Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Chrisbelle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Serdang

I am thinking of bringing my dog to UPM vet clinic to diagnose her mammary gland tumours as benign or malignant. I am having a dilemma. If the tumours are benign should she have them removed? if malignant should she undergo treatment? How much does treatment cost and will it affect her quality of life?
Her growths are slow-growing (over many years already) but 1 seem to have grown bigger within the past 2 months. Also seems to have some straw-coloured secretion sometimes. My dog is blind since 8 years old, and now still has good appetite, activity and behaviour. My hometown vet says to let her be and help her live a happy life, until she shows signs like no appetite, refusing to move, or bleeding from the growths.
On the other hand, if I seek diagnosis from UPM vet, but I can't afford treatments....
I want to know if she is curable, but at the same time afraid of the outcome. Can anybody counsel me?
I hope to give my dog as comfortable a life as she has remaining.
BTW, about how long is the lifespan of a spitz-mix mongrel?

Thanks, people.
Chris

Dr HanMRCVS · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 560 Location: Johor Bahru

quite honestly, majority of mammary gland growth are malignant in nature but it does not mean that we shouldnt do a pathology study on the growth!

it is always wise to seek a second opinion if there are many doubts lingering on your mind, and i think UPM will offer a neutral opinion on this matter that you may consider!

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

I think seeking a diagnosis will give you some peace of mind - you will have some questions answered. Whether to go ahead with a treatment is another thing.

If it is appropriate for surgery, the surgery might be able to improve her quality of life, even if the surgery is only able to prolong her life for a few more months. However, I think you'll need to seriously consider affordability for such a surgery, and if the benefits justify the costs.

I think 12 years is good for a dog in Malaysia. Literature says that large breed dogs live up to about 12-13 years, whilst small breed dogs about 15 years - but how much this applies to dogs in our country is questionable. I believe that this is changing, and as people could provide and care more for their pets, life expectancy are increasing. Vets in Malaysia are definitely seeing more geriatric patients these days.

Chrisbelle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Serdang

How much does is cost to consult a UPM vet consultant eg AP Dr Nadzariah Cheng? Does it cost the usual RM30 consultation or is it considered specialist consultation?
I'm so scared if I don't do surgery ASAP I'm just waiting for the worst to come.
But if I go ahead with surgery I'm afraid she'll die from complications.
I asked the cost of a mastectomy from UPM vet, it costs RM500-600. But if she has 3 lumps does that mean it would cost about RM2000 in total for removal of all her lumps?
My parents are rather concerned of costs and whether it's worth it for her.

But her pyometra op last year has given her 1 1/2 years more (and still counting) with us. I'm wondering if it would be the same if she's operated again.

Thanks for everything,
Chris

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

I think if cost is of concern, then you should set your ceiling limit (the maximum you would pay). If the quote goes beyond that, then you know you've done your best already. UPM and most vet clinic would give you an estimate of the costs before proceeding with any surgery. I cannot tell you how much it would cost from that estimate you've given, its best to just bring the dog to UPM to get a proper quote. If you have a max limit, then be honest and tell them that.

Chrisbelle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Serdang

I've visited my local vet again, and she found that there are 2 large tumours on left and right side of the mammary glands. and several smaller tumours around. the larger of the 2 is on the left side. our vet said that surgery is not recommended due to risk and the level of pain, and to remove 1 tumour only is no point.

she said to be prepared anytime, but conservatively 3 months-6 months more left. She said that the tumour would rupture when its big enough and become ulcerated and bleed, and my dog's appetite, etc would go downhill rapidly, and that is the time to let her go. she thinks it is most likely malignant, due to the size and growth rate.

I do not want my dog to be in pain. Should I wait till the rupture begins then administer euthanasia? the rupturing process seems a terribly painful and scary process.

My vet friend recommends giving antioxidants and high protein, low fat, low carbo diet to try reduce the tumour growth rate. and include science diet a/d as supplement. and hopefully would prolong the time to tumour rupture. has anyone heard of k9 immunity and does anyone carry this in malaysia and is it really recommended?

Thanks :cry:
Chris

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

I'm sorry to hear that.

You can give antioxidants to your dog, however, usually mammary tumours are malignant and very fast growing. Even if anything works, most probably it would be insignificant in prolonging the time.

The rupture of the tumour is not as painful as the tumour growing on the inside, e.g. the lungs and preventing her from breathing normally.

I'm sorry to be a bringer of more bad news. But I can just advice you now is to pamper your dog as much as you can for now.