Darla is recovering from cancer surgery she had yesterday at Peak Veterinary Referral Center in Burlington. In the photo is Peak's board-certified surgeon, Dr. Kurt Schulz, operating on Darla, assisted by his surgery tech Theresa.
Just over a week ago I discovered a round, flat growth smaller than a dime on her left side while petting her. The only reason I think I even noticed it was because the growth was just at the edge of an area on her belly that had been shaved for a previous ultrasound. We had seen something similar several years ago with one of our personal dogs, Goldie. It turned out to be a mast cell tumor, so this small growth on Darla set off our alarm bells.
I took Darla in last week to see one of our internists at Peak, Dr. Dani Rondeau, for an evaluation. She pulled cells out to examine under a microscope and came back to the room about five minutes later with a frown on her face. Sure enough, she found some mast cells, but cautioned we needed to have a full pathology analysis done before we had anything definitive.
Dani called late the next day with the lab results: Yes, it was a mast cell tumor. At this point we don't know the grade or how clean the margins are following surgery until the tissue Kurt removed yesterday is sent to the lab for further analysis. We should know that in a few days.
Here's Kurt doing a pre-surgery exam on Darla yesterday morning -- you can tell she was one stressed out girl:
She came through the surgery in good shape and I was able to bring her home yesterday evening. She's not very happy with me today but I think she'll get over it!
Also on board for the trip to Peak were Widget for another round of chemotherapy, Travis for another round of tongue depressors (25!) and Tanner for his work-up.
The great news on Travis is that we took a week off as planned and didn't lose any ground, and in fact Marielle was able to get the additional two tongue depressors in. That will be where we stay until his oral surgery in January. A lot of people asked whether his mouth will stay open in the future. That's the part we don't know yet; right now he's on a low dose of prednisone, which should help keep his jaw from closing back up. Whether his jaw stays open after we take him off prednisone following his oral surgery is an open question, and only time will tell.
I will have a full report on Tanner for Monday's blog, but suffice to say he melted everyone's heart at Peak yesterday.
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Final 2013 Shelter Challenge Underway
The final round of the Shelter Challenge for 2013 began on October 28th and runs until December 22. You can vote every day here. To search for us, type in our name, Rolling Dog Farm, and Lancaster, NH 03584. We just won another $1,000 in the previous round, so your daily votes do bring in serious money for our disabled animals!
Please note that I cannot help with technical or voting problems. I also do not have an "inside track" to anyone at the Shelter Challenge, and I don't know any more about the contest than anyone else does. So if you find yourself having issues, please consult their FAQ page here and their Rules page, which is a pop-up you can find linked on this page.
Thanks for your votes!
So glad to hear Darla came through the surgery well, and here's hoping there's good news from the further analysis. I'm hoping Widget comes through all the chemo OK. And my goodness, Travis. Sounds like he's in good shape for the January surgery. I can't wait to hear more about Tanner. He seems like a charmer.
Posted by: Ashley | December 13, 2013 at 08:15 AM
So glad you acted so quickly!! wishing her a quick recovery and a short stay in a lampshade.
Posted by: Anne in FL | December 12, 2013 at 12:54 PM
That was quite a trip you all took.
Hopefully by now, Darla is settled back in "her room" and has forgiven you!
Sending love, healing thoughts to you all.
Posted by: Chloe | December 12, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Wow, y'all have your hands full! Good luck to all of the fuzzy kids... lots of hugs and kisses.
Everyone.... keep voting!!
Posted by: Penny | December 12, 2013 at 10:51 AM
I'm sure Darla thinks she is one of your personal dogs too. I didn't expect this nor did you I suppose. I'm glad you found it early and let's hope for the best.
Posted by: Stu Kertiss | December 12, 2013 at 09:30 AM
This is a lot for you to carry on and stay calm with. My stomach did flip flops with the news. Loving the Darla....from afar.
Posted by: Connie | December 12, 2013 at 07:29 AM
Same thing happen to our dog and they removed it three or four years ago and she is doing great---12 going on 13. Go Darla you darling girl!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | December 11, 2013 at 10:39 PM
Sending hugs, kisses and prayers for sweet Darla. Hope everything turns out ok! Also sending hugs and kisses to Widget and Travis. They are all troopers!
Posted by: Ann | December 11, 2013 at 10:04 PM
Oh does Darla look unhappy. Glad she's home now, and I hope the lab results come back clean. That's another upside to giving your dog lots of attention - you find these things early.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | December 11, 2013 at 05:02 PM
Thanks for the post. I commend you on staying very positive through the whole experience and I'm so jealous that you get to spend your days with those lovely animals. I wish you luck!
Posted by: Maddie | December 11, 2013 at 02:18 PM
HERE'S HOPING THAT DARLA WILL BE FINE. ITS A GOOD THING THE TWO OF YOU ARE HEALTY - THIS ALL IS ALOT TO DEAL WITH. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE GREAT CARE YOU GIVE TO THESE WONDERFUL ANIMAL'S OF YOURS.
Posted by: FELICIA | December 11, 2013 at 01:09 PM
Hugs and kisses to Darla. Glad to hear that the surgery went well and praying that she will have a full and speedy recovery. She is in the best hands possible so I know everything will go well. Give her a belly rub from her Gaylord friend when she is feeling up to it. Wishing all of you at RDF and wonderful holiday season.
Posted by: Pamela Payne | December 11, 2013 at 12:59 PM