
Zoey Alexandra is in a fight for her life.
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I want to tell everyone about my wonderful Aussie, Zoey Alexandra (Tan Tri). This is her story to fight for her life.
Back in November, Zoey developed an issue with her right back paw. She could barely apply pressure on that paw. She would do the light toe tap. We took her to the vet, and he put her on auto inflammatory and told us to limit her activity to see if it improves. Improvement did not come, so on Nov 20th, 2024 we made an appointment at VSEC Blue Pearl, Levittown, PA. Blue Pearl is associated with University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Sciences. An appointment was scheduled for Nov 27th, 2023. Then just prior to that appointment of Nov 24th, Zoey developed a lesion or mass on her lower left front foot. On Nov 27th the orthopedic surgeon determined that Zoey had severely damaged her ACL. At that point we scheduled the surgery to repair the ACL for Dec 6th. The surgery would include removing the mass/lesion of her left front paw and repairing the ACL. The surgery went well on both legs. The excised mass /lesion was sent out for a biopsy. Everything was looking good until Dec. 26th when the results came back and we received devastating news that Zoey has been diagnosed with Grade 2 form of mast cell cancer.
This little lady and her sister, have given tons of love and fun to my wife and me and they should continue this for many years to come. Zoey Alexandra and her sister Brandy Sapata (Black tri) are with me day and night doing long walks, chasing squirrels; playing soccer; and swimming after geese. They are the best lap dogs around. In times of life’s turmoil, they both stayed at our side doing what they do best, unconditional love. In a sense they would say, everything will be OK. We are now retired and on a limited fixed income and we will do everything and anything to give Zoey the long life that she deserves. On Dec 27th, I called to set up an appointment with the Blue Pearl-Levittown oncologist, unfortunately they could not see Zoey until the end of January. This was not acceptable to us, and timing was critical. I got an appointment with their specialty hospital VSEC Blue Pearl in Malvern, PA on Dec 27th. I took Zoey in, and her vet oncologist walked us through what the steps were necessary to move forward to save Zoey. The vet was compassionate and professional.
1st step Xray of Zoey’s lungs to check that there were no masses visible. Passed
2nd step Ultrasound of liver & spleen. Passed
3rd step Increase surgery margins on the left front paw to insure all tumor is safely removed. Passed
4th step Remove lymph node closest to the original tumor verify status of spread. Good/Passed
5th Step – Verify specific genes in Zoey’s tumor to determine her tailored chemo therapy . Passed
6th Step – Cheek swab to verify if she had the MDR1 gene, which complicates what type of chemo is required. Passed
Total Cost to date was $13,909
Jan 16th Appointment went well her sutures were removed at her lymph node site. Sutures where the margins around the original tumor site on her left front paw will stay for another week.
Jan 16th Zoey started her first of 8 rounds of chemotherapy (vinblastine). The oncologist said the dogs rarely have side effects to this chemo. Her ACL surgery recovery is also going well. Today, I thank the Lord for helping my Zoey.
Zoey’s prognosis for cancer remission is actually very good since we caught it early.
Zoey Alexandra's second chemo was on Jan 24th, 2024. First bloodwork was done to check her white blood cell count. This dropped a small fraction but was well above threshold for her second round of chemo. The second treatment was done with no issues. The surgeon stated that the sutures would remain in her front paw for another week. The third round of chemo will happen Jan 31st.
We have two wonderful Aussies, Zoey Alexandra and Brandy Sapata. A dog's unconditional love is such an amazing gift from God and Zoey continues to fulfill her love for us and our love for her. If anyone can help us, we would be eternally grateful. The money is needed to help pay for the surgeries, testing, and chemotherapy. Chemo will cost approximately $4000. I am in the process of selling off some of my hobbies (Trains) to pay for a lot of the medical cost. Unfortunately, we have gaps; so we set up a gofundme. So, if you can open up your heart to help Zoey we would be eternally grateful. Please help by donating to Zoeys’s go fund me at https://gofund.me/058cc129.
Organizer

Stephen Vinosky
Organizer
Fairless Hills, PA