Trish's Story
Rescued from a local shelter as an unclaimed stray. Because of her wonderful temperament, Trish was supposed to have a chance to be adopted on the shelter's adoption floor, but she needed expensive vet work, so it was a release to a rescue for Trish, or a trip to the gas chamber.
NC Saint Bernard Rescue agreed to take her and have been able to provide a surgical procedure to remove a hematoma in her ear and a marble sized growth in her mouth.
The injury in her ear is because this girl was so infested with fleas that she continually shook her head trying to get some relief from the fleas. All of this head shaking caused a large abrasion on the inside of her ear flap, which required surgery to remove.
The growth in her mouth may be cancerous and we are waiting for the histology results with crossed paws. Trish is on soft food to allow her mouth to heal and will need additional vet work as her condition improves. Trish is so worth it! This girl is an absolute doll and is great in foster with her new temporary family of kids, dogs, and cats. Yes, she even likes cats.
Update #1 - The Cancer
We received the test results and sadly the biopsys show that the growths are a malignant form of cancer. While the surgeon is certain that he removed all of it, there is a good chance that it will reappear in fairly short order.
This type of cancer is fairly aggressive and fast acting. The only good thing is that it is fairly easy to determine if it returns.
She is scheduled to be rechecked in two weeks to determine if the cancer metastases. The odds are not good with an estimate of 80 percent chance that this form of cancer will return within the next couple of weeks.
Her ear is healing nicely, and she should be able to have these silly looking bandages removed before long.
As we learn more, updates will be posted. For now, Trish is doing well.
She's happy just to get rid of that silly hat!
Update #2 - Looking Good!
Trish - has no visible exterior signs of a tumor return. However, her x-rays are inconclusive, there are two suspicious areas on her lungs that we need to watch. We are going to x-ray again in 2 months to look for changes.
The Vet is hoping he got it all, but has some doubt because the tumor was in the mouth.
Trish's ear has healed beautifully and needs no further care.
All in all, she looks great! Her coat is wonderful and very shiny (fish oil tablets). You usually only see coats that look that good in a healthy dog.
Update #3 - No Cancer!
Trish was cleared for adoption today.
Her re-check went very smooth - the cancer has not returned as feared.
The two spots that were the cause for concern seem to be scar tissue from a prior case of heartworms.
Regardless, she is a very health and happy not so little girl.
She is ready for that forever home, and her heart has a lot of room for love, does yours?