Dino’s Veterinary Expenses: Leg Amputation and Chemotherapy

Hello there,

My name is Megan. My partner, Ben, and I own a 5 year old mastiff/hound mix named Dino. Dino is a big, happy boy who loves hiking and following animal trails. He loves to eat fresh grass shoots in the spring after the snow melts and he thinks the cardboard tube from a paper towel roll is better than any store-bought toy. He loves to hunt bugs and he crosses his front feet when he lays down. He is a shy boy who loves pats and cuddles, and he is certain that he is a lap dog, despite his size. We love him more than anything.

In June 2024, Dino was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in his rear right knee. This was a huge shock, especially given how young Dino is. No spread of the cancer was found on a CT scan, so we were given the choice of palliative, end-of-life care (life expectancy 3 months, with considerable discomfort and risk of bone fracture), or amputation and chemotherapy (life expectancy 12 months, with a high level of comfort, and a chance of going on to live a long life if we have caught the cancer early enough).

Because of Dino’s otherwise good health, young age, strong heart, and happy, life-loving nature, he was an excellent candidate for amputation. On July 3, 2024 Dino underwent amputation of his rear right leg. Following this surgery, Dino will undergo 13 weeks of chemotherapy.

Within a few hours of amputation, Dino was already standing on his own and seems to be relieved that the painful tumour is gone (see photo below). He is officially the largest “tri-pawed” I have ever seen in my life. Following recovery from surgery, Dino will be able to live a pain-free, happy life doing all of his favourite activities (with modifications for his new abilities, of course).

Making this choice was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do, and unfortunately the financial burden was a major factor to consider. Ultimately, we decided we wanted to give Dino the best chance possible to live his best life comfortably. Dino wants to live and continue to chase rabbits and go on adventures and smell everything the world has to offer.

We have already had to make some big sacrifices to reallocate funds to Dino’s treatment, including cancelling our wedding and cancelling a cross-country move which would have let us live closer to family and other support. The financial burden is causing a lot of stress and has set us back in many ways. Your donations to Dino’s veterinary expenses will help us ensure Dino lives his best, most enriching, comfortable life, while reducing our stress to keep ourselves healthy too so we can best care for Dino. We will need to take time off from our jobs to commute nearly 400 km round-trip to the Toronto area every time Dino needs to see the oncologist and surgeon (a drive we have already made 4 times in the last week and a half), and your donations will help offset that lost income.

Our longest hikes are behind us, but our best hikes may still be in the future. We love our Dino “Thunderpaws” and we are going to do everything we can for him.

Summary of Veterinary Expenses, not including travel expenses:

Diagnostic and Consultation (including CT scan): $5,043.71

Amputation Surgery: $6,395.72

Chemotherapy and radiography: $7,426

Total Veterinary Expenses: $18,865.43

Initial donations: $4000 (Thank you to Mary and Shane Tannock, Kurt and Carla Nehring, and Emma Junker for this initial help)

Fundraising goal: $10,000

Follow Dino’s journey, see an even more detailed expense breakdown, and see more photos on Megan’s personal blog.

Thank you to our local veterinary office, the specialists at Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, and to all of our friends, family, and coworkers who have sent well wishes and support. Your kind words and actions have helped us more than we can say.

And thank you to you, for reading our story and helping Dino out, if you can.