SAVE TORI

                         PLEASE HELP SAVE TORI

     Tori is a sweet and incredibly loving 12 pound Pom/Chi. At the age of 3, she was rescued from a situation of abuse and extreme neglect. It took well over one year for her to even let anyone pet her without her cringing and cowering with extreme fear. She wouldn’t even let my two other pups near her. I’ve now had her for three years and she has blossomed into such a beautiful, gentle soul. She has become a wonderful addition to my family and the very best of buds with my “nanny” dog Sugar. Tori has melted the hearts of all those who come in contact with her and she is truly one of those “angels without wings”.

     Now at the young age of 6, she has been diagnosed with Canine Malignant Melanoma. It started on her right front paw in the nail bed. After receiving the results of the biopsy from the first surgery with her regular vet, I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy fix, but she has a very good chance of recovering with the proper treatment.

     On January 2nd, Tori had her second surgery to amputate the affected digit on her paw. We were hopeful the next biopsy would come back clean…but it didn’t. Within a week, two more tumors appeared, one on top her paw and one further up her arm. On January 14th, she endured her third surgery to remove the tumors. Then on January 16th, it was time to visit Dr. Ogilvie of the Angel Care Cancer Center here in Carlsbad. How incredibly fortunate I feel to be able to take her to one of the top Vet Oncologists in the country and he is just four miles from where we live!

     Dr. Ogilvie spent two hours with us discussing her situation and the best course of treatment for her to survive. It is his recommendation Tori start the Oncept Canine Malignant Melanoma Vaccine immediately and complete surgical amputation of her entire arm. However, the cost is much more than I can afford and especially because of the costs I have already incurred. The Oncept Vaccine consists of 6 injections, four to start with every two weeks, then two additional boosters. Each injection is $700. Bottom line is, I can’t afford this treatment without help. (Also, Chemo therapy is not an option for this type of canine cancer as it has not had much clinical success in previous canine patients).

      So…now I am hoping there are enough animal loving people, who can find in their hearts to donate whatever they can, to help save my little Tori.

Thank you for your love and support,                                                                                                                   Tori’s Mom and my two other “angels without wings” Peanut and Sugar

             “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”

                                                                                                                          -Anatole France