Meet Junior, he is a just over 12 year old Beagle who presented to our clinic in May this year for enlarged lymph nodes. At this appointment, he was commenced on a multi drug protocol for suspected lymphoma whilst we awaited the results of further diagnostics. These results confirmed a low grade B cell lymphoma. Sometimes, we use a different protocol for these lower grade lymphomas however Junior’s lymph nodes had improved markedly by his next appointment so we continued with the treatment plan. Part way through his treatment, we noted an oral mass on our physical examination. We recommended monitoring this, however by his next appointment it had grown substantially. A biopsy was performed and this confirmed that Junior now also had a malignant oral melanoma. We proceeded to surgery. Due to the size of the oral melanoma, this surgery required removal of some of his jaw bone.
Junior recovered well from this surgery and recent visits have noted no evidence of recurrence of his oral melanoma. He has just completed his melanoma vaccine protocol and is now continuing his treatment for his lymphoma. Getting one cancer is unlucky and Junior has been super unlucky to be diagnosed with two different forms of cancer. In saying this, he is battling a brave fight and is always a happy dog in clinic. Junior’s family have always supported him throughout these tough times, isn’t he lucky to have such a caring and loving family. Keep fighting Junior.
