Chemotherapy costs [for dog]

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi. Just waiting to hear the results (there will be a delay due to current workload in the labs) but all indicators from the vet are that our beloved springer spaniel has developed a multicentric lymphoma.

Have any of you EF'ers put your doggies through chemo for this in Switzerland, and if so, what kind of costs were involved please for the full first course of chemo treatment please?

BTW. Vets at the Rotkreuz clinic/spital took the appointment the same day I called, the vet (wearing mask and gloves) met me at the car to do an initial assessment, then asked me to wait whilst they walked our girl from the car into the clinic. 45 minutes later, she was groggy but back into the car after a barrage of tests. Invoice will be sent to avoid handling payment machines, and their whole process was as always, very caring and professional.

There were several other folks there who went through a similar "meet and greet" process outside - the vet confirmed that they're busy (as usual) but definitely open for business. I could see into their offices - there's a newly installed glass screen across the reception counter and all staff had been "masked" up.

2
Back in 2005 it was CHF 3'000.

3
Smileygreebins, I am so sorry to hear about your pup.

Are you pursuing treatment with the AOI Center?

Every case is individual, so the best thing to do is to ask for a cost estimate. Now oncology is something of a moving target, so costs will increase or decrease depending on progress as treatment goes on.

I don't have experience with that cancer - my little guy's was osteosarcoma, almost 8 years ago. But for what it's worth, the cost of treatment (radiation, a short course of 'light' chemo, and amputation) was surprisingly reasonable.

In our case, the bill was ca 3K. (Having typed that I suddenly can't remember if the surgery was included in that cost... will have to dig through my files. In any event, total costs was IMO reasonable.)

Sending all sorts of good wishes and keeping our fingers (and paws) crossed, thumbs (and dewclaws) pressed for your girl.

4
Huge thanks for the guidance and no need to trouble you on going through old papers.

She's a 14 year old darling with otherwise perfect health and puppy energy, but she's had a jolly good run for a Springer.....especially since she was a rescue doggie as well.....lots of factors to wrap our heads around for potential plans of action, and these ballpark numbers are just fine.

Thanks again for the speedy response.

5
Last year we feared our dog had a lymphoma as well. luckily further tests revealed it was something way less invasive, but our vet estimated the cost of chemo at around 3K.

I should ask that my vet said chemo for dogs have a lot less secondary effects than human ones. Dogs don’t lose their fur for instance (yes, I asked...).

6
For me (and I know I am very lucky) - the cost would not be my main consideration- but the doggies's future quality of life. At 14- I would ask the vet what s/he would do if the dog was her/his own- with their experience.

So hard, thinking of you, and doggie.

7
Our vet said much the same thing. In the end though, we didn‘t need it.

Hope your pup will be ok - they can still be pretty lively at 14. ours is pushing 16 later this year.

8
Can attest to that as well.

When Haifisch was diagnosed I spent a lot of time talking to other owners whose dogs had gone through treatment, and this was a common comment. And my own experience, even though our course of treatment was different than yours.

I'm sorry this is complicated by the pandemic. Are you able to speak at greater length with the oncologist at least by phone or mail? I would often leave a session, then on the drive home think of a million new questions. I found it very helpful to be able to have additional phone consultations. I hope that despite the present situation you have a contact person to go to with those questions.

---

The best advice I can give is: Take age out of the equation, because that's something we humans are more focused with than our dogs are. Remember, our dogs live in the moment. Concentrate on prognosis, expected tolerance of therapy, and QoL.

Look into your dog's eyes. What is she telling you? What do you feel in your heart? You know your dog, you love your dog - and you will make the right decision for her.

Truly wishing you and your pup all the best.

9
Another thought:

If you wanted a second opinion, you might try to contact Dr Katja Ruess. She was the oncologist in charge of Haifisch's case at AOI - now she is the external oncology specialist at Marigin in Feusisberg SZ. She has an outstanding reputation - and is a very nice person.

https://www.marigin.ch/katja-ruess.html

During these extraordinary times, perhaps a phone consultation could be arranged?

And of course, there is the outstanding team at the oncology department at the Tierspital. Again, I would guess that a phone consultation could be arranged.

https://www.tierspital.uzh.ch/de/kle...Onkologie.html

One thing you can be sure of: The oncologists you meet will keep your dog's best interest at heart. I never, at any point, felt that I was being pushed to do anything, I was given options with a clear discussion of expected outcomes for each, and supported in every choice I made.

Again, wishing you all the best.

10
Hugely appreciate all the additional insights and general thoughtfulness and care. You're such a sweetie!

11
FYI for you kind folks who responded. Vet phoned at 8pm (!) on Friday night to advise that test results are in, and......not at all good.

He has offered to book us with an oncologist to get a second opinion, and pricing estimates for chemo, but also gave his personal opinion - we trust him, so we won't be pursuing further treatment options.

Our gal is outwardly healthy now, but we've been told she'll only be with us for a month or two at absolute best.

So, I was hoping this post would contain more positive info and/or an update on chemo costs in 2020 to help other EF'ers, but not so.

We get to enjoy her fabulous-ness and love for as long as she's happy, eating, active and pain free (as best as we can ascertain anyway, because doggies are so tolerant!). We have an option for over-the-counter pills with cortozone (just makes her pee more so probably not) or pills with a blend of steroids to help keep her comfy. In the meantime though, whilst she is still able to, she's getting to eat herself silly with as much cheese and milk and honey and eggs and other treats as she likes - lucky little sod. (she continues to have a preference for cat food over dog food AND she loves to suck on champagne corks, little weirdo!)

What I hadn't realised, is that before we went into lockdown, we would have had the option to put her to sleep at home, which would have been amazing (all things considered). Now though, assuming we're still in lockdown at that point in time, we have to take her to the vet when it's time for her last sleep; but he wasn't sure what the process will be (because there's a snowflakes chance in hell that we're not going to be with her until the very end). The vet will need to consult with colleagues and revert on that.

I haven't checked past posts on what next happens to deceased doggies, that's on the list to research in the coming weeks....

Little bugger. I had recently bought 18 months of fancy dog food and dried fish and chew sticks and flea treatments etc. Happy news though - the tierheim will get an additional donation of goodies as a result.

Please folks, no sweet messages or good wishes needed. It's just the way of life, and I already know that any of you with furry family will understand that this is a shitty, shitty situation.