Kindest decision?

[Kehaar]

Hello all

I took my wee dog along to the vet today because of some lumps I'd felt on her belly. The vet said that they are mammary tumours I had suspected this, but to have it confirmed just brings it home.

The vet has suggested 3 options:

1. Hormone injections to shrink the size of the tumours although this may then cause problems with her uterus.

2. Surgery to remove the tumours, although given the dogs age the vet is concerned this may put her into kidney failure.

3. Have her put down.

My dog is an old girl, on the far side of 14 years old. I don't want to have her put down, I would rather try and give her a fighting chance. Surgery would be the most effective way of helping her but I do wonder if I am simply being selfish by putting her through that. At present the vet feels, as do I, that she is not in pain from these tumours, but, given a few months, she will be.

I want to do the best I can for her but I am concerned that I may be putting her through something for selfish reasons, because I'm not ready to lose her yet.

Am I doing the right thing, or is the kindest thing just to let her go?

 

[GoldenStorm]

You could try the surgery, if there's a good chance of her making it out fine. Otherwise, it might be best to have her put to sleep. That'll be hard. I've parted with several pets. But, the dog can't understan while we can. It won't know why it's hurting, it'll just know it is. So painless sleep might be your best option. Of course it all depends on you.

 

[lovestrav]

I suppose I would do some research first before I made a decision. How many tumors are we talking? Have they metastasized? Are we sure they have not spread through other areas? Unfortunately this is one of the things that happens to unaltered pets. Did your vet offer having her spayed as part of the surgery? How long before your vet felt she would be in pain, or rather how many months did you discuss for life?

If she were my baby, and these were truly the only three options I had left, I would not do any surgery. I would do what I could to make her comfortable, letting her life progress as normally as possible until she told me it was time. What I have heard from other dog owners is now is the time to make a list of 5 things that your pet enjoys doing. This is her quality of life measurement. As her health fails and she no longer enjoys the things on the list, or is not able to do them, you will know its time.

This is so sad and I am so sorry. Give her my love and keep her as happy as you can!

 

[lovestrav]

Astral, any update on your dog?

 

[Kehaar]

Astral, any update on your dog?

Hello there,

thanks for asking!

She had surgery yesterday to remove the largest tumour. She was back home with me last night, still very drowsy from the anaesthetic...back to her usual self today though.

She's a tough wee thing! Don't let the scrappy appearance fool you!

 

[lovestrav]

Shes's beautiful Astral, I'm glad that she is doing well.

 

[country woman]

She is a cute dog and I am happy to hear she is doing better.