Sadly, one of my 11 year old Springer Spaniels has developed anal sac cancer. Which is fairly aggressive (50% growth of tumours) He's fine in himself and still doing all the things he likes to do. But at 11, he's at the top end of his life expectancy.

The vet wants to operate to remove the tumour (which is causing no issue to him atm) and then xray to check for more. Even with treatment we are told expectancy is 2-59 months.

I feel reluctant to go ahead with the op. Part of me thinks I'm being selfish but the risks are great. He's getting on and I don't know whether to just make him comfortable and enjoy whatever time we have left

But doing that seems wrong, like I'm not helping him but is the risk worth it? Would I rather have 2 months of him as 'him' or a year of treatment and drugs?

I'm debating whether it's right to operate and then treat. He could end up incontinent from the operation or not recover from anaesthetic

Interested in opinions and experiences

We had same problem when our late Benny was 13, vet was very keen to treat but we (in the end) decided to let him have a few more weeks and then let him go. It is a decision we never regretted as when we took him to the vet to be PTS the locum was shocked a dog of his age had been offered an op (he also had dementia) and he said we were doing the right thing.

Dogs and cancer is where I'd seek another opinion from a 2nd vet, as it really helps with the choices to make.

My Dad has just had to do this with his 10yr old Border terrier who presented with a massive tumour of the spleen, after an x ray the vet said there was nothing that could be done, it was an aggressive form of cancer and it would be easier to put her to sleep as she was suffering. Fortunately my dad had enough about him to seek a second opinion, with a vet who said yes that was all a possibility, but lets remove the tumour then see what quality we can give her and if it's cancer you'll still have time with her before we make that decision, thank goodness he got that second opinion as the tumour was removed and it was benign. She's up, about and back to normal.

I know your case is different but a second opinion may be the way forward. It's your choice we had to do something similar with our old dog 7yrs ago, we had 2 weeks with her, don't regret it one bit as treatment wouldn't have given her any better quality of life. But we still had that second opinion before we made our choice.

Personally I'd say no. I'd carry on till it starts to adversely affect him.and then have him put down

My mum had a dog with a tumour in her 'armpit' years ago and the vet operated to remove it. She ended up having to be put down a few months later and wasn't the same in the meantime. My mum always said that had she known before what she knew after she'd never have had the dog operated on and she wasn't that old, she was only about 6 at the time.

One of ours had a cancer at 6 we were told take him home and let him have a few more weeks, well we didn't want to have an only dog so got a third. He went on to die at 13 and we were a 3 dog family all that time !

Our dog had a cancerous lump on his chest and we had him operated on twice (he was ten-ish and a rescue). The first op left him clear for about six or seven months, the second only a few. He recovered quickly considering the awkward location but when it came back again we decided enough was enough.

He had another few months, didn't seem in any discomfort from the lump until the last couple of weeks before we decided it was time to let him go.

I remember in college we were given some theoretical situations presented at a vets surgery and asked to give our opinions on what we would do.

one that stuck in my mind was a 12 year old retired greyhound with aggressive bone cancer in a front leg.

The collective opinion of the class was not to treat the cancer, but allow the dog to carry on until quality of life is in question, then to go forwards with euthanasia.

the vets opinion would have been to operate to amputate the leg and then cancer treatment therapy.
as they are there to preserve life.

if it were my dog at the age of your dog, i'd just let him/her enjoy the rest of their days until it begins to bother them and then let them go peacefully, without the trauma and risk associated with what could be numerous operations.

You're not being selfish at all, to be honest you're being quite unselfish from the dogs point of view, allowing him to live out the rest of his days in comfort, rather than going through the stress of surgery & recovery, then treatment.

in the same situation, i would feel just as guilty as you, but weighing up the risks and quality of life... i'd just enjoy him for the time you have left, making sure he's comfortable and spoiled rotten! rather than risk losing him sooner from an operation which may have more risks than benefits
x

Just on the BIB. My dog has had both his anal glands removed and we have had no problem with incontinence.

It's a difficult one and a choice I don't envy you. Personally I would go with my vet's advice I think. I have a cocker here that is a very sprightly 14 1/2! so your dog could have a few years yet. Good luck with whatever decision you make. It will be the right one for your circumstances.

I hesitate to say the vets opinion is down to profit as they may just want to extend the animals life but it's hard not to wonder...

I think that you know your dog best. It's a hard decision but sometimes quality is better than quantity. I would get a second opinion and if you feel operating is going to cause him unnecessary suffering then let him live out his days happy and with dignity. I was in a similar predicament and decided in the end to have my dog put to sleep (he was also 11). It was hard at the time but when I look back now it was the right thing as he was active and with the family right up to the end rather than suffering operations and being separated from us which would have caused him distress. Good luck.

I always think that vets will want to operate because it gives the knowledge to make decisions next time. A vet will hardly ever suggest an owner goes for euthanasia - they will always offer the owner a solution that may prolong the life of the pet. It is down to the owner whether to put the animal through operations and discomfort, or not. Every case is different too and I think it is a good idea to get a second opinion.

The vet came out to see us this morning (due to the surgery flooding!)

It was a different vet and he explained the operation in detail, he said it was a very complex operation and there would be a degree of short to long term pain simply because of the area the tumour is at. Because of the position of the tumour there is a strong probability that removal will result in incontinence.

We've made the decision not to treat it and the vet was in agreement (as much as he could be)

I'm sorry it wasn't better news for you. Enjoy your time and make every moment count.

It really is a small blessing that we are allowed to not let our pets suffer too much and to send them on their way peacefully, loved and pain-free.

In my experience not all vets are like this. At our local vets if they know that surgery would involve a very high level of risk or is very unlikely to help much then they don't just recommend it anyway, but look for other less invasive ways to help prolong the life of the pet. They are a very good vets, better than some previous ones I have visited. I always feel they really care about the animal itself.


Have you tried C-Caps made by Native Remedies? I'm obviously not suggesting that they are a cure, but they may help.

Wish it could have been better news.

Given the age and prognosis I honestly think you have made the right decision.

With my first cat I took any treatment just to get a bit more time. The day I had him PTS I'd looked at him and saw he was truly suffering and had had enough. I should have had him PTS days before. That is one of myvery few regrets in life.

There is a saying amongst experienced animal lovers regarding PTS - "better a week too soon than a day too late" I do wish I'd payed mind to it.

My eldest dog is 15. He has a manageable condition (Cushings) but I would never put him through an invasive treatment as much as it might break my heart. It might be right for me, but it would be wrong for him. I'd sooner he went with dignity.

Again, right choice. Best wishes xx