A young dog and the search for a precise diagnosis

When it comes to diagnosing patients, some veterinarians are like dogs sniffing out a bone.

George, a young French bulldog, was referred to the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine after outside veterinarians detected a mass in his chest. The UF veterinary oncologists sampled the mass and — while awaiting test results — started treatment for the most likely diagnosis. George responded well to therapy, even though the tests were nondiagnostic.

So, the oncologists kept digging. Results of CT and MRI scans as well as molecular testing on more samples finally revealed that George had a very rare and aggressive cancer never before diagnosed in a living dog.

George had eight happy months on treatment before the tumor won. Along the way, his case taught veterinarians, students and George’s family to never stop looking for answers.