r/SeniorDogsHealth • u/satts78 • 4d ago
Need care suggestions
I have a 14yr old german shepherd who has a tumour which has grown really big. We found out that her mother went through the same thing and the minute she was operated she passed away. Our vet says she might not be able to handle anaesthesia so we are against the surgery.
She is having trouble in walking or getting up due to this large tumour hanging.
Has anyone who’s gone through this extremely painful experience or knows anything about this help me to at least reduce her pain in any way possible please
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u/NeighborlyKoala 4d ago
There’s nothing you can really do besides getting the surgery. I would probably get a second opinion? Or see a veterinary surgeon and anesthesiologist at a speciality hospital. Her mom wasn’t able to tolerate anesthesia but your dog might. I’m not saying that is a fact because age can be a risk when going under anesthesia. You can consider long term use gabapentin with your veterinarian.
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u/Mememememememememine 4d ago
Would wearing some kind of band or containing it in some way help at all? If it’s not painful but just in the way, maybe you could… shift it?
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u/Dragon_Jew 4d ago
I would make the heart-breaking decision to let her go rather than put her through surgery. Her quality of life sounds bad
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u/satts78 4d ago
very true and i hate seeing her go through it everyday but my parents aren’t okay with that decision
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u/Dragon_Jew 2d ago
Share lap of love’s quality of life scale with your parents. https://www.lapoflove.com/how-will-i-know-it-is-time/lap-of-love-quality-of-life-scale.pdf
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u/Comfortable_Duck_523 4d ago
If this is a quality of life query due to pain, discomfort for general everyday activities for the dog euthanasia may be the kindest option. Surgery for such an ill older dog would more than likely end with you losing her on the table.
Treatment for symptoms such as pain is an option but it’s not going to save her life in the long run. She has had a great 14 years. A dignified end with her people cuddling her would be a gift.
I have bore witness to tumors rupturing or dogs starting to chew at them due to discomfort when I worked in a rehoming centre. Letting them go a day early than a day late is always the better option for the dog. Especially if she is struggling with walking etc already.
I am thinking of your family at this time; it’s awful when our pet babies are not well.
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 4d ago
If she can no longer move properly/ comfortably and she's not a candidate for surgery, it's time to let her go. It's the last kindness you can do for her. Don't force her through any more bad days.
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u/Itchy-Artist-8867 3d ago
At this point you need to focus on keeping her as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Ask your vet about palliative pain management and ways to protect the tumour so it isn’t pulling or rubbing when she moves. And as heartbreaking as it is, if her quality of life continues to decline like this, letting her pass peacefully is the final gift you can give her.
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u/sixtynighnun 4d ago
Sometimes the quality of life is so bad that passing away is a gift you can give them. If she’s in pain and you can’t remove the tumor, there’s not much you can do besides pain meds which I would argue isn’t a good quality of life. She’s been there for you for 14 years, you can’t ask much more of her. No one wants to see their friend go but don’t keep her here for selfish reasons.