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On July 10, 2020, we received a call to notify us of a small, female, rat terrier that was living with a hoarder, being bred over and over again. We also learned that this girl was kept outside in the heat of South Florida to fend for herself, and as if that wasn’t enough, she also had a growth on the side of her left back leg that appears to be a tumor. With this news, we rushed to see her but we were not prepared for what we saw. Her condition was sadly much, much worse. She had been so neglected and bred so many times that most of the bones in her tiny body were visible through her skin. But the worst part was the tumor on her leg which is the size of about a third of her entire body. She was clearly extremely weak. So much so, that she wasn’t really walking or moving much. When she did get up, it was with extreme difficulty. We knew this girl’s life depended on getting out of these horrific living conditions.
Once the owner agreed to surrender this girl under our care, we made an appointment with our vet for CHICHI, as we named her. Upon bringing her to us, she explained how the only thing she was fed were chicken feet and had long nails that were never trimmed because it allowed her to fight with the other dogs over food. As if her malnourished body and large tumor weren’t enough, knowing this is how she was living, left us horrified.
As soon as Chichi was officially under our care, we made the decision of rushing her to the emergency room at VCA South Dade Animal Hospital instead of waiting for the appointment we had originally made. The results at the vet were alarming, to say the least. The results showed just how neglected this poor girl had been throughout her life. She was dehydrated, filled with parasites, had a heart murmur, her white blood cell count was very high (indicating an infection), she was anemic, underweight, and had two mammary tumors and another one on her right back leg in addition to the large one on her left back leg. As serious as the tumors were, ChiChi would not be able to withstand surgery to remove them in her beyond weakened condition.
After 5 weeks of medication, injections, further vet visits and around the clock care, ChiChi began to regain her strength and was eating regularly. But we knew this was not the end. ChiChi needed her tumors removed. Since her condition was so severe, on Tuesday, August 11th, we took her to be evaluated for surgery by a specialist, Dr. Moore at Broward Veterinary Specialists in Hollywood, FL . We hoped ChiChi was now strong enough to be able to have the tumors surgically removed. However, when Dr. Moore examined her, he also noticed a third mammary tumor and he explained how he wouldn’t be amazed if he found a fourth one during surgery. But this is not the worst result about our sweet Chichi. The larger tumor on Chichi’s leg is so big, the doctor is not sure if there will be enough skin to close the wound once the tumor is removed or if he will even be able to remove it all.
We want ChiChi to have a chance at a normal life as soon as possible. She is a sweet and strong girl and deserves nothing less. ChiChi’s surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26th at 7:30 AM at Broward Veterinary Specialists with Dr. Moore. At this time, we need prayers and DONATIONS for ChiChi. Please help us help ChiChi on her journey to a healthier life.
>> ABOUT RESQME, A HOMELESS DOG MISSION
Please understand ResQMe, A Homeless Dog Mission is funded solely by donations (Federal Tax ID #82-4574702). We have rescued senior dogs, dogs with severe medical conditions, Pitbulls, and large breed dogs that have little to no interest from adopters but still deserve a chance to live a healthy and full life. We can only continue this mission with donations from our community. From the bottom of our hearts, the ResQMe Pups and humans, we thank you for all of your love and compassion towards our sweet ChiChi.
ResQMe, A Homeless Dog Mission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, 100% no-kill, that saves unwanted dogs in Miami-Dade County. These dogs truly deserve a second chance. You can visit us at http://www.resqmedogmission.org
#SmallBusinessRelief
ChiChi's First Visit At VCA South Dade Animal Hospital
Once the owner agreed to surrender this girl under our care, we made an appointment with our vet for CHICHI, as we named her. Upon bringing her to us, she explained how the only thing she was fed were chicken feet and had long nails that were never trimmed because it allowed her to fight with the other dogs over food. As if her malnourished body and large tumor weren’t enough, knowing this is how she was living, left us horrified.
As soon as Chichi was officially under our care, we made the decision of rushing her to the emergency room at VCA South Dade Animal Hospital instead of waiting for the appointment we had originally made. The results at the vet were alarming, to say the least. The results showed just how neglected this poor girl had been throughout her life. She was dehydrated, filled with parasites, had a heart murmur, her white blood cell count was very high (indicating an infection), she was anemic, underweight, and had two mammary tumors and another one on her right back leg in addition to the large one on her left back leg. As serious as the tumors were, ChiChi would not be able to withstand surgery to remove them in her beyond weakened condition.
After 5 weeks of medication, injections, further vet visits and around the clock care, ChiChi began to regain her strength and was eating regularly. But we knew this was not the end. ChiChi needed her tumors removed. Since her condition was so severe, on Tuesday, August 11th, we took her to be evaluated for surgery by a specialist, Dr. Moore at Broward Veterinary Specialists in Hollywood, FL . We hoped ChiChi was now strong enough to be able to have the tumors surgically removed. However, when Dr. Moore examined her, he also noticed a third mammary tumor and he explained how he wouldn’t be amazed if he found a fourth one during surgery. But this is not the worst result about our sweet Chichi. The larger tumor on Chichi’s leg is so big, the doctor is not sure if there will be enough skin to close the wound once the tumor is removed or if he will even be able to remove it all.
We want ChiChi to have a chance at a normal life as soon as possible. She is a sweet and strong girl and deserves nothing less. ChiChi’s surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26th at 7:30 AM at Broward Veterinary Specialists with Dr. Moore. At this time, we need prayers and DONATIONS for ChiChi. Please help us help ChiChi on her journey to a healthier life.
>> ABOUT RESQME, A HOMELESS DOG MISSION
Please understand ResQMe, A Homeless Dog Mission is funded solely by donations (Federal Tax ID #82-4574702). We have rescued senior dogs, dogs with severe medical conditions, Pitbulls, and large breed dogs that have little to no interest from adopters but still deserve a chance to live a healthy and full life. We can only continue this mission with donations from our community. From the bottom of our hearts, the ResQMe Pups and humans, we thank you for all of your love and compassion towards our sweet ChiChi.
ResQMe, A Homeless Dog Mission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, 100% no-kill, that saves unwanted dogs in Miami-Dade County. These dogs truly deserve a second chance. You can visit us at http://www.resqmedogmission.org
#SmallBusinessRelief
ChiChi's First Visit At VCA South Dade Animal Hospital
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ResqMe, A Homeless Dog Mission
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