My senior dog has anal tumors but good spirit. When to put her down?

I'm sorry Ben has an anal tumor! Your vet is right that he will be pain, even if he doesn't act like it. Dogs can be very stoic about pain, and he is also showing you he is in pain from his arthritis based on the fact that he moves around slowly and can't get up stairs well. It's a hard choice to make as to when it's time to say goodbye to a beloved pet. I work for a home euthanasia company, so I face this question all the time with my clients. I recommend making a list of five things Ben loved to do. When he's not doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has declined to a point when humane euthanasia should be considered. Also consider his quality of life if he starts having trouble passing feces due to the size and location of the tumor. In the meantime, I would discuss giving him pain meds with your vet. This may improve his quality of life in terms of getting around and help with the pain from the tumor. If you'd like to discuss things further with me, you can request a consult for more in-depth help. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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.

Euthanasia is a very personal decision that must be made between you, your animal, and your veterinarian. It sounds like Baby has plenty of problems but still has some good days. When people are undecided about how to proceed I refer them to the oncology quality of life scale, which permits people to place an objective figure on things, even if it isn't doesn't make the choice for you. https://www.aplb.org/resources/quality-of-life_scale.html I hope this helps you make a decision one way or the other.

This is always a hard decision as our loved ones get older. My rule of thumb is to look for when they have more bad days than good days or they quit eating or quit getting excited about things that ALWAYS use to make them excited. From what you're telling me it doesn't sound like she is ready to be euthanized BUT you know her better than anyone and with her age and all of her problems, whenever you make that decision it will be be The Right time for her and you. She is so lucky to have such a loving family and to have lived such a LONG life. I hope this helps!

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.

Hi, sadly it is probably an anal sac carcinoma. I think by the sound of the dimensions and the age of Tink, that it would be kinder to put Tink to sleep when she starts to be in pain. sorry to sound a bit brutal but we need to make Tink's welfare the main priority, I am sure she is a very much loved member of the family. Thinking of you at this difficult time.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Brie! I think that if the mass is getting traumatized, is bleeding or infected or if it appears painful to her then it might be time. Especially if removing it isn't an option. Otherwise, if she is eating, drinking, not in pain, the mass isn't bleeding, she interacts with the family and can control her urine and defecation then I would give her more time. I always tell owners to measure the good and bad days and when the bad days out weigh the good then it is likely time. I hope this helps and I wish you and Brie the best!