We have just had a check-up and it turned out that electrochemotherapy did not bring the intended improvement. The tumor initially decreased in size, but eventually enlarged and involved both ramus of the mandible. Instead of another dose of chemotherapy, the oncologist recommended operation to remove a significant part of the jaw along with the tumor. On the same day, we made an appointment for August 12 at the clinic in Szczecin with a surgeon cooperating with our oncologist. On Friday, the surgeon checked whether any metastases had appeared. It turned out that there were metastases to the lymph nodes under the jaw, but the lungs were clear, which qualified for further treatment. Dusty underwent a 3-hour operation to remove a cancerous lesion from the mandibular symphysis, implant a titanium plate (a prototype of the mandibular symphysis) and remove the submandibular nodes. The operation was successful and the dog was kept in the clinic for one day for observation. On Saturday we picked him up and headed home. An hour after returning home, Dusty suddenly began bleeding heavily from his mouth. We quickly took him to the vet, we were terrified that we wouldn't make it there in time. At the vet, it turned that the dog had bitten into the swelling resulting from the surgery and damaged a blood vessel.

He received several injections and instructions to go home. We didn't sleep all night to keep an eye on him because it could happen again. Fortunately, it didn't happen a second time. Unfortunately, 5 days later we went to the vet again, because probably because of the collar and the lack of air flowing there, he got an ear infection and was shaking his head a lot, which was inadvisable given the numerous stitches in his mouth. He received further injections and the situation improved. Last Friday, August 18, 2023, we had an appointment for another electrochemotherapy, because bone removal, even with a large margin, does not guarantee the removal of all cancer cells. During the visit, we learned that he had lost a lot of blood after Saturday's incident, but he was eligible for anesthesia. After administering anesthesia, the doctor examined the wound together with the surgeon with whom he held a video conference. He informed us that the wound was healing well, but on one side the stitches had come apart and a piece of plate and bone were visible. Unfortunately, he couldn't have chemotherapy and had to have the wound stitched again. So far, the day after the procedure, everything is fine. We scheduled a check-up, removal of stitches and electrochemotherapy on September 2. Then we will know whether the wound has healed well. Currently, our dog must be given liquid food because the wound is too fresh and he cannot yet catch anything in his mouth. Dusty needs a few more doses of chemotherapy to be fully healthy, so we are increasing the amount of funds needed for treatment. The total cost of the operation and hospitalization was PLN 3,500. This includes the cost of medicines, a collar, travel, two emergency visits and other necessary items (syringes for administering medicines, gauze for washing the wound, gloves). The total cost of treatment after the summary is currently approximately PLN 8,300. (Scan of receipts below). Unfortunately, this is not the end of the expenses, so please share and provide further support, for which we thank you in advance.

We would also like to thank everyone who has already supported us, without you none of this would be possible 😊

And below are the photos: The tumor moments before removal, the photo also shows how the teeth were separated due to this change, some were even moving.

Side view of the severed mandible.

View of the protruding plate after the seams come apart.

This is what Dusty looks like after surgery, his tongue permanently sticks out of his mouth.

And here's Dustin after yesterday's operation

We attach a summary of the costs:

(we are missing receipts from two visits and two receipts with travel costs)