For us it is a family issue as they are family pets. We first try to find out what is wrong and then if it's curable. If it's curable, what does it involve how much will it cost? There are a lot of factors to consider such as age, health and quality of life. When it comes to the questions of can you afford it and then should you do it, everyone gets to use their own balance scale to answer those questions. I have had to put down two dogs over the past year and a half. We opted for pallative care over treatment and then euthanized them when their quality of life declined, but we got to love them a little longer before saying goodbye.
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This is a very emotionally charged topic and I dont think there is really a right answer, except for what is right for you.

Surgery on any animal is risky, especially on a dog that has a lot less blood to lose than a human. The decision to put an animal through surgery really needs some thinking time - and its not an issue of money, its an issue of survival.

Some folks have mentioned getting a diagnosis and second opinion to determine the extent of tumor outgrowth and make a decision from there. I am inclined to agree with this and would do the same if I were in your shoes and it was my dog.

If surgery had a strong chance of helping, and the cancer wasnt metastisized, I would proceed... But if the cancer was spread and chance of survival was low or zero, I would make sure my dog had the happiest last days on earth possible and when he was too ill to function, I would put him down. And it wouldnt be easy.
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