11/28/2024
Our own Dr Carter Ward is Paco’s primary veterinarian & thankfully was able to refer Paco to LSU oncology after finding his mass. We love collaborating with LSU Small Animal to make sure your pets get the best care. ❤️
This Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for all of our patients, and today, we want to share Paco’s remarkable journey. Paco, an 11-year-old chihuahua, is going home after 26 challenging days in our ICU. He was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that initially presented as severe vomiting. Imaging revealed a mass on his pylorus, the muscular valve between the stomach and small intestine.
Paco underwent a complex three-hour Bilroth I surgery to remove the affected pylorus. Though the surgery was successful, Paco struggled to process food afterward, and his condition seemed grim. Euthanasia was discussed, but seeing his owners, Paco perked up.
He then underwent a jejunostomy, where a temporary feeding tube was placed to give his gastrointestinal system time to recover. The procedure worked, and Paco made a strong comeback.
“He’s been such a cooperative patient, even when he was scared. He’s a bit of a celebrity around here,” his ICU nursing team shared.
“Thankfully, there were no signs of metastasis, and Paco’s prognosis is good. We are so grateful,” said Dr. Heather Kloft, Small Animal Surgery resident.
Paco’s owners reflect on his incredible will to survive, which has been evident since the day they met him. Abandoned during a thunderstorm in a nursing home parking lot, he jumped into a stranger’s car. He’s been part of Michael and James’ family ever since.
Pictured are ICU nurses Beth Courville, Lauren Broussard, Asia Williams, Megan Bailey (4th Year student), Lacy Marchand, and Jade Naquin. In the center is Dr. Heather Kloft holding Paco. His clinical team not pictured includes Drs. Michael Tillson, Jude Bordelon, Ruth Guischard, and Patricia Queiroz-Williams.
![Peaches [noun] 🍑🍑🍑 : A distinguished gentleman patiently waiting to see his Dermatologist 🐱🩺👩⚕️](https://img4.voofla.com/605/590/1025260096055909.jpg)
