[cigwyllt]

How hard should I fight for my old dog? How hard would you fight? She is about 13, I know she has a heart murmur and she has a large fatty lump on her shoulder. Sometimes this lump seems to make her stiff. At other times she is doesn't seem to notice it's there. It certainly doesn't cause her any pain when it's touched.

Over the past couple of weeks the lump seems to have grown and today it is bleeding. It could be coincidence - she could have caught it on something and cut it but I am worried that it could be something more suspicious.

We do not have the money for expensive anaesthesia and investigative treatment. She is happy, eating well, showing no signs of distress.

What would you do? I really feel reluctant to pour money into procedures to diagnose something that probably will not be treatable at her age and given her heart condition so should I have her Pts now or am I right to let her enjoy her life as she has been for the past year or so?

She is the sweetest, smiliest dog with a big soppy grin on her face and the conviction that the world loves her. I would rather have her Pts now than see her go through extensive diagnostic tests.

What would you do?

[RottieMama]

Ya know.. I was able to look at things like this much more objectively before we had our recent scares with my pup (thank you so much for replying to my thread).

I actually googled "When to put a dog to sleep" because I was getting different opinions, and not trusting my own. My husband would vascilate (sp?) from wanting to move mountains to save her, all the way to 'lets just put her down'. I would move mountains to save her.. probably all the way to her detriment, so I tried to find objective opinion, like you're doing.

You're the only one who knows in your gut what's right for your pup.

If I were you.. I'd probably at least get an opinion (through a clinic visit) from her vet. And if that's not an option, what I would do.. is just let her be. It sounds like she's happy, isn't exhibiting pain, and enjoying her life. Isn't that what it's all about?

Sending good puppy thoughts your way

[cigwyllt]

Thank you for that - I see people spending every spare penny on their pets and we just don't have that. If I thought she was suffering I would take her straight away but while she is happy and active and eating I don't want to rock the boat.

[CorkyMax]

Referring to the fatty tumor---Did you see this thread about turmeric for that. Check the link I added in the post.

Turmeric for dogs/cats

[Lunareclipse]

Luna, our dog that had epilepsy, also had an enlarged heart. She was never supposed to live as long as she did. She would regularly get large fatty tumors that would break open and bleed. Put a warm compress on it and let it drain. No peroxide because that could cause it bleed more. Bandage it before your dog goes outside. Leave it unbandaged inside the house to let it drain better. Put neosporin on it. The vet believed Luna was getting boils. She never acted like they ever bothered her. They always went away after they drained for a week.

[cigwyllt]

Really? That is so encouraging. It hasn't been weeping since I posted she is right as rain - sleeping as much as possible but the slightest indication that someone will pay attention to her and she is there like a shot - grinning and wagging her whole body.

[Lara's mom]

Really hard question. I can only tell you what we've decided to do with my Bailey who is now 14 years old. We will do EVERYTHING in our power to make her comfortable. Thankfully, we insured her as a puppy and we are getting the benefits now. We will NOT subject her to any invasive procedures. At her age, it wouldn't be fair to her. We feel very blessed that apart from a liver problem which is being controlled with medication, she is still very healthy. However, should her health fail, we have both decided that we will not prolong her life because we don't want to lose her. I hope that helps you.

[cigwyllt]

Thank you everyone. I was feeling guilty for not rushing her to the vet but while she appears to be happy and without pain I really don't want to start messing her around.

[cigwyllt]

I went out this afternoon and came home to find blood all over the kitchen - the lump has gone and she has a nasty sore on her shoulder but she is as happy as can be. Thanks to your posts I didn't panic but I'm keeping it clean. She has no other lumps or bumps so hopefully this will be the start of an improvement.