If this lipoma (benign fatty tumor) is causing respiratory difficulties or problems with mobility it needs to be removed. Age is not a disease--many geriatric pets undergo anesthesia regularly. Fatty tumors do not carry a poorer prognosis related to anesthesia than other tumors. If this lipoma is affecting your dog's quality of life then it should be removed.
Precautions should be taken by your veterinarian to make anesthesia as risk free as possible. This starts with pre-anesthetic bloodwork to make sure your dog's liver, kidney, and other organs are functioning well and can handle anesthesia. Many of the drugs we use for anesthesia are broken down in the liver and sent out of the body by the kidney. Your dog should have an intravenous catheter during the procedure and intravenous fluids. The catheter allows immediate access if a problem were to arise. The fluids maintain blood pressure and makes recovery faster and easier. Different medications can be used in older pets and at lower doses. Your dog should have it's heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen saturation monitored while under anesthesia. Appropriate monitoring helps us know the exact status of your dog while under anesthesia. This last week I removed a large (almost 2 pound) tumor from a 14 year old dog and now that dog is able to run around the park. With all this said you need to comfortable with anesthesia and this process.
Lipomas cannot be drained--they are composed of fat cells. Cysts can be drained.
I would also make sure this breathing difficulty is not related to a primary problem with the lungs. It may be related to compression/pressure from the lipoma but it is important to rule out other causes before anesthesia and surgery.
Talk to your veterinarian about your concerns. You can also always get a second opinion on your dog's case and a health assessment for surgery.
Precautions should be taken by your veterinarian to make anesthesia as risk free as possible. This starts with pre-anesthetic bloodwork to make sure your dog's liver, kidney, and other organs are functioning well and can handle anesthesia. Many of the drugs we use for anesthesia are broken down in the liver and sent out of the body by the kidney. Your dog should have an intravenous catheter during the procedure and intravenous fluids. The catheter allows immediate access if a problem were to arise. The fluids maintain blood pressure and makes recovery faster and easier. Different medications can be used in older pets and at lower doses. Your dog should have it's heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen saturation monitored while under anesthesia. Appropriate monitoring helps us know the exact status of your dog while under anesthesia. This last week I removed a large (almost 2 pound) tumor from a 14 year old dog and now that dog is able to run around the park. With all this said you need to comfortable with anesthesia and this process.
Lipomas cannot be drained--they are composed of fat cells. Cysts can be drained.
I would also make sure this breathing difficulty is not related to a primary problem with the lungs. It may be related to compression/pressure from the lipoma but it is important to rule out other causes before anesthesia and surgery.
Talk to your veterinarian about your concerns. You can also always get a second opinion on your dog's case and a health assessment for surgery.
