First visit to NEVOG

Tia's tumor is under her right eye.

Tia and I took our first trip up to New England Veterinary Oncology Group in Waltham, MA yesterday.  We knew we were in the right place when we entered the reception area and all the other dog patients had "poodle legs" just like Tia's.  (Their legs had been shaved for medical procedures.)  We met with Dr. Kari Rosen.  Tia acted like a little person the whole time.  She even jumped up in one of the exam room chairs, curled up and listened to everything Dr. Rosen had to say.  Dr. Rosen answered every question I had before I even asked it, and was very professional and knowledgeable.  She said Tia's cancer is not considered 'malignant', in that it won't spread to other parts of the body, but it is locally very invasive.  Tia's form of cancer is the worst of the dental type cancers because of its aggressive nature, but at this point she feels it is treatable.  She showed me how much bigger Tia's tumor is inside her mouth, around the palate area.  We discussed treatment options.  The first course of action is to do a CT scan in order to see exactly how far the tumor has gone.  This needs to be done regardless of what form of treatment we opt for.  Once that is done we can see whether it is best to do surgery or radiation.  Dr. Rosen feels that if it is possible to remove the entire tumor through surgery, then this is the way to go.  If the CT scan reveals that surgery is not an option then radiation is the next best thing.  Radiation is done to control the tumor.  The response rate is 80-90%.  They administer a 'lifetime dose' of radiation over a 3 week period - 15 treatments.  There are risks with both, but if we do absolutely nothing, Tia's life expectancy is 4-6 months.  The tumor will just continue to grow until it impedes her ability to eat, breathe, etc., and it becomes very painful.

While we were there Dr. Rosen took Tia to consult with Dr. Nieves, who specializes in oral and facial tumors.  Dr. Nieves said that based on a visual inspection of the tumor she thinks she may be able to remove the whole thing, but she'll have a better feel for it after reviewing the CT scan.  We are scheduled to return to NEVOG next week, on December 1st.  Then she will have the CT scan and a pre-anesthesia chest xray.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The vet said we could do agility, so......

We just finished up 3 LONG days at the agility trials in W. Springfield, MA and Tia just SHINED.  We don't know if the tumor on her face bothers her at all, and judging by the way she acted over the weekend, I'd say not!  When we arrived early Friday morning she didn't seem too sure about being there.  She entered the building with uncertainty, despite having trialed at the same site several times a year for the past 10 years.  It was obvious in our first run.  She ran slowly, didn't want to perform the see saw, walked thru the weave poles, but then sped up at the very end and ran thru the wrong end of a tunnel.  We didn't qualify in either class the first day, but our second run was much better.  She seemed happier and eager, and it was fun.  From there our runs just got better and better all weekend.  She double Q'd on both Saturday and Sunday, with some placements.  Debbie Gross-Saunders adjusted Tia after our runs on Friday and again on Sunday.  If dogs could smile that's exactly what Tia did while Debbie worked on her.  You know it has to feel good.  Right now I'm all about doing anything to make Tia feel good!

Next update will be following our visit to New England Veterinary Oncology Group on Tuesday.  Thank you to everyone who provided such positive feedback on NEVOG all weekend. 

History

Tia has had a lump on her cheek, just below her right eye, since mid September 2009.  It looked like the sort of lump that dogs often get when they have an abscessed tooth.  We took her to the vet and he agreed that it was likely an abscessed carnasial tooth.  We went to another vet and she concurred.  They did x-rays and found that she actually had 2 abscessed teeth, but neither one was the carnasial.  The affected teeth were removed, along with a molar on the opposite side that had a hole in it.  The vet also removed a small growth on her gum which she felt was benign and didn't think required biopsy.  In hindsight we ought to have had one done, as it was likely another tumor.  After her surgery she was kept on antibiotics for a few weeks.  When the lump didn't go away we knew something was up.  Two biopsies later we found out that Tia has an Acanthomatous Epulis tumor.  These are relatively benign, but invasive tumors of the oral cavity.  They arise from the periodontal ligament, which is the tissue that connects the tooth root to the bones of the jaw.  While this isn't the worst type of tumor, it isn't the best.  Tia's tumor has already eaten away at the bone in her upper jaw.  This type of tumor does not metastasize (spread), and is very responsive to radiation therapy.  In Tia's case the question is whether or not radiation can be done due to the tumor's proximity to her eye.  We have been referred to the New England Veterinary Oncology Group in Walpole, MA.  Our first visit is on Tuesday November 24th, where we will learn what we can do for Tia.  Stay tuned for updates!