So Who Dumped The Dogs With Nails In Their Heads

That’s what the police from Quebec Provincial police would like to know when a teenage girl named Elyane Mackenzie who on her way home with her friends found a mother dog with her puppies on the side of the road. Apparently the mother and two of the puppies had been shot in their heads with a nail gun.

How could anyone do something like this to their dogs, what a sick piece of _ _ _ _ of a so called person. Just dump off eight puppies and the mother after you shot them with a nail gun when all you had to do was to bring them to a shelter before all this happened.

The whole area of local people are now looking for the lowlife and I hope they find the person before the police.

Micheline Robitaille from an animal rights activist in Quebec City said: We can't, as a society, just let this go. Whoever did this is dangerous because they would attack the weak and defenceless; if they would do this to dogs, imagine what they would do to a child or an old person.

Read the article by Michelle Lalonde here.

Promising Outlook For Canine Lipomas

BioSpecifics Announces Positive Results From Clinical Trial in Canine Lipomas

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BSTC; the "Company" or "BioSpecifics"), a biopharmaceutical company developing first in class collagenase-based products, today announced promising results from its study Chien-802 showing dramatic reductions in canine lipoma following injections with purified injectable collagenase. These results build upon an earlier dose escalation study from which the Company selected the dose for Chien-802. The Company also announced today the initiation of a larger clinical trial, Chien-803, for the same indication.

Canine lipomas represent a potentially large market with the current cost of treating canine lipomas on an annual basis of approximately $635 million in the United States. BioSpecifics previously announced results from a human clinical trial that demonstrated an average of 93% post treatment decrease in the size of a lipoma with a single collagenase injection in human lipoma.

"We are excited about the promising study results in lipoma and are enthusiastic about the use of injectable collagenase both in humans and in canines," commented Thomas L. Wegman, President of BioSpecifics. "BioSpecifics is deeply committed to conducting additional clinical trials that demonstrate the potential of injectable collagenase in a range of indications. We believe that new indications have the potential to have a major impact on the market for injectable collagenase."

About Chien-801 and Chien-802 Clinical Trials

Chien-801 was a pilot study conducted for the purpose of evaluating the use of purified collagenase for the non-surgical treatment of lipoma in six dogs. The study evaluated the appropriate dosage and frequency of injections necessary to significantly reduce the size of the lipoma. The dose administered ranged from 0.012 to 0.021 mg/ cm2 which was approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of the dose used in previous human clinical trials. Based on this dose escalation study the Company selected the dose for Chien-802.

Chien-802 was designed to evaluate the efficacy of injectable collagenase in canine lipoma in four healthy dogs with subcutaneous lipomas. Inclusion criteria required the lipoma to be benign, superficial and easily measureable. All dogs had a second lipoma that was untreated and used as a control. At 90 days post injection, in the three evaluable dogs, the lipoma size was 0%, 0% or 7% of the original size as measured by a CT scan. By contrast, the untreated lipomas were 129%, 113% and 128% of the original size at day 90. Thus, the treated lipomas showed a 97% reduction in the size of the lipoma and an increase in the size of the untreated controls of 23%. Based on the positive results from Chien-802, BioSpecifics has begun enrollment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy of purified collagenase for injection for the treatment of canine lipomas.

The Company's preliminary results from an ongoing marketing survey indicate that veterinarians perform lipoma excision surgery on an average of 25 dogs per year, costing approximately $635 million annually.

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 47,000 veterinarians practice on small animals. Based on the data from BioSpecifics' survey of veterinarians, the veterinarians estimate that they would use injectable collagenase on an average of 22 dogs per year. BioSpecifics believes that the total potential market for purified collagenase for the treatment of canine lipomas could be 1 million injections in the Unites States annually.

BioSpecifics' strategic partner, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Auxilium), has the option to license development and marketing rights to this indication, which would trigger an opt-in payment and potential future milestone payments from Auxilium to BioSpecifics. If Auxilium chooses not to exercise this option, BioSpecifics plans to proceed with the development of its injectable collagenase for veterinary indications on its own.

