Spoony Posted December 11, 2013 Author Share Posted December 11, 2013 I talked to a friends surgical vet today to get other options. He could got at the issue directly, knowing the eye would be lost but with the aim to go straight in, remove the eye for maximum access and hopefully remove the issue. Obviously there is the possibly that it cannot be fully removed. This option may be around $1000, so certainly most cost effective. The Specialists want $1800-$2400 for MRI (depending on external scan reviews, biopsy requirements), and then if surgery is needed/possible $3000 - $5000 (with small chance of going higher if complicated) . They would aim to keep the eye and think most likely could. While the 'specialist' approach is best practice I'm seriously considering the other option. My concerns are putting her through unneeded trauma of surgery if it cannot be removed. Though in this case, say a tumour or whatever, anything removed should extend life. An MRI scan that finds something that probably would be $3-$5k operated due to low long term success would cost twice the price and not have helped her at all. She still seems happy today, no pain, actually likes me scratching right on her bulging closed eye (weird dog haha). Doesn't seem any worse today so really really hoping the double pred does something. As for the above choices, not an easy one. Curious to hear what others would do in this situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I stick to my original feelings - give the meds a go, if no luck then remove the eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 It is an incredibly difficult decision to be made, however, clearly something is not right with the eye so I would opt to remove the eye and send it off for testing. Recovery will be about 2 - 3 weeks with pain meds and antibiotics keeping her comfortable as she recovers. If the biopsy shows something sinister then you can plan for whether or not you are up for removal of the other eye, chemo or whatever else may then become available options. I really feel for you having to make these types of decisions especially given you are currently dealing with chemotherapy on your other Shar Pei. It would be lovely to have a never ending fund bucket for our dogs but the reality is for most of us that isn't an option. Dogs can be extremely stoic so she may not show any signs of pain until it is really bad. Grosy, my blind pei, has just had surgery to remove a plethora of items from his stomach which had also perforated. The vet says it was obvious some of these items had been there for a while as the blockage developed and yet he showed no signs of discomfort at all until it was almost too late. She has also said if he gets another blockage surgery is no longer an option due to the damage he has already sustained from previous pica incidents so Grosby is on borrowed time as he will eat ANYTHING just out of curiosity. So for me, even if money was no object, I know when he gets another blockage (and we know he will) then he has no options. Hopefully removal of the eye will be the quickest and most cost effective way for you to find out what is going on, will provide some answers for you and some relief for her. **hugs** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoony Posted December 11, 2013 Author Share Posted December 11, 2013 Thanks for your input kirty. Coming from someone that works in the exact related field does mean alot. Cheers Ams :) Eye would only be removed to gain easy access to remove the persisting issue behind, the eye is ok so no need to test it. I agree with the pain thing. They can be surprisingly tough buggers, us humans are sooks haha. Figures crossed at the off chance drugs work magic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoony Posted December 13, 2013 Author Share Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) Nope....I'm not normally up before 5 on a weekend but haven't slept much anyways so thought I come post on here. Lying on the floor Thursday night with harv and chilli relaxing, just watching her and looking at her poor eye I though why am I debating anything..... Money is irrelevant when it's your best mates as long as you can get it from somewhere, somehow you can get more of the filthy stuff to pay it back. So getting a little upset they both came over and chilli lay down next to me and snuggled he head in unde my neck. Deal signed, sealed and delivered.. MRI with all the trimmings for her Chrissy. Friday when eventually the specialist vet go back to me in the arvo he managed to squeeze a 4pm Friday arvo MRI in. 3 hours later I got the phone call. It was already clear in his voice before the details came. She's got a large spread tumor ;( I'll know more this morning but I seems to have originated in her nose/snout and grown out to push the eye, but also in and even eaten bone. My first comments were so if I'd just MRI scanned her first up!!? But no, he felt that by the time it had started to show up via the eye it would have been too late. Also nearly all tumors in that region are malignant too. Harv's oncologist was still there too to review, he said everyone was gobsmacked as seeing something like this in a dog under two is just unheard of virtually. While I'd wish I'd scanned straight away, I'm still so so glad I did in the end rather than putting her through the trauma of surgery option going in and losing the eye for no gain. I'll get a good idea this morning on how such a thing is affecting her pain wise to base how long (I think days ;( ) till she can run