Kira’s Journey

Kira is an energetic, nine year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She presented to the Adelaide Animal Hospital in October 2008 because her owners were concerned that she was drinking lots, urinating more frequently and was very lethargic.

Her clinical examination showed that she had very enlarged peripheral lymph nodes. A full blood examination showed high calcium levels, which can be indicative of certain cancers. Needle biopsies were also taken at the time of consultation, and these results came back suggesting a possible lymphoma, however a larger biopsy of tissue was taken to confirm this diagnosis.

Lymphoma, also called lymphosarcoma, is a tumour of the lymph system, which is highly malignant.

In order to grade/stage the cancer we had to take x-rays of Kira's chest and also do an ultrasound of her abdomen to check for any spread of the cancer to the lungs or the lymph nodes and organs in the tummy. The ultrasound showed large abdominal lymph nodes, but there was no evidence of spread to the lungs or other internal organs.

A 25 week chemotherapy programme was constructed for Kira, which meant that she needed to come into hospital every 1-2 weeks for blood tests to make sure that her red and white blood cells were ok before having a combination of injectable and oral chemotherapy drugs.

Kira had a set-back when she had an adverse reaction to one of the chemotherapy drugs, which required hospitalisation on intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Fortunately, Kira made a good recovery and we were able to substitute one of the chemotherapeutic drugs and continue with her treatment.

Kira finished her chemotherapy course in May 2009 and she is now bright and as happy as ever and loves playing tug-of-war with her owners.