Lucy's mama Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) Some may remember Lucy had a runy nose on one side and as snorting in July. We took her in for a dental and x-rays but as it had cleared up they decidd not to do the x-rays. Well, the mucous came back within a fe days and she is progressively snorting even more. The vet doubts it is a foreign atter causing infection as itt didn't clear up on antibiotics. So, probably a fungal infection or cancer. He tells me the prognosis for either case is not good. That fungal infections are often right in where they can't easily get to them and treatment is painfull and expensive, invoolving drilling holes into her sinuses, inserting tubes and flushing plus expensive medication. And that cancer in the nose is almost always aggresive. She is booked in tommorrow for: endoscopy (pharynx/larynx/choanae) x-rays Cryptococcus antigen (blood test) cytlogy (flushing nose, checking the cells) and histopathology (taking a biopsy) If all that finds nothing off to a specialist. In either case xpect well over a thousand dollars in vet expenses, not including the 800 for tommorrows tests. Good bye tax return, hello credit card debt. But I feel like our most likely two options can not be reasonably treated. I'm so upset and don't know what to tell my husband as to why I'm getting all this done and racking up the credit card debt. I can see the fight we will have but I seriously can't NOt give her a chance. she has been the best dog. She loves us, follows me around all day, waits by the gate when I am out, iss under the computer dsk when I'm on the 'puter, at the end of my bed or between the kids beds at night. She has seriously never put a foot seriously wrong. The worst thing she has ever done is dig up a few plants when she first came to us. How to I explain her value to my heartless twit of a partner who thinks of the bank balance first and foremost and is the only earner in our family? I am a SAHM. I just can't stop crying. Myy girl is sick and I will be fighting with my partner and not getting support there. My Nana just died last week too so can't talk to my family. They will think I' a twit for being so upset over a dog when our lovely amazing Nan has just passed. I just ned to concentrate on it being o.k. Someone did pm me saying there are tumors that ar easily treated with drugs, so fingers crossed, but my vet seems to think it's a long shot Edited September 3, 2009 by Lucy's mama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 So Sorry that you are getting lots of bad news . You will know more after the tests- and then you can work on what you need to do ...and that includes dealing with your husband. Do you have anything surplus you could sell to help you raise your own funds? That way it would be 'your' money..and may make you feel better ... *fingers crossed the test results aren't as bad as expected * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Sorry to hear about this Lucy's mama. Sending hugs and best wishes your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ari.g Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Sorry to hear about Lucy and your nana I have no advice sorry hopefully someone will be able to help. Just take it slowly slowly one step at a time and see what the test results say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wazzat Xolo Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 All I can say Lucys mumma is wait till the tests are done then all will seem a bit clearer, its too hard to pre guess what it may be and nobody here on DOL or anywhere can tell you that, this is why the vet wants to do the tests ( even he is unsure) Wait and see, you never know it may not be as bad as first thought, be strong for your girl, thats the best you can do at this stage, I am sure your partner loves you heaps and will understand at this very hard time. Hugs and lots of good prayers coming your way xoxox J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Vibes for your girl. Like everyone else has said. Wait for the test results to come back and take it from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missymoo Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Im so sorry for you and your little girl I was very surprised when my hubby let me keep going and spending money when my dog got sick. I hope your partner can see how much she means to you as well... Healing thoughts heading your way xoxox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 If I read everything right.....Why not cancel the expensive test and take her to a specialist first and see what is said there. The specialist may have a better understanding of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy's mama Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 I asked the vet the same thing. He said the specialist would do these same tests first before moving on to putting a small camera up her nose (can't remember the name of it) and then an MRI, and probably charge more for the same tests. I am going to get back on the phone to the vet and clarify a few things now I am calmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerlover Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Sending healing vibes to u & yr girl . be brave ,trust & take one day @ a time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 If its fungal be prepared to spend thousands, We groom a dog who had this issue,yes he is still alive & doing well considering but he is now an epileptic. There bill hit $10000 