after roos and cats forever :) . I'm a bit worried how harv will now be in his final month(months maybe). I got her partly to give him a companion to the end. I've got nearly a month off so that's a plus.....I think with his other friends (mates dogs) hopefully he'll have a rotation of friends to keep him company Obviously pretty devisated and sad, but thanks to everyone for your input and support Dan Harvey Chilli Edited December 13, 2013 by Spoony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Dan I am so sorry. That news is just purely devestating. Words can't really express how my heart goes out to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Oh...... That is devastating .. but at least you now know ...no more drugs/poking & prodding for your dear girl . I am so, so sorry Take care .... It's good that she doesn't have to have surgery - that she can race around and go swimming for now , until, as you say , it's off to chase roos & cats forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harley Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 I'm so sorry it's not good news Dan. You are a good friend to Harvey and Chilli. I wish you much strength in the coming days, weeks and months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 I'm so sorry to hear this news. I always get worried when there is no pain with these things. Keeping you all in my thoughts xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoony Posted December 14, 2013 Author Share Posted December 14, 2013 Thank you everyone for your kind words. The MRI scans were a scary sight. The size and extent. 1/3 the size of her brain or more. A little time is a we have now and will cherish every moment. Special thanks to Ams (Jennifer), your generosity has me gobsmacked, just wondeful, thank you so much :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 14, 2013 Share Posted December 14, 2013 Don't forget - D O L is a great place to grieve and remember ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayla1 Posted December 14, 2013 Share Posted December 14, 2013 Oh what devastating news. I'm sorry to hear that. It's a good thing you have some time off now, you can spend a lot of quality time with both of them. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozzie Posted December 14, 2013 Share Posted December 14, 2013 Oh what a horrible outcome. Hugs to you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoony Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 (edited) The biopsy results came back today https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/30992402/pics/20131217_194028.jpg This is an MRI slice front on at eye level. Scary to look at. Shows left and right side of the head front on, the RHS is normal, everything on the left that isn't right is abnormal/tumour. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/30992402/pics/20131214_085216%7E01.jpg Their are quite certain she has an extremely rare esthesioneuroblastoma, which is a tumour that grows from frontal lobe of the brain. The oncologist had heard of two case. A quick Google seems there are less than 1000 reported cases world wide in humans! Searching with dog in the reference returns very limited results. The Oncologist thinks it has been there quite a while, perhaps a year, chance it could even be developmental. So she would have likely had it before I got her. Least she's been pretty spoilt since then :) Sadly this doesn't help Chilli at all. Treatment options are basically non existent. Radiation therapy may be possible, but it's effectiveness likely limited and short term sadly . Her eye is looking worse as time goes on but while she's very subdued around the house, she's still happy to get up and go for a walk, keen as to eat food, and more than happy to perform all her tricks for treats. She does seem to have good and bad periods. Like tonight she's certainly better than Sunday night. She's getting to do heaps of cool things, Sunday was the beach and bush with 5 of her furry friends (inc Harvey), she showed them cancer free dogs (and Harv, but his got an excuse) what stamina is haha. They've both spent the past two days at work with me, we close up tomorrow which is great as I hope she keeps at an ok level like she is tonight for a little longer :) I think as long as she's not constantly struggling at night/relaxing and is still happy to get up and do things, with no big signs of pain (Have Tramadol to help a little) she'll have me there 100% till the time comes, however soon, for her to sleep Edited December 17, 2013 by Spoony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Very sorry about the diagnosis, it sounds like she is lucky to have you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozzie Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I agree, she is lucky to have you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoony Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 I had to make the hard decision today for poor Chilli to rest from her fight for life . Run free my girl, but not too far so that Harv can catch up. May the Kangaroos be plentifully and the chasing endless. Such an awesome furry kid, will love you forever. Me and Harv will miss you more than words can say. Taken way too soon. F'you cancer! 'Chilli' 5/1/2012 ~ 22/12/2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Run free Chilli. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I'm so sorry. RIP Chilli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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