About Chien-803 Clinical Trial

The trial will enroll 25 canines, each having two or more lipomas. To meet the primary endpoint an animal must achieve at least a 50% decrease in the drug-treated lipoma volume relative to baseline as measured by CT scan at 3 months post injection. The Company expects to announce top-line results from this trial in the second half of 2011.

Human Lipoma Study Results

BioSpecifics previously conducted an open label study evaluating the safety and efficacy of injectable collagenase in the treatment of human lipoma. Eleven of the twelve subjects completed the follow up scheduled for the trial. Patients in the study received a single injection of collagenase consisting of 1,000 units (0.058 mg) per centimeter diameter of the lipoma. Subjects were evaluated at baseline prior to the administration of study treatment and at one, three, seven and fourteen days, and one, three and six months post treatment to evaluate the overlying skin as well as the general area for untoward effects. Results showed that there was an average reduction of lipoma size of 93% post treatment at six months.

About Canine Lipomas

Lipomas are encapsulated fat deposits that occur under the skin. Lipomas that restrict motion in older dogs are a serious problem; the only proven therapy for this condition is surgical excision of the lipoma, which necessarily involves the use of general anesthesia; it has been estimated that up to 2% of sick dogs die as a complication of general anesthesia.(1) Lipomas occur in 2.3% of the dog population,(2) or in approximately 1.7 million dogs in the U.S.(3)

(1) Brodbelt Vet J 2009 Dec; 182 (3): 375-6


(2) Lund JAVMA Vol. 214, No. 9, May 1, 1999


(3) U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2007 Edition)



About BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company that has developed injectable collagenase for twelve clinical indications, three of which include: Dupuytren's contracture, Peyronie's disease, and frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Its strategic partner Auxilium markets XIAFLEX® in the U.S. for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Pfizer, Inc. is responsible for marketing XIAPEX® in Europe. More information about BioSpecifics may be found on its website at www.biospecifics.com.

Free Help With The Loss Of Your Pet From Petrib

Beyond the Backyard Burial: Now the Memory of Your Beloved Pet Lives on with Petrib.com™.
Former Monster.com exec launches Petrib.com™ – an online pet memorial site to help families deal with loss of animal companions.

Sam Tharp, former VP at Monster.com, officially launched the beta version of Petrib.com™ (http://www.petrib.com) today, a new social network for pet owners, designed to help them deal with the death of their dog, cat, bird, fish or other animal companions - offering free tribute pages, community support forums and local pet funeral company listings.

“There are over 71 million households with pets in the U.S. Pets are literally part of our families, either playing with the kids, or playing the role of kids in homes without children,” said Sam Tharp, Founder and CEO of Petrib.com. “We created Petrib.com as a dignified place to gather, mourn and pay tribute when a beloved pet has died. It’s free, it’s user-friendly and it helps people through an emotionally challenging time.”

Market trends confirm that “pet parents” want to treat the furry, feathered and finned members of their family with the same care as their human counterparts, as evidenced by the growth in premium pet food and supplies, medical insurance, and now, even in end-of-life services. While the overall $45.5 billion pet industry grew 5% in 2009, despite recessionary pressures, the demand for pet funeral services is “skyrocketing”, according to the report State of the Industry: Funeral and Cremation Services and Supplies, U.S., from Sundale Research, an independent market research firm.

To help fill this growing need, Petrib.com’s mission is to be the one-stop resource for grieving pet owners, where you can:

Create a Free Tribute
Post a free tribute page honoring your pet in less than three clicks, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tell your pet’s story with words, photos, even videos. Forward the tribute as notification to family and friends of your pet’s passing. Invite them to sign the guestbook and add their recollections as well.

