Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[DapperButch]

Anybody ever think of asking their veterinarian to do a CAT scan on their pet just to check things out?

I'm a freak like that due to the knowledge that over 50% of dogs over the age of 10 die from cancer. They have to be bad off though before there is any way to know they have it, so that is why a scan makes sense.

The problem with doing the scan though, is that every CAT scan we do is exposes us to radiation, which actually increases the growth of any existing cancer cells.

My Vet would probably tell me I am being a nut job. That happens a lot when I talk to my Vet.

I dunno, I think the next time they have his little butt knocked out for a teeth cleaning (which he is well overdue for), they should do a quick scan.

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Anybody ever think of asking their veterinarian to do a CAT scan on their pet just to check things out?

I'm a freak like that due to the knowledge that over 50% of dogs over the age of 10 die from cancer. They have to be bad off though before there is any way to know they have it, so that is why a scan makes sense.

The problem with doing the scan though, is that every CAT scan we do is exposes us to radiation, which actually increases the growth of any existing cancer cells.

My Vet would probably tell me I am being a nut job. That happens a lot when I talk to my Vet.

I dunno, I think the next time they have his little butt knocked out for a teeth cleaning (which he is well overdue for), they should do a quick scan.

Hi Dapper, Would an ultra sound be helpful in spotting potential doggie tumors without the radiation?
Jean, who has had so many cat scans that he glows in the dark.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by mustangjeano

Hi Dapper, Would an ultra sound be helpful in spotting potential doggie tumors without the radiation?
Jean, who has had so many cat scans that he glows in the dark.

Holy crap. I didn't think of that! Thanks, Jean!

http://pmcofedmond.com/edmond-veteri...mond-oklahoma/

"Radiography allows us to visualize bone, cartilage, foreign objects, and some kinds of tumors. Ultrasound is more useful in seeing inside of the organs and detecting soft tissue pathology such as tumors, liver and gall bladder disease, kidney disease, cancer and other degenerative disease of the organs."

Looks as though this is a good idea.

Sometimes I wonder if my Vet is going to take my dog and put him into foster care I am such a nut about him. I remember the time I made her do an x-ray for a toothpick he swallowed even though waiting and seeing was a fine idea (this was before my cancer and prior to learning I should avoid x-rays when possible), and the other time that I wanted to have such a long discussion about an acceptable bone for my dog that she said, " sometimes you should just let your dog be a dog. So what happens if his tooth happens to chip when eating too hard of a bone? My dog has a small broken piece off of a tooth or two. Let your dog enjoy life".

BUT, I am still going to ask! He just turned 8 years old.

[deb_U_taunt]

You are not alone in this lol I have a dog and about the only time she is alone is when I go grocery shopping. She is 11 and its scares me to death she is starting to get older. AND she has better health insurance than I do.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Holy crap. I didn't think of that! Thanks, Jean!

http://pmcofedmond.com/edmond-veteri...mond-oklahoma/

"Radiography allows us to visualize bone, cartilage, foreign objects, and some kinds of tumors. Ultrasound is more useful in seeing inside of the organs and detecting soft tissue pathology such as tumors, liver and gall bladder disease, kidney disease, cancer and other degenerative disease of the organs."

Looks as though this is a good idea.

Sometimes I wonder if my Vet is going to take my dog and put him into foster care I am such a nut about him. I remember the time I made her do an x-ray for a toothpick he swallowed even though waiting and seeing was a fine idea (this was before my cancer and prior to learning I should avoid x-rays when possible), and the other time that I wanted to have such a long discussion about an acceptable bone for my dog that she said, " sometimes you should just let your dog be a dog. So what happens if his tooth happens to chip when eating too hard of a bone? My dog has a small broken piece off of a tooth or two. Let your dog enjoy life".

BUT, I am still going to ask! He just turned 8 years old.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by deb_U_taunt

You are not alone in this lol I have a dog and about the only time she is alone is when I go grocery shopping. She is 11 and its scares me to death she is starting to get older. AND she has better health insurance than I do.

Well, my dog is a Jack Russell, so he is quite annoying. He is up my ass 24/7. Subsequently, from time to time I leave his butt and have no problem with it. I do feel guilty when I am at the beach because I can be at the beach all day and then out to dinner, etc. at night. Therefore, I will sometimes give him to my mom during those times. He also gets these wicked allergies at the beach because my R/V there is among trees, so he gets scratch crazy. I don't want him miserable and I don't want to put him on any medicine.

He loves it at my mom's because he has a huge yard to play in, lots of bunnies to chase and poop to roll in (much to my mother's chagrin), she feeds him snacks SHE purchases and passes over the healthy ones I give her to give him, and she always has new toys for him.

So it is a win-win! After about 3-4 nights he starts to get sad mom says and just lays around lethargic. I'm usually missing the mutt by then, too!

Insurance? I have chosen to take the risk. Honestly, my mother (who loves the dog, see above), is my insurance policy if he gets sick.

[deb_U_taunt]

A friend went into hospice a couple days ago and is telling people goodbye.
Another friend has brain mets and was told she has 6 months a couple months ago.

I am feeling a bit of survivor's guilt today.

[deb_U_taunt]

My mom sits for mine, too. Mine gets separation anxiety if I am gone grocery shopping for an hour. Yep, we are pretty much joined at the hip. lol

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Well, my dog is a Jack Russell, so he is quite annoying. He is up my ass 24/7. Subsequently, from time to time I leave his butt and have no problem with it. I do feel guilty when I am at the beach because I can be at the beach all day and then out to dinner, etc. at night. Therefore, I will sometimes give him to my mom during those times. He also gets these wicked allergies at the beach because my R/V there is among trees, so he gets scratch crazy. I don't want him miserable and I don't want to put him on any medicine.

He loves it at my mom's because he has a huge yard to play in, lots of bunnies to chase and poop to roll in (much to my mother's chagrin), she feeds him snacks SHE purchases and passes over the healthy ones I give her to give him, and she always has new toys for him.

So it is a win-win! After about 3-4 nights he starts to get sad mom says and just lays around lethargic. I'm usually missing the mutt by then, too!

Insurance? I have chosen to take the risk. Honestly, my mother (who loves the dog, see above), is my insurance policy if he gets sick.

[deb_U_taunt]

I am loving this mastectomy cover up!