Recently ive been taking my mums golden retriever, suzie, to the vets for her as my mum has a few 'issues' (i wont go into it here)
My mum aquired suzie last year when my mums partner(suzies owner) died suddenly, she is approx 10years old.

I took her to the vet 2 weeks ago as an emergency with suspected pyo, after various scans and antibiotics it was med that she didnt have this, and there was something else causing her lack of appetite and her having no energy whatsoever(this has gradually been getting worse over the last few months but was put down to old age)

Anyway she had some bloods taken on monday and we went back in today to get them. they came back as normal with no obvious signs of what could be causing her problems.
Then the vet checked her over thoroughly(as had been done on each and every visit) and she noticed her lymph gland by her neck are inflamed, she also noticed lymph glands all over her body are inflamed too
They are not inflamed enough for them to be able to get a decent biopsy but she said realistically the probable reason was lymphatic cancer
she has been given steroids(pred) and has to go back in on monday, unless she gets any worse then she has to go back in before the weekend.
If they get any bigger she will have her in for biopsy asap so that we know one way or the other though she is more or less certain its cancer.(dont know whether we would actually put her through the biopsy)
At most she has a couple of months

My mum is still very much grieving for her partner(her second to lose in 4yrs) and suzie is all she has left of him really...that drive back to her i was trying to work out how to word it- she held it together when i told her but i just know that as soon as i left there was going to be a lot of tears and it will be hard for her to come to terms with.

i feel like i jinx every dog i touch!!

has anyone had any dealings with this with their dogs? and does anyone know how big of an operation the biopsy would be?
thanks

I'm very sorry to hear this. And my heart is going out to your mother.
I've not had a dog with this problem, but I'm a nurse and know the sad prognosis in humans.
The biopsy shouldn't be too stressfull though. It is sometimes better to know for sure what you're dealing with.
I understand that you're unwilling to put this old girl through unnecessary pain and stress, and of course I agree with you. But maybe if this could help your mum?
Keeping fingers crossed that the Prednisolone is working.
Karen

> has anyone had any dealings with this with their dogs? and does anyone know how big of an operation the biopsy would be?
>

We had a biopsy done on one of our dogs some years ago now. It wasn't a very big procedure and the results came back pretty quickly. He had Lymphoma. Sadly he had a very poor prognosis and we decided not to go ahead with the chemo. Instead we kept him as comfortable as we could but it wasn't for very long. Not all Lymphomas are as aggressive as that and I believe some dogs can respond well to their treatment.
Good luck with Suzie, I do feel for you.

I don't have any experience personally. 

Just wanted to say poor you.  I do feel for you - what an awful job to have to tell your Mum.

Yes! Had a Golden with Lymphoma last year. If you want to phone me PM me for my phone number.

My staffie charlie had lymphoma.. was give 2-4months to live. He was on chemo and lived a month off 3 years, untill i knew it was time to let him go.
The needle aspiration doesnt take long, although charlies was done under G.A. The results were back in a couple of days
Im here if you need me
Donna x
(and my boysxx)

Sorry to hear about your mother's losses... Now faced with this as well :(
A biopsy isnt a big procedure as already mentioned. I lost a dog to a mast cell tumor.
Hopefully they can diagnose her early for treatment options. I know she is elderly, but your vet will discuss treatment options with you. My friend lost her dog last week to Lymphoma. Its very sad and my thoughts are with you and your family