Sadie, Post-Surgery (Don't look if squeamish)

Wasn't sure whether to show this but I figured some of you know Sadie through the occasional shot I've captured during our walks. I hope this doesn't strike you as sensationalism or whatever. (Even at this moment,...don't know if I should post it.) But I've decided to post it as a public service announcement for those of you who love your pets.

Anyway, Sadie developed a sarcoma at the top of her right front leg and she had surgery last week. This picture was two days after the surgery. They put in 49 staples to close the incision.

We noticed the lump when we got back from holiday in August. Still there after a couple of weeks we took her to her vet. He said, probably nothing to worry about; probably she injured it and this is the body reacting. Give it 6 or 8 weeks and it should dissipate. Ok.

8 weeks or so later, back to vet. It seems to be getting bigger. This time, vet takes sample and sends to lab. Results back show something wrong but he doesn't know what it is by the report. He consults a couple of other vets. We are recommended to a specialist. An oncologist.

She says its a sarcoma. Surgery required. (By this time the lump is clearly larger. Indeed, it is now rather significant.) Won't know how bad it is until the surgeon removes it.

Surgery was last week. 90% of the mass was "encapsulated" said the surgeon,...10% had "broken through." To control, and with luck destroy, the remaining cancer cells "chemo beads" were installed.

If our vet had given us a recommendation to have the lump biopsied at the time we noticed it, surgery would have been recommended then, it would have been a much smaller mass to remove, and therefore the chances of getting it all would have been greater.

So,...public service announcement: If your pet develops a lump that seems to want to stay, play it safe and get it checked thoroughly.

By the way, Sadie never felt any pain with the lump; it didn't bother her at all. So why did they remove so much of her coat? The surgeon was unsure before going in how much of the area around the lump he'd have to remove. There was the possibility that stitching afterward might not be possible, and so a flap of skin from her side or back would have had to have been used to cover the area of the surgery.

She looks like a mole rat, now.

However, she has a spring in her step and is a happy dog. With luck the cancer won't come back.

 

Thanks for posting this Brian and I can imagine you were very worried. A pretty undignified look but I'm sure she will be philosophical about it!

 

Thanks, Pete. She's a stoic.

 

Our best wishes to Sadie for a very speedy recovery.

 

Much obliged, Steve.

 

hope the pup is feeling better soon.

 

Thank you, Beth.

 

Bless, hope all goes okay with recovery.
Thanks for sharing

 

Much obliged, Dan.

 

Hope you got her lots of reading matter? Best of luck to you all...

 

Aw look at the poor bald thing ... Have you thought about getting her a coat to keep her going until hers grows back?
Hope all heals and gets back to normal soon!

 

Hope she recovers well Brian, and so right about getting it sorted early, good advice indeed, they sure did go mad with the clippers......

 

Ouch ouch ouch i couldnt really look Brian.
Id be slobbering all over Sadie with TLC

 

Aww bless little Sadie... Left over turkey is on the cards I reckon?

 

LOL. Thanks, Rob.

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We have considered a cover-up, Hamish. Haven't done it yet, though. She doesn't seem bothered about walking around half naked in public.

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Thank, Kev. (They got their money's worth oot o' they clippers, nae doubt.)

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LOL. Thanks, Ahmad; she's getting lots of TLC from her two big sisters as well as mum and dad.

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That's right, Adam. Turkey and also steak for the convalescing girl. Also sharp cheddar. Also some ice cream the other night, and also she quite enjoys our neighbor's annual Christmas coffee cake. (Additional benefit: the turkey and steak are magnificent Trojan Horses for the delivery of her medications.) Thank you, Adam.

 

Brian - all the best to Sadie for a full recovery, and great idea to pass on the lessons learned

 

Much appreciated, Chris. Thank you.

 

Brian all the best and hope it is a positive recovery.

 

Thanks you, Julian. All's well so far. The wee lassie has a spring in her step and yesterday she was out playing with her boyfriend, Rocco, who lives up the street. It's a sight for sore eyes to see the two of them together. It's as if Burns's The Twa Dogs has come to life. Thanks again, Julian.

 

Cancer, the bane of man and dogs

I have lost two great dogs, to cancer. I miss them terribly!

I, myself, have been cut from the top of my shoulder, to the elbow of my right arm, removing most of the upper right arm bone, because of bone cancer. Chemotherapy, what a drag it is...!

So, Sadie and I share a common thing, her right front leg and my right arm.

I'm glad to see that she has responded well, to treatment.

Bill