Boofy's Ongoing Cancer Battle.

[Bindo]

Good luck for the treatment with Palladia. Lucy was on it for nearly 2 months, but unfortunately either that, or the steroids, caused pancreatitis, so we had to stop. And being a schnauzer, they are prone to pancreatitis anyway, so Boof will probably be fine. Apart from this, she really didn't get too many side effects and it's often hard to tell which drug causes what anyway! AS her vet said, 2 months is better than none, so we'll see how she goes.

Good luck with it all for the next few weeks.

[Staffyluv]

How did he go Anne?

Hope all went well and Boof is still bouncing off the walls.

[~Anne~]

Boofy still hasn't started treatment. Pete is calling me tomorrow most likely with a definite plan.

I must confess to being very disappointed with the holistic vet. I was charged $180 for a phone consult. I expected for this fee that I would get a back up information. My consult was last Thursday.

Dr Goldrick was informative and we discussed quite a few things. At this point I considered the consult informative and beneficial to a degree. I was still a little concerned that it was costing me $180. I pay this to see the top specialist in Neurological disorders at Sydney Uni in person for Monte so I understandably felt there was a lot to live up to with the high cost particularly as it was only a phone consultation.

At the end of the consult I asked about receiving back up info in an email to I could absorb it. I also mentioned this during the consult. I was assured that this would happen and Dr Goldrick explained that she had several client notes to write and send.

On Friday morning I received a call from a receptionist I believe. She was seeking payment and confirming delivery details for things Dr Goldrick had requested for Boof. I explained that my conversation with Dr Goldrick ended with her stating she would look up the likely protocol for Paladia so she knew how to instruct me on administering the items she was recommending, and she would send notes to me via email. The nurse then said she would just charge me for the consult and wait till I received the information from Dr Goldrick regarding the recommended remedies and support. I was happy for this and I wanted to know what I was being prescribed before I paid for it and or received delivery of it.

Dr Goldrick left a voicemail message for me on Friday afternoon. Shortly after I received an email that was poorly written and filled with typos, errors and includied having Boof's name written as Boofa. I figured she was rushed and trying to get something off before the end of the day. She explained also in the voicemail that she would do something up over the weekend even though she wasn't working that weekend. As a specialist in her field, I'd expect this as being normal to be honest, but that's a mute point.

Today I received the email from Dr Goldrick explaining what she recommended. Again it was filled with errors, typos and this time had my name incorrect. It was obviously a cut and paste from something she had sort another client as it included another dog's name and it stated that Boof's lymph nodes had been affected and this was news to me and obviously incorrect. I was very disappointed.

I had also received the invoice/receipt for my $180 payment and the 'order' of supplements and support medication. I decided to check the price being charged for the products and was distressed to see that most were being charged at an average of $9 more and up to approx $17 more for each item. The end result was that I could purchase the times elsewhere and save myself at least $60.

Given I have already paid $180 for a service that has left me feeling I have not received value for I am now very hesitant to continue with any further consults.

Don't get me wrong I'd pay anything to ensure Boof was given the best chance but when I am paying top dollar for a service I expect top service. I don't want 'professionals' who offer a less than professional service. I have already paid more than $2000 for medical support for Boof this year alone and I don't begrudge that but I don't want to waste money either..

Sorry, I needed to get that all out.

[Staffyluv]

Oh Anne, I am so sorry to hear that.

I had the utmost faith in Barbara (Fougere) when she was dealing with Ollie and helping us.

I would be bitterly disappointed with that outcome. To get yours and Boof's name wrong and then to charge that much (it sure has gone up since we used them).

Perhaps respond to the email stating the inconsistencies and asking if it is possible to have a consult with Barbara (I don't know Dr Goldrick) as you don't feel comfortable with someone who makes errors like that.

[shepherds]

Hi Anne, sorry to hear of your disappointment in your appt with the holistic vet. I wouldn't be happy either as if they couldn't get the name right, it would make you wonder about everything else from there. It's also difficult taking it all in and written treatment plan etc afterwards is essential.

I'm with Staffyluv, I would voice your concerns and maybe ask to be referred to Barbara as you are not happy with what has been provided to date and why. I had my first appointment with Barbara early January and have had three follow up discussions since. Each and everytime everything that was discussed has been delivered and I have absolutely no complaints with the service. Since beginning Barbara's treatment, Kobe has definitely turned around and I wouldn't hesitate recommending Barbara to anyone else.

