They also feature top stories, today’s is about the controversy over pet vaccines.

WebMD Pet Health Feature by Bill Hendrick

Reviewed by Katherine Snyder, DVM, Dip ACVIM

Many pet owners and some animal scientists believe that we are over vaccinating our pets. They also think that some shots may be doing more harm than good. One type of cancer in cats, for example, is known to be caused by injections. In addition, vaccines can cause allergic reactions.

Because reports and rumors of side effects have become so widespread, pet owners increasingly are asking their vets about shots. Andy Smith, DVM, a long-time Atlanta veterinarian, says he has “this conversation with a client twice a week. It’s clear there’s a lot of confusion and concern.” So WebMD went to some top veterinary experts to find answers you can use in sorting out your own concerns.

Go visit WebMD to read the full article and find out why dogs need vaccines, if you should vaccinate, and can they cause cancer.

*Thanks Bella for barking this to me.

A drug by Pfizer to treat canine mast cell tumors has just been approved by the FDA. This is fantastic news and a huge step forward when it comes to treating these type of tumors, which account for about 20% of canine skin cancers.

NEW YORK, June 3 (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc’s (PFE.N) efforts to develop new cancer drugs have yielded a breakthrough — for dogs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first cancer treatment specifically designed to treat dogs, Pfizer and the agency announced on Wednesday.

The drug Palladia was approved to treat canine mast cell tumors, a potentially serious type of cancer that accounts for about 20 percent of canine skin tumors, and one that can spread to other parts of the body, including lymph nodes, if not treated.

All cancer drugs now used in veterinary medicine originally were developed for use in humans and are not specifically approved for use in animals, the FDA said.

“This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine,” Bernadette Dunham, director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in a statement.

“Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs,” she said.

Pfizer said it would begin selling Palladia in early 2010, but will make the oral drug available to certain veterinary oncology specialists prior to that.

Palladia works by killing tumor cells and by cutting off the blood supply to the tumor.

The pill must be taken every other day and the dog will likely have to be on the therapy for several months or longer, depending on tumor response, Pfizer said.

The cost for this treatment has not yet been divulged.  Since treatments for humans trying new cancer drugs can run into the tens of thousands hopefully it will be made more affordable for canines.

It is estimated by Pfizer Animal Health that 1.2 million new canine cancer cases are reported in the United States every year.

* Dr. Dachshund ready to serve.

This is an interesting article about a 6-year-old sheltie that could barely walk due to arthritis, and a new technique to treat it.

Owner Vicki Rusconi had tried numerous procedures to try and help her dog Abby, but nothing worked.  Abby’s pain was so bad that euthanasia was being considered.

All that changed when Rosconi found out about a treatment using Abby’s own stem cells.

When a vet at the animal clinic where she works recommended injecting stem cells using Abby’s own fat, she figured she had nothing to lose.

“I was skeptical to be honest, but I was willing to try anything,” Rusconi said. “I think when you get to the point where it’s either euthanize your dog or try a new procedure, you’re willing to try it.”

Since the first round worked so well, Abby is now undergoing a second round of stem cell injections using her own fat.

“The stem cells come from the fat sample from the abdomen, and they get as much stem cells out of that as they do from bone marrow,” explained Dr. Gary Brown.

The procedure is still experimental and can run about $3000, so it doesn’t come cheap.  According to the company who developed the procedure, hundreds of dog have undergone the stem cell therapy, about 80 percent showed improvement.

Abby was one of the lucky ones, she has done very well. Hopefully her second round of treatment will be just as successful. That’s great news for dogs who suffer from this condition, the therapy definitely sounds promising.

* The cutie above is A.J., he starred in a school play, check out his page.

I want to thank Mr. Henry and his mom for making me aware of some very important information.

There are five surprising foods that can be harmful to dogs that many people don’t know about.

Mr. Henry wanted to make sure all his Dogster pals stay healthy, his mom has a blog and posted this great advice.

There are several natural and seemingly healthy human foods are also harmful-even toxic-to dogs. So before you head to the kitchen to whip up fresh batch of canine casserole, read on to discover five surprising foods that are toxic to dogs.

Garlic & Onion: Though treated as a health food and often taken in supplement form by humans, garlic (along with its alliaceae cousins onions and leeks) is toxic-sometimes deadly-for pets, with reactions ranging from stomach damage to acute dermatitis to asthmatic attacks. Pets By Nature reports the story of a Pennsylvania woman who lost her Newfoundland to garlic poisoning: “Within two weeks of feeding a popular garlic supplement available at most pet stores and over the Internet, her Newfoundland developed a bleeding ulcer and perforated intestine.” The dog did not survive.

Grapes & Raisins: While not as toxic as members of the onion family, consumption of grapes and raisins can cause vomiting, dehydration and, in large quantities, kidney failure. The exact toxin present in grapes is not known, but scientists have established that both commercially and privately cultivated grapes, as well as raisins, present a risk.

Avocado: According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), avocado leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain a toxic substance called Persin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal unpleasantness in dogs. While a medium-sized dog would have to consume a substantial quantity of avocado (picture a big bowl of guacamole) to become seriously ill, even a little bit is enough to cause an upset tummy.

