As Seen On WLPG TV News, Friday Nov 29th, 2002!

Meet "Summer" Van Osdale, a very friendly Golden Retriever. A few months ago, a biopsy of a painful swelling on her right foreleg revealed osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bone.

Dr. Ronald Burk, one of our Board Certified Oncologists, met with Summer's family to discuss possible treatment. The Van Osdales wanted their beloved pet to be comfortable, pain-free, and able to remain a happy and active family member. It was determined that Radiation Therapy would be Summer's best option, and her treatment began that same day.

Radiation Therapy directs a high energy beam at cancerous tissue. It is not painful, but Summer had to be completely still so that no healthy tissue surrounding the tumor would be affected. She was anesthetized, treated, and woke up shortly thereafter.

Summer came back one week later for another treatment, and was remarkably improved! She was running and playing, and the swelling in her leg had decreased significantly. A harmless loss of hair at the treatment site was the only side effect, and Summer sure didn't care about it!

By her final treatment two weeks later, the swelling had decreased roughly 95%! Her appetite was healthy, and her family reported that she was acting like a youngster! A local TV station even sent a crew to do a story on her, and she will make her TV debut in November on WPLG Channel 10.

At Summer's follow-up appointment two weeks later, she frolicked with Dr. Burk in the exam room. We anticipate that she will continue to feel good and will keep you updated on her progress!

Lisa Burk, BS, LVT

11/02 "Summer" Van Osdale