Pet of the Month: Rolli

Rolli initially came to see us at our Bullsbrook Vet Hospital due to his lymph glands being enlarged around his throat and coughing. After initial examination and a fine needle aspirate sample being taken and evaluated, Rolli was found to have lymphoma; a type of cancer affecting the lymph glands of the body.

Further staging was required to see what type of lymphoma Rolli had as well as how far it had spread throughout the body. This was very important as it determines the type and viability of treatment. These staging tests and first treatment was performed at our Drovers Vet Hospital as it is set-up with the latest equipment and facilities to be able to perform chemotherapy. The most common type of lymphoma was diagnosed which is a B-cell, lymphoblastic lymphoma. The bone marrow was not involved and this was all good news as response in these cases is generally very good. Rolli was given his first round of chemotherapy and responded exceptionally with his lymph nodes reducing down to normal size extremely quickly. Rolli continued to remain in full remission and has just recently completed his full protocol of treatment.

He has loved coming in each week for his treatments and the nurses and vets have come to know him really well and he is continuously spoilt while in hospital for his treatments. He has sailed through his protocol with no major side effects and has not required a single night of hospitalisation whilst having his chemotherapy. Rolli’s owners could not believe how quickly he responded and how quickly he resumed normal activity. This is something that is fairly common in dogs and cats undergoing chemotherapy and it makes performing these treatments an extremely rewarding experience.

Rolli will now visit us initially on a monthly basis for a check-up and if all goes well, these will become less frequent.