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Beau the Super Dog

Cancer is a devastating diagnosis that afflicts far too many of our four-legged friends. By some estimates, as many as 1 in 3 dogs will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. But not all cancer stories have a sad ending and in fact many animal cancer patients don't just survive, they thrive. Beau's is one such story and illustrates how veterinary specialty medicine can offer patients a longer life as well as a better quality of life. By donating to the ACVIM Foundation you help support the development of treatment protocols like the one used on Beau the "Super Dog," which has given him more time to chase balls, swim in the pool, and spend time with his beloved family..

In early November 2006, we had noticed a large bump on the side of our beautiful dog, Beau, in his chest area. As we always had done in the past, we made our appointment with our vet for a check up. After a biopsy, it was found to be a cancerous tumor: osteosarcoma. We were then referred to VSH (Veterinary Specialty Hospital), where we met Dr. Brenda Phillips, DVM, ACVIM (Oncology). She advised surgery right away to have the tumor removed. We did just that with the help of Dr. Sean Aiken, DVM, MS, DACVS. The surgery entailed the removal of a portion of 5 ribs to get the entire tumor removed.

After the surgery Beau started chemotherapy immediately and did several doses of carboplatin (a drug first used in humans). A few months later Beau received his "graduation slip" which was symbolic of his completion of chemo. But unfortunately the celebration would have to be short lived. On a check up with Dr. Phillips, she had spotted that the cancer had moved to his lungs. This was the worst of the worst.

Beau began a new chemotherapy drug called doxorubicin. Though some of the lung nodules did respond, others progressed, so Dr. Phillips tried another drug called cisplatin. That one helped a bit but not enough. She then tried another one called ifosphamide. Once again there was little to no response to that as well, and the cancer in his lungs progressed.

At that time, Beau also developed a leg bone complication of his lung masses called hypertrophic osteopathy; this caused his limbs to swell and become painful when walking. Dr. Phillips did some diligent research and came up with pamidronate as a treatment. This medication is not specifically for cancer, but it seemed to have a good effect on his leg bone complication and may have had an anti-cancer effect on his lung masses as well.

So with that, today, as there is only so much one can go through, we give Beau an at-home chemo pill called cyclophosphamide every other day to maintain the size of the tumors in the lungs, which he has continued to receive since December 2007.

Today and throughout his chemotherapy Beau can be found chasing balls around the yard, going on long walks and enjoying occasional swims in the pool. Beau is the same beautiful dog we had ever since he was a puppy, and he has no idea that he has cancer.

Throughout all his treatment Beau has always been willing and eager to go see his friends at VSH. They have truly become a part of his and our family and most importantly our lives. Almost two years later there is no wonder why everyone including his vets call him "Super Dog."

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