Help our sweet boy Fievel (also known as Fives, Fivey, Fivey Boy, Bubbas, Bubaleh, Mr. Mans, Booboos) as he undergoes palliative radiation treatment for metastatic lung cancer.

Fievel’s Story

On Friday, October 10, Fievel’s parents Tessa and Greg took him to his regular vet (he’s been going to the same vet his whole life–eleven years!). He had a slight cough and his parents assumed he had an upper respiratory infection or seasonal allergies.

To be extra cautious, Tessa and Greg requested a chest X-Ray. The results were devastating. A large mass (think: human fist size) was taking up the entire lower lobe of his left lung. The vet informed Fivey’s parents that if the mass continues to increase in size, it will likely press on the diaphragm making it painful–and perhaps even impossible–to eat.

On Monday, October 13, Fievel received a CT scan and fine needle aspiration to determine his cancer type and spread. The results came back as an aggressive sarcoma–likely osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma–with metastasis in the lymph nodes around his spine. Due to these results, surgery is not an option and chemotherapy would offer little benefit with many side effects. The oncology specialist predicted 1-3 months: “The cytology is suggestive of a sarcoma. Sarcomas are tumors that arise from a variety of tissue, including connective tissue, muscle, bone, and cartilage. It is uncommon to see these in the lungs and they are typically more aggressive than the more common cancer, carcinoma. Because of the concern for metastasis, prognosis is guarded and surgery is not advised.”

But Tessa and Greg did not give up. They met with a wonderful internal medicine specialist and a brilliant team of veterinary oncologists at the most renowned vet hospital in Manhattan. This new team believes Fievel would be a great candidate for palliative radiation:

“Radiation therapy can be offered to try to slow the progression and shrink the mass.

Palliative radiation is a weekly treatment for 6 weeks to help with discomfort. This should help for 3-6 months.” Side effects are very limited and may include hyperpigmentation and hair loss.

Fievel is also taking prednisone and hydrocodone, along with some supplements, all of which he is responding to with minimal side effects. He still has plenty of energy, enjoys going on walks, loves to eat (especially when his mom roasts him chicken and steak), and is resting comfortably.

How You Can Help

Fievel’s cancer cannot be cured, but we can give him several more months of high quality, low-pain days. This dog loves life. He wakes up every morning thrilled to see another day. He has never met a stranger and adores every person–adult or child–he encounters. Please help us give him some more time–and not just more time, but high quality time.

We’ve already spent thousands of dollars out of pocket on Fievel’s care, but we anticipate that his medical bills will exceed $20,000. These costs could continue to rise depending on any future care he may need.

Our family has been through a lot lately—emotionally and financially—including losing Fievel’s brother and head of our dog pack, Gixer (aka Jiggy), less than a year ago on December 23, 2024. We’re reaching out to our wonderful community to help cover what insurance and savings cannot.

It’s incredibly hard to ask for help, given the number of causes that could use your help assistance now. But, Fievel has brought so much happiness to everyone he meets, and we’re determined to fill his remaining time with the adventurous, love-filled, joyous life he deserves.

Any amount you’re able to contribute will make a real difference in helping Fievel stay comfortable as we try to give him a few more precious months with our family.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and love for our boy.

— Fievel’s mom, dad, and furry siblings (Tessa, Greg, Lady, and Dolly)

PS - If for some reason we raise more money than is needed to cover Fievel’s health care costs, we will donate the additional funds to the Animal Care Centers of NYC in Queens (19-06 Flushing Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385).