dogs lump

[deanosmrs]

Hi all, we went away for a week and left my 13 year old dog with my sister and her family to look after,as usual.When we came back and picked her up we saw to our horror a lump on her side just on top of her rib cage,we were told she had it when we dropped her off!! she didnt of course, i think we wouldve noticed it.Any ways we took her to the vet 2 days later as she seemed odd.We were given a course of treatment,and that seemed to take it down.Now though,although shes not in pain, and totally herself, the lump is still there just not quite as big.The vet said it could be trauma,caused by a bruise etc. or a rapid growing tumour, at present im not sure what to do as ive been told if she goes under anasthetic we could lose her because of her age.Has any body got any idea as the best course of action would be. Thanks for reading

[lankeela]

Who actually told you you could lose her under anaesthetic - was it a vet? These days anaesthetics can be very quickly reversed and they are not as dangerous as they used to be - many older dogs have operations and are back to normal in a very short time. However at her age I would be leaving it to see whether it does grow very quickly, as if it does not then I wouldn't be worrying about it unless it is causing her discomfort.

[jules77]

I had my dog operated on, at 12 years old, and the vet used a greyhound anaesthetic which he felt was safer for older dogs. He wasnt able to come home the same day, like perhaps a younger dog would have been, but he was fine, and although he had liver disease, lived on until he was nearly 15.

If you are not comfortable with your vets advice, perhaps seek a second opinion?

[deanosmrs]

Thankyou for your replies..Iankeela,yes it was a vet who told me this,hence my reluctance to take her back for surgery.dancairo im afraid,selfishly maybe, i would for ever feel guilty too if anything happened. Maybe ,as said, if its not causing discomfort, just to leave it be and keep an eye on her wellbeing for now. Thanks all.