womble needs an op :-(

meames_2

My poor litle dog needs an op to remove 3 lumps on wednesday, They largest one we thought at his last up in june was just a fatty lump has grown firm, one on his leg appears to be bothering him a bit and the one the vet is most worried about as it grew in a couple of weeks.

He is insured with RSPCA, and has the gold cover so thy should cover it all. But my poor old 13 year old boy will have to go under anestetic. Am really worried.

Wish him luck

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwwww Meames - wishing your boy all the best for Wednesday and (((hugs))) for you.

suki1964

Vet wouldn't go for the op if vet didn't think the wee man could cope so take strength in that.

Fingers crossed everything goes the right way xxxxx

Raksha

Aesthetics carry far less risk now than they used to - my last dog (also called Womble, although her real name was Bonnie) had a full mammary strip when she was 14, other dogs I've had were even older. The vets can do a blood test to find out how well the animals body can process the anaesthesia, so they can give 'just the right amount' - talk to your vet if you are worried.
Thinking of you.

chris_n_tj

Sending you and Womble our best for Wednesday, we will be thinking of you both. rememebr to pop in if you need your mind taking off things on Wednesay Meames, there's bound to be some one about for a natter if you are feeling the strain.

xxx Hugs to you both xxx

Finefoot

All the best for Womble and you.

walwin

Wishing both of you all the very best x

meames_2

Thanks everyone

I have just rang the RSPCA insurance to get a form, and have been told that if the three lumps are all different (e.g. abcess, cancerous or fatty lump) then that is 3 seperate claims, all of which with £75 excess. How can this work? The estimate is £460 ish, he is only going under the anaesthetic once. I suppose I will have to talk to the vet about what to do before we claim. Obviously I want them all to be fatty lumps. But i'm a bit annoyed and upset. I have paid approx £25 a month for the past 5 years and the rational side of me can see how that can happen but the very broke and emotional sides are struggling!

I just want him to be ok!

Padstow

I'm furious on your behalf meames, these insurers have us over a barrel.

Two things I'd suggest. Send the policy wording over to the insurance board here : http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21h . This is your policy wording for them to read. http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/supportus/petinsurance

Your insurer is actually axa, the best of a very bad bunch. rspca is just a front.
Forget the second step for now, see what the dedicated board have to say first.

The worrying part is no matter what you are covered for, axa take weeks if not months to pay out.

Your fear of anaesthetic? I talked to my vet about this. In the 25 years I've known him, he had only one patient who died whilst under. In his words, "it was a very sick dog."
Anesthesia is so safe these days, and that goes for us humans too.

meames_2

Hi, Just thought I'd give you a Womble update.

He went in this morning, the vet rang at lunch time and said that the liver test they do pre op showed problems with his liver, they really needed to do a further test to check the liver again however this would mean feeding him so the original op woudn't happen, but could be done the next day if the second test was ok.

Went to pick him up at 5pm, and was told there was a problem with the second test and his liver but currently they aren't sure what. The options include a full liver biopsy, a referral with an ultra sound or some other treatment and special diet. Because I was a bit upset I am going to call them tomorrow to get all the info again.

I asked about the lumps and they are worried about the one on his side as it is firmly attached to his ribs, I said was concerned because when they saw him in June and in August it was likely just a fatty lump. It still could be but they feel it might not be. In the end they did a test were they took some of the cells from the lump (£60!) but he didn't go under aneasthetic. Those results won't be back for a couple of days.

I suppose before we make any decisions about anything I need to wait for those results. He isn't in any pain and infact has been like a puppy this week wanting to play. He is currently snoozing on the sofa after a supper of chicken and a dessert of a bulls pizzle and seems happy enough.

As for the insurance i will have to wait and see what is going to happen. in the past 2 days I have spent nearly £170 and he hasn't even had the op!!!

Thanks for your help

Meames

Padstow

Thanks for the update meames. My heart not only goes out to you and your boy, but the expense too. I was full of sympathy until I read he was eating a cow's penis. Eugh! Just joking, hope he enjoyed it.