Are we making the right decision?

Our 10 yr old Lab mix has developed a large tumor on his chest, about the size on a flattened tennis ball. He has a smaller sized growth about 2 inches down from the larger one about the size of a marble. They feel like they are deep in the chest cavity and not in the outer skin layer. The growths have been causing him difficulty breathing for the past 6 months. We are considering putting him down tomorrow as he has not really wanted to eat for the past few days, and has been panting hard both while asleep and while awake. All our friends are upset with us saying that were jumping the gun and that its probably nothing, just take him to a vet and see what they say. We are on a very strict budget and dont have the money for biopsy's and xrays that the vet will want. My dog has had a Hystiocytoma on his front leg as a puppy that went away with treatment, but we were warned by the doctor then that he would most likely develop cancer later in life. He has been having a hard time controling his bladder and his hips, which were fine when he was younger, are now causing him pain when he stands. He also cannot sit down without pain. He will flop down on the ground, folding his rear legs to the side instead of sitting , something he only began within the last few months. Are we making the right decision? Please respond immediately. Thanks Jennifer

The dog should have gone immediately to the vet 6 months ago when this all started. The likelyhood of being fixable now is slim. Along with the other things that are wrong with him, he is in pain. Panting is a sign of pain. Since you can't afford to care for him, then yes, please put him down. It is the last kind thing you can do for him. Stay with him & hold him - you can at least do that much for him.