Dog Enjoys Family Vacation After Cancer Treatments

Bubbles, a 10-year-old male boxer, was brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital’s Emergency Room following an inability to maintain his coordination accompanied with weakness in his hind limbs. Critical care specialists in the ER referred him to the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service for further evaluation. Following examination and an MRI, a tumor on Bubbles’ spinal cord was discovered.

Neurosurgeons removed the tumor from Bubbles’ spinal cord and also a mass on his chest. A biopsy of the tumor revealed it to be cancerous. Following surgery, the Diagnostic Imaging Service performed a CT scan to help the Oncology Service form a plan for radiation therapy on the remaining spinal cord tumor that could not be removed in surgery.

Bubbles spent the next month completing a 20-round treatment of radiation therapy. He responded to treatment well and continues to fight the disease.

Bubbles’ family qualified for financial assistance through a generous grant from the Blue Buffalo Foundation’s support of the Petco Foundation pet cancer treatment program at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. The grant helps support treatments for domestic companion animals suffering from cancer. The project is designed to support pet parents of modest means or pet parents whose pets provide a service to others.

Recently, Bubbles got to do one of his favorite things – accompany his family on their annual summer vacation to the beach in Oregon, where he did a lot of exploring and met many new people who loved on him. His family reports he did well on the trip, even making it up three flights of stairs in the hotel. Go, Bubbles!