Mammary Tumor? What Would You Do?

[ada]

Hi guys,

This past weekend i took my last standing guinea to the vet for a mammary tumor. I was told it would surgically have to get removed to see if it was malignant. Then the tissue would be analyzed, and after if it was malignant then i would have to travel somewhere else to see a specialist. I had three and he is my last baby, his brothers passed some months ago. The whole procedure is anywhere from 600-1000 US dollars, and i am debating whether I should put him through that process. I am going to have a really hard time getting the money for the surgery, but even if i can get that I am scared he might pass in the middle of all these procedures. He is middle aged, 4 1/2 years old, and i don't know why i get a feeling from the vet of 'he might die anyway' once i find out its malignant, and then i made my poor baby suffer so much poking and what not. (Maybe it my being over protective?) I'm not sure if i would want him to die somewhere else, uncomfortably, or hope he makes it, or let him rest his last weeks. Of course i know if it is going south i would never put him through pain, and put him down. What would you guys do?
-Thanks! Ada

 

[Swissgreys]

So sorry to hear about your boy. What a difficult position for you.

I think everyone takes a different approach to these things, and ultimately only you can decide what is right for you and him.
Does he seem happy and in good spirits most of time?
How is he coping since the passing of his brothers?
Does he seem well enough within himself to cope with an operation and subsequent recovery?

Hopefully there will be others here who have been through a similar experience and can offer you more support, but I wanted to say I am sorry you are going through this.
I am sure whatever you decided will be in the best interests of your boy, and he will know how loved he is.

 

[ada]

He only got along with one of his brothers, but nevertheless he seemed entertained with him being in the house next to his. After the passing of the one that he shared his home with he was obviously not the same. He is very quiet, very calm, not up and going as he was before. Before his tumor i honestly thought he was going to die of loneliness, they had been together their whole life. We have since tried to be with him more, play with him get him a million toys, but obviously it is not the same. He has up and moved now more, and starting squeaking for food again, he is eating fine, doing his usual thing, he does not seem in pain, but i don't think honestly he would be able to go through the procedure. When we took him to the vet he was so nervous and agitated, i'm afraid of that escalating. I am his mommy so i think i let my feelings get in the way and one of the reasons i asked on here was so i wouldn't make a decision based on my feelings alone and find what is best for my little one. I just don't want to feel like i am neglecting him, or that i am putting him through too much stress either, so torn between my decision. Thank you SO much for your support, you have no idea the comfort it gives me.

 

[Swissgreys]

I have been here many time over the years with my pets, so I really do understand how difficult it can be.

A wonderful vet once reminded me that our animals don't measure the greatness of their lives by the number of days that they live.

If you have any doubts about how well your boy would handle it, then I think you already know the answer.

I know it's slightly different, but I have nursed 2 dogs through bone cancer.
For one we chose a fairly aggressive treatment plan to buy him some more time.
He was my huge, bouncy, outgoing boy who was just happy to be alive, and I never regretted the chance we took, because in my heart I knew he wasn't ready to leave quite yet.
Our other boy was gently euthanized at home a week after diagnosis. We spoilt him rotten for 1 glorious week, and then quietly said goodbye, knowing that the treatment would be worth the time it would buy.

I guess what I am trying to say is that every animal is different, and as the people that know them the best, we are also in the best position to decide what course is right for them.

I wish you peace with whichever path you decide to walk.

 

[Wiebke]

It is a difficult one to call, especially as vet access is not as easy and direct as it is in other countries where you will have the time to talk the pros and cons over with your vet before you make any decisions.

Would it be possible to take a biopsy from the tumor without operation, so you can then make any further decisions based on the lab result re. malignancy and are not left with with a feeling of nagging doubt if you decide not to anything about it? There is no right or wrong, but the ultimate decision should ideally be one that you can live with it in peace in the long term.