Hoover, a Lymphoma dog, had Radiation. He was an unusual case that seemed
only effected in one location. A tumor between his lungs and up against
his heart was 98% removed. They were hoping that there were no other
locations and that radiation would kill the 2 percent that they missed. We
did Chemo as a back up in case they were wrong (which they were).
Hoover had Cytoxin a short time before starting his 3 weeks of radiation.
Hoover was also inhibited to urinate or defecate in their tiny strips of
grass filled with feces from other sick dogs in front of their clinic.
Hoover went 4 days without urinating in their care and finally this
combination of things caused his bladder to rupture! ( the clinic says the
cytoxin didn't cause the cystitis that was present, but the company that
make Cytoxin says it is mandatory to do a follow up urine test and this
would have let us know that we were headed for trouble)
If anyone decides to try radiation make sure this combination of events
does not happen to you. Hoover had to stay during the week at the clinic,
since I live 2 1/2 hours from the clinic. He also had terrible burns which
should not have happened since his radiation was supposed to go deep and
not effect the skin surface like a dog being treated for a skin cancer
would.
He did make it to 8 months before the cancer came back, but his last
oncologist would not have done the radiation at all and I would have saved
3 thousand for the radiation and 2 thousand for the bladder repair!
I would recommend a second opinion!