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FrodofromAus

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Everything posted by FrodofromAus

  1. Hi Carey I am really sorry your dog didnt make it. It is a horrible diseases and I know what I went through when Frodo got diagnosed. Everytime I went for treatment I didnt know if it would be the last, the nervous wait for the updated results. A lot of vet websites do have information on this cancer and not many survive it from what I have read. I hope if you get another dog one day, the trials and research that continue now might be the difference of a better chance next time f it should ibe unlucky enough to get cancer. If would be fantastic if anyone reading this thread with Perth contacts,would cut and paste my original posting to get the word out. Maybe someone amongst them might know of a dog that might fit within the trial criteria that the Perth Vet Specialists require. Any cancer research for our pets is important for the future and I know Dr Wyatt is very dedicated to his work.
  2. Hi Kayla Yes I was very lucky indeed. Dr Ken Wyatt and his staff from the Perth Vet Specialists did a fantastic job to get Frodo through it. If you google that type of cancer you will find that it effects Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs more than other breeds. There is some studies going on in the UK to find Rottweilers in particular to participate. I actually sent cheek swabs over to the UK from Frodo to help with research. If you have any contacts in Perth perhaps you could copy my original posting and forward it to them to pass it around? The more people that know of the studies the more likely to find participants. Any data and analysis that is gained will in the long run benefit all dogs.
  3. As an owner of a bull termer x who was diagnosed with malignant histiocytic sarcoma in October 2009, I have tried to keep in touch with what is happening in the field of research for our canine companions. The type of cancer Frodo had was a very aggressive cancer and from the stories I have read most dogs are lucky if they survive a couple of months. The good news is Frodo still keeps well after treatment, Statistically speaking one in three dogs in Perth will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and it is for this reason it is important that trials and research be conducted so that advancements in future treatments can be made. I have recently found out that the Perth Vet Specialists Oncology Department are conducting subsidised clinical trials for the following canine cancers: Canine lymphoma – free medication Canine appendicular osteosarcoma – free medication Canine non-cutaneous haemangiosarcoma – free medication There will be additional costs to owners such as xrays, ultrasounds, bone marrow testing, blood testing, hosptalisation, or any other testing that is required during the course of treatment. The medication will be free. The data that will be collated with suitable participants in these trials will help with future advancements in the disease. Frodo was very lucky to have Dr Ken Wyatt and his team at the Perth Vet Specialists treating him. The experience and knowledge they have is why he is still with me now. Perth is fortunate to have two of Australia's seven veterinary oncologists with Dr Amy Lane being the other. I cant speak more highly of the care he received during that dreadful period of time If any of the forum members know of anyone who has a dog that might be a candidate for these trials please contact the Perth Vet Specialists in Osborne Park on 9204 0400 http://perthvetspecialists.com.au/oncology/our-doctors-onocology/
  4. Hi Does anyone know of any pet friendly holiday accomodation in Geraldton WA. I have checked out a few websites and done a bit of emailing and calling but a lot that seem to be marked as pet friendly arent. My preference would be a house if possible with a fenced yard, although a unit or cabin would also be fine. My dogs are timid which is why I need something fenced and they are not fence jumpers. I have also checked out Quokka online with no luck. The accomodation forum here also seems short of WA suggestions. If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.
  5. Bow Wow is underwritten by Hollard
  6. I have done some research today on the ins and outs of this. It might pay to look at your policy PDS as you might well find that although they have paid $5000 the year before presumably this is all for what they say is a chronic condition (ie something that is ongoing for more than three months) that over a period of years it will be capped at $14000 in total not per year for the allergies. This would mean that maybe five years or less down the track you have used up the maximum benefit for that particular allergy condition and then you would pay yourself after that. Also if you check your PDS there is likely to be a clause which says to the effect that the insurer can vary the policy condition at renewal. This is what happened to me and although I did not use my maximum for the cancer they have varied it to mean I have to pay 60% and they pay 40% after the excess has been taken out. There are three different pet insurance underwriters in Australia. I have seen basically how one of them words their policies and I am going to look at the wordings of the other two over the next couple of days. Hollard underwrites Bow Wow along with a number of previously mentioned insurers in this topic.
