Dozer’s fight against cancer

Dozer's Journey

In late October 2024, my boyfriend and I noticed that our beloved dog, Dozer, had a swollen back left leg. Initially, we thought it was just an injury from playing too hard, but after two weeks, we consulted the vet. To our shock, the vet mentioned the possibility of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

That night, I couldn't sleep, researching options, including amputation and prosthetics. The next day, Dozer's primary vet confirmed the diagnosis and recommended seeing an oncologist. We quickly traveled over 2.5 hours to Metropolitan in Philly, where Dozer received more advanced scans.

In November, the oncologist was hopeful, suggesting that the swelling was due to osteoarthritis rather than cancer. However, by December, Dozer's condition worsened, and further scans confirmed the presence of cancerous cells.

In January, an aspiration procedure confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoma. Despite pain management, Dozer's condition deteriorated, leading to three fractures in his leg. In February, after discussing his options with the vet, we decided on amputation to relieve his pain and allow him to live a happier life.

The cost of the procedure is $6,500, a staggering amount I never anticipated. Already, I’ve maxed out my care credit card and depleted my savings meant for living expenses as I navigate my final semester of nursing school.

I rarely ask for help, but this is about Dozer, who means the world to us. Any support you can offer would be immensely appreciated as I strive to give him the care he deserves.

Thank you for taking the time to read Dozer's story.