Got an ol' Lab

[bearmgc]

Sam is his name, 12 1/2yrs young. Had a biopsy done on a tumor last pring, and it turned out to be a lipoma, a fatty tumor, harmless, except that it tends to grow. Well, the last 2 weeks, he's been groaning when he moves around, and the Lipoma has gotten bigger. Thinking its putting pressure on his left front leg and his Left lung area. He's still got a lot of kick and spirit. I finally decided to ask the vet to remove the Lipoma. I know this will entail a drain after surgery, and knowing labs, he's likely to try to pull it out. So I expect to take vacation and stay home for 2 weeks to keep an eye on him. I want to do right by my old guy Sam. Has anybody else had experience with Lipoma removal in a big dog? Thanks.

[Dee]

Nope! Been lucky, but most folks would just let'em suffer or put'em down. You are an exception my friend. I wonder if ole Sam realizes that? I'll bet he does.

[Questor]

bearmgc:

Get a frank assessment from your vet about the prognosis for a recovery. My friend at work had a Rottweiller with a similar tumor. They operated, and it did give them several months of good times together. Some of their best memories of that dog were during that period. One of the good things was that the dog was restored to normal activity and happiness until the last few days. There were no regrets about having gone through with the surgery. There were periods of anxiety and tears before the operation and after the dog passed away, but all joy in between.

Good luck!

[beerbelly]

                                             I had a yellow Lab I had to have put down a few months ago. Spine was deteriorated in her hip area. Nothing they could do for her. It dam near kill me, but I could not let my baby suffer. It still brings tears to my eyes as wright this. Love that ol lab and do what ever is best for him.
                                 Beerbelly

[bearmgc]

It 's hard losing a good friend and companion, and  you did what was best for your lab. This my second lab, and years ago , Vet had to put down the first because of cancer. Took me a long time before I could talk about that dog without tearing up. Vet ordered some pain medication for Sam to take the edge off until he gets the surgery. The ol boy is in pretty decent health for his age otherwise. It will just be watching for any complications like infection, fluid build up in the cavity until it heals up. I expect there will be antibiotics after surgery to prevent some of that. The pain med is helping right now, can tell.

[Sourdough]

Do what you got to do.  Will probably wear a lamp shade type device to keep him from messing with it.  Trying to keep that thing on him will be the problem.  Watched an Auzzie Shepard tear one off twice last Thursday afternoon.  She just flat was not going to wear that thing. 

Bert one of my Beagles had a growth in his side, and it was beginning to bother him.  We took him in to see about having it removed, but vet said that was not his main problem.  He had started building fluid in his lungs, that was why he was breathing so hard.  Vet did not think he would make it through the night, but Sky wanted to be there.  So she gave hin some medication to help him through the night.  Next day he made his final trip to the vets lying in Sky's lap.

We thought Ernie, Bert's litter mate was going to just pine away.  It's been three weeks, and just this last Thursday Ernie started eating and bouncing around like his old self.  Ernie just cannot stand to be left alone. 

[Redtail1949]

if the dog goes down and can not get up or gets to the point it has a life of nothing but pain do what needs to be done...just my two cents..

[Redtail1949]

forgot to add...that if you have to put your dog down... nothing will sooth the heartbreak you will feel... nothing...

[williamlayton]

Our Rudy has one--he is 14.
If it gets to suffering I will have him put down.
It is tough and you cry---find another to lick away the tears.
Nothing replaces a child or a wife or a dog--nothing---but a new one sure brings back the lost love.
Blessings