Elderly greyhound and surgery - WWYD?

[Coachee]

We have a 12 year old retired racing greyhound and I’m really struggling to know what is best to do for her.

She’s been in good condition ever since she retired, a few corns so has reduced walks but otherwise no health complaints, active, right weight etc. Then recently she had a few vomiting episodes and then gradually went downhill. She’s been drinking gallons of water, which is then affecting her continence. She shakes a lot, especially when lying down and otherwise fine. Her legs are getting weak, and she just loses her back legs sometimes and half collapses. We took her to the vets when it seemed like something a bit worse than just old age.

Tests revealed that all three liver function results where way above normal. So she went in to be sedated for a scan. The scan showed a very thickened wall on her gall bladder, which could have multiple causes, and also a possible mass on the liver. In order to more fully diagnose she would need a biopsy - which due to greyhound’s deep chest would be open abdominal surgery. The result of the biopsy will either result in no action, gall bladder removal and/or liver resection. 50:50 that either could be malignant was the vets guess.

We are opting to try a host of medication before agreeing to any surgery, but my instinct is that the surgery in itself feels unnecessarily invasive and that a biopsy would likely lead to a second big operation. There’s no guarantee this would ‘cure’ her and she’s so old and such a timid dog that the surgery would be a traumatic even itself, coupled with all the risks of anesthesia etc.

I feel like I’m giving up on my beloved dog, but at the same time, she’s an old dog who won’t understand what’s happening and the surgery just feels so invasive. I’m worried that putting her through all that will drag her condition down more rapidly than without it, plus it will make her end of life so much harder.

Interested to hear what others would do? Or any advice/considerations that we might want to think about or experience of similar procedures and the outcome?

Thank you.

[Inthesameboatatmo]

Hi op
Didnt want to read and run .
Given the age major surgery is a massive risk in and of itself.
If I were you I would give the medicine route a good go and then if still suffering think about putting to sleep , you sound like a kind loving owner who only wants the best for their dog but there comes a time when prolonging life is more cruel .
Good luck

[timetobackout]

Having lost three greyhounds over the years, I know how desperately hard it is but deep down I think you know the best love you can show is to let them go. Sorry xxx

[flippertygibbit]

Sorry, I would try the medication but no operation, not at that age. This is the worst part of having pets.

[Clymene]

I'm so sorry but I would also opt for medication and not operate. Dogs are so unhappy after operations and that is such a big one and I don't think the rewards outweigh the risks.

I'm so sorry. Dogs are bloody heartbreaking

[dollophead]

My heart goes out to you. I agree with the previous responses. As a greyhound owner myself, I know how how fragile these beautiful dogs are and the operation sounds too brutal for her. Such a hard decision for you

[Letsnotargue]

We had similar with our old boy. He lost a lot of weight and tests eventually showed a mass in his intestines. We had the option to operate but he was almost 12 and it was too much to put him through. We had him for another 4 months and then had to have him put to sleep.

I think once they get to a certain age/frailty level huge operations aren’t in their best interests. Only you will know what level of frailty your dog is at, but doing nothing can be a perfectly valid choice in the best interests of your dog.

Sending sympathies to you - we’ve just adopted an oldie and am dreading reaching this stage again.

[Coachee]

Thanks all. It’s really helpful to hear others’ perspective and experience.

It does seem like the risks and impact of surgery would outweigh any potential benefits. I can’t imagine it giving her a new lease of life and instead it will be heartbreaking to watch her go through and maybe to no tangible benefit at all.

It really is the hardest part of pet ownership. I knew she wouldn’t live forever but it is very hard to contemplate life without her.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

My old dog had a major exploratory op when she was about 11 and I didn't think she'd recover from the shock of it. She retreated deep into herself for at least two days afterwards and I thought she'd decided to die. Fortunately she came out of it and I vowed then never to put her through a general anaesthetic again (given this experience and her advanced age). I went on treating her medically for her problems until it didn't work any more and she became worse about two years later. I think it is fine not to go ahead with surgery in your circumstances. I am sorry you are in this situation, though.

[ThatLibraryMiss]

I went through something similar with my old lady GSD. The vet offered an MRI to see what was going on but also said she was a poor anaesthetic risk and it probably wouldn't change the outcome or the treatment, which was managing her pain.

I kept her as comfortable as possible until I couldn't, then had her PTS. My only regrets are that it wasn't a few hours earlier and that I didn't give her a roast chicken (meat only) for her breakfast.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

We had similar with an elderly dog who eyesight and hearing were going. She had a tumour which the vet was certain, given its type, would have spread. He said we could operate to buy her time but it would have been a massive op and we felt it wouldn't be fair on her. The vet agreed with us.

We treated the pain until the tumour ruptured; she was still eating and enjoying a short walk but clearly did not have long and could no longer do many of the things she had enjoyed, so we had her PTS while she was still just about happy in herself.

It's so hard at the time.

[4PawsGood]

Can’t they do what’s necessary while they’re in there, ordering in what they find? I agree that two ops sounds really tough on an old dog. I would consider one though.

[4PawsGood]

Sorry, meant to say *depending on what they find

[Touloser]

I currently have one with cancer, who were choosing not to treat as she's so anxious about being at the vet it would ruin weeks/months of her life, when she's not got that much time left. I cannot say what I would do in your shoes, but I'm content I've made the right decision in my somewhat comparable circumstances.

[Insomniacexpress]

I’m sorry OP. We have lost two ex racers to age and cancer. they also suffered from the hind end weakness at the end as well. We kept them comfortable and medicated -when they were no longer comfortable and became incontinent we knew it was time. Due to the mobility issues and intense nature of surgery/Gh body shape we decided against surgery.

[Hm2020]

I had a 10 yo dog who needed what I was told was a simple operation to clean out her ear the anaesthetic caused her to have a heart attack they managed to save her but the next year she spent in heart failure and a cocktail of tablets and slowly lost her spark for life she was a Yorkshire terrier so to be dead before 11 was extremely young I’d advice people to be very careful putting older dogs under anaesthetic after what we went through. I also had a dog with cancer that we kept comfortable without surgery with just meds she had a lovely 6 months and was only the last week you’d have known anything was wrong. You sound like you just want what’s best which is lovely. Good luck

[bluetongue]

I had a similar situation but with a cat not a dog. Vet suspected possible lymphoma but would have needed major open surgery to do the needed biopsies. I agreed to an ultrasound which found nothing then treated medically until she went downhill quickly and refused to eat. I PTS at that point. It’s unlikely the surgery and diagnosis would have made much difference.

My dog is a whippet so I know how much the pointy noses bury themselves into your heart. I’m sorry, it’s so hard.

[Mollymalone123]

We have an ‘mature’ dog with arthritis and an issue with her throat and a chronic cough. We have agreed that we wont put her under again.Sometimes just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.So definitely try medication but no to surgery.

[Geranibum]

I wouldn't operate on a dog of that age, all the more so if she's slowing down naturally.
She's reaching the end of her natural lifespan, you know that, so just treat her gently and kindly for her last months.

[Coachee]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It’s so sad but this thread is definitely reinforcing the view that we shouldn’t put her through invasive surgery at this stage. She’s doing ok - eating, short walks etc so we’ll just see how it goes for now.

[OliveToboogie]

I've had my Grey for 2 years he is 6 and so far is healthy. I would try the med but I don't think I would go for an op. I know how hard this must be for you and I know you will make the right decision for your boy.

[OliveToboogie]

Sorry your girl.