CATS may be renowned for having multiple lives, but Jessie the Jack Russell has shown that some dogs have pretty good survival instincts too.
Having survived treatment for a cancerous tumour in 2018, Jessie has faced another, separate, cancer battle in recent weeks, once again showing her ability to overcome the odds.
Owners Lola Butel and Paul Holt were grateful when a pioneering drug became available four years ago.
Mr Holt said: ‘Jessie had a 12-month cycle of treatment and she was given the all-clear and had been fine since.’
Regular checks have become part of life and during March a lump or swelling was noticed on Jessie’s shoulder.
Initially it was thought that Jessie may have been stung, but when she failed to respond to antihistamine treatment, she was brought in for a vet appointment.
Dr Ben Benander, who had moved to the All Pets veterinary clinic since Jessie’s previous treatment, diagnosed another mast-cell tumour, unrelated to the previous one, and was able to remove it.
Dr Benander said: ‘It was lucky this time that the grade of the tumour was less serious and it was in a location that was easier to remove – the owners had done a great job in being vigilant and keeping an eye out for any unexpected lumps or bumps.’
Mr Holt said: ‘Ben did a brilliant job, and was able to get clean margins all the way round, which meant Jessie wouldn’t need any more treatment and has since had the all-clear.’
Ms Butel added: ‘We were really shocked, and have had a few sleepless nights, but Jessie’s a tough cookie and she was back to her normal self pretty quickly.’
Jessie is now 11, or approaching her 80th birthday in dog years, and her owners are hoping she won’t be using up more lives any time soon.
