The vet cut out the growth, stitched her up (no anesthesia, right on the exam table) gave me antibiotics for her and was not optimistic about her recovery chances. He wasn't being cold, just realistic (and wasn't trying to increase his retirement fund from me).
She recovered just fine and in January we started a slow kill heartworm treatment. This Wednesday I took her in for an x-ray to see how bad the heartworm damage is. Her heart and lungs sound and look good, no apparent damage. She has gained 9 pounds.
I'm pleased as punch and she is a wonderful old girl. She can run like a gazelle when she wants to and really seems to be enjoying her life now.
Wonderful!
Thanks for being so kind to the dog and for sharing the story.
Thanks and blessings to both of you and the dog.