Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” On Aug. 26, Jasper the fox underwent foot surgery to remove a mass at a vet clinic at the jail farm on Stock Island.
Overall, Jasper made a full recovery as the mass from his foot was sent to a pathologist to determine the cause. Dr. Geraldine Diethelm, Jasper’s in-home veterinarian, recently provided an official diagnosis and plan of action.
“Jasper’s histopathology report on the mass on his toe came back as ‘adenocarcinoma with lymphatic invasion,’” she said. “The report further states that the margins of the mass are not clean, meaning the tumor cells go up to the edges of the growth. This is a malignant tumor that has spread to surrounding tissues and into the lymphatic system.”
Diethelm said the next step is to remove the toe, as that tissue is “contaminated,” as well as the popliteal lymph-node, the node that the lymphatics from that toe drain into.
“We are looking for any signs that the tumor cells have migrated there. This will give us the best chance of catching the cancer before it has spread or at least knowing whether or not it has and what to expect from there,” she said. “We will be taking chest X-rays to make sure the lungs are clear too and checking the lymph nodes along the line from the toe to the groin.”
X-rays came back clear, and surgery to remove the toe and lymph node is scheduled for Oct. 9 with Dr. Doug Mader.
In addition to this procedure, Diethelm will be consulting with an animal naturopath and iridologist specializing in holistic equine and canine cellular regeneration and detoxification specific to his condition to give him the best possible chances of overcoming this.
Our friends over in the United Kingdom at Animal Equals Wild Fox Rehab Center have also sent along some tinctures specific to aiding in Jasper’s health, so those will be added to his program of care.
Right now, we are estimating a low-end cost of $5,000 and a high end of $8,000 for care Jasper needs to move past this. If you are able to make a donation to Jasper’s care, no amount is too small. Checks can be sent to: Pawsitive Beginnings at P.O. Box 1165 Tavernier, FL 33070 or by visiting our website at pawsitivebeginnings.org
I know my mom, Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro, will do everything possible to give Jasper the best chance of beating this cancer.
Until next time, Reef, over and out!
