The Story of One Small Little Dog With a Brave Heart
Winnie's story begins here. As an unclaimed young lady, ready to start a new life. Winnie is an Australian Silky Terrier, approximately (estimation) 4 yrs old.
Winnie thanks; Judith, Ken, Eva-Marie, Sue and Verity for their donations to put a dent in $4000+ vet bills. Love you guys! 💕 XXX Anna@SSR
Welcome Winnie - Late March 2015
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Sooooo pretty! Little Winnie waited at the pound and wasn't collected or adopted. So Mum and I jumped in the car for the drive to Renbury Farm Animal Shelter.
Inner West Sydney to Bringelly .... As per usual, we got a tiny bit lost. Stopped for a coffee and worked out where the wrong turn was made. No matter how many trips we've made before, it's always the scenic route. When we got there I met a funny little silky girl with a tail the wags so fast it's like a helicopter! She isn't stoic and screamed like a banshee when her chip was popped in. But once that was done she was quite pleased to be carried to the car for the trip home. |
Like most pound dogs she was sniffly and coughing. It's very normal for them to pick up kennel cough so we waited impatiently through her quarantine. Unless it's an emergency, don't take a contagious pound dog into a vet where patients may catch something otherwise avoidable. There could be baby puppies or sick dogs with a low immune system there and they don't need to be exposed to nasties. In emergencies, give your vet the chance to set up an isolation room or the last appointment of the day.
Besides all that, I'm not crazy about anaesthetising a dog when their upper respiratory tract is inflamed.
Quarantine time was nail biting time for us. These are Winnie's intake photos shot and emailed to our vet upon her arrival. Something nasty was going on in her maxilla. Click to enlarge.
Besides all that, I'm not crazy about anaesthetising a dog when their upper respiratory tract is inflamed.
Quarantine time was nail biting time for us. These are Winnie's intake photos shot and emailed to our vet upon her arrival. Something nasty was going on in her maxilla. Click to enlarge.
April 2015 - The Bad News and The Good News
After what seemed like forever (even though it wasn't), Winnie was admitted for xrays and tissue taken for pathology.
So the initial xray results came through first. And hearing that the mystery growth had reached into the bone was devastating. My apologies to the lovely people who put up with my snot and tears.
More nail biting waiting for pathology, I'd already given up hope of her condition being anything other than the worst. But finally the day came.......
So the initial xray results came through first. And hearing that the mystery growth had reached into the bone was devastating. My apologies to the lovely people who put up with my snot and tears.
More nail biting waiting for pathology, I'd already given up hope of her condition being anything other than the worst. But finally the day came.......
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Below are the results of Winnie's pathology.
It's quite technical but I've pasted the whole report in; for the sake of people desperately googling to find more information on what their dog has been diagnosed with. I hope Winnie's Story will be of help. So; bone tumours can be bad, invasive and difficult to stave off. I guess we are lucky it isn't the kind that often spreads through the body (metastasise) but it will continue to grow. Eating it's way into the bones of her face. Surgery is her only option. It will disfigure her beautiful face somewhat. But her beautiful temperament will always shine through. -------------------- begin DIAGNOSIS:. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma (acanthomatous epulis) COMMENTS:. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma (acanthomatous epulis, peripheral ameloblastoma) is a common canine tumour arising from gingival mucosal epithelium or from epithelial rests in the gingival lamina propria. This tumour does not metastasise, but may behave aggressively invading local alveolar bone. |
HISTOPATHOLOGY: The gingival lamina propria is invaded by sheets, nodules, and anastomosing cords of polyhedral epithelial cells with prominent intercellular bridges, rare mitotic figures, and bordered by a palisading row of cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells with reverse apical nuclear polarisation indicating odontogenic character. Some of the invasive structures are contiguous with overlying epithelium.
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I've circled the site of the tumor, it's shoved her teeth aside and invaded about 1cm into bone. It will need to be fully excised with clear margins. Then her maxilla will need to be stabilised.
We'll be off to the specialist and come back with all the information moving forward. But her next photo update here will have to be a cheerful one! Because while all this was going on, Winnie settled in and showed us what a happy, well adjusted little chook she is. Honestly, a perfect dog.
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I've circled the site of the tumor, it's shoved her teeth aside and invaded about 1cm into bone. It will need to be fully excised with clear margins. Then her maxilla will need to be stabilised.
We'll be off to the specialist and come back with all the information moving forward. But her next photo update here will have to be a cheerful one! Because while all this was going on, Winnie settled in and showed us what a happy, well adjusted little chook she is. Honestly, a perfect dog.
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Specialist booked for the 6th of May
It feels so far away, but that's just me. If I had my way, the diagnosis would take a day and our vet & specialist would cancel everything and operate on Winnie tomorrow! So it's time to chill, this is the time for Winnie to just 'be'. A couple of weeks before the whole process gathers steam.
