1 yr.ago labradoodle Dx. with nasal cancer

[Erin Mahoney]

Last year (February 2, 2017) my labradoodle Guinness age 9 1/2 was diagnosed with nasal cancer.  I am excited to say with treatment by a vet in Utah (we live in Utah) Guinness has been playing and smelling things that prior he was not able to.  We are happy to have found Dr. Watkins.  In a few weeks Guinness will be having his follow up cat scan.  If anyone wishes to see the procedure..you can go to youtubevetmed.com.  We are just so happy to have more time with our guy.

[Stacy]

I can't access the video, but can you tell me what type of cancer and what kind of treatment you used? My 3 year old, Katie was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (or possibly squamous cell carcinoma) of the nose and I considered stereotactic radiation, but they gave me a terrible prognosis.

[Erin Mahoney]

I am not sure where you live. To see the site go to...https://www.youtube.com then in the search space type VetMedUtah.com You will see a video about 7 minute and the topic VETMET/HDR BRACHYTHERAPY NASAL CARCINOMA 002. I am sorry you have to go thru this. Just a little about Guinness Prior to the DX he snored a lot while sleeping and appeared to reverse cough for about 6 months, which our vet thought was a cold or allergies. Then one night Guinness sneezed and blood all about. Our vet contacted Dr. Watkins who took a biopsy which diagnosed nasal cancer. WE took the option : Guinness had a CatScan which showed the tumor as seen in the video...Then Guinness had radiation TX all on the same day. 6 months later we took Guinness for another CatScan which showed adhesions.no further cancer. WE had the adhesions removed. In February Guinness will have another CatScan to check him. I hope this helps

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCsukTEIyj0

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks Karen.

[Stacy]

I'm so glad to hear that you have had a good outcome from this. Did Guiness have just the one radiation treatment? Or did they do multiple rounds?

[Erin Mahoney]

One radiation treatment (believe they put 8 rods in) so that 8 specific areas were radiated. We went for this treatment because less side effects

[Stacy]

That's very interesting. One dose radiation was never an option with either of the vets I spoke to - and neither one was even in my state, because no one does that here. Also, tumor removal was never on the table. Perhaps because the location is different - Katie's tumor is actually in her nose and not the nasal cavity. One surgeon told me that he could remove her nose, but that of course was not a viable option. And all of the radiation was multiple rounds. I wish I could find a miracle. I don't think one exists. Still, I am glad to see that your boy did so well. It's wonderful to see a good outcome. Maybe if this had happened 10 or 15 years from now there would be a better solution for Katie as well. 

[Erin Mahoney]

Agreed maybe cause tumor is in a different location. Believe Dr Watkins procedure is new and This Dr is Watching Guinness as a study for this procedure. I use to live in NJ and was happy that we live in Utah now and this was an option for us. Dr Watkins number is 801-310-5824, if you wish to run anything by him. Again I am sorry this is happening to your pup. Please give Katie a big hug and Kiss for us.

[Stacy]

Thank you! I appreciate that. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am glad Guinness responded well and I hope he continues to be well. I found the procedures very interesting and I am sure this would not have been possible in years past.