Dog Community

Gracie's brother, Cobalt, has osteosarcoma (Miranadobe)

Posted : 4/12/2010 10:18:29 PM

Hi guys- I promised I would set up a thread once Cobalt's page was up at http://www.doberman911.org/cases/cobey.html. Here's the background for those who don't know.

Gracie and her brother were born in a litter of 11 puppies on the floor of the rescue, 7 years ago next month. Cobalt (Cobey) was the only blue Doberman in the litter. They have spent time together over the years, as his mom is a trainer and runs in similar circles. Gracie and Cobey look somewhat alike (as you can see from this pic) and their mom describes their similar personalities as "loving but determined". Cobey, like a lot of his siblings in the litter, has proven to be a great Obedience dog and is his mom's demo dog, as well as a registered Therapy Dog.

A week ago Friday I learned that Cobey was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in March after what *should* have been a routine visit to investigate an intermittent limp. His owners made the decision to amputate his front left leg in hopes of mitigating the spread of his cancer.

Cobey had his first round of chemotherapy and has begun his physical therapy. Doberman911 is a group that helps to raise funds for the medical care of Dobermans around the country whose owners (or in many cases, rescue groups) will amass huge vet bills. Cobey's care is estimated to reach $10,000. Doberman911 has set up a page to give Cobey's background and request donations that will go to the vet for his bills. Their supporters offer items for auction on ebay to generate funds, too. If you are interested in supporting Gracie's brother in his care and recovery, his New Case page is here: http://www.doberman911.org/newcases.html and his individual page: http://www.doberman911.org/cases/cobey.html

Thanks all, for your consideration, kind thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers for his health. He is a total sweetheart like Gracie, and is his mom's heart dog. He shares his love with a rescue pitty sister, Daisy Mae, and is working on his coordination so he can get back to playing with her. The whole idea of Cobey's condition hits a little too close for me. I pray his outcome is positive.

proofpup

Posted : 4/12/2010 10:47:04 PM

I cant imagine the stress and pain that Cobalt and his owner must be going threw. Its has to be so very hard for you too because you know that osteosarcoma could be in Gracies cards. I hope all goes well, that Cobalt has a speedy recovery and Gracie missed the gene that carries the cancer. Good vibes to both dogs and owners.

janobonano

Posted : 4/13/2010 1:42:25 PM

((hugs)) I hope Cobey's recovery goes smoothly and that they did stop the cancer. He's a handsome boy!

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 4/13/2010 1:57:10 PM

Good thoughts for Cobey ... that he gets a clean bill of health at his next vet visit.

Joyce

the_gopher

Posted : 4/13/2010 2:03:54 PM

Good thoughts headed Cobalt's way.

Kim_MacMillan

Posted : 4/13/2010 5:10:03 PM

Awww. I love blue Dobies, I always have (well I love all colors of Dobies, so.....LOL). Best wishes for Cobalt!!!

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 4/14/2010 5:15:51 PM

AWW, that's so sad to hear Paige. He's got my thoughts and prayers with him.

Keep us posted.

jessies_mom

Posted : 4/16/2010 6:34:03 PM

Sending healing thoughts for Cobalt; hope he beats this!!!

miranadobe

Posted : 4/16/2010 7:14:13 PM

Thanks guys, I got an update from Cobey's mom this morning - he had his second round of chemo last night. From his mom:

"I realized that Cobey is beginning to grow weary of these sessions of poking and prodding, so I requested that M* and I be present during the administration of his chemo; they agreed. I also asked if it would be okay for me to take a photo of his session, and again they agreed. Cobey was so relieved that he wasn’t being led away to yet another unknown place, that he just plopped down on the floor in a very relaxed state as if to say “okay then, let’s get the show on the road”…

The administration took about 20 minutes in total, and when it was over, Cobey popped up ready for those treats he knew I had tucked in my bag. He was as happy as a clam as everyone took turns giving him praises and treats. He even took a few minutes to do a few tricks, which thoroughly amused the staff. We all left on a good note, which will definitely make the next visit a little less stressful."

He has his next chemo treatment, x-rays and more extensive blood work scheduled for 3 weeks from now - will be the half-way point of his treatment. From his mom: " In the meanwhile, please keep your prayers coming as we are convinced that your positive energy and prayers are what is carrying us through"

Thanks again, all, for the good thoughts for Gracie's brother and his family. No dog should have to endure this most awful of cancers, so I'm really hoping all this treatment means the end of any cancer for him.

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/16/2010 7:23:28 PM

Paige, there are some other groups that may help with expenses, too. They can approach Magic Bullet Fund (they only help with costs for amputation, not follow up) http://www.themagicbulletfund.org/help.html.

Also, there is Land of Pure Gold which helps working and therapy dogs with cancer: http://grants.landofpuregold.com/

www.imom.org helps, too, but they are sometimes low on funds and they require applicants to apply for Care Credit, I think.

If Cobalt is being treated at an AAHA hospital, his vet can apply for this small grant for him: http://www.aahanet.org/OtherSites/helpingpets.aspx

Also try UAN Lifeline Grant program: http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=28

tiffy

Posted : 4/17/2010 5:10:38 PM

Healing thoughts for Cobey.

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 4/18/2010 6:49:27 PM

Good to hear his mommy gets to go in with him for the treatment.

Continued thoughts and prayers for him. Good vibes for his next round of tests in 3 weeks as well.

miranadobe

Posted : 4/24/2010 4:10:40 PM

Cobey's mom just sent me this, Cobey swimming!!! during his physical therapy session!!

(Gracie doesn't swim and she has four legs!) I look at Cobey's little paws in the water, paddling through.. as his mom says, so determined!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z_G-yhrl_s

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 4/25/2010 8:12:44 AM

WOW, looks like he was really enjoying it! Pretty good with only three legs also!

Is Gracie scared of the water or just not interested?

miranadobe

Posted : 4/25/2010 12:08:27 PM

I think scared. She's just not built for it. She's very narrow with a veeerry deep chest, which makes her front end "heavier" than the back. Her legs are skinny sticks, which don't make for very good oars in the water. She'll go in the water, but not to the point where she can't touch.

You can even hear the PT tech in the video remark about the "Doberman who swims". I think Bevo swims, but they are few and far btwn. Cobey is apparently one of them, at least with a life vest.