should my 11 year old yorkie be operated on?

Question

I have an older yorkie, 11 to be exact (in human years) and recently i took her to the vet and they discovered a large mass in her stomach. she also has a very wet very mucas cough to go along with it. she only weighs 4lbs and i am concerned that if we go through with the surgery to see what is inside of her that might kill her because she is so tiny and so old and the older you get the harder it is to come back from being put to sleep. i never had her spayed because she is a house dog and has never been around any other dogs and with her size even when she was younger surgery was always out of the question. the reason why i ask this is because it will cost a few thousand dollars which is a lot concerning that there is a high chance she wont even make it, and thats with what the vet has told us. we just got her blood tests back and her blood work is fine and she is super healthy it's just this whole surgery. what would you do? she shows no signs of pain or anything to that extent.

BVC_asst · Accepted Answer

If the blood work came back ok, then that means that it's not cancer?  Did the vet tell you that?  So then it's just a benign mass in her stomach?

What did the doctor say when you voiced these concerns to him?  Did he say that she wasn't a good candidate for anesthesia?  Did he say that he doesn't think that she should have the surgery?

The cough might be from the tumor pressing on her lungs. It could make complications if it's not removed.

Only you can decide if you can afford it or if you want to dish out the money.  No surgery comes with a guarantee though.  Anytime anyone or any animal is put under, there is always a risk of something happening.

My cat was diagnosed at 11 years old with lymphoscarcoma in his stomach.  My vet said that he caught it early and he believed there was a good chance for it to be treated and put in remission.  Since I trusted him completely, I decided to go ahead with the chemo.  Yes, it was expensive, probably $3,000 or more over the course of a year. But he did go in remission and we did have 4 more wonderful years with him, until that same dreaded cancer came back with a vengenance and we decided to end his misery.  

Was it expensive? Absolutely.  Did we have any guarantees that it would work?  No.  Are we glad we did it? Absolutely.  Would I do it again.  You bet.  But that's me.  Your decision is personal and up to you. 

Speak to your vet, get his opinions and see what he says. If you're lucky enough to have a veterinarian like I do, and you trust yours the way I trust mine, then he will help you make the right decision. 

good luck to you both.

One more thought...please don't think that your vet would push the surgery because he is going to get rich off of it.  I don't know why people believe that veterinarians are loaded.  We all know the cost of healthcare for humans, why would anyone believe that the medicines and healthcare costs for animals wouldn't be expensive?  Most pharmaceutical companies make medicines for both humans and animals.  And in surgery, you are paying for their knowledge and expertise in taking care of your animal.  So please don't let the cost of something be the main reason why you're making a decision.

mei-lin · Answer

First of all, I don't understand why it would cost so much.  A few hundred seems more like it. 2nd of all, I would rely on your vet's advice whether or not to proceed with the surgery.  If he feels she is in good health otherwise & would benefit from the surgery.  Does he think there is a good chance that she will have quality of life afterwards?  If he thinks there is a better chance that she will not make it and will not benefit from it then don't do it.  Let her live as long as she can, as pain free as she can and when the time comes you can make sure she doesn't suffer.  
I am kind of going thru this with one of my dogs.  She is also 11 and is a border collie.  She has cancer that is widespread, so sugery is not an answer.  We will not let her suffer, tho.

m_thurson · Answer

If there is no discomfort to her then I dont see why you would get the surgery. If chances are that she will die and that her bloodwork is fine and there is no pain to her then let her live out the rest of her life happy and at home. Dont put her through the stress of an operation.

myyorkies · Answer

i know what your going through...i have 8 yorkies and just days ago found out that a tumor i had removed from his leg 2 years ago has came back with a vengance...they want to amputate...but he is 11 also and in no pain and can walk fine...i'm not putting him through that....but anistesia is different with all dogs..i would have it removed again but it will come back even bigger....i think this is your call....it's your loving pet and believe me i know how you feel.mine get anistisia to have their teeth cleansd and are always fine...you need to decide this one...good luck....yorkie breeder here

Anonymous · Answer

I wouldn't make a dog suffer like that.

Dogs don't understand the pain & it WON'T WORK!!!

Just keep her comfortable as you can for as long as you can & then LET HER GO!!!!

EUTHANIZE *before* she's in pain.

Diane · Answer

what does the vet say?

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should my 11 year old yorkie be operated on?

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