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Message From Our President – February 2024

We had a greyt turn out for our Annual Meeting held on Jan. 14, with more than 35 people in person and 17 join via Google Meets as well as the-lost-then-found greyhound Flint. Thank you for showing your support.

Many of you have been following our care for Bruce who has been undergoing treatment for intermittent regurgitation/coughing, lethargy and chronic pleural effusion (chylous effusion). He originally started having symptoms and treatment in April 2022. When I became president, Bruce became one of my priorities. He has gone through multiple treatments for draining the fluids, which have become more frequent and can pose risks of bacterial infections each time the needle is inserted to drain the fluid that pools in his chest cavity.

Bruce had also undergone three consultations with reputable surgeons, most recently on Jan. 19, with Dr. Radlinsky from CARE Surgery Center in Glendale, Ariz., where he presented as a good candidate for Thoracic Duct Ligation to attempt to resolve this defect. In an executive session held by the Board of Directors on Jan. 23, it was unanimously agreed to proceed with surgery for Bruce.

He had surgery on Monday, Feb. 5. Bruce did great throughout the procedure, but the surgery itself was not as productive as we hoped. The doctor said, he had a massive amount of ducts farther back in his chest cavity and they just did not have enough time to tie them all off before the anesthesia wore off. Bruce went to Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center to recuperate and was released on Feb. 9. Bruce is still producing fluid, which is common right after this surgery and can take approximately two weeks to reduce to an acceptable level. Dr. Radlinsky believes the insertion of a port will now help manage his fluid retention as we go forward. The Board will meet and discuss the next options for Bruce who is happy to be home with his foster mom and greyhound sister, Allie.

So far, SA Greys has paid $14,500 for surgery and aftercare.

Can you find it in your heart to donate today? We cannot do this without your help. Thank you.

Keep scrolling to learn about our 12th anniversary fundraiser and the Charity Partner for a Tucson Roadrunners hockey event on Friday, April 19. It will be getting hot in April so cooling off near ice for a good cause is a win-win.

On Feb. 3, the Civano committee for responsible pet ownership held a Bark in the Park
event for Civano residents only. A few greyhounds and volunteers hosted our booth to spread the word about greyhound love.

I am so grateful for all our members and volunteers, who without your encouragement and assistance our mission would not be possible.

Jeanne Gacke is President of Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption and can be reached at president@sagreys.org.