HELP! Enlarged spleen and tumor 9yr old GSD...

[icycleit]

Hi, I just got a second opinion on our 9 year old female GSD. She has a definitive tumor located below her stomach near the spleen and the spleen is enlarged and also her right side of the heart, probably due to having had HW's and then being treated prior to our adoption of her. I just need advice... The vet says week by week, maybe a month? Obviously at her age we are NOT going to do exploratory surgery or have anything removed as the risk is high. I was just wondering IF anyone could help me in making a decision, do we go ahead and humanely PTS in the next few weeks or just let this go? I CAN NOT let her suffer or wake up one morning where she is bleeding out or the spleen has ruptured. Her stomach is very large, meaning hanging low, and I am sure at this point is carrying fluid? I am measuring her daily for enlargement of the area and palplating. This just seems so sad to me and we just PTS our male this summer of 12 1/2 years! I don't want to make a rash decision and live with regret. Our vet gave me the best advice when we let our male go, and that was, "better to be a day early than a day late!" I just don't know how to decide if this applies to her, she seems happy wags her tail, only walks short distances, but trails behind and is becoming winded after about .25 miles? I wanted to see if anyone had advice, what to look for and just support?????
THANKS< Not wanting to say good - bye!

[Stosh]

Ultimately only you can make that decision, she's trusts you with her life. I had to make that decision for my last gsd when she was almost 11, she began having seizures and maybe strokes. Physically she seemed fine but she became fearful, confused and pretty much just slept in the laundry room where she felt protected. As the seizures progressed I couldn't bear that she felt so unsafe and traumatized. It was agonizing and I doubted my decision for weeks after but I knew I had to do what was best for her, not selfishly keep her here for me. My responsibility was for her safety and well being. I loved her so much that I didn't want her to go but I loved her so much that I had to let her go. I still miss her desperately, as I know you'll miss your girl.

[DharmasMom]

I am so sorry about your girl! Ultimately no one can make that decision but you. I know with my bunny I didn't want him to suffer or be in pain for even one day. I agree with your vet on the "better one day to early" deal. These are the worst decisions and I am sorry you have to make it. Spend as much time with her as you can and I am sure she knows you love her!

[LisaT]

There are some animal communicators that will tell you that many dogs prefer to stay and fight rather than to be euthanized early.

I really think it depends on the dog and the relationship that the dog has with those around them.

[WarrantsWifey]

I know this isn't even close. But we had a 10 year old cat, Buddy, and he was diagnosed with Liver or Kidney failure, I don't remember which at this second. They said, we could medicate him and he could live longer but he could have many bad days, but were the bad days worth the good days? He was really sick, at that time we were at a loss, and he was really weak, it felt like he was suffering. We had him humanely PTS.

Till this day, we wished we could have given him the chance to fight, given him the meds, see what could have changed. We both feel like we gave up on him. Didn't give him his chance. Everybody has to make that hard decision on their OWN, it's never an easy one.

I'll pray for your baby, and for guidance in your decision...

[Elaine]

When my dog had osteosarc, he felt totally fine. I did research on how long he had before his leg would break which would cause him excruciating pain and immediate euthanasia. The average time from diagnosis to breaking was six weeks so I made an appt and put him down at four so his last moments here would be happy and pain-free. It was horrible putting him down when he felt fine, but it was the right decision.

[middleofnowhere]

Talk to the vet. Unless s/he says otherwise, if your dog is still happy, I'd let her be. The late Barker the Elder was rather gimpy in the last year. She stayed at the barn rather than go on trail rides but she loved going to the barn. She loved time near the horse. Before this, her rides had grown shorter by increments but the light was still in her eyes, especially around the horse. She was at the barn with the horse just days before she diedat 14.5. I do not regret helping her out to the barn, helping her walk or anything I did in that regard.

[Kayos and Havoc]

Very hard decision to make and I do feel for you. It is so hard to lose our kids. We don't want to ply God but we don't want them to suffer either.

I'm for being ready to go the minute you feel she is sliding. I think I would wait and watch day to day for at least a few days to a week yet.

[icycleit]

Wow, all of you who have crown/knighted member experience on this site, have totally spoken to my heart with regard to my girl. I want to give her a few more weeks, maybe take her in to the vet again so they can really observe her and perform some more assessments and give me some guidance. My biggest fear is waking up to a dog suffering and having some how missed the symptoms just ever so slightly. The experience with our male I still regret it, just wondering was there something more? He went so very fast in 3 hours, it has just been haunting. I guess I was just looking for some of you who have been in this position to give me some guidance. For that I do thank you all for your comments. :0)

[JakodaCD OA]

I petsat for a lab who had cancer, unfortunately, on my watch, her spleen became enlarged and was ready to rupture. I "knew" something wasn't right and I think you will to when the time comes. Java, could barely get up, and was quite wobbly, and getting very very bloated looking.

Being a lab and a tough girl to boot, she would still eat like hog even tho she was very near the end

Java had cancer for some time, she was a real trooper, but that day, I knew it was her time and when the time comes, I think you will to

Enjoy every day with her