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Our Great Dane, Huckleberry, is about to join the Tripawds Fraternity (cancer in left hind leg).
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Melbourne, Australia.
Member Since:
11 May 2015
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19 May 2015 - 5:05 pm
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Hi all, time for us (I'm Tony, Emma is my partner and our beautiful 6.5 year old Great Dane Huckleberry) to say hello.

We live in Melbourne, Australia.

Unfortunately, as with most people that find this wonderful site, the reason I am here saying hello is not a good one.

It looks like Huckleberry will soon be joining the Tripawds gang thanks to cancer in his left rear hock.

It has been an absolute roller coaster of a couple of weeks, so I'll break down a brief timeline for you guys before I go any further.

Wednesday 29th April - Huck slipped over at home in the middle of a round of "zoomies", he got his back legs tangled and tried to stand by pushing up from the outside of his leg. It took me a second to run over to him to help, by which time he'd obviously hurt himself. He settled down and slept for a couple of hours so I didn't disturb him. When he woke up I took him out for a pee to see how the leg was. He seemed fine, no limp unless he tried to run, but not too bad. The next day he was fine, no sign of any pain or limp.

Sunday 3rd May - A few days later we walked him to the shops. As him and I were stood outside waiting for Emma I noticed he was holding hi leg up when stood still. He walked fine, but as soon as you stood still he held up the leg. When I looked closely I saw the hock joint was quite swollen. This was a Sunday evening.

Monday 4th May - On the Monday night I took him to the vet after work. Prognosis was likely a bad sprain from the slip, presenting late due maybe to Sunday's walk being a bit too much on a weakened joint from the fall. "Worst Case" the vet though possible fracture or ligament damage which may need to be fused. We scheduled an xray for the next day.

Tuesday 5th May - Xray day, we dropped him off for the xray, expecting at worst to be told we'd need to fuse his hock. When we got a call on the afternoon the news broke our hearts. Suspected Ostosarcoma! Pure co-incidence with the fall. Our vet didn't think his chances were great. He was very against amputation due to his size and thought chemo "might" give him a little more time, but basically we were to prepare for palliative care. We were absolutely heartbroken. They kept him in and did a bone biopsy.

Friday 8th May - Bone Biopsy results came back with no sign of cancer. That gave us a fleeting glimmer of hope, but the vet went on to explain that it's quite normal not to get a result, it just means they didn't hit the right spot with the biopsy but looking at the xray there's little doubt it's an advanced bone tumor. Once again, heart breaking news.

Tuesday 12th May - We took him to the Victorian Animal Cancer Center specialists to see what we could do for him. They were AMAZING in there. Dr Laura spent a whole hour with us and talked us through all the possibilities of what it might be, and what his options were. Ranging from palliative care to chemo to amputation. I told her our concerns that our local vet though amputation was a bad idea but Dr Laura explained that there would be no problem on three legs at all and that they have a saying that all dogs are born with three legs and a spare! They scheduled him for a CT scan and a Jamshedy biopsy the next day to try and find out exactly what we're dealing with. The chief suspect was still Ostesarcoma and course of action was penciled in as amputation and chemo with a possible average survival time of 12 months.

Wednesday 13th May - Back to VACC for CT scan and biopsy. Dr Laura extremely confident she was able to get a good sample and also took a secondary backup tissue cell swab.

Thursday 14th May - CT results back, no sign of any spread as yet so that was great news. Some minor things showed up on the CT like the onset of arthritis in front knees and hips and 3 bulging discs in his neck but nothing to cause great concern. Surgical consult booked in for the following Wednesday pending Jamshedy results.

Friday 15th May - Jamshedy biopsy results back, NO SIGN OF CANCER. Now they're all stumped. Everything else still points to cancer. Based on where the tumor is though, and that is is growing toward his foot rather than away which is more usual and that it has crossed the cartilage they now suspect a rare type of bone fungus infection. The pathologist was going to retest the biopsy sample for fungus over the weekend. Prognosis if fungus found would be drugs first, then possible a bone scrape and bone cement followed by amputation if we are ultimately unable to kill the fungus.

Monday 18th - Fungal result back, NO SIGN OF FUNGUS. OK, this is getting frustrating. Everyone's back to thinking it has to be some form of cancer. Dr Laura then sends off the secondary backup tissue swab sample for testing to the same pathologist.

Tuesday 19th May, (yesterday as I write this) - swab results are positive for cancer cells. At last, not great news, but at least we're getting toward a diagnosis now.

