[mybestm8]

Please help me, im desperate. My dog is having fits and after giving a clear blood test, the vet is telling me that he is 95% certain he has a brain tumour.

I finished the last day of my job last week and nothing from the agency at the minute, so I have no funds coming in. Im just about to sell my car, CDs etc to try and raise the money for what i think will probably end up being an MRI scan and either radiotherapy or surgery, but at best im only gonna be able to raise £1000

The cheapest i have found is £1500 for MRI (although someone has given me some info on a £900 scan, but im yet to see if thats possible for the brain too) and then a further £1600 for radiotherapy or £2-3000 for surgery, so a total of £3000-£4600

This couldnt have come at a worse possible time, both my parents are worse than broke.

Does ANYONE know of a specialist that charges less than £1500 for an MRI?

Also, the vets have taken bloods and because the bloods have come back clear, then they have assumed that it is a brain tumor and put him on prednicare 4x5mg twice daily. I wasnt entirely happy with this because it seemed to assume too much.

Do blood tests safely cover everything other than a tumor? Or are there other things I should consider prior to an MRI scan?

I am desperate. Ozzy is my life, i have devoted my life to him and he is everything to me, my best friend, i love him so much. please help me------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Criosphynx]

Have they xrayed him? To me that would be the next logical step.

And no, MRIs are very expensive...In fact we were in a similar situation $2000 MRI and $2000 surgery (spinal problem and he was elderly) and we opted to Euthanize

I know you love your dog but has the vet talked to you about post surgery care and what it involves? Im not sure about brain surgery but the back surgery recovery was going to be very intensive.

 

[yogi]

unfortunately x-rays cannot confirm brain tumors, only MRI's can. I have dealt with this before and unless it is a young dog, recovery even from surgery can be difficult. In most cases euthanasia is the best option though I understand the concerns as it was very difficult for me even after all these years. There is a chance a cat scan may show a brain tumor but you could pay and find nothing where an MRI will show.

 

[Criosphynx]

]unfortunately x-rays cannot confirm brain tumors, only MRI's can.[/B] I have dealt with this before and unless it is a young dog, recovery even from surgery can be difficult. In most cases euthanasia is the best option though I understand the concerns as it was very difficult for me even after all these years. There is a chance a cat scan may show a brain tumor but you could pay and find nothing where an MRI will show.

Interesting... do you know why this is?



Im assuming an ultrasound is useless as well?

 

[yogi]

X-rays first off emit radiation where MRI's do not. Importantly to also note that though x-rays are fine for solid matter ie: bones, they do not generally reveal clear pics of non dense material. Where an x-ray may miss a tumor as not dense enough an MRI will detect this. If you have ever had a puppy suffering from a leg injury at the vet they will tell you that unless the leg has a break it may not show what exactly the problem is. This is due to cartilage and tendon mass not being dense enough for the x-ray to reveal or in many cases even pick it up. Brain tumors unless large can be seen with an x-ray and viewed as a possible glitch in the film. MRI magnetic resonance imaging relies on magnets along with a radio frequency to view soft tissue in the body.
I was able to find this link which explains it in more detail than I can. I am fortunate that my older sister is an x-ray tech and has been for nearly 40 years.
What Is an MRI?

 

[Criosphynx]

holy crap...are you a vet tech or som'thing

 

[pawzaddict]

I unfortunately agree that it may be in the dogs best interest to be let go...its difficult but post sx care for something that extensive is going to be expensive itself.

 

[ChristineLVT]

I unfortunately have to agree with the options. Although you may be able to find somewhat cheaper for an MRI, there is little sense in doing the MRI if further treatment cannot be afforded. Tumors in the brain can be seen on radiographs, but not in 3D and not in a way which would help a radiation oncologist nor surgeon- they need to see exactly where this is in correct dimensions for measurement purposes and safety of further treatment. In my experience, both are going to be needed for any change in his condition: debulking the tumor via surgery, then radiation therapy. Still, this often gives at best a year or 2 more of life. That's in success cases. You're looking at quite a bit of money spent over the next few weeks to months, as well as travelling and leaving your dog at hospitals for quite some time.

As hard as it may be, realize your vet has the experience to differentiate between 'something' going on in the brain and epileptic seizures. The decision is indeed difficult, and I wish you the best...