Re: MH Questions
In a message dated 3/2/2003 1:22:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > My Maggie had all the > classic signs of MH, and both my vet and I were sure that's what it was. > I had to insist on a necropsy - he thought it was unnecessary - and we > were both shocked to learn that she did have liver cancer, but it was > not MH. It was hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of cancer that is common > in older dogs and cats. Pat, Did you use your vet's standard path lab for the cytology or did you have the tissues sent to UCD or other lab with specialized capability of expertise in MH? -Sherri
Re: MH Questions
In a message dated 3/2/2003 12:45:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << How many Berners are diagnosed with MH just on a vet's "best guess" and not confirmed with testing supporting this guess? >> Good point, Cathy. When Arrow died at 22 months we pursued pathology through Antech, DOD's Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the University of Wisconsin and UCDavis. Before he died tissue was sent to UPA. The U of WI found histio in his lung tissue, but could not be definite about the eye. UCDavis, the last to receive tissue samples, said the eye was a "beautiful" specimen of MH. All the other labs could not name the disease. When our 5 1/2 year old Stretch became seriously ill with thrombocyptopenia in the fall, I was convinced he had MH and almost lost hope. Fortunately the vets didn't give up and he has recovered completely. Obviously not MH, but had he died it would have taken a lot of convincing for me to believe it was anything but. What you don't know, you don't know. Carol Lingley Ijamsville, MD
Re: MH Questions
Hi Cathy, I know with my Bianca they diagnosed her through a bone marrow biopsy. Also the symptoms and the rapid onset gave them a clue. Her cancer was in her bone marrow thus the blood work they continued to do was not giving them any answers = x-rays were clear, but there was something definitely wrong with her. The doctors who did the bone marrow biopsy gave me a slide to keep for comparison later - let's hope I NEVER need it - but there were no normal cells in her marrow - they were full of histocytes - a type of cell. There should have been a variety of cells present that continue on to become various, healthy blood cells but in her sample, there were 90-95% histiocytes and what other cells were present were not that identifiable. So I know in my particular case, the bone marrow told the tale. Evidently the huge presence of histiocytes, the quick degeneration of blood cells, and her rapid decline brought them to a diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis. Now I am not sure how they determine MH through blood tests on dogs that are yet to have the bone marrow involved, but there seem to be certain marker cells that tell the tale. Her peripheral blood also had strange cells that the specialists said were likely histiocytes but without further testing, they could not say for sure - I would assume the further testing is what you are alluding to and often includes a different mixture of stains that look for specific markers in the blood. Hope this helps. Molly and the gang Charlottesville, VA
RE: MH Questions
Cathy, There is only one way that I know of to positively diagnose malignant histiocytosis, and that is by examination of a tumor sample, obtained either by biopsy or post mortem. That is also Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's team's preferred diagnostic method as well. They have been accepting blood samples from dogs knowing that the diagnosis will only be made by the necropsy. People have been incredibly generous to donate the blood for the study, and then to help by verifying the diagnosis for the research process, as well as for their own knowledge. I had a biopsy done for my Hannibal, and I would not do it in those same circumstances again. It weakened him considerably, and I am convinced that it took at least several days that I might have had left to spend with him. I also had a necropsy done, since at the time of his death the results from the biopsy were not yet available. And as you suspect, I'm also sure many of us and many of our vets are assuming things are MH when they may not be. My Maggie had all the classic signs of MH, and both my vet and I were sure that's what it was. I had to insist on a necropsy - he thought it was unnecessary - and we were both shocked to learn that she did have liver cancer, but it was not MH. It was hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of cancer that is common in older dogs and cats. Pat Long, a babysat Daisy, (& Luther) Berwyn PA
