giadog

Just got the good news that PetFirst IS going to cover Butkus' claim, and that they're paying out $1000 MORE than I thought the per-incident amount allowed! Really, with 5 dogs, pet insurance is one of the best things I ever did!

I have Petfirst for my three younger dogs and ASPCA for my two older. I haven't had to make a claim at all yet on ASPCA, but I've done a couple through Petfirst. First was Gia's tumor removal/biopsy, and it was great! Moved quick and easy, with no issues. I'm currently working on Butkus' brain tumor claim, and there have been a few hitches with providing the correct medical records, but I think that's been more of my fault, and their customer service is quick and helpful, and most impressive, when I call they know my case and remember Butkus' circumstances before I even give them my policy number. That kind of personal customer care really stands out to me. Jetcitywoman, most of the policies I looked at, and both that I purchased, are just like human medical insurance. My dogs are covered for both accident and illness coverage. If they have an incident, I can go to whichever vet I prefer, and I simply fill out a claim form, mail it in, and wait for a reimbursement check. My Petfirst coverage covers a surprisingly large percentage (90%) of the bills (after a $50/incident deductible). The only issue I've run into is that I bought a plan with too-low maximum coverage...it would have been fine for things like broken legs, dog fights, etc., but I wasn't expecting to encounter $3,000 MRI/spinal tap bills....my own poor planning, I suppose. They do offer plans with higher maximums, but obviously they cost more per month. ETA: The reason I chose Petfirst is because they offer family plans...a package deal/rates if you insure 2-3 pets on the same plan.

I had created a new topic, but I suppose I should have updated here, as well!! Gia came out fine, everything was benign! Thanks for keeping her in your thoughts!

I was so shocked to read this in the other thread. My heart goes out to you and your family.

We're in the same situation right now. We're doing a lot of holistic treatment to try to extend the time we've got, and improve the quality of life left. Feel free to PM me if you need to talk, I know it's not an easy thing to go through. There will be ups and downs, and all you can do is try to enjoy every minute.

He LOVES the yogurt, and his poos seem to be healthy, so hopefully I'm not doing him any damage with it! This is all really good advice...so theoretically, if at the beginning of the week I sautee up a bunch of fattier hamburger along with the handfuls of veggies (I'd like to keep at least a bit of veggie b/c I know the contain different cancer-fighting antioxidants) and then scoop him out a cup or two every night, along with switching to chicken legs, we should be doing right by him? And maybe adding a bit of cottage cheese in the mix? ETA: I DO need to stop and pick up some grain free treats for him...I feel so guilty when everyone gets a treat, and all I have to give him is a couple bits of kibble.... Make some sweet potato chips for him as treats - they only take about 30 minutes to make from start to finish. If I make sweet potato chips, I'll have a hard time not eating them all myself!!! But I thought those were very LOW calorie...(If not, maybe I shouldn't be eating them as often as I do!!!)

He LOVES the yogurt, and his poos seem to be healthy, so hopefully I'm not doing him any damage with it! This is all really good advice...so theoretically, if at the beginning of the week I sautee up a bunch of fattier hamburger along with the handfuls of veggies (I'd like to keep at least a bit of veggie b/c I know the contain different cancer-fighting antioxidants) and then scoop him out a cup or two every night, along with switching to chicken legs, we should be doing right by him? And maybe adding a bit of cottage cheese in the mix? ETA: I DO need to stop and pick up some grain free treats for him...I feel so guilty when everyone gets a treat, and all I have to give him is a couple bits of kibble....

Since we found out about Butkus' tumor, we changed his diet to partially grain-free, partially raw. In the mornings, he gets almost 2 cups of Orijen 5-fish kibble and a cup of plain yogurt. In the evenings he gets 6 raw chicken wings, a handful of greens (spinach, romaine, kale, whatever's on hand), a handful of soybeans, handful of blueberries, a cut up tomato, and a good pinch of broccoli sprouts. The issue is that he's looking a little thin. Is there anything we can add to his diet that would be beneficial for cancer/tumor treatment and that would also help put weight on?

I'm so sorry to read this update. Please know that you did everything you could for Penny, including the hardest sacrifice imaginable, and that you did it all out of love for her.

My heart jumped to my throat when I saw the other thread locked, but this is GREAT news!!!!!

Keeping you both in my thoughts!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and both of you in my thoughts....

