When Amy and Ken Aldridge returned home to Libertyville, Ill., following a trip in September 2024, they picked up their 12-year-old Springer Spaniel, Katie, from boarding and noticed a small bump on her leg. What started as a routine veterinary check-up quickly turned into a race to save a cherished family member.
Katie’s local veterinarian diagnosed the bump as a mast cell tumor. Amy was reassured to learn that 85% of these tumors are non-aggressive, and it was removed the following day with the vet feeling confident about the margins. However, two weeks later, the biopsy results were devastating: Katie’s tumor was an aggressive form of cancer and irregularities in her spleen suggested metastasis. If the tumor metastasized and remained untreated, the vet estimated that Katie had only one to two months to live.
Determined to explore every possible option, Amy began researching advanced care facilities. After consulting with her veterinarian and considering the reputation of multiple regional university veterinary hospitals, the Aldridges decided to seek treatment at UW Veterinary Care (UWVC).
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