Follow up on '13 year old Westie'

[convent]

I took Phoebe to vet, she found another one of these 'things' inbetween her pads so she has to have them removed as they grow quite big. She is booked in for 10th September. I'm worried as I don't really want her to have a general an. but am told it has to be.
Thanks for your answers to previous message.

[rsvp]

Be positive convent - of course there's always a risk involved with anaesthetic but modern ones are very safe - if it's any consolation, my 17 year old had a general and was fine. Just be there to hold her paw when she comes around. x

[JonnyBoy12]

17 years old; that is really old for a dog! I am thinking of you all the way as Westies are my favourite breed of dog. I would have one if I did not live with a friend and he already has a dog.

[rsvp]

she live for another 18 months after the op Jonnyboy - great dog.

[Kerosene]

I don't think it's a question of how safe the anaesthetic is, more a case of how hale and hearty the dog is.

10 years ago I was told by a vet that my 14 year old collie absolutely had to have a growth removed from his leg, even though it had been there for some time but was benign. Tragically, he passed away under the anaesthetic. He, although elderly, was otherwise quite well, but I believe that his little heart failed during the op. I still feel dreadfully guilty about having agreed to what the (very young) vet had advised us.

Sorry to sound like a killjoy, but the risks have to be faced and assessed. I sincerely hope that your little Westie comes through unscathed.

[convent]

Jonny Boy 12
Phoebe is 13 not 17 I hope she makes it a lot longer.

Thank you all. I feel bad. Phoebe has to take tablets for her breathing twice a day but seems ok. The vet says she must have it done as the growth is getting bigger and theone on her foot is in her pads so it will be a big problem if not removed. I really have to go with it.
Thanks all.

[jules77]

I am guessing interdigital cyst then.......between now and when she has the op, stand her foot in a bowl of warm water and a cup full of epsom salts four times a day. It may help reduce the swelling and if it shows signs of improvement, she may not need the op.

[convent]

Will do Julkes, thanks.

[lankeela]

They use much quicker reversing anaesthetics these days and can bring the dogs round much quicker than they did a few years ago. I had a lump taken off my old boy's neck about two years ago, he was fine and lived till last week when his heart gave out, a month short of his fifteenth birthday. My older girl will be seventeen on Saturday.

[convent]

Lankeela - so sorry about your dog. Happy birthday to the other one. Sure Phoebe will be ok but can't help worrying.
Will let you all know how she gets on next week.
Thanks to you all.