The latest information is at the top. If you are just joining us, scroll down to the bottom of the page and work your way up.
Thank you.
This Morning
When we checked him at sunrise, things had taken a concerning turn. Both the incision and the drain site were bulging again, resembling the previous swelling we had seen—like a small hotdog under the skin. The area had started oozing, so we gently applied pressure with gauze. While at first, it released the serosanguineous (pinkish-clear) fluid we’d come to expect, by late morning the discharge turned milky—a change we know could indicate infection.
From 8:00 AM until now (almost 1:00 PM), we’ve gone through over 100 4×4 gauze pads trying to manage the drainage.
Blue’s Condition
He’s more sluggish today, and we’ve noticed he feels warmer to the touch. Given everything else he’s fighting, the possibility of a looming infection is deeply concerning. His appetite hasn’t completely vanished yet, but we know the situation becomes critical if he stops eating, as his medications rely on him taking food.
We’re keeping a close eye on him, hoping this is just a small bump in his recovery. The doctor is calling in a script for antibiotics which he will start this evening.
We encountered a major setback with Blue. While the generalized swelling around his neck had subsided significantly, the swelling beneath his 7-8” incision had worsened, resembling a hotdog just beneath his skin. Things escalated when unexpected visitors arrived at the front door. Blue, resting on the couch, sprang into action the moment he heard the screen door click.
In a split second, he performed a 180-degree turn, growling to protect his home and family as he always does. Unfortunately, this sudden movement caused his incision to reopen, oozing blood and fluid.
We encountered a major setback with Blue. While the generalized swelling around his neck had subsided significantly, the swelling beneath his 7-8” incision had worsened, resembling a hotdog just beneath his skin. Things escalated when unexpected visitors arrived at the front door. Blue, resting on the couch, sprang into action the moment he heard the screen door click. In a split second, he performed a 180-degree turn, growling to protect his home and family as he always does. Unfortunately, this sudden movement caused his incision to reopen, oozing blood and fluid.
My wife quickly grabbed gauze and applied direct pressure, holding it firmly for two and a half hours. While this helped, it didn’t completely stop the oozing. Recently, we had received blood work results from Cornell University, ruling out any underlying bleeding disorder.
Transporting Blue to the hospital presented another challenge. The 40-minute drive would be dangerous for his incision due to his tendency to become uncontrollable in the car—barking, running back and forth, and whipping his head at passing sights. This kind of movement could exacerbate his injury a thousandfold compared to the front door incident.
We contacted our vet and continued applying pressure throughout the evening, night, and into the next morning. Anytime Blue moved, the oozing worsened. Yet, as the fluid leaked, we noticed the swelling gradually subsiding. We managed to secure an appointment with his surgeon the next afternoon, where they planned to examine his incision and remove the drain.
Finding a suitable vehicle for the journey was another hurdle. After countless calls across metro Detroit, we couldn’t locate a minivan. Thankfully, one of my best friends stepped up and offered his. We prepared Blue with a regimen of medications, including 400mg of Trazodone and pain relief, ensuring he remained calm during the ride.
At the surgeon’s office, they removed the drain and evaluated the incision. Ironically, by the time we arrived, the oozing had nearly stopped entirely—the very issue that prompted the visit. Then came the devastating news. The biopsy results of the 5-lb mass removed during surgery had come in: Blue has cancer. Specifically, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Grade 2. The surgeon explained that the cancer is likely to recur in the same area, growing back faster than it did the first time.
This nightmare took another drop. From initial fine-needle aspirations to CT scans and surgery, everything had pointed away from cancer. Even Blue’s young age and lack of family history made it seem unlikely—yet here we are.
To compound our heartbreak, the surgeon was correct in her original diagnosis: the mass was indeed a giant hematoma caused by Blue’s brick-wall impact injury three months ago. However, hidden in that same area was cancer, silently waiting to capitalize on the situation. The cruel twist of fate is almost unbearable for all who love him.
But we’re not giving up. Our next plan is to fight this with everything we’ve got.
The Path Forward
- Ketogenic Diet: We began Blue on a strict ketogenic diet a few weeks ago, focusing on fatty red meats, chicken, and fish. Cancer thrives on glycogen (carbs), so eliminating carbs starves it. This species-appropriate diet aligns with what dogs—and humans—once thrived on before the rise of carbohydrate-heavy diets and their associated diseases.
