Dozer's Story

Dozer; as we know is amazing. But we were validated when we received a letter from CSU Veternary Teaching Hospital, Argus Institiute.  Our senior student, CC, expressed that we made a lasting impression on her with out our love and compassion to him.  The Argus student donation program was funded for alumni to pass on appreciation of mentors, clients, animals, and families…..

“Your love and dedication to Dozer was truly uplifting. You are not only wonderful people, but wonderful parents as well”

CC graduated friday May 11, 2012.  We are as proud of her as if she were our own.  She will be an awesome vet in her new practicie in New Mexico.  And is Dozer’s fairy dog mom too.

I think his discharge instructions should have read – keep the cat form teasing the dog instead of try to limit his activty for the next several days. I would have more luck with that. How is it that dogs won’t, don’t, or can’t self limit their activity. The only time I can keep him from trying to jump up and run is to take him outside. Alas, at least I am getting sun on my pastey white legs, hahaha.

We spend a wonderpaw afternoon with Connie, Canine Health Resort, and her tripawds and quadpaws alike. Dozer tried to be a normal dog. Got wet in the pond, rolled in the field and barked to let everyone now he was around. It did him sooooo much good. He has slept well and even ate good this evening. Just one problem so far is that the trip out of the hotel to get to the grass is too taxing for dozer that he is so fatigued he can’t stand to pee. Well, that’s not going to stop us, we made a quick trip to HomeDepot for some rope and a tarp, made our own litter for the tired doggie. Poor thing didn’t know what to think at first but we got the big tail wag on the way back.

Just got the call from CSU Animal Cancer Center….Dozer only has the one tumor and we can proceed with sterotactic radiation therapy!!!

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. i just ask that you keep them coming. Our trip to CSU has been phenominal…considering why we made the trip. We did get good news today. The only tumor to show up on the bone scan was in the front leg….the one we knew about. We are doing the ct scan in the am for evaluation of the bone to make sure the tumor has not erroded too much of the bone to safely to SRT, limb salvage radiation, focused on the tumor. High technology being what it is – fallible- we are taking the old tech way as the PET scanner is down. Dozer’s vet team did not want to delay diagnosis and treatment to wait it to be fixed, so we went this route.

The plan is to start SRT Monday, then again Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we come home after treatment Wed. They are encouraged that so far they don’t think there is too much bone errosion and we can procede. Props to CSU Animal Cancer Center, they really care and do a great job.

Also, Connie, she does medical boarding for CSU patients at her Canine Health Resort. She had Deanna have been very helpful. Thanks again, Jerry.

Thanks to Dakota Dawg, we may take you up on that offer. So far we’re doing ok

Talk about and eventful year.  We thought we had weathered the worst of the storm.  Dozer was recovering, still had healing problems with his amputation incision site, but was doing well.  December 5, 2011 his girl dog Maggie became ill, developed fulminant liver failure.  We were unable to identify the toxin/infection but everything including the kitchen sink could not save her.  We had to end her suffering and euthanize her.

Then 2/22/12 Dozer began to limp and favor his right front leg.  My first thought was that it was a strain.  As any tripawd is prone too.  We had adopted a kitten and she was distracting Dozer from his loneliness, by being a live chase toy.  My husband had also  been finishing his shop and Dozer was spending time on the concrete floor.  After about a week of rest, antiinflammatories, etc. he was no better.

Xrays showed bone demineraliztion of the right proximal radius.  And the nightmare began.  Blood work for fungus was negative.  Bone Biopsy not high on the diagnostic list because of a potential for fracture, we did a fluid aspiration.  Postivie for Osteosarcoma.

We fortunately had not been sitting around for a diagnosis.  We had already been in contact with the Colorado State University Cancer Center.  I have to say the contact and response we have had from them has been phenominal.  We are going out there for radiation and chemotherapy.  Praying for good news and results.

Considering I have had one solid night’s sleep in almost 3 weeks I have to say I couldn’t be more thrilled with Dozer’s progress.  We have finally found a system to keep Dozer from licking his dressing off in 3 licks flat.  After giving up on re-stapeling the one area of his hip incision he kept licking open, I had to get creative on wound care.  I will give more details later, but now the family is going to color Easter eggs.  Just wanted to let Dozer’s new friends know how he was doing.  Hope every one has a great rest of thier weekend.