Help Charmer Fight Canine Cancer

I will list his treatment costs here in an itemized list fashion.  If your pet has cancer, you can get an idea of the ball park figures from these costs.  However, I have to state that different specialist charges vary, and that the costs also depends on the type of cancer.  From what I understand the cost of treating a cat is the same as treating a dog.  This is why it pays to have your pet insured, and Charmer was insured, but it is a sad story how he lost that full cancer coverage only 2 months before his cancer spontaneously appeared in his mouth.

Here, though, is a list of what I spent already:

December 26th, 2006 initial veterinarian visit when I thought he had only a bad tooth infection, but learned to my shock it was a mass instead.  Cost $51.

December 26th, 2006 I promptly drove to a second vet for a second opinion.  I also requested antibiotics just to rule out on the long shot it was not an infection.  Cost $114.

I then ordered 2 canine cancer books, and some canine cancer herbs to give while he took the antibiotics.  As much as you may think not, if your pet is diagnosed with cancer you will find yourself grasping at straws, trying this and that to see if it may somehow work.  I got the books, Help Your Dog Fight Cancer by Laurie Kaplan, and Sparky Fights Back by Josee Clerens and John Clifton.  I found the Help Your Dog Fight Cancer chock full of practical examples for home care.  I rate that high as a personal resource.  Sparky Fights Back I found a heartwarming story with an interesting reference to noni juice; I only wish the authors of Sparky Fights Back had made an index as I found it confusing to try to find specific useful information in the book.  I found the websites for each of the books further helpful.  I got the herbs at http://www.caninemedicinechest.com I did not have any luck with the herbs, but I am not going to dismiss their usefulness to others, as I have used herbs from the same company for my other dog that has seizures and the herbs have completely controlled the seizures.  I spent over $100 on the herbs and books.

January 9th I had my intial consultation with the canine oncologist.  Cost $120

January 17 Charmer had his biopsy and 3 chest x-rays, with pain medicine prescribed and a complete pre-operative blood panel. Cost $505

January 21st, after I learned Charmer had malignant melanoma, I researched on diet and supplement and then rush ordered IP-6, Agaricus BioTM for Dogs, Fish Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Flax seeds, vitamin E, steak chunks.  Cost $249

January 23rd Charmer had a followup visit with the canine oncologist to discuss his treatment plan.  Cost $60

January 25 Charmer had a rush followup with regular veterinarian for the new bulge in his cheekbone.  He received cbc blood work to check for infection and a 14 day supply of clavamox antibiotic.  Cost $78

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Now here is what the costs are for Charmer’s treatment I have not yet paid:

Dr Dibernardi outlined Charmer needs to receive from 4 to 6 radiation treatments combined with 4 to 6 chemotherapy treatments.  She gave me two written estimates, one for the radiation and one for the chemo:

Radiation breakdown:

 RAD/MED ONC. VISIT 2 $60, RADIATION BOLUS $311, RADIATION THERAPY PLAN SIMPLE $351, RT ANESTHESIA $54, MISC. RADIOLOGY $50.   Estimate Range: $826.00 to $991.20 per radiation treatment, times 4 to 6 sessions.

Chemotherapy breakdown:

RAD/MED ONC. VISIT 2 $60, CBC WITH HAND DIFF $56, CARBOPLATIN PER MG $297, WINGED INFUSTION SET $12, CHEMO DRUG HANDLING AND DISPOSAL $24, REGLAN 10 MG TABS $13.50, FLAGYL 250 MG $13.  Estimate Range: $475.7- to $570.84 per chemo treatment, times 4 to 6 sessions..

There is small print at the bottom of each estimate which reads:

****The above is only an estimate of the total charges based on the best information currently available, but it is not a quote or a guarantee of the eventual charges as they can change as a case progresses.  Every effort will be made to contact you before performing additional services, however time does not always permit this as our patients are our primary concern.  You should feel free to inquire what your charges are at any time…Rechecks, future anesthesias, X-Rays, and additional prcedures are NOT incuded in this estimate.  Also, please note that there is a range below that may be higher than the exact estimate as it is impossible for us to anticipate everything in advance.

Okay, lastly what to me is the most important is the required donation to participate in the University of Wisconsin’s Dog Melanoma Vaccine clinical trial.  The cost covers the shipment of the special vaccines which have to be stored in cryo freezing, which do not last more than a day otherwise.  Cost $1800.

Now many cancers involve surgery beyond the biopsy and you can expect surgery costs around $1000 on up.  Charmer’s mass is located in such a place, surrounding his right rear upper molar, on his hard palate, to his tonsil area, that radical surgery is not an option.  However, radiation can achieve the same results.

Years ago none of these options existed, and a diagnosis of cancer was a death sentence, but now veterinary science is along the same lines for human treatment when it comes to cancer.  Cancer does not anymore necessarily mean a death sentence.  And don’t think that only dog owners want to go this extra mile!

Just yesterday I was talking on the phone with a woman I never met who works as an insurance agent with a company I have applied with for personal health insurance about her cat that had cancer.  I had mentioned to her I would have to call them back as my schedule was turned upside down caring for my dog who had cancer.  She opened up to me and shared how her own pet cat was diagnosed just this past April, 2006, with mammary cancer.  She took the cat to a specialist and the growth was removed at a surgical cost of $2000. 

Three months later an even larger tumor appeared, and yet again she had the same specialist perform yet a second operation for another $2000.  Then her cat followed with a regimen of chemotherapy.  The woman was happy to tell me that her cat was now cancer free.  She also told me that she likes to joke that she owns the most expensive cat in the world.  However, she doesn’t regret spending even a penny on her dear cat.  So here is an example of a cat who responded well to current cancer treatments with a very happy ending.