The Tripawds Foundation ASAP grant helped Alexios and his mom with amputation surgery expenses. Read on for his story, and learn more about the Tripawds Amputation Surgery Assistance Program. See if you or someone you know qualifies for our pet amputation financial assistance.
This Tripawds ASAP grant to Alexios in 2024 was made possible by the charitable contributions of Tripawds fans like you. Thank you for your support!
Tripawd Alexios Gets Help with Amputation Surgery
I have had my amazing dog Alexios since 2015. I adopted him when I was 19 as the first friend of my reactive (quirky!) dog, Frido. Alexios’ calm demeanor and friendliness truly changed Frido’s life and helped him learn to socialize. They were best friends until 2023, when Frido was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. After many rounds of chemotherapy, I had to say goodbye to Frido in November 2023.
Alexios and Frido shared another buddy at home, my pug Baxter, who I adopted in 2016. From November 2023 to February 2024, Baxter and Alexios adjusted to life without Frido and spent a lot of precious time cuddling on the couch.
At their annual vet checkup, I learned that Baxter had a recurrence of a mast cell tumor I’d treated years earlier. Though Baxter’s labs said he was healthy enough to handle treatment, he contracted pneumonia and I had to suddenly say goodbye to him on February 16th.
It was one of the most jarring and unexpected losses I’ve ever experienced, despite just having gone through a similar loss with Frido.
Alexios felt the same, as I could see he wasn’t as jazzed for our daily walks, and he followed me around the house comforting me in my grief.
Osteosarcoma Diagnosis for Alexios
Just 3 days after saying goodbye to Baxter, Alexios developed a limp on our daily walk. He had experienced some GI issues after Frido passed, so I hoped it was just stress, but after one day of rest, the limp had worsened and he was shaking and whimpering. I took him to the ER vet in a panic.
Having gone through chemotherapy with Frido, I was very familiar with the prevalence of osteosarcoma in large breed dogs.
Frido had made a number of three-legged friends at the chemotherapy office, and our vet would always tell me about their treatments. I am a medical student, and we would often chat about the most common cancers he treats.
When I took Alexios to the ER vet, the first thing that came to my mind was “Please don’t be cancer.”
Of course, the ER vet advised she wanted to get an X-ray to rule out cancer, and in that moment, I felt my heart drop. With the unfathomable six months I’ve had with my dogs who have been my source of joy and connection for years, I prepared for bad news.
I learned that day that Alexios likely had osteosarcoma and would need amputation as soon as possible.
The amputation wasn’t a hard decision. As a medical student, I felt confident reading case reports on the extra time this would give me with Alexios. But as a pet parent, I still have been worried sick about him since his amputation on 3/1.
Tripawds has been an indispensable resource in learning all about how to support Alexios through this whirlwind life change and diagnosis.
ASAP grant Helps Another Caring Pet Parent in Need
The ASAP grant would allow me to pay down some of the debt I’ve accrued in getting Alexios treated. Ironically, I had just gotten quotes on pet insurance 2 months ago, but I wanted to wait until after his vet appointment for a clean bill of health to avoid enrolling only for him to have pre-existing conditions.
In addition to the $3450 surgery, the ER visit and surgical consult was $1,200, and he will need 4 chemotherapy appointments. By paying this down, I can free up some funds for chemo, and to potentially get Alexios a wheelchair. I have been reading all about how to choose a wheelchair on Tripawds!
I also may transport Alexios to Salt Lake City to receive a clinical trial vaccine that prevents metastases in dogs with osteosarcoma.
Needless to say, there are many expenses associated with his care that I’ve not yet taken on and any financial assistance greatly helps.
Since I am a student, I do not have any job-based income. I am on scholarship at my medical school and receive a small stipend that covers about 50% of my living expenses, in addition to student loans.
Thank you for your consideration of Alexios for this grant. I also appreciate the space and care that your organization provides pet parents in supporting their Tripawds, it has helped me so much already.
~ Maureen and Alexios