooxygenase, or COX, enzymes responsible for inflammation and pain).
“Some dogs respond better to one, but they all have essentially the same mechanism,” says Dennis Caywood, DVM, MS, a diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in Minneapolis. The drug Zubrin blocks the COX enzymes as well as a second type of chemicals, called leukotrienes, meaning it addresses two different inflammation pathways. This could make it more powerful than the others, says Dr. Boothe. While NSAIDs can be very effective, they also carry the risk of side effects, including damage to the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. They require careful dosing, and can’t be combined with other NSAIDs.

Corticosteroids, or Glucocorticoids. Veterinary glucocorticoids, including prednisolone and methylated prednisolone (Cortisate-20, Depo-Medrol and Medrol), are steroidal medicines that attack inflammation. Unfortunately, they also attack the dog’s tissues.
“As a pharmacologist, I have a real bias against using steroids to treat chronic pain,” says Dr. Boothe. Glucocorticoids can cause weight gain, incontinence and lethargy. Long-term, they’ve been linked to compromised immunity, muscle and bone loss and a potentially fatal shutdown of the adrenal glands. Moreover, glucocorticoids actually damage cartilage. “Veterinarians have used them in older animals with the idea that they were the only thing that would relieve the dog’s pain,” says Dr. Boothe. “But now there are better options.” However, she says, glucocorticoids might be used in a one-time, direct-to-the-joint injection (see hyalauronic acid, following).

Narcotics. Tramadol (Ultram) is a synthetic opiate. It’s strictly a pain reliever, says Dr. Gaynor, not an anti-inflammatory, so it can be safely combined with NSAIDs and many other drugs.

Medicines for Neuropathic Pain. Two drugs for humans, gabapentin and amantadine, also address the neurologic components of dogs’ pain—how the pain messages are carried to the dog’s spinal cord and brain. These drugs also reduce “windup,” a phenomenon in which a dog’s nerves become overly sensitized, leading her to feel pain from things that otherwise wouldn’t hurt at all.

Injectable PSGAGs. Adequan is a prescription PSGAG that works like glucosamine and chondroitin, only faster, says Dr. Boothe. Hyalauronic acid, or HLA, is natural source of PSGAGs (it’s found in connective tissue and synovial fluid).
“We’ve had very good luck with HLA,” says James Cook, DVM, director of the Comparative Orthopedic Laboratory at the University of Missouri–Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine. “We do a series of three joint injections, the first with HLA and Depo-Medrol, and the last two with just HLA. It’s been very effective, even in dogs with advanced OA.” HLA is also given orally, but there’s no evidence that it’s effective that way, says Dr. Boothe.

Other Therapies
Rehabilitation. Physical therapy can be very helpful, says Dr. Caywood. “Strengthening exercises and activities like swimming or using an underwater treadmill build the muscles in and around the joint, making it easier for the dog to get around,” he explains.

Therapeutic Lasers. Low-level lasers have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation and to stimulate healing in humans and animals.

Electromedicine. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) uses powerful, high-energy sound waves to treat OA (it’s painful, so dogs are typically sedated). Pulsed signal therapy (PST) delivers small, imperceptible pulses of electromagnetic energy. A handful of studies have shown that both therapies can be effective in animals as well as humans.

Acupuncture. Studies suggest that this ancient Chinese treatment can reduce stress, pain and inflammation. “We’ve seen some great results in dogs with arthritis,” says Dr. Gaynor, who is also certified in veterinary acupuncture.

Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. Arthritic dogs can be treated with stem cells harvested from the dog’s own fat stores (cells are harvested, re-engineered, then injected into the arthritic joint). A recent study found that treated dogs had significantly less lameness and pain and better range of motion. The stem cells seem to help regenerate cartilage and other tissue, providing pain relief in the process, says Dr. Gaynor.

