There were 2 main tests included in the $800+ diagnostics... The Blood test was one and we'll get those results on Monday. The other main test was the X-Rays, several of them. Abdomen, back, each hip, each knee, etc. She did say we could hold off on the X-Rays until after the blood tests, but all the blood test would show is if the liver, kidneys, etc were acting properly and it would not show any indications of arthritis or any other joint/bone issues so I just ordered it all at once so we can figure it out...
I was called in late Friday afternoon to review the results:
- Spine/Vertabrae - Each Vertabrae in the spine is evenly spaced and the bones have rounded edges - just what we wanted to see in it, no problems in the back/spine area.
- Hip joints - Both hip joints are slotted properly and nice and smooth. No inflamation, no problems there. In fact the vet said he has the hip joints of a puppy!! Perhaps that's an indication that we haven't taken enough walks - I didn't ask... It was good that there wasn't anything wrong with his hips.
- Knees - Next we looked at his knees - Well, actually we looked at one of them as she said the other looks the exact same. The knee cap is in the proper place and connected with the ligament correctly. The fluid sac is the correct size, his knees also look great. No problems.
So basically the above were the results of the bone and joint analysis, but she did see something else...
On the X-Rays you can get a general shape of each of the internal organs... So what she saw was a mass right near or on his spleen. She said this is very common in older, larger dogs especially German Sherards and retrievers. 
So what is it... She listed 3 possibilities:
- A benign tumor that is NOT on his spleen
- A benign tumor that IS on his spleen
- A malignant tumor that IS on his spleen
So we get the blood test back on Monday just to confirm what things look like with his overall system, but that tumor is the main culprit of his pain. So what's next? I have decisions to make... Basically to determine WHERE it is he needs an abdominal ultrasound --- either $400 or $800, I forget... If it's not on his spleen then I think she said we could remove the tumor and everything should be fine. If it is on is spleen then it would require the removal of his spleen... If it's benign then I believe he can live without his spleen and be okay, if it's malignant then it has most likely spread and his life expectancy is about 6 months. The surgery is in the neighborhood of $3000...
I'm right where I didn't want to be... Having to decide between cost of treatment for an animal, quality of life for a pet and longevity of life as a member of our family. For now I wait for the blood test but his diet is being altered to a more cancer friendly diet just in case. Which means wet food, not dry, and preferably home-prepared foods (rice, chicken, etc). This sounds like it's going to be expensive just to feed him now! UGH! I knew I shouldn't have gone to theh vet!!
OH, as for his shots - due to the tumor she did not want to give him the vaccinations but I have a waiver letter from the doctor so hopefully I can still register him, though that is the least of my concerns right now. Sometimes ignorance is bliss!