Chester Zoo makes history, treats cancer-stricken python with surgery

Chester Zoo has announced a remarkable breakthrough in veterinary medicine after successfully treating a cancer-stricken reticulated python using a combination of surgery and electrochemotherapy (ECT).

The 4.5-metre-long python, named Jodie Foster, underwent the pioneering treatment to remove and destroy a cancerous tumour affecting her jawbone. The procedure is believed to be the first time this combination of treatments has been used on a snake.

Jodie’s treatment began after Chester Zoo’s veterinary team discovered a serious tumour in her jaw that was interfering with her ability to eat. With her condition worsening and the possibility of losing her becoming increasingly real, veterinarians sought an innovative solution.

Working alongside cancer specialists from the University of Liverpool, the team adapted electrochemotherapy, a technique used to enhance the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments, to suit the anatomy and needs of a snake.

The procedure combined surgery with ECT, marking a significant milestone in the development of advanced treatments for reptiles and other animals.

According to Chester Zoo, Jodie underwent a 90-minute operation and has since made an excellent recovery. She is now cancer-free, has returned to eating normally and is back to her usual lively behaviour.

Her successful recovery has been welcomed by the veterinary team, who faced the difficult prospect of losing her because of the tumour’s impact on her ability to feed.

The outcome also demonstrates the potential of adapting established medical techniques to treat unusual and complex conditions in animals.

The success of Jodie’s treatment was made possible through close collaboration between Chester Zoo’s veterinary specialists and experts at the University of Liverpool.

The teams said they intend to formally publish details of the procedure so that veterinary professionals around the world can learn from the case, given that their findings could help inform future treatments for other animals suffering from similar cancers.

Jodie Foster’s case highlights how advances in veterinary medicine can emerge when specialists from different fields work together to tackle challenging cases.

The successful use of electrochemotherapy in a snake demonstrates that techniques originally developed or commonly used in other medical settings can potentially be adapted for a wide range of species.

As veterinary science continues to advance, collaborations between zoos, universities, researchers and veterinary professionals could lead to more innovative treatments and better outcomes for animals facing serious illnesses.