Dog given hi-tech cancer treatment in UK first
● Edinburgh’s Dick Vet school leads breakthrough to treat Ralph
A poorly pooch has been given hi-tech cancer treatment for the first time ever to be used on an animal in the UK – and is making a good recovery.
Ralph, a five-year-old Gordon setter, is responding well to state-of-the-art radiotherapy for a tumour in his nose after his owners became alarmed when he began suffering repeated nosebleeds.
He was diagnosed with a tumour which was making it harder for him to breathe and could have killed him.
Vets used a specialised radiation beam sculpted into the exact shape of the tumour to treat Ralph, who lives in Lanark, South Lanarkshire.
Ralph was the first pet in the UK to be treated using an advanced technique, known as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which was delivered by a linear accelerator machine called Vital Beam. The machine – based at the University of Edinburgh’s Hospital for Small Animals – delivers therapy to cancer cells using a powerful radiation beam, and has so far only been used for humans in the UK.
IMRT is used to safely deliver precise radiation to tumours whilst minimising the risk to surrounding healthy tissue – meaning Ralph’s brain and eyes were only mildly affected. Jenna Forbes, Ralph’s owner, said: “The Dick Vet team were reassuring at a scary time and had such determination to fight for Ralph.
“We knew he was getting the best care possible and after his treatments we always brought home a dog that had been well cared for.
“His condition is significantly better now.
“We have such confidence in everyone at the Dick Vet, they are a dream team.”
Following treatment, Ralph’s tumour has shrunk considerably, his nose bleeds have stopped and he is once again living a dog’s life to the full.
The vet team who treated Ralph say that although the nasal tumour may come back, his radiation treatment has ensured the best quality of life possible.
Magdalena Parys, a radiation oncology specialist vet from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are fortunate to have cutting-edge technology available for our patients.
“This advanced technology allows us to spare much more of normal healthy tissue, and gives us the ability to increase radiation doses to tumours.
“Our primary goal is to fight cancer but at the same time improve or maintain a good quality of life.
“We are delighted with Ralph’s progress and hope he will enjoy a good quality of life for a long time with his loving owners.”