Dogs and Cancer

[omowasu]

This is a very emotionally charged topic and I dont think there is really a right answer, except for what is right for you.

Surgery on any animal is risky, especially on a dog that has a lot less blood to lose than a human. The decision to put an animal through surgery really needs some thinking time - and its not an issue of money, its an issue of survival.

Some folks have mentioned getting a diagnosis and second opinion to determine the extent of tumor outgrowth and make a decision from there. I am inclined to agree with this and would do the same if I were in your shoes and it was my dog.

If surgery had a strong chance of helping, and the cancer wasnt metastisized, I would proceed... But if the cancer was spread and chance of survival was low or zero, I would make sure my dog had the happiest last days on earth possible and when he was too ill to function, I would put him down. And it wouldnt be easy.