I had a chow that had constant cysts. She got so good (and was such a patient girl), I would drain them at home. They didnt seem to be bothering her though. Is Maggie getting tumors or cysts? Old dogs like old people get growths. Have you asked the vet since the first wasnt cancer what would happen if the growths werent removed? Vets get awfully expensive, and if it is an old age thing, I know my vet wasnt keen on putting my dog under sedation the older she got . BTW Jiffy lived to be 16 and was a purebred chow which is very unusual for her breed. I guess we loved one anther so much she knew I needed her a long time….