Yellowing Eyes in a Dog With a Pancreatic Nodule
Reader Question
Hi, our dog Murphy is 8yrs old (lab) and was first diagnosed with pancreatitis. He has not gotten better. We've been to the vet countless times for ultrasounds and the last one the vet said she thinks there was a nodule on the pancreas (assuming cancerous) and she has great concern that it is cancerous. He has lost about 30lbs (was 107lbs and now 75lbs) - his eyes have started to yellow and his belly looks a bit yellow as well. After reading your article I'm afraid he has the a malignant tumor and his future looks bleak. We started an appetite pill and a liver protectant pill and may start a steroid to help "shrink" the pancreas. Vet told us if we wanted to get a diagnosis the steroid would mask any findings. Samples were take of his liver and spleen and no cancer but they were unable to get sample of the nodule on the pancreas. I'm not sure what else to try or do w/ the exception of exploratory surgery ($1,800). Since his skin and eyes are now yellowing is the end near? Can he live like this for much longer? Any thoughts on what to do or advice is appreciated. I love this dog more than anything and have already spent $2k and a vague diagnosis. The appetite pills seems to have helped him want to eat a bit. Do you think he is going to go downhill very quickly as his eyes are yellow? I need some direct advice. I would perhaps consider surgery but no guarantees and he is 8yrs old.... any medication that would help him that you recommend?
Answer from Our Team
We're very sorry. Yellow eyes and skin (jaundice) with a mass near the pancreas often mean the bile duct is being blocked. That can make a dog feel unwell, and it usually gets worse without treatment. Please let your vet know about the yellowing promptly. If he stops eating, vomits repeatedly, or becomes weak or very sleepy, he needs to be seen the same day.
Exploratory surgery can sometimes both diagnose the mass and relieve the blockage, but it's a major operation, so ask your vet what they'd expect to find and what it would change. If surgery isn't right for him, focus on comfort: appetite support, anti-nausea medicine and pain relief. When bad days start to outnumber good ones, your vet can help you plan a peaceful goodbye.
See cancer in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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