With Butkus' tumor, we're doing grain free kibble (Orijen brand, the fish-only kibble) in the morning and raw at night. He's getting a lot of raw chicken wings, which I was told are a good for cancer patients. Maybe you could blend them? I know the raw bones are important...We also give him kale, soybeans (although I've been thinking of switching to Tofu, which would work for your toothless pup and still give the same benefits), blueberries, broccoli sprouts, and tomatoes. Each of the ingredients has cancer-fighting agents. As far as supplements, we're doing goldenseal, Maiake mushroom, IP-6, Essaic tea, and fruit enzyme powder. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions...I'm still a newbie at this, but I've done a lot of research and also gotten a lot of great advice.

Healthy, strong energy for Penny and calming energy for you!!!

Robin, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'll be keeping you and Elsie in my thoughts.

I know I've read of many people on the forum here using homeopathic methods and diets to extend the time left they have with their cancer pups. The doctor gave us a few weeks to a few months with Butkus, and I'd like to drag that out as long as possible! Can anyone who's used these methods successfully pass on some tips/methods/recipes?

Well,we got the results; unfortunately, they're not good. The MRI showed a very large tumor in the front portion of his brain. The doctor said they hadn't aspirated it, but that 9 times out of 10, these tumors are malignant. She gave us the options: surgery, chemo, and radiation would cost us upwards of $10,000, and would probably only buy him another 8 months. Otherwise, we can do a steroid treatment to reduce the swelling in his brain, which will hopefully return him back to normal, and he'll have a few weeks to a few months. The reality hasn't really hit yet. I just can't believe my buddy monkey galumpher, who is only 4 years old, has something that he just can't beat.

He's going under anasthesia now, and hopefully by 3 or 4 we'll have some answers. Please keep fingers crossed that he has no problems with going under!!!!

Thank you everyone for your well-wishes!! He made it through the night, so the first hard part is over with. Today he'll undergo a full neuro scan; MRI, x-rays, a spinal tap type test, a skin scrape, and I think a couple more. He's a strong buddy, and today we're ONLY hearing good news! Mods, this is a double post....can you combine?

Thank you for the well-wishes, everyone! He made it through the night, so the first hard part is over! Mods, this is accidentally a double post...Can you combine?

Now we're asking for prayers and strong energy for Butkus, our buddy, our galumpher, our bulldog. About a week ago, we noticed he had a droopy face, but we attributed it to the heat and humidity. In the past week, he's gone from our happy smiley bulldog to a lethargic, agitated, confused zombie. We took him to the E-vet yesterday, who ruled out most physical causes, and said they'd refer us to a neurology specialist at the UW vet school on Monday, and sent him home. Today, he downward spiraled fast. We called the evet, who told us to bring him directly to the UW evet. While he was there being examined, he had a seizure. We don't know what's wrong with our buddy baby, but we would really appreciate any energy, prayers, light, whatever you can afford. He's so young and strong, and he made it through heartworm already....I know he can make it through this. We're just so scared, and we're not sure yet what we're even up against....

Now we're asking for prayers and strong energy for Butkus, our buddy, our galumpher, our bulldog. About a week ago, we noticed he had a droopy face, but we attributed it to the heat and humidity. In the past week, he's gone from our happy smiley bulldog to a lethargic, agitated, confused zombie. We took him to the E-vet yesterday, who ruled out most physical causes, and said they'd refer us to a neurology specialist at the UW vet school on Monday, and sent him home. Today, he downward spiraled fast. We called the evet, who told us to bring him directly to the UW evet. While he was there being examined, he had a seizure. We don't know what's wrong with our buddy baby, but we would really appreciate any energy, prayers, light, whatever you can afford. He's so young and strong, and he made it through heartworm already....I know he can make it through this. We're just so scared, and we're not sure yet what we're even up against....

Gia is CANCER-FREE!!!!!!! WHOOOHOOOOO!!!!! Now all we have to worry about is our first claim for the pet insurance company! Hope they live up to their reputation!

I talked to the vet; we can expect the biopsy results back in 7-10 days, but I asked the tech her opinion based on how it looked (because every time they find cancer on Grey's Anatomy, it's always black and grody looking!) and she said she obviously can't make any guarantees, but it looked nice and clean! DH is waiting now to pick her up, and then I think she deserves a nice McDonald's hamburger! The vet said she's in a good mood and doing her darndest to make all the employees neglect the other pups and pay attention only to HER! Sounds like my girl!

Well, they called DH to tell him she made it through the surgery just fine! He didn't think to ask if they had any opinions on the lump once they got a look at it, or how long the biopsy will take, but he can ask when he picks her up.