Surgery
Arguably the last choice in any menu of treatments, surgery can offer an arthritic dog a chance at real relief. Veterinary surgeons can remove painful bony growths and other problems arthroscopically, and can partially or completely replace a dog’s hip joint, all with generally good results. Total elbow replacement is available as well, although the success rate in elbows isn’t as high as that in hips, says Dr. Caywood. Right now, hips and elbows are the only joints that can be surgically replaced.

Looking Ahead
Canine OA has probably been around as long as canines. The difference now, says Dr. Cook, is that we’re better at recognizing it. And we’re more concerned with treating it than dog owners of the past might have been.

“Now, we’re looking at ways to spot arthritis before it gets too advanced,” he says. Researchers are also looking for genetic biomarkers—factors in the dog’s blood or joint fluid that would show the likelihood of his developing OA in the future. He encourages owners to know their dog’s predisposition for inherited joint diseases (the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals publishes dysplasia statistics for various breeds: http://www.offa.org), then talk to a vet about how ways to minimize the OA that might occur. “Anything that you do early in the dog’s life will have much more impact than what you do after the problem has developed,” he says.

THE BARK
May/June 2008

Cutting-Edge Collaboration

At Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, it's all about teamwork

Forget the idea of the solitary researcher toiling away in his lab. At the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences (CVMBS) at Colorado State University, they decided long ago that cooperation beats isolation, and that inspiration and innovation can come from many different places.

Indeed, what truly sets CSU’s vet college apart is its collaborative spirit, its mission to work with other scientists and practitioners to develop and deliver the best possible care to its animal patients. With more than a century under its metaphorical belt—CVMBS celebrated its 100th birthday last year—the college is consistently ranked among the nation’s top vet schools. It also operates the first — and largest — animal cancer center in the world.

“We really started the idea that you could treat dogs with cancer instead of just throwing up your hands,” says Robert Ullrich, PhD, director of oncology research at the Animal Cancer Center. “We’ve also been at the forefront of researching and treating spontaneous tumors in dogs, and translating that knowledge to human medicine.”

Here, then, are the most exciting goings-on at CSU.

Integrative Medicine
For the past 12 years, CVMBS has operated a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) program under the direction of Narda Robinson, DO, DVM, an expert in scientific and evidence-based alternative medicine, both the human (osteopathic) and animal kind. In 2006, Dr. Robinson was appointed to a full-time faculty position and now leads research projects, teaches CAM methods to vet school students and serves as director of the school’s Center for Comparative and Integrative Pain Medicine.

“We have grown in many ways and directions,” Robinson says, “but we’re still unique. Several other vet schools have added acupuncture or herbal medicine, but none have an approach committed to scientific and evidence-based explorations and scrutiny. And to my knowledge, no other schools have a dedicated faculty position for scientifically based complementary and alternative medicine.”

This is a big deal, she says, because more and more dog owners are looking into CAM for their pets. In fact, in 2006, CVMBS did a study of owners whose pets were being treated at its Animal Cancer Center and found that more than half were using complementary and alternative medical approaches, including herbs, supplements and acupuncture. Owners said they were looking for ways to improve their pets’ overall wellbeing, as well as to improve immune function and reduce pain. Unfortunately, the study also found that many owners didn’t tell their veterinarians that they were utilizing these remedies and didn’t ask veterinary experts for advice. This lack of communication creates the potential for serious problems, such as drug interactions or overdose.

That’s where CVMBS’s program comes in. By conducting rigorous, science-based research and training vets in the proper use of alternative remedies, Robinson and her colleagues hope to expand the knowledge base regarding these therapies, and spread that knowledge to practicing veterinarians. “There has been a lot of interest in the program, and it’s growing,” Robinson says. “Over a third of each veterinary medicine class takes our overview class, and many go on to take the ‘Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians’ course.”

