Our 3 year old Ddog very likely has cancer. Beyond devastated.

[ItBurns]

Hi,

So Friday afternoon I got the call that nobody wants. Our vet asked me to pull over, as I was driving with hands free and she wanted my full attention. Right away I knew it must be bad.

They've found what they strongly suspect is a tumour in her bladder. She said it could be something less sinister, but she's fairly certain it's bad news. She also said how incredibly rare this is in a dog of her age.

I basically haven't stopped crying since then. Feeling utterly drained and I just can't seem to get my head around it.

She's still a pup. Bouncy and full of life and of course, mischief.

We have already made the decision that if it is that, we won't go down the chemo route. We don't want to put her through all that for a few more painful months, but then I suddenly realised that with covid, we probably won't be allowed in with her when she's being PTS and I can't bear it, quite honestly.

If she was an old dog, I think I could accept it. I would still of course be mortified, but at least she'd have had a full life. This just seems so wrong. We also have another dog who will miss her to pieces. It breaks my heart.

I suppose I'm just posting for a bit of moral support. I need to find my strength from somewhere. This is likely going to be an incredibly difficult few months...or weeks

@cosmopolitanplease, well I just spoke to them and apparently they actually haven't had the results back, so the receptionist I spoke to earlier must have got confused by our file.

Anyway, dropping off ddog tomorrow morning for further tests. She will be having a general anesthetic, so they can properly examine her and I'm assuming will do a biopsy.

Tbh I just want to crawl into bed and hide.

Oh how awful to be left not knowing like this. I'm sorry you still don't have an answer - I hope you can find comfort from the pp's who have posted positive stories x

@ItBurns
It's worth asking them exactly what they'll be doing. You need a biopsy to be definitive and I wouldn't be consenting to a GA unless they are biopsying. Otherwise your dog could end up with multiple stressful anaesthetics.

@cosmopolitanplease, thank you.

@Veterinari, yes, I'll be asking in the morning. I just can't remember exactly what the vet said on Friday. It was all a bit of a blur, but she did say something about doing a different kind if biopsy....I think, but as I say, I wasn't really all there at the time.

Arghh how stressful thinking they had the results but not

What tests are you wSiting for the results of OP?

@BiteyShark, yep.

@Veterinari, I double checked tonight and it is a urine test. I believe cancer cells can sometimes be found in the urine with this kind of cancer, but if it comes back clear, I know we're not out of the woods.

Morning. Really need some advice.

Had a very frustrating phone call from the vet last night. Basically ddog can't be seen today afterall, as her colleagues aren't confident to perform the procedure, so she recommends they refer us to a specialist who would be confident to go ahead.

However, just getting through the door will likely max out our insurance and whereas we have a small amount of savings, we can't magic up additional thousands.

It just doesn't seem right to me! Just the diagnosis alone taking us to our insurance limit! As far as I can tell, this is only because of the back log. There must be someone at our surgery who is confident to do the procedure, but is just fully booked. Apparently we should be seen within 2 weeks at this specialist. The difference in cost in absolutely huge.

I also asked, even if it was a benign lump, would it not still be difficult/impossible to remove, because of the awkward location and she said yes...so where does that leave us?

I was left feeling hopeless and panicked. We just don't know what to do.

Sounds like an absolute con to me...
Can you speak to your insurance company? Not sure if it's possible but can you upgrade the policy? Set up a gofundme page?
Our ddog's bill hit the 2 k mark. If she had needed chemo we would have had to pts.
What an awful shocker op.

If this was my dog I wouldn’t do anything before I’d had a proper talk to the vets.

From what you’ve said it’s been confirmed as a lump, they just don’t know if it’s cancer or not - is that right? And that the lump would be very difficult to remove regardless of how nasty it was?

What’s the worst that will happen if you don’t rush to a specialist and get a proper diagnosis? If you wouldn’t aggressively treat cancer does it really matter if you don’t rush to find out exactly what it is?

I’m not trying to be critical at all, I had my dog PTS last year with sinus cancer that we didn’t treat so know where you’re coming from.

If there’s nothing to be gained from financially wiping yourself out rushing to the specialist then I’d sit and wait until there’s someone available at your vets to do the procedure.

