My dog has a bleeding oral tumor. When should I consider euthanasia?

I'm sorry that Millie has a malignant melanoma! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face your question all the time. I recommend making a list of five things Millie loved to do, and if she is no longer doing at least two of them, then her quality of life has declined to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. Her quality of life is most important to evaluate when making the decision as to whether or not to let a dog go peacefully. Dogs can be very stoic about pain, and they could be worse off than they are letting on. I would make that list of five things and look at Millie's quality of life to help you make that decision. If you'd like to talk further about this, I would be happy to consult with you. Just click the "consult online" button under my answer. Otherwise, I hope this helps you.

Your poor pup! He could really hurt himself if he keeps trying to chew it off, and the area can become infected. The tumor will likely still keep growing and causing him these issues, so I recommend taking him into a vet today. This tumor needs to be removed so that he stops trying to chew it off. Until he sees the vet, put an Ecollar on him. You can make one at home, and I will put a link below on how to do it. Best of luck. http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

This is an extremely difficult decision to make. I always try to look at a dog's quality of life to determine if they are still able to do most of the things they've always loved. If they are unable to do half of their favorite things, it is likely that their overall quality of life has declined and euthanasia may be warranted. Since your dog is currently eating, drinking, acting and playing normally, it does not sound as though her time has come. However, since one of her masses ruptured, there is a chance that it could become infected. Ideally, the mass would be surgically removed and biopsied. If surgery is not an option, she may need a course of antibiotics to prevent the onset of infection in the open lesion. If the open mass continues to bleed or begins to cause discomfort, you may need to decide if she should have surgery or euthanasia. If you are beginning to question if the time for euthanasia has arrived, consider discussing this with your vet to get their take since they have examined your dog and can provide some insight into her current quality of life. I hope this helps.

I'm so sorry Bradee isn't doing well! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this question often with my clients. While he doesn't seem to be in pain, it's likely that he is in pain from the malignant growth. I would make a list of five things Bradee loves to do, and if he's isn't doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has declined to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. It can't be a comfortable quality of life for him to have to be spoon fed, bleed from a continually growing tumor in his mouth, and staying in his crate more. Dogs are often ready to go before we are ready to let them go, and it may be kindness to let him go now before he declines ever further. If you'd like to discuss this further with me, I'd be happy to consult with you. Simply click the "consult online" button under my answer. Again, I'm sorry Bradee is so ill, and I hope I've helped you.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am glad we can give you some assistance! I am not familiar with your previous questions regarding Sweetie but if the tumor is ulcerated, that is not typically a good sign. It sounds like tumor needs to be removed surgically. It is a bit difficult to advise you without seeing the tumor myself and I'm not 100% sure what your question is exactly. You want us to suggest something meaning what? To apply topically to the tumor? For bandaging? To stop the bleeding? I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for. If the tumor is ulcerated she is most likely going to need to get some antibiotics. It is also very difficult to give you advice if we don't know your location. It does no good for us to recommend products that you cannot obtain in your area. Please post again with more information. Thank you.

Depending where the bleeding lesion is you can have Java wear a shirt or dog pajamas to cover it to protect her skin from licking and from the other dog. Also if the mass is a small bleeding wart they sometimes can be surgically removed or cauterized with a local anesthetic so she would not have to be anesthetized to have them removed. With her other problems she has it sounds like she may not have a long time left. I recommend consulting your veterinarian who can counsel you on her quality of life and help you to make the best decision for Java. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Java.

Poor guy. This does not appear to be just a lipoma (fatty tumor). I would highly recommend having Allie seen by your vet to get this tumor surgically removed and sent off for lab analysis to determine if this is a cancerous mass or a benign one. Hopefully it is benign and nothing to be worried about. The vet will likely place Allie on some antibiotics and pet friendly anti-inflammatory medication first to get the skin to calm down before surgical removal is done. But surgery is the best and often-times only option when a mass has gotten this large and has ulcerated. Until you can get her in, its best to clean this mass with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water to keep it from getting infected. Then rinsing with sterile saline from your local pharmacy. I hope that Allie's mass resolves soon! Best wishes and take care.