Pioneering care for dog cancer

Astra's cancer was treated using the diagnostic technique

Scientists in Nottingham have developed what they claim is a pioneering treatment for dogs with cancer that could save the lives of many pets.

The treatment, developed by Petscreen based at Biocity in the city centre, can diagnose the type of cancer so the best form of chemotherapy can be used.

With figures showing 20% of dogs have cancer, medics said it will save lives.

Using the technique, a sample of the tumour is taken and tested to determine the form of cancer.

Dr Shahid Mian, of Petscreen, said: "What this technique has allowed us to do, for the first time in veterinary medicine, is to take a patient's cancer and determine first of all, before we actually begin treatment, what is the most appropriate form of treatment to give a dog."

Nottingham vet Jacqui Gilmour said: "In the past it was a bit hit and miss really with the chemotherapy drugs, we just administered them.

"Now Petscreen has taken a sample of tumour, we can target that particular chemotherapy therapy drug for that tumour, so we can be confident that it's doing the job it needs to."