Quin is my beautiful 7 year old Labrador who up until now has lived the most amazing life with his family after being rescued at 16 weeks old. Just 8 weeks ago after suddenly going lame in his right leg, we took him to a specialist for CT scans. After diagnosing Elbow Dysplasia he was taken home to start a regime of Hydrotherapy and supplements/pain relief. Waiting for him to improve, things suddenly became worse, his lameness more severe, his leg and elbow started to swell and fearing an infection, we returned for more investigations. Devastatingly after removing some fluid, mast cell tumours were detected. He'd had a mast cell tumour removed the year prior so whilst this was a shock we were prepared to spend more money with the help of his insurance cover to investigate where it could be. A further full body CT scan showed us an incredible image of his leg, where in the space of just 6 weeks a mass of tumours had surrounded the elbow joint and after a conversation with an oncologist and orthopaedic surgeon we took him home to make a decision.
What we hadn't realised was that even with 7.5K of lifetime annual cover for vets fee's we'd already accumulated 4.5k in investigation costs!! Whilst we were thinking things through as to what was best for Quin, he took a turn for the worst, his leg and shoulder ballooned and fluid started to fill his chest, his orthopaedic surgeon said his only chance of survival would be to AMPUTATE the leg and right now!. It was the hardest choice to make, assessing his quality of life, the recovery time and how he would manage, we also needed to consider that this surgery alone was a further 5k and with the insurance not covering all of it, and the additional 3.5k chemo needed after the surgery to try and zap those remaining cancer cells away to give him the best chance at full remission, what could we do. We said Yes! Something had to happen on the spot and I just felt that he wasn't ready to give up yet and we weren't ready to give up on him.
2 weeks post surgery our Tripawd dog as his affectionately now known is hopping/running after his rescue brother Cooper, carrying his ducky around and loving a cuddle as before. He's remarkable. Its not going to be an easy road, he will need physiotherapy, constant pain relief and of course the chemo. His insurance will re-set in August but until then we have to self fund, we have no spare savings after investing into our house and mum and I have one income which supports us both. We cant wait for the 12 week course of chemo to start, its now or never! He might only survive a few more months otherwise. We can borrow on credit cards but it is putting us further into debt and whilst we consider selling the house again in the Spring, we need to take action now.
This is where many of my family and friends had reached out to offer their support and suggested a crowd funder, its not often I have ever asked for help, especially financially. I've always worked in rescue, always always given back to others, i've always had insurance and always managed my finances well and whilst I hate to ask for handouts, I think I need to take away my embarrassment to focus on what Quin needs, he cant have gone through all this just to leave him now and not give him the best chance at survival.
If you feel that you could support his 12 week Chemotherapy trial and can spare just a few pennies to help him, we would be so grateful. Thank you from him, me, mum and his brother Cooper.