The first pig got rid of blood cancer

Nemo, a 4-year-old pig, of the Hampshire breed, weighs 331kg has made history as the first case of cancer in the world to be cured and successful.

Earlier this year, George Goldner saw his Nemo pig acting strangely. It suddenly stopped eating and was just lying in the mud. Goldner took it to Cornell University Veterinary Hospital (CUHA) in Ithaca, New York, USA. Doctors said it had leukemia. Because of his love for Nemo, Mr. Goldner insisted on treating the pig regardless of the cost.

Nemo pig.(Photo: Cornell University)

Although doctors never had a case of pigs treating cancer, Goldner asked them to rely on the knowledge of cancers in dogs and humans to save animals.

Because pig's neck is much larger than a person's neck, it is not possible to directly inject cancer (for dogs and humans) into the vein of pigs. Doctors have to implant a silicone coated metal gate, which connects to the vein in the back of Nemo's ear.

After four months of treatment, Nemo has made history, being the first pig to treat cancer and succeed. If everything goes as planned, Nemo will be going home in September.

Dr. Emily Barrell and Nemo.(Photo: Cornell University)

Goldner and doctors at CUHA refused to disclose the cost of treatment. Dr Emily Barrell said the chemotherapy cost for a medium-sized dog is $ 4,000 - $ 5,000. Nemo is 7 or 8 times bigger than a dog.

Some people criticize the cost of treating animals too high. But according to Barrell, this is common with dog and cat owners. The owner usually decides how much they are willing to pay.

Justin Goodman, director of the PETA Animal Rights Investigation Laboratory, said: "This is a kind of clinical veterinary research. We need to do to have experience treating other animal diseases."

Goldner says, Nemo has a appetite again and is treated as "big star" at CUHA.