Spencer update and pet insurance

10 years ago

I've been lax about updating Spencer's health journey. Here is the link to the previous discussion. (Previous discussion about pet insurance.)

Spencer had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in December. We decided to proceed with a course of 5 chemo sessions, 3 weeks apart. He had his last chemo treatment at the end of March and seems to be doing well.

He sailed through those chemo sessions with almost no issue. He had no stomach distress or diarrhea, and we were provided with methods to reduce that if necessary. He never lost his appetite (he's a lab!) and he was only subdued on the day of chemo. We had to drop him off in the morning and pick him up later in the day. One of his chemo drugs had to be administered over a 6 hour period.

His one issue was with his gums. Over the years he's had problems with a smelly mouth from his gums and he had been on antibiotics several times over the years, as well as regular dental exams and cleanings. Due to the nature of chemo, at about the 7-10 day mark after chemo, when the blood counts drop as expected, he had trouble again with his mouth. Subsequent chemo sessions we pre-treated Spencer with antibiotics in anticipation of a problem. He only had one more time with a more severe mouth problem, but again it cleared up with the scrip.

So now it's almost mid-May and he seems to be doing just fine. He's perky and active and eating and drinking. We still have our beloved lab.

Originally, it was suggested that we bring him back in after 2 months for an ultrasound and bloodwork, and we have a tentative appointment for next week. However, we had been advised that even if something should be found, there was nothing else to be done, so I'm thinking of canceling that appointment. Sometimes it's better not to know.

In reference to the earlier link, we are grateful we have pet insurance. This adventure has cost of $11,000, but because of insurance we're only out of pocket about $2000. I would hate to think that our choices would be limited by financial reality.

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Comments (9)

murraysmom Zone 6a OH
10 years ago
I'm glad to hear that Spencer is doing well and tolerated his treatments fairly well too. I have a friend who had a coonhound that had a tumor on her front leg. She got chemo treatments for two years and she did great before things went downhill for her. My friend was so happy to have those two years where her girl was pretty much back to normal! I wish you get to have the same next years with your boy feeling good! And that is great that the pet insurance could give you this good outcome.
cat_mom
10 years ago
Thank you for posting an update on Spencer! So glad he seems to be doing well, and tolerated his chemo treatments without issue (aside from the gums).

I heartily agree re: insurance. While it did not cover the bills 100% (tests that led to a Dx of nasal lymphoma, followed by C-T scans, X-rays, bloodwork, Cyberknife radiation, chemo, follow-up visits and scans....), it still covered a large portion of them, and because of the treatment(s), our Miku has been in remission for 3 and a half years.

I hope Spencer continues to enjoy good health for a good long time!
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blubird
Original Author
10 years ago
We are grateful for having insurance; it makes decisions so much easier. We are also grateful to those who went before us with their beloved pets to help establish a protocol to be used and for those medical advancements which have been a game changer for both humans and pets.

murraysmom, glad that your friend was able to have two extra years with her coonhound...cool dogs by the way.

how wonderful that Miku has been in remission for over three years. Lymphoma treatment has really come a long way in just a few years. We actually participated on a doggy lymphoma forum for several years after my daughter's dog was diagnosed and saw some of those protocols change and remission times increase.
blubird
Original Author
10 years ago
Sad update- Spencer died Wednesday night. He had been doing great up until last Thursday night when he suddenly collapsed briefly. From that day his appetite diminished, but his death was quite unexpected. His docs were all shocked...we miss him terribly.

We are still grateful we had the opportunity to do everything possible for hIm and allow him to have a great quality of life until the very end. Would we do it again if faced with that choice? Absolutely!

Hug your furry ones.
annztoo
10 years ago
bluebird, I'm so sorry. He was so fortunate to have you as his caregiver.
cat_mom
10 years ago
I am so sorry blubird! :(

May Spencer rest in peace.....

(((HUGS)))
socks
10 years ago
How sad. I know how you love him.
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. What a journey. What a blessing to have had the chance for that extra time with him though. I hope you're able to find comfort in knowing you gave him a wonderful life. (((hugs)))
blubird
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for your condolences. They feel like warm hugs.