Chances of Surviving Surgery?

[Roxstarpony]

This morning I took my male veiled chameleon, aged about 4 years, to the vet to check up on a small growth that I had noticed on his right side. The vet told me that it is a tumor and that there is a 50% chance that it's malignant. They did bloodwork and based on his liver enzymes it may be having adverse effects on his liver or may even have metastasized there. He is strong and active with healthy bones though, if a little underweight but I am increasing his intake to beef him up.
His visit today cost about $225 and surgery to have the tumor removed could cost as much as an additional $900. As a college student, this would be difficult but I might be able to make it work. My question is, though, would it be worth the risk? Chameleons are already such fragile creatures and so susceptible to stress. Does anyone know the survival rate for major surgery? I'd hate to subject him to such an ordeal only to not pull through.

 

[laurie]

This morning I took my male veiled chameleon, aged about 4 years, to the vet to check up on a small growth that I had noticed on his right side. The vet told me that it is a tumor and that there is a 50% chance that it's malignant. They did bloodwork and based on his liver enzymes it may be having adverse effects on his liver or may even have metastasized there. He is strong and active with healthy bones though, if a little underweight but I am increasing his intake to beef him up.
His visit today cost about $225 and surgery to have the tumor removed could cost as much as an additional $900. As a college student, this would be difficult but I might be able to make it work. My question is, though, would it be worth the risk? Chameleons are already such fragile creatures and so susceptible to stress. Does anyone know the survival rate for major surgery? I'd hate to subject him to such an ordeal only to not pull through.

This morning I took my male veiled chameleon, aged about 4 years, to the vet to check up on a small growth that I had noticed on his right side. The vet told me that it is a tumor and that there is a 50% chance that it's malignant. They did bloodwork and based on his liver enzymes it may be having adverse effects on his liver or may even have metastasized there. He is strong and active with healthy bones though, if a little underweight but I am increasing his intake to beef him up.
His visit today cost about $225 and surgery to have the tumor removed could cost as much as an additional $900. As a college student, this would be difficult but I might be able to make it work. My question is, though, would it be worth the risk? Chameleons are already such fragile creatures and so susceptible to stress. Does anyone know the survival rate for major surgery? I'd hate to subject him to such an ordeal only to not pull through.

The biggest factor, in my opinion, is the skill of the vet. I would do some research, to insure you have a good vet. Then I would ask the vet what they think is the chameleons of suriving ; and thriving. Best of luck!

 

[Goose502]

There are no vets in nature. If this were an injury due to captivity, I would feel strongly that you pay to correct it, but this isn't necessarily something you caused, therefore I don't see submitting yourself to more debt is the right thing to do. At 4 years old, he is near the end of his life, and you have obviously provided him a good life. Since he would most likely die due to this in the wild, I recommend you provide him a good life for what time he has left. Surgery is so risky for chameleons, and many often don't survive the recovery.

 

[jajeanpierre]

@Roxstarpony Others might not like my opinion, but I would give palliative care only.

You are a student who cannot afford $900.

Your chameleon is not a young animal. Four years in captivity in reality, is a very long life.

Tests are showing liver involvement, which is is not good.

The vet thinks there is a good likelihood that the lump is malignant and the blood work suggests to the vet that it is affecting his liver. If a cancer has metastasized to his liver, I cannot imagine how a simple $900 surgery to remove a tumor is going to cure it and might not even extend his life. You might be subjecting him to surgery that will likely do nothing other than delay the inevitable at best, cause him pain and an early demise at worst.

Surgery is very risky for chameleons partly because many vets do not have the skill or experience to keep their patients alive.

My advice is to give him a good life for what time he has left and save your money. There is nothing wrong with palliative care and choosing not to go to heroic measures to try to keep an animal alive. Enjoy him for now. I am sorry you are facing this. He might surprise you and the vet might be mistaken.