Hello fellow pet owners!
Our dog, Axle, recently developed an unusual lump on his front, right leg. When we noticed it rapidly grow in size, we immediately took him to the vet. Unfortunately, they found that the bump contained some cancerous cells, and drew the prognosis as a type of bone cancer.
We’ve yet to hear back from them to see if it has spread to other parts of his body, but if it hasn’t, we have agreed to amputate the leg. It was a hard decision. I’m sure many of you have had to make that same one.
My dad pushed me to start this blog in order to join the community and share Axle’s story. I’ve agreed to do so.
We hope to find solace in this site, being able to speak to those who’ve experienced similar stories, and I truly hope that can be done.
Axle is a nine year-old Doberman and one heck of a klutz. From the day we brought him home and set him on the wood floor, he’d already slipped and was struggling to stand. Back then though, it was easy to simply pick him up and put him back on his feet. Now…not so much.
There were times that we honestly questioned whether or not he would be a good fit, or he would do something questionable like eat a handful of corroded batteries because he could now reach the box (it has now been moved to a much higher place) or suddenly grab a mouthful of grass from the backyard and proceed to become an odd sort of cow. However, we never thought there would ever be a danger of loosing you…not you or your funky ears or that little bump on your head that’s been there since forever. It just never crossed my mind.
But here we are, and I’m not ready to give you up. I know you’ve got some time left in you, and I sincerely hope everyone around you can feel it too.
I joined this site to learn about those who’ve dealt with similar things, and I hope to learn a whole lot from your own experiences.
I look forward to our time here.
Fingers crossed for Axle
Hello! I am new to this site as well and my lab mix, LB, will be having his front left leg amputated August 9. You’re surrounded by people with genuine love for their animals. Well, they’re not just animals. They’re family. And it seems this site is a family too. Your dog is unique and there’s no other like Axle but we can all learn and take comfort from each other.
Welcome Axle and his devoted hyumans 🙂 Sorry you find yourself here. Under ghe circumstances though, there is no better place to be for support, information and a whole lot of understanding!!
I @ove reading avout this big battery chewing “klutz” named Axle! 🙂 Clearly he has a lot of spunk and loads of personality! And he is clearly loved and adored vy the humans he chose for his furever home!
Take some deep breaths and try and keep things chunked down…one step at a time.
It is a hard decision to make, but the best one that can be made to give Axle the best chance for a pain free quality life!! A quality life that gives Axle more rime for @oving and spoiling and tummy rubs and counter surfing and being an adorable klutz!
YIU ARE. IT ALONE! We are here ecery stepmkf the way! Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks and can be quite scary! That’s where your new extended family comes in! I’m glad your Dad had you start a blog because we’ve pretty much seen it all a d can assure you with things are “normal” or when you may need to check with the Vet.
If your Vet confirms that Axle is a good candidate for amputation surgery, he’ll probably spend at least I e night at the clinic.
Is this Vet an Orthopedic Surgeon? Does he work in a 24/7 fully staffed clinic?
Remember, Axle doesn’t care about any ole Vet report and he certainly does NOT have a timeframe stamped anywhere in that cute Dobie butt of his!! And Dobies do have cute butts!!
Just wanted to give you a quick welcome and let you know we are here with you AND for you in anyway we can!
And just so you’ll feel a bit of optimism, Nitro, a front leg tripawd diagnosed with osteosarcoma just celebrated over THREE YEARS AMPUVERSARY!! Unfortunately he did just cross over, HOWEVER, it was due to old age issues (almost 13) and not that pi4ce of crap disease!!
A suggestion. When yiu do get the info back frommyiur Vet and should you proceed with amputation, start a thread over in the forums in addition to Axle’s blog. Sometimes the blogs can gonup and down fast in a busy day and the forums are the fastest way to get znswers
Okay…deep breaths…grabe the chocolate…and go give Axle and yummy treat and a big smooch! Watch that little tail of his wag! ALL IS WELL IN AXLE’S WORLD and he has no intention of going anywhere anytime soo ! 🙂
I’ll watch for your uodates
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Welcome to you both! Axle sounds like an adventurous guy who has plenty of life left in him.
I know it’s a hard decision. It was certainly difficult for us. We did other treatments and ended up here 8 months later. We weren’t ready to give Zato up either, and he certainly was still our happy, sweet boy other than the pain in his leg.
You will find so much support and empathy here for any direction this journey may take you.
Please let us know what you find out and post a picture of Axle when you can so we can see him!
Tracy & Zatoichi
My Dobe Nitro had a front amputation at age 8 1/2, kicked butt on 3 legs for over 3 years! We just said goodbye to him 2 days ago, but it was due to old age issues – he would’ve been 12 years old on Halloween. I miss him terribly, a huge piece of my heart is gone, but he ROCKED IT ON 3 LEGS! My biggest hint to you is, if you’re not ready to say goodbye, and he’s not ready to go, fight!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
P.S. You can see his story at nitro.tripawds.com
Ohhh we are so glad you are here and started a blog, please thank your dad from all of us OK?
I’m guessing by now you have the test results back for Axle. If there is anything we can do to make your journey easier please let us know oK?
We send lots of love and pawsitivity your way.