IMPORTANT NEWS RELEASE!! In advance of the publication of the STCA’s Bagpiper #3, the HTF is excited to announce that the STCA Board has approved HTF funding of a brand new bladder cancer (TCC) Screening Study at Purdue University! The title of the new study is Screening and Early Intervention to Positively Transform the Management of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Scottish Terriers, and the study will be conducted by Dr. Debbie Knapp, a familiar name to many Scottie owners and the HTF. Dr. Knapp plans to follow a population of 100 or more Scotties over a 3-year period with twice-a-year screenings, to detect the earliest changes in the bladder, even before there are symptoms noticed by the owner. 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 save the lives of thousands of dogs, reduce the side effects from traditional cancer treatment, and will help to lower health care costs for the owners. Who is eligible? Any Scottie 7 years of age or older, with no evidence of urinary tract disease, in good health, with no diagnosis of any cancer or major organ dysfunction. Must be able to travel to one of 3 locations in the Midwest US. Screenings will begin after September 1, 2014, and will be held every 6 months for 3 years. The procedures will include: 1) physical exam 2) urinary tract ultrasound 3) urine collection by free catch for urinalysis and other urine tests 4) blood collection for routine chemistry and other tests 5) Informed consent paperwork to be signed by the owners There will be no charge to the owners for these procedures. If any abnormalities are discovered on ultrasound, further diagnostic work up will be offered at Purdue, also at no charge. If there is a diagnosis of TCC from biopsy taken by cystoscopy, then the Scottie will be eligible to be placed on a daily pill called Deramaxx, which is an NSAID similar to piroxicam. There will be no charge for the Deramaxx. Screenings will be held year round at Purdue in West Lafayette IN. Additionally, two other off campus locations will hold 1-2 day screening clinics in the Spring and Fall. These 2 locations are Capitol Illini Veterinary Clinic, Chatham, IL and Metropolitan Veterinary Specialty Services, Louisville, KY. A full article with much more detail will appear in the STCAs Bagpiper #3 in September. For questions or to enroll Scotties in the study, contact: Patty Bonney, BS, RVT [email protected] For more information on local clinic sites, please contact Rose Shacklett, Coordinator for the Louisville, KY clinic or Lisa Hills, coordinator for the Springfield clinic. Roses email is roseshacklett@yahoo and Lisas email is [email protected] For questions about the STCA Health Trust Fund and how you can help us fund this study, contact: Marcia Dawson DVM, Chairman HTF [email protected]
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 13:44:35 +0000
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