My older dog has a ruptured tumor. Are there options besides costly surgery?

Unfortunately, this is a difficult situation because most tumors that are cancerous and rupture are not going to heal on their own. A double mastectomy will be a very large and could be difficult recovery time for an 11 year old dog. Also, please know that even with surgery, you may not get another 3 years out of her simply because she is already at the top end of her life span. Also, there is always the risk that the cancer has already spread. Another option you may want to talk to your vet about is whether they can just do a palliative "debulking" of the mass that has ruptured. If there is a way to just resect the one tumor that has ruptured, this potentially could give her a good quality of life without doing a full double mastectomy. With the tumor being ruptured, I am afraid you are being forced to either do a debulking surgery, full mastectomy, or euthanasia. Leaving it alone isn't a good option because it won't likely heal on its own and if it isn't already, it will become infected.

I am so sorry, but there is nothing you can do at home for this, other than try to keep it clean if it breaks open and bleeds (which it looks like it could do at any time). Short of taking her in, there really just aren’t any options... this would require surgical removal. If she’s comfortable, eating, and happy, it’s not wrong to just love on her for the time she has left and not pursue treating the tumor. Again, I’m sorry I don’t have more options to offer you. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I am so sorry to hear of your dog. I think this is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong answer. Some part of the decision may be financial, as surgery and aftercare can be quite costly and with a low chance of successful outcome then this must be considered. We wouldn't want someone to take money they need to pay their rent to attempt a surgery with a low success rate. That being said, you may be in a financial position where this isn't a concern. Then I would discuss with the vet what quality of life is expected to be if surgery is successful. If chemotherapy or other treatment might be required and the side effects/cost of this. You must also realize that if the surgery is unsuccessful then your dog's final days may be in a hospital instead of at home. If you are not ready to say goodbye or give up, however, then surgery may be the way to go. It is a very personal decision.

I am so sorry you have to face this. This question is best answered by an oncologist and neurologist. They will have to do a CT scan or MRI to see what all is affected. From there they will consult with a surgeon to see if it can be biopsies. This will determine what type of cancer it is m. Each cancer responds differently to radiation and chemo. This must be done a referral level which is usually limited to big cities and universities. The cost for the testing alone can be around $1500-$2500. Then you can get options for treatments and prognosis.

I am so sorry your pet has a terminal illness as it seems. You may be able to buy him a few more days, weeks, by having the fluid drained from his stomach periodically as it fills up. This may have to be done frequently if it fills up quickly. Also getting him on a liver protectant medication called Denamarin can help some. However, if the tumors have invaded any major vessels or arteries, then I agree that the only option is to keep him comfortable with palliative care (pain medicine, relieving the fluid, etc). I am so sorry, but it is best to keep Butch as comfortable as possible and when the time comes, to humanely let him go. Best regards.

I am afraid there is really nothing that you can do for her other than giving her a lot of TLC and watching the tumor. Should it open up and ulcerate it will cause infection and that may be the time to say good bye. If you think she may be in pain, you can ask your vet for some pain medicine for her. I am so sorry, but 15 years is a grand old age and you took good care of her.

The option is to do nothing and just wait until the tumor is so big that is causes problems or pain or ulcerates. There really are no other options other than surgery (debulking the tumor), maybe radiation (this willl depend on the kind of tumor) or chemotherapy (which also depends on the kind of tumor. I suggest you discuss palliative care (just treat symptoms until euthanasia) with your veterinarian. I am sorry your Rusty is so ill.