Right now ..... she has just strolled in from the garden. Hmmmmm, wet feet and a messy face. Tail in the air. I ask her what she's been up to and just get the innocent eyes in return. :)
Right now ..... she has just strolled in from the garden. Hmmmmm, wet feet and a messy face. Tail in the air. I ask her what she's been up to and just get the innocent eyes in return. :)
Surgery Day ..... Monday 18th May 2015
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Winnie's surgery began after another xray to determine growth of her tumour. It had most definitely grown quickly and would continue to eat into the bone if we didn't stop it right now.
So her surgeon Eugene and his team set to work. Winnie had a large amount of bone removed with a 1cm margin around it. She has lost 5 teeth and a canine, they managed to save the other canine. Parts of her inner lip have been pulled across the wound and stitched closed. Creating a safe barrier over the wound and preventing infection. She is going to have to be fed carefully with tiny soft pieces of food, and chewing could dislodge the stitches. She did well and thanks to her brilliant surgeon she did not lose too much blood and cruised through the anaesthetic. |
Right now, she's recovering in hospital. Warm and with pain relief. The full section of bone and tumour has been rushed to pathology. We hope it will confirm a complete removal of all the bad cells.
I can't wait until she gets home! She will recover well and get back to normal life but she will forever look a bit different. A bit special. Unlike with humans, dogs aren't put through the extra risk and complications of an attempted reconstruction (I did ask if they needed to do something to restore symmetry to her jaw and bite function). As they can happily manage with missing bone plus they also have the added gift of not giving two hoots about cosmetic surgery!
I can't wait until she gets home! She will recover well and get back to normal life but she will forever look a bit different. A bit special. Unlike with humans, dogs aren't put through the extra risk and complications of an attempted reconstruction (I did ask if they needed to do something to restore symmetry to her jaw and bite function). As they can happily manage with missing bone plus they also have the added gift of not giving two hoots about cosmetic surgery!
Tuesday 19th: Look who is up and about already
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Aren't dogs amazing :) Winnie has taken up position keeping the nursing team company and I know she'd be enjoying their attention immensely. Well done gorgeous. Can't wait to see you home soon. And HUGE thank you EVEs! I can't thank you enough. Just what we needed on a gloomy day like today. xxx |
Tuesday 2nd June - Doing Very Well
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Two weeks in and she's been a trooper.
Healing well. Her appetite is normal now, before the op she was fussy. It must have been her teeth ever so slightly off kilter. Anyway, with the new appetite we're getting some nice hair and slow weight gain. :) As usual, she is happy and cheery. Still waiting for the cone of shame to come off though. I've tried but she paws at her mouth, it probably feels very strange! Waiting waiting for pathology..... |
4th June 2015
I'm sitting here staring at the screen. Feeling useless and not knowing what to write.
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There's no further information to give you yet but despite a fabulous surgeon and pre-op xray.
Winnie did not get a clean margin in the bone removed.
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There's no further information to give you yet but despite a fabulous surgeon and pre-op xray.
Winnie did not get a clean margin in the bone removed.
18th June 2015
Ok, now I've calmed down and spoken to our vet and specialist who are working together, here's somewhat of an explanation.
Margins are the area around a tumour or growth, the aim and expectation is that a surround of clear unaffected tissue circles the outer area -the margin- indicating a successful removal. A clear margin is the best sign that a growth will not spread or re-grow.
Unfortunately for Winnie, the unexpected happened.
The one hope for not having to put her back under for more bone removal is the heat her surgeon used to seal the bone closed. There is a chance that the heat has killed the few remaining cells that escaped removal.
So for the next 6 to 8 weeks, Winnie will go for regular checkups and eventually an xray once it is deemed that any regrowth will be spotted.
She's at our vet tonight. A bit early for her second checkup because I felt that she was licking the healed side too much. It's not that we're looking for anything sinister. It's just that there is going to be a chance that as she heals and her lips move into their permanent place; (it kind of looks like a small dent) that there may be a little mouth ulcer from a remaining tooth rubbing in one spot too much.
Will update asap. I'm sorry for the lack of photos. With this grim weather and my total fail when it comes to indoor photos, I'm a bit embarrassed by the grainy dark pictures ... basically I have dozens of shockers.
Margins are the area around a tumour or growth, the aim and expectation is that a surround of clear unaffected tissue circles the outer area -the margin- indicating a successful removal. A clear margin is the best sign that a growth will not spread or re-grow.
Unfortunately for Winnie, the unexpected happened.
The one hope for not having to put her back under for more bone removal is the heat her surgeon used to seal the bone closed. There is a chance that the heat has killed the few remaining cells that escaped removal.
So for the next 6 to 8 weeks, Winnie will go for regular checkups and eventually an xray once it is deemed that any regrowth will be spotted.
