THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Your cute, cuddly pet dog, especially if it’s a foreign breed, could be susceptible to cancer, a disease one normally associates with humans, says the Animal Husbandry Department.Cancer incidence among animals is on the rise in the state, particularly among dogs of foreign breeds and cattle, according to the department, which has opened the state’s first oncology wing for animals at the Chief Disease Investigation Office (CDIO), Palode. ‘’We’ve noticed a definite increase in the number of cases among animals, especially canine breeds like Alsatian, Pomeranian and Dobermann,’’ N N Sasi, director, Animal Husbandry Department, told Express.
The reasons still elude the department which is now planning a detailed study into the hows and whys of this alarming trend. ‘’We have not pinpointed reasons. But the trend is visible from the samples that we have so far received. The diet of these pet dogs could be a contributing factor, for one. Most dog owners feed exotic breeds the same food they themselves consume; chicken, mutton, fish and beef included. This change from their normal lifestyles could be a reason,’’ Sasi said.
Also, many such breeds are forcibly transplanted to an environment that is appallingly opposite to their normal habitats. Breeds like the Siberian Husky and the Labrador, for instance, are more at home in the colder northern latitudes rather than humid Kerala which lies closer to the equator.
But it’s not just the exotic dog breeds alone that have prompted the department to set the alarm bells ringing and establish an oncology wing. The rise in cancer incidence has also been noticed amongst cattle and wild animals, according to Sasi. “The public should support us by providing the maximum number of samples. Veterinary hospitals have been asked to refer cases to the oncology wing,” Sasi said. The department, after assessing the performance of the new facility and the demand would scale it up and, possibly, open similar facilities in other parts of the state as well, he said.
Measures being taken
Centre to help in early identification of cancers, assessment of the stage of disease and cancer type.
Centre has a specialised team to handle cancer cases.
Rise in biopsy samples, cancerous morbid tissues and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology samples received at CDIO proof of increasing cancer incidence in animals, says Animal Husbandry Department.
Environmental contamination, changed food habits likely contributing factors.