Eevee

Support dog, Eevee, has potentially cancerous lump removed on Christmas Eve.

Labrador Eevee is more than just the family pet, so when it was discovered that she might have a cancerous lump on her leg, her owner Pam wasted no time getting it treated.

“I first noticed something was wrong with Eevee when I spotted what I thought was a bald spot on her leg,” Pam recalls. After looking at the area, she discovered that Eevee had a marble-sized lump around her knee. Concerned for her pet’s wellbeing, Pam called Glasgow East PDSA Pet Hospital immediately.

As well as being a beloved member of Pam’s family, Eevee also provides emotional support to Pam’s 16-year-old son, Gerrard, who is autistic. “Eevee can tell when something’s playing on Gerrard’s mind because she’ll go and sit between his legs to comfort him – even though she’s not the cuddliest dog,” Pam explains. “She senses that he needs it.” Gerrard is also the one responsible for Eevee’s Pokémon-inspired name.

Pam, who is unable to work due to being diagnosed with heart failure, also relies on Eevee for companionship. “She’s my shadow, she sleeps on the floor beside my bed and follows me upstairs every time I go up. It’s as if she’s making sure I’m okay,” Pam reveals. “I couldn’t have picked a better dog for our family.”

Although it’s common for pets to get lumps on their bodies, they can range from harmless to life-threatening, so it’s always a good idea to get them checked by a vet as soon as possible. Knowing this, Pam booked Eevee in for a consultation at Glasgow East Pet Hospital where her leg was examined. During the appointment, the vet took a sample of the cells from inside Eevee’s lump with a syringe and needle, which was then taken for testing.

Once the sample had been placed under a microscope, it was revealed that Eevee’s lump contained cells that are sometimes seen with a specific type of cancerous tumour in dogs – a Mast Cell Tumour. To give Eevee the best chance of recovery, it was recommended to surgically remove the lump, so that the cancerous cells would be less likely to spread to other parts of her body. From here, Eevee was scheduled for surgery and given tablets to reduce any possible inflammation caused by the tumour.

Eevee returned to the Pet Hospital on 24 December for her surgery. Unfortunately, like with all surgeries, there were some risks to worry about, such as infection and getting Eevee through the general anaesthetic. There was also the added worry of the tumour growing back, and the stitches bursting during Eevee's recovery. This was of particular risk for Eevee as the lump was around her knee, an area with high movement.

Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and Eevee experienced no complications during the procedure so she could be reunited with her family later that day. “I could never have afforded Eevee’s surgery if I’d gone to a private vet,” Pam reveals. “Without treatment, Eevee’s illness could have spread, and she’d have eventually passed away,” she adds. “Thanks to PDSA, my family and I will hopefully enjoy many more years with Eevee.”

Following a few weeks of recovery, Eevee is back to being her lively self. She’s also returned to her usual duties of waiting by the window for Gerrard to get home from school and playing with Pam’s granddaughters, Amber and Thea. “She’s part of the family,” Pam says. “My granddaughters and son all call her their ‘auntie’ and ‘sister!”

Eevee’s treatment cost the charity £507.59. You can help us keep people and pets together, like Eevee and Gerrard, by donating today.

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