So, as I write this on the morning of Wednesday 20th May, the current thinking is that he has some form of cancer in his left hind leg, not necessarily a bone cancer but a cancer that has spread into his bone. Of the possible cancers that it could be, one would be completely cured with amputation and not require chemo. The other would require amputation and chemo and average life expectancy of 18 months but it is a weird cancer that in come cases can turn aggressive.

He is scheduled to see the surgeon on Monday morning, 25th May, and depending on the surgical exam as to whether he is a good candidate for amputation they may remove his leg the same day.

As it stands, we are preparing ourselves for him to lose his leg on Monday and then they can property test the removed leg to find out exactly what we're dealing with so we know whether chemo will be required and what his prognosis might be.

I've been reading the forums a little over the last week or two, but was reluctant to post until we knew what we were dealing with. Now it looks highly likely that he'll have the leg amputated, it's time to get into research mode, 3-leg proof the house and arm ourselves with as much info as possible on how to deal with a 165 pound 3 legged dog when he comes home from the hospital!

Thanks for a great community, resources like this prove invaluable at these times. We will keep you updated as we go and would love to hear from anyone who has gone through similar, particularly with large breeds, and tips for coping.

We were pretty distraught at the outset but it has sunk in a little now and we are coping. He comes to work with me everyday, so I get to spend a lot of time with him. We've come to accept what's going on and now just need to ready ourselves to deal with whatever is thrown at us to give him as long as possible at the best possible quality of life and we have discussed and agreed that as soon as he starts to suffer we'll make the necessary decision as to what's best for him.

Thanks for listening.

Tony, Emma and Huck.

On The Road


Member Since:
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19 May 2015 - 5:59 pm
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Tony, Emma and Huck, welcome. So very, very sorry that you've all been through quite and ordeal, I can't imagine how much of a rollercoaster of emotions this has been for all of you! But I'm really glad to hear you have specialists looking at him to figure out what exactly is going on. 

I love your oncologist! Yes, even giant breed dogs can do great on 3. Have you seen our Size and Age Matters Discussion Forum topic? You'll find lots of great examples of life on there legs there, as well as searching the Tripawds member blogs for phrases like "Dane".  We've had many here, and in fact this community began because we were inspired by a three legged Dane named Moose!

So it sounds like amputation is definitely a possibility and if so, you're on the right track by getting your home ready. Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library, you'll find lots of insight there as well as from other members. And we do have members in Australia too, be sure to post a hello to them in our Forums, maybe in Tripawd Parties? Some could be in your town!

We're so glad you're here and look forward to being here for you as you go through this journey. Take things one day at a time and try not to focus on those statistics; every dog is different and many do beat those odds, really!

Thanks for the kind words about the community. It's all possible because of the Tripawds Foundation and our pawesome members.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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19 May 2015 - 9:28 pm
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Oh my gosh! You and Emma have really been on a really rotten roller coaster ride! Of course, Huckleberry is blissfully u unaware and coukd care less about anynole' diagnosis!

Just an aside,I love the name Huckleberry! I was recently adopted by a three legged Coonhound named Frankie by the rescue. I've been calling him Frankie Huckleberry Hound.

I just want to welcome you to your new family and let you know you are not alone! You are a magnificent advocate for your Huckleberry. You are obviously committed to doing what's best for Huckleberry. You have done an outstanding job of staying focused on solutions that do NOT involve giving up!!

We shall be anxiously waiting to hear from you next week AND looking forward to pictures! Regardless of the outcome, we are here for you and we are cheering loudly for Huckleberry!! Again, remember Huckleberry isn't worried about a thing and certainly does not have a time frame stamped on his butt!!

Take some deep breaths, go give Huckleberry a big smooch and get some rest!

(((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Melbourne, Australia.
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11 May 2015
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19 May 2015 - 10:12 pm
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Thanks for the welcome and link jerry. Much appreciated, we'll go and read up on all of those.

Thanks for the welcome too Sally, and as requested, here are some photos....

As for his name, we knew we'd like a Dane from the second we started researching them. We had been short listing breeds for some time and were almost set on a Pointer. Once day we were eating dinner and watching Two and a half Men of all things, and in walks the brother with a Great Dane. I tuned to Emma and jokingly said, that's it! We should get a Great Dane, expecting to be laughed out of the house (or worse). Imagine my surprise when she turned around and, "well, I have always like Danes".