It’s so hard and bloody heartbreaking and you’ve got my every sympathy ❤️❤️

Specialist consultation, diagnostics and treatment does cost a lot. I know someone with over a £10k insurance bill in one year for their dog and that was cancer.

Firstly forgetting cost I would be going to a specialist for the initial consultation to discuss all my options for diagnostics, treatment, surgery only, surgery plus chemotherapy etc.

Then I would decide based on my dog, how it would affect him having lots of invasive tests, surgery and treatment depending on what the options are I would then decide which I would prefer in an order.

Then in your shoes I would be very honest and if you can't afford your preferred option that you picked discuss with the vet what they might recommend based on your finances.

@ItBurns

Morning. Really need some advice.

Had a very frustrating phone call from the vet last night. Basically ddog can't be seen today afterall, as her colleagues aren't confident to perform the procedure, so she recommends they refer us to a specialist who would be confident to go ahead.

However, just getting through the door will likely max out our insurance and whereas we have a small amount of savings, we can't magic up additional thousands.

It just doesn't seem right to me! Just the diagnosis alone taking us to our insurance limit! As far as I can tell, this is only because of the back log. There must be someone at our surgery who is confident to do the procedure, but is just fully booked. Apparently we should be seen within 2 weeks at this specialist. The difference in cost in absolutely huge.

I also asked, even if it was a benign lump, would it not still be difficult/impossible to remove, because of the awkward location and she said yes...so where does that leave us?

I was left feeling hopeless and panicked. We just don't know what to do.

What has been done so far? Bloods, urinalysis and an ultrasound scan shouldn't be hugely expensive (hundreds rather than thousands) what is your insurance limit?

Do they have the urinalysis results back yet? Have they sent them for sediment exam and cytology?

Bladder biopsies are difficult and I think it may be better to see a specialist as it's easy to rack up costs as the primary practice without getting definitive results. Whereabouts in the country are you? There will likely be multiple specialist options and costs can vary.

Unfortunately this is a case where getting a diagnosis would be beneficial to determining outcome and treatment options.

@ItBurns

Morning. Really need some advice.

Had a very frustrating phone call from the vet last night. Basically ddog can't be seen today afterall, as her colleagues aren't confident to perform the procedure, so she recommends they refer us to a specialist who would be confident to go ahead.

However, just getting through the door will likely max out our insurance and whereas we have a small amount of savings, we can't magic up additional thousands.

It just doesn't seem right to me! Just the diagnosis alone taking us to our insurance limit! As far as I can tell, this is only because of the back log. There must be someone at our surgery who is confident to do the procedure, but is just fully booked. Apparently we should be seen within 2 weeks at this specialist. The difference in cost in absolutely huge.

I also asked, even if it was a benign lump, would it not still be difficult/impossible to remove, because of the awkward location and she said yes...so where does that leave us?

I was left feeling hopeless and panicked. We just don't know what to do.

Can you try a different vets? I realise they are all struggling since Covid, but having such a long backlog doesn't seem right on a time critical case? If perhaps have a ring around other places and see if they'd be willing to give a second opinion or have smaller waiting lists on time critical surgery rather than splashing out on a specialist right away. I'd also speak to your insurer and see about upping your cost limit. They might not be able to since it is already in process but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Thanks for the replies.

Just to clarify, this type of cancer is inoperable and untreatable. There would be no need to discuss treatment options. This is why I'm confused and increasingly sceptical.

The tests she's had so far are the ultrasound scan and urine tests, to see if there are any cancer cells. The latter are still not back, although the vet did say they might be, but just got lost in the system If they show up clear, then it doesn't really mean anything and if they do show cancer cells, then that's it really and a referral would be pointless. Apparently they charge a hefty cancellation fee too.

If I were you, OP, I would ring a specialist vet's direct for advice. Your vet practice should be able to give you a name. Of course there is the Supervet place, that is in Surrey if you are nearby.

My dog was referred to a specialist, and the vet there was able to tell immediately what was wrong, whereas normal vet had been ordering scans and wotnot.

