Playing the waiting game....

elsien

Mutt had her annual MOT today, and apart from chewing her feet has been full of the joys and more like her younger bouncier self of late. So I was somewhat taken aback when the vet found a large mass in her abdomen. We have to go back in a month - fingers crossed it may be just an inflammation, but if it is still there when we go back he says it is most likely to be something serious.

I know at her age (14) it is to be expected that all will not be well and I've been trying to prepare myself, but it's the waiting I can't be doing with. I am being very good, not going anywhere near google, and am trying to think positive thoughts. Anyone got a magic wand?

zaksmum

elsien wrote: »

Mutt had her annual MOT today, and apart from chewing her feet has been full of the joys and more like her younger bouncier self of late. So I was somewhat taken aback when the vet found a large mass in her abdomen. We have to go back in a month - fingers crossed it may be just an inflammation, but if it is still there when we go back he says it is most likely to be something serious.

I know at her age (14) it is to be expected that all will not be well and I've been trying to prepare myself, but it's the waiting I can't be doing with. I am being very good, not going anywhere near google, and am trying to think positive thoughts. Anyone got a magic wand?

Oh dear elsien - so sorry to hear this. But it may well be nothing too serious...although at 14 she will have some problems.

Has the vet run further tests, or is it just a wait and see thing to check whether the mass has got bigger?

I was never able to stay away from google when things like this happened, and somehow found this helped me. At least I'm informed then, and can discuss options with the vet, whereas remaining ignorant about the condition has my imagination running riot. It's whatever suits you personally. I do hope your girl will be ok, though.

Big hug for you.

elsien

No, it's wait and see, pray very hard that it goes, and discuss what happens next if it doesn't.
Obviously I'm hoping it's a fuss about nothing, but what worries me is that even if benign and not cancerous, I'm guessing that some sort of op might be required as either investigation or treatment, and having seen how much her toe operation knocked her for six and aged her overnight, I'm not sure that's a route I'm going to want to go down anyway. And I sort of think even if it's not this, it's going to be something else soon.:(
Thanks for the good wishes, and back to the positive thinking and trying to keep my imagination under control. Which is why I'm not googling - it'd probably give me ideas I haven't even thought of yet.

zaksmum

elsien wrote: »

No, it's wait and see, pray very hard that it goes, and discuss what happens next if it doesn't.
Obviously I'm hoping it's a fuss about nothing, but what worries me is that even if benign and not cancerous, I'm guessing that some sort of op might be required as either investigation or treatment, and having seen how much her toe operation knocked her for six and aged her overnight, I'm not sure that's a route I'm going to want to go down anyway. And I sort of think even if it's not this, it's going to be something else soon.:(
Thanks for the good wishes, and back to the positive thinking and trying to keep my imagination under control. Which is why I'm not googling - it'd probably give me ideas I haven't even thought of yet.

Thing is, at 14 would you want to put your girl through an op? I wouldn't. I know how hard it is to even contemplate losing them though. But she could go through all the trauma and discomfort of an op and a painful recovery period, lampshade on her head, stitches etc., for maybe only a few months of life at best. If she's full of the joys as you say, and bouncy and not in any obvious pain, I'd be inclined to leave things alone at her age.

But the good Lord certainly messed up when he gave dogs their lifespan. It tears your heart when they are elderly and unwell.

I really feel for you elsien.

rising_from_the_ashes

Fingers crossed it is just nothing and disappears before you go back.

I'm like Zaksmum and come and scour the internet at the slightest thing - wish I didn't as I end up reading the most horrible thing it could be and then worrying myself sick, I think you're right to try not to and think positive thoughts.

Re if it was a lump that needs removed, I'd also think very carefully about this before proceeding - the risks increase with age and if she'd taken ages to recover when so much younger it could be pretty hard on her.

DM's dog is only 6 and has cancer:( - she had an op to try to remove 2 lumps at the beginning of March and it's taken her nearly 3 months to recover. DM says she wouldn't put her through it again if they come back/more appear.

I also have an old lab (about 12) who has a few lumps - a couple of them as "nasty" ones - he's happy in himself, they don't seem to bother him and he's still enjoying life. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting him through any dramatic surgery at his age and we'll keep going as long as the former continues (and oh, I really hope it's a long time yet as just can't bear the thought of him not being here).

A month sounds a long time and (I know this is easy to say and not easy to do) try to forget about it and carry on life as normal.

Will be thinking of you.:grouphug:

elsien

Mutt has had mast cell tumours removed before as well, which is why I'm more worried than I might otherwise have been.

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

A month sounds a long time and (I know this is easy to say and not easy to do) try to forget about it and carry on life as normal.

Will be thinking of you.:grouphug:

The problem with carrying on as normal means that I do spend a lot of time swearing at her. I've spent today being nice and giving her treats she doesn't normally get, so my poor pooch is very confused and very appreciative. Not sure how long I can keep up the being nice bit - she just isn't used to it!

rising_from_the_ashes

Chuckling at this ..... I know exactly where you're coming from!

zaksmum

elsien wrote: »

Mutt has had mast cell tumours removed before as well, which is why I'm more worried than I might otherwise have been.



The problem with carrying on as normal means that I do spend a lot of time swearing at her. I've spent today being nice and giving her treats she doesn't normally get, so my poor pooch is very confused and very appreciative. Not sure how long I can keep up the being nice bit - she just isn't used to it!

You'll keep up the being nice for as long as she needs you to be, because like all of us daft dog lovers on here, you'd do anything for her and want her to be happy.

Let her have her treats, and any other little comfort you can give her. What does it matter?

Hope you get a positive outcome elsien.

elsien

Just got back from the vets, and mutt is fine - false alarm and whatever it was has gone. :j

Probably the little sod eating her blankets again, but I'm just so relieved, I don't even mind her nicking mum's choccy biscuits earlier on today.:D

Frugalista

elsien wrote: »

Just got back from the vets, and mutt is fine - false alarm and whatever it was has gone. :j

Probably the little sod eating her blankets again, but I'm just so relieved, I don't even mind her nicking mum's choccy biscuits earlier on today.:D

Great news elsien :j:j:j - give her a hug from me :A.

tizerbelle

elsien wrote: »

Just got back from the vets, and mutt is fine - false alarm and whatever it was has gone. :j

Probably the little sod eating her blankets again, but I'm just so relieved, I don't even mind her nicking mum's choccy biscuits earlier on today.:D

Phew! Hadn't realised this was an update to the thread and was all set for trying to compose a positive message for you. Thank heavens she's okay.

When she had her last op, did the vet run full bloods before and keep her on a drip throughout the operation? It's a belts and braces approach but very useful and recommended for older dogs. Although different dogs do respond in different ways to anaesthetic.

Big dog - it knocks her for 6 and she's in a right state after an op - they had to keep her on the drip after the op for much longer than normal (last op was when she was 12 years ) Touchwood apart from her arthritis she's fine at least for now (also 14).

Little dog had a heart murmur and his last op was at age 14 - he was absolutely fine after the op - even the vets were amazed at how well he recovered from the anaesthetic and how quickly he was able to be discharged especially as he was reknowned for being a neurotic drama queen. In fact, while he was on the operating table, the vet rang me and said he's doing so well while he's under shall we also take the fatty lump out of his groin (not what he was being operated on for) so he ended up being under for longer than planned and still all was fine. Unfortunately we lost him in March this year aged 15.