Mason Patient Stories

Blue, Our Amazing Aussie

No words can describe the horror my wife and I felt when our beautiful, healthy, athletic Australian Shepherd, Blue (a once-in-a-lifetime dog) collapsed just before Labor Day 2016. He nearly died three times that afternoon and evening, and it was only through the amazing skill of multiple vets and techs at our family vet and the emergency hospital that he lived to see another day.

The Story of Omya

Nine months ago, when Omya was about 10 years old, my husband and I noticed that she was starting to slow down a little, panted even when she was resting, and didn't have her old stamina when she was playing. Initially we chalked this up to her getting older, but when she skipped a few meals we knew something really bad was happening. 

Sasha - First Dog to Receive Cancer Vaccine

Sasha was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a highly aggressive bone cancer in March of 2012. The prognosis for this disease is guarded at best and dogs that undergo amputation followed by chemotherapy, the standard of care for this disease, have a median survival of only one year. Most dogs die as a result of cancer metastases (spread) to their lungs or other bones.

Sasha finally succumbed to this disease in March 2014, adding another year to her life than expected.

500 Days and Counting

Lewis, an eight-year-old Golden Retriever, qualified for the prestigious 2013 Master National hunt test in Kansas. As part of his final preparation, Lewis ran the first series of a master hunt test before the competition as a confidence builder. He nailed it.

Denali - Treating Canine Cancer Without Amputation

Denali, a 10-year-old Spinone, was the first dog to enroll in Dr. Nicola Mason’s clinical trial for dogs with osteosarcoma who had not undergone amputation. Read Denali's story...