**UPDATE** THURSDAY 1-31-08
The pathology report came back and Pico does NOT have cancer!! It was a benign tumor....but was wreaking havoc on his body because it was very large and had caused a lot of problems internally. Pico had to spend several days in hospitalization and is on numerous meds to help take down the inflammation after surgery and help him get back to normal. Unfortunately the vet bill keeps growing and growing, as we continue his care, but he is worth it-- Pico is such a gem of a dog and is progressing very nicely in his foster home.
**UPDATE**Sunday evening, 1-27-08
Pico had surgery Friday night. It went very well and the surgeon said that he saw no evidence of metastasis, and was able to remove all of the gastric tumor. They cannot tell us for sure what type of cancer it may be until they get results back from the pathologist on Tuesday. Pico did excellent during the surgery and he came out of it nicely too.
THANK YOU again to everyone who helped by donating, it means so much to a dog like Pico who never had someone care this much before.
Pico is now in a wonderful foster home with an older lady who has no other pets and can spend a lot of time doting on him as he recovers. He sleeps at her feet, and as you can see from the pictures, he really likes his new foster mom! Of course, he'd really like to find a permanent mom (or dad) to live out his golden years with as well.
Pico says, "Thanks everybody for saving my life, I can't wait to chase more tennis balls after I finish resting for two weeks!!"
Lisa
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**UPDATE**Friday evening, 1-25-08
Pico came through the surgery fine, they did not find any evidence of metastasis and were unable to identify the type of cancer without sending to a pathologist, so we still have to wait on the final word to know if it's the worst kind (gastric carcinoma) or one that is less likely to have spread. They were able to remove the tumor without problem and Pico came through the surgery just great! He is recovering and will hopefully be able to leave the hospital by tomorrow night if all goes as well as expected. By Tuesday we should hopefully hear back on the pathology report to know what kind of cancer we're dealing with and if it was one that will hopefully be completely cured with the surgery.
Thank you so much to all who contributed, it is so very appreciated and Pico is one lucky dog for having so many people willing to help him out. I'm so happy we were able to do this for him!! I'll keep you posted on his progress.....
Thanks!
Lisa
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Pico is a gorgeous purebred chocolate german shorthair pointer. He was abandoned at the county shelter by owners who "no longer had time" for him anymore. After sitting there for several weeks being passed over for younger pups, he went on the euthanasia list when he caught kennel cough. That's when we stepped in to save his life. That was several months ago.
Just recently, Pico started vomiting dark blood. After an x-ray and ultrasound, it was determined he has a mass on his stomach that is likely cancerous, but they can't be sure. A biopsy would be very expensive (half the amount of the surgery cost) and so the vet recommended having the mass surgically removed and then sent to a pathologist, since likely that would be the course anyway. As long as it had not metastasized (they are not seeing evidence of that) he could recover fully from the surgery and live out his normal life span. A lung x-ray showed no metastasis to the lungs (the most likely, closest area if it were spreading). He had a normal lung x-ray, thank God.
The surgery, as expected, is very expensive. We want to have an experienced, specialist do the surgery to give him the best chance of a full recovery. However, our rescue does not have the extra funds by any means to cover this, so we're going out on a limb in the hopes that dog lovers in the community will donate and help sponsor the cost.
WE NEED TO RAISE $1000 ASAP to get started on Pico's life saving surgery. Time is critical, they need to do it as soon as possible before any further bleeding causes complications for Pico. The rest of the surgery cost will need to be paid in a few days.
PLEASE HELP US SAVE PICO!!! We don't want to abandon him or give up on him in this time of need. He doesn't deserve that. Poor Pico has had a rough life with a bad home for most of his life, and now this. Pico is very strong, active and healthy otherwise, and they feel he can withstand the surgery. I do not have the heart to have him put down, he has so much life in him--- he loves to chase tennis balls nonstop, for as long as you'll throw it. He will retrieve them, bring them to your feet and do a play bow, wagging his tail like crazy, waiting for you to throw it again.....and again.....and again!! He is so sweet and so wonderful. If you met Pico, you would understand why we are trying so hard to save him... and I truly believe he has a good chance, he is very strong.
DONATING TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!! Your sponsorship of Pico is tax deductible, please consider helping him receive the surgery he urgently needs.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure.
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!!! PICO THANKS YOU!!
Please check back on this page for updates....
Sincerely,
Lisa Maturo
LUCKY DOG RESCUE
www.luckydogrescue.org
EMAIL--PhxDalStation@aol.com