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Original poster

My elderly dog - sorry if it's triggering for some, but any advice is appreciated.

23 replies

Sunshadows · 13/08/2025 17:25

I would have posted in the 'Dog Owners' section, but there's generally more people here.

My labrador is coming up to 13 yrars old, and we've just found out she has a cancerous lump. 😞
The vet is offering to remove it, but this would be £2,000, and much as we'd love to prolong her life, she's not as strong as she was and we're wondering if it's fair to put her through surgery. Also, it's such a lot of money if it's only going to prolong her life by a few months.

I'm in such an emotional state today, knowing of course we'd have to face this at some point, but I just can't imagine the house without her. 😞

Has anybody been through similar? She's still wagging her tail, eating and keen to walk etc, but she's clearly losing weight, even though I'm giving her extra food. She's gradually getting weaker, and I know we're lucky to still have her at this age. x

OP posts:
hmrcwhatnow · 13/08/2025 17:29

I would pay - have they biopsied so good outcome expected?

Myjobisridiculous · 13/08/2025 17:31

Personally I don’t think it’s fair on the dog.
She doesn’t understand general anaesthetic, post operative pain etc….. It’s not about the money, but the quality of her life

Original poster
Sunshadows · 13/08/2025 17:31

Biopsy is later this week, which should tells if it's spread. Sincerely hoping not!!

OP posts:

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Dogs
6namechange3 · 13/08/2025 17:32

I personally would let her go. Dogs live in the moment. My current dog is quite nervous hates even any minor veterinary procedure. When she reaches her senior years I will let her go rather than having surgery etc. it's heartbreaking, but so is seeing an elderly dog limping around because it's owners can't bear to say goodbye x

BotterMon · 13/08/2025 17:34

That's cheap. Quoted £4000 and decided not to go ahead due to GA risk in an elderly dog (13 years old) and that there are other lumps developing. Vet wouldn't biopsy other lumps until first lump removed so looking at many GA's/Sedations plus £10k+. Dog not insured.
I would never put a dog through chemo either - they don't understand it.
Said dog with cancerous lump is still going strong 8 months post diagnosis. Yes he's lost weight but still eating well, being walked and is continent and very happy so good quality of life. If he were to stop any of the above, then we'll know it's time.

In the past I've told vets to push them over when under GA and cancer spread found during exploratory operations. Always better a week too soon than a week too late.

sugarandcyanide · 13/08/2025 19:22

So sorry for your poor girl. If it hasn't spread and the vet thinks removal will cure it I think I'd try. If she'll need chemotherapy or it's just to prolong life I wouldn't go through with it.

MIL did the treatment route with her dog who was much younger and said she'd never make the same choice again.

henlake7 · 13/08/2025 19:32

Sorry to hear. I think I would go by the vets opinion after the biopsy results are back. Vets are usually quite pragmatic about quality of life.
I can sympathise. I have 17 yr old and 16 yr old dogs at home and I wouldn't put them through any kind of painful or uncomfortable treatment now.

Beyondburnout · 13/08/2025 19:43

I'd let her go 13 is a good age for a dog. Is the vet run by a chain im asking because they have sales targets.

YeOldeGreyhound · 13/08/2025 19:45

Sorry to read this. It is so hard when they get to a grand age as you have to really balance things out. It is not always about the money.. It is about their quality of life in their twilight years too.

I think the biopsy results are going to be what helps you decide here. And of course, the nature of the lump too. Is it really painful and in a awkward place? It might be worth removing it to make her comfortable. But if it is going to be a major surgery, then you have to think of recovery etc too.

Dogs live in the here and now. You can't explain to them and make them understand that short term pain from surgery etc will help them in the long run.

I am wishing the best for you and your pooch, whatever you decide Flowers

lemonraspberry · 13/08/2025 19:49

Let her go. Invasive surgery is cruel to dogs and they don’t understand what is happening to them. They are great maskers of pain & will eat and drink when physically weak, it is not a sign of a healthy dog.

