Please help support Loki's life saving cancer treatment

In June 2024 we noticed our little whippet Loki appeared to be having trouble emptying his bladder. We immediately booked him into the vet, who suspected an infection and we started antibiotics. The antibiotics did not help and we noticed some blood in his urine also, we were worried.

The vet ordered an ultrasound to see what could be causing his discomfort. The ultrasound was schedule on my birthday, and I spent the whole day anxiously waiting to hear if he was okay and bring him home. When the time came to meet with the vet we were brought into the room and noticed Loki wasn't there, which seemed unusual. The vets eyes said it all, and she broke the news that it was not an infection and our sweet boy had bladder cancer. We were absolutely devastated, but of course he trotted in and was so happy to see us we tried our best to hold back the tears in front of him.

The prognosis was bleak. It was suspected to be an aggressive type of malignant cancer called Transition Cell Carcinoma (TCC). Due to the location and aggressiveness of the cancer, we were told we would not have long left with our sweet little boy.

Our minds also were on his devoted little sister, Luna. She has never known life without her kind and gentle big brother and just separating them for his consults revealed how inconsolable she became without him. It broke our hearts thinking of life without Loki and what it would do to his sweet little sister.

We were referred to the small animal specialist hospital (SASH) to discuss palliative care options. The internal medicine specialist there advised us that due to the location surgery was not possible, however some chemotherapy may reduce the cancer and provide comfort. Loki underwent a full body CT scan for staging, blood tests and a traumatic urinary catheterization to sample the cancer cells. The testing confirmed it was a cancer of the transitional epithelial cells (TCC) and that Loki was a candidate for chemotherapy.

The internal medicine specialist advised we could start chemotherapy and also discuss radiation therapy with the oncologist in Sydney via a telephone consult. We consulted with the radiation oncologist and were told Loki would be a candidate for this treatment and were blown away to hear it may even get him to another birthday. To be gifted months or a year instead of talking in weeks and days was wonderful.

To be given hope was an inexplicable feeling. Although the cancer was aggressive and terminal, we could potentially have our boy with us for longer. He was still so full of life and love we wanted to give him the most wonderful farewell. However, it became apparent what an immense challenge financially and logistically this was going to be. How could we not try though.

Our sweet little boy has always been the kindest, most loyal and patient dog. He adores people and dogs alike. Loki is always known as the kind, sweet whippet who takes nervous dogs under his wing at the dog park. His love is unconditional and he has never asked for anything from us, how could we fail him now in his moment of need.

We made the decision to pack the family up and move to Sydney for 5 weeks to undergo treatment. The 15 hour drive to Sydney was tough, but turning to see our boy sitting on the back seat reminded us of why we were doing this.

The treatment is expensive. On top of that we have his scans, tests, medication, chemotherapy, appointments and accommodation ... expenses are building up. Loki starts radiation therapy on the 19th of August, and will undergo daily short bursts of radiation directly into the cancer zone.

Any funds raised will go directly to funding his radiation therapy and hopefully ongoing chemotherapy.

We will post frequent updates on his treatment journey here and to his Instagram @loki.the.whippet_ we also hope by sharing his story other beloved pet owners facing the same diagnosis can follow Loki's treatment journey and know there is hope for this terrible cancer diagnosis.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Loki, Luna, Danielle & Chris