Now, a cancer clinic for domestic animals in Kerala

The Kerala state animal husbandry department has opened a diagnostic oncology centre for early detection and research of cancer among domestic animals, after noticing an alarming increase in cases. 

The research from the cancer centre, functioning at the state-run Chief Disease Investigation Office (CDIO) in Palode near Thiruvananthapuram, has revealed that the deadly disease prevails among a majority of pet animals, including dogs, cats and cattle. 

Functioning under the Pathology Division of CDIO, the oncology unit carries out the cytology and biopsy of tumour samples sent from veterinary hospitals across the state and gives advice and information for treatment. 

As in the case of humans, cancer cases are on the rise among pet animals also, says Dr Nandakumar of the Pathology Division, CDIO. "As per the samples we get, various types of the deadly diseases, from mammary tumor to sinus cancer, are found prevalent among animals," PTI quoted him as saying. 

At the diagnostic unit, experts study the animal tumours, diagnose whether the lump is cancerous or not, identify the type of cancer and give advice for chemotherapy and other treatment to be carried out, the veterinary expert pointed out. 

Nandakumar said that the centre has modern and advanced diagnostic facilities to identify all aspects of the disease. "Like in humans, we cannot point out any particular reason for increase of cancer cases among animals. Among dogs, it is most prevalent among high breeds like Labrador or Alsatian. But it is comparatively lower among local, nondescript dogs," he added. 

• Cancer
• Kerala