Oscar Video

Oscar is a sweet, gentle, spry and quiet little guy who is estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old and who comes with a significant health concern. Please be sure to get to know him by reading his entire biography before deciding if he is the right little peanut for you.

Oscar came into his foster home in September 2022 and headed to the vet the next day for his neuter surgery. The vet noticed that he had a large tumor on his lower jaw and, along with his neuter surgery, performed a mandibulectomy to remove the melanoma and part of his jaw bone. He now only has about half of his lower jaw but he does excellent and eats and drinks just fine. He was taken to an oncologist and it was decided that he was a good candidate for something called a melanoma vaccine since there were no obvious signs in x-rays and during physical examination that the cancer had spread. Oscar has received 2 of the 4 initial vaccines and will receive his 4th the 1st week of December. After his 4th vaccine, he will need to have a booster every 6 months to help keep the cancer from returning for as long as possible. The vaccine has proven to be successful at extending the lives of dogs who are good candidates, which Oscar was. The vaccine is NOT a guarantee that the cancer will never return. Each vaccine runs about $800 and Oscar needs an adopter who would be willing to continue with his vaccines 2 times per year, as long as the vet indicates he will benefit from them. His current oncologist is in Harrisburg, PA and I’m sure they’d love to keep seeing him at their office but he can go to any veterinarian who gives the vaccine.

Oscar is about 80% deaf and almost totally blind in his right eye from a mature cataract but does have some good vision in his left eye, as that cataract is still small.

Oscar does pretty well with his potty skills. He will have an occasional accident in the house but this is usually after he’s been napping for a long time and the other dogs start to get active in the house. He understands that going outside means that it’s time to go potty.

Oscar lives with 2 kitties and several dogs of varying sizes and ages and gets along with everyone extremely well. He can be a bit intimidated with bigger dogs who want to play but he simply tries to get away and is not aggressive in any way. He is also wonderful with people of all ages but a home with children under 10 may not be what is best for him since he is fearful of a lot of commotion from bigger dogs and people.

His personality is just about perfect. He loves lying on or beside his foster mom and loves pets and back scratches. He likes to know where his foster mom is at all times and loves to be carried. He’s spry, being able to bound up the 3 stairs to come back into the house but he is very timid about going down stairs. He sleeps through the night and is quiet as a mouse unless he knows it’s time for a meal.

His foster mom is madly in love with him and hopes he can find a family of his own to cuddle with him all the time and to provide him with his vaccinations.

Oscar was adopted!