SKY
Sex/colour: Female white and dark brindle.
D.O.B: 1997
Breed: Bull Lurcher poss Whippet- Staffy mix
Came to AfG: July 2007
SKY was originally handed over to a rescue kennels at age 10 years, (
with her litter sister, two 11 year old terriers and a Lurcher).
All were given up by one person, who claimed to have ‘owned’ all five
dogs from puppies and was now no longer able to look after any of them.
As all five were used to being together, the rescue were able to kennel
them in pairs with the Lurcher in the middle kennel and be able to feed
and walk them together.
As imagined, all dogs were confused and bewildered to find themselves in
the new environment.
Luckily the 2 terriers were homed together followed by the Lurcher, then
Skys sister, both homed with other hounds.
Leaving Sky on her own.
Luckiliy as AfG had a suitable foster home for Sky, with the company of
other Sighthounds, the rescue were happy to sign her over to AfG.
So we did receive previous vet notes from the rescue, supplied from the
previous ‘owner’.
We were concerned for Sky straight away as although she was keen to eat
and drink but only managed small amounts, then seemed full up and with
the appearance of her distended, bloated looking abdomen.
We knew she was not pregnant, as there was proof she was neutered.
So we saw the vet straight away, who was very concerned and with Skys
age, she felt by her appearance, she may be suffering with Cushings disease.
Our vet did admit Sky for tests but once she gave her a more thorough
examination she decided the condition was more likely to be a tumor
which would need immediate surgery.
Ultrasound tests confirmed this, showing a huge tumor attached to Skys
spleen, so there was no other option than to admit her for surgery.
Our vet kept in touch throughout and explained the tumor was caused by a
blood cancer and had attached to Skys spleen and several vessels were
entwined near the liver.
We had complete trust in our vet to carry on but at age 10, we knew Skys
survival from the large operation would be risky.
Brave Sky survived the complicated surgery, amazingly completed in one hour.
The day after surgery Sky was able to start eating and drinking normally.
Sky made a great recovery but we were informed by our vet, this type of
cancer could spread again.
So because of this AfG decided Sky could stay in her foster home as a
‘permanent foster’ with AfG funding any further vet treatment needed and
not to risk her being moved to another home again.
Sky carried on happy and active after making a full recovery from the
operation, it was so rewarding to see her with a ‘ new lease of life’.
She was in the right place at the right time, it seemed no one had shown
any concern to her appearance and difficulty eating and drinking etc.
Vet records from two separate vet practices showed, nails cut and
booster injection, the 2nd suggest cutting down her food intake as she
was obese!!.
The tumor when removed weighed 4kg, pre op Sky weighed 18kg, post op a
healthy weight for her size at 14kg.
Poor Sky had carried this burden inside her for likely months and if it
had not been discovered when it had and left much longer, it would have
burst inside her causing her to suffer a most horrific death.
The photos below, show Sky with her bloated appearance, the photo from
the vets of the 4kg tumor removed (like the size of a new born baby!),
and a newspaper article featuring her story and amazing recovery.
