trinabean Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 (edited) As some of you will know, my dog Bruno has allergies. I have been taking him to a dermatology clinic for immunotherapy and they are overseeing his diet too. Our normal dermatologist is excellent, however on our last visit we were seen by a new dermatologist. She explained that she was taking over some of the caseload as our normal dermatologist is very busy, and was away at a conference that day. She seemed to want to start from scratch, and ordered a whole lot of tests and did skin scrapes etc. that had previously been done. I thought it was overkill, but at least she seemed thorough. My main concern was about a lump that had appeared and grown quickly on Bruno's ear. She aspirated the lump and sent all the scrapes and samples off to pathology. She said she would let me know if there was anything to be concerned about. She then gave me the instructions for the food re-challenge and asked me to come back in 3 months or once he had completed the diet challenges. I was in contact via email once or twice about the diet but didn't see her again. Every 3 weeks we are at the clinic for allergy vaccines to be given by a vet nurse. This week a vet nurse let me know that the new derm. vet went home (overseas) for holidays and did not return. I asked her to check Bruno's file to make sure that 'no news was good news' re the tests done 4 months ago. Nothing about the tests was immediately apparent in the case notes. The nurse promised to chase it up with pathology etc. and let me know. So now I've had a call from another derm. vet to apologize and let me know that unfortunately, Bruno's lump sample contained 'a lot of mast cells.' It needs to be surgically removed and graded ASAP. He mentioned mast cell tumours and margins. I was shocked and didn't really understand what he meant until I got off the phone. I was just trying to hold back tears to be honest. After reading a bit about mast cell tumours, I'm now angry. Bruno's results have been sitting somewhere for 4 months, meanwhile giving the damn tumour time to grow/ spread. Surely there should be procedures in place to hand over clients cases properly when someone leaves? I have an appointment with my regular GP vet on Monday, to discuss surgery. My dear Bruno is only 2 1/2 years old. He has had a rough trot with atopic dermatitis, food allergies, 'boxer colitis' and a heart murmur. I love him to bits but am dreading the road ahead. Edited: Tried to fix the title. Fiddle-farted around, then gave up! Edited August 22, 2013 by trinabean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 What a shame. I agree with you that it's best to nag vet clinics if you don't get a response as things do get lost and overlooked - I also get them to do a copy for my own personal files for each dog. Perhaps your sad situation will help other DOLers dogs. I guess what you do now depends on whether the tumour turns out to be life threatening in a way that it would not have been if picked up at the time of the test. If this was me every step I took from now on would be taken keeping in mind protecting my options to seek compensation of some kind - even if it's just a refund of the cost of the test. Best wishes for Bruno, let us know how he gets on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darien Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 I am very sorry to hear this and apalled that even after the specialist left, no one informed you of the pathology results I hope Bruno will be ok, thoughts for you both are being sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 The break down in communication might have grave consequences for Bruno, I'm sorry. I hope it's brought to their attention although I'm sure you have Brunos treatment to worry about for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 Oh trina im sorry to hear this, i hope its able to be removed with no issues. I would be absolutely furious and would let them know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 (edited) I think the error is worth a complaint to the board that oversees vets. The negligence is a refelection of poor operating systems in that practice, not just the vet who left. Wishing Bruno all the best. Edited August 17, 2013 by Diva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Trina im sorry to hear this Bruno is so well loved he is a lucky boy. Hopefully it's not too late for them to remove the lump and he will be fine. Very poor form on the part of the vet clinic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I think the error is worth a complaint to the board that oversees vets. The negligence is a refelection of poor operating systems in that practice, not just the vet who left. I agree with this, I think you should make a complain to the board. I'm so sorry about this I wish you and Bruno the best of luck. Crossing my fingers and toes that it hasn't spread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 appallingly unprofessional of that clinic. I would be putting a complaint in writing and perhaps forwarding to the vet Board. Anyway.. take a deep breath MCT is not the end of the world. Take things step by step. Many MCT are removed clean margins and there is not a problem... so dont cross any bridges before you get to them. May I also suggest consulting with a reputable holistic vet who can assist with support for Bruno at this time.. hang in there. My girl Lucinda lived a full life with MCT grade 3 for many years after dx despite the oncologist suggesting I take her home for a few days to say goodbye...and I know that Staffyluvs Ollie Dog did the same. Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 So sorry about Bruno. I would be furious with the vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Oh god, so sorry to hear. I know of a lot of dogs with MCT that have had it removed and gone on to live long, happy lives, so I am hoping for that with Bruno too. I would be absolutely FURIOUS and would certainly make a complaint to the vet board. That is just unacceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 :hug: Please throw a toy to Brunes for me xxoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Sorry to hear that he has Mast Cells present. There is a definite link between 'allergic' dogs and MCT.. Clear margins is simply clear tissue around the tumour site (to see that the tumour has not invaded those tissues). My old stafford had MCT and after his initial surgery, there were no clear margins on a grade 2 tumour. However Ollie had multiple tumours removed. He went back in 3 days after the initial surgery to try and get clear margins on the biggest tumour - this wasn't successful and they also biopsied some lymph nodes near the tumour and they also contained mast cells. He was originally give 12-18 months with chemo to prolong his life. We did 6 months of chemo (there are many new and better treatments, Palladia being one). New tumours arrived and although they were aspirated to see if they were in fact MCT, we did not remove them. He was holistically treated as well with supplements to help him cope with chemo (which really isn't as traumatic for dogs as it is for humans as they simply don't give dogs the level of dosage the give to humans). Ollie lived 6 and a half years after his initial diagnosis. There is loads more treatments now than when he was treated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 (edited) That's bad news, such a slack vet. I do hope Bruno will be ok, he certainly was hit with the $hit stick!! One of my boxers at about 3 had a mast cell tumour on her stomach. Because we all thought it was a wart (vet too) nothing was done for a months. Then she developed a fast growing lump on her neck, so we decided to knock off the wart as well. The wart, of course, was a mast cell tumour - good margins, and she lived for another 5 or 6 years without problems. With the ear they should be able to get good margins. Poor Bruno's immune system is in a bad way. There is a boxer breeder in US who advocates this rather peculiar cancer treatment for boxers (I think it is peculiar anyhow!!). There is nothing you can't buy anywhere; but heaps of boxer owners swear by it. If my dog had a problem, I would certainly try it, on the basis that it wont hurt, and may well help. Will pm you when I find it! Will be sending get well vibes to poor Bruno Edited to say I have just sent you the link/ Edited August 18, 2013 by Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 That's bad news, such a slack vet. I do hope Bruno will be ok, he certainly was hit with the $hit stick!! One of my boxers at about 3 had a mast cell tumour on her stomach. Because we all thought it was a wart (vet too) nothing was done for a months. Then she developed a fast growing lump on her neck, so we decided to knock off the wart as well. The wart, of course, was a mast cell tumour - good margins, and she lived for another 5 or 6 years without problems. With the ear they should be able to get good margins. Poor Bruno's immune system is in a bad way. There is a boxer breeder in US who advocates this rather peculiar cancer treatment for boxers (I think it is peculiar anyhow!!). There is nothing you can't buy anywhere; but heaps of boxer owners swear by it. If my dog had a problem, I would certainly try it, on the basis that it wont hurt, and may well help. Will pm you when I find it! Will be sending get well vibes to poor Bruno Edited to say I have just sent you the link/ Jed, one of Ollie's was a wart as well - on his toe. They took the wart but didn't get clear margins. MCT is a $hit of a disease - they come in so many varieties of tumour. They are not all just a lump under the skin, they can be a wart, something that feels like a lipoma or another one of Ollie's was like a small sore that he had licked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redangel Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Nothing more to add but to say Im sorry for your news. It does seem poor communication. I wish only the best for you & Bruno. Hopefully Bruno's experience will be that you need to stay vigilant and that he has a good prognosis post op. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ari.g Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Trina im sorry to hear this Bruno is so well loved he is a lucky boy. Hopefully it's not too late for them to remove the lump and he will be fine. Very poor form on the part of the vet clinic. What indigirl said. Big hugs to Bruno and yourself and crossing everything that he will be fine after it's removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogie Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Really sorry to hear that about Bruno. I hope it goes well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted August 19, 2013 Author Share Posted August 19, 2013 (edited) What a shame. I agree with you that it's best to nag vet clinics if you don't get a response as things do get lost and overlooked - I also get them to do a copy for my own personal files for each dog. Perhaps your sad situation will help other DOLers dogs. I guess what you do now depends on whether the tumour turns out to be life threatening in a way that it would not have been if picked up at the time of the test. If this was me every step I took from now on would be taken keeping in mind protecting my options to seek compensation of some kind - even if it's just a refund of the cost of the test. Best wishes for Bruno, let us know how he gets on. Thanks SSM, and that's a good idea re. asking for a copy of everything for your own files. I have copies of most things (a huge amout of paperwork for all the ongoing allergy stuff), but alas, not the aspiration result. I think the error is worth a complaint to the board that oversees vets. The negligence is a refelection of poor operating systems in that practice, not just the vet who left. Wishing Bruno all the best. Thanks Diva, I may do that. For starters I will be writing to the specialist clinic and asking them to explain how this fell through the cracks. appallingly unprofessional of that clinic. I would be putting a complaint in writing and perhaps forwarding to the vet Board. Anyway.. take a deep breath MCT is not the end of the world. Take things step by step. Many MCT are removed clean margins and there is not a problem... so dont cross any bridges before you get to them. May I also suggest consulting with a reputable holistic vet who can assist with support for Bruno at this time.. hang in there. My girl Lucinda lived a full life with MCT grade 3 for many years after dx despite the oncologist suggesting I take her home for a few days to say goodbye...and I know that Staffyluvs Ollie Dog did the same. Helen Thanks Helen, I will try to take it one step at a time. I appreciate your perspective and it's heartening that Lucinda lived so well despite her MCT. I must admit, I haven't slept very well since Friday and I have a knot in my stomach about today's vet visit. I just want to know where we stand with the tumour and the prognosis. :hug: Please throw a toy to Brunes for me xxoo I will LBD, he still has the awesome orange ball you gave him. :) That's bad news, such a slack vet. I do hope Bruno will be ok, he certainly was hit with the $hit stick!! One of my boxers at about 3 had a mast cell tumour on her stomach. Because we all thought it was a wart (vet too) nothing was done for a months. Then she developed a fast growing lump on her neck, so we decided to knock off the wart as well. The wart, of course, was a mast cell tumour - good margins, and she lived for another 5 or 6 years without problems. With the ear they should be able to get good margins. Poor Bruno's immune system is in a bad way. There is a boxer breeder in US who advocates this rather peculiar cancer treatment for boxers (I think it is peculiar anyhow!!). There is nothing you can't buy anywhere; but heaps of boxer owners swear by it. If my dog had a problem, I would certainly try it, on the basis that it wont hurt, and may well help. Will pm you when I find it! Will be sending get well vibes to poor Bruno Edited to say I have just sent you the link/ Thanks Jed, I received your pm about the treatment. I do hope they can get good margins on his ear. I do wonder how they can remove it without disfiguring his ear entirely though, it's not near an edge. It is close to the fold and right near the centre, a largish lump.... And yes. He most certainly was hit with the $hit stick. Need to add a few more $$$$$$$$'s to $hit to be accurate. A big thanks for the well-wishes and input Darien, Kirislin, Aussie3, Indigirl, LisaCC, JulesP, Melzawelza, Staffyluv, RedAngel, Ari.g, and Coogie. And Staffyluv, I have now completely read Ollie's story! We have a vet appointment at 1pm today with our very good vet. Edited August 19, 2013 by trinabean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 You must be feeling so bad ... the only really good thing is that Bruno has NO idea :) , so take some comfort from that, maybe? Best of luck with today's appointment - thinking of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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