- Ivermectin Therapy: We’ll also pursue aggressive Ivermectin therapy, which has shown promise in killing cancer cells in both humans and dogs.
We’re committed to fighting for Blue and will share updates as we continue this journey. Thank you for standing with us.
Here is the biopsy report from the Michigan State Laboratory:
History This dog presented with a large growing and painful mass on the dorsal neck. Two months prior, the dog was noted to have run into a brick wall. A CT scan revealed a venous bleed and a large hematoma.
Microscopic Description One representative section from each of the eight pieces of submitted tissue was examined. The majority of the tissue sections are almost completely necrotic with fibrin, hemorrhage and some fibrous connective tissue with interspersed vessels. Regionally, there are a few areas containing a highly cellular, nonencapsulated, and poorly demarcated proliferation of neoplastic mesenchymal cells that are somewhat hypoxic. The neoplastic cells are arranged in loose streams supported by a small amount of fibrovascular stroma. The neoplastic cells are spindloid to stellate, with a small amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm and variably distinct cell borders. Nuclei are round to oval to fusiform, finely stippled, and lack prominent nucleoli. Anisokaryosis is mild, and no mitotic figures were observed in 10 high-power fields (400x).
Diagnosis(es) Submitted specimens: Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Grade 2 (please see comments) Comments: The submitted specimens consist primarily of large areas of necrosis and nonviable cells, which limited diagnostic interpretation. However, multiple areas of atypical mesenchymal cells were observed, beyond the scope of fibrosis and granulation tissue, warranting a diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma. Given the clinical history, a pre-existing soft tissue sarcoma may have been traumatized, leading to hemorrhage and subsequent necrosis. As multiple pieces of tissue were submitted, complete surgical excision cannot be confirmed in this case. This case was reviewed by multiple pathologists. Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A recent review of soft tissue sarcomas in the literature recommends the use of a standardized grading system for cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas in the dog. This system evaluates differentiation to tumor type, mitotic count, and amount of tumor necrosis to provide a histologic grade, on a scale of 1 to 3. Grade 1 soft tissue sarcomas are the most common type reported in dogs. Notably, complete surgical excision predicts non recurrence and recurrence appears to increase with grade in incompletely-resected masses, with one study reporting recurrence of Grade 1 tumors in 7% of cases, recurrence of Grade 2 tumors in 35% of cases, and recurrence of Grade 3 tumors in 75% of cases, all with close margins. Metastasis is uncommon for grade 1 and 2 tumors. Grade 3 tumors have a higher rate of metastasis; metastasis is reported to the lungs and local lymph nodes. High mitotic count (> 9 mitotic figures per ten high-power fields) is correlated with reduced survival time.
We received the call today that Blue was cleared to come home. For those following his journey, a 5-pound bloody mass was recently removed from under his neck muscles. This mass was caused by a hematoma, fed by several bleeding vessels over the past three months. The injury resulted from a full-speed collision with the corner of a brick wall. The doctors are puzzled by the prolonged bleeding, as it seems medically improbable.
They suspect either a rare blood cancer or a bleeding/clotting disorder, leaning toward the latter. They believe it’s a minor condition that doesn’t affect his daily life but may have been triggered by the trauma
During his ICU stay, Blue received an IV medication every eight hours to help with clotting, along with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite these measures, his neck swelling and the drainage of bloody fluid raised concerns about an underlying issue. As a precaution, the doctors performed a plasma transfusion, which he handled well. We’re now waiting on results from an in-depth blood test being processed at Cornell University, which takes 2-3 weeks.
To ensure Blue’s comfort for the ride home, we rented a minivan with stow-and-go seating. This gave him plenty of space for his bed and made getting in and out easier than using our truck.
Blue came home around 4 p.m. He wasn’t himself—no tail wagging or kisses—and seemed very subdued, likely from the medications. He ate a small amount of chicken, drank some water, and slept most of the evening and through the night. Since he requires 24/7 monitoring, we’ve been sleeping on the couch next to his padded bed.
Thankfully, the swelling in his neck hasn’t worsened, and we’re cautiously optimistic about his recovery.
