Help! I need advice! Our beloved family dog Pearl is booked in to be put down on Wednesday and im torn! She is 11 (12 in June) she has a few things going on - doggy dementia, poor eyesight, night waking and soiling in the kitchen, invisible cat chasing, and now she is starting with aggression.
the reason we have booked her in is a lump in her ear fold that we can only assume is cancer. It popped up from nothing to squash ball size in about 6 weeks and is causing a terrible infection between the lump and ear. She had 2 weeks of antibiotics (£380) and steroids which cleared it for a week or two but the infection was very quickly back. It bleeds and oozes and stinks. The vet has said the only remedy is to operate (£1800) not to worry about her age (but no guarantee obvs) and would need antibiotics and steroids again before the opp. She is full of lumps and bumps - some are soft and squidgy- others are firm and jagged. I know her quality of life is poor but I feel terrible for not exhausting all options before putting her down. From a really selfish perspective she is getting blood and infection on furniture and carpet, the smell of her is unbearable and comes back within an hour of being washed - she can’t go to the groomers with the lump or infection. we have a disabled daughter and between her and the dog I just feel so emotional and stretched with concern for both. I don’t want to put her down before it’s her time but I’m very conscious that we will have spent over £3000 if she has the op ☹️ any words of wisdom or advice welcome