Community Chat

[Shaunac]

Hi Everyone,

I have an 18.5 year old daschund. I've had him since he was 8 months old, his name is Sam. Just four weeks ago he developed a mass under his eye, on his cheek. In just this short time it has progressed to a size that is bigger than his eye (bigger than a small gumball). I took him in and it was tested. It does not contain fluid (they could drain it if it did). It is benign, but can turn malignant if the cells keep multiplying. My dog has the following health issues: seizures (began last year, had three in two months, but no more since December), heart murmur, kidney failure (borderline, no issues with this, would not know he was in kidney failure, he continues to eat, fluids thrice weekly), and then of course there is his age.

I am going to talk to the doctor further about our options today. I find myself going back and forth or whether or not to remove this mass.

Do I leave it and hope it doesn't grow more? If it gets too big, it cannot be removed and then I would put him down if his quality of life was comprimised. (the mass is located 1/2 inch below his eye).

Do I schedule surgery and take the chance he doesn't make it through? But what if he does? Yes, I realize this is a big what if. Two years ago he was put under for teeth cleaning and had a hard time recovering, was groggy for a full 24 hours after the cleaning. But last year I put him under for the same thing and he was fine when I picked him up. I realize those two instances have nothing to do with this year, just thinking out loud.

My concern is the rate at which this mass is growing. A month ago he was fine and now all of a sudden it appeared and has grown fast. I don't think I would have such a problem with leaving it if it wasn't located on his face, below his eye.

He does have the previously mentioned health issues, but you wouldn't know it by looking at him. I've walked him daily for more than 18 years, he is an indoor dog and sleeps beside me each night. I've homecooked for him for the past three years. He eats everything I put in front of him. I mention this because if you aren't familiar with kidney disease, they tend to stop eating and become frail and thin. I wouldn't know he was in kidney failure if someone didn't tell me so.

Anyone have suggestions, advice, experience with this? I would love to hear from you. I would appreciate it.