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Help Spike defeat cancer

  • The bravest boy

      22 November 2024
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    It is with a heavy heart that I share this update. Spike’s condition deteriorated rapidly last weekend. Prior to this he was still eating well and playing with his toys, and his girlfriend Missy.

    He suddenly started to refuse food on Sunday 17th November. As Spike is a very food motivated pup, I knew something was very wrong. An appointment with his vet confirmed that Spike was now struggling with pain that was no longer manageable at home.

    I made the decision to have Spikey euthanised at home on Wednesday 20th November. He was on his favourite blanket surrounded by his favourite toys, and went very peacefully.

    Thank you to everyone who donated to Spike’s cause. Because of your donation I was able to give Spike the best care during his last 2 months of life. I am so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.

    I will be forever grateful for my dearest Matt for being there with me during what was the most difficult and agonising day of my life; and to Nicki and Andrew for taking such great care of Spike while I worked, and for loving him as much as I do. Your love and support means so much!

    Sincerest thanks to Dr Max Kim at Lynfield Vets who gave Spikey the best care right up until the end.

    Thanks to the team at ARC Central, and to Dr Kylie Kim at Sunset Vet Care who helped Spikey across the rainbow bridge.

    Spike was a very special boy and I miss him terribly, but I am relieved he is no longer in pain.

    My beautiful, brave boy. Thank you for everything ❤️

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  • Update on Spike

      18 October 2024
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    Spike was due to have surgery on the 9th October to attempt to remove the tumour from his lung.

    Despite the revised estimate for the procedure ($12,000 - $16,000), a kind family member offered to loan me the difference depending on how much I raised via Give a Little.

    It was a complete shock when the surgeon told me two days out from surgery that the estimate didn’t include the hospital stay afterwards, which would be an additional $1200 - $1600 per day, depending on Spike’s needs. This could bring the total cost of surgery closer to $20,000.

    I cancelled his surgery so I could think more about this. It has been the most difficult decision of my life but I have decided to opt for palliative care instead. All donations received via Give a Little will go towards caring for Spike in the last months of his precious life, and afterwards.

    Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to Spike and tried to help him. He is a very special boy and it means so much to me that so many people love him.

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  • Revised estimate for Spike’s surgery

      4 October 2024
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    I just received a revised estimate for Spike’s surgery post the radiologists’ report. Unfortunately due to the size of Spike’s tumour and the complexity of the surgery, the estimate now sits between $12705.18 and $15843.75.

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  • Healthy dog heart and lungs

      3 October 2024
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    Here’s an image of healthy heart and lungs for comparison.

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  • Spike’s CT scan

      3 October 2024
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    Spike’s CT went well and he’s back home sleeping off the anaesthetic. Here’s a summation of his clinical notes:

    “ We performed a CT scan today to further evaluate Spike's lung mass. We confirmed the presence of a very large mass (about 6.5cm) in the right side of his chest. A final radiologist's report is pending to give us more detail about resectability, but initial review suggests that the surgeons would be able to remove the tumour as it currently is. Because it is so large, they would have to cut one of his ribs to make room to get it out. This tumour is large enough and compressive enough that the sooner the better in terms of surgical outcome. Right now he is compensating very well but it is right on the edge of compressing the heart significantly and would be more and more at risk of invading the airways and affecting how much the surgeons could remove.”

    Spike’s insurance policy renews in early November, however after today’s CT scan, I have reached the limit of his entitlement for this year. Since Spike needs surgery ASAP, I will not be able to claim insurance for the removal of his tumour as the vet has stressed a delay in treatment could seriously impact the outcome of its removal. He is tentatively booked in for surgery next Wednesday the 9th October if I can raise the funds.

    The image below shows the size of Spike’s tumour. I’ve also shared an image of healthy lungs and heart (the lungs are the black areas in the chest cavity) for comparison.

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  • Vet notes

      27 September 2024
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    Here’s a snippet of Spike’s vet notes detailing clinical findings and an estimate for treatments.

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