My female doberman who is 16 yrs old has moles and growths that are multiplying and growing?

Question

My red doberman, Sapphire, is about 16 years old and I noticed recently she has moles and growths that are multiplying and getting larger. Does anyone know if this is cancer? My vet acted like we should be thankful that she is still with us and he was not concerned with the moles she had at that time but they have multiplied and gotten larger? Any thoughts or experiences? She is precious...

Answer 1

Sometimes old dogs get growths. If you are concerned and want them treated, go back to the vet and tell him. You obviously have taken Very good care of her for her to be with you this long.

Answer 2

I am not a vet but from my experience and what I have been told by our vet, If they are just smooth moles with a few lumps they are probably okay but if they are really lumpy, bleeding and look a bit like cauliflower in texture get your vet to have another look.

Our last dog, had moles/warty things from when she was about 12 but developed a malignant tumour at 15 1/2. At this stage her heart couldn't cope with the surgery to remove the cancer and the vet thought it has spread throughout her body and she may only have weeks anyway. We took her to the beach, gave her all her favourite treats and then said goodbye.

Answer 3

Ask yourself a couple of questions. Are the moles and growths causing her discomfort or pain? At 16 years old she is roughly 112 yrs. old in human life. If she is in pain, not walking, peeing on the floor where she lays, rather then get up to go outside, then it's time to put her down. I know it's never easy, I owned my wolf for over 12 years, but sometimes you need to do what's in the best interest of the animal. If she's not suffering, then get a 2nd opinion if you want, but it doesn't sound good at her age. She sounds like she had a good, loving life to make it as far as she did.

Answer 4

Remove Your Moles, Warts & Skin Tags in 3 Days
Easily, Naturally And Without Surgery

Answer 5

Hi Tracy,

You are truly lucky to have her at 16yr. It's a unusual for a Doberman to live so long.

Lumps and Bumps - very common in Dobermans - fatty tumors or they could be Mast Cell Tumors which can become life threatening.


You might want a second opinion or evalution from another vet.

Check out the Doberman Pinscher Health Foundation
http://my.execpc.com/~dober/dobehlth.html

I had two - my boy died at 6 from cardiomyopathy and my girl died at 9 eventually from mast cell tumors (she ruptured a disk in her back - left her paralyzed from the mid-section down for 4 mos but regained mobility after lots of water therapy)

Answer 6

16!!!!!!! OMG thats amazing! Congratulations on a 16yr old dobie, I would let your vet know that you are seriously concerned and ask for a biopsy. At this point, even though I know you dont want to hear this, even if it is cancer, there is anything I would do. I wont say can, but the only thing you could do is cut them out and possibly do chemo/radiation therapy... which is not the kindest thing to do for a 16 yr old dobe. I would let her live out her life and keep her comfortable for the time you have left. I know you dont want to her it but anything else would be selfish.

Answer 7

I would absolutely get a second opinion though the problem may be that due to her age any surgery requiring anesthesia may be out of the question.
A simple scrape and biopsy should be able to determine if the moles are cancer or not.

Answer 8

You should go and get a second opinion. It would seem that if your vet isn't concerned, that he probably thinks that they are just fatty tumors or something. I would be hesitant to put her through surgery to have them removed.

Answer 9

old dogs get bumps and moles. Its just a sign of getting old. they they are not painful to her, then you don't have to worry. Even if they are cancer related, she's far too old to try and treat intensely.

Answer 10

Get a 2nd opinion