Mali
In January 2018 we noticed a lump on Mali's left side, it was hard and it troubled us and she was taken right away to the vets. It turned out to be a soft tissue sarcoma, diagnosed as being intermediate, this meant that there was a likelihood of spreading. It was decided to remove the lump surgically. The prognosis was that if it were to come back it would do so in six months. Well eighteen months passed by and we thought we were in the clear, unfortunately it came back and has grown rapidly.
Our first visit to the vet and it was decided to do a wait and see. Would operating again shorten her life and put her through unnecessary stress and let nature it's course. Today we came to a crossroads. The tumour has grown so much that it has to be removed to give her a chance. The downturn in her overall well being has not happened, indeed she was chasing squirrels in the garden today, she eats well and has not lost any weight. Her tail never stops and she's very happy in herself.
The vet also found a murmur at the previous visit, again another reason for waiting for nature. That has not worsened either. We have decided that on Friday morning she will go into surgery for a second time. The reason for the wait is so that heart medication will have to time to take effect, the vet sees no reason for tables after the op.
There is the spectre of pre-op x-rays finding something more sinister and again, with the vet in agreement then Mali will not be brought back from the anaesthetic. We just have to give this beautiful, intelligent, fun loving little dog every opportunity for life, so I'm not going to be negative.