[~Anne~]

It may be coincidence or it may be that DOL is monitored by a staff member as I received an email in the last hour or so from Dr Goldrick explaining she had mistakenly included information from another patient in Boof's notes.

Pete rang me today to discuss a different plan. He's been discussing Boof's prognosis with an oncologist and the oncologist has advised we may not need chemo at this point. To cut a long story short we are now scheduling Boof for an ultrasound and X-ray to ensure the cancer has not spread anywhere. We will revise the treatment plan again after this.

The oncologist believes we may be about to start chemo unnecessarily and she stated that the chemo will not stop further growths. She also believes that because 4 of them were only grade 1 and 1 grade two we might be considering chemo prematurely. There is no indication that he will develop more growths, although it is obviously a possibility, and if he does we will reconsider once again.

I'm happy with this and now will have to determine what I should do in relation to the natural therapies. I will consider what he will benefit from and research it for myself. I already know where I can order any and all of the items initially recommended.

[Staffyluv]

It may be coincidence or it may be that DOL is monitored by a staff member as I received an email in the last hour or so from Dr Goldrick explaining she had mistakenly included information from another patient in Boof's notes.

Pete rang me today to discuss a different plan. He's been discussing Boof's prognosis with an oncologist and the oncologist has advised we may not need chemo at this point. To cut a long story short we are now scheduling Boof for an ultrasound and X-ray to ensure the cancer has not spread anywhere. We will revise the treatment plan again after this.

The oncologist believes we may be about to start chemo unnecessarily and she stated that the chemo will not stop further growths. She also believes that because 4 of them were only grade 1 and 1 grade two we might be considering chemo prematurely. There is no indication that he will develop more growths, although it is obviously a possibility, and if he does we will reconsider once again.

I'm happy with this and now will have to determine what I should do in relation to the natural therapies. I will consider what he will benefit from and research it for myself. I already know where I can order any and all of the items initially recommended.

I think they should apologise for such an error. I was shocked that the price as well.

I guess we had such great service and support from there, so I recommend them all the time - maybe you could find one closer to you for supplements for him and to monitor him as well.

That is good news about the chemo.

Chemo isn't a cure but it can extend life and will shrink the tumours.. It is also a very intensive treatment and if they think that Boof will be fine without it that is great news.

[~Anne~]

Boof heads off to the vet again tomorrow for his scans. Fingers crossed for good results.

Karen Goldrick (the holistic vet) phoned me to apologise for the error a couple of days ago. I've explained that the treatment plan has since changed and we wouldn't require any further consults. I know I should have said how disappointed I was with the service but in the back of my mind I suspect she knew and I guess I just couldn't be bothered going into battle as well.

I am sure she has been told of this thread as she me mentioned the matter of sourcing the things she had recommended elsewhere and confirmed that even if he wasn't undergoing chemo these would still assist him. I will follow that advice.

[Staffyluv]

Good luck Boof for tomorrow.

Ol had holistic treatments for quite a few years after his chemo and some supplements right up to the end of his life..

I think we know our dogs best and we can see what does and doesn't work for them..

[~Anne~]

The results are yet again inconclusive.

He has nodules on his liver and spleen. Pete feels they may be insignificant and related to his age. However, as he explained, there is no way of knowing unless needle biopsies are done. To undergo a needle biopsy Boof would need to be seen by a specialist from Sydney Uni and the biopsy would be done under the guide of an ultrasound. This would possibly be at a cost of approximately $1200 or more and it would once again mean a GA.

I will mull the information over while I consider all options.

On the one hand he has had multiple tumours, but they were all only grade 1 and 2. It is likely even if they are tumours that they too will be low grade. It is more likely that they are not related to his previous tumours though and are simply age related.

I am leaning towards just doing a follow up ultrasound in 2 months time to see if they have changed or grown.

Interestingly the results also showed he has an enlarged heart. As we haven't experienced any symptoms and he shows no signs of a murmur I think Pete feels we can leave this alone unless anything changes.

[Staffyluv]

I would be inclined to agree with you. Recheck in a coup,e of months to see if there are changes and if need be, do the biopsy then.

Hopefully the heart thing is nothing and won't need treating.

Poor little lad, sure has been through the wars.

[Bindo]

Poor Boof and poor you! I would do exactly as you are doing - wait and see, with repeat ultrasound in a few months.

