UGA VIII HAS CANCER!

The University of Georgia’s current mascot, UGA VIII, a one year old 55 pound old English bulldog, who is the great-great-great-great-great grandson of the original UGA, missed the Liberty Bowl because of what was described as “gastro-intestinal” problems.  Upon further investigation, UGA was determined to have canine lymphoma.   UGA VIII whose registered name is “Bad Bruce,” is being treated by Dr. Bruce Hollett of the University of Georgia Veterinary School.  Dr. Hollett has been treating the line of UGAs for many years, as per UGA’s owner, Sonny Seiler. (source: WCTV.TV)

Russ, the half-brother of UGA VII, attended the Dawg games in the interim between the death of UGA VII and the introduction of UGA VIII at the Vanderbuilt  Game 2010.  Russ, unfortunately had a very “stinky” record, with mostly losses.  Russ stood in for UGA VIII at the Liberty Bowl, and, well, you know the result.  Not that I am saying that it’s the dog’s fault, but, I’m just saying its one hell of a coincidence regarding Russ’ win-loss record.  According to the University, UGA VIII is responding well to treatment, and will make appearances when his health allows.  Otherwise, Russ will be the substitute.  (source: WCTV.TV)

According to http://www.dogcancer.net, “Lymphoma is a very serious and all-to-common disease in dogs. Some breeds are more prone to this type of cancer than others. Golden Retrievers seem to be especially susceptible to this type of canine cancer. Cancer is first and foremost an immune dysfunction disease. Lymphoma form when the body fails to recognize the altered lymph cells as invaders. These are the cells that have multiplied improperly. In the last few years specialized compounds have become available for use in cancer patients to try and correct this error. These are called immune modulators. These immune modulator compounds often trigger the patient’s “immune recognition response” allowing the body to recognize and destroy the aberrant cells. When this recognition response is triggered, the body re-learns how to deal with the tumor cells as it would with any other wound, and destroys those aberrant cells, producing healthy scar tissue in their place. These immune modulators are different than the class of drugs called Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs are toxic, and work by destroying the cancer cells directly. Chemotherapy drugs are very useful in combating canine lymphoma cancer, in that they reduce the number of cancer cells present, but they do not address the underlying cause that allowed the cancer in the first place. Immune modulator compounds on the other hand are not toxic. They are a class of compounds called heteropolysaccharides, which are naturally occurring in our foods and are required in all mammals for triggering normal immune function. For some reason, in cancer patients large amounts of these immune modulators are required to trigger that normal rejection response, which in turn kills off the cancer cells….  Canine Lymphoma is usually treated with a special chemotherapy called the Madison Wisconsin Protocol. ”

My heart and sympathy goes out to the Seiler family regarding their pet’s illness.  It’s all well and good that Bruce is the University’s mascot, but when it is all said and done, this dog is the Seiler’s pet.  As an animal lover (owner of two dogs and two parrots) I am fully empathetic to this situation.  When your pet is sick, it is no lighter situation than if your child is sick.  To many of us, our pets are our children.  So, to Sonny and family we will keep “Bad Bruce” and you in our thoughts and prayers.

To UGA VIII, “Dude, you have got to get well soon! Your half-uncle is a nice guy, but his presence at our games is pure ‘poison’.  You have got to kick this lymphoma thing in the ‘ass’ and get ready for the 2011 season.  After all, they didn’t name you “Bad Bruce” for nothin’!”

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By: Dawgman1973 (Gary K.) Lead-Blogger “Dawn of the Dawg