AcquadiP · 13/08/2025 19:49

I'm sorry you're going through this. A vet once told me that most elderly dogs have cancer. I've lost two of mine to it, both Border Collies and inoperable in both cases because they only showed symptoms very late in the day. Would I have had either operated on or put through treatment had it been detected earlier? I have to be honest and say no. That's partly due to their ages, (15 years and 14 years); and partly because in the cases where I've known dogs that have been treated the cancer, the cancer hasn't been successfully removed and the dogs have been pts in less than 6 months. Of those one was only 7 years old. It's heartbreaking but 13 years is a good age for a Labrador. I'd be inclined to enjoy your dog for whatever time is left, you will know when it's time to say goodbye. I'm so sorry, it's an awful situation to be in.

Dearg · 13/08/2025 19:56

You Mention that she’s not as strong as she was.

In your position I would think carefully about her overall quality of life, and how long she can realistically maintain that?
Also, how does she generally handle the aftermath of anaesthesia? My 13 year old lab did not do well with it. He would have had an upset tummy, possible diarrhea and a couple of weeks of feeling rough. I avoided that where possible.

My first question was always - what difference will this procedure make?

So my advice is that - ask your vet what your lovely dog’s life will look like after the biopsy itself, and if treatment is needed. I think you will know what’s best after that discussion.

Enko · 13/08/2025 20:00

Such a sensible and caring post from @AcquadiP I agree wholehearted

Delphigirl · 13/08/2025 20:06

Where is the lump? My standard ooodle had a lump which was breast cancer. It was a single lump, she was 9, we paid for the operation. Another one came 4 months later. We took her to the vet- he said there was just one, up to us. We operated. The lumps came back - lots of them - and we decided not to do any more. We put her down a few months later and by then she was very ill. With hindsight we should have put her down earlier, but I had 4 kids who had grown up with her and we let ourselves give in to optimism that the operations would fix it and give us a couple more years. If she had been 13 there is no way we would have done it. I’m really sorry, they are such difficult decisions.

BrightLightTonight · 13/08/2025 20:11

At her age, I wouldn’t go down an operation route. After the biopsy, where they confirm its cancer, what will you do, and you are £2,000 out of pocket.
Give her love, treats and fun, as much as she can do, until its her time

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 13/08/2025 20:45

I wouldn't do the surgery. And I say that as someone who's still drowning in grief 4 months after saying goodbye to the best dog there ever was. At nearly 13 we went the surgery route (£3k) for the cancerous lump, but her overall health declined so rapidly we had the have her put to sleep within 2 months anyway.

Spoil your beautiful girl rotten, treat her palliatively until the time is right and then call it a day. (((((Hugs)))))

DiordreBarlow · 13/08/2025 20:48

Oh what a terrible position to be in OP. Our dogs are so precious to us aren't they.

Your dear girl is nearly 80 in human years and operations and anaesthetic are such an upheaval for an old dog to bear. Perhaps the kindest thing would be to make her as comfortable and happy as possible (as I am sure you always have done) and just let her go enjoy her days as quietly and peacefully as possible.

I know this is such a horrible heartbreak to contemplate, but when the time comes you will be able to absolutely know that you gave her happy times and all the best possible love right until the end rather than putting her through it for a few extra months together.

Letting them go gently is the last really loving thing we can do for our pets.

AcquadiP · 13/08/2025 20:49

Enko · 13/08/2025 20:00

Such a sensible and caring post from @AcquadiP I agree wholehearted

Thank you, Enko.

Glitchymn1 · 13/08/2025 20:55

I had my 12 year old lab operated on, chest lump/ mast cell tumour. He recovered well, strong appetite etc.
It wasn’t cancer to my knowledge and he lived another two years. We didn’t have a biopsy just opted for removal and didn’t have the lump tested afterwards.
I’d see what the biopsy shows and go from there I think. I wouldn’t let it drag on if it isn’t removed though, as if the dog is losing weight it’s obviously having an effect.
A good age and clearly a much loved dog. Best wishes OP whatever you decide.

Original poster
Sunshadows · 13/08/2025 21:55

Thank you everybody. 😘 Yes we'll see what the biopsy results are, and discuss it all with the vet.

I see from your posts that some of you have had dogs that lived well into their teens. We've had her since she was 8 weeks old, she grew up with our (now adult!) children.

Yes, the vet is part of a chain. Such a difficult decision, thank you all. xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunshadows · 13/08/2025 21:55

The lump is on her stomach.

OP posts:
Beyondburnout · 14/08/2025 08:25

Good luck my lovely.

LoudSnoringDog · 14/08/2025 08:27

At 13 I would let her go

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