We found out last week that our beloved 3 year old GSD Foxy has got a tumor in her leg. The vet has sent her xrays off to a specialist, but this will only confirm the worst. Our vet has advised us against amputation and made us aware of how aggressive and painful this type of cancer is, and I can't see her suffer. She's on steroids and painkillers now and seems perfectly fine. She's not using her affected leg, but she's still eating and drinking normally and is still interested in playing outside.

We go back to the vets on Thursday, and as much as I can't watch her suffer, I can't bare to let her go either. It's so unfair, she's only 3 and she's such a lovely girl. We've got a two year old DD and foxy adores her, she's so patient and kind. I hope to God that our vet is wrong, but deep down I know she isn't.

Thanks for reading.

Dear Foxysmummy

I will be thinking of you on Thursday and praying for you and your darling Foxy. I think if Foxy is eating, drinking and playing and not in pain then maybe nothing drastic has to be decided. Your vet will advise you and you can always ask for second opinions, no matter what the outcome of the x-rays. I am so hoping that the results are better than you fear.
There are many people on here with lots of experience of how to cope with illness in our dear pets. Most are in US so you will probably get more replies a little later today. I'm in Uk too.
I wish I could help you more.
Sending hugs

Jan and my Angels xx

My thoughts and prayers are with you also. There's nothing more painful than knowing our pets our sick or watching them suffer. You will make the right decision for her out of love. Whenever I feel guiilty about making the decision to put my dog down five weeks ago today, I remeber that I SAVED him from any more pain and suffering. Spend as much time with her as you can and keep praying for a miracle. My dog was 11 and it WAS unfair. They are such kind, sweet and gentle creatures and we need them in our lives forever.

God bless you.

Erne's mom

Thanks Janika and Kitroll, it's comforting to speak to others who have been in similar situations. I can't imagine our house without her.

Hi, Foxysmummy, I am so sorry about what you are going through with your beloved Foxy. I can absolutely relate because my beautiful 6.5 year old kitty daughter, Abbygayle, was diagnosed with Stage III Fibrosarcoma in her left hip last July 2009, and in December 2009 underwent her third tumor removal surgery. Now, once again 8 weeks later, new tumors are surfacing, and I am struggling about having her undergo additional surgery. She had a difficult time emotionally recovering from the December surgery, and I don't want her traumatized by the only treatment available to her that she feels that her quality of life is worthless. When the cancer does overcome her, though, she will be my third furchild to go to heaven's perfect garden within a 4-year period, with my most recent loss being last Thanksgiving weekend, 2009, when my handsome 15 year old Black Lab, Oslo, joined the angels due to a stroke.

The only reason why I'm sharing this with you is to let you know that you are not alone in your struggle. We get strength and courage and comfort from each other here knowing that others really do understand what we're going through. For your sake, and that of your precious Foxy, I do so hope and pray that your vet is only preparing you for the "worst" and will be able to give you the very best of news when you take Foxy back on Thursday. But whatever the results of the consultation are please know we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us, Foxysmummy. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear Foxy's Mommy--

I am so sorry for the situation you are in, and boy, can I understand it, because my beloved Ladywolf also has tumors on her hind leg and they are growing and I am just waiting for now to see what happens, while taking the best possible care of her that I can. It's an awful situation, isn't it? Lady also had surgery a year ago to remove one cancerous tumor, and now there are more. Luckily, in a way, my vet is not recommending further surgery because of the location of the tumors (in her groin and inside her hip.)

Like Foxy, Ladywolf is alert and perky and happy and eating well, and still is using her "bad" leg, though she is moving with more difficulty. If you want to know more about our situation, see my thread called "How to Savor the Time with a Dying Pet."

I wish you good luck on Thursday, and I know that you will make the right decisions for Foxy's comfort, but darnnit, it's hard, isn't it? Like you, I cannot imagine life without my Ladywolf. I am totally alone in the world with no family except her, and, unlike you, I've had her for 14 years...

My thoughts and my heart are with you--

Big hugs--Margi and Ladywolf

I'm so sorry about Foxy. It's just absolutely crushing to lose one so very young. I lost my cat, Puck, a month ago. He was just 3 and a half and I thought that losing him was going to destroy me.
My mother also lost a kitty yesterday to cancer. Thankfully he let us know when it was time to go- there was just no question involved. It was absolutely unmistakable when it came time to end his suffering. In just an hour he went from being in good spirits to absolute depression.
I do hope for the best for you and Foxy and your family...

Thankyou all so much for your kind words and for sharing your stories. I've had cats and dogs all of my life, and it's truly devastating to lose a pet of any age, but I keep looking at Foxy and thinking that it shouldn't be her time yet. I have a cat who is 18 years old and Foxy will be the 2nd dog he has seen come and go. We have two young children who won't remember Foxy and that kills me.

I'll be sure to let you all know the outcome of tomorrow's visit to the vets. Thanks again, Irene and Foxy.

Hi Irene--

Wow, how awful. Foxy is so beautiful and SO young! It makes me weep to think of your situation. German Shepards are such...substantial, intelligent, lovable, MAJOR dogs, I can hardly believe that you are in these circumstances already. Shepards are supposed to have a long life-span, just like wolf hybrids do. I feel so badly for you, it breaks my heart, as I know that your's is broken...

Wish I could really give comfort, but all I can say is how very very sorry I am. My prayers will be with you on Thursday...

Big big hugs--

Margi and Ladywolf

Thanks again for all your replies. We've just returned from the vets with a glimmer of hope. The specialist spotted on the initial xrays that a small bone is Foxy's leg looks dislocated, and thinks the mass maybe because of swelling. My vet still thinks it's porbably cancer, but we're having Foxy's chest xrayed and a biopsy being taken from her leg next week.

I'm keeping everything crossed that Foxy will get through this. Thanks again for all your kind words, they have helped me so much this week.

Irene and Foxy

Hi Irene,

Foxy is just that "FOXY"... what a beautiful dog!

I will be praying that the mass is just a dislocated leg and not cancer.

Take care,
Rhapsedy