Unleashing a cure - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

John Stehr/Eyewitness News

The American 20th century poet Ogden Nash first wrote the phase "The dog is man's best friend."  It's been repeated countless times, but new research may be pushing that idea a step further.
     
Niki is going home today. The 10-year-old golden retriever is a cancer patient at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine.
       
John and Dawn Hayes travel a long way to care for their pet.

"I think this is the best facility, really. Purdue, they have a good reputation, and I think this is the best chance for her," said Dawn.

Her owner Dawn Hayes drives a six-hour round trip from near Fort Wayne at least four times a month so Purdue's veterinarians can treat Niki, whose prognosis is not a positive one.

"Eventually, she's going to pass away. But if it helps human beings with this study, well maybe that's what her destiny was to be," explained Dawn.

Niki's destiny may one day be intertwined with your own, or with a member of your family. For now, she's getting about the best possible care she can get.       

"The main difference between coming here and going to a regular veterinary office is that there are people here who specialize in certain aspects of veterinary medicine," said Purdue Veterinarian Dr. Debbie Knapp.

Like cancer treatment, Purdue is a leader in canine cancer research.
 
Earlier this year, we brought you the story of Lucy, a border collie with cancer similar to invasive bladder cancer in humans. In an experimental procedure, veterinarians injected her with a radioactive dye, not knowing if it would stick to cancer cells. It did and the results were clear on a scan of her body showing the glowing areas are cancerous. Lucy died a few months later and a necropsy revealed cancer in all of the areas indicated by the scan.

"It gives us a whole other angle on treating cancer that we have not had in the past. It goes beyond chemotherapy. It goes beyond surgery and radiation," said Dr. Knapp.

It also goes beyond veterinary medicine. Researchers are learning things in cases like this that may change how doctors treat people with cancer. 

"The best example we have for that is urinary bladder cancer because the form of urinary bladder cancer dogs get is virtually identical to one of the most serious forms of bladder cancer that people get," explained Dr Knapp.

The research comes at a price. Since it is still experimental, private grants pay for the scans in animals, but the pre-scan preparation can cost anywhere from $200 to $600.

Obviously, that may be too pricey for many pet owners, especially in this economy. But for those who want to do anything and everything they can for their pets, there is no better place in Indiana for treatment. Purdue is equipped to deal with the worst, but it is also learning how to bring out the best in our pets.
        
First of all, there is diet. Look for foods that include carrots and green vegetables rather than just focusing on rice and chicken. You can even give your dog carrots as a snack, instead of dog treats. As in humans, vegetables help fight cancer.

If you keep your children away from something, keep your pets away from it too, such as lawn fertilizer or pool chemicals.

Researchers are finding out more about how different cancers affect different types of dogs. For example, Scotch terriers are susceptible to bladder cancer. Golden retrievers often get lymphoma and skin cancer. Larger breed dogs like Great Danes are susceptible to bone cancer.  Canine breeds have subtle genetic differences, similar to the slight differences in people.

By learning more about these differences in pets like Niki, researchers may find new ways to make pet owners healthier too. It seems man's best friend could turn out to be our best bet in curing some of the cancers that we both endure.

Purdue veterinarians hope that, one day, body scans will become common for household pets.  They are only available now on a trial basis. Only dogs already diagnosed with cancer are eligible.
      
There is no charge for scans at this time as it is an experimental procedure, however, dogs must be previously diagnosed with cancer by another veterinarian. Preparation and chemicals used in the procedure can cost between $200-$600 dollars. If interested, contact Patty Bonney at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine at 765-494-1107.

Read Lucy's story.