Cosmo's chemo -- Do I need to find another vet?

[Tracey]

My vet, bless him, is wonderful, but not an oncologist. I - it should go without saying - have never been down this road before. Not only not with a dog, but not with a human either. I have been freakishly untouched by cancer in my family and social circle so I have practically no firsthand knowledge and I don't know if I'm asking all the right questions or not.

Anyway, my vet said he would administer the chemo for Cosmo. Apparently he assumed that since OSU was providing the drugs that they would also provide the guidance as to how they should be administered, what needs to be done before, during and after, side effects, etc. My vet called OSU, spoke to Dr. Vilar and then told me that he was told to get the information off their website (which I looked at, and unless I'm missing something, there is a general discussion of their chemo treatments but nothing like a specific protocol that is outlined). I spoke to Dr. Vilar as well and I think he pretty much confirmed that OSU will provide the drugs but no guidance as to how to administer them. I say 'I think' and I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I have trouble understanding him. And I am not sure if this is where the problem lies with my vet as well because he is Hungarian, so between the two of them they may have trouble understanding one another. But because Cosmo is my dog, my vet keeps telling me he needs the above-mentioned protocol from OSU. I really don't feel like I am an effective go-between but my vet has called OSU a couple of times and he just seems to be getting frustrated. I've left another message at OSU but I really feel as though I'm out of my element.

So, my question is this: Do I need to find yet another vet (I always go back to my guy, but we've seen 5 vets' offices since this adventure began)? Do I need to find an oncologist? I think if my vet knew one he would have said so, so how do I find an oncologist locally?

Alternately, from anyone who's been down this path before, are my vet and Dr. Vilar just misunderstanding one another and is there actually some sort of instruction they will provide as to how to administer the drugs? Or is this just a bad idea for someone who hasn't had training with these drugs? I'd really appreciate any input.

[Hope]

Here, a vet has to be certified to give chemo drugs. There is a protocol for handling as well as administering the drugs. I'll send an email to Dr Couto to see if he has any recommendations.

[Tracey]

Thanks, Janet! By the way, you mentioned on GT you were CC'ing me and the email never did show up. Let me know if you need my email address again.

[mom2jamey]

Hi Tracey,

I answered this for you on GT. But I just want to say that we have a special connection with Cosmo, since Cosmo and Jamey are going through this at just about the same time. Jamey's chemo drugs are administered by an oncologist.