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Original poster

Is there any point in taking a dog to the vets if they have lumps and you don't want any treatment?

55 replies

brimfull · 13/04/2008 13:24

she's 13,terrified of vets,always poos in the waiting room.
I think they'd probably want to biopsy them which I think os pointless really if we don't wnat any treatment.
She's not suffering any pain or discomfort from them at all.Two largish lumps.

OP posts:
mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime · 13/04/2008 20:11

Our Collie had lumps on his bottom which did burst, he was 14.
When we took him to the vet they said it was to do with too much testosterone (sp?) as he hadn't been castrated. We had the lumps removed and he was castrated at the same time,otherwise lumps would reappear - it cost around £100 (castration can be expensive though) We did think that maybe he was too old to be put through all of the stress of operation, but he lived with us for another 2 years, which I don't think he would have done if lumps kept growing and bursting and making his life stressful.
He died of a heart attack.
Not all lumps are cancer. If you speak to the receptionist I am sure they will be understanding and are used to poo and other mess. You could go for a consulation and see what the vet thinks and take your next step from there. Good luck.

lucyellensmum · 13/04/2008 20:14

with regards to your six year old, they would probably charge a premium anyway and rule out any previously detected conditions. Maybe you could put the money that you were going to spend on insurance into a bank account and use that to cover any bills, bearing in mind that most companies charge a hefty excess anyway and will often only insure a condition for the first year - you really have to check the small print, cheaper policies have lots of get out clauses.

Original poster
brimfull · 13/04/2008 20:15

she is an old 13
can no longer walk very far
sight bad,possibly demented as well
feet painful due to lupus condition which she's having treatment for but but not really doing anything

otherwise she's ok

OP posts:
lucyellensmum · 13/04/2008 20:17

ggirl it is clear you have your dogs best interests at heart. I sincerely doubt that the lumps are causing her any pain tbh, just keep an eye on them make sure they dont ulcerate and get infected.

Sobernow · 13/04/2008 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lucyellensmum · 13/04/2008 20:21

based on your last post, i would definately leave well alone not worth stressing her out.

mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime · 13/04/2008 20:27

ggirl you dog sounds an old 13! Our collie was still bouncing around like he was stuck in his younger days, thought he was still a wipper snapper, despite the grey beard! I really think it depends on the dog as to how far to take vet care, especially operations.

I would just take care of her, give lots of love and bathe her!

lucyellensmum · 13/04/2008 20:29

i dont neccesarily agree sobernow. I think the owner is often best placed to know what is better for their pets. Unfortunately there are vets out there (thankfully in the minority) who will do surgery and heroics and leave me questioning what their motivation is. Fortunately most will say when enough is enough. I have worked for both types. A vet would never insist on an animal being put to sleep for instance unless it was in agony, it is the owners decision as they know what quality of life the animal has at home.

Without wishing to sound pedantic, but a vet trains for 5 years.

I certainly think the OP has made the right decision for her dog and im sure her highly trained vet would agree wit her.

Original poster
brimfull · 13/04/2008 20:34

she is a very old 13 yr old yes-poor old girl

It is hard trying to decide what to do for them.

OP posts:
Sobernow · 13/04/2008 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oiFoiF · 14/04/2008 08:01

Sobernow, I disagree that all vets will recommend the right treatment. I have often found they treat when there are suitable remedys available in pet shops etc more cheaply. Also the cost often runs away with you and I have found I have been railroaded into things. Often when moving it takes me a while to find a vet that doesnt seem as expensive and that has my dogs best interests at heart. I have a lovely one now but she isnt cheap(!) but I have often took the dog along, or even rang them for a prescription knowing what the problem is (yeast infection in the ear springs to mind) and I have still got charged the £25 consultation fee, or however much it is but the medication is always much cheaper and I knew this was what the dog would need but cannot order online as need a prescription.

I had the dog when I was 18 and as I said she is 14 now and my circumstances have changed. I was never rich when I had her but I had an income and was able to pay and luckily (touch wood) she has been a very healthy dog. I am not in receipt of any benefits (only carers and dla for dd) so I dont think I qualify for cheap vet assistance either. I always end up putting the vet costs on the credit card.

Maybe I had ought to look into insuarnce for the 6 yr old (who we also had when dd was very little and prior to diagnosis) We sort of ended up with her (rescue) and maybe we should have given it more though, but then again we sort of ended up with unplanned ds2 aswell and cant quite afford him either But the small print on the pet insurance does worry me so if anyone has any reccomendations please can you advise me?!