Blue underwent his second CT scan and dorsal cervical exploratory surgery on December 4, 2024.
During the procedure, nearly 5 pounds of “mass” was removed from his neck! (Photo below—please note, the image may be graphic, so proceed cautiously before clicking the link at the end of this post.)
We have not yet visited Blue in the ICU, as the staff believes it could upset him too much when we leave. They estimate he will remain in the ICU for another 24-48 hours.
We check in with the ICU team several times a day, and they report that Blue is doing “okay.” He drinks small amounts of water, eats a little chicken, and occasionally wanders around the ICU. Unsurprisingly, the staff tells us how much they adore him.
The swelling around his neck remains a concern. Doctors are unsure if it is entirely surgery-related or if he is still bleeding internally. They suspect two possible underlying bleeding disorders: Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) or a rare blood cancer. Despite the significant impact of the brick wall three months ago, they believe the blood vessels should have healed by now.
Neither of Blue’s parents had VWD nor were carriers, so it’s unlikely he has or carries the condition. The hospital has sent a specialized blood test to Cornell University to confirm this and check for other blood disorders. Unfortunately, the results take about two weeks to process, so we are still waiting.
PHOTO OF 5LBS OF MASS REMOVED FROM BLUE’S NECK
Surgical Notes:
Procedure: CT scan, dorsal cervical explore
Pre-operatively, a 6 mm red area was noted on the left dorsal, lateral cervical region.
An incision was made over the dorsal cervical region, just to the left side. Multiple abnormal, small (2-3mm) blood vessels were present, associated with the superficial muscle. The fascia and muscle were opened along dorsal cervical midline. A large pocket containing hematoma-like material was present, with fibrous and soft adhesions to the surrounding facia.
The pocket extended:
- Left cranial, to the level of the wings of the atlas
- Left caudal in two layers to the caudal cervical region, near the thoracic inlet
- Right cranial, to the third cervical vertebra
- Right caudal, to the right of the caudal thoracic vertebra
Multiple abnormal (new?) blood vessels were associated with the hematoma and adhesions. Ligation was
performed copiously using the Ligasure and electrocautery. Small vessel (~3-4mm) venous bleeding was present in the left cranial pocket, and was ligated.
After ligation, the space was packed with lap sponges for 5 minutes. Small artiole bleeding was noted centrally (very mild), and was ligated additionally with the ligasure. The space was packed with lap sponges again, and no additional bleeding was noted after removal. Deep inspection into all the pockets revealed no additional bleeding.
After ligation, the space was packed with lap sponges for 5 minutes. Small artiole bleeding was noted centrally (very mild), and was ligated additionally with the ligasure. The space was packed with lap sponges again, and no additional bleeding was noted after removal. Deep inspection into all the pockets revealed no additional bleeding.
Ex vivo the hematoma weighed 1.85 kg.
A Bioguard bandage was placed.
Samples: Histopathology was submitted to MSU. Samples were submitted under Dr. Retallack.
Update on Blue
Blue underwent surgery to remove the mass two days ago and remains in the ICU. The morning after his surgery, his neck had swollen to approximately 50% of its original size prior to the removal of the lump. While the drain is functioning, his team of doctors is concerned that the swelling is excessive. To address this, they are administering clotting medication every eight hours through his IV. This suggests a possible underlying blood disorder, even though Blue has tested negative for Von Willebrand Disease (VWD).
The doctors are awaiting additional blood test results from Cornell University for deeper insights into other potential blood disorders. So far, his platelet count and hemoglobin levels appear normal, but they suspect he may have a rare condition that doesn’t affect day-to-day life but could cause significant issues when trauma, like his recent injury, occurs.
Today, they will begin a plasma transfusion and monitor his response closely. On a positive note, Blue has been up and about, wandering around the ICU a bit. He has also managed to eat a small amount of chicken and drink some water.
We kindly ask for your continued prayers and support. Please share his GoFundMe page to help us manage the mounting medical expenses, which with continued ICU care will be approaching the multi-tens-of-thousands range. Thank you for standing with us and Blue during this challenging time.
GO FUND ME LINK
We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support that Blue has already received. Thank you. We developed this page to keep those interested posted on his condition. We will post updates as we get them.
