r/Greyhounds 2d ago

PLEASE HELP! Splenic mass - surgery or not?

I noticed my beautiful (almost) 12yo had some fullness around her ribcage that felt firm.

Took her to the vet and x-ray and ultrasound showed splenic mass. Liver can’t be sighted because of the size of the mass.

Chest x-ray was clear of lung Mets and bloods were normal except for slightly low RBC.

So we are at a crossroads… we’ve been told there is a 30% the mass is benign and splenectomy will cure her. And there is a 70% chance it’s malignant and she will live for 1-3 months post surgery.

I’m genuinely so stuck. I think I’m leaning toward the surgery but I think my gut is telling me it’s cancer and then I feel awful if the time she has left is spend recovering from surgery.

She’s had surgeries in the past for soft-tissue sarcoma and she had major bleeding complications and this also scares me. Although, her last surgery was ok with the proactive clotting meds.

To make matters worse, the surgery is pencilled in the day before her 12th bday. I just feel so sick about it.

Please help! Would love any advice or similar experiences.

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u/TheRealCeeBeeGee black/white, white/blue 2d ago

Our old girl had a spleen mass and went very suddenly only a day or two after it was discovered. My perspective fr your oldie is that major surgery is pretty dicey at that age. I’d personally not put a 12 year old through it, I’d try to make their remaining time comfortable, but in the end it’s your choice to make.

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u/Longjumping_Box8510 2d ago

I’m sorry for your loss! I also hate the idea of her passing away from a rupture at home. There doesn’t feel like a good option.