My Dog Has Venereal Disease And Other Good News

Well...  It's been confirmed.  Tica Tammy is a Hoochie Mamma!

Dr. Jessica Jimenez got the results back from the cytologist and she has confirmed that Tam has TVT. 

It's a TUMOR.  No...  It's NOT A TUMOR.

Actually...  I don't know what the hell it is, however this is what Wikapedia had to say on the matter:

"Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is also called transmissable venereal tumor (TVT) and it's only one of three transmissible cancers."  (Seems similar to HPV or genital warts in humans.)  "TVT is most commonly seen in sexually active dogs in tropical and subtropical climates."  (Yep...  i.e. Costa Rica, the land of loooove.)  "The disease is spread when dogs mate, and it can even be transmitted to other canine species, such as foxes and coyotes."  (Woe is the unknown dangers of interspecies relations...)  "Spontaneous regression of the tumor can occur, probably due to a response from the immune system."  (Insert Chiropractic adjustment.)  "TVT undergoes a predictable cycle:  the initial growth phase of four to six months (P phase), a stable phase, and a regression phase (R phase), although not all TVTs will regress."  (Boo.)  "The tumor does not often metastasize (occurring in about 5 percent of cases), except in puppies and immunocompromised dogs."  (None of those here.)  "Metastasis is most commonly to regional lymph nodes, but can also be seen in the skin, brain, eye, liver, spleen, testicle, and muscle.  Biopsy is necessary for diagnosis."  (Confirmed.)

So, it  IS  in fact a tumor...  But apparently it has a very high survivability rate.  Wahoo!  Unlike the regular old non-transmissible cancer, which would have been worst case scenario. 

Jessica reported that Tam had her very first "treatment" this past Wednesday after which she was a little sad and didn't eat well.  Today's update said she was back to her beach lovin' self and eating great.  (She is no doubt missing her lobster tail and tuna steak dinners of yore.  What can I say?  This girl knows how to get around y'all.)  Four or five more treatments should find Tam as good as new.

In other good (sad) news:  Jessica says she is talking to people that may be interested in adopting Tammy.  As much I would love Tica Tam to live in Texas, the quicker she gets a home the quicker I can rebuild my life savings...  And the longer that Bella the Barbarian gets to live. 

I think Tica Tam would miss the rain and frolicking on the beach...  Nor would she enjoy the 110(+) degrees of awesome that has been our most recent summer. 

And now I have just talked MYSELF out of living in Texas...  Who's down for moving to Costa Rica?

Note to Self:  Next time, try to bring home the baby. 
It should be easier.