My dog has a liver tumor that is large. He is 15. Should I remove it? It has grown 5 times the size in 1yr.?

Question

If I should, does anyone know anyone good in NY?

I went to a vet and they want to remove it but can't tell me if he'll make it and I'm scared. he is like a son to me. The tumor keeps growing and he keeps losing weight but looks the same.

Answer 1

Considering his age the first thing I would do is a complete blood panel on this boy. You are going to want to make sure he can safely go under anesthetic. The main organs of concern with anesthesia are the kidneys and the liver. I would start with the blood work. The results may make the decision for you.

You also need to weigh the fact that this is not a simple surgery and the chances of your veterinarian being able to remove the entire mass is very unlikely due to its location. We do the best job we can, but dealing with a major organ like the liver is not an easy thing to do.

Do you know if the tumor is benign? You could have the vet do a FNA (fine needle aspirate) to send to pathology to see if the tumor is even cancerous.

ADD: Is your vet concerning the tumor will rupture causing him to bleed out? Is he showing any secondary symptoms of distress/pain?

ADD2: Has your vet done complete blood work on him? If his kidney or liver values are not within normal limits I would not put him throught the sx, you could lose him on the table.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
My dog has a liver tumor that is large. He is 15. Should I remove it? It has grown 5 times the size in 1yr.?
If I should, does anyone know anyone good in NY?

Answer 3

I am just assuming that some other work up has been done. Like blood work and chest films to rule out metastasis to the chest. If that was the case, there would be no point in removing it.
Personally, I am pretty sure I would not do this kind of surgery to a dog that age. I have never seen a huge procedure on a dog that age that had a great outcome. I have seen many come through a surgery like this, just to die the next day or weeks later. What would be the point of that??
I would get a second opinion and give it some good thought. If you think you want to go through with it, make sure all other work ups have been done.

And if I was GOING to do this, I would be at Cornell!!!!!!!

Cornell--607-253-3060

Answer 4

Where about in new york do u live?
Secondly, i would get a personal opinion from the vet... What kind of dog is he/she? the reason i ask is becuase if she is a dog that maybe gets problems later in life (for ex: German shepards get bad back legs) then the next thing but be even worse then this tumor.. But that depends on the dog. i am the person that would pay any amount of money for my dog but if its not guna do any good in the long run, Im not sure what i would do.. Talk to the doctor.. See if the procedure will even work

Answer 5

We can't tell you if he'll make it either. And we certainly can't tell you if you should have the op or not.

In the entire liver is involved in the tumour then it can't be removed, because you can't remove a liver. If only one lobe of the liver is involved then it may be worth a try.

You need to have a long chat with your vet. Really they won't know if it's possible to remove the tumour until they've opened him up and had a look inside - if it can't be removed, they can always suture him back up and wake him up for you to take home.

Only your vet can give you the prognosis for this, so please follow his/her advice. Please don't make your decision based on what you read on Yahoo, because no one on here is a vet or knows your cat's specific case.

Chalice

Answer 6

Large Mass On Liver

Answer 7

If your dog is 15, you have to weigh your choices. If you have it taken out, how much longer is he going to live, and what will his quality of life be like? Sometimes they can't even remove liver tumors.

Answer 8

I am sorry to say but if your dog is that old don't even think about having it removed he probably wont make it thru

Just let him live out his days happy with you and GOD forbid but if it causing him to suffer now you must do the humane thing and put him to sleep I had to do this for my dog and it killed me but he was must best friend in the whole world and I loved him way to much to let him suffer as I am sure you love your dog

Good Luck in making the right decision

My thoughts are with you
:.(

Answer 9

first let me say I'm sorry.
I agree with many it's time to have him put to sleep,
You didn't say but I would believe that from what you say about the tumor I would believe it's cancer. With a dog that old I wouldn't be surprised that they would find it has spread.
most vets wouldn't even attempt surgery on a dog that old many would die on the table. I truly think the most humane thing to do is have him put to sleep. Here is a little poem that might help... Again I am sorry for you goint through this especially during the Holidays and this would be the best Holiday gift you could give your dog.

PUT ME TO REST

Time to let me go my friend,
Because my life no-one can mend,
Its better to let me go this way,
Than watch me suffer night and day.

I'm happy to go, my time has come,
My quality of life is no longer fun,
Ive been so ill, so its not a bad thing,
To let me go forever resting.

Stay with me till I drift away,
Fast asleep forever I pray,
To relieve me from suffering and pain,
What more can I ask from my best friend.

Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain,
Never to be ill ever again,
I know you'll miss me being there,
But all the memories you have to share.

Thankyou for being my best friend,
And all my needs that you did tend,
Try not to be sad, try not to cry,
Now's the time to say GOODBYE PUT ME TO REST

Answer 10

putting a dog under anesthetic at 15 years old is very risky. I wouldn't do it myself.

How is he acting at home? is he acting like a normal dog? eating drinking fine> using the bathroom and playing?

If he is I'd keep him like that. But when he starts deteriorating/starts feeling sick. Then I'd start thinking about getting him put to sleep. You don't want him to suffer