My senior dog has a growth. Should I remove it? What if it's cancer?

Question

My 10yr old dog has a growth about 3 inches on her lower abdomen, aside from the growth she she seems happy and is eating well, vet said to surgically removed the growth. However my concern are what if it's cancer? Will the tumor grow back? What if they can't remove the whole tumor? Will she heal properly? The surgery is a little over $1000 and I don't want to put her through all that if she's gonna continue to be ill, she's had skin condition her whole life and this would be her second surgery. Pet's info: Dog | Dalmatian | Female | spayed | 9 years and 9 months old | 60 lbs

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

If your vet recommends removing the growth, it's likely a good idea. In a senior dog like Cookie, there is always a chance it could be cancer, which is why it's ideal to remove it to prevent it from spreading. If the growth is cut out with wide margins and the cancer hasn't already spread, it is possible that it can be cured completely without further treatment. The vet will do everything they can to remove the tumor fully, and I would imagine they would let you know if there was a concern that it couldn't be removed completely or if she wouldn't heal properly. I do advocate for removing growths in a senior dog especially if there is a concern it's cancer, but I highly recommend speaking to your vet about your concerns. Having an in-depth conversation with them may help allay your worries. I hope this helps!

My senior dog has a growth. Should I remove it? What if it's cancer?

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