12/13/10:
In Memory
of
Finn
We are
heartbroken
having to report
the passing of
Finn.
Despite our
prayers and the
hopes of the
doctors we were
hit with
devastating
news.
The
pathology report
of Finn's
liver biopsy
diagnosed
hemangiosarcoma.
The progression
of this
aggressive form
of cancer can
sometimes be
slowed with
treatment; however,
a consult with
an oncologist
ruled out
chemotherapy as
a realistic
option for him.
The cancer had
already spread
to Finn's lungs
and he would
have to be
hospitalized if
he were to get
treatment.
The doctor said
the best case
scenario would
be extending
Finn's life for
a few months and
that his quality
of life would
not be good.
His physical
condition
continued to
deteriorate
despite being
cared for around
the clock in the
hospital; we new
we had to do
what was best
for Finn, and
the painful
decision was
made to let him
go. Finn’s
foster mom was
by his side as
he slipped
peacefully away.
We will all miss
you Finn.
12/10/10:
Life Can Change In A
Flash
Finn Is Scheduled For A
Second Surgery - His
Condition Is Guarded
Finn was
successfully treated for
his heartworm disease
when he first came into
our rescue program over
a year ago. His foster
home fell in love with
him and told us that
they wanted to adopt
him. However since they
never returned the
adoption paperwork that
was sent to them Finn
was never officially
adopted. Everything was
going well until we
received a call from
Finn's foster mom four
days ago. She said Finn
was having
difficulty breathing
and when he was taken to
the vet the exam
and radiographs showed
fluid on or near the
lungs. The doctor
referred Finn to a
Specialty Hospital where
he was hospitalized
through Emergency and
given a series of
diagnostic tests.
Tests revealed that Finn
had a
pleural effusion
which is an accumulation
of fluid between the
layers of tissue that
line the lungs and chest
cavity. The fluid
put pressure on his
lungs which caused the
breathing problem.
The doctor performed a
thoracocentesis (fluid
removed via chest tap)
to alleviate his
symptoms and make him
more comfortable.
Pleural effusion is a
symptom of many diseases
and several more
diagnostic tests were
done to try and
determine the underlying
cause.
None of the tests which
included a thoracic and
abdominal ultrasound,
echocardiogram, blood
analysis, and fluid
cytology, resulted in a
definitive diagnosis.
The doctors decided to
try and treat him
medically and sent Finn
home with prednisone.
Unfortunately, two days
after being released
from the hospital, Finn
started having
labored breathing again
so he was taken to an
Emergency Hospital in
the early morning
hours. A brief
ultrasound confirmed
that the fluid in his
chest had returned. The
ER doctor tapped the
fluid from Finn's chest
and prescribed
antibiotics in addition
to the prednisone. They
recommended seeing an
Internal Medicine
Specialist if the
medications did not
resolve the problem.
Once again Finnn ended
up at the Specialty
Hospital after it was
obvious the fluid in his
chest had returned. A
third thoracocentesis
(chest tap) was
performed after Finn was
admitted to the hospital
and then a consult with
the Internal Medicine
Specialist was
arranged. After a
lengthy conversation
with the Specialist it
was decided to schedule
a CT scan for the next
day. Testing to date
had not identified the
cause of the fluid
formation and the doctor
said a
CT scan would be
needed to better define
what was going on. The
prognosis at this point
was looking grim and we
tried to prepare for the
worst.
To everyone's surprise
the CT scan of Finn's
chest and abdomen gave
us hopeful news. It was
noted that Finn had a
fistula
(abnormal opening or
passageway) between
his liver and his chest
cavity and they felt
this could be repaired
surgically. They were
uncertain what caused
the fistula to form, but
felt surgery should
provide some important
answers. Surgery was
scheduled for later that
day (yesterday). During
the operation the
surgeon removed a lobe
of Finn's liver that
looked abnormal but she
could not find any
evidence of a fistula
nor any other
significant cause for
the fluid. A
chest tube was
put in place so they
could monitor the fluid
accumulation, the liver
lobe was sent for
biopsy, and the plan was
to reevaluate the
situation in
the morning.
This morning the
Internal Medicine
Specialist and the
Surgeon decided that a
repeat CT scan was in
order. Fluid was still
accumulating in Finn's
chest (which they
removed) but there was
less quantity which was
good. The second CT
scan was performed late
this afternoon, and they
did not see the fistula
that they thought they
saw on the first scan.
The doctors felt that
the next step would be
to perform another
surgery which is
scheduled for tomorrow.
They will reopen
the initial incision in
Finn's abdomen and do
an exploratory
thoracoscopy. This will
enable them
to investigate his chest
cavity without opening
the chest. Should they
find any area of disease
it will be removed and
sent for biopsy.
The doctors are still
cautiously hopeful that
Finn's medical issue can
be happily resolved.
We will have more news
to report later in the
day tomorrow....and we
are wishing for GOOD
news. Please think
positive thoughts and
say lots of prayers for
Finn.
11/23/09: New Pictures !
What a difference a home,
love and being taken care of
medically can make !
11/05/09:
Finn Was On The “Kill
List” Because He Has
Heartworms
Finn
is a young male boxer
who was scheduled to be
killed in a shelter
because he was heartworm
positive. There
was a plea being
circulated asking people
to help Finn but no one
was coming forward to
take him. We were
told he was a sweet boy
and just needed a
chance.
We
could not let Finn die
and made the necessary
arrangements to bring
him into our rescue
program. He is
scheduled to see our vet
for an exam which will
include an assessment to
determine the severity
of the heartworm and
begin his treatment.
Everyone who has met
Finn comments about his
sweet and loving nature.
We are so happy he is
now safe. More to
come in the days to
follow.
