Ward for canine cancer patients

A new dog ward for canine cancer patients has been officially opened at the University’s Hospital for Small Animals by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal.

The canine oncology support ward at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has been created as, like humans, dogs are living longer due to improvements in treatments.

As such they have more chance of being diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.

The ward has been supported with funds from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

This is an opportunity for the dog world to put something back to help with the excellent service and treatment that animals receive here.

Veterinary cancer care

The facilities it provides will complement the School's £3 million Veterinary Cancer Care Centre, which opened last year.

The Veterinary Cancer Care Centre houses state-of-the-art equipment including a computerised tomography (CT) scanner and a linear accelerator that can provide radiotherapy treatment.

Cancer in animals

Around one in three dogs and one in five cats will develop cancer.

The disease is the main cause of mortality in household pets.

Although cancer rates are increasing because animals are living longer, as with humans, new treatments have led to better survival rates.

New wards

The new dog ward has replaced an old cat ward, with a recently opened feline ward now providing bespoke designed kennels with etched glass frontage to give cats privacy.

The cat ward is also further away from the dog wards, helping prevent cats from becoming stressed by the noise of barking.

Partnership for research and education

During the visit by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, a £1.5 million partnership agreement was also announced between Pfizer and the Easter Bush Research Consortium.

The consortium includes the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute (a BBSRC National Institute of Bioscience) at the University of Edinburgh, the Moredun Research Institute and SAC (Scottish Agricultural College).

The Pfizer Partnership Platform is believed to be the first of its kind in the animal health sector with industry and a research consortium working together to promote excellence in veterinary research and education.

It will encourage a greater understanding of issues affecting animal health and welfare as well as provide studentships for veterinary and science graduates to enhance their future careers.

Supporting education

This partnership includes support for students to carry out PhDs, where they will be able to draw upon a wealth of expertise from across the EBRC’s four organisations.

This will enable students to broaden their skills with knowledge that can be applied to future careers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry or government.

In addition to PhDs, the partnership will also support students to attend summer schools as well as undertake a masters degree on the University of Edinburgh’s One Health programme.

Students on the course, which is being launched next year, will study zoonoses - infectious diseases that cross species barriers, food borne diseases and infectious diseases that affect both humans and animals.

Edinburgh Campaign

The funding from the Pfizer Partnership Platform forms part of the University’s Edinburgh Campaign.

To date the Edinburgh Campaign has secured £313 million towards the £350 million goal for initiatives across the University of Edinburgh.

This includes creating new hubs of learning and conserving iconic University buildings.