The Search for Melphalan . . .

Reese at sunset yesterday

Reese awaiting his treat (see tail wag blur?)  ;-)

One of the vets from U of F spoke to us this morning and they have identified the specific type of cancer Reese has.  It is multiple myeloma or a disease of the plasma cells in his bones (like bone cancer). 

He needs the drug Melphalan which is difficult to come by since most of  the supply in the US is going to people, not dogs, but the vet is working to see if he can find it. . otherwise we will go online to a Canadian pharmacy to get it.  Here, for those of you who want to know more, is a brief overview of the disease.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, found in bone marrow, the blood-producing tissue that fills in spaces within bones.  Abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) multiply in the bone marrow, the factory of the blood, resulting in the production of fewer healthy blood cells (red cells, white cells and platelets). These plasma cells also produce an abnormal protein (a monoclonal, or M protein) that can cause damage. 

 Because myeloma cells may circulate in low numbers, they can populate bone marrow in other parts of the body, even far from where they began. That's why the disease is called multiple myeloma. Uncontrolled plasma cell growth can damage bones and surrounding tissue. It can also interfere with the immune system's ability to fight infections by inhibiting the body's production of normal antibodies.

Multiple myeloma is an uncommon disease in animals, accounting for less than 8% of all hematopoietic tumors in dogs. One case report suggests that a genetic predisposition may exist.

Clinical signs associated with multiple myeloma, which are often nonspecific and insidious in onset, include lethargy, weakness, and anorexia.  Lameness, paresis or paralysis, and pain occur secondary to osteolysis or spinal cord compression. Affected sites included the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes.

The overall response rate for dogs treated with melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy is 92%, with 43.2% of dogs achieving a complete response and 48.6% achieving a partial response. The median survival time of dogs treated with this drug combination is 540 days, which is significantly longer than the survival time of 220 days in dogs treated with prednisone alone.¹

In other news,  Patrick has come down with a cold, and Allie uncharacteristically threw up yesterday (but she seems fine now.)  Patrick has lost his voice and has fatigue and seems is bad shape but is able to eat ice cream!

Additionally, this morning, our pharmacy rejected my chemo nausea drug needed for treatment tomorrow. Our insurance carrier,  BC/BS, changed their drug provider which caused some confusion at the pharmacy; however, the BC/BS rep called the pharmacy to tell them they did not need the PCN number they claimed they needed, so this is now resolved.  This drug is $450 for 3 pills so we needed for it to be squared with the insurance folks.

Good news front:  We are getting an unexpectedly nice refund from the IRS this year.  We don't have to worry about Reese's vet bills now!  We are also very excited about our new renters, Julie and Zack who seem like such a nice couple who will be here this season.  We hope they like it here (and their dogs like it too!)

In more good news, we have just learned that one of our good supporter's husbands is running for the Buncombe County Commission (!) this fall and he is making Unchain Buncombe part of his platform (He is a Republican!).  Due to his support in District 3 and several other known supporters in other districts (this is our first district by district race), I am more encouraged than I have been in some time.  No more dogs on chains may be a reality.  Rest assured, I will work like crazy to make that happen. 

We will also work to make sure Reese lives a wonderful life from here on out with no pain and lots of pats, love and spoiling.  Thank goodness for Dollar Tree where we get his stuffed animals.  We would be broke buying these toys otherwise!