Veterinary oncologists are studying an experimental canine cancer vaccine designed to treat a deadly form of cancer.

The vaccine has been tested in dogs suffering from oral melanoma. About 40 percent of the dogs tested responded to the vaccine, and in 12 percent of the study dogs, the tumor actually disappeared.

Merial, which makes the vaccine, gained conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use the treatment in dogs.

Melanoma also strikes humans. Researchers said because dogs and humans tend to develop the cancer in a similar fashion, work on the new canine vaccine could eventually help people fighting the disease too.

Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Southfield just started using the vaccine in some of its patients. It's too early to see results, but the veterinary oncologists said they are excited about the potential benefits, based on the limited data available.

To learn more about the vaccine, go to: www.dvmnews.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=430453

For information on Michigan Veterinary Specialists, go to: www.michvet.com