Welcome to the group though I am so sorry you had to find us. Your pup is a very lucky dog to have you loving and watching over him. I don't have any experience with MCTs but know that many others on the site will have lots of info for you.
I can tell you that my dog Patrick underwent 22 radiation treatments last summer on his rear leg and he handled it like a champ... he trotted into the hospital smiling every day and was in and out in less than an hour. He had some minor burning at the end of week 3 which only caused him some minor discomfort (thanks to my onc who was very proactive and started him on antibiotics and pain meds at the first sign of redness). In fact, he was at the beach just a few weeks after his last treatment. While he was undergoing treatment I met an adorable Chih and her mom. She underwent a similar protocol (22 treatments) of radiation for a MCT and did even better than Patrick with no burning at all. And - I totally understand the money issue... I put most of it on CareCredit and figure I'll be paying it off for years to come.
One other thought... if you aren't quite comfortable with either of these options you might want to consult with another oncologist. I would also recommend consulting with a holistic vet to discuss immune boosting supplements and diet. My onc and holistic vet were both in total agreement on Patrick's treatment plan and that really helped me make decisions and feel confident that I was doing the right and best thing for him.
Keep us posted. I am sending healing prayers your way!
-Mia and Patrick
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