Blue was born on June 22, 2020, on the south side of Chicago to a highly experienced breeder named Margarita, who has dedicated nearly 50 years of her life to raising Dobermans. During the height of the COVID era, finding any dog was a challenge, and a purebred Doberman was nearly impossible. I spent countless hours researching breeders across the country, studying upcoming litters and availability. Margarita was the only breeder with a puppy available—due to a last-minute cancellation, leaving a beautiful black and tan male waiting for a home. On August 29, 2020, we drove five hours from metro Detroit to bring Blue into our family.
As a retired police officer, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my life with many remarkable dogs, including two other Dobermans. Over time, I learned that this breed stands apart—an extraordinary combination of elegance, strength, and loyalty. Dobermans embody power and grace, with their sleek, athletic build and glossy coat. Intelligent and fearless, they excel in training and protection while being gentle and affectionate with their families. Despite my experience, Blue shattered all my expectations. His devotion and love for us are beyond compare.
Blue is not just strikingly handsome; he has a unique and endearing quality that can only be described as pure love. For example, when he enjoys his favorite meal—chicken—he often gently takes a piece from his bowl and places it in a family member’s lap as if to share his joy. The same applies to his favorite treats and toys, which he offers with the same thoughtful gesture.
Speaking of toys, Blue has dozens, and he knows each one by name. His excitement for a new toy is unmatched, and the moment we name it, he remembers it. Every time we come home, even after just a short trip, Blue greets us with his whole body wagging and proudly presenting one of his beloved toys.
Blue’s playful and mischievous nature adds to his charm. He loves to “steal” items, with socks being a particular favorite. Sometimes, he even orchestrates distractions, luring us to one part of the house while he dashes back to grab something left unattended.
Yet, Blue’s life hasn’t been without challenges. He struggles with severe allergies, living in a yard surrounded by towering oak trees in metro Detroit. Regular baths and Cytopoint injections help manage his symptoms, but it remains an ongoing issue. His protective instincts are also intense, patrolling tirelessly and barking at anything he deems a threat—whether it’s a squirrel, a delivery truck, or even a spider.
One significant challenge has been his behavior in vehicles. While he eagerly jumps into the car, once the engine starts, he becomes uncontrollable—barking, darting, and slobbering with such intensity that even ear protection barely helps. Road trips are nearly impossible, making travel with Blue a daunting task.
The Incident That Has Blue Struggling to Survive
About three months ago, Blue and I were in the front room when he became frantic, likely triggered by a squirrel on the front lawn. Dobermans are one of the fastest dog breeds, capable of sprinting at 35-40 mph, and Blue, a muscular and lean 75 pounds, can do every bit of that. He bolted at full speed from the front room, heading toward the rear door wall. In his Terminator-like determination, he slid on the hard floor and crashed headlong into the sharp corner of a brick wall.
I was sitting on the couch, watching the scene unfold in slow motion, mentally anticipating the disaster about to happen. My mind raced, almost pausing the moment. Though the incident took less than a second, I had time to imagine the worst: Blue shattering the left side of his body, collapsing in agony, and I being unable to get him to the vet in time. I feared he would thrash in pain, screaming, and that I’d face the unimaginable task of ending his suffering myself in the yard.
But when time resumed, Blue hit the wall exactly as I had feared—but to my astonishment, he didn’t make a sound. Instead, he got up and dashed outside, determined to find that squirrel. (For context, Blue has never harmed anything; when he catches up to squirrels, he simply leaves them alone.)
Though I was relieved in the moment, I had no idea that crash would set us on a heartbreaking journey we’d still be fighting three months later.
The Lump Appears
A couple of days after the crash, we noticed a lump growing on the top left side of Blue’s neck. It didn’t seem to bother him at first, but when it didn’t go down and began enlarging over the next couple of weeks, we took him to the vet. I described the brick wall incident in detail, and the vet examined the lump. She said it was very unusual, unlike anything she’d seen before. Since Blue had full motor functions and showed no pain, she performed a fine needle aspiration in four locations and sent the slides to Michigan State University for analysis. The results were inconclusive.
She explained that since the lump was clearly visible, an X-ray wouldn’t add much, and an ultrasound wasn’t typically used for this type of issue. She recommended a CT scan if the lump didn’t improve soon. She also offered anti-inflammatory medication, but since Blue wasn’t in pain and I prefer to avoid unnecessary drugs, we decided to hold off. Her main concern was the lump’s location and lack of margins, suggesting it was likely inoperable.