Late last year, Robinson spearheaded a joint effort with CSU electrical engineering students to build “SimPooch,” a simulated Labrador Retriever designed to help students learn correct acupuncture techniques. The life-size model, based on MRI data gathered from a real dog, reproduces bone, muscle, skin and fat in all their respective densities so that students can get realistic feedback as they practice the various techniques. In the next few months, the engineering students will create computer software that will reproduce the head in a virtual reality environment and interface with the physical model. It’s all part of Robinson’s science-based approach. “Anatomy is the foundation of medicine and of acupuncture,” she says. “We need to move away from the notion that acupuncture works by stimulating invisible energy systems and recognize its anatomical basis.”

Looking ahead, Robinson says she anticipates an expansion into more research, “from nutraceuticals to herbs to acupuncture, laser therapy and more.” And what does she say to skeptics? People who dismiss complementary and alternative therapies as nothing but hocus-pocus? “I tell them that I am as skeptical as they are. We are not here to promote CAM, but to study its effectiveness and measure its safety.”

High-Tech Meets High-Touch
Known for many years as the preeminent (and largest) animal cancer hospital in the world, CSU’s Animal Cancer Center is famous for its collaborations with human cancer research and treatment institutions, such as the Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute. The center sees more than 2,000 new cases every year and trains more veterinary oncologists than any other school, says Susan M. LaRue, DVM, PhD, a radiation oncologist and professor at the university’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

“This truly is a state-of-the-art facility,” LaRue says. “We’ve been doing radiation therapy with dogs since 1957.” The latest innovation: a Trilogy Linear Accelerator, which is the first of its kind in any veterinary clinic or college in the world. The Trilogy has the capacity to target tumors with a precise dose of radiation, one that is custom-fit to the tumor’s depth, shape and size, thus sparing healthy cells. It also has a built-in CT scanner and digital X-ray machine that allow doctors to monitor a tumor’s changing shape and position with each treatment.

The Trilogy can even be programmed to deliver radiation timed to the dog’s breathing pattern in order to prevent misfires if the tumor moves as the dog breathes. “One type of cancer we’ve really struggled with in dogs is nasal tumors,” says LaRue. “Think about the shape of the dog’s head: You might have a tumor wrapping around the eyes or brain, or going all the way from the dog’s nose to the top of his head. These tumors can have a very complex anatomy.” Before now, she says, treating them was more than tricky, in part because doctors couldn’t administer a big enough dose of radiation for fear of damaging the all-too-important structures nearby. “Now we can get the dose high enough to get the tumor control we need,” she says. “We don’t want to put dogs through this if we’re not going to get cures.”

But while the treatments are space-age, dogs visiting the center are treated to an old-fashioned welcome and plenty of personal attention. “We think that the patients who come in should be happy,” says LaRue. So instead of a standard hospital setting, the center’s waiting area looks more like a doggy day care, with a safe area for dogs to play and relax while waiting for their treatments. “They really like it, and they’re a lot less stressed than the owners,” she says. Most dogs get lots of attention from LaRue’s staff as well. “They get very bonded to my staff and follow them around,” she says. Unlike human oncology patients, she says, dogs really can enjoy the treatment experience, and keeping it as low-stress as possible is one of the group’s goals.

“Super” Science
Last year, CSU launched a groundbreaking program called the “Supercluster,” an alliance of science, engineering and business experts designed to foster research and new product development. CSU has two Supercluster programs, one dedicated to infectious diseases, the other to cancer research. CVMBS is one of five colleges participating in the Cancer Supercluster program, and has been behind much of its success thus far.

