JAVMA

Novel lower-cost blood test for cancer screening in dogs validated in large clinical study by PetDx

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024
Carcinoma, SAN, Cancer, American Veterinary Medical Association, Liquid biopsy, Leukemia, Lymphoma, DNA, Risk, Hemangiosarcoma, Journal, Osteosarcoma, Veterinary medicine, Dog, Histiocytic sarcoma, JAVMA, Medical imaging

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PetDx® – The Liquid Biopsy Company for Pets™ published a clinical validation study this week showing that its new OncoK9® Screen test has a high detection rate across seven predefined, clinically relevant cancer types that represent a large proportion of all cancers found in dogs and are often difficult to detect by physical exam alone due to their anatomic location and/or lack of specific clinical signs. These cancer types are often aggressive, requiring prompt intervention, and have typically been associated with improved outcomes when detected and treated early.

Key Points: 
  • By integrating cell-free DNA quantification and next-generation sequencing using a proprietary method, the new test can be performed faster and at lower cost than the company's flagship OncoK9® Dx test, allowing for broader access to blood-based cancer screening in dogs.
  • These cancer types are often aggressive, requiring prompt intervention, and have typically been associated with improved outcomes when detected and treated early.
  • "Previously published research has shown that only around 10% of cancer cases are currently detected in dogs prior to the onset of clinical signs.
  • "The availability of comprehensively validated blood-based cancer detection tools that can be readily incorporated into preventive care protocols opens the door to the development of cancer screening guidelines for early cancer detection in dogs."

Study: Trained dogs can identify scent of canine cancer in saliva samples

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 17, 2023
American Veterinary Medical Association, University, JAVMA, AVMA, Veterinarian, Veterinary medicine, Survival, Weight loss, Cancer, Quality of life, Research, Oncology, Journal, Animal, Patient, Lethargy, Dog, Diagnosis, Death, DVM, Pharmaceutical industry, Medical imaging

The study (" Trained dogs can accurately discriminate between scents of saliva samples from dogs with cancer versus healthy controls ") involved six pet dogs who were trained for odor discrimination using a reward-based positive reinforcement method.

Key Points: 
  • The study (" Trained dogs can accurately discriminate between scents of saliva samples from dogs with cancer versus healthy controls ") involved six pet dogs who were trained for odor discrimination using a reward-based positive reinforcement method.
  • The results showed that the trained dogs could accurately distinguish between samples from cancer patients versus normal dogs with an average sensitivity of 90% and average specificity of 98%.
  • The researchers collected saliva samples from 139 dogs diagnosed with malignant tumors and 161 healthy control dogs for use during training and testing of the dog detection team.
  • According to the researchers, this study serves as a proof of concept that dogs can be trained to detect differences in scent between saliva samples from dogs with and without cancer.

Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets Announces Partnership with AVMF to Support Veterinarians

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Violence, Veterinarian, AVMA, DVM, REACH, Nutrition, Health, COVID-19, AVMF, Pet, Animal, Patient, Assistant, Veterinary medicine, Nursing, Purina, JAVMA

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clients who love their pets but can't afford to pay for vital veterinary care represent a significant source of burnout and stress for compassionate veterinary practitioners. To help ease this burden, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets is partnering with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) to help expand the AVMF Reaching Every Animal with Charitable Care (REACH) program, which offers grants to veterinarians who provide immediate care for owners experiencing financial hardship. For each purchase made on Purina Pro Plan's VetDirect website from January 15, 2023 through June 30, 2023, Purina will donate $1 to the AVMF to support the REACH program, up to $200,000, so veterinarians don't have to choose between their patients and their practice.

Key Points: 
  • To help ease this burden, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets is partnering with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) to help expand the AVMF Reaching Every Animal with Charitable Care (REACH) program, which offers grants to veterinarians who provide immediate care for owners experiencing financial hardship.
  • For each purchase made on Purina Pro Plan's VetDirect website from January 15, 2023 through June 30, 2023, Purina will donate $1 to the AVMF to support the REACH program, up to $200,000, so veterinarians don't have to choose between their patients and their practice.
  • Thanks to the donation from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, more of their answers can be 'yes' instead of 'no.'"
  • In 2022, the AVMF funded more than 600 grants, assisting more than 700 animals, through its charitable care programs.