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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th July 2011
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Cancer Aid for Animals
Veterinary charity creates Cancer Centre to help animals and humans


A modernised centre for animals suffering from cancer will open in Suffolk.  Working with the Animal Health Trust, the centre will treat horses, dogs and cats.  With this experience, they aim to further their knowledge and understanding of cancer not just for animals, but also, for us.  

In terms of pets, cancer is the most common cause of death in dogs and second most common cause in cats.  The exciting new AHT centre will provide all three treatment options on site such as; surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The centre's treatments of various animals with all types of the disease, will provide great research for scientists to expand knowledge of cancer in both animals and humans.  Such experience can eventually help scientists develop new ways to both diagnose and treat variations of cancer.  

The AHT already have a stable working relationship with various cancer scientists, and are thus aware of the many links between animal and human cancers.  Consequently, they are extremely hopeful that their project can aid both human and animal cancers and with no expense to animal welfare, unlike that of laboratory testing.  

Sue Murphy, (Royal College Recognised Specialist in Small Oncology) echoed such sentiments:

“This new centre will give more animals a fighting chance of beating the disease, enabling them to lead long and healthy lives.  The fact that treatments developed to benefit our pets may also lead to improvements in the prevention and treatment of cancer in humans makes this centre all the more important.”

The Cancer Centre aims to be fully open in the summer of 2012, this is to ensure all it's state of the art equipment is safe and in working condition. In order to really be able to make a difference to cancer suffering animals, the centre is seeking a linear accelerator.  AHT will soon be appealing for funds for this specialist bit of kit.  It works by delivering high energy radiation beams to break down cancerous tumours, whilst saving any normal tissue.   

If you wish to make a donation to this potentially ground breaking centre, then you can visit www.aht.org.uk or telephone 01638 555648

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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.