What would you do? Dog has cancer :(

Fire_Fox

So sorry to hear this. In general, I believe we should be led by our vets as they are usually more experienced, qualified and impartial than we are. BUT that does not mean to say I think they are always right IYSWIM. Has the vet explained why they want to remove the one tumour? Perhaps they think your dog will suffer sooner rather than later as the area is inflamed and has been infected? My advice would be to do some research, prepare a list of questions then make another appointment with your vet (or one at the same practice). Don't be afraid to take notes and ask for clarification, you want to make an informed decision.

You will always hear of sad cases that do not make it through the operation or that have a difficult recovery, but Sagz is right to ask how 'old' your dog is physically (rather than numerically), is she very fit and active, slim but well muscled, strong heart and so on. There are sixty something humans who have smoked for years and can barely breathe whilst others are running masters marathons.

An operation does not necessarily suppress the immune system; many animals and humans bounce back within hours or days. An operation may affect immune function IF the dog struggles to sleep afterwards, eats poorly, is unhealthy so healing is slow or gets an wound infection. There is equal or greater if the affected gland keeps getting infected - antibiotics wipe out the 'friendly' bacteria in your dog's gut, functionally that is part of her immune system. Effective painkillers are generally codeine/ morphine based - this can be addictive, cause constipation, make her feel woozy, and with regular use suppress the immune system.

YorkiePud_3

It's so hard for you and for people to give advice because our advice is influenced by our own experiences and as every case is different, it's hard to say 100% what we would do ... and I know that doesn't help you in the least *hugs* ... but at the end of the day, you know your little girl best.

I would ask the vet for a guesstimate of how long your little girl may go on before it starts to affect her ... I know they can't give totally accurate answers but he or she may give you some idea.
Perhaps your vet thinks that your little girl being so happy and otherwise okay on herself, she stands a good chance of coming through an operation.

BUT a "good chance" to my mind, isn't enough to make me consider putting an older dog through something like that. That's just my own opinion though ... I had a little chihuahua who became very ill and she had to have an operation aged 10 years ... but, in that case, it was a pure emergency and it was a slight chance or lose her, in which case I thought the risk worth it.

But with your girl, she is happy, drinking, eating and not being bothered ... whilst obviously our first thoughts when we hear "cancer" is to think of having it removed, I am not sure whether I'd want to put her through that at her age ... it may be that she carries on for some time (God willing!!) without it affecting her, in which case that would be marvellous.

I think I'd definitely ask the vet how far progressed it is and how long before he/she thinks it would start affecting her ... if we are talking a period of time, then I would be tempted to leave her be, carry on spoiling her to bits and let her enjoy her oap years without having to go through an op like that.

It's a Catch 22 situation though, I know ... and NO, you are not being selfish at all ... to say she is your first dog, I think you are being totally unselfish, putting her first ... wishing you many more happy days with each other xxx

zaksmum

I'd just leave her alone if she's not in any pain and getting some quality of life. Once you start messing with a dog of that age they're never the same afterwards, and that's IF they come through the operation.

Just keep an eye on her and if there's any pain or discomfort, that can be alleviated, at least.

tankgirl1

Is she spayed? If not then i'm sorry to say that she may have mammary carcinoma. Treatment as far as I am aware is surgical removal and / or chemo....

Your vet could check with a needle biobsy................

Chemo may be time intensive on owners - they need to be available weekly(or every 2,3, or 4 weeks) at the vets, and have to realise that their pets waste will be a potential problem! Weeing only on grass, or washing wee down lots! Plus picking up all poo wearing gloves, and disposing of properly

She is an old lady I gather - listen to your vet

Hugs xxx

xxlaurissaxx

Thanks everyone for your replies, its great to have other peoples thoughts.

I went to the vets last night and she asked me what I thought, so I told her and she agreed with me that her age would mean a big risk with an operation, so we are going to let her be and once it starts affecting her, we will decide to either give her pain killers/ do the operation or get her PTS if nothing else can be done. She is not bothered by it at all so it must not be affecting her.

She is fine in herself, still lazy, spoilt and chases (sp?) my sisters dog around
The vet is very happy with her weight and health apart from the tumours, so is happy to go with what I think.

Sagz - She is 14 years and 8 months, and does act it but when we are out and return you would think she was a pup the way she gets all excited and jumps around (even if you go to the toilet and come back she goes mad :rotfl:) same with my sisters dog, she runs about mad, so she acts 14 when she wants

Tankgirl1 - Yes thats the cancer she has, unfortunately we never had her done when she was young, but I will definately be getting any future dogs done whn they are one to stop this happening again.



Thank again everyone, I really appreciate your opinions and reading your stories xx

loulou123

Had this decision with my last dog and i decided to just 'let nature take its course' he had a tumour around his anal glands and another in his tummy (both cancerous) but due to his age and another health problem he had, we decided not to have any treatment apart from painkillers etc.

The vets gave him 6 - 12 weeks before he would need to be pts, due to the location of the tumours, but he went on for over a year - and some people still thought we had him put to sleep to soon. I know i made the right decision, and im sure you will too as you know your dog better than anyone.

CFC

Laurissa, I think you have made the right decision. She's an old girl, and frankly everyone dies of something - she's had a good long life so far and is still going strong.