A horrible decision

Crow · 06-12-2008, 02:36 AM

Charlie has a warty thing on his ankle. He's had it for years but in recent weeks it's grown substantially. We saw the vet last month and she recommended that he has an op to remove it because its size and position makes it likely that at some point it will catch and rip.

As Charlie is over 10 years old, I'm hugely reluctant to put him through any op that isn't absolutely necessary. However, yesterday I noticed that he has been gnawing at this warty thing and has made it raw and bloody. So I've pretty much decided that the op will have to happen sooner rather than later. The alternative is leaving it until it's bigger, he's even older, and it's perhaps badly infected. So it's one of those "lesser of two evils" decisions and I am quite scared about it. And sick that a stupid wart can be such a problem.

Charlie is in good health otherwise, and his heart is fine. I've no reason to think that the op will cause any problems but I'm full of trepidation even so.

Any reassuring stories about elderly Dobes going under anaesthetic and emerging hale and hearty would be much appreciated.

**voodoolizard** · 06-12-2008, 03:22 AM

I do remeber you saying about this before !! was the option to freeze it a no no ??

i do wish charlie all the best, and a speedy recovery when he has his op.

i know its a hard decision but you are doing the best thing, it would be horrible for it to get infected !!

Crow · 06-12-2008, 04:32 AM

They didn't give a freeze option, unfortunately. I think it's a benign warty type growth rather than an actual wart. It's also quite big now - kind of like a warty extra toe growing out just above his foot. It's split and looks very raw so it needs sorting :/

Right, going to take some deep breaths now and book him in for the op.

alwayshadpets · 06-12-2008, 05:33 AM

Zeus my daughters` 10 year old doberman had surgery on his neck in Feb. for wobblers. He did fine.
Copper (lab) had his teeth cleaned in March. He is 11.
Sometimes you just have to do things. Good luck.

dusuwho · 06-12-2008, 06:41 AM

Good luck Crow, Im sure he'll be fine.

LAdobeldy · 06-12-2008, 07:14 AM

My 12 y/o Lab had a tooth extracted at 12. She also had one of those warty things on her leg. One day I walked into my bedroom and her leg and bed were all bloody. She had chewed it off.

Crow · 06-12-2008, 07:28 AM

Thanks everyone. He booked in for Monday morning and hopefully there won't be any problems. I might post some Charlie bucket-head shots afterwards ...

I don't know what it is but I worry about him much more than any other dog I've ever had. I was raised on a farm and I have a very practical attitude to animals generally but when it comes to my darling gentle boy, I get so scared for him.

LAdobeldy · 06-12-2008, 07:32 AM

I think with Dobes we all know how delicate they can be health wise. I drive my husband nuts about his boy always checking and looking. They get to be older and you just worry more.

They give so much love/joy how can we not worry?

Hang in there he'll be fine.

**ddsalazar** · 06-12-2008, 09:27 AM

You're just being a loving Dobe parent. I was like that with Jack, even until the day he passed. I was always protective of him as he always had a knack for getting stung by wasps, running into picnic tables at full force or banging his feet/legs on things as he was always in motion. You are just showing love and that's what having a pet in your life is about..mutual love and concern.

dobes4us · 06-12-2008, 09:52 AM

Chessie went under at 9.5 and did great; I on the other hand, was a nervous wreck! I would suggest doing a full blood workup before putting him under. Good luck - he will be fine.