  7. I just checked the PDS for PIA and from what I am reading it would mean that there is a maximum lifetime claim for things that could be ongoing or re occuring such as cancer. Part B Section 1 Definitions • The maximum We will pay for a single Condition, a Recurring Condition or a Chronic Condition suffered by Your Pet is the maximum amount that was current in the Policy Period when the Condition first manifested. Once this maximum amount has been paid, We will not pay for any further Treatment of that Condition during the remainder of the Policy Period or any future Policy Period. To me this would also apply to a dog that had say lifetime costs that may be associated with something like diabetes once the original maximum amount at the time of getting the policy was claimed
  8. I have personally had experience with Bow Wow Meow. I am now looking for a better policy. The reason is as follows. I have three dogs under the policy and one of them got cancer twelve months ago. I just got the renewal policy. The policy has blown right out now due to the claim. Two of my dogs had no claims whatsoever. Their policies went from $125 a year each up to nearly $300 each. Then there is the dog that I had the claim with. His policy went up to around $330 previously around $135 . The best bit is now they will only cover him for that type of cancer and related illness for 40 percent of further costs less the excess. I will be responsible for the other 60 percent. This is now a new condition of insurance. The policy booklet although not clear seems to indicate that once the $8000 for this illness is reached as they have not paid out that amount as yet, he will never be able to be insured for any sort of cancer again as it appears cancer is cancer and even if it is a different type they wont touch him. I was aware there was a max per year of $8000 per illness. Thats fine and I knew that. I didnt realise that if at any point in his life he ever suffered cancer again I would get nothing. I also didnt understand that other pets who I had not claimed against would go through the roof in terms of cost. You really have to check the wording of these policies as it is likely other companies have wording which indicates one event for a lifetime to the value of ? I also note with them that if a dog had an ongoing condition for instance epilepsy that needs a lifetime of treatment that once $8000 had been reached that was the end of it for the rest of the dogs life. I would be interested to hear if anyone has checked the wording of their policy or has had an experience with pet insurance where this limit for life is not the case. If I change company I would like one that goes up to say $15 000 so that is a better amount ifr it has to last a lifetime. Bow Wow were very slow in paying but apart from the agreed excess they did pay for everything. By the way my boy with the cancer is still going along well with no signs of it returning
  9. Thanks for that. I would have thought the same.
  10. Silverdog she had the bill for four days before she brought it around and wanted immediate payment. Prior to that we had no idea it even went to the vet. There was no injury when the dog parted. The witness said the dog didnt even grab in the area of the picture. My auntys dog was a staffy which was smaller in size than the cattle dog. Would it be wet or slobbery in the area a dog grabs on? Is that how you would know to check that particular spot along with other places?
  11. I didnt see the incident myself but the neighbour who saw it said she was out the front on the lawn which has no front fence. My aunty was with her at the time The dog is usually out the back where the fencing is high and secure. The damaged dog and its small companion walked past and the dogs were saying hello. The small dog started barking and my auntys dog barked back then the injured dog lunged forward and then the fight broke out. The photo above which was posted showing another dogs injury around the collar area was where I found the slobber and a tiny scrape. According to the witness she never grabbed lower down where the pic I posted shows. I assume you would expect to find slobber and wetness or some evidence if a dog has been in a certain spot and you check straight away. Is that how other people who have checked their dogs out after a fight find a sore or cut because the area is wet and you look further and find some sort of injury even if only minor? I guess the one thing my auntys dog has going for her is that her own vet has many times passed comment on how placid and friendly she is. He has said this because on several occasions he has come to get her when it is her turn and there she is bowing and playing with the other dogs in the surgery and often saying hello to their owners and wanting a pat.
  12. As of now the incident has not been reported. I spoke to the authorities myself as the dog was registered in another district and they wouldnt have been able to locate the dog. I wanted to do the right thing and they said unless a complaint is made there is nothing they can do. The have all my details and about the dog etc and I have been ringing every couple of days to remind them I am still around. I have told them we would co operate with any investigation etc. One of the people who checked the dog within 4 or 5 minutes was me. I have no doubt in my mind as to the condition of the dog when I checked it. I was very thorough as I have had numerous dogs at my place from time to time and have seen and checked the results of a dog fight once or twice. The other person is a neighbour who we dont know only to wave to. She asked me how the dog was and we got chatting and turns out she saw what had happened and unbeknown to me had consoled the lady at the time and went right over the dog. It would appear the neighbour was also very clear on it all. No pictures were taken by the owner when she saw the wound as I did ask for them. A bit strange really as she has an iphone. I didnt take any with mine as when we all parted there was nothing to photograph. I also know that down the road from where this happened as recently as the week before another roaming dog with no owner in tow tried to pick a fight with my dog when we were on our walk. I have taken particular notice in the last couple of weeks within half a kilometer of where it happened there has been more than one dog roaming around. I have passed this on to the shire. Its all been a bit distressing and we want to do the right thing if my auntys dog is responsible. I guess when people wont answer simple questions, change their mind and then carry on as if there is something to hide it makes you wonder. If the dog was ok when we parted I cant help wondering since the walk continued if one of these strays may have done something. It is not always easy to find out where a wandering dog belongs especially if it is not wearing tags and if it has been agressive I dont think I would want to touch it to see its tags. I appreciate all the feedback and just for the record the dog was not seen by an after hours vet. It went one afternoon and they decided to leave the operation until the next day. The worst I have seen in terms of injury is when my dogs head got ripped open by my other dog. It peeled it back although it didnt seem to bleed much underneath. Rushed him straight to the vet, he cleaned it out and then he glued him back together and gave antibiotics. That healed well and it happened again about an inch away from the first time and off for the same treatment again. Both tears which looked nasty healed well but he has two scars from it all.
