8 year old Maltese with a tumor

[tyty3598]

Hi, a couple of days ago i found a lump on my dogs belly, inbetween her ribcage. i took her to the vet who took one look at her and told me it's a tumor. The vet said we could operate to remove it, but it could be very risky. I'm not familiar with these situations and was wondering if i could get some advice.
Is it too risky to operate on a dog her age? i was told she may not be able to handle the anesthetic. The vet also gave me the option to leave the tumor. I'm indecisive as to what to do.

[tyty3598]

Thank you so much for your advice, i appreciate it a lot.

[BluCrystal]

Hi.  I worked with a vet 8 years.  If this were my dog, and the lump didn't appear painful or causing some other problem, I would leave it alone, just keeping tabs on it to make sure it wasn't getting bigger.  If that happens and surgey is the last option, I say go for it.  Anesthesias used today are VERY safe, even for an older dog.  Your dog would be 'fasted' (no food) overnight, then given a shot of morphine to help her remain calm.  She will be taken to surgery, and ketamine given to render her unconsious, then a breathing-anesthesia tube inserted in to her esophagus.  She will then recieve either propofol or isoflourane in gaseous form.  Surgery will be done, and she will be watched closely while waking up.  I have seen thousands of dogs fly through surgery with blue ribbons.  I can only count on one hand the amount of times I saw one die in eight years.  But your vet is bound by law to tell you that the surgery is risky for this reason.  Even rare, it can happen.  And it most likely will not, if your dog is otherwise healthy. :)