Help 'Shy' Greyhound get back on four feet.. minus a toe 🐾🐾
Richmond, Tasman
Shy is my precious 13 year old retired racing Greyhound. She has been the center of my life for the past 8.5 years. Since early January we have been trying to deal with a main front toe that had swollen up badly, with antibiotics not working. X-rays have since shown the end bone (that the nail joins into) is half eaten away & she has been diagnosed with bone cancer. The Vets & I have decided to change the original treatment plan we had & are now getting the toe amputated next week! She is on painkillers & anti inflammatory meds currently, will still them as well as antibiotics post op for several weeks. Full histology will be done on the toe bones & tissue to check for what type of cancer & x-rays done to check for any further spread in her lungs & other organs. Aside from this issue, Shy is in fabulous condition for an elderly dog, both physically & mentally, with plenty of life left in her yet! I'm unable to work due to serious physical & mental health issues, so the bills & treatments required for Shy are extremely difficult for me financially. I'm nearly $1000 in debt already, with the bill looking to get to at least $2 - $2.5K. Shy is the love of my life & keeps me battling on for another day. She's been a fabulous ambassador for Greyhound adoption over the years & a gentle loving friend to dog breeds of all shapes & sizes at our local park.. as well as their people. We are extremely grateful for any help you can give us. With love Jen & Shy
All funds raised will go towards Vet diagnostics & treatments for Shy.
Final update 27 February 2023
Dear friends, 2 legged & 4. As our page closes tomorrow, I take this opportunity to give you all one last update about Shy's progress.. and I am extremely happy to be able to tell you that thus far, everything is looking wonderfully positive!! The histology came back saying "Toenail Squamous Cell Carcinoma" or cancer of the nailbed (rather than the bone) but which was eating the bone away. The margins of the amputated toe showed they were clear.. as did the x-rays of her chest!! Meaning that as far as we know, there has been no spread!! Woohoo! In saying that though.. typically, these types of cancer in a digit are very aggressive.. so there is no guarantee that sneaky cells haven't already moved further through her system, before surgery happened. We will be keeping a close eye on her Lymph glands from here on, for any potential signs down the track. Cross fingers & toes there won't be any!! We've seen Aunty Lisa (our fabulous vet nurse; fellow GH owner (Shy's darling cousin Libby) & friend, Lisa Jamieson) for check ups & bandage changes every couple of days this past week & she's very happy that the toe is looking really good!! The last change on Saturday showed there is no ooze at all & the pad on top looks to be being secured back down nicely by the granulating tissue.. meaning it's now highly unlikely any further surgery will be required to reattach it! Yay! Shy is walking on 4 legs around our wee house & lawn more & more now.. occasionally reverting back to bouncing around on three.. more out of habit than discomfort I think, lol! We've still got a wee way to go, re-checks & bandaging will carry on for a while longer yet, then once bandages are no longer required she'll wear a light sock to cover it.. mostly to keep her from licking!! & she'll also wear a special Greyhound boot for protection on visits back to our park. I can honestly say.. the past 6 weeks or so have been an absolute rollercoaster! I went from thinking I seriously might have to let my precious girl go, because there was no way for me to fund the surgery, which was utterly devastating to think that way.. to now, being out the other side & having such a positive outcome, with my precious girl being pretty much back to her darling pre-illness self.. it's jus mind boggling the difference a few weeks can make. It's been the best possible outcome we could have hoped for.. & Shy has been an absolute trooper throughout the whole ordeal (except taking her meds.. haha!) I couldn't be more proud of her!! I am so so grateful to each & every single one of you for your love & support, I wish I could give you all a big hug in person.. but I send you all a virtual one anyway!!! Setting this page up was the best thing ever!! (thanks for the push Leah, Sol & Archie xx) The difference every single donation made, no matter what amount.. took the absolute weight of the world off my shoulders.. allowing me to breathe & focus on tending to Shy, in helping her to get better. I've given donations to pages myself.. but now being on the receiving end, I truly understand just how much of a difference it makes to peoples lives.. and I am extremely grateful to you all!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Give your darling furbies an extra special hug from me tonight!! Much love to you all. Jen & Shy xxx
ps: tonight pic is taken of Shy in her most favourite of places there ever was.. her beloved couch.. & rocking a pretty 'green, with bones' ensemble!!
Thank you so so much for your donation & best wishes!! Very much appreciated!! From Shy & me xx
Thank you so so much Tully & Jacqui!!!! Shy is finally on the mend & starting to take steps on her foot! Yay! Really appreciate your love & support!! Jen & Shy xx
Thank you so so much for your donation & support to help Shy!! We appreciate it very much! From Shy & Jen xx
Wow!! Thank you so so much for your incredible donation towards Shys treatment!!! We appreciate your kindness & support very much!! Jen & Shy xx
Darling Ollie Ollie Ollie, thank you so much beautiful boy!! We're really missing all our park friends!! Thank you for making my day every time you run to me for cuddles!! ❤️ Big hugs for your lovely Mum & Dad. Love from Jen & Shy xxx
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