Need best canine oncologist in Illinois

[chicagocyfan]

Our lab became very sick in the last couple of days and after taking her to the vet they believe she has cancer. She is truly our best friend and far too young for us to not help her fight. Cancer has hit our home hard in the past year so it's especially challenging news to receive last night.

Does anyone know where I might find the best canine oncologist near Huntley, IL?

 

[VTXCyRyD]

Make sure you find out what the cost will be. Then step back and look at this without the emotion. You say the dog is far to young, but most labs don't live long after 10-12 years.

This is a dog. A dog you love, but still a dog. How much can this money benefit or harm your family. If you have young kids that money is best used on them. If you're single or married with no kids it may be a little different.

 

[chicagocyfan]

Make sure you find out what the cost will be. Then step back and look at this without the emotion. You say the dog is far to young, but most labs don't live long after 10-12 years.

This is a dog. A dog you love, but still a dog. How much can this money benefit or harm your family. If you have young kids that money is best used on them. If you're single or married with no kids it may be a little different.

Appreciate the perspective and realize you don't have all the details. Cost expected to be $2000-$5000 for possible 9mos to 18mos life extension. And I'm fine with that as she's only 7 years old. Boys are 19 (in college) and 16. We all agree we want to help her live possibly 10% to 15% longer.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Good luck. Dealing with the decline of a family pet is difficult to say the least.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Make sure you find out what the cost will be. Then step back and look at this without the emotion. You say the dog is far to young, but most labs don't live long after 10-12 years.

This is a dog. A dog you love, but still a dog. How much can this money benefit or harm your family. If you have young kids that money is best used on them. If you're single or married with no kids it may be a little different.

That really is a personal decision, and if the OP has the means, and wants to do it, I would be all for it. For some people (myself included), they are a family member.

 

[NoCreativity]

Our lab became very sick in the last couple of days and after taking her to the vet they believe she has cancer. She is truly our best friend and far too young for us to not help her fight. Cancer has hit our home hard in the past year so it's especially challenging news to receive last night.

Does anyone know where I might find the best canine oncologist near Huntley, IL?

Oh man, Im sorry to hear this, our lab was diagnosed with lymphoma on December 5th, we had to put her down last week. She lived about 2 months after the diagnoses and was only 7 also. We went with the prednisone treatment which at least gives them some quality of life. It was the most heartbreaking decision Ive ever made in my life but I couldnt stand to see her waste away like that.

I know you dont want to hear this, but Im not sure what you will accomplish by going through chemo. We decided not to, all it does is buy them a little more time(if it actually works). If a doctor is pushing you to get chemo you have to judge whether its in the best interest of you dog or the best interest of the doctors pocketbook.

 

[Jacktronic]

Here is an option that could be what you are looking for: http://www.vetspecialty.com

Specialty hospital in Buffalo Grove with a doctor specializing in radiation and medical oncology. She is residency trained but does not appear to be board certified (meaning she did the 3 extra years of oncology training but didn't pass the exam at the end). She did do her residency at the AMC which is a fantastic facility. I will look around for a board certified doctor as well.

 

[Jacktronic]

This place appears to be even more advanced regarding oncology. They have both a boarded medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. Probably even more in line with what you want: https://www.medvetforpets.com/location/chicago/

 

[jbhtexas]

This is very sad. We recently had to go through kidney failure with one of our kitties.

I do think there is a tough question you need to ask the oncologist, and that is what the quality of life will be like for the dog during the treatment and after. And I say it is a tough question because of the answer you might get back from the doc.

In our case, the answer was that although life could be extended, the kitty would be in significant pain and barely able to function. There would be no improvement in her quality of life and it would continue to degrade (as it was, all she could do was walk a little bit and she stopped purring altogether when we would hold her and pet her). In addition, we would have to subject her to painful medical procedures twice a week unit she passed. It was a terrible decision. My wife still cries about it.

 

[Agkistrodon]

It's a bit of a drive for you, but it might be worth talking to the vetmed clinic at UIUC. I believe they have an animal oncology clinic.

 

[Jacktronic]

Oh man, Im sorry to hear this, our lab was diagnosed with lymphoma on December 5th, we had to put her down last week. She lived about 2 months after the diagnoses and was only 7 also. We went with the prednisone treatment which at least gives them some quality of life. It was the most heartbreaking decision Ive ever made in my life but I couldnt stand to see her waste away like that.

