January-February 2014 with Tucker

Tucker’s Cancer Journey:

These next few posts will be a bit lengthy for a blog. I thought about condensing and summarizing (even more than what you see here), but in the end I decided against that. 

What's most important to us about Tucker's series is that it might be a landing place for someone going through this same challenge. For that reason we didn't' want to leave anything out. So please bear with us as we post segments of his vet visits for the next couple of installments of his story. 

Listed below is a chronological summary of Tucker’s trips to the Vet

 January 2, 2014 Tucker was seen by Dr. Runk, Franklin Veterinary Associates, Greencastle, Pa. for limping.  He was given Tramadol 50 mg and Rimadyl 75mg.  Rimadyl is a NSAID.  I kept an eye on Tucker for vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool and decreased appetite.  Tucker did well and I thought we were on the right track.

At this time the Vet thought Tucker had an issue with his knee. 

Office visit-$52.10

January 24, 2014 Tucker was seen by Dr. Runk at Franklin Veterinary Associates for a lump on the outside of his left rear leg.   During this visit the Vet performed a needle aspirate/cytology and a short procedure ultrasound.  He was prescribed Baytril 68mg tabs.    Office visit - $136.76

January 27, 2014 Tucker was given additional Baytril. We continued to wait for the tests results from the needle aspirate procedure.  Office visit - $36.90

The results came back that Tucker had Spindle Cell Sarcoma is a type of connective tissue cancer in which the cells are spindle-shaped when examined under a microscope.

At this time it became clear that Tucker required surgery.  The tumor on his leg was getting bigger and Dr. Runk did not perform this type of surgery.

I was new to this area and I decided to call Dr. Dubin, Animal Care Experts, Thompson, Ct.  She was my Vet while I lived in Mass. So I made arrangements for Tucker to have his surgery.

2/4/2014  Dr. Dubin requested that I go to Dr. Runk, Franklin Veterinary Associates  for blood work and xrays.    Office visit - $265.80

2/11/2014 Dr. Dubin requested that Dr. Runk performs another Needle aspirate and send to Idexx Cytology and Microscopic description.  Office visit - $159.18

2/18/14  Dr. Dubin requested another cytology, medical exam and he was given

 Clavamox and Tramadol.     Office visit - $86.14

2-25-14  Trip from Pa., to Thompson, Ct to see Dr. Dubin, Animal Care Experts, Thompson, Ct.  Tucker had a drain and staples in his leg.  He did really well during the procedure and I was able to take him home the next day.   

 Surgery - $1,253.58

Tucker was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma it is a deadly cancer that attacks the lining of the blood vessels which can rupture and bleed causing death.

Tucker hated the bandage, the drainage tube and most of all the staples.   He ended up wearing a soft cone but he was smart and had to be either held or watched constantly.

2-27-14  Visit to Franklin Veterinary Associates to have bandage changed and he was given fluids.      Office Visit - $101.00

-Join us next time to hear how Tucker got his nickname of-

***********Mr. Handsome Pants**********

Canine Cancer

 Last post you met our treasured friend Tucker. Later on in Tucker’s life he was diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma, which according to caninecancer.com is an aggressive, malignant tumor of blood vessel cells.

Before we delve into the journey that cancer led Tucker on, we wanted to first share with you some facts on cancer in canines.

Tucker

The following facts are from:

Chemotherapy Overview from Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Hospital

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy drugs are serious compounds that are toxic to cancer cells.  Chemotherapy drugs may be administered orally, or by intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (under the skin) injection.

How does chemotherapy work?

Cancer cells typically multiply very rapidly, so most chemotherapy drugs target those rapidly growing cells to damage their ability to divide, eventually killing them.

Why chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy can be most effective single treatment for some types of cancer, by offering the best chance for remission while maintaining a good quality of life for your pet.

Chemotherapy is often recommended after surgical removal of a malignant cancer.  The purpose of chemotherapy in this application is not only to try to prevent recurrence of the cancer at the original sit, but also to try to prevent metastasis.

Occasionally, chemotherapy will be used alone for the treatment of cancers that are inoperable, or are not good candidates for radiation therapy, or have already metastasized.  In most of these cases, the goal of treatment will not be to cure the cancer, but rather to improve your pet’s quality of life temporarily by reducing pressure, bleeding or pain.

What about side effects?

Compared to people, pets suffer fewer and less severe side effects from chemotherapy.  This is primarily because veterinary oncologists use lower doses of drugs, and do not combine as many drugs as do human.  All rapidly dividing cells in the body are sensitive to chemotherapy, and while cancer cells fall into that category, so do cells that are found in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and hair follicles.  Chemotherapy, therefore, may result in gastrointestinal upset, immune suppression, and hair loss in some pets.

Possible gastrointestinal effects include decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea which, if untreated, can lead to weight loss and

Dehydration.

Immune-suppressive effects result when the bone marrow is no longer able to make as many white blood cells, which in turn leads to an increased susceptibility to infection.

Some pets, just like some people, may lose their hair during chemotherapy treatment.  While this is less common in pets, it does happen.  Hair generally begins to grow back within a few weeks to a month after treatment ends.

How Will My Pet Be Monitored?

At each chemotherapy visit, your pet will be physically examined by the veterinarian, and blood will be taken for a blood test to monitor white blood cells and other parameters.  Additional diagnostic tests, such as ultrasonography, may be scheduled as needed.  Once the tests are reviewed and your pet is cleared for the next round of chemotherapy, an appointment will be scheduled.

Next, we’ll take a look at the chronological vet visits to treat Tucker’s cancer.

I hope this will help any of you dealing with or who may deal with canine cancer.

Until then…

***Edited to correct Cancer Diagnosis. Tucker was diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma not Spindle Cell**