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Companion animal trials to help human patients
Professor Wouda
The study focuses on dogs because of the similarities between their cancers and human cancers.

Researchers test innovative treatment options 

Clinical trials to treat cancers in cats, dogs, and other companion animals are underway at Kansas State University.

Raelene Wouda, assistant professor of clinical sciences, is offering groundbreaking new treatments to pet owners at a reduced cost.

In addition to improved diagnostic testing and monitoring approaches, the trials include innovative treatment options including combination chemotherapy, t-cell transfer and nanoparticle drug formulations.


As well as improving outcomes for veterinary patients, Wouda hopes the research will provide important information for how the disease can be better diagnosed, monitored and treated in humans.


“For many pet owners, cancer is a terminal diagnosis for they beloved family member,” Wouda said. “These studies provide an opportunity to trial a cutting-edge therapy for their pets at a reasonable price.”

“Moreover, owners participating in these clinical trials take comfort and are pleased to know that they are helping to achieve better treatments and outcomes for pets that may be diagnosed with cancer in the future.”

Professor Wouda’s research, published in the journal Veterinary Comparative Oncology, has been described as a ‘crucial step’ towards a long-term cure for many cancers.

The study focuses on dogs because of the similarities between their cancers and human cancers, like melanoma, lung cancer and osteosarcoma.


Dogs also live with us and are exposed to the same environmental factors, explained Wouda. Furthermore, because dogs age faster than humans, their disease progresses faster, which is a practical advantage for evaluating the efficacy and clinical benefits of new treatments.

"We get clinical answers more quickly in dogs," Wouda said. "The benefit of a particular therapy becomes evident in dogs more rapidly compared to people, and because of this we can preserve research and development finances, but more importantly, we save valuable time and resources."

Professor Wouda will work with graduate students, oncology technicians and referral veterinary surgeons to conduct the clinical trials.

She will also collaborate with human medical researchers to discuss how the research can be best applied to the field of human oncology.

Image (C) Kansas State University

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.