Pfizer Inc. announces the first cancer treatment specifically designed for dogs . The drug, Palladia, is approved for treatment of canine mast cell tumors. In clinical trials, some 60 percent of dogs treated with Palladia, known chemically as toceranib, had their tumors disappear, shrink or stop growing, Pfizer said.
An estimated 1.2 million new canine cancer cases are reported in the United States every year, according to Pfizer Health, and, those of us who have been involved with dogs for many years know just how prevalent mast cell cancer tumors can be in dogs (and even more so in certain breeds). Until now, veterinarians have had to rely on costly human oncology drugs that were uncertain in their effectiveness and side effects in treating canine cancer. By costly, I mean tens of thousands of dollars. Hardly something most of us without pet insurance can afford.
The drug will be sold starting in 2010, but, Pfizer is making it available now to certain veterinary oncologists. Check with your local animal hospital (locally in Manhattan I would venture a guess that the Animal Medical Center will be one of the facilities dispensing Palladia--I'll have to check their blog).
This is really good news. No word yet on the cost of the drug which is taken by the dog orally every other day.
An estimated 1.2 million new canine cancer cases are reported in the United States every year, according to Pfizer Health, and, those of us who have been involved with dogs for many years know just how prevalent mast cell cancer tumors can be in dogs (and even more so in certain breeds). Until now, veterinarians have had to rely on costly human oncology drugs that were uncertain in their effectiveness and side effects in treating canine cancer. By costly, I mean tens of thousands of dollars. Hardly something most of us without pet insurance can afford.
The drug will be sold starting in 2010, but, Pfizer is making it available now to certain veterinary oncologists. Check with your local animal hospital (locally in Manhattan I would venture a guess that the Animal Medical Center will be one of the facilities dispensing Palladia--I'll have to check their blog).
This is really good news. No word yet on the cost of the drug which is taken by the dog orally every other day.
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