Contagious cancer in dogs

[Hector]

Interesting and disturbing:

 

Study Finds That a Type of Cancer in Dogs Is Contagious

[Dixie_Girl]

WOW! At least it's not fatal. Will be interresting to see where this study goes.

[Joe Anne]

Hmmm I just printed this article and I am gonna give it to our Vet and see if he has heard of contagious cancer? It's pretty scary if this article is true. :eek:

[Beth G]

Scarey. But interesting.

[Tassie]

Just saw this on another list. It certainly is accurate as far as the contagious cancer in Tasmanian Devils is concerned - and unlike the dog one, that is fatal. Like the dog cancer they refer to, they have discovered that the Tasmanian Devil cancer is genetically foreign to the individual affected - and all the tumours have the same genetic make-up, so they are sure that it arose (for some reason yet unknown) in one individual - whose genetic make-up it has - and is then transmitted as the article says, by the frequent bite wounds that Devils inflict on each other.

 

The Tasmanian Devil facial tumour is quite alarming to authorities, since the Devil is the top of the food chain here in Tasmania, and in areas where Devils are reducing in numbers, they are afraid that foxes will move in - with much more devastating effect. Foxes were thought not to be present in Tasmania, but now they seem to be here, and it is theorised that they have been here for some time, but kept well in check by the Devils.

 

From a sheep farmer's (or any farmer's) point of view, Devils are infinitely preferable, since for the most part they are carrion eaters. They will take chickens, but do not threaten lambs etc.