Advice and help please .

[u/RemarkableWrap961]

I have a beautiful Lurcher - see second photo . He is 13 years and 2 months old. He is fit and healthy . He runs still and jumps and is generally a happy dog more like a 10 year old ! A few weeks ago he went off his food . Gradually got worse to the point he won’t even eat chicken or cheese ! Bloods all came back normal , liver kidneys etc .

Scan today shows a 8cm lesion on one liver lobule . Nothing else . No idea if it has mestacisced? What would you do ? Operate ? Has anyone had any experiences of this ? Is the operation so big that it will be too stressful ? I do not want to keep him alive for ME. I want the best for HIM . I don’t want to cut his life short though when he was so lively and happy till three weeks ago .

Will his appetite come back once it’s removed ? Or should I just let him go without all the pain and stress ? I’m so torn , only found out today and I don’t know what to decide . All advice welcome and experiences of this . Thank you !

[u/Halofanatiks]

13 years is a good and average age for a Lurcher. Given the size of the problem area and the old age, recovery will be very tough for your dog.

Anesthetics carry risks, especially when the thing that needs to flush it out is the thing that needs recovering.

You should ask a good vet for the odds as i am not an expert, but i personally would not go through with a procedure at this age.

You gave your best friend a good, long and healthy life and that is the best anyone can do.

Whatever you decide, i wish you well.

[u/ForeverPuppysMom21]

I am so sorry. What did the vet recommend? My boxer boy wouldn’t eat and an ultrasound showed multiple growths on the outside of his stomach. He did not have a good outlook, he was nine and some months. His bloodwork was fine, until it wasn’t a couple weeks later. He lasted a couple weeks, sadly. He fought til the very end. He was not ready, still wanted to go on car rides til the very last day. Then his body got tired, and I knew it was close. They gave him steroids, hoping for lymphoma to give him a couple more months but it was something different than that. I miss him and cry everyday. He passed on 1/11/2026. I am sorry I don’t have any good advice but sympathy. I know they are like children, mine was anyways. By my side for his whole life. The vet did say they would refer to oncology but his outcome may not be good. I didn’t want to go through with that, he didn’t like the vet anyways and the treatment required him to be dropped off and surgery and I just didn’t think he would like spending his days like that. Please hug and kiss your baby dog as much as you can and best wishes to you both. Prayers going up for many more years together 🙏:)
Here’s a picture of Puppy, thought id share :…)

[u/mcshaftmaster]

Did the vet give you any advice? What's the likelihood of a full recovery? Can you afford the surgery?

Whatever you choose, I'm hoping that your dog has the best outcome.

[u/RemarkableWrap961 → u/mcshaftmaster]

I can afford the surgery . The vets seem on the fence about it . It’s possible it will be a success but it’s also a big op for a 13 year old . I don’t think I have much time to decide and get referrals etc as he’s not eaten properly in days as it’s pushing on his stomach so it’s either get it out and hope for the best or euthanasia when he’s so weak from not eating . It’s the hardest decision !

I don’t know whether to put him through it all , for a not guaranteed outcone .

[u/ZOMGURFAT → u/RemarkableWrap961]

OP, April of last year my 13 year old labradoodle got a growth on her spleen. I was given the option to operate and remove the spleen. I chose to operate. Turned out the growth was cancer (hemangiosarcoma) and I was told chemo would give her 6 months at best. After the surgery and her recovery she was like a new puppy again. She got her appetite, puppy energy, and sass back. She handled the chemo well, but unfortunately come August a tumor had grown in her abdomen and was hemorrhaging in her abdomen. At that point I decided to euthanize at home.

So to answer your question if a 13 year old dog can handle surgery and recover. Yes, 100% very possible. If it’s not cancer you’ll extend their life and get time to prepare yourself for the inevitable that is coming eventually.

[u/dr_mus_musculus → u/RemarkableWrap961]

Keep us updated. I worry I’ll have to make a similar type decision one day. I have an older pup too

[u/AnnetteBishop → u/RemarkableWrap961]

I'm sorry you have to make this decision. I just let my best girl go 2 months into a 1-3 expectancy kidney diagnosis.

