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Battling 12-year-old Polo was soon able to eat comfortably following the operation at Linnaeus-owned DWR Veterinary Specialists near Six Mile Bottom and is now back home with his grateful owners.
Polo was first referred to DWR to investigate a large, rapidly growing mass in the front part of the lower jaw.
A CT scan was performed of his head and thorax – the area between the neck and the abdomen – and a biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
This is an aggressive type of local cancer that can also spread to other parts of the body, although there were no signs it had spread in Polo at the time of the scans.
Rachel Hattersley, specialist in soft tissue surgery at DWR Veterinary Specialists, said: “Polo underwent surgery to remove the front part of his jaw and we are very pleased to report he coped very well with the operation.
“In fact, it wasn’t long after the operation before his appetite was back and he was able to eat without assistance.
“The other good news is that analysis of the tissue after surgery confirmed complete removal of the cancer in the local area, although the type of cancer Polo has benefits greatly from a team approach and Polo was also seen by our oncology team for chemotherapy once he had recovered from his surgery.
“The great thing about being part of the DWR family is that our patients can access expertise in multiple areas in the same place.”
Onne Russak, consultant in oncology at DWR Veterinary Specialists, said: “Polo underwent a course of chemotherapy with the aim of significantly reducing the risk of tumour recurrence and or progression.
“He tolerated the treatment really well, with no side effects. He is still regularly assessed by me and on his last re-exam, there was no evidence of tumour recurrence or progression which is extremely pleasing.”
Polo’s owner, Susanna from Cambridge, said: “Polo’s quality of life has improved immensely and his spark has returned.
“He is eating well, walking well, enjoying more cuddles and back to chasing squirrels in the garden. Polo is definitely back to his old self post-operation and treatment.
“The care at DWR, not least Onne in the oncology team, was incredibly compassionate and caring. From the moment you walk in, dogs and their owners are cheerily greeted at reception and it’s the same throughout.
“They make a big fuss of all the dogs that come in and everyone’s dog is made to feel special and is a priority.”
DWR Veterinary Specialists offers specialist-led care in anaesthesia and analgesia, dentistry, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, diagnostic pathology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, interventional radiology, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopaedics, physiotherapy and soft tissue surgery.
For more information on DWR Veterinary Specialists, visit www.dwr.vet or search for DWR Veterinary Specialists on social media.