Question:
I have a Silky Terrier. She recently turned 11 years old and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. In September, she had all of her shots and a heartworm test. Everything seemed fine, but a month later, I noticed her breath smelling bad and a lump in her neck. I took her to the vet and he said she had a bad back tooth, possible sinus infection and a swollen gland. He put her on Baytril, 22.7 milligrams, 1-1/2 tablets every 24 hours for 14 days. About a week later, I took her back because the lump was getting bigger and she started having trouble breathing, and occasionally choked. At times, the lump moved over to the side and she seemed fine. The vet said surgery is difficult in that area and she would have to go to a specialty hospital. I'm 74 years old and on a fixed income and cannot afford the surgery. I don't know what to do. She doesn't appear to be in great pain, only when the lump appears to cut off her breathing. I've tried everything, including trying to move the lump away from her throat. What should I do? Should I put her down?
R.L., Egg Harbor, NJ Jan 31, 2010
Answer:
You have my deepest sympathy. So many pet owners are forced, for financial reasons, to have their beloved animal companions euthanized. It is regrettable that there is no national organization in the United States like the United Kingdom's People's Dispensary for Sick Animals that can help low- and fixed-income pet owners. Aside from the possible association between receiving additional vaccinations that no 11-year-old dog like yours should need, and the soon-after appearance of infection or cancer, your wonderful little dog might be a poor candidate for surgery, anyway.
Feel no blame or shame for not being able to do more for your dog than help her be as comfortable as possible and be secure in your loving arms rather than separated from you in some hospital cage for more tests and treatment.
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