What is a chemodectoma?
Mar 13, 2015 Heart base tumours in dogs are most commonly chemodectomas - a benign type of tumour arising from the aortic chemoreceptor cells.
A chemodectoma is a type of tumor made up of chemoreceptor cells. Chemoreceptorcells detect chemical changes (such as oxygen content and pH levels) in the body and respond by regulating chemical or physical processes. A chemodectoma involves abnormal growth of these chemoreceptor cells in an uncontrolled way that causes the formation of a tumor.
The most common regions these tumors are seen are along one of the carotid arteries and the aorta. Two carotid arteries sit within your pet’s neck; one on each side of the trachea. The aorta is the large blood vessel that leaves the heart to deliver oxygenated blood to the body. These tumors are rare and may be found when your pet has a wellness examination or if your pet is exhibiting signs associated with these tumors.
What causes this type of tumor?
The reason why a particular pet may develop this, or any tumor or cancer, is not straightforward. Very few tumors and cancers have a single known cause. Most seem to be caused by a complex mix of risk factors, some environmental and some genetic or hereditary.
Descargar snow leopard 10.6 dmg 1 link. In the case of chemodectomas, short-nosed breeds (brachycephalic breeds), are more predisposed to these types of tumors (e.g., Boston Terriers and English Bulldogs). Because these breeds have chronic low oxygen levels due to the structure of their face, jaw, and airway, it is thought that the chemoreceptors are overworked, and tumor development occurs. German Shepherds and Boxer Dogs, as well as male dogs tend to be more predisposed to aortic body tumors.
What are the signs of chemodectomas?
Clinical signs of chemodectomas depend on the location of the tumor. The most common clinical signs associated with aortic tumors (located on the aortic artery) and the resulting pericardial effusion (fluid within the sac around the heart) include weakness/wobbliness, lethargy, collapse, exercise intolerance, increased respiratory rate and effort, cough, vomiting, and sudden death.
The most common signs associated with a carotid artery tumor (located in the neck) are swelling in the neck region, regurgitation, lethargy, difficulty breathing, weakness, and collapse.
How is this cancer diagnosed?
Your veterinarian may notice changes in your pet during a wellness examination such as increased breathing rate and effort, and swelling in the neck region. Your veterinarian may recommend radiographs (X-rays) or ultrasound of the chest, which may show evidence of a tumor in front of or around the heart, or fluid within the sac around the heart (called pericardial effusion). More commonly though, ultrasound or a CT scan of the chest and neck will show evidence of tumors.
'Your veterinarian may notice changes in your pet during a wellness examination such as increased breathing rate and effort, and swelling in the neck region.'
Once a diagnosis of a mass on the carotid artery or aorta is made, your veterinarian may discuss performing an ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Other techniques involving specialized equipment to obtain samples of carotid tumors and may be discussed. These techniques use an ultrasound probe to guide a small needle into the tumor to retrieve cells. The cells are placed on a microscope slide which is examined by a veterinary pathologist.
If the mass is close to the heart, these diagnostic techniques have significant risk of complications including bleeding. Because of these risks, once a mass has been diagnosed, surgical removal of the tumor may be recommended. Samples of the tumor will be examined under the microscope by a pathologist who will confirm the tumor type.
How does this tumor typically progress?
Carotid and aortic body tumors are commonly locally aggressive. This means that they penetrate the local tissues directly surrounding the area where they form. However, there are rare cases of metastasis (spread) to other organs including the lungs, lymph nodes, and bone.
What are the treatments for this type of tumor?
The most commonly pursued treatment is surgical removal of the tumor, regardless of location.
Your veterinarian may discuss with you the options for a pericardectomy. This involves removing the tumor as well as a part of sac that surrounds the heart (the pericardium). Pets that have a pericardectomy have improved recovery and live significantly longer.
What is DMG?
Dimethylglycine is a highly unusual supplement, in that it is extremely popular despite the fact that all of its touted effects have largely been refuted by clinical and laboratory testing. It is most widely used as a performance enhancer by athletes, and in dogs and horses that are bred for racing purposes. Specifically, DMG is thought to be able to reduce lactic acid build up that might otherwise contribute to muscle fatigue. There is no immediately obvious reason why DMG should be able to achieve this, given its role in the body as a metabolite of betaine and a source of glycine. Reports of an ability of DMG to enhance athletic performance first appeared in the popular literature in the 1980's. Controlled studies involving treadmill horses, male athletes, and patients prone to lactic acid build up due to a cytochrome oxidase deficiency fail to support these earlier claims. Other common uses of DMG which have been refuted by clinical research include the treatment of autism and idiopathic epilepsy.
'..all of its touted effects have largely been refuted by clinical and laboratory testing.'
DMG is also touted as an immune stimulant, although it has no role in the body that could directly account for this effect. A double blind study in the early 1980's showed increased immune function (both humoral and cell-mediated) in humans following supplementation with DMG. Another study suggested this increased immune response could translate into a protective effect against cancer. A comprehensive study in 1992 failed to demonstrate any immune enhancing properties of DMG in cats.
What is the function of DMG?
DMG is a metabolite of betaine, which is used to help promote the production of methionine from homocysteine. Abnormal homocysteine levels are associated with autism and with coronary artery disease, but DMG does not stimulate reactions that reduce homocysteine, but is a by-product of them. DMG may also eventually be converted into two very vital compounds, phosphatidylserine and glutathione, but a direct effect has not been demonstrated. Indeed, in one study, DMG supplementation actually reduced glutathione levels.
'DMG does appear to function as an antioxidant, and has been shown to have a protective effect against gastric ulceration.'
DMG does appear to function as an antioxidant, and has been shown to have a protective effect against gastric ulceration.
Why recommend the administration of DMG to my pet?
Despite the lack of supportive research, DMG is used to enhance athletic performance in dogs and horses. It may also function as an antioxidant, and be of some benefit in reducing inflammation. DMG may also be recommended for the treatment of immune deficiency disorders, cancer, epilepsy and cognitive disorders, although research support for these uses is lacking.
How much experience is there with the use of DMG in pets?
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DMG has been used for over 20 years in humans, racing dogs and horses. While not necessarily clinically effective, DMG is at least extremely well tolerated and very safe, which is not surprising given that it is a metabolite already present in the body. No toxicity has been reported to DMG supplementation. It is important to note that practitioners who use DMG are convinced of its efficacy, and report positive clinical outcomes, despite the lack of research support.
Where do I get DMG and do I need a prescription?
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Pet owners are cautioned against buying supplements without knowledge of the manufacturer, as supplements are not highly regulated and some supplements may not contain the labelled amount of ingredients. Your veterinarian may have preferred supplements that he or she will recommend. A prescription is not needed for DMG.