Pet Cancer Survivor – Vinnie’s Story

The final post in our pet cancer series is an emotional first-hand account from VPI policyholder Mary Viglienzoni of Belmont, Calif. and her pet-cancer survivor, Vinnie.

Vinnie, my 5-year old boxer, has been through a lot. 

In January 2010, he underwent surgery for a torn ACL. He had complications during his recovery with several trips to the emergency room and veterinarian’s office. From the stress and medications from surgery, he got a bleeding ulcer, which added complications to his recovery. 

Just as he was finally recovering (after about 8 months) we noticed a small lump on his leg which was the same leg he had surgery on. It was located just under the scar from his surgery. We watched it for a couple weeks and when it got a little larger, we took him in to have it looked at.  His veterinarian believed it was a fatty tumor and did not think it was something to worry about.

Fast forward about three weeks and we noticed that the tumor had about doubled in size! We took him back to the veterinarian to have it rechecked. They collected samples from the tissue for testing, but the results were inconclusive and the decision was made to do a biopsy. When Vinnie was under, we decided to remove the tumor all together.

Vinnie’s veterinarian sent the “softball” size tumor out for biopsy. Before we left, I asked what it would mean if it came back positive. His doctor told me it would most likely mean he would lose his leg. It took everything for me not to break down at his office. When I got home I lost it. How could this be happening to such a sweet boy? How could I bring him in with four legs and bring him home with only three? How do you explain this to someone you love, but you can’t communicate the information to? 

It was five days before we got the results, the longest five days. When Vinnie’s doctor called, I was at work. He said that Vinnie’s tumor was cancerous. He spoke with an oncologist and she was very confident she could cure the cancer with radiation. I sat at my desk and cried! He had an option other than losing his leg. All I could say was, “How soon can we start?”

Vinnie completed his radiation therapy; a treatment that lasted 16 days. His oncologist was a two to three-hour drive away, twice a day for 16 days. Vinnie did great! His strength and resilience is amazing and I am in awe of him.

I am so grateful that we had the sense of mind to get VPI Pet Insurance when Vinnie was a puppy. I would not have thought about it if it were not offered through work. We have spent upward of $18,000 between his ACL surgery and his radiation treatment.  VPI helped us manage the costs and the payments were processed so quickly. I have recommended VPI to everyone I know that has a pet or is thinking about getting one. I have heard so many stories that always end with, “I wish I had gotten pet insurance.” It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you need it! 

We just completed the Morris Foundation Cancer Walk a few weekends ago. Vinnie did great! It was the longest walk he has had since his cancer and he is finally back to normal. His energy is back to 100 percent and he is doing great. He is now over a year cancer free and we couldn’t be happier!