Connect
Visit the supportive Community Forum, where you can find comfort, and exchange experiences with others who are similarly grieving. Engage in end-of-life discussions, such as Cremation vs. Burial, When to Euthanize, Filling the Void with a New/Replacement Pet.

Find Services
Use the company directory to locate pet funeral service providers in your area, with consumer rated feedback.

Get Advice
Check out Petrib’s library of helpful articles and tips, such as Coping With The Loss of a Pet, or How to Tell Your Child When a Pet Has Died.

While Petrib.com is mainly aimed at an adult audience, Tharp added that the site was tested with children throughout the development process to help parents work with children to overcome the grief of losing a beloved family pet.

“The hope is that Petrib.com gives parents an extra tool to help children mourn the loss of a pet, offering a virtual farm/green field/fishbowl in the sky,” Tharp concluded.

About Petrib.com

Petrib.com is the only free, pet funeral planning, notification and memorial service dedicated to the fast, efficient and dignified planning and posting of funeral details and tributes. Sam Tharp, Founder and CEO, created Petrib.com to help people through the pet funeral planning, notification and tribute processes that impacts every pet owner at one point or another. Sam formerly held senior management positions with global industry leaders, such as Monster.com, America Online, Inc., Dell Computer Corporation and Time Warner, Inc. Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. For more information, visit http://www.Petrib.com.

North Carolina Woman Is Recognized For Helping Rescue 1000 Animals

Thee local news has helped share all the work that a woman named Garland Graham has done to help rescue animals on her farm. Since two thousand and six Garland and Gary Graham have be fostering golden retrievers and now they are fostering all kinds of animals on their farm which is called Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network.

Their one thousandth rescue is a dog called Mickey on which they call an All American Mutt. Buy looking at this photo you have to wonder why anybody would have given up this dog which is now ready for adoption.

Photo from Red Dog Farm

Read the article by Leigh Brock here.

Two Guinness World Records For This Dog

A Great Dane named Giant George from Tucson, Az has won two world records in the Guinness for being the tallest living dog and tallest dog ever.

Giant George’s owner Dave Nasser said: We kept hearing over and over again, that's the biggest dog I've ever seen. Over and over and over.He's good with other dogs he's good with children. Really good with children. They come to the dog park and hang on him all the time pulling his ears and tail and he doesn't mind at all. We have a huge facebook presence. Over 20,000 fans. And Giant George is not just a pretty face. He also is and will be doing charity events.

Read the article here.

South Bend, IN Group Donating Dog Houses

Photo by WSBT-TV


How cool is that for a group called the Michiana Animal Alliance Group from Indiana has taken their time to offer free dog houses to those who are unable to afford them.

Bill Sykes from the Michiana Animal Alliance Group said: His organization recently kicked off a new program called “Homes for Hounds.” They are using leftover building materials to make and provide free dogs houses for those with limited incomes. They also refurbish old dog houses. What we are trying to do is provide shelter for animals that maybe spend more time than they should outside, for some reason or another. The dog’s welfare is the bottom line, top priority here.

What a great idea to help out the dog owners who are in need for the welfare of their dog.

Read the article by Ed Ernstes here.

This Chihuahua Is Sure Grateful For The New Year

Photo by Tina M. Gohr/Kewaunee County Star-News


Can you only imagine being stuck underground for two and a half days? Well this little Chihuahua named Emma had gotten stuck along Lake Michigan back on Wednesday night while chasing something and climbed into the side of the embankment where he was unable to get back out.

Emma’s owner’s Debbie and Tom Skubal are grateful for all the help that the local residents did to help save their dog. I can only say that they were very lucky that the weather held out and it wasn’t cold and snowing because that might have changed the outcome.

A Big Thanks goes out to Dave Rohr, Larry Sipe, Dan Ninedorf, Jordan Ledvina, John Ledvina, Wayne Fischer, Lee Ledvina and Greg Suess for all their help in rescuing Emma.

Read the article by Tina M. Gohr here.