Tripawd Tuesday: Johnnie Beats Bone Cancer in Brazil

Today for Tripawd Tuesday, travel with us to the Southern Hemisphere tropics to meet Johnnie, a Tripawd Golden Retriever in Rio de Janero, Brazil.

This golden boy lost his leg on May 20, 2014, after a long, complicated diagnosis that finally concluded he has chrondroblastic osteosrcoma. His Momma Daniella has written extensively about his treatments and life on three legs, here in the Discussion Forums, and today we present some excerpts so we can celebrate his hard-fought battle and cheer him on even more!

June, 2014: Greetings to all.  This is the story of our saga to get Johnnie’s diagnostic for OSA.  We live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Last September (2013) our Golden boy Johnnie, then just 5 years old, started limping, right after helping himself out of the pool without using the stairs.  We thought he had sprained his front leg, or had slipped on the wooden deck.  Trip to the vet, 5 days of medication, “if he doesn’t get better you should see the orthopedist, bla bla bla.

May 2014: CT scan + needle aspiration for a second biopsy.  Citology positive for OSA, but lungs clear.  Time for big decisions.  By this time I had already discovered the Tripawd blog, and I cannot tell you how much the videos, photos, and testimonials helped our family with this hard decision.  Johnnie joined the tripawd club on May 20.

August 30, 2014: . . . six more weeks to go before we are done with chemo.  Can’t complain at all, because he has reacted very well, the only side effect are looser bowels but we have kept this more or less under control exclusively with diet.

December 2014: A quick update on Johnnie, six-months post amp and two months post-chemo, still going strong.  Had some so-so days last week because it got VERY hot, in the upper 90’s F.  This week has been milder, and the weekend was just gorgeous!  We got to enjoy the pool and the sun.

January 2015: An update on Johnnie, after his 3-month post-chemo checkup, 7 1/2 months post-amp:  lung X-Ray all clear, abdominal ultrasound totally normal, blood exams ok.  His white blood count is quite high, red blood count is borderline.  The vet thought everything was ok.  . . .

Here at home, we are all very grateful to have him in good health and good spirit.  The swimming is doing him good – he prefers it to hopping-walking around, especially in this very, very hot summer.”

Daniela

Read all the details about Johnnie’s amputation recovery, cancer treatment and life on three legs here in the Discussion Forums.

 

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How to Get Featured on Tripawd Tuesday

Each Tuesday, Tripawds from around the world can enter for a chance to be “Tripawd of the Week.” Just share your Tripawd’s story and you’re entered to win! On every Tuesday of the week, tell us about your three-legged hero here in the Tripawds Discussion Forums or on the Tripawds Facebook page. Just follow these easy steps:

1. In a few short sentences, describe your three-legged hero’s story.
2. Include a photo or video.
3. Include a link to your Tripawds Facebook page, Forum topic and/or Tripawds blog (if applicable)

All entries must be received by Saturday at 11:59 pm. One Tripawd story will be selected at random to be featured the following Tuesday.

Is your dog or cat a Tripawd hero?