Don't know if y'all remember "Cheech" but he's a Chi/Pom mix that showed up in my yard around the time my Dad died so I'm kinda attached to him .

He has a knot on his hip that has doubled in size over the last month . Vet says it's cancer .

No need for the "bullet to the head" replies , thanks .

Question is : do you put him through a surgery that might possibly kill / lame him or just put him down ?

save a friend

Tough call brother. I certainly don't have the answer

Do the surgery. Give him a chance.

My catahoula had the same issue but it was on his back leg. Tumor got to the size of a baseball. Best dog I've ever had so elected for surgery. Doc sent a sample in and it ended up being some sort of histamine cancer. We did the surgery over a year ago and he is doing well but he's starting to slow down quite a bit because of his age and I'm afraid the cancer has gotten him down. Good luck with whatever your decision is but I'm glad I gave my dog another year or two for my kids. If it gets to the point where he is in pain and not getting around well anymore, I will put him down.

I would ask the vet what his quality of life would be after the surgery, if it is not gonna be very good then you gonna have to decide.

I'd opt for surgery.

If removing that leg is an option I wouldn't hesitate to take that as well - 3 legged dogs get along just fine. Wife is in the vet medical field and it is mind boggling the amount of people who won't take a leg to save a dogs life - don't know what type of cancer your pup has - but I know several cancers in dogs can be stopped in their tracks if an affected limb is removed - given it hasnt already spread.

Had a catahoula that got a tumor on the back leg. She was pretty old, so I had her put down.

My lab had one on his side. They said it was a fatty tumor, nothing to worry about. Well it grew so big the dog began to chew at it and make himself bleed. I had it removed. While they were removing it they noticed more lumps and pricked them to test them and see what they were. Apparently pricking them to get a sample activated them, I had to put him down about 3 weeks later. Don't wait too long to decide.

Have had several dogs over the years that had cancerous tumors and always had them removed with no problems with the dogs. They all recovered each time, some even had it done multiple times.

If I kept records we've probably spent $4,000 removing lumps and bumps off the mutt in the sig - but we rescued him and he's ours.

Depends a lot on the age and his condition. If the dog is not in any pain and can still move around I would enjoy each and everyday the good Lord gives you with him. I have a Blue Healer that is 13 years of age that developed back leg paralysis. The vet told me it was one of two things causing it. Bad disc or a tumor on his back bone. Surgery was his only option but do to my dogs age it was not a option for me. My dog developed the paralysis this past October and I have been giving him four pills daily. #1. Glucosamine plus MSM,1500 mg,(for bone and joint strength) Vitamin pill,fish oil capsul 1000 mg,and Prednisone,which is prescribed by Vet. My dog still shows a lot of life but I have already made up my mind to have him put down the day he can't walk anymore! I enjoy everyday to the fullest with him. One day the Good Lord will be calling our dogs home! Best of wishes for both you and your dog.

You will make the right decision. Prayers up

I am going through this journey with my old lab mix (he's about 12). Had a plum size lump taken off his right rear leg/knee about 6 weeks ago and the biopsy came back as chondrosarcoma. The vet said the lumps was probably a metastatic tumor and not a primary site. Our goal now is to keep him comfortable and keep him around as long as he has some quality of life.

I had a dog with bone cancer, and it was so painful to see him go through it.

Doctors say it's one of the most painful cancers ever. Can't ask a dog that, therefore I'd surmise they know that from "people bone cancer."

To have surgery or not would depend upon the dog's age. If he is old, then I'd give him peace.

If he's young, I'd strongly consider the surgery if I was guaranteed a high percentage of success rate.

Good luck.

...there is nothing like man's best friends. I wish I could save them all.