Vitals
Number of applicants (2007): 1,604
Number admitted (2007): 138
Number of graduates (2006): 135
Ratio of male/female students: 38/100
Average age of class of 2010: 25
Total number of graduates (1907–2007): 6,523
Number of patients treated at James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital annually: 25,000

Academic Departments:
• Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Sciences
• Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
• Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology

Best known for:
• Treating and researching animal cancer
• Researching radiology and its medical applications
• Offering the world’s first courses in animal and veterinary medicine ethics
• Pioneering canine open-heart surgery technology and techniques
• Researching and diagnosing infectious diseases

The Supercluster essentially takes the business model of an economic cluster—Silicon Valley tech companies, for example, aggregated hubs of brainpower and marketing muscle—and applies it to biomedical research and veterinary medicine. Economic clusters create a kind of critical mass, where technology and production facilities attract other businesses and thus create a powerful momentum that benefits everybody. CSU’s Superclusters generate a critical mass of research talent, which serves as a magnet for businesses that can quickly take those innovations to the marketplace. The traditional model, in which universities conduct their research, patent their discoveries and then look for companies willing to license their fledgling product—is not nearly as agile.The Cancer Supercluster includes the College of Veterinary Medicine, plus four others: the Colleges of Natural Sciences, Applied Human Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Engineering. The program employs 65 faculty members from 12 departments who conduct research in all aspects of cancer treatment and prevention, including risk assessment, diagnosis, therapeutics and genomics (the study of the relationship between genetic structure and biological function).

Much of the Supercluster, however, is based on the work of the Animal Cancer Center. For example, research from the center is being applied to a new product that will be used in human medicine. “Often, in cancer, if you can identify specific changes in the chromosomes, you can help diagnose problems,” explains Ullrich, who has studied cancer and its genetic components for more than 30 years. “Sometimes, cancers involve taking part of one chromosome and moving it to another, something called translocation. In other cases, part of the chromosome becomes inverted—this happens in some cancers and also in certain birth defects.” Until now, he says, scientists couldn’t identify these changes. But, using 15 years of research at the Animal Cancer Center, a new Supercluster company is developing a method of identifying these chromosomal inversions, and plans to launch a new birth defect–screening product for humans. “The next thing is to identify these inversions in cancer, which will help us create new markers for diagnosis and new targets for therapy, both in dogs and in people,” he says.

Applying an innovation in veterinary medicine to human patients is a fairly novel idea; most often, the protocols go the other way, says Ullrich. “Typically, we take things that have been used in humans and try them with dogs. The difference here is that we’re developing things that are so cutting edge that they’re being moved into the human arena.”

This, perhaps, is the most compelling aspect of the work that’s being done at CVMBS, in the Animal Cancer Center as well as the Supercluster program: Developing treatments that can help today’s animal patients as well as the animals — and people — of tomorrow. “We are absolutely a research facility,” says LaRue. “Realistically, we couldn’t have invested in all of this equipment solely for the purpose of treating animals. But our translational research is invaluable. We can evaluate how these patients respond to treatment and this information can go directly into the human clinic — or back to our own practice, where we can use it to help more animals down the road.”

THE BARK
November/December 2007

A Leg to Stand On
A pioneering surgical solution offers new hope for dogs and people

Curled up on his cushion, Dare, an 18-month-old Shetland Sheepdog, might look like any other Sheltie: bright-eyed, silky-coated, ready for a good game of fetch or a nice snuggle by the fire. But when he stands up, it’s a different story. Dare’s missing two legs — both on his left side — and has a tiny metal post protruding from the nub that was once his left foreleg. He looks a little battered as his fur grows back following his most recent surgery, but he’s halfway through a radical new process that should give him — and possibly thousands of other crippled dogs — a happy, normal life.

Dare is the most recent patient of Robert Taylor, DVM, founder of Denver’s Alameda East Veterinary Hospital and pioneer of a surgical procedure that’s revolutionized veterinary orthopedics. Over the past two years, Dr. Taylor and his staff have performed it on four dogs. And it’s also getting attention as a possible treatment for human amputees in the future. “This operation really looks promising for people as well as dogs,” says Ron Hugate, MD, an orthopedic surgeon (the human kind) at The Denver Clinic who participated in Dare’s implant surgery.

Serious Innovation
Working with the engineers at Biomedtrix, a New Jersey manufacturer of canine hip replacement products, Dr. Taylor has figured out how to give a dog a permanent prosthetic limb, a custom-made leg that actually becomes a permanent part of his anatomy.

