Is palliative care best for my 14-year-old dog with a mammary lump?

Question

I have a rough coat Collie who is 14 years old and has just been diagnosed with probable mammary gland cancer as about a 2 cm lump has been found. She was only speyed at 3 years as a result of a failed pregnancy. The vet has suggested just giving her anti-inflammatory medication to halt the growth of the tumor and reduce any swelling. She appears fairly healthy apart from being a bit lethargic. Is this palliative care with no invasive treatment the best for a dog of her age? Pet's info: Dog | Collie | Female | spayed | 14 years and 2 months old | 48 lbs

Christie Long, DVM · Accepted Answer

Assuming Kara is in good health otherwise - which should be established with blood work and x-rays of the chest, to ensure that the tumor hasn't metastasized - then I would recommend proceeding with surgery. Mammary tumors can be quite invasive and aggressive, but depending on the grade surgery can be curative. Just because a dog is old, it doesn't necessarily mean they can't have anesthesia - you just have to take precautions, and find a vet who is capable of taking special care. I would also get a definitive diagnosis as to what the mass is before making any decisions, There are lots of benign lumps that grow all over dogs' bodies, and just because this one is in the mammary area, it isn't necessarily an aggressive cancer. A fine needle aspiration biopsy can usually tell you what these are.

Is palliative care best for my 14-year-old dog with a mammary lump?

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