[~Anne~]

I can't believe so much has happened since my last few posts. We've lost Monte, his condition was more sinister than we realised, and Boof has continued with problems. An initial ultrasound 8 weeks ago showed some lesions on his spleen. And our follow up ultrasound done today was not so good. Boof has a new and even larger lesion on his spleen. It indicates we are dealing with a spread of his cancer.

It is likely we will operate to remove the lesion. I am yet to have a considered conversation with his vet but the options do not look great.

[persephone]

so sorry Anne ....

[~Anne~]

Ok, I've now spoken with the Vet and I am feeling a little better. The biggest concern is a bleed from the cancer. They can't be sure it is a mast cell tumour or if it is a hemangiosarcoma. The latter carries much more risk of internal haemorrhage.

The options are to remove the spleen entirely or to watch and re-test again. Obviously there is a risk with surgery and it is a big operation to remove his spleen. Pros and cons - it may be a MCT which has a longer life expectancy and less chance of a major bleed. It may be a hemangiosarcoma and grow rapidly or spread.

After a lengthy and informative discussion we have decided to monitor it and do another ultra sound in 8 weeks again. If it is much larger, we will remove his spleen. If it is the same we will discuss our intervention options and watch carefully for any signs of a bleed.

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

Oh no, Anne... I'm so sorry to hear this.

[Salukifan]

Ok, I've now spoken with the Vet and I am feeling a little better. The biggest concern is a bleed from the cancer. They can't be sure it is a mast cell tumour or if it is a hemangiosarcoma. The latter carries much more risk of internal haemorrhage.

The options are to remove the spleen entirely or to watch and re-test again. Obviously there is a risk with surgery and it is a big operation to remove his spleen. Pros and cons - it may be a MCT which has a longer life expectancy and less chance of a major bleed. It may be a hemangiosarcoma and grow rapidly or spread.

After a lengthy and informative discussion we have decided to monitor it and do another ultra sound in 8 weeks again. If it is much larger, we will remove his spleen. If it is the same we will discuss our intervention options and watch carefully for any signs of a bleed.

How old is Boof Anne? If he's not a young dog, think hard before subjecting him to splenectomy. if it's in his spleen, chances are its elsewhere too.

[schnauzer]

Anne, so sorry to hear of Boof's ill health.

My dog had his spleen removed with a large benign tumour at 12 yrs. We had kept an eye on the tumour with regular ultrasounds but it was growing quickly. He didn't have cancer in any other organs, or I would have reconsidered the surgery. The surgery went very well and the hardest part of his recovery was keeping him quiet :) I wish you the very best of luck with Boof.

[~Anne~]

Ok, I've now spoken with the Vet and I am feeling a little better. The biggest concern is a bleed from the cancer. They can't be sure it is a mast cell tumour or if it is a hemangiosarcoma. The latter carries much more risk of internal haemorrhage.

The options are to remove the spleen entirely or to watch and re-test again. Obviously there is a risk with surgery and it is a big operation to remove his spleen. Pros and cons - it may be a MCT which has a longer life expectancy and less chance of a major bleed. It may be a hemangiosarcoma and grow rapidly or spread.

After a lengthy and informative discussion we have decided to monitor it and do another ultra sound in 8 weeks again. If it is much larger, we will remove his spleen. If it is the same we will discuss our intervention options and watch carefully for any signs of a bleed.

How old is Boof Anne? If he's not a young dog, think hard before subjecting him to splenectomy. if it's in his spleen, chances are its elsewhere too.

He turned 10 in November. I'd love any knowledge you have on this. It is a new area to me and my research is turning up some scary stuff. At least if I understand all the different outcomes and options I can feel better about the choices I make in regards to treatment.

The guy doing the ultrasound yesterday said the growth was 4cm in diameter but the vet hits morning said it was around 3.5cm .

It seems if it's not removed regardless of it being benign or malignant there is a very high risk of bleed which I don't like the sound of.

[~Anne~]

Anne, so sorry to hear of Boof's ill health.

My dog had his spleen removed with a large benign tumour at 12 yrs. We had kept an eye on the tumour with regular ultrasounds but it was growing quickly. He didn't have cancer in any other organs, or I would have reconsidered the surgery. The surgery went very well and the hardest part of his recovery was keeping him quiet :) I wish you the very best of luck with Boof.

Thanks Shcnauzer. I might pick your brains about it all a bit more after the next ultrasound which seems it ill be crunch time.