Biscuit Update

We thought it was time to have a Biscuit update! 

As a reminder, Biscuit arrived in our care in July; he was a poorly boy, poor body condition, very scared, and was pooping blood which was a massive concern.  

Biscuit was examined by an emergency vet the first day he arrived which is unusual, it's rare that new hounds have to be seen the same day of arrival.  Biscuit was given some meds and then examined by his normal vets later in the week. 

A lump in his bottom was discovered, a lump which was assumed to be a removable polyp.  This was the cause of the blood when toileting and we all agreed that it should be removed as was clearly giving the boy trouble and pain. 

Fast forward to surgery, and sadly it couldn't be removed.  It was also thought that it would be too dangerous to remove as it was believed to be cancer, cancer which could well have spread throughout his body.  The wait for the results then started.  

Meanwhile, Biscuit recovered from having a lump removed from his neck which thankfully wasn't anything nasty. 

We then got the results from the biposy on the lump, and a very happy shock that it wasn't cancer.  Further thought was given to having the lump removed now we knew it wasn't cancer, however the surgery would be massive for Biscuit's body to recover from, if it did recover.  It would have meant possibly breaking his pelvis, with the risk of his bowel being damaged and his body being flooded with the contents.  

We decided as a team, with his foster family and the vets that this surgery was not going to take place, we would support Biscuit's needs through medication and keep him happy and as healthy as he can be.  

The medication Biscuit is taking is fairly complex, and incredibly expensive.  He's basically taking steriods and also an  immunosuppressive.  In time the steriods will be weaned off and the other drug will take over.  We've tried to start the weaning off of the Steriods already under vet supervision, however Biscuit's body wasn't ready and he started passing blood again. 

Below is an explanation of the drug regime from his specialist vet.  

Basically, the steroid is an anti inflamatory but with nasty sides effects. It works very fast and must be tapered off. The chloro is an immunosuppressant which takes several plus weeks to kick in and the long term goal is as one tapers down, the other kicks in to make his lump less inflamed and therefore less blood and pain. The Chloro has many less side effects than the steriods.

Now the drugs are incredibly expensive as you will see below.  15 tables are £64.99 and Biscuit takes one a day.  Just one tablet is £4.33.  The steriods are the cheaper ones which will be tapered off over time.  

The vets have been great, and provided us with a perscription, otherwise the tablets would have been running at over £600 a month! 

If you would like to donate to Biscuit's medication on a monthly basis please do, the link to do so is below.  Or you could buy a raffle ticket for this months raffle.  One ticket would buy just over 2 of the tablets

Biscuit also is struggling to hold his wee and mainly doesn't make it outside.  We've added a little wish list for some washable puppy pads if you are able to donate for Biscuit.  

Meanwhile, Biscuit is very happy and getting on with things.  He's very bonded to his foster hound siblings and his foster dad.  So much so when dad is ouot, mum normally gets the cold shoulder.

He loves life, and is very comfortable with his foster family who love him dearly. 

Here's a message from them 

We are so grateful for so much love and kindness shown to Biscuit. He is finally putting on weight (he lives to eat!!!) and we would love you all to know he is happy and getting so much tlc.  We love him so very much and are so greatful to all of his supporters. 

Biscuit loves being out and about, walking, going to country fairs, begging food and of course modeling his BRNGB coat! 

Thank you everyone for your continued support and love for this boy.  We hate to think where he would be without you all.