Blazingstar Tansley CD
September 27th 2006 – January 23rd
2013
Teva
was put down on January 23rd, 2013.
She was a lively 6.5 year old flat-coated retriever in the prime of her
life.
In
the middle of January 2013 she showed symptoms of a fever and blood work
suggestive of an infection. Being intact,
pyometra (a uterine infection) was suspected. An ultrasound
was scheduled for the following day. Based
on her breed and the ultrasound, the specialist diagnosed her with multiple
tumours, most likely being histiocytic sarcoma.
They reported that the spleen, liver and possibly the intestines were
affected. Prednisone was prescribed. After a long day at the clinic, her devastated
owners took her home where she could be comfortable.
After
a few days, Teva went downhill quickly and she was put down five days after her
ultrasound. As her breeders, and because
Teva had produced one litter for us, we asked that an autopsy be performed. Teva’s regular vet performed the autopsy.
The
results were shocking. The vet found a
large mass (>15cm) of infective and other material. In the mass was a substantial
bundle of surgical gauze. The vet
collected and submitted numerous samples for pathological analysis. The
gauze must have been left in her abdomen after her c-section to remove her 8
puppies, almost 3 years earlier. A truly
terrible mistake.
The
pathology report showed that there was in fact some cancer present – hemangiosarcoma. In her vet’s opinion, the primary source for Teva’s
cancer was the mass that had formed as a result of the gauze. While her spleen was normal (contrary to the
ultrasound findings), cancer had spread to her liver. Scientific literature led us to discover that cancer (including hemangiosarcoma) can be triggered in both humans and
animals by the presence of foreign bodies, including gauze.
More About Teva
Like most
flat-coated retrievers, Teva had a boundless zest for life. She was an early riser that met every day
with optimistic wags. Teva was driven to
retrieve everything and anything, but had a special passion for frisbees and exceptionally
large sticks (logs?). Food was an important part of her life and she didn’t
meet too many foods that she didn’t like, including all sorts of fruits and
vegetables. Being fed on time was a big
priority in her life.
Teva’s speed
on land was legendary and something she passed on to her puppies.
Super speedy out to a bumper or bird, she also raced back to her owner at equal
velocities. A lovely example of her breed in both mind and body, Teva was shown occasionally and was just one point away from finishing her Canadian Championship.
Inside, she
was a sweet and gentle soul and epic couch-snuggler and bed-warmer. As a mother, she was one of the best –
attentive, gentle, playful and always eager to spend time with her
puppies.
Her zest for
life, great personality and sweet nature is greatly missed by everyone who knew
her, but most of all by her owners, Darren and Michele.
