Yes or no to surgery?

[Lise Patterson]

My lovely rat Pettigrew ("Petty-goo") has gone noticeably downhill of late. For a while I thought it might be just his aging (he's now 25.5 months old) but after a mini-crisis resembling heart failure I rushed him to the vet today. Ultrasound revealed a significant mass in his abdomen, which the vet thinks is liver or splenic cancer. The mass has provoked a lot of fluid collection in his cavities, causing symptoms similar to congestive heart failure. Fortunately, Pettigrew has responded quickly to.treatment with a diuretic, staving off the immediate crisis. But what next?
I asked about possible surgery and the vet did not sound encouraging. Surgical removal might be survivable in theory, given that rats can regenerate much of their liver. There is a specialty surgery some 200k away that might take on such surgery. though perhaps not for weeks. The tumour would then be larger still and Pettigrew in even worse shape. The risks of such extensive surgery coupled with general anaesthesia are high in the best of conditions - but poor little Pettigrew is a sick little old man. So I declined surgery and opted for the palliative route.
Inevitably, I'm now second-guessing this decision. I don't know how long Pettigrew has without the surgery - perhaps only days, weeks or at best a month - so should I take a risk and spring for the surgery? Or do the large risks and hardships of surgery outweigh possible gains from a few added months of life?
What would you do?

 

[Kye]

My lovely rat Pettigrew ("Petty-goo") has gone noticeably downhill of late. For a while I thought it might be just his aging (he's now 25.5 months old) but after a mini-crisis resembling heart failure I rushed him to the vet today. Ultrasound revealed a significant mass in his abdomen, which the vet thinks is liver or splenic cancer. The mass has provoked a lot of fluid collection in his cavities, causing symptoms similar to congestive heart failure. Fortunately, Pettigrew has responded quickly to.treatment with a diuretic, staving off the immediate crisis. But what next?
I asked about possible surgery and the vet did not sound encouraging. Surgical removal might be survivable in theory, given that rats can regenerate much of their liver. There is a specialty surgery some 200k away that might take on such surgery. though perhaps not for weeks. The tumour would then be larger still and Pettigrew in even worse shape. The risks of such extensive surgery coupled with general anaesthesia are high in the best of conditions - but poor little Pettigrew is a sick little old man. So I declined surgery and opted for the palliative route.
Inevitably, I'm now second-guessing this decision. I don't know how long Pettigrew has without the surgery - perhaps only days, weeks or at best a month - so should I take a risk and spring for the surgery? Or do the large risks and hardships of surgery outweigh possible gains from a few added months of life?
What would you do?

Personally I wouldn't do the surgery, if it's cancer it could already have spread to other organs and there's nothing you can do to avoid that, I would keep him as comfortable and happy as you can for the time he has left. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, it's never easy.

 

[Lise Patterson]

Thanks very much for your words of wisdom Kye. I'll stick with supportive care.

 

[Fidget]

I agree with Kye, chances are it wouldn't prolong his life much, if at all, and the time he has left would be diminished by having to heal from surgery, and possibly even complications. Time to keep Pettigrew comfy, cuddled, & entertained as much as possible, and spoil him rotten with tasty treats.

 

[Lise Patterson]

We rat-lovers so often lose our little buddies suddenly and/or far too soon. Yet some rats have much to teach us about hope and resilience - take, for example, the case of my old boy Pettigrew, who has truly defied all expectations.
Last December I reported the sad news above about Pettigrew, who had just been diagnosed with an abdominal mass thought to be liver cancer. We all thought he'd be gone within weeks if not days.
Fast forward nearly 8 months and here is Old Man Pettigrew, now aged 2 years 9 1/2 months:

His latest ultrasound still shows the abdominal mass, but he has evidently chosen to ignore it. Pettigrew is now quite blind and can only eat soft foods, but he still motors around the floor with no problem...and what an appetite! He is one happy old dude as fat as I can tell.
Thanks to Kye and Fidget who advised against any attempt at surgery.

 

[Fidget]

Wow, there's amazingly happy unexpected news! Thanks for sharing that, I'm SO happy for you & Pettigrew, please pass on some kisses to your beautiful boy for me.
(has he got yogurt in a cucumber there? what a delicious idea for ratties)

 

[Lise Patterson]

Thanks Fidget. Yogurt + cucumber it is - it's his favourite treat, and he doesn't mind if I sneak his meds in there.