Can I just do nothing?

[Windydaysuponus]

Ddog is 10 on Sunday.
In April she had surgery for a big mammary tumour. Cancerous.
Now ddog isn't a friendly ddog but we love her and accept her boundaries. She doesn't mix with other ddogs or anyone outside of our household.
All good.
Vet's visits /tests /surgery pushed her mentally to her limit imo. Very very stressful. Post surgery they also found a heart murmour.
Now - few weeks ago I found a small lump on her shoulder.
Then one on her hind leg area.
Can I ignore these if she seems OK in herself?
A trip to the vet would stress her immensely and achieve nothing imo. If it's cancer then her heart prob won't take another op, her mind may not either.
She seems OK if a bit needy as was pre op last time. Prepared to make the pts decision if needs must - not yet though! But seems a favourable option than more tests /bloods - which would mean sedation due to her bad nature.. And ultimately refuse surgery anyway...

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Medical treatment is there to improve or maintain the quality of life for your DDog. It sounds like there's a valid question about whether or not the stress caused by vet treatment would do more harm than the treatment could do good.

I don't think you can do absolutely nothing - it may be that providing oral pain relief (but not surgery etc.) is necessary and beneficial, and it sounds like there's a good chance you'll need to PTS as and when her physical condition deteriorates.

Would she cope better with a vet who will do home visits? It sounds like your vet knows your dog's limitations and should be able to work with you to minimise everyone's stress.

In the meantime, try to do some of her favourite things with her - be it a new squeaky toy, a trip to a secure dog field, or feeding food she probably shouldn't be allowed (fried chicken is probably on my dog's bucket list!)

[adaline]

I do think she needs to see a vet. If it's cancer, she may be in pain and will need treatment, even if that's just something as "simple" as oral painkillers.

Can the vet come to you, do you think? Your dog may feel happier in it's own environment and you don't have the stress of getting her in the car and through the door of the surgery.

Long-term though, you need to think about your dogs quality of life. You're right that surgery may not be the answer but you can't just ignore signs that your dog may be unwell and in pain. Whether the long-term answer is pain relief or been PTS needs to be determined by a vet and spoken through by both you and the vet.

I am sorry, it's not easy

[Windydaysuponus]

We are having a party on Sunday! She loves the dc dancing and gets really animated! Really great to see!.
Will make her a bucket list.
How 10 years has flown!
Ddoggy guilt is as bad as dc guilt isn't it?

[Floralnomad]

In your position I’d probably ignore any small lumps until you need to see the vet about something else , ultimately you have no intention of having them removed . You could always ring the vet and explain , I’m pretty sure ours wouldn’t want to see the dog .

[stucknoue]

I would do nothing at the moment, you know the likely cause, you know that treatment isn't likely so unless they are showing signs of pain I would give her lots of love, wait and see. Unfortunately dogs like humans get cancer but unfortunately because of their genetic makeup it progresses quicker. I would start to prepare the rest of your family, it's heartbreaking for everyone

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

You could phone the vet, explain the situation, and see if a home visit is possible. She'd need to see a vet for any sort of palliative care/pain relief anyway.

It's never a good decision to have to make, but you do need weigh the cost to your dog against her life expectancy with and without treatment. If it's spread and she hates the vet, I think you're making the right call. But do find out about pain relief.

[Windydaysuponus]

Thanks for he support. Hard when nobody irl to discuss it with.
Here is my beautiful girl.

[thesnapandfartisinfallible]

She's gorgeous. I Think you are right in saying no more treatment. It stresses her out, she is too old to safely have another GA and her heart may not hold out under the stress of another OP and it is unlikely to extend or improve the quality of her life. I think there comes a time when we have to question who we're doing it for? Us or them?

[Windydaysuponus]

My dm /da /dgm all kept dcats way way past their best so to speak. As a teen I made a mental note never to do that.
Left her on the sofa this morning, even tho she doesn't sit on it when we are in!!
Rules getting lax is required I think!

[RIBlue]

I have similar with mine except the lump I had removed a couple of years ago was benign. He’s now got two more on his chest and stomach and growing one on his shoulder. My thinking is that I wouldn’t have them removed and/or put him through chemo as an 11 year old so we’ll crack on as normal whilst he’s wolfing down any food in sight and tearing around on three walks a day. The first sign that he’s unhappy or in pain, I’ll make a decision.

[RIBlue]

Forgot to say that mine is also terrified of the vet. When he had surgery I got the call to say that it had gone well and I could collect in 3 hours. 20 minutes later I got another call to say could I come straight away to collect as he was screaming the place down.

[RickOShay]

She is gorgeous. I really feel for you, I have an 11 yo black lab, who is the love of my life. He already has osteoarthritis, now his back legs sometimes give way. He is having an X Ray tomorrow, he’s like your girl, only loves his family.
I am dreading just tomorrow tbh.
Keep her at home op, get the painkillers in!

[Windydaysuponus]

When she had her op I slept on the sofa next to her bed (on the floor).Woke up the next day on the floor and ddog on the sofa! She is so crabby but totally love her!
Fingers and paws crossed for all our poorly pooches!