In May of 2021, after an emergency visit to the vet for a hurt paw, our beloved Niko bear was diagnosed with a severe bone tumor, Osteosarcoma, in his rear leg. Without aggressive treatment, this rare form of cancer causes agonizing pain, bone deterioration, and rapidly spreads to the lungs, typically resulting in death with 2 months.
Fortunately for Niko it appears we caught this in an earlier stage and he is a candidate for aggressive treatment since his chest scans came back negative for metastasis in the lungs. Therefore, we have him enrolled in the most advanced treatment available which is a combination of palliative radiation, chemotherapy, and likely amputation.
Niko is receiving the treatment available from the best care providers around, a collaborative effort from local animal hospitals Animal Medical Center, River City, and Lakewood in conjunction with the renowned WSU Vet Clinic and center for cancer research at Washington State University in Pullman, WA.
If left untreated, most dogs would need euthanized within 2 months due to the severe pain of the tumor growing and the takeover of the vital organs. Amputation alone will cure the pain but, in most cases, the cancer has already spread and survival rate is around 6 months. We drive down to WSU on June 1 for our first of 4 rounds of palliative radiation, an attempt to attack and shrink the tumor and possibly avoid amputation. While the success rate of palliative radiation is low and he will likely still need amputation, it is highly advised as amputation is not the best case scenario for an active 9 year old dog weighing in at 100lbs.
If palliative radiation is unsuccessful, the next step is to amputate the limb in combination with 4-6 rounds of chemotherapy at WSU. If radiation IS successful, it will still need followed up with chemo. I've been advised by all of his care-providers to expect for amputation as it is rare dogs with Osteosarcoma avoid it and he risks snapping the bone at any moment. Fortunately for Niko, cancer treatment on dogs is less agonizing than it is on humans and comes with far less symptoms... 
The grim reality is that this aggressive treatment can buy us up to 12-18 months with Niko. As a big believer in the benefits of holistic medicine, I am also incorporating a slew of natural remedies from the local Flour Mill in hopes adding another 6 months onto that while keeping my expectations in check. Some might say treatment costs are excessive for only 12-18 months of pain-free life... but the alternative is 2-5 months of sheer agony and we want to know we did everything we could for our best friend.
As the medical bills continue to pile up, my stress levels are continuing to rise. Not only is the treatment expensive, but my capacity to work is decreasing with tending to Niko and traveling for treatment. I want to remain as clear-headed, focused, and present as possible over these coming months and not feel like I need to short-change Niko's treatment in anyway.
Diagnosis & Meds........ $1,000
Biopsy............................... $1,200
Amputation.................... $1,500
Palliative Radiation.... $2,500
Chemo Therapy............ $4,200
$10,400
Your love & donation is greatly appreciated & every dollar means the world to us.
❤️