Calvin, a French Bulldog, Thrives Following Treatment of Brain Tumor via New Technology: Stereotactic Radiosurgery
PetCure Oncology acknowledges Brain Tumor Awareness Month
GILBERT, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#SRS–As the world celebrates National
Brain Tumor Awareness Month this May, brain tumor survivor Calvin,
an eight-year-old canine belonging to Gretchen and David May of
Scottsdale, is happily playing with his favorite toy “crunchy bone” and
chasing his French Bulldog sister Olive around the house.
Not long ago, such a scene seemed impossible. But thanks to
revolutionary advancements in veterinary medicine and a new treatment
option called stereotactic
radiosurgery (SRS), Calvin is happy, healthy and living life to the
fullest.
“He’s our little miracle dog,” said Gretchen. “Calvin and Olive are our
kids. We would do anything for them. We feel incredibly lucky that we
had access to SRS here in Arizona.”
Already proven successful in human medicine, SRS is now available for
pets and providing newfound hope in the fight against cancer. In
addition to being delivered with the intent to cure, rather than
merely ease the symptoms of cancer, the significant benefits of SRS
include:
-
More types of cancer can be treated including some forms previously
considered “untreatable” based on their delicate locations within the
body – including the brain. - It is a noninvasive, nonsurgical treatment.
-
It is delivered with submillimeter precision, maximizing damage to
cancerous tissue while minimizing collateral damage to nearby healthy
tissue, thus significantly reducing side effects. -
The unprecedented precision enables treatment in just 1-3 sessions
compared to 15-21 with conventional radiation therapy, thereby
decreasing anesthetic events and patient risk while optimizing client
convenience.
Calvin’s survivor story began on a Sunday afternoon last September when
Gretchen noticed Calvin having a seizure. He was shaking and foaming at
the mouth. A trip to the emergency room for overnight observation was
followed by a visit to his primary care veterinarian, Travis Nick, DVM,
of Scottsdale Ranch Animal Hospital, for evaluation. After some
preliminary testing, Calvin was referred to a veterinary neurologist,
Jason Evans, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), at Veterinary Neurological
Center in Phoenix, Arizona. There, MRI results revealed that Calvin had
a malignant brain tumor.
Dr. Evans referred the Mays to PetCure
Oncology at Arizona Veterinary Oncology (AVO) in Gilbert, Arizona
for further evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologist Eric
Boshoven, DVM, DACVR (RO). After reviewing Calvin’s history and
performing a comprehensive exam, Dr. Boshoven walked the Mays through
all of their available treatment options. Ultimately, he recommended
treating the tumor with SRS rather than surgery or chemotherapy.
“Calvin successfully completed three SRS sessions,” said Dr. Boshoven.
“He suffered a small seizure after his first treatment but none since.
Aside from experiencing a slight lightening of his coat, he has had no
side effects. An MRI at four months post-treatment showed virtually no
sign of the tumor.”
Seizures are the most common indication of brain tumors in dogs. Other
symptoms may include unusual
behavior or temperament, vision problems, movement in circles,
uncoordinated movement, unsteady gait, lack of appetite, inappropriate
urination and/or lethargy. While brain tumors in cats are less common,
they may display the same symptoms as dogs along with head pressing and
unusual meowing.
About PetCure Oncology
PetCure Oncology’s national network of veterinary cancer care centers
specializing in SRS includes Arizona
Veterinary Oncology in Gilbert, Arizona; the Care
Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; the Veterinary
Radiosurgery and Imaging Center in Clifton, New Jersey; and
Lakeshore Veterinary Specialists in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Additional
centers across the country are in various stages of development. Visit PetCureOncology.com
for more information.
Contacts
JoAnn Stewart, RVT, CVPM
COO, PetCure Oncology
847-275-8600
jstewart@petcureoncology.com