Macadamia Nuts: Not widely consumed outside of Hawaii, macadamia nuts pose a stealth risk to canine health. The nuts can cause macadamia nut toxicosis, resulting in soreness, stiffness, and listlessness, according to Working Dog Magazine. The condition usually passes in 48 hours, but can lead to shock in severe cases.

Nutmeg: This popular spice, commonly used to season cakes, vegetables and even lasagna, should never be found on your dog’s dinner plate. Nutmeg, which has mild hallucinogenic properties, can cause seizures, tremors, central nervous system problems in dogs. In severe cases, shock and death have been reported.

Looking for Fido friendly snacks?  Grab your leash and run on over to read about some healthy foods that can be added to your dog’s diet.

* The picture above is Tank, he knows the importance of healthy snacks.

It’s the time of year when people like to redecorate for the holidays. Sunbear Squad has a great tip to keep in mind this holiday season.

WEEKLY WATCH TIP for Nov. 2

Watch for pets that are banished from the house before new carpet or furniture arrives for the holidays; they will be wandering and hungry.

Be A Good Samaritan For Animals

In between vet visits it’s always a good idea to routinely examine your dog.

This way if there is anything out of the ordinary, like a lump,  you’ll be able to tell right away.

You can do this simple exam while watching TV together, bathing, or grooming.  Below is how to do this simple and quick checkup, a few minutes is all it takes.

Run your hands over your dog’s head and body. Any new lumps or bumps? Observe the eyes, and check inside the ears and under the tail. Give the pet a good belly rub as you check the abdomen for hardness, swelling, lumps or bumps.

Other things to check:

• Shiny coat?

• Fur coming out other than normal shedding?

• Visible discharges from eyes, nose, ears or glands?

• Lift up the side of the mouth to check whether teeth are clean and gums are pink. Bad breath and discoloration of gums are not healthy.

• The nose should be wet without a discharge.

• Ear flaps should be pink.

A few minutes every month is all it takes. You probably will notice when something is not right. Be sure to tell the vet anything out of the ordinary to help avoid serious health problems.

Thanks to ” Dear Heloise”  for bringing us this important and useful information.

*Pixie Leigh, pictured above, has learned the importance of getting a monthly checkup.

If you’ve ever thought of combining your love of dogs and running there’s a few things to keep in mind before hitting the road.

Getting Rover ready for a run is very important,  otherwise you may be risking both dog and owner safety.  A veterinarian, dog trainer, and owner gives us five tips before starting out.

1. Lapdog or lap-runner?
Before setting out, take an honest look at your dog. Is he a high-energy mutt who would love to run, or is he a breed more suited to snuggling at your feet?

2. Heel!
After type of dog, obedience is key. After all, a run will be no fun if your dog stops to sniff every tree, or races in front of you and trips you up. Your dog should learn to heel, and a good obedience class can teach this skill.

3. Dogs Unleashed
“Ideally, you should jog with your dog in off-leash areas so that he or she can got at his or her own pace and has the option to speed up or rest if needed,” she says. “You and your dog may not have the same ideal pace, and it may be difficult for your dog to match your stride comfortably or even safely.”

4. Clean bill of health
Before embarking on a running program, Dr. Akins recommends getting the “all clear” from the dog’s vet.

5. Keep cool
Even if your dog is “running fit,” it’s important to recognize that dogs don’t have as efficient cooling systems as humans do and are more susceptible to heat stroke. Especially in warmer weather, runners need to be alert to signs of exhaustion and overheating.

Remember, just like humans, not all dogs enjoy running.  Run on over to read the full article to make sure you’re on the right track.

As summer comes to a close and Labor Day weekend fast approaching this is a great tip to keep in mind.  As always, we thank our friends from Sunbear Squad for this great tip.

WATCH TIP for week of Aug. 24

Watch for lost dogs and cats on the Labor Day holiday weekend. Dogs and cats traveling with their families sometimes take fright and run away. Be a Good Samaritan for animals.

On Aug. 5, Batman was the first patient to get an experimental therapy that researchers at the University of Minnesota hope will cure his brain cancer, which is the same kind that Sen. Ted Kennedy has. If it works for Batman and other dogs, they say, it holds enormous promise as an effective treatment for people, too.

Batman has joined a relatively new field of research called comparative oncology, where researchers leverage what they learn from pets for both animals and people. Advances in molecular and genetic testing show that many diseases in animals don’t just look the same in humans, they are the same, said Dr. Jaime Modiano, professor of comparative oncology at the university’s veterinary school.

It seems we have more in common with our pals than was previously thought.  The great thing about the therapy if it works?

That means the Bakers will know within three to seven months, rather than years, whether Tuesday’s surgery and the experimental treatment will prevent Batman’s cancer from returning

I urge you to read the entire article as it goes into further detail of Batman’s parents’ decision to enroll him in this program.

A Lexington woman says her pet German Shepherd, “Judah,” got into a bottle of “Gorilla Glue.”

The dog ate some of the glue and it expanded in his stomach. Surgery was required to remove the cantaloupe-sized mass and save the dog’s life.

Vets at Woodford Veterinary Clinic say this is the third case they’ve seen in six months and it’s getting national attention in veterinary journals.

As for “Judah,” the dog is recovering and should be back to normal in a couple of days.