Saved dog by asking for CT scan

[MiddleagedBeachbum]

Just wanted to share this as I hope it may help others.

Dog is rescue, probably a collie x flat coat 12 1/2 yrs old, had her since she was 6 months old. In very good condition for her age, no other problems / medications etc.

Dog seemed a little off, didn’t want to run with me one day, few days later didn’t eat her dinner. Popped her to vets, they ran bloods and said something showed up in her liver results could I bring her in next day for an ultrasound, (same as when you’re pregnant).

This showed a massive growth, which they said totally covered her liver and given what the ultra sound showed plus her blood results that she had days to live, and it was only palliative care now. As you can imagine was a massive shock especially as other than what I’ve said seemed well in herself and was eating / drinking / active etc, bit less energy than usual but put down to age.

Luckily I know a freelance vet who’s treated her with acupuncture and asked her opinion. I sent her the ultrasound which she said she could see the liver on and explained that they basically can’t see anything on an ultrasound, let alone the liver on a dog as it’s tucked up high.
She recommended getting a CT scan so I’d know exactly what we were dealing with.
I was concerned re her age, but friendly vet said ‘age is not a disease’ and she presents as 6-8 yrs old if she was a stray.

So referred to Wear Refferals near Darlington, NE UK, (thought I’d mention as I’m sure people might ask) who ran a CT scan.
This showed she did have a massive growth 12x12x8 cm however only a small part of it was attached to her liver and it was on the left side where there were no major blood vessels or organs.
So we booked her in for an operation to remove it with them a week later.

Operation went fantastic, vet said better than expected, they also checked everything else and she’s no other problems, it’s now been 8 days and it’s like we’ve got a puppy back again!!!
She has so much energy, life, and just pure joy left in her.

I can’t believe that less than a month ago I thought I’d lose her and was told there’s no hope at all for her and nothing could be done!

So just wanted to share this in case anyone else is ever considering is a CT scan worth it over ultrasound, and to say the vet hospital were absolutely amazing!

Pic of pooch and scar…. I also have pic of the growth removed but might be too much for some people!

all on insurance or paying privately?

some indication of cost would be helpful

I paid privately, £1500 for the CT scan and the operation they quoted me £5000-£6500 but only charged me £3500 as it was simpler than they thought and no complications.
Hope that helps :)

That’s not the point of the post though is it?

Wishing your dog a speedy recovery OP.

Glad she's doing well and you thought to mention to the other vet.
Did they send a sample of mass off for testing to see what it was?

Thank you @Sasqwatch for the well wishes and good come back 🤣

I know I’m so thankful to her.

I just remembered too that the lovely lady Accupucture vet came out to treat my girl at 7.30pm on a Friday night and again on the Sunday morning between the Ultrasound and CT Scan…. She actually refused to take any money the first treatment, and the second but I put the money inside her car so she had no choice!
So feel very lucky to have met such wonderful people and vets that have helped save her.

Yes they’ve sent both a biopsy of the mass and one from her lymph node that was slightly swollen off for testing, not had the results yet. The vet felt it most likely wasn’t from what he could see, but obviously said nothings certain and that it’s not always cancerous or not, there’s variations of it.

Glad she's doing well and you had the 2nd opinion!

So you had £5k readily available

not many do

@crayfishyum ouch! What was the point of that? Everyone's circumstances are different, it's not to say the OP had that money upfront.

Please let's be thankful the dog was ok 🩷

Great news, have you contacted the original vet and told them. I suppose not every vets have CT scanners, although I think that’s pretty unusual these days. Our vets are all for doing scans, but I know people are put off given the cost. I often hear people say, get another opinion, but for some, they believe what their vet says and also don’t have the money.

but i can imagine this will really stress out dog owners that don’t have >£5k to spend.

That was just my point 🤷

@crayfishyum

it may well do, but that's life. THIS is a 'thank god's GOOD NEWS POST. We can't just stop sharing good news because someone else might not be in the same position!!

I want to celebrate everyone's good news! I want to hear someone's Dad survived a heart sttack, even though mine didn't, that the Grandfathers survived cancer even though mine didn't. That people have bought big houses they love even though I can't afford too.

someone's good news is to be celebrated!!

yes. but it’s not pitched as “good news” thread

it is specifically pitched as advice of what you should do if offered an ultrasound in a similar situation

🤷 i’m pleased for you obviously op

So glad she's still with you,and I hope you have many more years with her! What a beautiful girl she is! 💖What is her name?

@MiddleagedBeachbum

thank you for sharing your good news!! Thank god you had that contact with the woman, she sounds amazing.

Have you reported all of this back to the original vet practice? Not in an accusing way, but in a way they might be able to learn from??

Even if they don't have certain equipment they can suggest an owner 'could' get a CT scan if they have other pets in, in similar circumstances.

i hope your girl has lot longer with you and starts to enjoy your runs together soonxx

Really glad all went well !

However, ultrasounds are incredibly useful for assessing the liver in dogs and it is always going to be visible.

The initial vet should have been able to diagnose the tumour with the ultrasound alone. Sometimes a CT scan is then advised to e.g. check for metastatic spread.

@crayfishyum

ok fair enough! You're right, it wasn't posted as a 'good news' thread, but as a bit of a heads up.

I'm grateful for that too, as I now have an alternative if ever I get that kind of news.

some people can easily afford it, some can't & some can scrape it together/borrow it.

its sad if people cannot find the money, of course, but that doesn't mean the advice shouldn't be shared, as some can afford it.

So glad she's doing well - she's beautiful!

@BingAndTing

just like humans. You never know who is right 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

Then they should ensure they have Veterinary Insurance.

CAT scan wouldn’t have been covered as vet did an ultrasound and thought sufficient

presumably why the Op paid privately (i’m presuming op has insurance)

Then don’t have a dog if you can’t afford to care for it properly.

so people shouldn’t get a dog if they can’t afford to private pay for a CAT scan?

Glad your dog is better OP. ☺️