Flo needs our help

My family and I have always wanted to have a dog, and after many discussions, we concluded that it was finally time to add a new member to our family of four. I happened to mention our decision to a friend who then told me about a breeder that I could reach out to since they had gotten a puppy from them previously. I contacted this person but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the puppies she had on sale. However, she offered me a female Goldendoodle that she was looking to retire and rehome for free, with the condition that I would have to spay her. For me, it was a no-brainer so we started the process of meeting Flo, a 7-year-old (almost 8 in May) Goldendoodle.

The breeder sent me a photo of Flo and I fell in love at first sight. I immediately shared the photo with my family and asked them if they would like an adult dog instead of a puppy, and they fell for Flo just like me. We said yes instantly.

I asked for more information about Flo, as one does when adopting an animal. She replied with a bunch of certificates (important to breeders), claiming that Flo was in excellent health, but despite how many times I asked for vaccination records, I got the same answer: she was due for her annual vaccines in early March. With that, we made the arrangements to meet Flo and bring her home on the same day. Once we were there and got to play around for a bit before taking her home, I noticed a big mass (bigger than a ping-pong ball size) in her belly. When I brought this to the breeder's attention she said that she had it for years but that it was fine.

Once we were home, I then noticed a lump on her right eyelid. I sent her a picture the next day and she said Flo had had it for years and I only needed to clean it and put Polysporin eye drops as indicated on the bottle.

I took her to see a veterinarian for an assessment and to book her appointment for her annual vaccines. You can imagine my shock when I saw the list of problems the vet found instead:

1) 9 mammary tumours affecting all the left mammary chain varying in size from 1 cm to 6 cm

2) on the right side, an enlarged cranial nipple

3) growth on her right upper eyelid on OD of about 1 cm

4) dental tartar grade 2/4

5) a suspected skin tag on the left side of the cheek of about 1 cm, covered in scabs

I was completely baffled. How can such a sweet dog like Flo be so mistreated? How can she have that many problems? How can she have 9 tumours (one of them pretty big) and the owner didn’t do anything about it? How can she have a lump on her eyelid and have it treated like nothing? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The vet was just as upset with the whole situation. At that moment we only had 1 week with Flo and didn’t know what to do, but we were in so deeply love with her and we knew there was a reason that she met us.

The vet told me to remain calm and created a plan prioritizing each problem, as we would go through this together. His recommendations are:

1) an FNA to identify masses (benign VS malignant) considering the number of tumours and presentation

2) chest and abdominal radiographs prior to surgery

3) radical mastectomy on the left side as all the glands are affected

4) spay Flo due to masses, would need diagnostic steps before (FNA, BW and radiographs)

5) ask the owner to get vaccine records otherwise would be considered as there are no previous vaccines administered

6) surgically remove the growth on the left eye with possible surgical complications due to the size of the mass

7) dental cleaning and extractions are not expected; BW has to be done prior

8) surgically remove the skin tag as it is scabbing and bothering Flo

As per the vet's request, I asked for vaccine records one more time (fourth or fifth time) only to discover that the breeder administered the vaccines herself, therefore no certificates can be provided.

Flo is the sweetest and most affectionate dog I have ever known, and she needs our help to keep her healthy and safe. Unfortunately, we don’t have the economic resources to pay for all the procedures she needs. The rough estimated cost of all the procedures is $15,000.

We have started with the preliminary tests for the tumours, which were considered the top priority.

The vet is helping Flo by bringing her case to the clinic board directors and they have allowed me to set a payment plan to perform these tests, however, the procedures and surgeries will be difficult to book without at least half of the amount required.

We need your help to provide Flo with all the care that she needs to continue living a healthy, long life. Anything you can donate to her cause will be welcomed. There is no small collaboration, everything counts. We appreciate your help and count on you to help Flo go through this bad experience successfully and with as much ease as possible.

UPDATE 1 – As of Feb. 27th, the FNA results are: marked epithelial proliferation with occasional mild to moderate atypia and low-grade to moderate mixed inflammation and necrosis.

Recommendation: cytology description and history, high concerns for mixed cell tumour and malignancy. Recommended OVH surgery and radical mastectomy with pathologist evaluation for proper staging. Blood work (to evaluate for underlying conditions and proper organs' function), and chest and abdominal radiographs (to evaluate for metastasis) prior to surgery.

Total cost of this procedure $425.00.

UPDATE 2 – As of April 1st, no signs of metastasis in chest radiographs and BW is all within normal limits.

Total cost of this procedure $750.00.

UPDATE 3 - As of April 9th, given the preliminary results overcome better than expected, we are now managing a reduced estimated for all the treatments. The vet wants to start with the radical left mastectomy and spay Flo as soon as possible. The clinic board has showed a lot of understanding and compassion and this procedure has been estimated in $4,000 (no complication expected). Everything else will be attended after her recovery for this massive surgery.