PULLMAN, Wash. - A 10-year-old Rottweiler underwent life-saving surgery at Washington State University's (WSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital to remove a large aggressive cancerous tumor from his snout, WSU said in a release.
Howie was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor rapidly grew, affecting his breathing and quality of life.
Owner Gavin Rogers of Spokane faced a tough decision but opted for surgery to save his beloved pet.
Dr. Pete Welsh, a surgery resident at WSU, led the operation. "Howie had approximately 100 dividing cells per every microscope field that they looked at and what that tells us is this was a pretty aggressive cancer," Welsh said.
WSU said the surgery involved removing a significant portion of Howie's snout to eliminate the cancer and reconstructing his muzzle to improve his appearance. The procedure aimed to extend Howie's life by months or even years.
Rogers expressed relief and gratitude after seeing Howie post-surgery. "He had the surgery Thursday. I came down Friday just to check on him and see how he's doing and when he came walking through the door, I was just like, 'wow, he looks so much better than I was envisioning,'" Rogers said.
Fourth-year veterinary student Bryndalyn Corey assisted with the surgery and found the experience rewarding.
"It was kind of emotional for me the first time Gavin got to see Howie after surgery," Corey said. "He was so happy because he didn't know what Howie would look like and once he saw the reconstruction that we were able to do he was really happy with how it looked. It was an impactful moment."
The surgery not only helped Howie breathe through his nose again but also decreased the risk of infection, giving him more time with his family, WSU said.
Rogers shared his appreciation, stating, "They did a fabulous job and now I get as much time with my dog as I can get with him. It just wasn't his time yet."
Welsh and Rogers hope Howie's story can guide other pet owners facing similar situations.
"Sometimes it's hard to know what options you have available to you," Welsh stated. "That is why we are motivated to share Howie's story."
FOX28 Spokane©