On in May 2018 Romeo, a 7-year-old Chihuahua, presented to us at West Midlands Referrals for left maxillectomy (radical removal of part of the upper jaw) for a plasmacytoma.
The mass had grown substantially in the weeks before we saw the case and was crossing the midline. Even without achieving substantial excision margins, about ¾ of the hard palate would have needed resecting. We discussed with the owner the need for feeding tubes post-op, the risk of dehiscence (wound breakdown) and the risk of peri-operative haemorrhage. The owner needed to be comfortable with these risks and whatever decision they came to, and not be worried that they might regret their decision in a few weeks.
After pondering their options – unfortunately, they were caught between a rock and a hard place – they decided to leave the surgery.
But you know the Gods are smiling when this happens: Spontaneous resolution of the plasmacytoma! The dates of the photos have been confirmed as accurate!
Way to go, Romeo!
1st November 2018
