Testimonials

Reilly, an 8-year-old Golden retriever, just wasn't acting herself when she first came to Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Reilly's mom had noticed the she was less active, had difficulty walking, and acted painful. During examination, a TAMU veterinarian determined that the source of her discomfort and disability was most likely a problem within her brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of Reilly's brain was recommended as a way to "look" for tumors, encephalitis, some forms of strokes, and other brain diseases.

The MRI revealed a large mass, suspected to be a tumor, in the front part of Reilly's brain (Figure 1). Various tumor types were considered, but the MRI characteristics were strongly suggestive of a tumor called meningioma. Meningioma is a cancerous growth of the membranes that cover the brain. Various treatments including surgery and radiation have been used to control meningiomas. Chemotherapy has also shown promise as an adjunct to other treatment modalities.

Figure 1

After thoughtful consideration by Reilly's caretakers, veterinarians, and the staff at Texas A&M, the decision was made to perform brain surgery to try to remove at least some of the tumor. Tumor removal could help relieve pressure on the brain and allow a definitive diagnosis via microscopic evaluation of tissue from the mass.

A team of veterinarians, support staff, and veterinary medical students prepared Reilly for surgery a few days after the MRI. Reilly's family gathered in the waiting room anxious for updates while the surgical team worked diligently in the operating room. After completion of the surgery, an MRI was performed to determine how much of the tumor was removed. (Figure 2)

Figure 2

Reilly recovered in the ICU for a few days then returned home to her family. Improvements in her activity and comfort level were seen shortly after her return home. According to her caretakers, "Reilly was back to her old self."

The post-operative MRI demonstrated that a majority of the tumor had been removed. Confirmation of meningioma was made allowing the oncologist to choose a chemotherapeutic agent to aid in tumor treatment.

Teamwork amongst multiple specialists (radiologists, anesthesiologists, oncologists, neurologists, surgeons) was essential to help Reilly. While not every dog with a brain tumor recovers as well as Reilly, the type of collaborative effort and access to cutting-edge technology at Texas A&M University gives each and every patient a fighting chance.