FDA approves first cancer drug for dogs

Palladia, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor by Pfizer Animal Health Incorporated is the first canine cancer drug to be approved by the FDA. Palladia works by killing tumor cells and cutting off blood supply to the tumor. It has been approved for the treatment of canine cutaneous mast cell tumours which represents 20% of canine skin tumors. Although the cancer can appear insignificant and easy to remove surgically, it can lead to life-threatening disease. Previously, human oncology drugs have been used for the treatment of cancers in dogs. The common side effects of Palladia are diarrhoea, decrease or loss of appetite, lameness, weight loss and bloody faeces.