$2,580 raised
·72 donations
Zoe the Mastiff's Fight Against Bone Cancer
Donation protected
My name is Zoe and I just found out that I have osteosarcoma, also known as bone cancer, in my left shoulder.
It has been an emotional two weeks for my humans (Mommy and Master), pug sister (Emma), and myself as we had multiple vet visits in an effort to find the cause of my limp. I started limping in early March but we weren't super concerned at first. I'm a big girl and I've limped on and off in the past but it's always gotten better on its own. We thought I may be getting arthritis and I started taking Cosequin and vet-prescribed carprofen in an effort to make my limp go away.
Unfortunately, it wasn't getting better and actually seemed to be getting worse. I absolutely love going on walks with my humans and Emma. The limp was starting to become a big nuisance and I even began to whimper a bit when I made the wrong movement so Mommy decided to book me a vet appointment for March 26.
I visited my vet, who I've known for the past three years as she diagnosed and continues to treat my low thyroid. I was scared as this was the first visit that Mommy and Master couldn't accompany me into the building because of the Coronavirus but they promised that they would wait for me so I tried to be brave and followed the vet inside for my examination. The vet decided that I would need multiple xrays in order to determine the cause of my limp. Sadly, the xrays showed that I had a lesion on my left shoulder and the vet called my humans to tell them the news that I likely had cancer. I wasn't home for the call but I've been told that the humans didn't handle the news well and the tears were still flowing when they arrived back at the vet, along with Emma for some emotional pug support, to pick me up.
Our vet suggested that we contact a specialty vet to confirm the diagnosis. We got an appointment for the following Monday. On March 30, Mommy and Master took me for a ride (my favorite thing!) to the vet. I didn't even mind going to the vet if they were going to be able to find a way to make my limp better. Once again, I had to go in without my humans and I kept glancing over my shoulder at them as the vet tech led me inside and they reassured me that they'd be waiting for me. The appointment was only an hour and the specialty vet gave us a bit of hope by saying that my case was different than others as my bone was growing while most bone cancers caused the bone to weaken. He decided that the best course of action would be to schedule a bone biopsy for Wednesday, April 1.
I spent the next couple of days relaxing at home and nomming on my bone. I even fell asleep mid-nom at one point!
On bone biopsy day, the whole family accompanied me to the vet. Emma joined to show her sisterly support too and I've been told that she was quite upset when the humans pulled out the parking lot and left me behind for my procedure for the day. It was an all-day event though as they had to knock me out for the bone biopsy and then supervise as the anesthesia wore off. I was finally ready to come home at 4 pm. I was pretty groggy but at least the pain meds helped for the first night.
I do not recommend getting a bone biopsy. The next couple of days were very rough. I hobbled around just for the necessities and avoided using that leg as much as I could. My shoulder was super sore and I cried out in pain many times, which seemed to make my humans hurt too. I even screamed in the middle of the night, which wasn't a pleasant experience for any of us.
Thankfully, by the morning of Saturday, April 4, I was feeling better and was able to put some weight on my leg again. We knew it would take at least a week to get the bone biopsy results so we settled into as normal of a life as we could. I even got to go outside for a few short walks.
Yesterday, April 10, we got the call from the specialty vet that we were dreading. He confirmed that the bone biopsy definitively shows an osteosarcoma in my left shoulder. Now comes the hard part of deciding what is the best course of action.
We could amputate and go through chemo, which could remove most of the cancer and slow the spreading of it, but we're not sure how easily I could get around on three legs or how well I'd adjust. There's also no guarantee that it would give me much more time.
We could treat for pain and attempt to slow the spread of cancer by making changes to my diet. We've read varying reports on the success of this approach but at least I wouldn't go through the possible trauma of a major surgery and life adjustment.
We're weighing all our options now.
So far, my vet bills have totaled more than $3,000 just in finding the cause. We're unsure of how much the total could amount to with treatment. Mommy and Master are doing their best to get me the best care possible and any contributions would be very much appreciated so that they can continue to do so. All money raised will be going towards my vet bills.
I would love to give you all big slobbery virtual kisses as a thank you!
____________________________
A bit more about us
Mommy adopted me as an 11 week old puppy in October 2011 and we've been a team ever since. She can't believe how quickly the past 8.5 years have gone but I guess that's what happens when you're having fun.
Emma joined the family in January 2012 and Master came into my life in November 2014. There is so much love in our family and I hope to be able to continue to share the love for a very long time.
We have been thankful to have such an amazing Facebook family at Emma the Pug and Zoe the Mastiff to share our adventures over the years and we appreciate all your support and well wishes. Thank you for being our friend!
