Sandy Ramsey

Age: 8 years
Breed: Golden Retriever
Diagnosis: Benign abdominal tumor

Sandy is an 8 year old Golden Retriever whose "job" is the important work of Search and Rescue for Contra Costa County. Although she appeared healthy, during her annual physical exam it was recommended to do blood work due to her age. Sandy is considered middle-aged and it is recommended that any pet over the age of 7 years have annual blood work performed. The blood work revealed that Sandy had elevated liver enzymes. As a result of those blood test results, an abdominal ultrasound exam was done and a cantaloupe-sized mass was discovered growing on her liver. Due to the location and size of the mass, a surgical specialist was called in to remove it.

​​​​​​​Sandy's surgery went well and she was discharged from the hospital the next day. Luckily the tumor turned out to be benign, but had it been left untreated it likely would have ruptured, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. Sandy was an apparently happy, healthy dog and without a routine annual blood screening we may not have detected the tumor until it was too late. Today Sandy is back to doing what she knows and loves: search and rescue.