My sister & roommate has a wonderful 8-year-old German Shepherd, named Molly. Last week Molly was diagnosed with lung cancer, an enlarged spleen, and a mass pressing on her back that has penetrated the bone. My sister has repeatedly said she would not keep Molly alive just for herself, and wants what is best for Molly. Our vet, who we have loved and trusted, says Molly is a good candidate for surgery to remove the cancerous lobe (dogs have 5, so this will leave her with 4). (Apparently the surgery and recovery are extremely painful. They either have to spread or crack the rib to remove the lobe. Then recovery will take around three weeks.) My sister has said she will keep Molly doped up on meds, in doggie diapers whatever it takes for the recovery period.) This may then buy Molly another 9 months or so assuming the cancer hasn’t spread, etc.
Surgery is not an option for the mass pressing into the lumbar (which I think is a bad idea anyway). This has been a very serious problem in the past. UC Davis Vet School almost had to put her to sleep when she was 2 for this problem. Now that it has returned major daily pain medication will be necessary. They haven’t addressed the issue of the enlarged spleen.
I lost a dog in November, and I know how hard these decisions are. I really think the kindest thing for Molly at this time would be to put her out of her pain. Before the prednisone she wouldn’t eat. She’s having trouble breathing. Sometimes she struggles to stand or get her footing.
I’ve tried talking to my sister about Molly’s pain and how much the surgery is going to put Molly through, much less the pain/being drugged up for the rest of her time. I’m also questioning a vet I’ve trusted so much encouraging her in this direction.
I hate to watch a sister and dog I love so much going through this.
Do these choices make sense to anyone? How do you sit by and be supportive when the decision seems so wrong?

First let me say you are a great Sister to have, no one in my family would help when I had a similar situation. Sometimes being out side the picture you can see the over-all much more clearly! A large dog eight years old is getting up in age and with med problems may even be a shorter life exspectency, it will demand more attention, and cause extra stress on your life, especially your work, My dog did and I found myself taking more time off work and my boss was giving me that look! It is difficult to look at your beloved dog and say it is not a human being, but it is not, if it were then God comes into the picture and life is at a different level, if you understand where I am comimg from? We were actually having financial problems because of the dog, but once it was behind us we got out of debt almost immediately! I had my vet come out to my house and it was the most tearfull experience in my life, I buried my best friend on this planet on our property and planted flowers in a heart shape in the spot and he will be remember until I die! Hope this helps but some times you have to stand up to the plate of life, make the best decision, and move on!

Wow..I had no idea. Thank you for the information and so sorry to hear about the beagle baby.

I've really been hoping she would consult an oncologist prior to surgery. I know she's taking out credit or a loan to pay for the surgery itself and after care. Maybe if I can come up with a way to cover a trip to the oncologist she would go for it.

--Katy