She's at our vet tonight. A bit early for her second checkup because I felt that she was licking the healed side too much. It's not that we're looking for anything sinister. It's just that there is going to be a chance that as she heals and her lips move into their permanent place; (it kind of looks like a small dent) that there may be a little mouth ulcer from a remaining tooth rubbing in one spot too much.
Will update asap. I'm sorry for the lack of photos. With this grim weather and my total fail when it comes to indoor photos, I'm a bit embarrassed by the grainy dark pictures ... basically I have dozens of shockers.
August 2015 - finally photos and an update
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This is basically the easiest way to get a photo of Winnie!
As you can see she's pretty relaxed. After the photos, I have news. Not fabulous news. But we've been waiting a long time until she was ready for a followup x-ray to see if any cells were hiding from surgery. So with a combo of good weather and my garden recovering from the massive hail storm, it was worth a go at photo time. |
150 shots later .... Winnie turns her head away from the camera 99% of the time....I have a few for you. Isn't she beautiful?
She doesn't normally look so reserved but you can still see her beautiful brown eyes and soft silky hair.
She doesn't normally look so reserved but you can still see her beautiful brown eyes and soft silky hair.
And ......
The good news!
After a followup x-ray to make sure there was no regrowth we were almost free and clear. While Winnie was under, her vet got a good look inside her mouth and found a funny little lump. Not looking exactly like her tumour but a biopsy needed to be taken for pathology.
Another few days of nail biting and the results came through. Plain old inflammation! A stomatitis. Just an antibiotic shot to be 100% certain and Winnie now has the tick of approval.
I can't believe this day is finally here. Well done Winnie! Good girl. Time for your next step into the sun, free from uncertainty. xxxxxxx
After a followup x-ray to make sure there was no regrowth we were almost free and clear. While Winnie was under, her vet got a good look inside her mouth and found a funny little lump. Not looking exactly like her tumour but a biopsy needed to be taken for pathology.
Another few days of nail biting and the results came through. Plain old inflammation! A stomatitis. Just an antibiotic shot to be 100% certain and Winnie now has the tick of approval.
I can't believe this day is finally here. Well done Winnie! Good girl. Time for your next step into the sun, free from uncertainty. xxxxxxx
This is not the beginning of a new chapter in my life;
this is the beginning of a new book!
- C. JoyBell
Winnie Has Found Her Forever Home. Here's Her Adoption Update
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A Picture Tells A Thousand Words!
Check out proud Winnie being spoilt and totally running the show. Here she is, resting up after a stroll to the shops.
Her Mum and Dad adore her. And for a little girl who was so impossible to get her to look at the camera, we can see how confident and happy she is becoming. Good girl Winnie. Winning hearts wherever you go. |
In Memory Of Winnie - 9th May 2023
Goodbye Winnie
Winnie passed away suddenly on the 9th May – we are heart broken.
We felt blessed when Winnie joined our family back in 2015 after seeing her story and contacting Anna – we were drawn to her before we had even met her. She had been through so much but was one determined little girl and this strength and her calm nature shone through every day. She had all the reason in the world to approach life with fear but she didn't – in fact the exact opposite - she was open and loving to everyone.
I would often take her to work with me (I worked in a Play Therapy Centre that supported children impacted by trauma), she became a therapy dog of sorts. The children loved her and we even had an appointment schedule for her – if a child needed a dose of Winnie they could book a visit and I would take her in – she was an extension of their therapy. Winnie was very intuitive - she knew exactly what each person needed from her to help them feel safe - we were happy and proud to share her.
On the home front she was loving but demanding, she ruled the house and we let her – her treats needed to be exactly where she needed them and she demanded her own arm chair when she wanted to watch TV and relax with dad! We loved every minute we had with her, she made us laugh everyday and she shared her love unconditionally – we will miss you Beautiful Winnie.
Winnie passed away suddenly on the 9th May – we are heart broken.
We felt blessed when Winnie joined our family back in 2015 after seeing her story and contacting Anna – we were drawn to her before we had even met her. She had been through so much but was one determined little girl and this strength and her calm nature shone through every day. She had all the reason in the world to approach life with fear but she didn't – in fact the exact opposite - she was open and loving to everyone.
I would often take her to work with me (I worked in a Play Therapy Centre that supported children impacted by trauma), she became a therapy dog of sorts. The children loved her and we even had an appointment schedule for her – if a child needed a dose of Winnie they could book a visit and I would take her in – she was an extension of their therapy. Winnie was very intuitive - she knew exactly what each person needed from her to help them feel safe - we were happy and proud to share her.
On the home front she was loving but demanding, she ruled the house and we let her – her treats needed to be exactly where she needed them and she demanded her own arm chair when she wanted to watch TV and relax with dad! We loved every minute we had with her, she made us laugh everyday and she shared her love unconditionally – we will miss you Beautiful Winnie.
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