my in laws 10.5 year old shetland sheepdog has just had a cancer lump removed. What should they do? They have been told that they could have radiotherapy. Does any one know how much this can cost?

Where was the growth? Mammary tumours are usually no problem after removal. As far as other cancerous growths are concerned, Chemotherapy can help but it's not cheap! A friend's Flatcoat underwent a course a couple of years ago and I must say there has been no regrowth of the tumour. The total cost of the course was well in excess of £1000 though. His dog was insured otherwise the cost would have been prohibitive.

Regards, John

Depends upon the type of mammary tumor! Following removal of a lump from one of my bitches appeared to aggravate it and it was back, bigger and faster growing within weeks and she was pts a few months later. Have also heard this about other bitches.

Had a pre-cancerous lump removed from one of my bitches a few weeks ago and am now dreading finding more as the vets say this type tends to occur again and if I find any to have them removed immediately - no waiting to see if it grows :-(

Christine

I agree with Christine. John - I have a Boxer bitch who developed 3 mammary lumps in the space of a week. Each one was tiny (less than pea sized) at that point. We took her straight to the vet and it had already spread to her lungs - this is incredibly common. I cant stress how quickly mammary tumours (if malignant) can spread, and how poor the outcome is in those cases. She isnt a viable candidate for surgery as she is so unwell, too old and the cancer was too advanced, and at the time was given 4-6 months to live. We're into the 5th month now. Now if she'd been spayed before her first season instead of used as a puppy machine all her life, she wouldnt be dying now, but thats a whole other post!

why don't they ask their vet?

However much it costs, please get your in-laws to ask themselves searching questions before embarking on further treatment. In other words putting a dog of this age through radiotheraphy just to prolong its life for maybe a few more months: Who would they be doing it for? The dog or themselves!

here here.....I agree fully.
I speak from experience as well. I had an old (8 years is old for the breed) hound develop spinal cancer & made the decision to have him put to sleep as he had had 12 months extra life following treatment for bone cancer. You have to do what is best for the dog, not what is best for you.

hi

i have a 6 year old boxer and last november i found a lump on her left ear.  Her total left ear was all removed to make sure they had got it all.  That lump was a level 5 in seriousness so had to go. in the same op she was spayed and also had 2 mammary lumps removed but they turned out to me non cancerous.  Now it is 4 months later i again found some more lumps and tomorow she is due to have them removed.  as for radiotherapy i do not think it is a good thing as it will be very stressful for the dog and i personaly dont think that a dog should be put through that kind of treatment, although if the dog is insured it would not cost you a thing

:)

i agree think of the dog. my beloved benny who was 9 years old when he passed away, had limphoma cancer and we were told that chemo would give him an extra couple of months but he would have to go to the vets twice a week for this. problem being there was also a chance that it would not work so for the sake of causing stress as he was not a vet lover we decided not to . we let him go at the first signs of  any pain. he's peacefull now and not in any pain. he went in my arms at home. it's us that feel all the pain when they are gone.

Mine had 3 doses of chemotherapy which is different I know but that cost £250 a go so total chemo cost was £750, When we discussed treatment with the oncologist she would only agree to do the operation if we agreed to chemo as in her opinion it was crucial, of course we did, but the outcome was not guaranteed.  my dog was the exception, she is still happy and bouncy and healthy three years on despite being in her 12th year now and having had a limb removed ).  My advice would be that they discuss their dog with a referal vet specialising in this particular field where they will be given honest advice and opinion, it is not always what we want to hear I know, but sometimes it can be.