Pet Lovers

[HomerMcvie]

Just hoping I could get some good thoughts for my dog, Cash.
13 days ago, I noticed a small mass (about the size of a marble) inside his mouth, only viewable when he pants. It was removed a week ago Wednesday. The pathology results came back this past Tuesday. Melanoma. :( Indiana's biggest vet school (Purdue) recommends radiation and chemo, but there's NO place in IN that does radiation, so, we're off to University of Illinois Monday morning, for a two day stay. Then, assuming they have the same diagnosis, I'll have to drive him back once a week, for a month. They say WITH treatment, his chances are 50% to survive a year. :(
FWIW, he's as active (very) as he's ever been, and he's only 7 (b-day was Thursday).
He's my kid. I'm a mess.

[strandinthewind]

Cancer in animals is a hard thing to take. Just hang in there!!!!!!!!! :angel:

[Nixxxed]

Rocky (my cockatoo), Zorro (my lovebird) and I are sending good thoughts your way! :xoxo:

Oh yeah, and they say give Cash LOTS of treats!!! :D

[DrummerDeanna]

Oh my - as a new doggie owner I can only imagine how hard this must be...also my first doggie had cancer - I know how hard that is..I'm so sorry...!!

I will totally send good thought your way. Hang it there and I wish the best for you and your baby...:o

[tynan88]

Good Luck, this must be a terrible thing to have happen.

[Lisa1769]

So Sad. :( He's a beautiful dog. I hope all goes well.

[amber]

:xoxo: For Cash. He's awful cute, I hope he's alright.

[pianogirl04]

What a beautiful baby! Pi, Trouble, Djibouti (the cats) and Fugly (the dog) and I are all sending good thoughts to you and Cash. :thumbsup:

[catinthedark]

Oh, I'm so sorry! I got a lump in my throat as I read your post. But I am sending you only the best of thoughts - I hope Cash comes through it better than expected. He looks like a spunky little guy! He won't give in that easy!

[WildInTheWind]

I'm sorry to here your dog is sick. Hang in there!! He's a cute little guy by the way...I hope everything goes ok for you guys.

[HomerMcvie]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the good thoughts. I've cried more this week than I have in many years combined. He's the reason I come home at night....
Sorry to sound so depressing....this has really f*cked me up badly. I don't know what I'd do without him.
He's the best dog I've ever known. My extended family even sends Christmas cards addressed to just him. He's such a sweet dog. My cats even love him. (I'll quit bragging now)

[macfan 57]

David, my dog and I send you & Cash all the best. I hope everything works out for Cash. I know what you're going through. Try to hang in there. :angel:

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

I hope all goes well. Such a cute doggie!

[Patti]

Only good thoughts coming your way. He's a gorgeous dog and you gotta be positive! Keep us posted and be sure to cherish every moment you spend with him. :xoxo:

[jwd]

Wishing you guys all the best, from myself and Bear(the little guy in my avatar).

I can totally understand how you feel about Cash. In so many ways, Bear has been my best friend for the last fourteen years. As many of you know, 14 is very old for a dog. He has arthritis real bad now and has a hard time getting up sometimes, especially when he's on a slick surface like hardwood flooring. I have to go over and support him so he can get up. He's taking glucosamine/chondroitin and boswellia/sod for his joints and arthritis pain. It runs through my mind a lot now of how much more time we have left together. I wish so much that he could just be young again and free from arthritis. What I would give to see him able to run and play like he used to.

Anyway, hope all goes well and Cash has a speedy recovery.

[SuzeQuze]

I'm so sorry to hear about Cash's diagnosis. You and he are in my thoughts and prayers. He is young and so has energy to fight this. I hope and pray for a full recovery and as little suffering as possible for both of you. Make sure you get support from friends during this trying time. Take good care.

[Chain of Chains]

Just hoping I could get some good thoughts for my dog, Cash.
13 days ago, I noticed a small mass (about the size of a marble) inside his mouth, only viewable when he pants. It was removed a week ago Wednesday. The pathology results came back this past Tuesday. Melanoma. :( Indiana's biggest vet school (Purdue) recommends radiation and chemo, but there's NO place in IN that does radiation, so, we're off to University of Illinois Monday morning, for a two day stay. Then, assuming they have the same diagnosis, I'll have to drive him back once a week, for a month. They say WITH treatment, his chances are 50% to survive a year. :(
FWIW, he's as active (very) as he's ever been, and he's only 7 (b-day was Thursday).
He's my kid. I'm a mess.

I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. He is beautiful.
I don’t know what to say :( I just hope everything works out OK.

[Chain of Chains]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the good thoughts. I've cried more this week than I have in many years combined. He's the reason I come home at night....
Sorry to sound so depressing....this has really f*cked me up badly. I don't know what I'd do without him.
He's the best dog I've ever known. My extended family even sends Christmas cards addressed to just him. He's such a sweet dog. My cats even love him. (I'll quit bragging now)

That's not bragging! That's love. My heart breaks for you.

