My 10 year old Golden retriever has just been diagnosed with a large tumour up her nose. I am in bits as the only two options seem to be to do nothing and awit the inevitable or to put her through what sounds like  very invasive surgery. I want to do wll that I can to help her, but fear that the operation would just cause more pain and the inevitable would still happen. Should I just spoil her like mad for the short time she has left? Does anyone have experience of this? I only lost her mum 5 months ago, I can't bear the thought of losing her too!

thanks
Jan 

So sorry to hear about this. :( My personal view would be not to opt for surgery, but to enjoy her time with you and make it as pain-free as you can. Surgery is unlikely to extend her life enough to compensate her for the pain and trauma of the procedure. It's a horrible decision to make, and I feel for you.

I am so sorry, but I tend to agree.
Our Lab x whippet had cancer of her nose and was given one operation, which she recovered from very quickly, but it returned quickly and really it was better not to have put her through the op.

Best wishes
Lindsay
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I have now registered, so am no longer a 'guest'. Many thanks for your replies.
I was really beating myself up about whether to have the op or just make sure we have some really special time. I have spent hours searching the net and have found only bleak news about the ops available. I think I have decided that the op would be for my benefit. To keep her here with me and ease my guilt. I don't want to put her through any suffering and much as it hurts so bad I think I have to accept that only 6 months after losing her mum, maybe I have to let her go too. I will probably kill her with kindness but we are gona have such a great time until she lets me know that she has had enough! We are gonna swim & walk & play like we haven't done for ages. 

This has really taught me a lesson.

I thought I would have her for at least 3 more years and maybe I put off the swim & the long walks because I could always do it tomorrow. Well, we don't have many tomorrows left! So Poppy and I are gonna live for today and have fun while we can!

Please have fun today, because you never know what tomorrow may bring. xx  

i am so sorry for you dilemma:( its heartbreaking and i have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I've been there and it brings back such awful memories (not through nasal cancer) take care all the best :(

Enjoy the time you have with her, Montana - she will have a ball!! :)#

Lindsay
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What you say about enjoying our dogs throughout the relatively short time we have them is so very true. Often we're so busy worrying about what's best to feed them, whether they're getting the correct exercise, whether their coats are just so, if they're properly trained etc that we forget to have fun with them! As you say, none of us know what tomorrow will bring, so like our dogs we should enjoy today to the full.

Enjoy your time, Montana!
:)

Just enjoy each day and leave the dog alone.  I have a Lab with throat cancer and living each day as it comes.  I too lost one 6 months ago but don,t forget with life comes death and I know it is hard to face up to the reality of losing a dear friend try but make her remaining time with you as enjoyable as you can.  That is what I am doing and when the quality of life no longer exists in my bitch then I know her time has come, until then Live life to the full.