Miel was 6 years old when Nisha discovered he had mast cell tumors on his neck, collar bone and right leg. Through ultrasound, she also found out that Miel had enlarged nodes internally as well.
Mast cells are the cells in the skin and connective tissue (among other places) and play a protective role in wound healing, a well as inflamation in allergies and analphylactic shock.
Grade III mast cell tumors are the most aggressive of mast cells tumors (Grade I being the least) and are the most likely to rapidly metastasize. This grade of mast cell tumor is the least common but also the most deadly.
Miel's cancer treatment lasted 6 months, including one surgery and at least seven rounds of varying types of chemotherapy treatment. The skin masses appeared to improve over that time; however, the cancer spread further inside Miel's intestinal area, severely narrowing his rectal passage and finally his urinary tract, forcing the decision to euthanize Miel at the end of his brave cancer battle.
Nisha was a medical student when she bought Miel's policy (when he was 5 years old), figuring she really didn't have any spare cash if something expensive should happen to Miel.
Embrace Pet Insurance Policy: $200 annual deductible; $5,000 annual maximum; 20% copay; prescription drugs covered. Monthly premium $35.90
Miel's cancer treatment costs at a veterinary clinic in Washington DC in 2008 were a total of $5,659.37 with pet insurance reimbursement of $4,367.50 (=$5,659.37 - $200 deductible * (1 - 20% copay).
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Are you about to go through cancer treatments with your dog or cat? If you would like to share, we'd all like to pass on our positive thoughts for your pet's strong recovery.
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April is Cancer Month at Embrace Pet Insurance
Guest post: veterinary thoughts on dog and cat cancer
Cancer claim example: Grade III Mast Cell Tumor
Cancer Claim Example: Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma
Rates of Cancer by Dog Breed
