I Need Your Advise
 

Back round- I found Lucy (age 10+) last March in bad shape. She is deaf, and has the beginning stage of dementia. I had her spayed, 8 rotten teeth extracted, and 3 mammary tumors removed. She did not do well under anesthesia (heart rate and blood pressure). The vet who did the surgery advised no more anesthesia. Now she has 4 more mammary tumors and a pea size lump between her shoulder blades. Another vet in the practice examined her today and advised removing tumors a.s.a.p. He feels positive it's cancer, and based on tumor location, she wouldn't have long to live w/o the surgery. I booked the surgery right away, and have been thinking about it all afternoon. Did I do the right thing? The tumors are back after only 6 months (not a good sign), she's old, deaf, has dementia, and I risk losing her under anesthesia. Selfishly, I'd do anything to save this little girl. I don't want to see her go through more pain and the bottom line truth is, she's old. On the other hand, I can honestly say she is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. She is the light of my life, and I can't imagine living without her. I hurt so bad right now, and my heart is just breaking. Please, do you have any words of wisdom for or against surgery? What would you do if this was your fur baby? Thank you for the advice.

What a hard decision, I am so sorry that you are having to make it. I am glad that you are thinking of what is best for Lucy. Did you ask the vet how the tumors would affect her quality of life if you just left them alone, would they cause her pain, grow so fast that the tumors would make her day to day life more difficult because of their size? And since she has already had tumors removed and she now has more, are they likely to return again after this surgery and require a third surgery?
Please keep us posted on what you decide and how Lucy (and yourself) are doing.
I'll say a prayer for you and Lucy.

Oh my goodness this so hard to decide on. Have they taken a chest x-ray to see if any Cancer may have moved into her lungs?
I don't have an easy answer for you on this. I can say prayers and hope all will be well with her.

I vote for quality over potential quantity. I wouldn't risk kissing her under anesthesia. As long as she doesn't seem to be in pain or suffering. I would let her be.

Spoil her and give her anything she wants.

Hello Kim. My heart goes out to you. I too have faced a tough one like this, with my Noah. He had one tumor removed, it was cancer. He was 17. His old body could not cope with Chemo and we didn't try it. About a year later the tumors came back. I just loved him, until I knew he was in pain. Then I kept my promise to always take care of him. I had him put to sleep. That was the right thing for my Noah. I will pray for you and Lucy. Know this my friend, God gave you to Lucy and Lucy to you for a reason. It is a blessing that you have had each other to love. Hugs

I am so sorry that you are facing the most difficult decision. You have done so much for Lucy and shown her great love, and she has come a long way in your care.

Is it possible that the cancer has spread? :( I don't know much about mammary tumors in dogs, but it doesn't sound good that so many grew so quickly after her first surgery.

Sending prayers for you and Lucy.

Could you ask the 2nd vet to consult with the 1st and advise you what would be the wisest decision for quality of life for Lucy. I am sorry that you have to make such a difficult decision but what a blessing that you found Lucy. It sounds like her final years will be full of love and compassion thanks to you. Sending prayers for Lucy and for Kim.

I agree. I would just love on her and if she does pass, I would make sure it was a peaceful, painfree passing.
If you do more surgery and the anesthesia takes her out, you would feel so guilty. JMHO

Thank you for your kind words and prayers. I knew going into this that my little sweetheart was old, but I was hoping we'd have a couple good years together. Mom's vet in FL. removed Lucy's stitches back in April, and felt tiny tumors in the left mammary chain. She questioned then why all had not been removed, and said to keep an eye on them. I was so angry, but thought surgery was not an option again because of anastesia. I am consulting with the senior member of the practice, and getting a second opinion. If he can assure me Lucy will be ok, then I will go ahead with surgery. Without surgery, assuming it's cancer, she would only have 2-6 months to live. I've cried for days, and my heart is broken. Now it's time to roll up my sleeves and get to work. We'll do a second consult, and a third if we have to, chest X-ray and blood work. I so desperatly want to do what's best for my little Lu. I can't lie though, I took her twice to McDonalds for a McDouble (no onions). Not the best nutrition, but it makes her so happy, and that's all I care about at this point.

Hugs and Prayers for you and Lucy. she is so Blessed to have a mommy that loves her and gave her a forever home. I would also let her have anything she wanted and give her lots more love. It sounds like you have helped each other. I will be praying that you make the right decision for you and Lucy.

omg, im so sorry that you are facing this decision, i dont have any advice but im sending you and your baby prayers for better health and and in making the best decision

What a hard decision, and my heart is aching for you. I know this must be a very difficult time for you. As far as medical advice, I have none, but if there is nothing they can do, and if she's not suffering or in any pain, I honestly think I would just love her until her time came. You have done so much for her and have given your all for her. I would just love her with all your heart until she goes to the rainbow bridge, and then know you did your best. I will say a prayer that you will make the best decision for her.

I would just let her live out the time she has left. She is getting old, and you have given her a great life while you've had her. I would not risk the surgery since you already know it didn't go well last time while she was under, it could make her weaker and possibly in more pain after surgery.

For me it's about doing what is humane and comfortable for the dog, not about what I want/what i want to do.

This is just my experience:
I had a dog who was hit by a car and the vet said that if we put him under they would only give him less than 20% chance of living because he may not handle being put under very well. So I decided to hold him for a half hour and say goodbye and chose to have him put to sleep because I know he would be put out of his pain and suffering. Now could he have survived surgery maybe, but very unlikely. So I chose to do what would make him more comfortable and what felt more humane. He could have been in pain for a day or two after surgery and then died... that is not how I wanted it to go and I was not willing to take the chance of putting him through the extra pain for an extra day or two with him if he was going to be miserable. I cried and cried over it for almost a month and half before I found two little mutts that seemed to be a blessing in disguise, I named one after my dog that died and the funny thing is he had the same exact temperment/personality as him.