The Kat House

As you all know, my dog Cruella developed a very serious medical issue back in March.

A large mass was discovered in Cruella’s abdomen.  She underwent surgery, and the five pound tumor attached to her colon was removed.  A few days later, she became very ill.  The diagnosis was peritonitis, which can be fatal.  Her doctor, Laura Devlin, performed a three and a half hour emergency surgery, and afterward, she was transported to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.  I was told that she had a 66% chance of survival.  I was asked whether she should be resuscitated if she were to stop breathing.  Through a river of tears, I said yes.  I told the doctors to do whatever ws necessary for Cruella’s recovery, regardless of cost. 

Most people don’t understand when you’re willing to go to such lengths for your pets.  But my dogs are much more than just pets.  They are family, and I can’t imagine life without them.  So yes, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect their health. 

Cruella spent nearly a week in the Intensive Care Unit at UT.  I visited her each day, and my heart broke each time.  She had developed edema, and her legs were swollen to twice their usual size.  She was having plasma transfusions, IV antibiotics, and frequent blood tests to monitor her condition.  Nearly half her body was bandaged, and she was wearing a “diaper” since she could no longer control her urination and bowel movements.  

I started to wonder if I was doing the right thing.  Was I causing her undue suffering?  I would call UT right before bedtime each night to check on her, and then I’d lie awake praying that I had made the right decision and that she’d pull through this.

She did pull through the peritonitis, but her condition was very frail even after I took her home.  And in the meantime, I had gotten even more bad news.  The tumor than had been removed from her abdomen was malignant.  It was a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), which is very rare and very resistant to chemotherapy and radiation.  Several small masses were removed from Cruella’s skin recently too.  Two of them were also cancer.

Cruella had an oncology appointment at UT in April.  The doctors did x-rays, ultrasounds, biopsies, bloodwork, and every other test imaginable to determine if there was more cancer in her body.  I was told that some mast cell disease had spread to her spleen, but the involvement was minor.  UT informed me that a drug company in France was conducting clinical trials on a new chemotherapy drug that was showing promising results for both GIST and mast cell tumors.  They recommended that we try to get Cruella into the trial, and I agreed.

Having gone through a considerable amount of stress and pain during the oncology appointment, Cruella wasn’t quite herself.  Later that night, she attacked me, leaving scars that can be seen to this day.

For the next several weeks, UT tried unsuccessfully to get Cruella into the clinical trial.  I took her back for another checkup this past Friday so that the doctors could determine the next course of action.  I am happy to say that she received a wonderful report!

The mast cells in her spleen are now within normal limits.  There was no sign of cancer elsewhere in the body.  It looks like Cruella won’t have to have chemotherapy after all!

The doctors did discover a cyst in the area where the large tumor had been.  It was drained, and there was nothing in the fluid to cause concern.  According to her doctor, Cruella has gained 6 pounds in 7 weeks and is now a bit “chunky”.  She also has high cholesterol.  But other than that, she’s doing great!  She has to go back to UT in two months to make sure there is still no spread of the cancer.  In the meantime, I have to put her on a low calorie diet to get her weight back in check. 

One of the best things to come out of this story is that the nagging question was finally answered.  Did I do the right thing?  I had shed countless tears, spent several thousand dollars for medical expenses, and put Cruella through a number of uncomfortable procedures.  But now she’s a healthy, happy dog again. 

Yes, I am convinced that I made the right decision.  And I’d do it all over again if I had to.

I urge you to consider all the options when caring for your own pets.  If there are treatments available, investigate them and make the best possible decision for your pet’s wellbeing.  If cost is a concern, be aware that there are interest-free payment plans at many veterinary institutions.  You wouldn’t deny proper medical care to your parent, spouse, or child.  Why should it be any different for your beloved pet?