Cheddar

Cheddar, a senior Pitbull mix, had been passed around over the years and was eventually abandoned at an overcrowded shelter. Cheddar was deemed unadoptable after she was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor on her lower leg that would require extensive and costly treatment to keep her alive. Shelter staff asked Old Dog Haven to help find Cheddar her very own home  and we lucked out when one of our long-time foster families opened their hearts to make room for another senior dog.

Everyone’s immediate concern was to figure out a plan to treat and manage Cheddar’s cancer. Our vet coordinator tells us about the medical care Cheddar was able to receive because of your donations to Old Dog Haven.

“When Cheddar first arrived at her Old Dog Haven foster home, our main concern was a mass on her front leg (slightly smaller than a golf ball) that was diagnosed as a mast cell tumor. Cheddar was immediately seen by a vet who then referred her to a veterinary oncologist. The oncologist recommended steroid and chemotherapy medication to shrink the mass before surgically removing it. Cheddar had surgery to remove the mast cell tumor on her leg in mid-September and because of the location of the mass, it wasn’t possible to get clean margins around the tumor. Cheddar then received electrochemotherapy which is a targeted form of chemotherapy that spares the dog from the systemic effects of chemo drugs, while delivering the therapy directly to the area to kill any remaining cancer cells. A few weeks after her surgery, she underwent two electrochemotherapy treatments followed by a recheck and the results came back that she is now cancer-free!”

Cheddar’s veterinary team will closely monitor her condition to ensure she stays healthy now that her cancer is in remission. Now this sweet girl can focus on the important things that old dogs enjoy like spending time with her people, playing with her toys, going on car rides and long walks where she can sniff to her heart’s content. Her foster mom affectionately calls her “a chunk of cheese” and delights in watching her do “crazy zoomies” in the yard.

This goofy girl makes everyone laugh when she tries to peacefully nap in dog beds half her size. Cheddar is a very easygoing and gentle dog, and her family showers her with all the love and attention she will ever need.

Update:  Finally Cheddar’s many medical issues became too much, and very sadly, we had to say goodbye.  She was truly a special pup and will be greatly missed by her family and so many who met her.