Submitted by J. Hudson on Thu, 12/12/2024 - 14:25
Meet Charlie - a brave and lovable dog with a heart of gold. Back in March 2024, Charlie’s vets discovered he had a bone tumour (osteosarcoma) in one of his toes. To give him the best chance, they amputated the toe to remove the tumour.
In April, Charlie came to us here at The Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital for further care. We carried out tests to see if the cancer had spread anywhere else in his body. Thankfully, the results were clear, and Charlie was ready to start preventative chemotherapy to keep him safe from further risks.
Over the next few months, Charlie had six rounds of chemotherapy, spaced three weeks apart. He finished his treatment in August and was a superstar throughout! In September, Charlie returned for a follow-up check, which included x-rays of his lungs. Once again, we were thrilled that we saw no signs of cancer.
Martyn and Clare, Charlie's owners are so pleased with with his progress they said "Thank you so much for all you have done for him, it was a traumatic time and we are so loving being able to enjoy him again."
Today, Charlie is doing fantastically well, enjoying life to the fullest with his family. He’s due for his next check-up in the New Year, and we’re so excited to see him again!
Understanding Osteosarcoma in Dogs
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive and painful type of bone tumour. Early amputation of the affected limb is often recommended to alleviate pain and address the disease, which can sometimes come as a shock to their owners.
With amputation alone, dogs typically live an average of six months. Preventative chemotherapy is often administered to help reduce the risk of early secondary cancer, enabling many dogs to enjoy full, happy lives for 12 months or more.
In Charlie’s case, the osteosarcoma arose on a toe, a location associated with a better prognosis than many other sites. Dogs with this specific presentation often fare very well, with the potential to live several years after treatment.