We knew nothing about them at the time, but jumped straight on the internet and within half an hour of Googling it was apparent they were just about the best breed we could think of, and fit perfectly with our requirements and lifestyle.

Once we met some in the flesh, well, that was it. It had to be a Great Dane.

We met a few breeders, some of which I;d rather not have! It certainly opened my eyes to what people refer to as "back yard breeders", so we did a lot of research into the breeders themselves first. Once we narrowed down who we would be prepared to take a dog from without feeling we were adding to the back yard industry, we visited them and chatted and made sure they were happy with us having one of their dogs. In the end, we got to know Hucks mum quite well and went on her list.

His breeder is not prolific, so we had to wait quite a while until our turn came up, during which time we racked our brains for a name and just couldn't find anything that stuck.

He'd already been born and was still nameless, then we were watching a movie, counting down the days until we could bring him home (can't for the life of me remember the name of the movie now), but it starred Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore and Bana was a gambling addict if I recall. Anyway, Eric Bana's characters name was Huckleberry, as soon as we heard it in the movie we literally both turned to each other and "that's it!".

Anyway, here are some photo's.

This one is my favorite. No, it's not some animal portrait photo gig, or staged in anyway, it was a fluke iPhone photo. He's stood in front of our TV which is where the black background came form and just happened to glance out of the living room window as I snapped a shot. I just cropped it to his head area.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/0BCBCDC9-C8B8-46A4-A1AE-C7B002F3D7FD.jpgImage Enlarger

We took him away to a pet friendly cottage at the weekend, this is him squuezed at the foot of our bed, in his favorite dressing gown, ready for sleep.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/49FF3D26-F9FE-4860-A531-01BAC9EE1288.jpgImage Enlarger

This is him and Finn, our rescue cat that we found emaciated and living under our house a few years ago. She's the sweetest cat you've ever met.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/1CA55E30-8818-4816-9B2A-F4F35297B759.jpgImage Enlarger

He's never climbed in the furnitre apare from when the sun comes though onto the side sofa and he snekas up on it to sun bathe when he thinks we're not watching. Since getting the news last week we figured to heck with it, let him have it....

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/A992C000-E943-408B-956A-B969844D2EBF.jpgImage Enlarger

Letting us know it's time for dinner...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/5C93E932-FDA4-485F-968A-F3CE52DA177A.jpgImage Enlarger

His favorite place, my car with his head out the window!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/C00250FB-6859-4D8A-BC8A-B73A7F1EA8EF.jpgImage Enlarger

This is where he heads for his supper whilst you pop his dressing gown on, he then takes himself off to bed at the foot of ours.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/DFBC9FDA-638C-48FE-8B8A-C2507FC331EE.jpgImage Enlarger

Last one for now, I took this about an hour ago. This is where he spends most of his days, asleep on his bed next to my desk at work.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg152/besterfield/Mobile%20Uploads/9617CF1F-A37F-426A-8342-92137169EAB4.jpgImage Enlarger

Thanks again for your comments, and I will absolutley keep the forum updated as to how he goes.

Tony.

Martinsburg, WV
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3 June 2014
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20 May 2015 - 12:36 pm
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Welcome Huckleberry and family!!!  My you are definitely one very handsome fella!!!  I love all the pictures and it's so adorable with big Huckleberry and little Finn hanging out sleeping together.  Just PRECIOUS!!!

I did want to mention that the ebooks offered on this site (Three Legs and a Spare and Loving Life On Three Legs ) were very helpful in knowing how best to prepare and help our Leland when he underwent amputation surgery.  There's a lot of knowledge in this community because we've all been on the journey that you and Huckleberry are just starting.  Plus there have been several Great Danes here so it's not uncommon for Danes to go through amputation and live a full life afterward.

Just know that if you choose amputation that the first couple of weeks of recovery may have ups and downs.  Just know that we'll be right there with you lending support and advice to help you and Huckleberry through. 

I'm looking forward to hearing more of Huckleberry's adventures!

Sahana and her Angel Leland 

Leland

November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014

May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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20 May 2015 - 1:51 pm
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I'M I. LOVE WITH HUCKLEBERRY!!!!!OMD!! He is so handsome, so cuddly and so smoochable!!!Those paws! Those jowls!! That sweet mug!! SMOOOOOOCHABLE!!!

And the "portrait" photo...that should be i n the cover of National Geographic!

Thanks for sharing these magnificent photos of your magnificent Huckleberry!!

Hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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20 May 2015 - 6:29 pm
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Love it love it love it! Just want to smoosh that gorgeous face! Huck and your kitty Finn are so sweet together!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet


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20 May 2015 - 8:30 pm
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Your dog is very handsome!  My Mastiff Tazzie had her RF leg amputated at 6 yrs of age due to OSA and she did great.  She weighed 190 pounds pre-op and did well with chemo (carboplatin).  We do not have fungal infections here near Seattle so I did not perform a biopsy first (I did it after the leg was off).  OSA does not usually cross the joint like spindle cell or soft tissue sarcoma does but OSA should be the number one rule out due to age, breed, and location.  No matter what amputation is probably necessary.

Somewhere on this site is a video of Tazzie and other giant dogs moving around and you can see that they do well.  She did not like taking walks after the surgery and we had to avoid steep stairs but otherwise she still hopped around the yard and played with our other dogs.

Pam

Norene, TN
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21 October 2014
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21 May 2015 - 11:15 am
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Love, love, love Huckleberry and I'm so glad you're here with us so you guys have some place to lean, rest, or just catch your breath.

This kind of love roller coaster isn't for the squeamish, but then again we know that up front when we vow to take these fur-babies into our hearts and God love you both for loving Huckleberry and Finn unconditionally.

When things start to get you down just remember we're on this ride with you, you're never alone.

Your pictures are precious! They make my heart smile.

pam

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Melbourne, Australia.
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11 May 2015
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21 May 2015 - 3:59 pm
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Thanks for all your kind words everyone.

I have to say, I was feeling OK about it all up until last night, then suddenly got a little wobbly! I know we are doing the right thing, but he has only just got his sparkle back after the biopsy etc and now we're going to go and make him really unwell again. I know it's for the greater good, but it's heartbreaking.

I feel a bit better this morning, he's asleep next to me at my desk, snoring away without a care in the world.

Thanks for the eBook links. I have just purchased both and will set about reading them today.

Thanks all, I'll update the thread on Monday, once he goes in to surgery, (assuming that's what's going to happen pending the consult Monday morning).

Cheers.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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21 May 2015 - 6:27 pm
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For whatever it's worth, some who have gone through the biopsy process say that's even harder on the dog and more painful than the amputation surgery! I don t have first hand experience with that, but I do know my Happy Hannah had a rough recovery period from the amp. for about two weeks. And, for whatever it's worth...I CANCELLED the first surgery appointment because I was so fearful! AFTER the recovery period, I can tell you it was the best decision and we had a GLORIOUS extended quality time of loving and spoiling for one year and two months! GLORIOUS!!

Hugs to all!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 May 2015 - 7:45 pm
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Thank you for purchasing the e-books, we hope you find them useful! And yes, the biopsy is often more difficult to recover from, because the bad leg is still there and hurts even more. Once that bum leg is off, the pain is gone and they're on the road to healing without pain. So hang in there OK? It's normal to feel so nervous, everyone who's had to make that decision understands how you feel.

Here's the video that Dr. Pam was talking about:

Meet Three Legged English Mastiff Tazzie

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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21 May 2015 - 8:32 pm
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All I want to add is welcome and OMG ... he's beautiful!!!! Stunning... what a gorgeous dog! 

MUCH love and we're all here for you... 

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Melbourne, Australia.
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11 May 2015
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25 May 2015 - 12:02 am
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Hi all, thanks for the replies and links. It's so nice knowing so many others have been through this sort of thing, (well,, not nice that others have to go through it, but you know what I mean).

Just a very quick update. We took Huck to see the surgeon first thing this morning, He was great, he explained everything to us and he had a good look over Huck. He was very happy to do a full amputation from the hip and thought Huck would do very well afterwards based on his others legs being fine and he's quite a fit, slim Dane.

So, Emma and I had to DRAAAAAAAAGGGGG him through the surgery to get him into the holding pen, it was awful leaving him in the pen, confused and scared, but what can you do.

That was about 9am this morning and they were expecting to operate around 2pm. It's now 4pm and I'm anxiously waiting for the call to say it's done.

He'll stay over tonight, and possibly tomorrow night depending on how is is tomorrow.

We don't want to visit him in case it upsets him too much, so we'll be guided very much by what his team says in the morning.

I'll update again when I know more.

Cheers.

Melbourne, Australia.
Member Since:
11 May 2015
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25 May 2015 - 1:35 am
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...news just in, operation was text-book and all went well. They are waking him up now and will call us in the morning with an update and to let us know if he can come home tomorrow or Wednesday.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers.

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