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This is our little Kristen and she was just sprung from the shelter. We've been watching her for over a week, hiding in the corner of a kennel, shaking and terrified. All 5 pounds of her were filthy, covered with fleas and ticks and her eyes sealed shut from gunk. It looks like someone just bred the heck out of this little girl, and she has mammary tumors. Monday, we're paying a visit to Dr. Andrew at Arbor Animal Hospital in Irvine, to see what our next step will be. We'll keep you posted.

Here's a picture of her tumors.

Update: Monday 11/14

We had an appointment today with Dr. Andrew. He examined Kristen, took x rays and drew blood. Good news. The lungs look great. Also, the blood is good. She will have surgery to remove the tumors and be spayed  next Tuesday. We will also schedule her for a dental. She'll then be as good as new and ready for her new home.

Kristen is a senior girl, but don't tell her. She dances and prances like a little gazelle. She adores being held and her favorite position is in your lap with her legs straight up in the air. She's 100% housebroken, and although she's crate trained and wouldn't mind sleeping in her crate, her favorite spot is under the covers, sleeping against our bodies. She loves other dogs, is not a barker, and does well in the car. She would be a wonderful companion for a senior, as long as that person likes to receive kisses. She's extremely affectionate.

Update Tuesday 11/22

Dr. Andrew, from Arbor Animal Hospital performed the surgery on Kristen today.  He removed the whole side of mammary glands, including the lymph gland. She was also spayed and had a tumor on her uterus removed and sent to the lab. NOT ONLY THAT, but she also had a hernia repaired, and a few teeth removed. She was under for quite some time. She will need another surgery in 2 weeks to remove the mammary glands from the other side.
What a trooper this little girl is. We very grateful, this day before Thanksgiving, that little Kristen is getting another chance at life!! We'll keep you posted.

Next surgery is scheduled for Wed. Dec. 7, to remove the other chain of mammary glands.

Her tumors were pretty much encapsulated so hopefully, Dr. Andrew got it all. Her lymph gland did not have cancer.   Yeah!!

Dec. 6
Kristen is doing very well. She goes in for her second surgery tomorrow and Dr. Andrew will do a radical mastectomy on the other side.   Her incision is clean and healing well. Kristen should be available to go to her new forever home in about 2 weeks.

12/9

We talked with Dr. Andrew today and the lab reports have come back. It is with incredibly deep sadness that we report that Kristen has cancer. :-(((  The cancer has spread into her lymph nodes. We're not sure exactly how long she has, (hopefully, about 6 months) but whatever time that may be, she has a wonderful foster mom, who's going to pamper and spoil her. At least she didn't have to die at the shelter, alone and frightened. She will have lots of love and steak in the time she has.

PLEASE SPAY YOUR DOGS!!

A female puppy spayed before her first heat cycle can expect never to develop a mammary tumor of any kind. The incidence of tumor development in this group is nearly zero.

If she is allowed to experience one heat cycle before spaying, the incidence rises to 7% (still quite low).

If she is allowed to experience more than one heat cycle, the risk is driven up to one in four.   Since most female dogs come into heat the first time before age one and breeding an immature female dog is not recommended, this means one must generally choose between a litter of puppies or mammary cancer prevention.  Because mammary tumors are promoted by female hormones, spaying at any age is helpful in tumor prevention. Just because a female dog is in the high-risk group doesn't mean it is too late to reap benefit from spaying. 

12/19

Kristen had most of her stitches removed today and she's doing GREAT!!! Her foster Mom, Val, says she's happy, playful, loves to go on her walks, and eats like a horse!! Here she is with her wonderful, loving foster Mom.

What a lucky little girl she is to have someone that loves her so much. See how well she's healing.

What a great Christmas she's going to have. She has 4 brothers and sisters and loves them all. Thank you, Val, for all you do to help LDR and our babies. How lucky we are to have you!!
 

2/2/06

Kristen, or Chrissie, as her Mom calls her, is doing so very very well. She's happy, healthy, spoiled, so very loved and pampered and has a wonderful family that adores her.