Dogs help find Cancer Cures
24 Mar 2009
We all know our pets are a great comfort any time we are ill. There are programs across the country developed to bring pets to others who are ill in efforts to bring them peace and a bit of happiness. Who knew our pets could help develop cures for cancer? Through a program known as Comparative Oncology our canine and feline friends can do just that.
Why do dogs and cats make good test subjects?
Unlike lab mice, that are specifically bred to develop cancer, dogs and cats spontaneously develop cancer just like humans. Through studying those naturally occurring cancers scientists can gain insight into possible treatments for human caners such as osteosarcoma, prostate and breast cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, head and neck carcinoma, and virally induced lymphomas.
More efforts are being put forth to involve pets with cancer in clinical trials for new medications. Under these treatments, pets receive the most up to date treatment under the care of a board certified vetrinarian. For more information on the clinical trials check out the Veterinary Cancer Society.
Of course none of us wants our pets to become ill, if your pet was diagnosed with cancer would you consider Comparative Oncology?
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