My senior dog has a mass, biopsy inconclusive. Is more testing humane?

Question

I would appreciate an opinion as our vet is getting very frustrating. CT scan shows a mass in our elderly dog who presented with anaemia. Any ideas? We have been waiting weeks for answers now. Is it worth putting him through anymore procedures that stress him out? Apparently the biopsy they took of the mass doesn't tell them what it is. Thank you. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | 9 years and 9 months old | 99 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Yogi! I am sorry you are going through this. It is hard to jump in to a case like this with only a CT image. It might be better for you to sign up for a consult with one of out Vets to have a one on one text conversation. My impression of the CT is that there is a mass in Yogi's chest, in the mediastinum. There is abnormal fluid accumulation likely from the mass and there are also suspicious nodules with in his lung tissue. Which I think is safe to assume is metastatic. If Yogi was my dog and he had a chest tumor with suspected metastatic disease I wouldn't pursue further diagnosistics or surgery as his prognosis is very poor. To put him through a painful surgery when it has spread seems unfair for him. If the "biopsy" was really an aspirate they tend to sometimes be non-diagnostic as most tumor cells do not exfoliate well in to a needle. A true tissue sample would be needed. I am not sure knowing which type of cancer he has will change how I would proceed. Another option is to see a Veterinary Specialist. I would recommend an Oncologist. Sitting down with all the tests and having a discussion may help you. You can also call your Vet and ask to sit and talk about the results with out Yogi present. Just so you know all that you can before making any decisions. I am again very sorry for you and Yogi. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

My senior dog has a mass, biopsy inconclusive. Is more testing humane?

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