Dakota Update

I haven't gotten around to this post because the news I am about to share with you is neither good nor hopeful in anyway.  It's just down right sad and unfortunate.

Last Wednesday, my mom and my brother drove Dakota to the Veterinary School at NC State University.  There, they met with a canine oncologist.  The hope was, that this doctor would be able to provide us with some additional insights and options for Dakota, which she did. 

Unfortunately, they were not what we had hoped to hear.  The doctor agreed with Dakota's veterinarian - the mass on her hind leg was most likely (95+% chance) cancer.  Their was a small chance (less than 5%), there was an infection, which would also be incredibly hard and expensive to treat. 

The doctor gave my mom several options starting with a biopsy to determine if the mass was in fact cancer and what stage the cancer had progressed to. Then, they would be able to determine if it had progressed to other parts of the body like the lymph nodes.  This would cost over $600.  From there, the doctor gave them several options ranging from amputation to radiation and chemotherapy. None were cheap by any stretch of the imagination.  And, none were likely to save Dakota's life.  The only thing these treatments would do is help alleviate the extreme pain that will inevitably come with this cancer. 

Although our emotions told us to do everything we could to help this member of our family, the reality of the situation was it just wasn't right for Dakota (or anyone's pocketbook).  Mom will continue to help Dakota manage her pain with medications prescribed by Dr. Gentry.  And, we will spoil her rotten for the remaining months she has left with us.  Mom plans on taking her to the beach this weekend for the first time.  And, I sent her a yummy bone in the mail, which I hear she is thoroughly enjoying.

Despite being in what must be a lot pain, Dakota has been enjoying her new pain meds and is quite full of herself at times.  She was up to her old tricks refusing to come in Saturday night!