  13. Yes Greymate there is more to this. I posted the question so that I could get opinions on the surgery without all the other information. I am not quite sure what it is that doesnt add up here but something is not right it may be what the owner of the dog has said I dont know. There was a dog fight. Both the owner and two witnesses checked both dogs out thouroughly. There was slobber much higher up towards the head the fur was all pulled apart looking for marks underneath. A slight graze in that area was found. No other marks anywhere on the dog which all three including the owner concluded. The owner continued on her walk Interestingly she now claims everyone saw blood at the time. Of course she didnt mention and it to the other parties didnt deter her from carrying on with the walk. The dog was taken to the vet a couple of hours later and given antibiotics and rymadal. Next day it was operated on and the owner given this huge bill. My aunty new nothing of it at this point. On the Tuesday she dropped the bill off at my aunty. My aunty rang me and so I rang the owner. I asked a few questions and asked if she had any photos and pointed out what the three people had agreed on at the time of the incident. She told me she wanted to come around now and get the money. I told her I had to look into if and she said she needed the money now to pay the vet the next day. When I said she can deal through me instead of my aunty and I wanted to see the rest of the information etc she said she would not deal with me she would deal with the old people. I spoke to the practice manager mainly in regards to the bill. They had done one bill for the owner which did not included any portion of anesthetic and one bill for my aunty. I do agree that you should do anything else whilst under anesthetic to save further stress to the animal. I thought some portion for each person would be more reasonable. She had called me from a number about an hours drive from the workplace at around 7.30pm at night. She said a couple of bizarre things whilst on the phone which were strange. I requested that I speak to the vet in terms of the medical to answer some queries. Vet rings me next day and wasnt overly helpful and seemed to be very defensive when I asked questions I thought were reasonable in relation to the wound and the wart. Some he wouldnt answer and instead I got a tirade of bullying and agressive behaviour commenting on my ethics, morals etc. He also seemed rather familiar with the owner as he told me how she wouldnt lie etc. I know about all the info my vet would say about me is that I am a good owner give the reasons for the statement and say I pay on time. I have since emailed him in regards to this conversation confirming what he said and how I thought it was unprofessional. In essence I can obviously see an injury. To me who has limited knowledge it seems a bit cut and stitches hence why I asked for opinions without elaborating. I dont know what happened to the dog when it went on its walk. I have no idea why the owner now claims there was blood at the time but continued on anyway. I dont know why I got a defensive reaction and a tirade of language. Why have the account for four days then lob to someone almost 80 and expect it to be paid now. There are a few other details which are unanswered questions which has got me thinking what is going on here. It is the sort of gut feeling we have all had when we know something is not right and people are chopping and changing their stories. It now might make a bit more sense but I wanted opinion based on the photo not the rest of it. All I was able to find out on the net about punctures was that they are normally left open as outlined in my earlier post. Is there other types of surgery that would be consistant with a cut this size? A friend of mine in dog rescue who has had many females desexed when in her care said that the cut etc on those dogs was far smaller and less stitches than the photo I showed her. If any of this is the responsibility of my aunty she will do the right thing and there is no question of that. I just cant help wondering (given the condition of the dog after the incident which all parties agreed with) in addition to the other things ithat have happened if there is not more to this. Demanding payment from anyone never mind an someone elderly at 5pm and wanting it there and then to pay the vet the next day is not reasonable when you have had the invoice for four days and have not told the other party. Thankis for all the replies it has been most helpful and appreciated
  14. I am actually asking on behalf of my aunty who is almost 80. When I shpwed the photo to a couple of people in dog rescue they thought it didnt seem right judging by the size of the stitches. There was no tear just two puncture wounds she was told by the vet. I looked up treatment on some websites and they seem to indicate that with punctures they shouldnt be stitched but cleaned out with saline, bettadine put into them and left open so you can see whats going on and at most just antibiotics from the vet. I found another forum on here where were speaking of punctures and no one mentioned that they had stitching. I asked about the wart and they told me that they normally freeze them and that the cut in the picture looked more like something other than a wart like what you would expect from say a lump. The vet bill for all this was about $850.00
  15. Hi Everyone I was hoping someone might be able to give me an opinion of the picture of the injured dog. I read the forums quite a bit although I dont usually post. The picture is suppose to be showing the repair to two puncture wounds. To me it looks like an awfully big repair. Also what is the normal course of treatment for puncture wounds? The injury in the area of the ear is the removal of a wart I am told. Does anyone know how vets normally do this sort of surgery and is it done under anesthetic and stitched? Thanks in advance for your opinions
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