DAY BY DAY
4-year-old Olive has been fostered through Second Chance Ranch Rescue & Sanctuary for a year and a half. According to Shelby, her foster carer, Olive takes time to become comfortable with new people but will make a loyal, gentle companion. While waiting for her forever home, Olive developed a mast cell tumor on her leg and received STELFONTA®. Shelby documented her experience from treatment day through Day 27.
DAY 0
Shelby worked from home and arranged for her own dog to stay with family so Olive could recover in a quiet environment.
That evening, Olive did not want to get up to eat or drink, so Shelby brought food and water to her on the couch.
DAY 1
Approximately 18 hours after the injection, Shelby noticed swelling in Olive’s leg; she was hesitant to bear weight. Olive continued to go outside, ate breakfast and took her essential medication to avoid mast cell degranulation (which can be fatal).
DAYS 2 -3
On Day 2, Shelby reported that Olive looked uncomfortable and that the wound had started to open. She still gave a tail wag when asked if she wanted to go for a walk.
By Day 3, Olive’s leg remained swollen and she was not placing weight on it, but Shelby said she appeared more settled. She readily ate her meals, took her medication and rested more deeply.
Days 4 – 7
By Day 4, Shelby reported that the treated area was beginning to separate. Swelling had subsided, although Olive was still not bearing weight on the leg. Shelby used a protective “donut” collar when she could not watch her just in case she licked excessively.
By Day 5, Olive was more active and followed Shelby around the house. The swelling was almost gone.
On Day 6, Shelby reported that Olive seemed to be feeling good. She was walking on the leg more comfortably and had walked around the backyard. Shelby also noted further separation at the treatment site and an odor.
DAY 8
On Day 8, Shelby noticed Olive lick the area more frequently, but not excessively. The treated area continued to separate and the odor became stronger.
“This gets harder to look at every day, but it’s doing what it’s supposed to be doing.”
DAYS 9 – 10
On Day 9, the tumor had separated except for one small remaining attachment. Olive continued to receive medication and had a follow-up appointment scheduled with her veterinarian.
On Day 10, the treated tumor fully detached and fell off as Shelby and Olive were leaving for the veterinarian’s appointment.
“It’s so much easier to look at now that the tumor is gone.”
DAYS 11 – 13
By Day 11, with the tumor gone, the healthy new tissue was plain to see.
On Day 12, by the afternoon, Olive appeared to feel better and went for a short walk.
On Day 13, Shelby reported that Olive was feeling good; the wound also looked promising. Olive’s canine companion returned home after time apart during her recovery; “She was SO happy to see him!”
DAY 20
Shelby reported the wound size visibly shrunk over each day. By Day 20, the new tissue filled the outside perimeter of the wound, leaving a temporary pocket while the site continues to heal.
DAY 28
By Day 28, Shelby reported that Olive’s wound looked very good. She had resumed her normal activities, including accompanying Shelby to the office and riding in the car.
Shelby says Olive sometimes limped or held up her paw when first standing, but this improved once she started moving. They continued their usual twice-daily walks. “For anyone going through the hard period … hang in there! It gets better.”
Olive’s treatment updates end on Day 27, but her search for a permanent home continues.
According to Shelby, Olive will take time to become comfortable with new people. She is highly food motivated, trainable, very dog friendly, and does best with a calm canine companion.
Once Olive decides you are her person, Shelby describes her as: “Incredibly loyal, gentle and sweet.”
The rescue is seeking a quiet, adult-only home without cats, preferably with a fenced yard where Olive can enjoy one of her favorite activities — chasing a ball. Shelby says Olive will need adopters who are willing to give her the time and patience she needs to settle in.
“She’s been through a lot in her life, and I’d love to see her in a forever home and loved just as much as I love her.”
Learn more about Olive and the adoption process through Second Chance Ranch Rescue & Sanctuary.
FDA-CVM WARNING: SEVERE WOUND FORMATION IN HUMANS; EXTENSIVE WOUND FORMATION, MAST CELL DEGRANULATION, AND DEATH IN DOGS DUE TO MAST CELL DEGRANULATION
Human Safety
Dog Safety
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Formation of wounds, possibly extensive, is an intended and likely response to treatment with STELFONTA along with associated swelling, bruising and pain; these wounds are expected to heal. Appropriate pre- and post-treatment medications must be given, including a corticosteroid plus blocking agents for both H1 and H2 receptors, in order to decrease the potential for severe systemic adverse reactions, including death, from mast cell degranulation.