In the end I had no cost as the specialist strongly suggested immediate euthanasia as poor dog's cancer had spread . Had I proceeded with vet's there would have been further scans, biopsies, anaesthesia, meds etc which would have cost a fortune no doubt. (Although I would have sold myself on the street to save him [sadly I think I would only merit 50p a time...])

You’ve paid for tests , if they’ve ‘lost’ them then they have to redo them . I really can’t see how bloods , urine and a scan have been that expensive . Our dog had scan and bloods last year for a lump and it wasn’t even significant enough for me to claim as I have a large excess (£150ish) . I’d be asking for an itemised bill , copy of the results and then taking it all to a different vet as yours sounds rubbish .

Cancellation fee? Stuff that!!
Seems like you need to speak to someone more senior... They sound a bunch of cowboys..

So sorry, ItBurns

@Lurchermom, I am very tempted. Unless I'm completely missing something (and I could be) I'm not really happy about how this is being handled. The vet was quite snappy with me actually when I dared to ask a question she'd already answered on Friday, but I was quick to remind her that I was in complete shock, as I was being told very unexpectedly, that my 3 year old ddog most likely had incurable cancer, so a lot of the medical stuff would have inevitably gone over my head! I would think they would appreciate this and would perhap have a better bedside manner. There was also another incident when dp went to pick her up on Friday. The nurse who discharged her summarised that everything looked fine and it sounds like it's just stome So very briefly dp got their hopes up that maybe they'd got the wrong dog and our ddog was actually fine. Dp asked her to double check and she was reluctant, as she'd just checked with the vet, but eventually did and came back and just blurted out in front of everyone "oh you were right, she does think it's cancer". Absolutely awful really.

If this is only something that can be diagnosed by a specialist, then ok, but it doesn't sound like that.

I can't imagine another vet from another surgery, would be willing to talk to me unless we were registered. Obviously I could be wrong. I also can't imagine a specialist would speak to me without a referral.

Oh and so far it's been £340 and that's just for the scan (no sedation) pain relief meds and urine tests.

The vet said it could be 4 or 5k just for an initial consultation with a specialist. I just can't see how that can be justified!

To be clear though, if we could save ddog, or at least try to, then we would spend that money and then some. But we can't spend thousands upon thousands, completely hopelessly.

“The vet said it could be 4 or 5k just for an initial consultation with a specialist. I just can't see how that can be justified!”

It won’t be for just a consultation - every time I’ve been to a specialist that estimate includes the scans and stuff... that’s why it’s so high, proper scans not just a wee ultrasound are real expensive.

You may need a referral to turn up, but you are absolutely ok to ring up a specialist, explain the initial diagnosis and ask their opinion.

Actually I just googled Fitzpatrick (Supervet) and it has some details about bladder cancer. As feared, this is a serious cancer and there are some treatments, but it does say it involves heavy doses of chemotherapy as well as stents.

You need to know the extent of the cancer and the prognosis. It is not worth (putting a dog (and a human, to my mind) through a lot of invasive diagnostic tests and treatment if the likely outcome is poor. Nothing to do with the money (I would have remortgaged the house) but it was my duty not to let my lovely dog suffer a moment's pain.

The vet said it could be 4 or 5k just for an initial consultation with a specialist. I just can't see how that can be justified!

That sound like everything not just consultation.

Just to put it into context we were referred to a specialist center for a neurological consultation. The consultation was £240 for the neurologist. Had we had to have all the diagnostic tests and surgery we would have been looking at around £5000 but fortunately we didn't need to go down that path.

This is why it's good to go to a specialist and they can't give you all the information. Think of your vet as being like your GP but the specialist is being referred to hospital consultant who can actually give you a more detailed opinion.

Contact the Royal Veterinary College? My vet was going to refer me there once

I think I'd be going to another vet for a second opinion, they don't sound great tbh. If they thought the lab results went missing they should have called the lab and asked for them to be re sent.
You can call any vet and explain you'd like a second opinion, your original vet will have to send your dogs clinical history and lab results to them so they won't have to be repeated.

I'm so sorry, it's so awful when they're unwell.
It won't be £4/5k just for the consult. We recently went to a neurology specialist as an emergency and the consultation was £446.55

Our entire bill including overnight stay, anaesthetic and a MRI scan was £4300 ish.