Thanks to Dr. Bernice at Pet Place in Ajijic, my little Probie girl died this morning.

[Eric Blair]

I rescued Probie on Pepe Gizar maybe 10-years ago. Small, black Schnauzer mix. Sweet and never a problem. We now had three rescues, loved them all, but Probpe was my favorite. Never a problem.

About two months ago, I noticed a lump in her leg.

I went to pet place for Bernice to look at a tumor in her leg. She said Cancer and removed it. Later I saw on the lab report that she had nicked the tumor causing a Cancer cell spill, letting the Cancer spread. I was angry and asked her why she didn't do a clear margin. She said, "Is your dog alive?"

I went to Dr. Ladron who removed the second tumor and cover the site with a skin flap. Bernice had not done this. Dr. Ladron said nothing more to do. Maybe my girl had 3-4 months.

Two more tumors developed, very large, golf-ball sized. I arrived home last night and my wife was in tears, she hadn't  told me but Probie had deteriorated. It looked like time to do it. Went late nighe emergency to Ladron and the on-duty lady Vet said Probie has some infection and didn't need to go to sleep. Gave a shot. Took her home.

This morning, Probie wouldn't eat, drank some water. Tried to lift her and she cried in pain. Shallow breathing, dry nose, couldn't stand.

Went to Ladron. Waiting room full. Ladron arrived and took her right in. I knew the answer because he took Probiei and didn't take her to an examination room but the larger room at the end of the hall on the left. I had been there before over a decade ago. I knew what happened there. He examined her and looked at my wife and I. Closed his eyes a little and shook his head. I said "we know."

We stayed there with her maybe 10-minutes after she went to sleep.

I thought of all the times I had promised her to take her and the others for a walk, but was often too busy with working on the computer. I always said I would do it tomorrow. That tomorrow didn't come often. I thanked her for all the happiness she had given me and told her that even though she was named "Probie," she really wasn't on probation, I loved her from the minute I put her in the car.

Now there are only two bowls on the floor for breakfast and dinner, an empty one on the counter.

For people or dogs, they are never really gone so long as they are remembered.

The whole story is at www.petplace ampersand ajijic period com

As I tell audiences when I speak: "Yesterday is a memory; tomorrow a hope. The reality is today. Carpe dien, enjoy the day."

 

[sue]

Eric I am so sorry it is never easy to lose a friend Don't let your anger cause you to forget the many good times.

[MtnMama]

Eric, anyone who knows anything about dogs and cats, and cancer (and is being straightforward) will tell you that when an older dog has one cancer tumor, there are often more. Without some sort of scan, they won't be found. Operating on multiple tumors in an older animal is so hard on the animal as to be of questionable value. Blame is a part of the grief process. Libeling a fine veterinarian on a public forum is really not necessary.

[Eric Blair]

MtnMama

You would not believe the amount of research I did on this, and I don't mean Facebook.

You are right about the possibilities of multiple tumors, however if one is caught soon enough and removed properly, and a course of Chemo given, the life can be extended for up to several years.

When the tumor is nicked and Cancer cells "spill," into the system, then it's a 99.9% chance of them spreading and killing the animal in a relatively short time.

This is what happened. The excision was improperly done; no clean margin was left because Bernice didn't do the removal correctly as did Dr. Ladrone. If a clear margin has been taken and a flap done, chances would have been 75-80% for a positive outcome.

Bernice went outside her area of knowledge and did a procedure she didn't know how to do.

Anger? Yes, but based on the negligence and incompetence of Bernice in going into an area she wasn't/isn't qualified to go into.

I go to a great dentist, but when it comes to doing a root canal or major dental surgery, a specialist is called in from Guadalajara. Bernice should have called in a specialist; she didn't because she wanted to save herself money. In the community of vest where she is know, she is called (don't recall the term), money motivated.

I am not libeling Bernice; I am giving facts and opinion. If she has a problem, let her challenge me in a public forum or agency. I would be remiss if I let this pass unsaid.

See me as you will. If this post causes anyone going to Bernice to not let her do surgery of this kind on a loved one, then I have accomplished what I want, to let people make an informed decision.

 

 

 

 

[Zeb]

Suggest you watch The Truth About Pet Cancer.  Much of this illness can be avoided once we are informed.  The medical profession including vets has been compromised.  I am not saying that some of what they do is not good, but there are big gaps.  One must do independent research and become educated. 

Watch the series if you truly love your animals, even if you have to buy it now.  It was free when I saw it.

