Treating cancer in dogs presents big challenges

Sharon Hubbard has a special appreciation these days for Mullen, her Chesapeake Bay retriever.

Now 14 years old, Mullen was diagnosed more than three years ago with cancer. But because the disease was detected and treated at an early stage, she has reached an age not typically associated with large breeds.

Granted, Mullen's muzzle has turned white with age, and like many senior citizens, she has her good days and bad days. But she's still around and still happy, and for that, Hubbard is grateful. "It's icing on the cake," she said.

Hubbard and Mullen represent one success story in an area that continues to pose significant challenges for dogs, their owners and caregivers.

While the American Cancer Society has reported major gains in recent years in the war against cancer in humans, there are no solid numbers to indicate a similar track in canine cancer.

No national clearinghouse exists for canine-cancer statistics, but various groups indicate that it could affect more than 1 million dogs per year, and it appears to be the leading cause of death in dogs over age 10.

At this point, drugs to treat canine cancer are the same ones administered to humans, with dosages altered to reflect a dog's weight and the amount of cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration last month approved a drug called Palladia as the first canine-cancer therapy in the United States. But there are indications that the drug's manufacturer, Pfizer Animal Health, won't have it on the market anytime in the next few months.

When pressed on an availability date, the company will say only that it should be sometime in 2010, and it won't discuss how much the pills will cost.

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And though there are nearly two dozen oncologists and oncology clinics listed in the Richmond telephone book, the list of canine oncologists is nonexistent.

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine reports that there are six board-certified canine oncologists in Virginia: one in Chesapeake and five in Fairfax County.

"And Virginia's numbers are actually pretty good," said Jennifer Armbruster, a spokeswoman for the college. "There are a lot of states that don't have even one."

Nationwide, the number of board-certified canine oncologists is gaining momentum, growing from 74 in 1995 to 234 currently, and Armbruster said the number is likely to continue to increase.

But for now, fighting cancer remains largely the work of general-practice veterinarians.

Treatment can range from surgery to radiation to chemotherapy, or a combination of the three, and costs can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands.

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As with humans, early detection can play a big role in determining the outcome.

Hubbard's dog Mullen had an unusually dark spot that drew the attention of her veterinarian.

"It was just a little spot on her lip," said Hubbard, the practice manager for Betty Baugh's Animal Clinic in Richmond's West End.

The spot turned out to be squamous-cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer. But tests after surgery to remove the tumor showed that the cancer had been discovered early enough that no follow-up treatment was needed.

In cases in which the cancer is not detected early, pet owners must decide what's best for their dog and whether they want to spend significant money to buy extra time with their pet.

"The drugs are expensive," Hubbard said. "It's pricey to treat."

For those pet owners in a quandary about whether they can afford what could be a major investment for canine-cancer treatment, help can come from a Richmond nonprofit called FETCH a Cure.

Formed in 2006, the group this year began offering assistance to some applicants who can demonstrate financial need. The group has assisted two applicants so far but hopes eventually to be able to help one per month.

"It is aid. It's not complete funding," said Vaughan Weidig, FETCH a Cure's educational development director. "But we want people to know that there are options. There are treatment options to improve the quality of life."

Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or jmacenka@timesdispatch.com.