Hi Folks

More of a lurker here than a poster...

I have a rescue staffie Sky who is approx 11 1/2 years old now...we have had 5 Mast cell tumours already removed over the last 2 1/2 years......that last one of which was only 2 months ago.......

She has always had a lump under her jaw where she seems to have had an operation at some time in the past....however over the last month or so it has grown not a lot mark you but just enought to notice.........I want to have removed but my hubby thinks that she has had enough ops and should be left in peace, it does not bother her just now......but I dont want it to get to the stage where is does....if something can be done about it.

what would you do?...go agains o/h wished and get it off (if possible) anyway or leave well alone????

She is "only" 11 1/2 and I think she could have a few more years in her yet...hubby thinks it will be cruel for her to have another op

Our policy has always been once they get to 10 years old, then we would keep them comfortable and pain free rather than be pulled about.  We all do what we think is best for our dogs but we all have to do what we're comfortable with. :(

It's hard to say,  I've just had my old girl of nearly 13 operated on but as people on here will tell you it was a hard decision.  I should of had her operated on bout 3 months ago but decided against it but then things took a turn so I couldn't not operate on her.  Well she's doing brilliant at the moment and has her stitches out tomorrow.

I would be worried about having two GA's close together.  I know with people they say give about a month at least in-between, but don't know about dogs and especially as they get older.

Were the past 5 mast cell tumors malignant or benign? 

Hi
They were all grade 2 tumours....not great but def not the worst.......

I have to admit if it was me I'd be more on the side not to do anything, but you know your dog best and if it's recovered from the other op's. OK then maybe go for it.

It's a very difficult decision to make.  There are so many questions I would need the answer to within reason before I would say what I would do.  But I do think I would be inclined to lean towards enough is enough if the dog is in no pain or discomfort.  It's a case of knowing when to draw the line and quality of life is very important.  Only you can make that decision.

One of mine has a lump on her neck in the dermis of her skin.  We found it 18 months ago and at the time it was the size of a pea.  Lately it grew to marble size and then to a small egg but now it's gone down again to a pea.  There appears to be a stalk attaching it to tissue and we noticed the skin has thickened around it.  We keep an eye on it and are careful not to touch unnecessarily.   It doesn't appear to have any jagged edges, very smooth and it's not bothering her at all, no pain, nothing.  But I'm aware that it could be a MCT but then again it might not.  Vet doesn't know.  But on the balance of quality of life, Sheba is 10, unaware of it and in great health otherwise.  She's not good with vets, petrified of them, starts shaking as soon as she enters the vet's doorway and she's blind which makes it worse for her.  I'm reluctant to subject her to surgery for something that may turn out to be benign, then again it might not.   It's very difficult knowing what to do for the best.  It's trying to balance the quality of life against vet treatment and no doubt that differs from person to person and dog to dog.

Good luck whatever you decide to do. 

Thanks for all your replies.......

They have given me a different perspectiv to look at...