[GODDESS6]

me & my weaner dog sweeny lynn beaulyn r praying 4 u guys, god i LUV, LUV dogs, nothing but good vibes your way, & bless u guys!!!~
:xoxo: :xoxo: :xoxo: kisses 4 the poochie!!!~

[HomerMcvie]

Just got home from U of Illinois. The good news is that the cancer has yet to spread anywhere else, BUT, the oncologist said that in about 90% of cases, melanoma usually reappears elsewhere, so the official prognosis is 6-12 months :( , although there's a 10% chance he might beat it. Yesterday, they did X-rays and "staging". They wanted to keep him overnight, but I insisted that he come back to the hotel to sleep with me!! Today, they did a CT scan, then radiation treatment. I'll take him back the next three weeks for more radiation treatments. I need to start chemo with my local vet(who can use generics) - university research centers(for whatever reason) can't use generic drugs.
Any guesses as to how much they wanted for 6 chemo treatments???





$4800.00! ($800 a dose!!!!!!!) My vet can do the generic for $150/dose.
I'm already in for $2500 on my credit card, but, as I see it, I have no choice.

[SuzeQuze]

Just got home from U of Illinois. The good news is that the cancer has yet to spread anywhere else, BUT, the oncologist said that in about 90% of cases, melanoma usually reappears elsewhere, so the official prognosis is 6-12 months :( , although there's a 10% chance he might beat it. Yesterday, they did X-rays and "staging". They wanted to keep him overnight, but I insisted that he come back to the hotel to sleep with me!! Today, they did a CT scan, then radiation treatment. I'll take him back the next three weeks for more radiation treatments. I need to start chemo with my local vet(who can use generics) - university research centers(for whatever reason) can't use generic drugs.
Any guesses as to how much they wanted for 6 chemo treatments???





$4800.00! ($800 a dose!!!!!!!) My vet can do the generic for $150/dose.
I'm already in for $2500 on my credit card, but, as I see it, I have no choice.

I'm so sorry, ugh. I had a feeling the cost would be insane. Good for you for insisting Cash be with you over night! There is every reason to remain optimistic. We will keep praying for Cash and you. Last year my kitty was very ill, he would not stop vomitting and I was scared I might lose him. He was in the animal hospital for 3 days until it finally passed. He had to have an IV in his little paw, I felt so helpless! But he recovered, and $1300 later I had no real explanation as to what he had.

I didn't feel I had a choice either, you really don't. It's your best friend. Take good care.

[GateandGarden]

Just got home from U of Illinois. The good news is that the cancer has yet to spread anywhere else, BUT, the oncologist said that in about 90% of cases, melanoma usually reappears elsewhere, so the official prognosis is 6-12 months :( , although there's a 10% chance he might beat it. Yesterday, they did X-rays and "staging". They wanted to keep him overnight, but I insisted that he come back to the hotel to sleep with me!! Today, they did a CT scan, then radiation treatment. I'll take him back the next three weeks for more radiation treatments. I need to start chemo with my local vet(who can use generics) - university research centers(for whatever reason) can't use generic drugs.
Any guesses as to how much they wanted for 6 chemo treatments???





$4800.00! ($800 a dose!!!!!!!) My vet can do the generic for $150/dose.
I'm already in for $2500 on my credit card, but, as I see it, I have no choice.It's good that the cancer hasn't spread. Hopefully, despite what the doctors say, it won't. I wish you and Cash the best and hope all goes well. It's awfully annoying how expensive it is, but I know you want to whatever you can do. I totally understand that. I sympathize with y'all.

[David]

Just got home from U of Illinois. The good news is that the cancer has yet to spread anywhere else, BUT, the oncologist said that in about 90% of cases, melanoma usually reappears elsewhere, so the official prognosis is 6-12 months :( , although there's a 10% chance he might beat it. Yesterday, they did X-rays and "staging". They wanted to keep him overnight, but I insisted that he come back to the hotel to sleep with me!! Today, they did a CT scan, then radiation treatment. I'll take him back the next three weeks for more radiation treatments. I need to start chemo with my local vet(who can use generics) - university research centers(for whatever reason) can't use generic drugs.dB, If there's a 10 percent chance that melanoma won't reappear in Cash, I'll place my bets on that. One out of ten may not seem like great odds, but I've seen those odds win before.

Come on, Cash.

[HomerMcvie]

Thanks guys! My hopes are up. He's definitely a strong, otherwise healthy dog. We're just gonna take it one good day at a time! :)
I do kinda think the doctors paint a worst case scenario for you(I hope so).

[DrummerDeanna]

dB, If there's a 10 percent chance that melanoma won't reappear in Cash, I'll place my bets on that. One out of ten may not seem like great odds, but I've seen those odds win before.

Come on, Cash.

:nod: that's what I was gonna say! It's obvious that you love Cash very much and I'm sure that he will fight fight fight this - cause he loves you too :nod:

Sorry you have to go through this - I can only imagine how difficult it must be - hang in there and keep us updated!!