This is, of course, great news for canine amputees, who until now had a fairly limited slate of options. “People do alright with artificial arms and legs,” Dr. Taylor says. “But dogs won’t tolerate them.” The solution: not a crutch or wooden leg, but an implanted prosthetic, which delivers a combination Long John Silver/Bionic Man effect.

But to get there, Dr. Taylor and his team needed to do some serious innovation. The device he’d need must be a useful limb that’s also securely — and permanently — attached to the dog’s existing leg bone. While doctors have known for years how to handle implants (which by definition are entirely inside the patient’s body) and prosthetics (which stay on the outside), no one had yet discovered how to marry the two. “That was one very big challenge,” Dr. Taylor says.

To ensure the implant’s stability, he needed to foster a biological mechanism called osseointegration, in which hard tissue (i.e., bone) merges with a foreign object. This is the process by which bone grows around — and thus anchors — a surgical implant (think bone grafts or dental implants). But far more challenging was the need for a germ-proof implant site. After all, these prosthetic legs would be running through fields and streams and dog parks, hardly the most sterile conditions. To do that, the device would need to create something called biointegration, in which the body’s soft tissue grows into another material. With biointegration, the dog’s skin could effectively seal off the protruding portion of the implant, just as grass might grow over a hole in your backyard.

The answer lay in an obscure element called tantalum (look it up on your Periodic Table: It’s number 73, right there between hafnium and tungsten). Tantalum is porous, non-irritating and virtually immune to body fluids, meaning it won’t denigrate after being inside an animal’s body. Its honeycomb-like structure closely resembles bone, and tantalum has the unique ability to form a direct bond to both hard and soft tissue, meaning the dog’s bone, muscle and other cells will meld into it. (Interestingly, tantalum was named after the mythical Greek character Tantalus, doomed by the gods to eternally reach for fruit that hung just beyond his reach. Tantalus’ name also gave us the word “tantalizing.”)

The engineers at BioMedtrix, which holds the rights to veterinary applications of tantalum, came up with a spool-like device, which consists of a titanium rod that passes through a cap of tantalum, explains Chris Sidebotham, president of Biomedtrix. The top portion of the rod is inserted into the dog’s remaining leg bone (surgeons first hollow out the bone and shape it to fit the implant precisely). To close the wound following the implantation, the surgeon pulls the skin over the tantalum cap, leaving a titanium tip that extends an inch or so (and will eventually be connected to the prosthetic leg or foot).

“The whole thing works because of the skin interface,” Sidebotham explains. As it heals, the dog’s soft tissue attaches itself to the tantalum cap to form a cuticle-like seal. And because the bone does the same, the cap creates a rock-solid (and germ-proof) foundation to which the new leg can be attached.

Each dog must be custom fitted for his implant and prosthesis, says Dr. Taylor. He works with a Denver imaging company called ProtoMed, which uses the dog’s CT scan image data to create a 3D computer model of his leg, then build a life-size plastic version. That model then goes to BioMedtrix, which creates a device that will match the model perfectly.

One Dog at a Time
The procedure was first performed in 2005 on a dog named Triumph, a Siberian Husky who’d been found on the side of a road in Adana, Turkey, with both of her hind legs cut off below the knee. Triumph was adopted by a woman in Tennessee, who brought the dog to Dr. Taylor. “We put the implants in, attached some little rubber ‘feet,’ and she was up and walking the next day,” he says. After an additional operation last year — one of the implants had worked itself loose, leading Dr. Taylor and his team to tweak the implant’s design — Triumph is now running and playing and continuing her work as a certified therapy dog.

Last year, Dr. Taylor also worked on Soldier, a yellow Labrador retriever who’d been found tied to a tree at a shooting range — and missing one of his front legs. This year, he’s also operated on Scout, another Lab who lost a hind leg after being hit by a car.

