A much-loved golden retriever with a brain tumour removed is now completely cancer-free thanks to a leading Swindon animal hospital.
The journey began when a vibrant five-year-old Rosie was diagnosed with a meningioma in 2021 by neurology veterinary surgeon Alex Hamilton, who was then associated with Eastcott Referrals. The news was undoubtedly distressing for Rosie’s owner, Sue Hodder, who lives near Salisbury.
The tumour, measuring 1.5cm x 1.5cm, was located in Rosie’s frontal lobe, prompting surgical intervention.
In December of the same year, Rosie underwent a groundbreaking procedure led by the neurology team at Eastcott. Unlike typical scenarios where tiny remnants of the tumour may persist after surgery, potentially leading to regrowth, Rosie’s case unfolded differently. The skilled team at Eastcott successfully removed the entire tumour, and subsequent MRI scans, conducted over 18 months, revealed no signs of regrowth.
Tom Shaw, the Head of Neurology at Eastcott, expressed the team’s delight in delivering positive news to Rosie’s owner, stating, “It was a pleasure to tell an owner that we appear to have cured their dog of a brain tumour. Rosie has had follow-up MRI scans, and after 18 months, there is no sign of it regrowing, so we appear to have removed all of it. It’s a great result for Rosie and her owners.”
Sue Hodder, reflecting on Rosie’s journey, shared her initial devastation upon learning about the brain tumour. Rosie faced a challenging prognosis, and the prospect of losing her beloved pet loomed large. However, post-operation, Rosie defied the odds. Not only did she recover well, but she also remained seizure-free, bringing immense relief and joy to Sue Hodder.
Expressing gratitude for the exemplary care provided by Eastcott, Hodder stated, “The care we received from Eastcott was exemplary. They gave us our dog back which we were so close to losing.”
Eastcott Referrals, a Linnaeus-owned facility, offers a spectrum of expert veterinary care, including cardiology, dentistry, internal medicine, ophthalmology, surgery (oral and maxillofacial, orthopaedic, soft tissue, laparoscopic, thoracoscopic), diagnostic imaging and CT, anaesthetics and analgesia. The facility also houses its Emergency Care Centre, ensuring comprehensive and specialised care for its animal patients.
