Misha's Page

Weight: 95
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Age when diagnosed: 11

Tumors:

We got Misha in July 1996. We weren't sure about keeping her as we already had one dog, but for each day she stayed with us, she became that much closer to my heart. She was my girl. She was a good dog overall, loved to dig, loved and whined for her walks, and loved anything that squeaked. She was an alpha dog and had a hard time adjusting to me having kids, but we worked through it and survived.

On March 4, 2008, Misha was brought into the vet because she was limping for a few weeks. I thought she may have pulled a muscle slipping on some ice, but no, she was diagnosed with osteocarcoma in her front left shoulder. I was devastated. I did some research, we didn't want to amputate, didn't think it was "right", especially since she was still using the paw, but limping. I ordered some artemsinin, and along with some pain medication, in hopes that a miracle would happen. But it didn't. The limping got worse. We eventually scheduled her amputation for May 7. Two days before her surgery, her bad paw started to swell up, so I brought her in early. They couldn't amputate any earlier, but they did give her IV medication to ease her pain. She made it through surgery without a problem. She took to getting around on 3 legs very well. I could see that she was feeling better, happy again, smiling again, eating more than usual, and the pain was gone. Unfortunately, a week after surgery I brought her in because her incision kept oozing. They opened it up, cleaned it out, and added additional stitches.

On the morning of May 23, 2008, Misha started having what appeared to be seizures to me. Later I found out it was vestibular disease, which affects the brain. Misha was brought in to the vet by her dad, and he called me to tell me what was going on. In the end we felt it was in her best interest to go to the bridge, and it was done right there. It was such a tough decision because she was adjusting so well to the amputation.

I still miss her terribly. She was my baby. I feel like I was cheated because she was overcoming her amputation only to be taken down by something else. If I could do it all over again, I would amputate in a heartbeat. Just seeing the relief in her face was enough for me to know it was the "right" thing to do.

Pictures

Misha and her famous crossed-paw sit Misha and her famous crossed-paw sit