The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs.

Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors. The drug is approved to treat the tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement.

All cancer drug now used in veterinary medicine originally were developed for use in humans and are not approved for use in animals. Cancer treatments used in animals are used in an "extra-label" manner as allowed by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994.

"This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicina," said Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs, without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs. Today's approval offers dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, and option for treatment of their dog's cancer."

While canine mast cell tumors often appear small and insignificant, they can be a very serious form of cancer in dogs. Some mast cell tumors are easily removed without the development of any further problems, while others can lead to life-threatening disease.

Palladia is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and works in two ways: by killing tumor cells and by cutting off the blood supply to the tumor. In a clinical trial, Palladia showed a statistically significant difference in tumor shrinkage when compared with an inactive substance (placebo).

The most common side effects associated with Palladia are diarrhea, decrease or loss of appetite, lameness, weight loss, and blood in the stool.

Palladia is manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc., New York City.

Reprinted from ABKA's (American Boarding Kennel Association) Pet Service Journal

"Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (canine cough) is a highly infectious upper respiratory disease that is easily passed from dog to dog, much like a cold is passed between children. Canine cough can be caused by a number of different bacteria such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, and viruses such as canine parainfluenza."

The diseasse-causing agents are airborne, spread by exhalation, sneezing or coughing. In the initial phase, a dog will show no signs at all, but will be contagious. This incubation period lasts 5 to 7 days before the dog will show symptoms of infection.

Symptoms include a dry hacking cough and possible nasal discahrge or sneezing. The cough may last a few days or even several weeks. Sicne it is a viral infection, there is no treatment, although some veterinarians will prescribe an antibiotic for secondary infections or a cough suppressant for excessive coughing. As a self-limiting disease, it will go away in its own time, just like any other cold or flu.

The disease is frequently referred to as "Kennel Cough." However, a dog can be exposed at the park, walking on the street, at a grooming shop, or a veterinary office—any place where other digs congregate or pass thorugh, and therefore, the more appropriate term is "Canine Cough."

Your dog's yearly distemper/parvo vaccine provides protection against some forms of coughing, and most kennels will require a Bordetella vaccine. This vaccine provides more protection against other viruses that cause coughing. However, there is no vaccine that protects against all forms of pathogens causing Tracheobronchitis, so the possibility still exists that even a vaccinated dog can come down with canine cough."

At Orchard Lake Pet Resort, we require the Bordetella vaccine to be given annually, but recommend it be given every 6 months to further help prevent Canine Cough.