IвЂ™m so thankful we had the treatment at Pet Cure Oncology and I wish more people knew of the lifesaving treatment youвЂ™re doing there. Mauldin, and the great follow-up care with Dr. I know this miracle wouldnвЂ™t have happened if not for you folks in Cincinnati, Dr. HeвЂ™s almost 12.5 years old now, which is pretty much a miracle given the fact heвЂ™s a large breed dog diagnosed with osteosarcoma. He hasnвЂ™t run marathons, but he gets around on his own steam, enjoys sitting in the sun eating ice cream, rolling around in the grass, and playing with his brothers and sisters. Brown said he must be the luckiest dog she has ever seen! Rufus has enjoyed 1.5 more years of quality time on this earth with his family, and I think he would tell you heвЂ™s grateful for the bonus time as well. We are happy to report that itвЂ™s been over 18 months since Rufus received SRS, and he is still doing great! Recently, Karen sent us a lovely message with photos of Rufus: WeвЂ™re so grateful to have him still.вЂќ Rufus Is Enjoying Life We make it our goal to watch over him,вЂќ said Karen. He continues to receive bisphosphonate infusions every six weeks. After a few months of chemotherapy infusions, Rufus is now on maintenance chemotherapy where he takes a pill every other day. It was recommended that RufusвЂ™s treatment plan include chemotherapy and bisphosphonates (bone strengthening) treatments. Rufus received one fraction (one treatment session) of radiation on September 29, 2015. Rufus would not need to undergo an aggressive surgery followed by months of rehabilitation, which would have been the case with amputation. He would be able to receive treatment, come home, and take it easy while the radiation did its work. For Karen, SRS was the only option for Rufus.

And unlike conventional fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT), SRS can be delivered in one to three sessions вЂ“ instead of the typical 15 to 30. SRS is an advanced form of radiation therapy that targets a tumor with submillimeter precision. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for Rufus A consultation was set up and it was determined that Rufus was a good candidate. She went home and researched SRS, and decided to pursue it. Brown mentioning a new treatment option available in Cincinnati, Ohio at PetCure Oncology at Care Center called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Amputation would have been hard on Rufus. They were given two options: amputation or euthanasia. Karen was referred to a specialty hospital to discuss treatment options for Rufus. Treatment Options for RufusвЂ™s Osteosarcoma Amanda Brown at Hopewell Animal Hospital.В They took an x-ray of RufusвЂ™s leg and a radiologist confirmed that Rufus had bone cancer. She took him to his primary care veterinarian, Dr. At first she thought he might have injured his nail or had a sore paw pad, but discovered a lump on his right front leg, above the wrist. In the summer of 2015, Karen noticed that 10-year-old Rufus was limping. So, when he was diagnosed with bone cancer ( osteosarcoma) in his front right leg, they wanted to do everything they could to help him. The Dicksons think of Rufus as part of the family. He tolerates all his doggy siblings and gets along with everyone,вЂќ said Karen. He was really boisterous when he was younger, but now that heвЂ™s older, heвЂ™s laid back. Rufus gets along well with his pet siblings. As avid supporters of animal rescue and adoption, the Dicksons have multiple dogs (both foster and adopted) at their ranch house. TheyвЂ™ve since added many more pets to their home. 10 Years LaterДЇast forward 10 years and the Dicksons moved back to the United States to Louisville, Kentucky. The Dicksons added Rufus to their family, and heвЂ™s planted his big lovable self firmly in their hearts ever since. Turns out the woman rescued Rufus from abusive owners and was trying to find Rufus a new home. Lee had noticed a woman walking Rufus and commented on how handsome he was. At that time the Dicksons were living in London. His owners, Karen and Lee Dickson, rescued Rufus in 2005 when he was about a year old. Rufus is a 12-year-old Mastiff/Shar-Pei mix that enjoys lying in the sun and rolling around in the grass. Pet Hero: Rufus the Big Lovable Mastiff Mix

Rufus dog