Help Fred beat Hemangiosarcoma

I adopted my sweet Fred (formerly known as Scott) from PBACC on May 1st, after fostering him since mid March. From the second I laid eyes on him, I knew that he was extraordinarily special. He is my shadow, following me constantly. He is curious and kind, a quiet little companion that loves to be included in everything. It amazes me everyday that he has such an angelic temperament, considering his body shows signs of a hard early life. Luckily, Fred adores going to the vet and seeing his friends, because he has had to spend so much time there.

His vets have been incredible, nursing him back to his best health, healing his skin and treating infections. A small lump was biopsied and returned as a mast cell tumor, so we proceeded quickly with the surgery and removal. Fred came into the shelter with a mass on his leg (situated on top of a callus, making it sometimes hard to see) and his vets were monitoring it carefully. It was decided that this mass should be removed as well, considering he was already going under anesthesia for the mast cell tumor.

Thankfully, the mast cell removal was a lower grade, and the surgery was considered curative based on the margins; however, the mass on his leg was another story.

The biopsy revealed that it was a highly malignant subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma. It is more rare to see it just under the skin, but it poses a high likelihood of metastasis. Because of the location, the vet was unable to attain the margins needed for complete removal. It was therefore recommended that I consult with an oncologist to get their opinion on how to proceed.

The oncologist was clear that the prognosis is guarded and highly individualized. Fred had received an echocardiogram, x-rays, and abdominal ultrasound which didn't appear to show any metastasis at this point. He requires a sophisticated oncological surgery to improve the margins, plus a course of intravenous chemotherapy to give him the best chance at beating the hemangiosarcoma.

Fred decided then and there that he would absolutely be beating this and continuing to live the spoiled life that he loves so deeply.

My sweet Fred is everything to me, and I will give him whatever he needs to get better and thrive.

If anyone would like to donate towards his care, it would mean the world; his diagnostics and initial surgery have run thousands of dollars, and the next surgery alone is estimated at nearly $6,000.

Thank you for loving and caring so deeply for Fred. <3