Still not good news

Mom talked to the regular vet today, and the news still isn't that great. Given Isabelle's age and health, chemo is possible but is not as likely to help. If it worked great (and Isabelle handled it ok), it might give her another year. Without chemo, she likely has a few months. 

You'd think this would be a really easy decision to make, but it is not. There's a very real chance that chemo (at $350 a session!) wouldn't even work. The vet told mom that another patient who was doing really well on chemo had a tumor come up during a session. They switched to a different kind which the poor dog did not tolerate, leading to days in the hospital. Then there are other dogs who do tolerate the chemo and go into remission. 

There is no clear answer here. Thus, there has been no decision. 

Even taking the cost out of it, mom still doesn't have a good answer yet. 

In the meantime, Isabelle is doing ok. 

Now that's she off the Tramadol, her digestive system is happier. Tramadol can make a pug constipated, even with pumpkin. That definitely made her uncomfortable. 

Her diet has changed though. No more processed grains which means no more Cheerios. Mast cell cancer feeds off of simple carbohydrates. That also means no more hamburger buns. 

On the other hand, she does get to eat a stinky sardine every day. 

Sardines are great sources of omega 3 fatty acids which helps keep the immune system strong. 

She'll be getting some extra antioxidants, a stronger vitamin and a nutraceutical called Apocaps. 

 She'll stay on Benadryl and prednisone, no matter what mom decides. The prednisone will help with any inflammation. Benadryl is because mast cell tumors release histamine. Anyone who has ever been hit with allergies knows how bad they can make you feel. 

Please continue to keep us in your prayers and thoughts. Trying to figure out the right thing to do for Isabelle is tearing mom up.