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"Abbey” Smith is a 2 year old Golden Retriever that initially presented to ACIC because of chylothorax. Prior to referral to ACIC, multiple chest taps and medications failed to alleviate the rapidly forming fluid around her lungs. There was no obvious underlying cause, but her doctor was starting to suspect cancer. Abbey’s family did not have the financial resources to afford further diagnostics or referral and were considering euthanasia. Exploratory surgery and ligation of the thoracic duct was recommended. This type of surgery requires a lot of expertise and intensive care to follow. Even with surgery, there was no guarantee that Abbey would recover. In addition to the difficult decision about doing the surgery came the financial burden of such an un-dertaking. Surgical and intensive care bills can exceed $5000.

The Popeye Animal Cancer Foundation, through a generous anonymous donation, was able to provide the funding necessary to treat Abbey. Dr. Walshaw took Abbey to surgery on January 28, 2008. Miraculously, at surgery, a large inflammatory (non-cancerous) mass was found in her lungs that was caused by a piece of inhaled grass material. A portion of her lung had to be removed as well as a pericardectomy performed. While at a very critical stage, it was not cancer, which improved her chances. After weeks and weeks of almost 4 times daily chest tube draining and care, we were finally able to pull the chest tube placed at surgery on March 20, 2008. Abbey is now clinically normal and so far, no fluid has redeveloped. Thanks to Dr. Walshaw and the Popeye Animal Cancer Foundation, Abbey is enjoying a happy and active life with her family. We are now nearing 1 year since her surgery! She will spend a wonderful Christmas with her family.

“Quinn” Brady is a 10 year old female Labrador Retriever owned by Marianne Brady. Quinn developed a mass in her mouth that was diagnosed as an oral malignant melanoma. This type of cancer is very aggressive and tends to spread rapidly. A new canine melanoma vaccine is currently be-ing investigated, but is very expensive and Marianne could not afford this type of therapy. Quinn is a service dog for Marianne who is deaf, and not only provides love and companionship for her, but also is a critical aid to her day to day life. Thanks to the Popeye Animal Can-cer Foundation, Quinn is currently undergoing therapy for the malignant melanoma.

“Stitch” and Lindsey Wilkins (center) are pictured with Drs. Obradovich and Bracha at our 4th annual Paws of Hope Picnic which celebrates our current and past patients. Stitch was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). The recommended treatment for this cancer is amputation followed by chemotherapy. As much as they wanted to treat Stitch, his owners could-n’t afford therapy because they were strapped with increasing medical bills to pay for treating Julia, who had also been diagnosed with bone cancer. Abandon-ing Stitch in his fight against cancer would have devas-tated Julia and in some ways represented giving up against the disease that affected them both. Through a donation made by the Animal Cancer & Imaging Cen-ter and the Popeye Animal Cancer Foundation, Stitches treatment was paid for. He underwent amputation and chemotherapy, pretty much side effect free and is in complete remission.