Sandy,
Sadly for almost all of us cost is definately a factor that has to
be considered. Cancer treatment can get very expensive and there is
never a guarantee that it will be successful. Alot depends on finding a
very good oncologist to either see or atleast consult with. Or a vet
that is willing to do the hours of research, most are just to busy, so
consulting with a speciaist is the usual option and usually an added
cost. My vet consulted with an oncologist and then administered the
chemo herself. Treatments ranged from $120 to $180 per visit for the
vincristine (my vets charges are on the high side, they are not cheap).
Buddie's treatment consisted of 4 of the IV treatments of vincristine
alternating with one other chemo who's name escapes me now. Then she
would have had to go on the oral chemo given at home by me, it was a
pill called chlorambucil or leukeran. She would have received that
every other day indefinanetly depeniding on her response. She was
getting prednisolone all along with all of it. Her prognosis was 1 to 2
years doing the chmo route. 1/2 years to 1 1/2 with prednisolone
alone. We did some chemo, 3 IV treatments, I didn't do the oral chemo
because Buddie quit eating and it took me three solid weeks of coaxing
every 15 minutes to every 1/2 hour to get her eating again, so I stopped
the chemo thinking that was the reason she quit eating. It was the
cancer being killed off and fighting back that was making her feel
crappy, in hindsight I would have continued the chemo. Even so Buddie
had a good year after diagnosis, there were other complications that
later required a feeding tube, but all in all we had a great year.
Buddie fought very hard and suprised my vet on a few occasions.
You can only do the best that you can with what is available to, if your
son learns that he will be fine.
--
Belinda
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