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My mother's border collie 13yo was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Due to her not eating my mother took the dog to the vet, x-rays were taken which showed an enlarged liver with mass and blocked bile ducts. Per the vet the dog was so swollen due to gas that the kidneys could not be seen on the x-rays. Her blood sugar was 500. The vet advised that due to her unstable condition that her chances of survival are low for a mass removal. Should we try surgical intervention, or humane euthanasia :'(

My mother's border collie 13yo was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Due to her not eating my mother took the dog to the vet, x-rays were taken which showed an enlarged liver with mass and blocked bile ducts. Per the vet the dog was so swollen due to gas that the kidneys could not be seen on the x-rays. Her blood sugar was 500. The vet advised that due to her unstable condition that her chances of survival are low for a mass removal. Should we try surgical intervention, or humane euthanasia :'(

Updated On September 10th, 2020

Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Female | unspayed | 50 lbs

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Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

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Hello. Without the bloodwork, I can not address her overall condition to say whether surgery is appropriate or not. I would highly recommend that x-rays of her lungs be done to see if there is any evidence that the mass on her liver has metastasized to her lungs. If this has happened, then I would not put her through surgery. An ultrasound of her abdomen would also be very useful in looking at the liver, gall bladder & kidneys, & would give much more information about what is going on. In the meantime, I would start her on insulin to try & regulate the elevated blood sugar. Talk to your vet to see what the next best steps for Layla are. Thanks for contacting PetCoach.

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