Today is both sad and exciting – being the last day, I’m going to miss seeing so many sweet dogs, but I’ve also learned so much over these last 2 weeks about veterinary medicine and oncology.
After the normal morning rounds and patient physical exams, I went over to the radiology department to watch Maggie the boxer receive a CT (computed tomography) scan. Maggie (who was here last week) was wearing a little doggie diaper with bananas on it today. Maggie had previously had a cancerous mass in her lungs surgically removed, but the CT scan showed multiple new metastatic masses in the lungs as well as some in the abdomen area. Based on the CT scan, there are approximately 8 nodules, which is too many for radiation therapy (radiating 3 masses is the approximate maximum that’s safe for the lungs). So, Maggie will likely be put on a chemotherapy treatment plan.
I also met the sweetest blind dog named Raini, as well as a tripawd Golden Retriever. Finally, I petted Roo the (very gentle) Doberman Pinscher. I will miss seeing so many good dogs every day, but on the bright side I’ll get to see my Goldens at home all day instead 🙂
Example of a CT scan of the lungs with a nodule (yellow arrow).