Why the Financial Toll of Our Dog’s Cancer Treatment Was Worth It
Key takeaways:
In 2017, Andrew and Alicia Alderson fell in love with a three-legged pit bull named Annabel Lee.
When Annabel Lee got a cancer diagnosis, they didn’t want to have to amputate another one of the dog’s limbs.
They decided to spend about $6,000 to save Annabel Lee’s life. They treated her with an injection that fights mast cell tumors in dogs. Since then, Annabel Lee has been thriving.
Annabel Lee, an American pit bull, went through a traumatic ordeal before she found her forever home with Andrew and Alicia Alderson. Police had confiscated Annabel Lee during a raid. A rescue organization took her in, got her the medical care she needed, and prepared her for adoption.
In the process, Annabel Lee had to have a damaged leg amputated, saving her life.
When Andrew and Alicia met Annabel Lee in a park in 2017, they instantly fell in love. The feeling was mutual. They say they felt the dog chose them. They brought her home from the rescue organization to join their household in Gainesville, Florida with two other dogs.
“When she approached us, she ran up to us with this amount of enthusiasm, and we were kind of surprised by that,” Andrew says. “She doesn’t do that with everybody.”
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The dog’s apparent mistreatment before the police raid left her with anxiety issues, says Alicia, who grew up with a three-legged cat.
“Her life started when she lost that [leg],” Alicia says. “It sounds kind of crazy, but it was a dead weight. She wanted to live.”
After a cancer diagnosis, how do you help a three-legged dog?
But that wasn’t the last of Annabel Lee’s health problems. In the spring of 2022, Andrew and Alicia discovered a 3-cm growth on Annabel Lee’s rear left leg, causing them worry.
They hoped it was just a bee sting or other small, benign bump. They took her to several veterinarians. But Annabel Lee had trouble in exam rooms because of her anxiety.
Andrew and Alicia kept an eye on the bump, which changed in size day to day. A few months later, a veterinarian diagnosed Annabel Lee with a mast cell tumor, a common type of cancer in dogs.
Surgery was not a good option, because that would likely mean an amputation, and the dog already had a missing limb. But a nonamputation surgery likely would not cut out the entire tumor, the vet said.
They took Annabel Lee to get diagnostic tests, such as bloodwork and an ultrasound. The tests revealed that the cancer had spread to the dog’s lymph nodes.
“We were at our wit’s end,” Alicia says. “It really turned into a very involved situation.”
An injection that treats mast cell tumors in dogs worked
Andrew and Alicia wanted to save Annabel Lee. So they decided to go with the recommended course of treatment. That was an injection of Stelfonta, an FDA-approved medication used to treat mast cell tumors in dogs.
What should you know about mast cell tumors? They’re the most common cancer diagnosed in dogs. But they take time to diagnose because they can look like other skin conditions.
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The results were remarkable. Just 1.5 doses in a single injection knocked out the tumor.
A few weeks later, when they went back for an assessment, Andrew and Alicia were thrilled that Annabel Lee didn’t need another injection. As the dog recovered, they wheeled her around in a wagon.
“What has meant the most to us is finding a good vet,” Alicia says.
Was the expensive ordeal worth it? The pit bull’s owners think so
But saving Annabel Lee’s life this time came with a big price tag. The injection alone cost about $1,300. Months of repeated vet visits and diagnostics tests put the cost for the entire treatment at about $6,000.
In retrospect, Andrew and Alicia say they wish they would have had pet insurance to cover this crisis. But insurance was not a likely option for a three-legged pit bull.
For the couple, there was no question: They would have done whatever it took to save their dog. They say they hope to adopt children one day. But their dogs are absolutely their kids. And they say Annabel Lee, who is 8, is worth every penny spent.
“I would rather be homeless than let her have cancer,” says Andrew, a 39-year-old custom woodworker.
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“We were going to do everything we could to keep her with us as long as possible,” says Alicia, 42, who was an office administrator for an insurance company when their pet health crisis happened. “This is our little family.”
To pay for Annabel Lee’s care, Andrew and Alicia mostly relied on a credit card with special financing specifically for medical, dental, veterinary, and wellness care. The couple also put in extra hours at work to pay the vet bills.
“It wasn’t an option for us not to do it. She just changed our lives,” Alicia says. “When you’re in it, you’re in it. After you’re through it and you see the results, it was worth it 110%.”
Frequently asked questions
Talk to your vet. They can tell you about options such as palliative care to keep your pet comfortable. Also, check out animal welfare groups or vet schools. They may offer aid or other resources for managing your dog's condition.
Insurance coverage for chemotherapy in dogs varies depending on the pet insurance policy. Some pet insurance plans may include coverage for chemotherapy treatments, but review the policy details and discuss coverage options with the insurance provider to understand what expenses are reimbursable for your dog's treatment.
People commonly pay for dog chemotherapy using pet insurance. You can also set up payment plans with your vet or seek help from animal charities. Another option is to use crowdfunding to get community support to cover the costs of your dog's treatment.
The bottom line
Cancer treatment for dogs can be expensive. Costs vary based on the type of treatment. It's smart to explore your options, such as insurance and payment plans.
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