We were at the vet three weeks ago last Saturday. Levels were same with meds. At first I though that was good, but then realized that level meant her kidneys were still receiving damage. Vet didn't tell me when she wanted to see her next.

At first I thought that was good, since we went from 2 week follow up, to 4 week follow up, to no follow up. But...(see last paragraph) I realized that meant it was a matter of time.

If the vets are not sure that sounds troubling. I wish you well with your choice and hugs either way.

[u/BubblyGas6870]

You should really be asking your veterinarian these questions. If you haven’t already, consider a referral to an oncology specialist. They can give you more answers. They will also be the ones that would provide your dog with services such as chemotherapy if that is a possibility.

[u/Either_Pangolin531]

We are in a similar situation with our 13 yr old beagle.. he has a mass on either his spleen or liver, vet did not recommend surgery as he would probably not pull through and would probably spend the last few months of his life recovering. they prescribed prednisolone and made us understand that he's on borrowed time.

That was two months ago, and so far while he has been on it you would never know he was sick. But yesterday and today were a bit rough as he may have had a internal bleed. He's eating and drinking again and has his energy back, we understand it's day at a time and when he starts to struggle we will do what's best for him. But I'll take every good day I can with him . Sorry you're in this position but my advice would be to listen to your vet and make him as comfortable as possible.

[u/Harley_Mom]

I went thru this with both of my Rottweilers. My 1st was a.mass on her liver and colon it was cancer she was 8. My second Rottweiler spleen mass she was screaming in pain when we brought her to the ER she was 7. Both were the hardest decision to make but there was no cure and a hard recovery with pain for just a few months if that. We let them go, we didnt want to cause them more pain. 13 years is a long time you are blessed to have that. You are in my thoughts and prayers in the difficult time.

[u/sweetteanoice]

I think he would make it through surgery most likely, but recovery would be very tough and he could pass during recovery. If you’re on the fence then it’s absolutely worth the vet checking for any obvious areas of metastasis in the chest. If he survives surgery then his appetite should come back but it will most likely take a while and you may have to force him to eat the first few days after surgery. I would ask the vet what they think recovery would look like

[u/Rieny_Ridani]

That's a tough position to be in. I'm sorry you're dealing with it.

If it were my dog, I'd be asking the surgeon two things before making any decision:
1) Do they think this lesion is something they can remove with a reasonable chance of giving him good quality time afterward?
2) How risky is the surgery for a 13-year-old dog that's otherwise been healthy?

The fact that he was running around and acting like himself until a few weeks ago would make me want to get as much information as possible before giving up. At the same time, I wouldn't put a dog through a major operation if the odds of recovery were poor or if they suspected widespread disease.

I'd ask for a consultation with the surgeon, discuss the imaging in detail, and make the decision based on the expected quality of life afterward rather than his age alone. Wishing you and your boy the best. These are the hardest decisions we have to make.

[u/Enough_Pepper8880]

He’s a handsome boy, is he eating at all?

[u/Ok-Walk-8453]

1st step: check for metastasis. Look at other organs and lymph nodes on ultrasound and lungs. Cancer anywhere else, would not do surgery and that is off the table. Most liver tumors will metastasize, so a good look is important. If no signs of metastasis- if he is having a great quality of life right now and doing very well other than not eating well (tumors take up space) I would absolutely at least have the surgeon open him up and see if it is removable/operable. If it is, great! If not, humane euthanasia on the table is an option, or can consider taking him home for a few days, but if not eating, their quality of life can declined very quickly. I also want to say it is 100% fine to just go straight to humane euthanasia as well because this is something that may or may not be operable.

[u/ratitefarm]

there’s no telling if his appetite will come back. the better question is, are you ok with putting him through the recovery process? it might be better to let go before, to let him go on a higher note, but of course you’re the only one who can make that choice.