plus .It returned a number of times but at present its been well over a year since needing treatment again. He did on anumber of occasions come close to being PTS I have to say the dogs nature has changed dramatically & he seems a sad dog but that could be owner created. We also groomed a dog who we picked up cancer of the nostrils & he has sadly passed He hung on for a year after diagnosis ,he did age very quickly though. I do hope your dog test results prove to be a happy ones,its a horrible place to be in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy's mama Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 Well my partner has surprised me. I told him what needs to be done, that it's going o the CC and being paid from tax return, which was money earmarked for a new pup. I explained I wanted a new pup so much while Lu is still with us because I had hoped he would pick up her good habits and she would spark up havig someone to play with, but that her being healthy was the most important and if the new pup has to wait, so be it. He is really surprising me! I rang the vet for clarification on some points. I feel more positive, especially knowing I have partners support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 More positive news :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wazzat Xolo Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 there you go, Positive and more positive, trust me never dwell on the negative!! Treat yourself to a $20 book called "Who moved my cheese " By Spencer Johnson, or get it from the Library! It makes sense and works. Good luck with any future tests J Well my partner has surprised me. I told him what needs to be done, that it's going o the CC and being paid from tax return, which was money earmarked for a new pup. I explained I wanted a new pup so much while Lu is still with us because I had hoped he would pick up her good habits and she would spark up havig someone to play with, but that her being healthy was the most important and if the new pup has to wait, so be it. He is really surprising me! I rang the vet for clarification on some points. I feel more positive, especially knowing I have partners support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I had a foster dog who blew huge amounts of mucous everywhere (I'd come home and go searching - it would be hanging off the furniture, dried on the wall - it was gross!). All sorts of things were tried and nothing worked. In the end my vet said she would have to go to Sydney Uni, she was fairly certain that it was the fungal problem or cancer. I was so worried. Unbelievably, the good news from the surgery results was that it was only allergies. I live near the bush and whilst waiting for surgery she had been at a foster carer's house in the city where she was much better, still a bit snotty but nothing like here. I still thought she'd never find a home, then a lady in the inner city came and loved her so off she went. The occasionally runny nose that she'd get in the city was of no concern to her at all. So I'm really hoping that in your case, it is similar to my experience, all the best with this and I'm glad your husband is behind you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy's mama Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Well the bad news is the x-rays showed 'densities' that shouldn't be there deep in the nose, so it's either cancer or plaques formed from fungal infection. He could not biopsy that part of the nose but has done a scrape and flush for cells though so pathology will hopefully give us an answer Monday. The good news is her bones are all still all intact so it's early stages and hopefully treatable. On a side note, the little beggar has 2 staples in her stomach!! She must have got hungry this morning and hoovered the floor, so now we have to keep an eye on that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowenhart Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Are you in Brisbane? My boy had the snot, sneezes and snorts. After messing around with xrays and antibiotics I went the whole hog and laid down the big dollars and got an MRI done at QVS. Nothing was found on the xray by the a regular vet, and when the MRI was done they also did a nose flush and biopsy. Nothing came back from the biopsy. The MRI however told a different and heartbreaking story. The tumour in his nose was so large that it had pushed the bony septum right across. The brain area was otherwise intact. I was shown a staffy MRI that was not that far from my boys - that dog was gone in a matter of weeks. But I got 15 great months. QVS are great people. The MRI is expensive but gives definite answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy's mama Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Thanks Lowenheart. Yes, I am north side Brisbane. Sorry to hear about your boy. I have been told an MRI is the next step if the biopsy isn't conclusive. I am hoping the x-rays are correct and her bones are still o.k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildatHeart Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 (edited) yay for good news! Staples, lol, things you see dogs do Edited September 4, 2009 by WildatHeart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy's mama Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 The results are back already. It is cancer :D We see an onclogist on Monday afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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