Muffin's surgery results - part 2

This is Muffin's enlarged spleen. It was about 5 times the size it should have been. The "mass" (or tumor) does not appear to have spread, despite having apparently ruptured and healed several times. She is lucky to have not bled to death (internally.) Those of you who donated, or even just simply spread the word about her fund-raiser have literally saved her life. She would not have lived much longer.

Her veterinarian told me, too, that her teeth and mouth were so infected that she is up there with the very worst cases he's seen in 15 years - including shelter dogs he's seen through Chicago Canine Rescue! She must have been in tremendous pain. 13 teeth were removed, and her mouth oozed with pus. She also had an oronasal fistula, which means the infection made a hole from teeth into the nasal cavities.

She had a very slow recovery, but is now walking around at home. She hasn't been interested in eating yet, but is drinking and peeing a lot. Tomorrow she goes back for a quick blood draw to see if the anemia caused by the splenic mass and subsequent organ removal (full of blood) is being reversed. Assuming all is well, she'll be in again in a few days for a follow-up, and again in 10 days to remove her abdominal stitches. Then we'll just have to treat her with pain meds for the knee dysplasia and arthritis.

Dr. Scott Rovner (Roscoe Village Animal Hospital 3131 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 549-3113 roscoevillageanimalhospital@yahoo.com) is literally her hero. He gave Muffin a HUGE discount --> $1,702.00. If it weren't for him, we would not have been able to afford her surgery, even with the $1,400 we raised! Please send him thank you cards and emails.

I am STILL reeling in disbelief that we were able to get this all done. I'm not a rescue, just an individual with two great animal-loving kids to help me. Thank you to everyone who helped Muffin. I really feel as though I can't thank you enough.

Andrea & Muffin