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I first became aware of COBAT when I attended a lecture given at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Conference by a former researcher at NIH, in December of 2001. Some of the immunological responses witnessed by researchers at the University of Maryland are remarkable. COBAT'S antitumor, and therefore, life-extending potential with respect to melanoma and myeloma progression in lab animals is fascinating (Knight, et al., see Animal Model pg. 3). It is exciting to see promising results regarding the regulation of immune system function and the effects it has on TNF - all without potential toxic side effects! I was eventually appointed Director of Companion Animal Studies for the use of COBAT for one and a half years, actively participating in the studies. This included becoming involved on a first-hand basis with observing and documenting the overall benefits and effects of the compound on animals with cancer. As a Veterinary Nutritional Consultant for nearly 20 years, I have been utilizing nutritional therapies for the support of animals in disease states, including various stages of cancer. Our companion animals are experiencing the very same disease states and treatments that humans do every where .

We are thus well equipped to judge the quality of life changes in animals. The same chemotherapeutic drugs, radiation and surgery techniques are used by veterinary professionals. The extreme fatigue, anorexia and depression commonly experienced by animals with cancer can occur with or without the use of chemotherapy or radiation. In the currently accepted understanding, our animal companions don't have the thought process needed to believe that they will feel better soon. The mystical workings of the animal mind is not capable of experiencing a placebo effect - at least no more than a good tasting biscuit or favorite snack might provide.

Case Histories
The following case histories are examples of the veterinary use of COBAT with animals who have fatigue in my personal involvement:

• Case 1: Snooks M., a 9-year- oLd female Boxer was diagnosed with an aggressive mast cell tumor on her front left shoulder in August of 1999. The growth was surgically removed with a poor prognosis for any longterm survival. Chemotherapy was decided against.

  In September of that year I worked with Snooks, changing her diet to a raw food diet with nutritional support as the sole method of strengthening her immune system. Snooks appeared to thrive. The tumor would occasionally appear to have a fever but would shrink afterwards. In the beginning, she had ups and downs, but was mostly comfortable. Over time her energy increased - long walks with her Mom and a great appetite showed she was ready to stay here for at least a bit longer. Snooks developed an additional tumor mass on her left rear leg, otherwise she appeared relatively unaffected.

  At this stage COBAT was started. Her energy increased and she appeared to have very little down time. She continued to feel well and have a great life. Snooks was doing quite well for an 11 1/2 year-old Boxer. Later, COBAT was discontinued. Following discontinuation, there were noticeable side effects: the gingival tissue around her teeth started growing proliferatively, her stamina diminished, her walks became shorter, she became quieter, and she started having central nervous system symptoms. The doctors believed the cancer had metastasized to her brain. Also, the cancer had noticeable spread to her spleen and her liver. As time passed, she lost her battle with cancer. However, Snooks outlived her original prognosis over 2 1/2 years. I often wonder if the COBAT had been continued, what the outcome would have been.

• Case 2: In January of 2003, Jager M., a 10 1/2-year-old spayed female Newfoundland Hound was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on her left buccal mucosa, near her molars. By the time surgical excision was performed, the mass was the size of a large lemon. Clean margins were not obtainable due to the location of the mass because part of her jaw would have had to been removed. She was put on two different antibiotics, aspirin and a narcotic pain reliever as well as p rednisone (contraindication for COBAT). Her condition was weakening and her front left elbow was swollen as well. She was in pain when she walked. Her appetite was diminished and she had lost her lust for life. At times, her Dad would have to carry her home because she just couldn't walk the return trip from the park where she had loved to play in her younger years.

  We then put her on a fresh food diet and supplements to reduce inflammation, improve immunity and protect her GI tract. She also initiated use of COBAT 6x. Gradually, she recuperated from the effects of surg e ry. One month later she was able to resume walks with her Dad and her stamina increased. Her appetite continued to improve. According to her Dad, Jager starting acting much younger - outwalking her companion dog and enjoying her playtime at the park. Over the next several months she continued using COBAT in conjunction with her supplements. Her quality of life had improved to the degree where the years had fallen away from her. Sometime during the month of September she discontinued the COBAT and continued on a limited version of her supplement program. Jager continued to enjoy good quality of life until late November of 2003, when her kidneys stopped functioning and we lost her. She had long outlived the original prognosis - the oral lesion never returned and her lungs never appeared to be affected. I can only conclude that COBAT had some effects on preventing what we would typically expect to be the next metastasis site, as well as helping to keep her quality of life high.

• Case 3: Rahula, a 15-year-old neutered male Siamese, developed a loss of attitude, appetite and had marked abdominal enlargement in mid September of 2001. He was examined and a blood chemistry profile was run. The abnormal values showed elevated AST and Total Protein, and no measurable GGT, or Alkaline Phosphatase. Elevated Total and Direct Bilirubin were also noted. The initial diagnosis was Intracellular Hepatic disease.

  The medications prescribed, were Pepcid AC, Lactulose and Amoxicillin. His condition did not noticeably improve. He was lethargic and anorexic. A second opinion was obtained mid October and an orange sized growth was palpable on his liver. The diagnosis was changed to Liver Cancer. The drugs were discontinued and he was put on a fresh food diet with concurrent nutritional supplementation to support immune system function and liver detoxification. He was expected to survive three to four months. Albumin, Total Protein, Globulin and Bilirubin normalized, as did AST, however, Alkaline Phosphatase and GGT did not. His attitude and appetite slowly improved, as did his interest in returning to his normal daily activities. His abdomen however, remained distended and the growth on his liver unchanged when examined in late March 2002. At this time, he was started on COBAT. His Alkaline Phosphatase and GGT norm a lized. The other values continue to show stability.

  Rahula continues to show improvement in the quality of his life; he is alert; his appetite is good, his weight stable and he is enjoying his normal daily activities. On July 5th, Rahula celebrated his 17th birthday and as of mid September, 2003, COBAT was discontinued and he was considered to be in remission.