OP here reporting back. We saw Dr. Rasmussen at Blue Pearl today. It was such a positive experience! The staff were completely lovely and the hospital atmosphere was calm. Honestly, it was a joy to be able to go inside and talk to everybody face to face. My dog was calmer than I've ever seen her in a veterinary setting and willingly trotted off with the oncology nurse, which makes me feel so much better about the whole experience.

I had most of an hour face to face with Dr. Rasmussen, who explained everything very clearly. She was conservative about not doing unnecessary extra tests. She did one more test and sent it out; I'll have a week while we await results to think about the option of chemo.

Thank you again to everybody who weighed in. I hope this thread will prove useful to others who search on the same subject.

PP, I hear you, and all PPs, thank you for your sympathy. I am disinclined to be interventionist with this, but at the moment it's a matter of finding out exactly what we're dealing with—which variety of lymphoma and what to expect.

A friend who dealt with lymphoma specifically had a very positive experience with Blue Pearl, and they can get us in next week, so we'll start there. Ms. Senior Doggie has been through several surgeries since I adopted her and I don't want to put her through more traumatic veterinary experiences; fortunately or unfortunately, this is not a "get the tumor out" kind of cancer, but I want to get an oncologist's read on what we're actually dealing with.

Our experience with mast cell at Blue Pearl was more mixed. Our pet never recovered from the surgery, couldn’t keep herself warm, and had to be euthanized a week later.

I think this might be a problem common to many vets—and pet owners too—thinking that the cancer can be cured when the surgery may just add to the trauma. I really regret agreeing to the surgery (my devastated kid wanted it) because caused more pain. You have to know when to let go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the good reports, everybody. Still awaiting the test results from my primary care vet, but it's good to know there are several good options. I will report back.

OP, not sure where you're located and lots of good suggestions already, but I'd like to put in a plug for VRA in Gaithersburg. They have been very kind to us. I hope you get a good report and if not, I hope you find a great doctor.

I'm in NW DC, so I'd rather not schlep all the way to Gaithersburg if I can avoid it if we are going to do regular visits, but I will put VRA on the list of places to talk to. Thanks! Is there anybody particular there that you'd recommend, and are they letting clients inside now?

Hi OP, I'm so sorry you got the test results you were fearing It sounds like G'burg may be a hike but just in case, I'd recommend anyone at VRA and yes they are letting people in for appointments.

Anonymous wrote:Depends on where you are - Friendship is great. Conor McNeil at the Hope Center is TOP NOTCH. Kind, brilliant. Sarah Sheafor at Southpaws also does a great job....

PP, is that Hope Center in Vienna?

Depends on where you are - Friendship is great. Conor McNeil at the Hope Center is TOP NOTCH. Kind, brilliant. Sarah Sheafor at Southpaws also does a great job....

I’m so sorry to hear this. I am one of the PPs who recommended Southpaws. Best of luck to you.

Anonymous wrote:Update from OP: As we feared, test indicates it pretty certain Ms. Senior Doggie has lymphoma. I'll call oncologists in the morning and see who we can get in with. Thanks again, everybody.

I’m so sorry, OP. FWIW our older dog has seen Dr. Foskett for two different instances of mast cell tumors and she has been great. Good luck.

Update from OP: As we feared, test indicates it pretty certain Ms. Senior Doggie has lymphoma. I'll call oncologists in the morning and see who we can get in with. Thanks again, everybody.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the good reports, everybody. Still awaiting the test results from my primary care vet, but it's good to know there are several good options. I will report back.

OP, not sure where you're located and lots of good suggestions already, but I'd like to put in a plug for VRA in Gaithersburg. They have been very kind to us. I hope you get a good report and if not, I hope you find a great doctor.

I'm in NW DC, so I'd rather not schlep all the way to Gaithersburg if I can avoid it if we are going to do regular visits, but I will put VRA on the list of places to talk to. Thanks! Is there anybody particular there that you'd recommend, and are they letting clients inside now?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the good reports, everybody. Still awaiting the test results from my primary care vet, but it's good to know there are several good options. I will report back.

OP, not sure where you're located and lots of good suggestions already, but I'd like to put in a plug for VRA in Gaithersburg. They have been very kind to us. I hope you get a good report and if not, I hope you find a great doctor.

OP here. Thank you for all the good reports, everybody. Still awaiting the test results from my primary care vet, but it's good to know there are several good options. I will report back.

Anonymous wrote:We had an excellent experience at Southpaws. Our 4 year old lab had a mast cell tumor removed and had follow-up chemotherapy. Three years later, we found another mast cell tumor. Southpaws did the surgery for that one, but follow-up chemo was not needed this time. Our dog died of old age at 14. He received such excellent care there that he was excited every time he got out of the car.

Thank you!