Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue acted promptly upon receiving a report about a Weimaraner on death row at a high-kill shelter. Upon arriving, they were appalled to discover a dog with an enormous tumor on its underbelly that made it difficult for him to stand. The dog was known as Gilbert Grape, and his ability to survive for an extended period without medical assistance remains a mystery.
Keri Pink, a volunteer for Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue (TPWR), shared with DogHeirs the inspiring tale of Gilbert Grape. This lost male Weimaraner was found wandering the streets and brought to a high-kill shelter in Arizona on a scorching hot day where temperatures soared above 95 degrees. Sadly, he was unable to stand or move due to a massive and diseased tumor that weighed him down. Thankfully, TPWR came to his rescue and Gilbert Grape is now on the road to recovery.
The county offers a program that allows recognized rescues to take in animals with medical clearance, while strays are held for 72 hours for potential owners to claim. Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue was contacted by shelter volunteers about Gilbert Grape, a dog with a large tumor hanging from its chest. The rescue quickly stepped in and took Gilbert Grape to a veterinary facility where it was determined that a life-saving surgery to remove the tumor would require blood transfusions and intravenous catheter stabilization.
The estimated cost for diagnosing, stabilizing, and performing surgery on the dog was approximately $7,000. Although it was a no-brainer decision for the rescue volunteers and medical staff to save the dog’s life, there is a fine line in rescue between what a private owner would be required to do to provide life-saving treatment for their pet and what a dog entering rescue may have to endure. Private pet owners choose their own pets, while rescues rely on government support.
Gilbert’s exact age and health status were unclear, but his blood tests were mostly normal except for a high white blood cell count due to the diseased tumor. Gilbert was expected to live for around seven years.
Upon noticing a glimmer in Flaṅagaṅ’s eyes, we decided to take a chance on giving Gilbert a chance, but ultimately realized that we needed widespread support. Gilbert underwent a straightforward procedure and made a swift recovery in the ICU. He was released from the hospital after two days and has thrived ever since. The pathology report for Gilbert’s 12-pound tumor revealed that it was just a benign lipoma one week after his surgery. Gilbert has been cancer-free for quite some time now.
During his follow-up examination, the surgical staples that were implanted in his chest were removed and he was given a clean bill of health. However, according to veterinarians, Gilbert has suffered from muscle loss and physiological strain as a result of carrying the tumor for at least a year. His back legs are ataxic and he has very little muscle mass overall, causing him to walk awkwardly due to his center of gravity being off. To aid in his recovery, Gilbert will soon begin a physical therapy program that includes water therapy, massages, and manipulations. Despite his precarious physical health, Gilbert’s charming and humorous nature is shining through to his foster father more and more every day.
Gilbert’s story reached a significant number of people and as a result, it’s likely that some adoption applications were approved. Despite not being quite ready for adoption yet, Gilbert has a promising future ahead of him. After a year of his rescue, he was adopted by a loving and caring family. He now lives in a home with a pool where he can regularly partake in water therapy for his hip dysplasia diagnosis. His new family reports that Gilbert is getting along brilliantly with them.
According to the records, Gilbert was rescued back in 2013. Since then, Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue has been actively saving other dogs in dire need of assistance, including those with special needs, illnesses, and more. You can check out their website and Facebook page for additional information and to see all the adorable dogs that are up for adoption.
