Hello All!
On April 3, 2015 I found out that my 4 year old Great Pyrenees who had been limping for about 2 weeks most likely had bone cancer in his back left hip. Our vet asked us to follow up in 30 days to confirm our fears. However, Max had other plans. Two weeks after our initial appointment we returned to the vet to find out the mass in his bone had grown by about 200%. We immediately scheduled his amputation surgery, and 3 days later he was a tripawd. He is now 2 weeks post op and seems to be getting around okay as long as he has his traction control socks on… without those… don’t even think about it. Since he hates them we have ordered him some sticky pads that are self adhesive, to stick to his paw pads. If those don’t work, we will get him some toe grips. Anyway…. A week after surgery, the biopsy did confirm that he has/d osteosarcoma, so I am glad we caught it when we did.
A little background on our boy, 2 years ago he was diagnosed with Addisons Disease (his body does not produce steroid), and 3 years ago he had Osteochrondosis cartilage removal surgery from his front left shoulder. He has been through quite the trials during his 4 years on earth, and I hope this is the last speed bump… for our speed bump. We have loved him since he was 10 weeks old, and we consider him our first born… our second would be our human daughter Aven (pictured below with him weeks before his surgery).
These pictures are melting my heart over here!!! And to see Max with Aven…sweeeeet!!
That handsome Max is clearly a survivor and a very strong and determined pup! He has a huge dose of courage…and I think its a reflection of what he sees in you!!
You are doing everything possible for your boy and he knows it!
One thing that is really helpful if y ou haven’t already done so…any floors that are NOT carpeted, put non-slip scatter rugs all over the exposed floors. It is hard for large dogs (especially if they have fur between their pads) to maintain traction. Not sure which booties you jave tried, but “Pawz” makes inexpensive ones and they don’t seem to bother dogs like more “elaborate” ones do. You can search them on the site.
Look forward to hearing more about this extraordinary dog AND seeing more pictures!
I think the whole Tripawd Universe just became instant members of The Max Fan Club!
Stay in the moment with Max. Don’t spend anytime worrying, Max sure isn’t!!
Hugs and love to your precious “pack”
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Thank you! He knows he is so cute, and so sweet. I love him dearly! Our entire down stairs is wood floor (luckily they are hand scraped so you can’t see the nail scratches). He realized yesterday how much the socks help, so he has kept them on more. I just don’t want his life confined to runner rugs 🙁 I think the sticky paws will help because they are less invasive than the socks and he won’t notice them as much. We will see!
Oh my goodenss.. kiss that big nose for me!! Max seems to be doing well.. glad to hear that his recovery from surgery has been smooth for you.
I know our guys hate those grip socks… have you thought about getting some rubber backed throw rugs to put down? That is what I have done, and sugest, for anyone with laminate, hardwood and tile floors.
they are asy to rol up and wash.. and they give our tripawds confidence in moving around the house.
Keep us posted on Max’s progress and pictures.. we LOVEEEEE pictures!!
Christine… with Franklin in her heart♥
We have a few rugs down (carpet runners), but he will not take a step off of them. I hate that his life is limited now to rugs, where before he would roam the house “protecting” us and being a shadow.
Hi Max and Family!
So sorry you’re dealing w/ this. I have a big mushy spot in my heart for Pyrs! Our current Pyr mix (Ellie) became a tripawd last September–rear left just like Max. She’s doing great but she could not manage hardwoods! We put down ugly cheap runners from area rug to area rug. I don’t think she’d tolerate footsies or sticky pads but koodos to you if you can get Max to wear them!
Max, we are in love with you you big giant fluffball! I’m hoppy to hear things are going pretty well. If there is anything at all we can do to make your journey easier just bark at us OK?