As I said before I always take the dog to the vet but I do understand why someone may not take the dog due to being railroaded into treatment they either cannot afford or do not want. It seems we carry similar guilt as pet owners as we do as parents

Hope the dog is ok ggirl

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 14/04/2008 08:16

Our dog, punctured her eyeball just before Christmas. The first thing the vet said was "she needs specialist treatment", the first thing I said was "she is not insured"."So let us see what you can do and if all else fails, you will have to remove her eye."

All of a sudden she did not need to see a specialist and we got out of the situation for just under £600.

oggsfrog · 14/04/2008 08:55

Our 12 year old dog was run over and had a badly disloctaed hip that would not remain in the socket. Vet told us all about the different types of surgery available including amputation.
We asked if it was his dog what would he do. His reply was 'nothing other than painkillers'.
Over time scar tissue built up and formed a false joint. It did take a long time - she was a long legged lurcher which made it worse, but eventually she was if not back to normal, then at least functional.

Heifer · 14/04/2008 09:50

We have a 15 yr old cocker spaniel who is covered in lump and bumps.

Every time he gets new one we get it checked out by the vet, but so far all have been either cysts or fatty tissue.

A few times he has had to have them treated as they have irrated him (either licked them too much of knocked them).

He is also almost blind and mostly deaf but as happy as larry (who is larry)

I do understand how you feel about not getting him treated, but we just want to know what we are dealing with each time so we can at least get pain relief if he needs it.

We had another spaniel who we had to have put down in October as he wasn't happy, same lumps and bumps but got dementia etc and just wasn't himself at all..

You will know waht is right for your dog...

LittleB · 14/04/2008 12:34

I agree that you know what is right for your dog, a vet isn't necessarily best placed to understand your dog. I had a collie cross, she was 15 and last year went into the vets at various times to try different treatments, but we could see that she was going down hill. I had a word with my vet and said that enjoying her walks was a favourite thing for my dog and that when I felt she could no longer enjoy good walks that would be it for her, the vet, who I think highly of agreed. And when the time came I knew for my dog. I know others would've kept their dogs going as you see elderly dogs that can hardly walk, and the vet would have supported them too. we know our own dogs better than anyone. As an elderly 13 yr old I think you are doiong the right thing. Just keep a close eye on the bumps, my collie had a couple of lipomas too. And I'd agree with not treating for cancer in an elderly dog, its very invasive and can cause alot of stress for the dog. My parents elderly golden retriever had bone cancer, which was untreated other than painkillers from the vet, at 14 the operation and recovery would've been too much for him. I hope they're just harmless lipomas.

MissPaulaYates · 14/04/2008 12:39

we never know if a dog is insured until it comes to payment time

we would send a dog to a specialist if it necessitates it ...if the client does not what this for whatever reason -we will do what we can obviously.

If you had a sore eye and needed human surgery - you would see an eye surgeon

a vet is the best person to ' understand your dog' LUMPS and bumps- if you choose not to treat it then that is of course your perogative

MissPaulaYates · 14/04/2008 12:41

oifoif being charged a consult fee so high for an already diagnosed problem sounds wrong to me

whispywhisp · 14/04/2008 15:37

13yr old dog with lumps? Yep that is pretty normal providing the lumps are squidgy, you can get your fingers around them and providing they are not causing any pain, mobility problems etc etc ignore them.

My 13yr old labX had loads of fatty lumps. She had one lot removed - at a cost of £400 just over a year ago - was told they may grow back - which they did pretty much soon after.

I'm pretty sure if the lumps your dog has are sinister she would be showing other health concerns - ie lack of appetite/sickness/diarrhoea etc.

Don't worry. Fatty lumps are quite normal especially with elderly dogs.

Original poster
brimfull · 14/04/2008 17:49

thanks everyone

her lady lumps are not painful as we've all had a good feel and she's loving all the stroking and isn't flinching at all.

she's sleeping almost all the time so I'm not too worried

OP posts:
whispywhisp · 15/04/2008 08:37

ggirl...just out of interest where are the lumps?

Original poster
brimfull · 15/04/2008 16:07

they're on her side about half way down her body,one on each side actually ...might need ot go and check that though...hang on

OP posts:
whispywhisp · 15/04/2008 16:29

OK...I'm here waiting for her quick examination!

Original poster
brimfull · 15/04/2008 17:53

sorry- got waylaid .

right there is a lump on the left hand side hip jiont,but about 2-3 inches from the socket side(inside) of the joint ,not the rear end side iykwim.

other one seems to have gone

OP posts:
Original poster
brimfull · 15/04/2008 18:01

right found another one on right side half way along her ribcage.

OP posts:
whispywhisp · 15/04/2008 18:52

Are they squidgy and not hard?

My dog had them on her rib cage - that is quite common to get them there.

I'm gonna bump this thread for BEAUTIFULGIRLS...she is brilliant with animal health matters!!!

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