1177. Follow up on Ascites in the Pom

Today Friday Nov 9, 2012.

I reviewed the case handled by Dr Vanessa. She had aspirated some at 1 bdominal fluid yesterday and again today and the abdomen was not so tense. The dog ate a little.

"There appeared to be a large abdominnal tumour," I believed it could be a malignant metastasis from the breast tumours excised by Vet 1 earlier. In any case, the dog had a very high total white cell count, indicating a blood spreading bacterial infection. The dog was sent home with medication and given a poor prognosis.

"The tumour may be inoperable," I advised no surgery as the dog was in very poor health and would likely die on the operating table. No dog owner would forget the death as it would be emotional and costly. Therefore, I asked for the dog to be sent home today for observation. The cause of the ascites could be the heart disease.

Further X-rays and tests are needed but this would be too costly. The vet must understand the cost and the chances of survival before undertaking surgery. Inoperable tumours and poor health and heart disease are best not operated.   

In conclusion, I wonder whether it would have been kinder for the female dog if she had been spayed at a young age as breast tumours are less likely to develop during her senior years. Vet 1 did not send the tumours for histopathology based on economic reasons.