Unfortunately, the lump continued to grow.
Seeking Answers, Finding None
We sought a second opinion from another veterinarian. After a costly visit, the result was the same: “I’ve never seen anything like it.” This vet referred us to a specialty hospital dealing with cancer and trauma. That visit was not a good experience. For a $220 consultation fee, we saw a senior doctor who barely examined Blue, didn’t touch him, and provided a two-page estimate for a $6,000 CT scan and biopsy. She reiterated that the mass was likely inoperable and probably cancerous.
Hearing “inoperable” and “probably cancer” repeatedly began to sink in, and we started bracing ourselves for the worst. The idea of putting Blue through a painful biopsy, described as removing a pinky-sized chunk of flesh, seemed cruel, especially since we wouldn’t pursue chemotherapy. We opted out of the CT scan for the same reason—everyone was saying the lump was inoperable regardless of what it was. We started Blue on Carprofen to keep him comfortable.
But the lump didn’t stop. It grew faster, doubling in size over the next week, spreading from the left side of his neck to the right. Blue struggled to lift his head, his daily activities slowed dramatically, and he began spending most of his time lying down. Still, his appetite remained intact, even as the lump—now weighing nearly five pounds—sapped his strength.
Refusing to Give Up
We couldn’t accept the idea of euthanizing Blue without exhausting every option. While we feel most of the doctors dismissed the impact injury as insignificant, we knew it had the force of a car crash and couldn’t be ignored. We scheduled a CT scan with a cancer specialty center.
The consultation was another disappointment for us, as Blue’s case was so strange. Like before, we heard: “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Even though all the doctors had decades of experience, hundreds of thousands of patients, and extensive knowledge of cancer, they were stumped. I asked, “How is it possible that none of you have seen this before? You’ve surely seen countless cancerous lumps—but you haven’t seen an 80-pound Doberman crash into a brick wall at 35 mph.” I thought at least some of the focus had to be on the impact injury and that it could not be completely discounted.
During the week between the consultation and the CT scan, Blue’s health deteriorated rapidly. He could barely move, flopping to the floor like a fish out of water and crying in pain. We rushed him to the cancer center, where a compassionate oncologist finally offered some relief. She performed an X-ray and ultrasound, finding no skeletal damage but suggesting a possible hematoma. A fine needle aspiration revealed no cancer cells. She administered a ketamine injection, which temporarily reduced his pain.
A Last Chance for Hope
The CT scan finally provided clarity:
“The scan revealed a solitary large left dorsal cervical soft tissue mass without evidence of lymphadenopathy, aggressive bone lesions, or pulmonary metastasis. Given the history of trauma, a hematoma was suspected. However, malignancy cannot be ruled out.”
This result hinted at trauma rather than cancer, but the lump’s rapid growth puzzled even the doctor. She referred us to a surgeon at a specialty center staffed by Michigan State University professors, however, when I contacted them the next day I was told they wouldn’t get to my information for at least a week.
I spent hours calling all the specialty centers, surgeons, and hospitals I could find, and finally, we secured a consultation—and miraculously, a next-day surgery slot on December 4th, 2024.
The Surgery
The surgeon was confident. She reviewed Blue’s records and told us, “I don’t think this is cancer. I think it’s a hematoma, and Blue still has a bleeding vessel feeding it.”
Three hours later, Blue was in surgery. The doctor called after two hours to share the results: she had located several bleeding vessels and stopped the bleeding. She removed five pounds of bloody hematoma tissue.
Recovery and Continued Prayers
Blue is still in ICU, where his neck has swollen to about 50% of its original size. The swelling could indicate fluid buildup from surgery, but it’s too early to tell. We’re waiting on additional blood tests sent to Cornell University to rule out rare bleeding disorders.
We’re currently over $14,000 in medical bills, with ICU costs at $1,500-$2,000 per day. If Blue requires additional surgery, the costs could double. His recovery will be long, with follow-up visits and physical therapy ahead.
We are asking for prayers and support for Blue. If you’d like to help, please consider sharing or contributing to his GoFundMe page. Thank you for being with us during this incredibly difficult journey.
