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New canine oral cancer drug to be trialled
Owners of dogs with oral melanoma are being encouraged to participate in the trial.
The drug is already licensed to another form of canine cancer.

A pilot trial is set to be carried out to test the ability of a drug derived from berries to treat canine oral melanoma.

Researchers at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland will assess the effectiveness of the drug tigilanol tiglate, which is derived from the berries of the blushwood tree, a species found in Queensland, Australia.

The drug, which disrupts blood vessels inside tumours without harming healthy tissue, is currently licensed to treat mast cell tumours. If it is shown to work to treat canine oral melanoma, it may save some dogs from having to undergo surgery.

The researchers hope that the trial could also provide insights that could benefit human medicine, as canine oral melanoma shares many features with human mucosal melanoma. In both diseases, symptoms typically remain hidden until the disease has already reached an advanced stage.

The research is being funded by QBiotics, the manufacturer of tigilanol tiglate, which it sells under the brand name Stelfonta.

The trial will involve eight dogs, although the number of participating animals may be increased if the initial results prove to be promising. Owners of eligible dogs are being asked to get in touch with the research team.

Kelly Blacklock, professor of small animal soft tissue surgery, said: “If successful, this treatment could transform the way we approach cancer therapy in veterinary medicine, sparing many dogs from the need for surgery.

“We encourage pet owners with dogs diagnosed with oral melanoma to consider participating in this trial. Your involvement could not only contribute to advancing treatment options for this challenging disease but also help improve the quality of life for dogs in the future.”

Eligible dog owners wishing to take part should email Professor Blacklock.

Image © Shutterstock

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.