The Cancer Center at AVCC in Davie Helps One Family Get Through a Tough Diagnosis

Dixie and Allie

Dixie, a gorgeous 10-year-old Border Collie was suddenly not well. She was urinating a lot more than usual and straining during the process. “She was really uncomfortable,” says Dixie’s mom Allie. “We took her to our local veterinarian and thought it was a urinary tract infection,” she adds. But, after antibiotics and other courses of treatment, Dixie was not getting any better.

Then, a family friend suggested a different course of action for Dixie. “My friend is also a veterinarian and she told me, ‘Allie, she has cancer. I can’t say for sure, but you need to go right away to Dr. Toll at Advanced Veterinary Care Center.’ She said, ‘call them now!’”

Allie met with Dr. Toll, Co-Medical Director of Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Davie. An abdominal ultrasound showed a thickening in Dixie’s pre-pelvic urethra. So, Allie was referred to The Cancer Center at AVCC service for additional testing and treatment options.

Dr. Sindy Piscoya, AVCC’s Board Certified Director of Oncology, along with her team, performed a CADET BRAF test for Dixie. This is a non-invasive test that takes a free catch urine sample and analyzes it for canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), also known as urothelial carcinoma (UC), the most common form of canine bladder and prostate cancer.

“The results came back positive. It was indeed cancer,” says Allie. “I have cried more tears than I care to share. But, Dr. Piscoya was awesome and she walked me through everything. Dixie started six rounds of chemotherapy like a champ! Each time, oncology nurse Kim would come to the car and get Dixie for her treatments. I saw Kim every Monday and she is now like part of my family! Though COVID would not allow it, if I could hug her, I would!”

“We did chemo hoping to give Dixie both quality and quantity of life,” adds Allie. “We got both and she’s looking really good. She was acting like herself more than I thought she would with IV chemo. We got a 40 to 45 percent reduction in her tumor, which gives her months and months of life. Otherwise, she would die, not having to be able to pee.”

Dixie has now transitioned from injectable chemotherapy to an oral treatment that is given at home. “Dixie is definitely in a lot less pain and is able to live out her last days not feeling like she did before, which was really hard to watch,” explains Allie. “She runs up and down our fence line to chase squirrels and chases ducks into the lake. She likes to do all of her herding things! AVCC has given her more good months than bad months.”

“The people at AVCC have been nothing but kind and accommodating,” exclaims Allie. “Kim, Dr. Piscoya and Dr. Toll have gone the extra mile to make sure the care is just over the top amazing! It’s tough but they have been with me every step of the way. Dixie is a good girl, an old girl and a fighter! To see the result we did is astounding! When you have a tough case, there’s no better place to go than AVCC! From the level of care and concern at the front desk, to the level of expertise in exam rooms, they will keep fighting until there’s no fight left.”

For The Cancer Center at AVCC’s comprehensive guide to pet cancer care, click HERE.

The Cancer Center at AVCC is located in South Florida in Broward County.
8920 W. State Road 84
Davie, Florida 33324

954-500-8387

The Cancer Center at AVCC offers the following oncology services:

Diagnostic tests including:

• Fine needle aspirates/cytology
• Bone marrow aspirates
• Bone biopsies
• Incisional and punch biopsies
• Personalized genomic testing

Treatment:

• Traditional chemotherapy (intravenous/intracavitary)
• Metronomic chemotherapy
• Targeted chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Palliative care and pain management
• Hospice counseling
• Nutritional counseling and referral
• Referral for pet radiation therapy

For a comprehensive guide to pet cancer care, click HERE.