has spread (without spending a lot of money) my son's unsure that he wants to do the surgery, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY. The tumor is the size of a small marble. It is on the underside of his chest just underneath the skin. He loves his dog. He doesn't want to subject it to surgery as there is an unknown factor there. If the cancer has spread he'll have him euthanized. He knows that if it hasn't spread, that this will save his life. What do you think about a wait-and-see approach?
2007-03-26 00:11:55 · 11 answers · asked by William B 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You have always got to give dogs a chance. My mums dog had the same sort of cancerous lump...they did xrays and ran bloods to see if it had spread and they both showed nothing had spread. We went ahead with the surgery only to have another cancerous lump come up in another spot. She had an overall of 3 surgeries and the lumps just keep appearing. As costly as it is we wouldn't have it any other way. She isn't bothered by the surgery and is still a VERY happy loving dog. I know if I had cancerous lumps I would like everyone to do what they could to remove them and I can only think dogs feel the same way. I know at some time you have got to draw a line and say enough is enough and not let them suffer any longer but until that tail stops wagging I know she is happy to be alive and with us. All I can say is go for the surgery and go from there as for what to do next because if you don;t you will always regret it and think of the "what if's"
2007-03-26 00:31:35 · answer #1 · answered by loveimports_gal 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I really don't see what there is to think about here. If you care you do the surgery. If it turns out to be more than you take care of that when the time comes. Would you put your son to sleep if he had a tumor. I fail to see a difference unless it is that you feel because he is a dog and you are unsure how it will turn out and don't want to spend money "needlessly". If that is the case you should not have any animals at all. You got the dog, it is your duty to stand by him now in his time of need and not to even consider destroying the dog cause he is sick.Shamefull.
2007-03-26 10:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by Born2Bloom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your "wait and see approach" is stupid, would you try that with yourself? What would you be waiting for? For the cancer to spread further?
There are several things to consider; the age of your son's dog and his general health. Talk to the vet, there is every reason to hope that the cancer hasn't spread. If the vet feels the dog has a chance (and there is any financial way your son can afford it), give the dog a chance.
Ask the vet if he will accept payments. When our 10 year old german shepherd had "bloat", the surgery was almost $2,000. Our vet allowed us to split up the payments so we were able to save our dog. If you don't ask, you won't know.
Give your son our best and we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers. Best of luck to them.
2007-03-26 08:14:24 · answer #3 · answered by Mugsy's Place 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a hard decision and I'm sorry that you and your son have to go through this.
I think you should go with the surgery. This isn't a question that can be asked on a website, it is a personal decision that yourself and your son need to make. Are there any other risks to the surgery besides finding out that it is cancerous? If not, I think surgery is best.
I probably haven't helped much but I truly hope that you make the right decision and if you do decide to go with surgery, good luck and I hope that it is not cancerous.
2007-03-26 07:32:52 · answer #4 · answered by Elena 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no offense but, "wait and see?" to what find out that you could have done something sooner? Im actually on this site for the exactly same reason, cept my rowdy's tumor is grown out of his old neutor incision line...which is a whole other ball of wax. But my answer: absolutely do what you can, while you can. Tell your son, nothing is "known" or definite, something could happen bad, to himself on way to pick up lil buddy, and buddy (your dog) bein fine just lil woozy. He/she will acknowledge and appreciate your compassion, especially the Man upstairs, that you do so for a member of one of His other "creations". So you got that goin for you on the flip-side. I know this first-hand, even though this is my second Big Deal with Rowdy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) his first was almost complete paralysis, from an anti-body self destructing on central nervous system......introduced by a unknown but as common as a fly, "germ" that he got in contact with...in summation I cared for him 24/7 for about 5 1/2 weeks, were talkin, feeding tube, catherization, digestion massage, fecal removal, muscle mobility excercises(every few hours) bed filp (prevent bed-sores) ......yea I know more than the average bear would do, but nevertheless, Rowdy came though and he's been as though we are one, and we are tighter than a diamond. So that was just to say, "hey could be worse!" There is a human-form of Rowdy's episode, " Guieen Beret" (poorly spelled) but identical in contraction of; and development, symptoms etc. My prayers go first to your canine FAMILY member and to your son, especiallly you, because its you whos gotta guide him through this. No pressure!! heh heh hope rowdy and my life story has helped guide ya some.......
2007-03-26 08:17:46 · answer #5 · answered by east_bay_mtz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your son talk to the vet about his concerns of having the procedure done and see if there are any other options. An xray would also be able to tell the vet if there are any other masses inside but unfortunately just the xray alone would not tell if the dog definitely has cancer. If it were my own pet, I would have the biospy done.
2007-03-26 07:42:35 · answer #6 · answered by bluemysti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't say how old the dog is,a young dog i would defiantly have the surgery,but for a 11 year old dog he might not survive surgery, i made a decision last year when my dog was 12 years old and he got a tumor not to have surgery he lived for 7 months after being diagnosed.
2007-03-26 07:50:11 · answer #7 · answered by maz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd go for the surgery, a wait and see approach will only give the tumor more time to metastasize and spread to the lymph nodes.
2007-03-26 10:49:52 · answer #8 · answered by Rachel D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait and see = death.
Do the surgery, which will probably save the dog, and then wait and see.
2007-03-26 07:32:50 · answer #9 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
X-rays WILL show any spread!
A loosely attached small mass is the "best" type.
"Waiting" can ONLY worsen the odds!
2007-03-26 07:43:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