Once unsteady with a head tilt, Miah is back to playing endless games of fetch. Miah, a nine-year-old Labrador, is very active and loves playing fetch. When she began to look unsteady on her legs and developed a head tilt, her owners knew something was wrong.Their primary vet referred her to a nearby veterinary hospital, where a CT scan of her head revealed a 23mm brain tumour. The tumour was pressing on her brain, causing dangerously high pressure inside her skull and resulting in part of her brain being pushed towards the spinal cord.Radiotherapy treatmentA second veterinary hospital with oncology expertise concluded that due to the tumour’s location, surgery wasn’t an option, and recommended radiotherapy. Miah was referred to the Riddell-Swann Veterinary Cancer Centre at the Hospital for Small Animals. Miah had a brain tumour that was causing dangerously high pressure inside her skull Miah completed 10 sessions of radiotherapy over two weeks, with the Hospital’s VitalBeam linear accelerator, that uses CT imaging guidance and verification of patient positioning to ensure accurate treatment delivery with millimetre-level precision while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Miah completed 10 sessions of radiotherapy over two weeks, with the Hospital’s VitalBeam linear accelerator. Patient experienceMiah’s owners reported that she loved her daily visits for treatment, and would excitedly pull at her leash, tail wagging, to get into the Hospital. She also liked to spend time in the clinical office with the radiation oncology team during her visits and developed a strong bond with the Hospital staff.Miah was discharged with a celebratory diploma on her last day of treatment, and returned home with her owners, until she returns for her three-month check scan. Tumours like this can continue shrinking for several months after radiotherapy treatment has ended, so Miah will be monitored periodically in the future. Her owners report that Miah has gone from struggling to walk in a straight line, to wanting to play endless games of fetch again. Miah’s owners reported that she loved her daily visits for treatment, and would excitedly pull at her leash, tail wagging, to get into the Hospital. To every single person at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies ... thank you. Not just for the extraordinary level of care you've given Miah, but for the kindness, compassion and genuine love you've shown her every single day. You somehow managed to make a dog having brain radiotherapy think she was simply going to spend the day with her friends. Miah's owners Miah was such a lovely patient, and we really enjoyed spending time with her. She had a wonderful temperament and always greeted us with enthusiasm. We were delighted to see her complete her radiotherapy treatment and, most importantly, to see her feeling so much better and enjoying life again. Dr Magdalena Parys RCVS Specialist in Radiation Oncology, Hospital for Small Animals Oncology expertiseThe Riddell-Swann Veterinary Cancer Centre is one of the largest veterinary cancer centres in Europe, with three boarded radiation oncologists and four boarded medical oncologists, supported by oncology residents, interns, therapeutic radiographers, oncology nurses and animal care assistants. It offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic options, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted medical therapies and accepts referrals from veterinary practices across the UK and internationally.Inspired by Miah’s progress, her owners are raising money for the Hospital’s charitable fund to help other dogs like Miah, and support advances in veterinary knowledge, treatments and technologies. About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than 800 staff and almost 1400 students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Animal Welfare Centre We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Tags Small Animals Vet School This article was published on Tuesday 15 September 2026
