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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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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.