Axl Has Osteosarcoma

 

In March, Axl developed a limp. I didn't think anything of it at first, because he loves to be outside running and chasing his sister, Phoebe my 5 yr old Rottie. I thought he might had sprained it. Axl didn't act like the limp bothered him. He kept on playing like it was no big deal. Never even winced. But after about a week of him limping, I got a little concerned, so I took him to his vet. He was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury, they gave me some pain meds for him and we went on our way. I started Axl on the meds and within a few days he was walking normally. So, I didn't think anything else. We finished up the meds just to be on the safe side, and everything seemed fine. Then about 2 weeks after finishing his meds, Axl started limping again. But this time he actually winced and he seemed to be in pain. 

 

His regular vet was closed so I took him to the nearest emergency vet. I explained to the vet tech doing Axl's intake about his limp, and that it had been several weeks since he was last seen by his primary vet for it. I told him what the diagnosis was, what they told me and what meds he was taking. The vet tech took Axl into the exam room as I waited. 10 minutes later I was informed that they needed to take x-rays, it was the only way to rule out anything serious. Axl would need to be sedated so, I agreed, not really thinking about cost or what the diagnosis would be. About 30 minutes later, the Veterinarian came to talk to me. He showed me Axl's x-rays, and pointed to a dense area on his left front humerus, near the shoulder and said that he feared what he was seeing was either cancer or a bone infection. But he wanted to be sure, and needed to send the x-rays out to radiology to confirm. I would have to wait an other 2 hours to hear the diagnosis. In the meantime, I was given the total amout for that vist, a little over $1600, ouch! It was a hard pill to swallow but I knew I had no choice, it had to be done. I had to know what was wrong with my boy. Soon, Axl was waking up so I put him into my car and headed home with more pain meds,  a sting from the bill and a very, very heavy heart. 

 

I tried not to show any emotion for Axl's sake. He was a little groggy but he was excited to be in the car.  I got him home, made him comfortable in his bed and I sat on the couch waiting. About an hour later, the call came in. It was Osteosarcoma, bone cancer. I was in shock, I couldn't even think straight. I had no idea what to ask or what to say. I knew this was bad. One of the most aggressive cancers of them all. My options? Euthanasia, WHICH IS NOT AN OPTION!!! Amputation with chemo and radiation. Or just chemo and radiation and bone strengthening IV infusions  (bisphosphonates). In any case, I am looking at anywhere from $2500 to upwards of $10,000 or more. Something I new I couldn't afford. 

Fast forward a few weeks since the diagnosis and I have been frantically researching day and night everything I could on this horrible disease and what my options are. I read hundreds of posts and stories from other pet owners as they also fought this disease. I researched chemo drugs that can be given orally at home, and holistic therapies that others swore by. I read research studies from Yale, Colorado State, TX A&M and Tufts University. I read about advances that have been made but still years behind compared to Human cancer care. 

 

I didn't have insurance for Axl. He had been on a wellness plan with his vet since he was 8 weeks old. I never thought about needing an insurance plan for him. I always took Axl to his annual comprehensive exams and regular vaccines. I thought I was doing everything right! But now,  with this diagnosis I began to worry about how I was going to pay for treatment. Even palliative care would be expensive. Unfortunately,  I don't have enough money to seek full treatment for Axl, and I am not able to use Care Credit. 

 

I teach yoga, but the last few years with Covid shutdowns, I have not been teaching fulltime. Just a few classes here and there. I am not making what I made pre-pandemic.
 
I have applied to several charities, but there are so many others who need help. 

 

I am hoping the kindness and generosity of animal lovers, dog lovers and rottweiler lovers,  can help Axl. 

 

He still has so much life left in him. He still wants to go out and walk the fence line of his backyard with his sister, Phoebe.  He doesn't let the limp impact him at all. He is a Rottweiler after all.   He isn't giving up, and neither am I. 

 

Thank you for taking time to read my story. Anything raised will go towards Axl's treatments.

 

~Courtney, Axl and Phoebe