Holly is scheduled for a liver lobectomy and splenectomy on November 26th, following the discovery of a mass on her liver and smaller masses on her spleen back in August. This is a situation no pet parent ever wants to face, but in some ways, it’s been the best version of bad news.

To address the biggest question upfront: we don’t know if Holly has cancer. The liver mass samples came back inconclusive, while the masses on her spleen were benign. She has been seeing an oncologist under the assumption that the mass is cancerous and we're moving forward with a surgical plan as if it is cancer in order to take the safest approach.

Despite the uncertainty, each step in this process has brought better outcomes than we initially feared, which is why I describe it as the “best version of bad news.”

Timeline of Events:

May 2024: During a routine vet visit, I mentioned Holly’s hips were bothering her, so her pain medication, Rimadyl, was increased. This medication is known to impact liver and kidney health, but she hasn’t had any negative effects from it before.

June 2024: Holly had a routine dental cleaning under anesthesia, where elevated liver enzymes were noticed in her lab results. We assumed this was due to her medication, so it was adjusted in hopes her levels would normalize.

August 2024: A follow-up blood test showed her liver levels hadn’t improved. Radiographs revealed a mass on her liver. An ultrasound confirmed the liver mass and found additional masses on her spleen. Fine needle aspiration samples showed the spleen masses were benign, but the liver results were inconclusive. Her oncologist and primary vet agreed to monitor the masses for three months before deciding on surgery.

November 2024: A CT scan revealed that the mass had unfortunately increased in size from an initial estimate of 5 cm to 8 cm. Fortunately, the masses on her spleen had actually began to shrink in size, but the decision was made to remove the spleen all together along with the affected portion of her liver.

The surgical team, her primary care veterinarian and her oncologist are all confident Holly is an excellent candidate for this procedure, even at 13 years old. Her overall health, especially for her age, gives us every reason to believe she’ll recover well. While surgery always carries risks, I trust the incredible care of her veterinary and surgical team.

I’ve waited to share this publicly until I had as much information as possible. Emotionally, this has been tough for me and our family, but you guys are her family too and want to stay updated on her journey.

Financially, this process is a significant commitment. Between vet visits, testing, scans, and the surgery itself, the total cost will exceed $10,000. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t need help - both emotionally and financially.

If you’re able and willing to contribute, I would be eternally grateful. You’ll find a donation option below, and every bit helps. We’ll also be sharing Holly’s journey on social media to keep you updated every step of the way.

Thank you for your love, kindness, and support over the years. Knowing how many of you care for Holly and Milkshake warms my heart more than I can say.

We love you,

Taylor, Holly & Milkshake