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Eloisa arrived at SICSA as a stray drop-off from our local police department, but it was clear she was once someone’s baby. Her sweet and outgoing personality stood out and quickly made her a favorite among staff and volunteers. However, it wasn’t long before we noticed something wasn’t quite right with Eloisa – she was happy, playful, and friendly, but favored her back leg and limped when walking. Dr. Suzanne Lloyd, resident SICSA veterinarian, quickly scheduled Eloisa for x-rays and diagnosed her with medial patellar luxation (or MPL) in both hind legs. MPL is a condition that causes a dog’s kneecap to slip out of place, often leading to pain and difficulty walking.
Unfortunately, Eloisa’s condition didn’t improve with pain medication alone. Dr. Lloyd brought Eloisa into the clinic for repeat x-rays to reevaluate her back legs and come up with a plan for surgery. It was then that she discovered something much more concerning lurking in Eloisa’s radiographs – a mammary mass. As the veterinarian who recently survived her own battle against breast cancer, this was a truly fateful discovery. Dr. Lloyd’s suspicions were confirmed after a biopsy: Eloisa had stage one mammary carcinoma – breast cancer. What would have been a routine surgery to repair Eloisa’s knee was now a race against time to remove the cancer before it could spread and further threaten her life.
Dr. Lloyd knows better than anyone that early intervention is key to cancer survival for humans and animals alike. “Due to her upcoming knee surgery, we opted to get the mammary mass off quickly so she could recover from both procedures at the same time,” she explains. When Dr. Lloyd expertly performed Eloisa’s tumor removal, she helped this sweet pup overcome the same medical battle she’d personally fought just months prior. Once the cancer was removed, our team refocused on Eloisa’s initial ailment – her luxating patella. A local veterinary specialist successfully completed her MPL repair, and Eloisa’s journey on the road to recovery finally began. “Her prognosis is good,” says Dr. Lloyd. There’s a low risk of recurrence of her tumor, she uses her right rear leg better each day, and she’s regaining her strength!”
Sadly, many shelters do not have the resources needed to save animals like Eloisa. The average MPL surgery costs $1,500+ per knee. When you add in the expense of removing a cancerous mass, the total quickly becomes overwhelming. Without critical funding, shelters are forced to humanely euthanize pets just like Eloisa every single day.
Sadly, many shelters do not have the resources needed to save animals like Eloisa. The average MPL surgery costs $1,500+ per knee. When you add in the expense of removing a cancerous mass, the total quickly becomes overwhelming. Without critical funding, shelters are forced to humanely euthanize pets just like Eloisa every single day. Thankfully, supporters of our Guardian Angel Fund allow SICSA to say “yes” when other shelters would have to say “no.” Each year, dozens of ill and injured pets come to SICSA with nowhere else to turn. The Guardian Angel Fund helps SICSA provide the specialized medical care these pets desperately need. As we continue our work to protect these vulnerable lives, we ask you to consider becoming a Guardian Angel. For a limited time, when you support the Guardian Angel Fund, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Your $25 becomes $50; your $100 is doubled to $200. However much you give, your generosity will directly help save at-risk, homeless pets, just like Eloisa – and for that we cannot thank you enough.
Will you help us save more lives? Give the gift of a second chance – click here to support SICSA’s Guardian Angel fund.