Poodle recovering after tumor removed

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Oreo the poodle is doing well after his surgery to remove a 6.4 pound tumor. –CONTRIBUTED

NAUGATUCK — A 6-year-old poodle plagued with a massive tumor is doing well post-surgery, according to his rescuer, Daryl Masone.

Veterinarians from Watertown Animal Hospital removed the 6.4 pound fatty mass from the dog’s chest in a two-and-a-half hour operation Aug. 18.

Without the lump, the dog, Oreo, is 20 pounds.

“He’s doing very, very well,” Masone said Wednesday. “The tumor was successfully excised. He would like to run and jump more than I’m allowed to let him right now.”

The poodle was surrendered to Poodle Rescue Connecticut Aug. 7.

Masone said Oreo will get his stitches out Friday, at which point she’ll know whether the dog will need a second surgery to remove more skin.

Because the dog’s skin was stretched thin around the tumor, it was hard to determine how much skin to take off, Masone said.

Before the surgery, the tumor dragged on the ground, causing it to bleed. Masone said Oreo’s legs are still bowed from having to stretch around the tumor.

“I don’t know if they’ll ever shrink back, but that’s OK. He doesn’t care,” she said.

The tumor was not cancerous, Masone said.

“We were able to breathe a sigh of relief,” she said.

Once Oreo gets a clean bill of health, he’ll be put up for adoption. Those interested in adopting him can apply at poodlerescuect.org. Masone said a couple of people have already expressed interest.

Oreo the poodle is pictured prior to having surgery to remove a 6.4 pound tumor. –CONTRIBUTED

“Hopefully somebody will apply for him who is exactly what he needs,” she said.

The rescue organization has been raising money to cover Oreo’s medical costs. Masone said she hasn’t received any medical bills yet, so she doesn’t know how much the total will be.

A GoFundMe campaign for Oreo raised $5,742 as of Wednesday afternoon and the organization was also collecting money directly to the Watertown Animal Hospital. The surgery was originally estimated to cost between $1,500 and $2,000.

Any money collected above the amount needed for Oreo’s treatment will go toward the organization’s next rescue dog.

Masone said she recently took Oreo out to meet his fans. He loved everybody.

“He’s getting so handsome. It was very, very cute. He’s like a celebrity,” Masone said.