It has been an emotional two weeks for my humans (Mommy and Master), pug sister (Emma), and myself as we had multiple vet visits in an effort to find the cause of my limp. I started limping in early March but we weren't super concerned at first. I'm a big girl and I've limped on and off in the past but it's always gotten better on its own. We thought I may be getting arthritis and I started taking Cosequin and vet-prescribed carprofen in an effort to make my limp go away.
Unfortunately, it wasn't getting better and actually seemed to be getting worse. I absolutely love going on walks with my humans and Emma. The limp was starting to become a big nuisance and I even began to whimper a bit when I made the wrong movement so Mommy decided to book me a vet appointment for March 26.
I visited my vet, who I've known for the past three years as she diagnosed and continues to treat my low thyroid. I was scared as this was the first visit that Mommy and Master couldn't accompany me into the building because of the Coronavirus but they promised that they would wait for me so I tried to be brave and followed the vet inside for my examination. The vet decided that I would need multiple xrays in order to determine the cause of my limp. Sadly, the xrays showed that I had a lesion on my left shoulder and the vet called my humans to tell them the news that I likely had cancer. I wasn't home for the call but I've been told that the humans didn't handle the news well and the tears were still flowing when they arrived back at the vet, along with Emma for some emotional pug support, to pick me up.
Our vet suggested that we contact a specialty vet to confirm the diagnosis. We got an appointment for the following Monday. On March 30, Mommy and Master took me for a ride (my favorite thing!) to the vet. I didn't even mind going to the vet if they were going to be able to find a way to make my limp better. Once again, I had to go in without my humans and I kept glancing over my shoulder at them as the vet tech led me inside and they reassured me that they'd be waiting for me. The appointment was only an hour and the specialty vet gave us a bit of hope by saying that my case was different than others as my bone was growing while most bone cancers caused the bone to weaken. He decided that the best course of action would be to schedule a bone biopsy for Wednesday, April 1.
I spent the next couple of days relaxing at home and nomming on my bone. I even fell asleep mid-nom at one point!
On bone biopsy day, the whole family accompanied me to the vet. Emma joined to show her sisterly support too and I've been told that she was quite upset when the humans pulled out the parking lot and left me behind for my procedure for the day. It was an all-day event though as they had to knock me out for the bone biopsy and then supervise as the anesthesia wore off. I was finally ready to come home at 4 pm. I was pretty groggy but at least the pain meds helped for the first night.
I do not recommend getting a bone biopsy. The next couple of days were very rough. I hobbled around just for the necessities and avoided using that leg as much as I could. My shoulder was super sore and I cried out in pain many times, which seemed to make my humans hurt too. I even screamed in the middle of the night, which wasn't a pleasant experience for any of us.
Thankfully, by the morning of Saturday, April 4, I was feeling better and was able to put some weight on my leg again. We knew it would take at least a week to get the bone biopsy results so we settled into as normal of a life as we could. I even got to go outside for a few short walks.
Yesterday, April 10, we got the call from the specialty vet that we were dreading. He confirmed that the bone biopsy definitively shows an osteosarcoma in my left shoulder. Now comes the hard part of deciding what is the best course of action.
We could amputate and go through chemo, which could remove most of the cancer and slow the spreading of it, but we're not sure how easily I could get around on three legs or how well I'd adjust. There's also no guarantee that it would give me much more time.
We could treat for pain and attempt to slow the spread of cancer by making changes to my diet. We've read varying reports on the success of this approach but at least I wouldn't go through the possible trauma of a major surgery and life adjustment.
We're weighing all our options now.
So far, my vet bills have totaled more than $3,000 just in finding the cause. We're unsure of how much the total could amount to with treatment. Mommy and Master are doing their best to get me the best care possible and any contributions would be very much appreciated so that they can continue to do so. All money raised will be going towards my vet bills.
I would love to give you all big slobbery virtual kisses as a thank you!
____________________________
A bit more about us
Mommy adopted me as an 11 week old puppy in October 2011 and we've been a team ever since. She can't believe how quickly the past 8.5 years have gone but I guess that's what happens when you're having fun.
Emma joined the family in January 2012 and Master came into my life in November 2014. There is so much love in our family and I hope to be able to continue to share the love for a very long time.
We have been thankful to have such an amazing Facebook family at Emma the Pug and Zoe the Mastiff to share our adventures over the years and we appreciate all your support and well wishes. Thank you for being our friend!
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Organizer
Abby Walker
Organizer
San Diego, CA