Cancer drug for dogs OK’d

The Food and Drug Administration is wrestling with a number of big issues: safeguarding the nation’s food supply, marshaling vaccines and drugs to combat pandemic flu.

But that doesn’t mean the agency has forgotten about our furry friends and their medical needs.

The FDA on Wednesday approved for the first time a drug for the treatment of cancer in dogs. In clinical trials, the drug Palladia, or toceranib phosphate, was found to shrink cutaneous mast-cell tumors, which are responsible for one in five skin tumors seen on dogs.

Veterinarians have been treating dogs for a variety of forms of cancer for years. But until now, they have used chemotherapy drugs developed for humans and never rigorously tested on dogs.

Murder suspect requests bail

Wichita, Kan. – The man charged in the killing of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller wants a judge to set bail, even though court records show the suspect has little money and checkered employment.

Scott Roeder, 51, is charged with first-degree murder in Sunday’s fatal shooting of Tiller at a Wichita church. He has been held without bail.

In a motion filed Wednesday in Sedgwick County District Court, public defender Steve Osburn cited Kansas law saying bond should be granted for defendants charged with non-capital crimes.

A hearing on the defense motion is scheduled Friday.

Roeder, who was living most recently in Kansas City, Mo., has only scant resources, according to a financial affidavit he signed in requesting a court-appointed lawyer.

He listed $10 in a bank account and his 1993 Ford Taurus as his only property.