surgery or not?

[Hogansma]

I have just inherited a dog from a neighbour that died recently. She is very old, overweight, arthritic and has an infected growth below her ear the size of a loonie that she scratches. I took her to the vet and he suggested surgery on the bleeding growth but no guarantees cause of her age and health. I also got antibiotics for 10 days so I have time to make a decision about surgery or not. He said the antibiotics will clear it up for now but it will reinfect without surgery. I am not convinced that she would survive the surgery or even survive for 6 months without it due to her age and general condition. Should I take a chance on it never recurring and let her live out her short life? Has anyone else had this type of infection? I'm not sure if it's an abscess but it is a protruding bleeding lump. Thanks for any replies.

[mummummum]

I'm confused...
Why does your Vet think it get re-infected without surgery? If the antibiotics work, the infection clears, the skin heals, the dog stops being irritated by the "growth", therefore stops scratching it and opening it up (which can lead to infection).

Does your Vet say it's an abscess or a benign growth or a wart or...?

By the way, thank you for taking in this old soul and providing her with such loving care and concern for the final months or years (she may surprize you!) of her life.

[Hogansma]

Thanks for your replies. I was up for hours last night with her cause she had scratched it again and it was really bleeding a lot. I just cleaned it and put pressure on it for a long time. This morning I made an appt. to have the surgery tomorrow. I think there really is no other option. She also had a bath today. That was an adventure. I doubt if she had ever had one in her life. She is really perking up now that she calls my place home so am optimistic that she will make it through the surgery. I'll let you know.

[mummummum]

that she makes it through and recovers quickly !

[hazelrunpack]

You're an for taking on this old girl! She'll love you back many times over!

that the surgery goes well and she heals quickly!

[chico2]

Ditto to that,you are an for adopting this old girl,hopefully the surgery will go well

[Frenchy]

Good luck with the surgery. If you are worried about her having an operation at her age, ask for blood test before the surgery (your vet probably told you about this already) Please keep us posted.

[angeldogs]

Good luck with the surgery. .please kep us posted

[Hogansma]

Thank-you for all your well-wishes. I just picked her up and she is home now. They actually removed another growth too, this one on her hip and then cleaned her teeth. They said it may or may not be cancer (50/50) but I opted out of having it tested because she is costing big $'s. That would have been more. It really wouldn't make any difference in her care either way. Poor old girl was very happy to see me and I've only had her since the weekend. Hopefully the recovery goes well.

[hazelrunpack]

I'm glad it all went well. Just keep her off the stitches and she'll do great! Older dogs make great companions, and very faithful! She loves you already. You're her .

[SnowDancer]

Happy that surgery went well. Can I ask how old your new "pup" is? We one adopted an almost 8 year old Beagle - and people asked why we adopted such an "old" dog - well they were a bit surprised to find him still with us nearly 12 years later - he had a new lease on life I guess. I looked at your profile - EASY with the "middle age woman" - I am also 56 - and my birthday is August 11 so I will turn 57 before you do - how did this happen to us?

[hazelrunpack]

How's the old girl doin' today, Hogansma? ( I'm talkin' about your furbaby, not SnowDancer! Sorry SnowDancer...hazel couldn't resist! )

Is she leaving her owies alone? Give her some kissies and a careful hug for me! Is she the Hogan or the Molly you mention in your profile?

[Frenchy]

I'm glad the surgery went well and they cleaned her teeth too ! Bonus for her. I adopted 3 older dogs, believe me , best thing I ever did . Be careful that she doesn't bite her stitches off ! Keep us posted.

[ChancesMom]

Best wishes to a speedy recovery!