A dog dumped on a beach in California with a 46-pound tumor on his side is now recovering.
Now named Henry, the 8-year-old golden retriever was discovered on Newport Beach after found wondering all by himself.
“We got a call that there was a dog that was dumped on the beach. So when we went, we got him, and we we went, ‘oh my gosh,’” Valerie Schomburg, a Newport Beach Animal Control supervisor, told KTLA.
The mass was basically covering the dog’s entire right size, making it difficult for him to do certain canine behaviors, like lifting his leg when urinating.
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Looking to give this dog a second chance in life, Schomburg reached out to veterinarians to see if they could help, with most never seeing a mass this size.
While some veterinarians were wary of removing a mass this size – many complications could arise – they decided to go forward with the surgery.
“He has too much love, and life to live, that we wanted to give him a chance,” Schomburg told the outlet.
His mass was successfully removed, and he is now on the road to recovery. He does remain under treatment for smaller medical issues. And while he is much happier, the team is still waiting on a biopsy report to see if the mass is cancerous.
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Officials have still yet to determine how a mass this size even came about. They are searching for Henry’s owner, in hopes the person can shine light on his condition and why he was abandoned. Depending on what they come up with, will determine if neglect or abuse charges will be pursued.
“Just very shocking that it got that big, and that someone wouldn’t do the right thing,” said Schomburg. “Whoever did this to Henry might have to answer it.”
Fingers crossed everything goes well. If so, the pup will be up for adoption in the next few weeks.
Here is a video clip from local news outlet KCAL 9.