Tripawd Tuesday: Hoppy, Happy, Goofy Nitro the Warrior

Tripawds parents, we hope you’ll keep responding to our call for Tripawd Tuesday Stories Wanted! Tales like yours give hope, inspawration — and reality checks, especially when a biopsy comes back as “inconclusive.” This was the case with Nitro the Doberman Tripawd.

In this Tripawd Tuesday story, Paula shares how her pack endured three biopsies and still didn’t get a conclusive diagnosis, but no matter; two years later Nitro is thriving and loving life on three legs! Here is their story:

Nitro: My Tripawd Warrior

Our journey began in early Spring 2014, when I noticed Nitro limping after we’d gone for a run. Thinking it was just a random muscle sprain, life went on. Slowly I noticed (or allowed myself to notice) his right front “ankle” was bigger than the left; I had a nagging feeling something wasn’t right, but tried not to think of it. One day we were sitting on the couch, and I looked into his eyes, and gave him a hug and started crying. I knew, deep inside me, it was bad.

Off to the vet we went; Dr. Vukich examined him, palpating the swollen area, and said, “bone cancer is really painful, and he’s not even flinching; let’s see what the x-ray shows.” The bone of his ankle looked like a honeycomb, and we decided to do a biopsy to confirm the findings. This was the point that amputation was first discussed, and to say we were in shock is the understatement of the century.

When they got to the pre-anesthesia question of “Do you want extreme measures taken in the event of cardiac arrest?” I’m ashamed to admit I hesitated for what seems like minutes. I’m ashamed to admit that I almost wanted the decision taken out of my hands, the cancer battle taken out of my hands, the terrifying recovery with a 3-legged dog taken out of my hands.

My husband spoke up and said “Of course we want CPR done, whatever it takes.” I snapped out of it, and was ready to begin the fight of our lives. Surgery was tentatively scheduled for the Friday before Memorial Day.

The biopsy came back “inconclusive.” My vet said he didn’t want to take the leg unnecessarily, so another biopsy was scheduled. I can hear the collective Tripawd Nation shouting “NO, DON’T DO ANOTHER BIOPSY.” But we didn’t know any better, and were still grasping at straws. Three wedge biopsies later and only one showed “sarcoma, fibrous variety.” To which my vet said an amputation in this case is “a cure,” as mets are rare.

His surgery was June 17, 2014, and he is still with us today, hoppy, happy, goofy, loving life on three!

 

Of course, there is a lot more to our story, including chemo, metronomic therapy, incontinence, hind-end weakness…if you’d like to read about it, our blog is entitled “Doberman’s journey” at nitro.tripawds.com

Paula and Nitro

Tripawd Tuesday Call for Entries: It’s Easy!

Each Tuesday, Tripawd dogs and cats 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. Just follow these easy steps:

1. In a short paragraph or two (or longer if you’d like!), describe your three-legged hero’s story.
2. Include photos or links to videos already uploaded to YouTube.
3. Include a link to your Tripawds Forum topic and/or Tripawds blog, social media handles, etc.
   
4. Email your story and photos to us.

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.