The Deserving Seniors: A Call for Love
I think we can all agree that senior pups deserve all the love in the world.
Even though they are older and may not have the same energy they once did, they still bring so much love and happiness into our lives.
That’s why it’s so important that we do everything we can to provide them with the best possible life. Unfortunately, many senior dogs don’t experience this.
Because fewer people are willing to open their homes to older dogs, many of them are forced to spend their final days in shelters. Serenity, a Pitbull mix who found herself in a shelter in Arizona, was one of them.
A Second Chance: Rescue and Hope
Serenity was 12 years old when she was diagnosed with a mammary mass. Due to this diagnosis and the fact that she wasn’t getting adopted, the Arizona shelter was forced to place her on the euthanasia list.
However, when a rescue organization from Scottsdale called Love Them All Sanctuary + Rescue learned about Serenity’s situation, they immediately opened their doors and took her in.
They were more than willing to provide her with all the medical treatment she needed, as well as a loving and comfortable home.
The Scottsdale rescue acted quickly and immediately scheduled her for surgery, where the mammary mass was removed. In Serenity’s case, it was identified as a bleeding melanoma tumor that had been affecting her.
Thanks to the incredible donations from compassionate individuals, the rescue was able to cover all of Serenity’s medical expenses.
And because they knew she needed a loving family to support her recovery, the rescue placed her in a caring foster home.
Facing Challenges: One Day at a Time
A week passed since this sweet girl arrived at her foster home, and despite her happiness, her doctor’s appointment brought some difficult news.
Her tumor had returned and was malignant.
The veterinarians are still uncertain about the future of Serenity’s journey, but everyone around her is dedicated to filling each day with happy moments, delicious food, and cozy naps.
Understanding Mammary Tumors: Important Information
I’d like to take this opportunity to share some information about mammary tumors.
It’s important to know that this condition is quite common in dogs, especially unspayed females, as they are a prevalent form of neoplasia (abnormal tissue growth).
If you notice that your dog may have a mammary tumor, please remember that only about 50% of these tumors are cancerous, while the other 50% are benign (non-cancerous).
Not all lumps indicate cancer; only malignant tumors are associated with mammary cancer.
The recommended and most effective treatment for this diagnosis is surgery. However, as was the case with Serenity, sometimes the tumor may recur after surgery. Fortunately, additional surgeries can be performed to help your dog regain their health and happiness.
So, if you observe anything unusual, please don’t panic and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian!
