Dancer’s Story

The world-famous Westminster Dog Show takes place each February. It is the Olympics of dog shows. Thousands of dog lovers tune in to this televised event, spellbound by the canine competition. It is so famous that even movies like “Best in Show” have spoofed the intensity of the competition. The AKC Agility Invitational is another elite canine competition which calls for dogs in top shape with a unique acumen for their trainers’ goals and guidance.
When she’s not making discoveries in the laboratory, Angell’s Dr. Patty Ewing, a highly accomplished veterinary specialist dual board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology, leads a secret life with her own adored crew of Whippets. Dr. Ewing would do anything for her dogs.  She is masterful at training them, and her talents have paid off via the many awards her dogs have won alongside her in dog shows. Dr. Ewing carefully provides balanced diets for her dogs and runs miles with them daily, keeping them healthy and happy. So it is no wonder that one of her dogs, Danablu — to whom she affectionately refers as her little blue alien — won a coveted chance to compete in the 2013 and 2014 Agility Invitational.

With the excitement mounting until the show, Dr. Ewing noticed an issue with one of her older Whippets, “Dancer,” a dainty little creature with doe-like eyes and a lovable spirit. Though Dancer wasn’t headed for the AKC Agility Invitational, she was nonetheless an equally-loved member of Dr. Ewing’s adored canine clan. As a pragmatic scientist, Dr. Ewing had it checked out, but as a “dog mom,” her heart sank as she worried for her little buddy.

It turned out to be a potentially deadly nasal mast cell tumor, requiring surgery to remove it. Thankfully, Dr. Ewing’s co-workers are top-notch clinicians,, and when Dr. Ewing learned that Dancer would need surgery to remove a portion of her nose  she knew Dancer would be in good hands with Mike Pavletic, DVM, DACVS, Director of Surgery at Angell, and a master of reconstructive surgery. Dr. Pavletic has literally written text books on the subject and invented over fifty procedures in soft tissue surgery. Rounding out Dancer’s expert team was the Angell Anesthesiology team. Believe it or not, unlike Angell, most veterinary hospitals do not have board-certified anesthesiologists, and just as in human medicine, this is a critical component of the patient’s well-being, from safety to comfort-level and pain control.

Dancer was in good hands.

Dr. Mike Pavletic removed a portion of Dancer’s nose

Dancer looks great after surgery!

Following successful surgery on January 30, 2014, Dr. Ewing had this to say of Dancer’s care, “[Dr. Pavletic] removed it and reconstructed her nose.  It is a work of art.  Most folks can’t tell that she had surgery.  I was stunned at how well it turned out.  [Dr. Pavletic] is a master.”

As the Anesthesiology team checked in with Dr. Ewing on Dancer, Dr. Ewing replied, “I knew our patient care had benefited tremendously from the addition of a full time anesthesiologist, but yesterday really emphasized just how critical the anesthesiologist’s role in the hospital is.  Dancer has been comfortable the ENTIRE time.  She is resting comfortably now…She was sleepy last night, but was at the perfect level of pain control and activity for 12 hours post op.  She was never nauseated, anxious or uncomfortable.  I remain in awe of the advancements that have been made in veterinary anesthesiology since I graduated from vet school.

Thank you so much for all you have done for Dancer and the many other patients that benefit from your expertise.”

Since the 2014 surgery, Dancer fully recovered with no evidence of recurrence of the mast cell tumor. Her biggest challenge now will be finding the best spot on the couch to watch this year’s Westminster Dog Show on TV!

For more information on Angell’s Pathology, Surgery, or Anesthesiology services, please visit www.angell.org or call 617-522-7282.