Tesoro was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma in Feb. of 2017 when he was 6.5 years old. Diana and Tesoro’s cancer fight lasted two years and cost $60,000. It was a journey with ups and downs, struggles and victories. Their fight was filled with love, laughter, and tears. It was a journey which unfortunately many other dog owners will travel. What lessons did she learn? What advice can she give? Diana hopes that the story of Tesoro’s fight as a Cancer Warrior can help others.

Listen in to hear the full story, from the treatments that Tesoro received to their amazing experience with Trupanion… and a little bit about designer cones of shame.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America https://www.bmdca.org/

SAGE Veterinary Centers https://www.sagecenters.com/

Trupanion Pet Insurance https://trupanion.com/

Berner-Garde Foundation http://www.bernergarde.org/home/

Torigen Pharmaceuticals https://www.torigen.com/

Chapters:

0:00 Start

2:26 Bernese Mountain Dogs

5:28 Tesoro’s Diagnosis

9:53 Surgery

13:38 Radiation

14:32 The Cone of Shame

17:05 Obedience Training and Trials

19:46 Cancer Returns

21:34 Diet

22:19 Adding Holistic Vet

24:44 Torigen

28:03 Quality of Life During Treatment

31:23 Pet Health Insurance

33:31 Marco the Tibetan Spaniel

36:15 Berner-Garde

39:46 Euthanasia and Grief

43:34 Diana’s Top Advice

About Today’s Guest, Diana Gerba:

Diana Gerba is a video producer and project manager by trade and has owned Bernese Mountain Dogs for over 30 years. She’s a member of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, The Northern California Bernese Mountain Dog Club, and spearheaded the BMD Histio Action Therapeutic Task Force. Her last Berner boy, Tesoro was a Champion, a Versatility dog with both Draft and Obedience titles, and her loved companion. Diana also belongs to the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America. Her current little Tibbie, Marco, has taken her on an amazing adventure into the upper echelons of the fancy as he was number three owner handled Tibetan Spaniel for two years in a row, was awarded at both the National Dog Show in Philadelphia, AKC National in Orlando, and Westminster. 

Diana is a person of action. In 2010 she lost Donato, a 6 month old Berner pup to a Death Cap Mushroom. Rather than keep the pain inside, she started a blog Mushrooms911 which has become Donato’s legacy and her mission to spread a warning about the danger of mushroom toxicity. Over 36,000 people have gone to her blog and she has handed out over 70,000 Mushroom Alert Cards. Now she’d like to share Tesoro’s cancer journey with the hope that it can help others.

Mushrooms911

LinkedIn

Other Links:

If you would like to ask a dog cancer related question for one of our expert veterinarians to answer on a future Q&A episode, call our Listener Line at 808-868-3200.

Dog Cancer News is a free weekly newsletter that contains useful information designed to help your dog with cancer. To sign up, please visit DogCancerNews.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices