'Ponnoos', who has rare blood cancer, is recovering through chemo therapy

Kozhikode: A rare kind of blood cancer diagnosed in a ten-year-old ‘Spitz’ dog here. The dog, which was detected with Multicentric Lymphoma, is gradually recovering through chemotherapy.

The cancer of the pet dog ‘Ponnoos’ was diagnosed at Malabar Pet Clinic in Eranhipalam by chief consultant Dr PR Vinod Kumar and Dr KS Ambili. The disease was identified following a detailed analysis of the dog’s blood, blood vessels and bone marrow.

Ponnoos is the beloved pet of Puthiyara native VG Jayjith. He said that the medical aid was sought first when he identified a lump over the neck of Ponnoos. ‘After the chemotherapy sessions, the size of the tumour has considerably reduced. However, a few chemotherapy sessions are yet to be undergone. Ponnoos has started to have food and also to walk,’ said Jayjith.

Dr Vinod said that the same cancer has been identified in a Doberman and Rot Weiler, which was reported at the Kozhikode district veterinary hospital seven years ago. The dogs were later cured through chemotherapy.

In most cases, the cancer in pet dogs cannot be easily identified. The chemotherapy on dogs will have the similar side effects as in humans.

Affordable treatment

The chemotherapy on dogs is cheaper compared to that on humans. The drugs for chemotherapy costs Rs 163. Such dogs are also provided with hormone treatment.