Dr. Taylor’s latest patient is Dare, the Sheltie, who came into his examination room in last June on just two legs. Surrendered by a breeder in Kansas a few months earlier, Dare was missing his left hind leg; his left foreleg was dislocated and broken in two places and contorted into a 90-degree angle. (It has since been amputated; veterinarians who tried to repair the leg found that the bones were too fragile to save.)

The vets at Alameda East cite “multiple traumas” as the cause of Dare’s troubles. Jenni McKerman, director of Colorado Sheltie Rescue and Dare’s foster owner, guesses that the puppy’s mother or another dog at the breeding facility probably chewed the hind leg off and bit and twisted the front leg, as the problems in both legs appear to be injuries, not congenital deformities.

“When we first got Dare, we hoped to be able to straighten his front leg so that he could have a more mobile life with a loving family,” says McKerman. When it became clear that the foreleg would have to be amputated, McKerman spoke with Dr. Taylor about a permanent prosthesis. And while he was waiting for it to be manufactured (a process that typically takes three to four months), Dare got a cart to support his hindquarters, allowing him to interact with other dogs and go with McKerman to every Sheltie Rescue event they could find.

“Dare is tiny — he was only about 3 pounds when we got him — but he’s friendly and outgoing and just loves everybody,” McKerman says. “And he is such a strong tough dog that he seems unaffected by all of these changes. He still thinks he ought to be allowed to run around and get into puppy trouble.”

In July, Dare got his implant, the only sign of which is a tiny titanium post sticking out of a fresh pink scar on the tip of the stump of his left foreleg. (When the leg was amputated, Dr. Taylor removed some older scar tissue from Dare’s left hind leg but otherwise left that leg alone. Dogs generally do fine on three legs, he says, and Dare should be perfectly mobile with his new front leg.)

“Dare is doing very well with his recovery,” says McKerman. “He was a little unsteady on his feet at first, because the leg with the implant was bandaged to his body and he’s used to moving it to keep his balance. But now that the bandages are off, he’s feeling much better.”

And as soon as he’s completely healed from the procedure, he’ll be fitted for his new leg. Unlike Triumph, who still had most of her legs and so could walk, right away, on simple rubber “feet” that fit directly onto her implants, Dare will need a longer, more elaborate prosthetic leg. He’ll also need lots of strengthening and physical therapy to get his shoulder ready to carry him again. “It's been a long road for our little man,” says McKerman, “but he’s almost there.”

Dr. Taylor and Alameda East have assumed much of the cost of the implanted prosthesis procedures performed so far — an average of $20,000 per dog — and have several more dogs in line to receive permanent prosthetic legs. To cover the cost of those procedures, they’ll be looking to private donors and organizations like Colorado's Helping Hands Foundation, a national charity founded by the hospital to serve as a last resort for pet owners facing emergency or specialist treatment they can’t afford. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.chhf.org.

PREVENTION
December 2007
The Tooth
of the Matter

Oral health care is as important as regular vet visits. Here's how to make it easy

Every pet owner is used to some basic chores: feeding, walking, scooping the poop. But visit any pet store and you’ll see signs of a new must-do: There on the shelves are little toothbrushes for your dog or cat, along with toothpaste in flavors only a pet could love. Which raises the question: Are you kidding?

You may have enough trouble finding time to brush your own teeth, but vets are serious about the importance of oral hygiene. Talk about deadly dog breath: Your pet can get gum disease just like you can—and if the bacteria at fault get into his bloodstream, his organs may even be damaged. “Brushing really is the best way to keep a dog’s or cat’s mouth healthy,” says Greg Hammer, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “But most owners don’t do it.”

It’s not that hard to keep your pet out of the periodontist’s office. Special food and a few choice toys can help, especially if coupled with regular checkups that include an inspection of his mouth. Here, a no-fuss guide to keeping your canine’s canines gleaming (and your cat’s, too).

