Some of you may recognise this lovely face from an article by Vet Josh last year. This is Inez, the 11-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I thought it would be a good time to have a little catch-up on her progress.

Inez first started visiting us in June 2023. She had recently been diagnosed with a tumour on her adrenal gland that was invading her vena cava (the big vein that returns most of the blood from the abdomen back to the heart). Sadly, it was thought that Inez did not have much time left to live, so her owner decided to move her from their home in Cambridge to stay in Somerset with a family member where she could enjoy some time in a lovely garden and in an area with plenty of nice walks nearby.

The primary reason for her visit was that the tumour was causing a build-up of fluid in her abdomen, leading to considerable discomfort. Under sedation, we were able to drain a significant volume of this fluid, with the understanding that the relief it provided would only be temporary.

Well, two years down the line, we are pleased to say that Inez is still with us. She has defied all expectations and is still in good health, despite a recent scan showing that the tumour has grown. However, at Shepton Vets, we now say goodbye to Inez as she is returning home to Cambridge.

Inez is the most fantastic character, and we shall all miss her. During her many visits here for the fluid to be drained, she has coped incredibly well and shown remarkable resilience. She runs into the consulting room, tail wagging, always happy to see the nurses for cuddles while she has her sedation.

During her stay in Somerset, her owner has taken her for lots of lovely walks around the area, and she has become a regular for a bacon sandwich in several local cafes. Throughout her life, but especially over the last two years, Inez’s owners have devoted their time willingly to caring for Inez away from home, which I think is a wonderful demonstration of the loving bond that we can have with our pets.

We wish Inez and her family the very best for the future.