Hi
My 11 year old GSD has lost a bit of weight recently so we took her to the vets.  Nothing was found on examination but bloods came back and the vet has said she has cancer judging by the results. Very high calcium plus other things I couldn't really take in as well as young red blood cell which suggests internal bleeding. Vets suggestion was that the tumour was quite likely in chest or cranium as abdomen felt clear although we could do X-ray's etc to locate it but she wouldn't operate as doesn't feel Sasha could survive it.  So our choice has been to spoil her rotten until the time comes to say goodbye.  Vet says this is when she stops eating.  My worry is leaving it too late, I'd rather be a day early than let her suffer.  My question is with internal bleeding is she suffering?  She seems really bright in herself, at least as bright as a partially sighted, partially deaf GSD can be. When should I make the call? :(

Only you can really make that call, but in my experience they get "that" look in their eyes that says they've had enough.

Wishing you the strength to make the right decision when it's time. x

I agree with Pedlee. My last dog was on borrowed time for a number of years and seemed very well for most of it. In her last few weeks she became picky over food and needed tempting with something interesting to encourage her. This was a GR, so not a breed which is normally picky over food. During the last week, it was very obvious she was failing. Visits to the vet to try 'something else' wasn't any good. She virtually stopped eating and just wanted to sleep. If she was upright she had a tendency to fall over easily and no longer wanted to go upstairs. We knew her time had come and took her to the vets the next day. The vet had only seen her six days ago and couldn't believe how much weight she had lost in that time.

They will tell you when the time is right, something goes in their eyes and they lose interest in life.

My worry is leaving it too late, I'd rather be a day early than let her suffer. 

A lot of people worry about that.......... but look at it this way, our dogs do not understand that we can put them to sleep, they do not understand that we can heal or ease pain with our medicines, they do not look to us to help them, they just look to us for comfort, so never feel you are or would be, too late, as our dogs do not understand that ever!

They go by the natural order of things...... and that is the only thing we can go by.......when their organs are fading with terminal illnesses they will naturally slow down and as your vet quite rightly says not eating is how we and other animals will give that sign of ending our lives and we will instead sleep longer and fade....... as Pedlee says too, you will see that look in their eyes of giving up and giving in..... so wait until you see that.

For now, do as you are, spoil her and make her last days good ones for you both to remember, so sorry it is so hard at this time, thinking of  you and no decision will be wrong, you know your dog, just trust in that........

{{{{  HUGS  }}}}

Thank you everyone for your kind words and advice,  Carrington your post was amazing I feel much better about things now.
I have put Sasha as my avatar so you can see her, my children brought me a photo shoot for her last Xmas as she was getting on in years.  Sasha was advertised free to a good home ten years ago as a young adult.  Her family didn't want her anymore.  Their loss, she has been the most amazing dog I have ever owned.  Protects the home and family but so loving with the children, she grew up with my son, only 2 years separates them.  When I leave my children home alone I worry about them, never mind the 13, 19 and 19, but we're quite rural , they're not concerned they just keep Sasha close. Really not sure how we will cope without her she's our pet, our guardian and my babysitter! The twins are off to university in September I just hope she is here to wave them off x

I'd have to agree with Pedlee in her comment about it being in their eyes.   Life has become too hard a burden to cope with.   I've had to make this awful decision with ALL my Bassets - much as we never do 'lingering', none of mine has 'gone in their sleep'.   We've had various cancers over the years too (probably too many, but in every case, well into old age and beyond the norm for the breed).   I had 3 I'd kept back, two bitches and a brother.   The first started losing interest in food about 6 months before it was finally clearly the end, although I kept getting her going again.  The morning after her last worst night, I knew it was time, probably way beyond time actually because that one was sooooo special.   I'll never forget her up on the sofa with me kneeling on the floor in front of her, looking into her eyes - she licked my nose as if telling me it was okay, help her.   (I'm welling up as I write this).    When her sister developed mammary cancer some few years later, I promised myself I'd not let her carry on as much as I had with her dear sister.   As a result, much as I knew her down days were outnumbering her up days and she was in pain, I have always wondered if I went the other way with her.

All that to tell you only you will know - with the advice of your vet who would offer you more if he could.   They hate to be beaten as much as we do.   I'm so sorry for you.   It's the worst time.

She's lovely, bless her, so pleased she found in you a loving home, and you all found each other.  What a perfect Christmas present from your children, now she will always be with you no matter what. I always find photo's a great comfort.

Nothing eases the pain of losing our beautiful dogs, it will be hard and I and others know that pain, but looking ahead, when we know we gave them a good and loving life, eventually you can and will feel comfort and peace knowing that.... and you should. :-)

She's still here..... and I hope you have many days left yet and hoping too that she makes it until the Uni wave off, all Sasha needs is to know you love her.

Lovely picture. I think Carrington has explained it so well. And because you are concerned you will make the right choice at the right time , you will know.
Hugs x

I too love the picture. What a beautiful expression she has.

Could you do a bucket list for her? Things you would like her to enjoy while she still can? A family day on the beach, a steak dinner, sleeping on the sofa/bed etc? Things she will enjoy and that you can all do with her.  Take lots of photos and then when the time comes you can look back and remember...not what you did for her...but everything she did for all of you. (((Hugs))) xxx