Serve tooth-friendly food
The right kibble actually reduces plaque buildup— look for the seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (go to vohc.org for a complete list). Some of these foods, such as Science Diet Oral Care Diet for Dogs and Cats (hillspet.com), come in larger-than-average chunks: Your pet has to crush and chew instead of gulping, so the kibble scours his teeth as he eats, says Ed Eisner, DVM, a spokesperson for the American Veterinary Dental College. Certain brands also contain special dietary fiber that acts like a squeegee on your pet’s teeth or an ingredient that interferes with plaque formation.

Dole out chews that fight plaque
Chomping on rawhide can help polish your dog’s teeth, says Hammer. (But take it away if he tears off big hunks—they can cause intestinal obstruction.) Other treats, such as CET Oral Hygiene Chews for Dogs or Cats (sold through vets), contain a plaque-fighting enzyme. Pick toys that act like a brush Some hard rubber toys, such as the Dental Kong (kongcompany.com), have grooves that rub against teeth, scrubbing away plaque. And rope toys act like dental floss. Just don’t give your pet hard plastic playthings, which can break into sharp pieces.

Spike their food and drink
Try Pro-Den Plaque-Off (plaqueoff.com)—it’s a powder you mix into food. Or toss a little Oxyfresh Pet Oral Hygiene Solution (oxyfresh.com) into your pet’s water—it fights not just plaque but bad breath, too.

Want to Brush? Here's How:
• Start slowly. Let your dog or cat get used to you pawing its mouth. Handle his face, lift his lips, and rub his gums before you try anything more.
• Get a smelly toothpaste. Not yours—it could make your pet sick. Pet toothpaste, in yummy flavors like fish and chicken, is meant to be swallowed. (A surprising fave: vanilla mint.)
• Keep him calm. Many cats hate to have their teeth brushed. If yours is touchy, wrap him in a towel.
• Use a pet brush. Vets recommend buying a brush, sponge, or pad designed to fit into a dog’s or cat’s mouth. Hammer likes rubber finger brushes: You slip one over the tip of your index finger and then rub your pet’s teeth. Don’t worry about brushing the inside of his teeth—his tongue keeps that area clean enough.

RUNNER'S WORLD
April 2000
Pick the Perfect Pooch

You can train any dog to run at your side, but unless you do nothing but run (or plan to deposit Rover in a kennel during all his non-running hours), consider more than your mileage when choosing your dog. “Look at your lifestyle,” says Matthew Margolis, an animal behaviorist and author of several books on dog training (he’s the famous “Uncle Matty” from the PBS TV series Woof! It’s a Dog’s Life). “There’s no one best breed to run with, so your best bet is to consider what the dog was bred to do and then decide if that fits into your plans.”

For example, many hunting breeds (Pointers, Weimaraners) are very active; they were bred to search for birds for hours on end, often at a jog or run. Likewise, herding breeds (Australian and German Shepherds, Border Collies) dash after sheep for hours on end. Terriers, which were bred to hunt burrowing animals, are also tireless, as are working dogs like Huskies. Some scent hounds (like Beagles) and sight hounds (Greyhounds, Whippets) are also high-energy, using their noses or eyes to track other animals. Not the best choice: Breeds with short legs and/or heavy bodies, like Corgis or Basset Hounds, or flat-faced dogs like Boxers or Pugs, which can have trouble breathing.

But there’s also temperament to consider: Terriers can be scrappy, for example—the traits that make them fearless in the face of an angry badger can make them stubborn. Scent hounds can be obsessive about sniffing (not an asset while running), and sight hounds often bolt after anything that catches their eye (they’re also sprinters, better suited to short distances). And a sled dog is genetically programmed to pull, whether it’s fully loaded sled or you at the end of the lead. Of course, any dog can be trained to trot at your side, but you’ll make the whole exercise easier on yourself (and the dog) if you think about the dog’s heritage first.

RUNNER'S WORLD
April 1999

Teach Spot to Run

Run, Spot, Run: With the proper training, your pooch can become a wonderful running partner