Riley’s Amputation Surgery & Rehab

Our beloved 14-year-old pup Riley has had a pretty rough year. Seemingly overnight, he developed a spindle cell tumor (hemangiopericytoma) on his hind leg that was removed through an initial surgery in May. Within three months, the tumour grew back, this time more aggressively and faster than before, and it got so large that it started to seriously hinder his mobility and then badly ulcerate, giving us only two options – to amputate his rear leg or put down an otherwise happy and healthy dog. After much soul searching and tearful discussion we decided to go ahead with the surgery, despite the possibility that the tumour had spread and the risk that he might not fully recover. Making matters more complicated, our first baby was due in a month.

Luckily, Riley made it through surgery successfully and he is now a “tripawd.” However, the day after we brought him home from surgery, our baby girl decided to come a month premature. When he most needed us, we had to spend the next three days at the hospital and only his daddy could spend a limited few hours tending to him each of those days. Naturally, full rehabilitation after this major procedure while trying to nurture our late-term preemie, has been taxing for both parents and Riley, to say the least.


(Photo: Riley right after his surgery)

At the moment, Riley is unable to walk on his hind leg without “knuckling” (dragging his foot). We suspect there was some nerve damage done to his remaining hind leg that has caused some degree of temporary paralysis. He is making great strides to regain strength in that leg, but the knuckling paired with his desire to chew at the foot, has left it bloody and mangled, impeding the speedy progress we had hoped to make so that we can adjust to our new life as parents.

(Photo: Riley as a tripod, recovering at home)

It has become painfully clear to us that we need help to get him back in shape. There are a number of facilities and equipment capable of providing this type of rehabilitation but the additional cost for such treatment is extending beyond our current abilities, especially after spending so much on the amputation surgery already. Thus, we are reaching out to the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.

We hope to raise the funds necessary to get Riley some sessions of physical therapy, an anti-knuckling splint or boot, as well as pay off some of the surgery cost, so he can remain a huge part of our new family for years to come. He is showing tremendous promise and we truly believe this is the answer to our prayers. Thank you so very much for listening to our story and for any contribution you can make.

Andrew, Joanna, baby sister and Riley