[Xena]

Eric, since you did extensive research and not on Facebook, can you please cite your sources? It would help other people to know the sources you used. They can judge the validity of your conclusions and it would also help them in their own research. Most people have no idea where to start looking for information to help them make the best decisions for their beloved animal companions. 

[WideSky]

I have had to make the very hard decision to euthanize pets over the years each time it came down to what was best for the animal.  These were pets that I rescued, nursed back to health and took in when no one else wanted them. Pets that I had for many, many years, who were as much my comfort as I was for them. I had a duty of care which I took very seriously.
Do you try and try and try to save your pet when you really know that death is inevitable or do you take a step back and look at the big picture.  Do you stop and realize that every time you touch, stroke or carry your pet it is in pain; that the simple act of walking, eating, drinking, relieving itself is with great effort; the pet experiences seizures, confusion or loss of motor control.
There comes a time when you have to recognize that your pet's welfare is up to you.  It is tough but your emotional attachment should come a distant second to the well being of your pet.

The difficulty that Eric Blair/Clueless has with Dr. Berenice is entirely of his own making. Yes he lost his much loved pet but to place blame due to uneducated (not a veterinarian or oncologist) interpretation of a biopsy report is ridiculous. Ask 10 people their interpretation of something and you will get 10 different responses.
Oh, FYI the phrase is "carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero" which is "seize the day put very little trust in tomorrow".

[Eric Blair]

First, read the biopsy report about a "spill" of the  Cancer cells. The read:

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/advanced-cancer/what-is.html

Home → Symptoms and Diagnosis → Your Breast Cancer Diagnosis → Surgical Margins

 

Here is an excellent video from a DVM on the importance of a clean margin:

 

Home → Symptoms and Diagnosis → Your Breast Cancer Diagnosis → Surgical Margins

 

Here is a visual and explanation of why clean margins are important.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=cancer+why+is+a+clean+margin+important+tumor+removal&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi0ouj4ytndAhUM7qwKHT1EC2IQ7Al6BAgCEA0&biw=797&bih=360

=======================================================

The takeaway from all of this, and this is just a small portion of what I found, is that when a tumor is nicked/cut, Cancer cells spill out. They may take root close to the original tumor and sometimes get into another system that moves the cells for a "distant" place in the body where it attaches and a new tumor starts.

Clean margins are critical when the tumor is removed. This is true in humans and animals.

While as one poster said, there might have been other tumors, but it didn't appear there was any metastasizing of the tumor prior to removal.

The bottom line is that it appears to a high degree of probability there was a tumor spill, due to not leaving a clean margin. Dra. Bernice does not know how to do a flap cover so she, by her own admission, couldn't take out more of the tumor/margin since the surgical site had to be opened so large, the edges could not be sutured.

Sorry if I'm not being diplomatic, but there is a great chance my girl would be alive today if I had taken her to Dr. Ladron, so I bear that in my mind.

I told her yesterday that my dog had died. She threw me out of her office, and I wasn't yelling.

 

I hope no one reading this ever has to be in my shoes. 

 

 

[Xena]

Eric, googling some terms is not “doing research.” 

[Eric Blair]

Unfortunately, there is no PubMed for animals; and no peer-review articles, not a pet Lancet.

I got my information from mostly Vets who did posting. The "clean margins" apply for both humans and animals.

My point was to make people aware of my experience only, YMMV. Take it for what it's worth.

I feel I have accomplished my purpose to get "you" to think and do due diligence.

IMO, PROBABLY TIME TO CLOSE THE THREAD, I wasn't looking for any personal discussions on what I said or why.
Best to all.

 

[Xena]

We thank you, Eric. Before you posted none of us had ever thought before or did due diligence which in your case seems to be another phrase for googling. 

[luvsdawgs]

On 9/25/2018 at 6:40 PM, MtnMama said:

Eric, anyone who knows anything about dogs and cats, and cancer (and is being straightforward) will tell you that when an older dog has one cancer tumor, there are often more. Without some sort of scan, they won't be found. Operating on multiple tumors in an older animal is so hard on the animal as to be of questionable value. Blame is a part of the grief process. Libeling a fine veterinarian on a public forum is really not necessary.

Not libel if true. 

Law 
A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.

[MtnMama]

IF it is true...

[Yo1]

I believe libel in Mexico makes no distinction of true or not.  Only if someone's reputation of a business is hurt by the allegations.  And this post quite possibly will hurt both.

[Wookie]

Whoever is the moderator of this forum, could you please shut this down.  Thank you.

[moderator5]

Yes I think we have gone about as far as we should about this subject.

I am sorry you lost your good friend. Now it  is time to end this discussion