question regarding 11 year old dog surgey

[jench]

I am torn between what I need to do.  My dog is 11 years old and was just diagnosed with bladder stones.  She acts like she feels fine she just urinated  often. They recommend surgery which runs about 1, 500.   Money is tight and  I anm not sure how long she  will live.  Is it worth spending 1500 to extend her life by maybe a year or two?  My husband thinks that it is crazy and I am thinking with my heart not my head.  I am very torn about this and what I should do.  Am I having the surgery for me? She seems fine for now. She is 11.

[Mberingo]

I am sorry to hear about this, what breed is your friend as that would make a difference since anesthesia effects breeds differently.

[jench]

She doesn't seem to be in any pain. The vet says that they can have the stones tested when removed ($200 more) Once they know what kind of stones, then they can make food changes.  I have not seen any blood in her urine. But I saw two stones on the xray about the size of a nickel.  She seems to be eating less but she acts fine and happy. The vet mentioned that her lungs looked off a bit but it was probably just due to age. No signs of cancer or anything else. Her complete blood count was good.   I just wish I knew the right decision.  My husband has allergies and I had her before we got married.  She has to stay outside but we have a shed inthe back yard with a window unit for summer heat. She seems fine with that for the last 3 years but she would need to be crated in the shed during her recovery. I am just torn about what is be st for her, my family, my husband and hrs quality of life.

[Margot49]

So sorry and a hard decision.  Have the type of stones been identified?  If so, some can be resolved with a special home made diet or special diets made by Hills or Royal Canin, to name a couple.  Canned is preferred due to containing extra water but you need to keep an eye on the dental issues.  They need a food low in protein, magnesium and phosphorus.  Stones can cause irritation if the bladder causing bleeding and you have to worry about obstruction.  Since the Vet recommended surgery, he/she feels they won't pass or dissolve with diet?  If it were me, I think I would get a second opinion and answers to some of these questions as bladder surgery is a major surgery and, with the age of the dog, I would worry about anesthesia and risk of post-op infection.  What are the chances of more stones forming if you did the surgery?  Could it be controlled with medication and diet or would you find yourself at this same juncture in the future?  Not sure what I would do but that is a major expense, what quality of life dies the dog and you have to look forward to?
I would want more answers to be able to make a more informed and objective decision.
Hope the dog is not in pain.
Please keep us updated.
Best of luck.