Pet Cancer Survivors – Fancee’s Story

As part of Pet Cancer Awareness month, Veterinary Pet Insurance is highlighting some of our policyholders’ pets that were diagnosed with, treated for, and survived pet cancer. Every year in the United States, millions of pets are diagnosed with cancer, yet many pet owners are unaware of the prevalence and cost of the disease.

When Theresa Moore got a toy poodle back in 2004, she had a hard time coming up with a name for the puppy. They thought and thought of names until one day Theresa had the country music song “Fancy” stuck in her head—and the name also stuck with the puppy—Fancee!

In July 2009, after Fancee had been groomed, Theresa noticed “several small pink spongy growths” on Fancee’s belly and stomach area. The spots worried Theresa and she took Fancee to the veterinarian where using fine needle aspiration cytology they were able to analyze the growths. The results were not good—Fancee had malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Theresa was shocked that such seemingly harmless spots were actually cancer. The decision was made to surgically remove the spots along with sections of the surrounding area because of the possibility for tumor cells to be spread out around the affected area. The removal was successful and a follow-up X-ray of Fancee’s chest showed no signs of tumors. Fancee wasn’t too crazy about the staples in her tummy, but otherwise was fine after the surgery.

Today Fancee is healthy and happy. She has showed no signs of cancer since July 30, 2009. When asked if there was anything she would like to share with other pet owners, Theresa said, “Check your young and older pets routinely for anything looking suspicious. Early detection/treatment is the most important thing. We caught Fancee’s before it spread internally.”