I know you dont want to hear this, but Im not sure what you will accomplish by going through chemo. We decided not to, all it does is buy them a little more time(if it actually works). If a doctor is pushing you to get chemo you have to judge whether its in the best interest of you dog or the best interest of the doctors pocketbook.

Not to derail the thread, but a study came out a few years ago and said that a new college graduate would be worse off financially the rest of their life by going to veterinary school than they would using their undergrad degree and entering the workforce. This is due to the 4 years lost wages, cost of schooling, and crushing student debt that often can be $150k-$200k. This isnt a profession you get into for the money, contrary to what you may think.

 

[NoCreativity]

Hey, if you can afford it, by all means, go for it. All Im saying is you need to weigh the pros and cons of each. I just went through this exact same thing so I know how emotional you feel right now.

Like another poster said though, chemo isnt pretty, you need to be prepared for that.

 

[RealisticCy]

Huntley isn't all that far from UW-Madison, which has a fantastic oncology department. Between the medical and radiation services, their website lists 7 faculty, 7 residents, and 7 veterinary technicians. Also lists double digit clinical cancer studies in progress.

https://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/small-animal/cats-and-dogs/oncology/

 

[Jacktronic]

Animals actually generally tolerate chemo pretty well. We don't see the level of nausea as you do in people. Hair loss usually isn't an issue, though they may not grow back hair very well from shaved spots such as IV catheters and such. The most common complication would be bone marrow suppression causing a leukopenia with secondary infections, but this is closely monitored for with weekly CBCs and other bloodwork prior to any chemo being given.

 

[Jacktronic]

Huntley isn't all that far from UW-Madison, which has a fantastic oncology department. Between the medical and radiation services, their website lists 7 faculty, 7 residents, and 7 veterinary technicians. Also lists double digit clinical cancer studies in progress.

https://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/small-animal/cats-and-dogs/oncology/

This is a good suggestion. I did some of my residency training at UWM, good doctors there.

 

[jbhtexas]

Not to derail the thread, but a study came out a few years ago and said that a new college graduate would be worse off financially the rest of their life by going to veterinary school than they would using their undergrad degree and entering the workforce. This is due to the 4 years lost wages, cost of schooling, and crushing student debt that often can be $150k-$200k. This isnt a profession you get into for the money, contrary to what you may think.

Vet med is no different than any other profession. There are those doing the right thing, and unfortunately some looking to make money at all costs. The things you list there could actually be strong temptations to do the wrong thing.

 

[Chitownclone2]

You may want to give Dr. Scott Rovner at Roscoe Village Animal Hospital a call (773) 549-3131. He will certainly know your options in the Chicagoland area. He was our Vet when we lived there. Great guy and an ISU grad. Hope your lab gets past this. We have a 3 year old one ourselves.

 

[NoCreativity]

Animals actually generally tolerate chemo pretty well. We don't see the level of nausea as you do in people. Hair loss usually isn't an issue, though they may not grow back hair very well from shaved spots such as IV catheters and such. The most common complication would be bone marrow syppression causing a leukopenia with secondary infections, but this is closely monitored for with weekly CBCs and other bloodwork prior to any chemo being given.

Are you a vet? If so I didnt mean any disrespect. Its just I would be leery of any vet that is heavily pushing for chemo as the best solution. Our vet sat down with us and explained exactly what would happen and let us decide what was best.

 

[Jacktronic]

Are you a vet? If so I didnt mean any disrespect. Its just I would be leery of any vet that is heavily pushing for chemo as the best solution. Our vet sat down with us and explained exactly what would happen and let us decide what was best.

I am, but none taken. I came across too defensive initially, and I shouldn't have done that. You and JBH make a good point, as with any profession there are vets who are looking out for their patients, and then there are vets who look to maximize profits. Your vet sounds like a good vet. Never be afraid to get a second opinion if you don't like what you hear. You can even self refer to a specialist, no appointment through your primary care doctor needed.

 

[intrepid27]

Not to derail the thread, but a study came out a few years ago and said that a new college graduate would be worse off financially the rest of their life by going to veterinary school than they would using their undergrad degree and entering the workforce. This is due to the 4 years lost wages, cost of schooling, and crushing student debt that often can be $150k-$200k. This isnt a profession you get into for the money, contrary to what you may think.

True, unless you own or have equity in a practice being a vet is not worth the financial investment in education.