Vets remove 23-pound tumour from Kamloops dog

Casey is still groggy Saturday morning after undergoing surgery to remove a 23-lb mass on Friday.

Image Credit: SOURCE/B.C. SPCA Kamloops Branch

May 27, 2013 - 6:26 AM

A Kamloops dog is expected to make a full recovery after veterinarians removed a 23-pound fatty tumour that threatened its mobility.

Casey is an eight-year-old Labrador cross, surrendered to the B.C. SPCA Kamloops Branch last week with a tumour the size of a basketball on his shoulder. The tumour displaced his leg, was putting a lot of pressure on his ribs and organs and was causing his restless nights.

He underwent surgery Friday and branch manager Charleen Holloway is happy to report after two hours of surgery his prognosis is good. He went into the surgery weighing 127 pounds. The two-hour surgery removed the nearly 23-pound mass, which is not believed to be cancerous. Holloway says the veterinarian had to go around some muscle to remove the mass.

"They did a fantastic job. They'd never seen one that big."

Casey is now looking at at least a three-week recovery at his foster home with Joe and Marg Barker. Once he is done his recovery he will be put up for adoption.

The public appeal to help Casey was made on Wednesday and almost immediately donations started coming in.

"Kids with bottle money, folks with compassion and caring and even businesses. One raised $2,000 in one afternoon," Holloways says, "The support has been very overwhelming."

In total more than $5,000 came in to help with Casey's surgery and while his surgery did not cost that much there are many other animals needing the help, including a cat in surgery this afternoon for a broken leg.

"They deserve a second chance. We are very fortunate - not all of them make it. Today is a great day. Our community does support the animals."

Not only has response to Casey been positive, the City Challenge has seen an increase in donations. The Kamloops branch is now up to $29,000 raised and with one week left should be on target to hit the $40,000 goal.

"All this money raised helps us do this type of work year round."

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca or all (250) 819-3723.