FetchACure

 

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  1. A Closer Look at Lumps & Bumps

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    We frequently offer free lumps & bumps checks, and encourage you to meet us at one near you. Here’s why.

    Dogs can sprout a variety of lumps, bumps, and skin growths, especially as they age. Fortunately, most are merely unsightly or messy rather than harmful. No growth can be definitively diagnosed by its appearance alone, however, so point out such lumps and bumps to your veterinarian during your dog’s annual physical exam, and be sure to consult your vet if your dog has a lump that grows rapidly, oozes and doesn’t heal, or otherwise bothers you or your dog.​​​​​​

    One of the most common is the lipoma, a benign, fatty growth that often appears in middle-age dogs and older dogs. Lipomas can range from 1 inch to 8 inches or more in diameter, growing slowly over months to years. Your vet will measure them during your dog’s yearly physical exam and note their location and size on your dog’s medical chart.

    When a new lump appears or if one enlarges rapidly, it’s wise to have the vet do a fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the lump. The FNA takes only a few seconds, can be done during a regular exam, and is virtually painless. The cost can range between $25-$200, with the possibility of additional charges for lab work. Learn more about all the lumps and bumps here.

  2. The Incredible Hulk

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    Hulk is a five-year-old shepherd mix undergoing chemotherapy treatments with Dr. Waite at The Oncology Service Richmond. FETCH is happy to be helping cover costs with a Companions in Crisis grant. His owner shared his story:

    “I’ll remember the day in 2016 we got Hulk forever because it was the day before my grandma passed away. He came into our lives at the most perfect time and we knew he was going to be the best boy. So far Hulk has traveled to 17 states and been on four road trips across the USA. He also lived in San Diego before moving to our home in Norfolk. 

    “He loves belly rubs, chasing squirrels, hiking, exploring, long walks, playing in the sand at the beach and playing with his older sister, Fetty. He has always been our gentle giant, a loving, sweet, calm and happy boy. 

    “In March we noticed a hard lump on his left flank area that seemed to be getting bigger. We were initially told it was scar tissue from a vaccination. After a week of keeping an eye on it, we called the vet and scheduled an appointment to get it checked. They aspirated it and sent the sample off to the lab for pathology. 

    “After a week of waiting and watching this mass continue to grow, we got the news. It was malignant, a soft-tissue sarcoma. We scheduled surgery for April 21, 2021, and that day could not come soon enough. While waiting the mass grew rapidly and within three weeks was bigger than a baseball. While the mass was successfully removed, they were unable to get clean margins, so Hulk is now doing chemo. We remain hopeful that he will be able to have a long, healthy and happy life after chemo is complete!”

  3. Sweet Peanut Butter

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    Peanut Butter is a sweet Chihuahua mix who’s being treated for mammary carcinoma by Dr. Waite at The Oncology Service Richmond. Her pet parent writes:

     

    “Peanut Butter went through a lot before she found me. A couple found her pregnant and seemingly abandoned on the street. They searched for her family but no one ever claimed her. She eventually found her way to the care of my friend and her roommate. They took care of her through her pregnancy and after the birth of her puppies. They were looking to rehome her, and when she met me there was no other choice. We took to each other immediately and have been best friends ever since.

     

    “Like many dogs her favorite thing is a long walk. Honestly, it’s more like she walks me than I walk her. She loves to explore our neighborhood, showing me places I would have never seen if she hadn’t taken me there. I’ve discovered hidden parks, restaurants, gardens, and more on these walks. She’s so tiny but she seems to have boundless energy. One of my biggest fears is her losing that energetic ability to go on walks if the cancer progresses.

     

    “I found a few lumps in her mammaries in February and after several vet visits and surgery, one of the tumors was diagnosed as a mammary carcinoma. I’m extremely optimistic that with the right treatment she will live a long life full of long walks!”

  4. Momma’s Story

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    Our latest Companions in Crisis recipient is named Momma. Read on to find out why! She is receiving radiation treatment for her nasal carcinoma by Dr. Pamela White at The Oncology Service in Leesburg. 

    “Momma came to me as a foster in 2015. She, along with nine beautiful puppies, had been seized by animal control due to neglect. I was an employee at the shelter when the call came in that her previous owner was suffering from dementia and was unable to care for Momma and her puppies. Thankfully we were able to send animal control in time to save Momma and nine of her 10 puppies. 

    “Regardless of how she had been treated, she was the sweetest dog I had ever met.  She was so forgiving to people even after what had happened to her; she came into my  home loving and trusting as though she had never experienced such tragedies. Seeing  her love and care for her puppies was both admirable and heartbreaking. I wished that she herself could have been cared for in such a loving way from day one. Although I couldn’t change her past, I knew I could give her a bright future. I would show her how it felt to be someone’s little baby. My husband and I do not have children of our own  besides Momma, but having her is the greatest joy we could have ever hoped for and  we are not able to give up on her. 

    “Anyone who meets her falls in love with Momma because she has such a pure heart that loves unconditionally. We want to be able to provide her with the comfort and time that come with her proposed treatment. She is my greatest joy. I come from a difficult childhood, and Momma helps me each and every day with my anxiety and purpose. I don’t know what we would do without her — she is much more than a pet to us. Hearing those words “Momma does have cancer,” I felt as though my heart has been torn out. 

    “She has been through more than most in her life but has always come out fighting. We want to give her everything that we can to fight this cancer. We know that it isn’t yet her time – she has much more life in her, she just needs help through this. Momma lives every day to its fullest, and she just needs us to do everything in our power to get her the medical care she needs.”

  5. Meet Sleek Nook

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    Meet sleek Nook, our latest CIC recipient.

    “We adopted Nook as a two-month-old in Georgia, where he was found seemingly abandoned by his mother in a grain silo. He quickly grew into an affectionate boy who loves to play furiously with his toys, eat just about anything, and chase around our older female cat Amelia, who we call his sister. We moved with both of them to the Richmond area in 2019.

    “This past winter, Nook began to display some noisy breathing issues that would begin a series of frequent vet visits and procedures. First he had a polyp removed from his throat, which seemed to alleviate his symptoms for a short time. But they returned far worse, which ultimately resulted in a hospital stay, tests and imaging at Blue Pearl. We then began taking him to VRCC for a series of visits and consultations that eventually involved imaging and surgery for what was expected to be another polyp. Only then did we finally find out that what was removed from his nose at VRCC was lymphoma. I’ve long since lost track of exactly how much we spent on these various visits and procedures.

    “Unfortunately, this came along at a time when our savings have just been depleted because we just bought our first house–we moved in a month ago in the midst of bringing Nook to these appointments, thinking that they would eventually result in a removed polyp and a healthy young cat.”

    FETCH is glad to be able to help these pet parents with a Companions in Crisis grant. Good luck, Nook!