As cancer grips pets, this Kerala hospital is a blessing

The research from the unique centre, functioning at the state-run Chief Disease Investigation Office (CDIO) in Palode near here for the past one year, has revealed that the deadly disease prevails among a majority of pet animals, including cattle, dogs and cats. 

Functioning under the Pathology Division of CDIO, the oncology unit carries out the cytology and biopsy of tumour samples sent from veterinary hospitals across the state and gives advice and information for treatment. As in the case of humans, cancer cases are on the rise among pet animals also, says Dr Nandakumar of the Pathology Division, CDIO. 

“As per the samples we get, various types of the deadly diseases, from mammary tumor to sinus cancer, are found prevalent among animals,” he said. 

At the diagnostic unit, experts study the animal tumours, diagnose whether the lump is cancerous or not, identify the type of cancer and give advice for chemotherapy and other treatment to be carried out, he said. The veterinary expert said that the centre has modern and advanced diagnostic facilities to identify all aspects of the disease.