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My 18 Month old German Shepherd dx with Oral Fibrosarcoma

by Joanne
(Mooresville, NC)

Two weeks ago, Oct 15th, we noticed Sasha bleeding from her mouth and noticed a large lump in her upper back jaw. The following day I took her to the vet and 3 days later the site was biopsied. The result was a fibrosarcoma.

I have scheduled an appt with an oncologist vet and scheduled a CT scan and couldn't get in soon enough. The appt is next week and is difficult to wait as it appears to be getting larger. Nothing I read is very good. One article said the prognosis is good with a possible 1-2 year life expectancy following treatment. This is good??

I have found general information but little feedback about actual stories of pet owners and their experiences with this particular diagnosis. Anything positive? I know I will get the vet's point of view at my appt but was hoping to get more information and advice from personal experiences.

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Jul 17, 2020
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My handsome staffy Jet
by: Kate

My Jet was the most placid gentle boy ever. He started with a growth at the front of his teeth which was removed by vets during his oral clean. It returned 12 months later so we had the same procedure done. Within 3 months his mouth became ulcerated and would bleed occasionally.

When I took him back to vets to have it checked again, he had many lumps in his upper and lower teeth line. The vet said that it was likely to be tumours. Within 3 days his mouth kept bleeding and would stop then start again.

He was 14 1/2 and I felt that surgery and chemotherapy or radiation was not an option due to his age. On the last day of his life he began bleeding so badly that we made the decision to have him put to sleep. He had tissue coming out in lumps with the blood. He was my beautiful handsome boy who deteriorated very rapidly.

He had a good life but it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. He was eating pretty normally and drinking and loved his walks as well. He showed no other sign of ill health except for the mouth condition. It is a terrible cancer and wouldn’t wish it on anyone’s pet.

RIP Jet xx

Jan 25, 2019
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Thank you and update
by: Anonymous

Wow thank you for your reply Willow did really well but the tumour grew pretty fast we had her put down in December as she was beginning to have trouble breathing as it was occluding her airway.
Thank you for sharing your story and I hope it will help others

Jan 24, 2019
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Oral Fibrosarcoma - Holistic treatment
by: Anonymous

Hi Catherine- hope this post finds you well.

With your post being so recent I thought it would be beneficial to share my recent story as well.

My rescue pit was diagnosed with Oral Fibrosarcoma on 10/29/18. It was a mass in the back of his upper jaw (right side) and caused him a lot of discomfort. We, too, took him to the vet and was given the same options for a course of action (surgery and chemo). This was an easy 'no' for us so the only option left was a holistic approach.

My family and I did a bunch of research and scheduled an appointment with a holistic vet to build out a game plan.

The first thing she told us to do was change his diet - 100% raw diet ONLY. It should be 95% meat and 5% veggie (to mirror what they would be eating in the wild). We threw out any kibble and moist food we were giving him. We cut out pizza crust (his favorite) and any other carbs. Sugar and Carbs are apparently cancer's appetite - the 2 essentially feed the cancer.

We put him on a bunch of antioxidant, immune building supplements - and the most important treatment we found - Venus Fly Trap injections. The injections, I think, were a huge factor.

This combination seemed to be the right cocktail for us as the tumor shrunk and disappeared before our eyes. I'll list out his daily treatments below but do want to clarify that this by no means is a cure-all for every diagnosis. I have definitely learned a lot about alternative medicine since being faced with his diagnosis and if our treatment plan can help someone else, all the better.

Instinct Raw Food - new diet, same format with twice a day feedings
Venus Fly Trap injections (2x/day)
Baiyao caps - helps with bleeding (for the tumor)
LifeGold, C-Caps, Onco Support & Omega-3 pills- all different antioxidants
Vetri DMG- helps the body increase oxygen levels. Apparently cancer hates oxygen.
IP6 Cellular Forte - literally attacks cancer cells
Metacam - we also put him on this to keep any inflammation down due to the size of the tumor

Aug 17, 2018
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Nearly 2 yr old border collie
by: Catherine

Hi

Our nearly 2 year old has been been diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma on the roof of her mouth.

We can either spend an arm and a leg on surgery which unfortunately we don’t have the money for, or put her on an oral steroid called meloxicam.

Anyone had any experience of this steroid and it reducing tumour size?

May 27, 2017
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Fibrosarcoma
by: Max's Mom

My 2 year old GSD was just diagnosed with "Sarcoma". 3 biopsies and the final one diagnosed him with cancer, but could not determine the exact type. Been reading anything I could find about oral sarcoma and keep coming up with oral fibrosarcoma.

The only treatment option I was given was removal of his upper jaw. No! Would not put my poor puppy through all that.

Opted to try and find anything I can to make his time left with me as pain free and comfortable as I can until I see that he is not his lovable, playful self. I am completely devastated and so unbelievably heartbroken.

Jan 13, 2017
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Common in Newfoundlands?
by: Anonymous

Does anyone know if these tumors are common in Newfoundlands?

Jan 11, 2017
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2 y.o. German Shepherd diagnosed with fibrosarcoma
by: Anonymous

Riley is our sweet little girl and we're so upset to get this diagnosis tonight.

We first noticed blood on the ball while playing and then blood on her tongue 4 - 6 weeks ago. Then we noticed a dark pink/red mass on the roof of her mouth which has grown from about 1 x 1" to 1 1/2 x 3" in about 3 weeks.

She is behaving normally with eating, activity, sweetness and enthusiasm. I'm sad but thankful to read all of the experiences of others even though the prognosis is grim.

The mass is in her nasal passages so surgery isn't an option. With radiation she may live up to a year. Our other option is hospice care which we are leaning towards.

Feb 26, 2016
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Teeth chattering with oral tumor?
by: Anonymous

My 15 year old lab mix has a large tumor in her lower mouth/jaw and initially had it partially removed but it grew back quickly. I'm just curious if other dogs with this have frequent jaw 'chattering'? Similar to when you are cold and your teeth chatter but much worse and extreme. She is too old to do anything aggressive with her tumor, so just trying to get her to eat and basically offering anything! It is difficult for her to eat and sometimes that is when the chattering is the worst. Thanks for any advice on this!

Aug 21, 2015
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Cal C Capsules
by: Lois Hambridge

Hi all - I am grateful that we are one of the success stories - the Cal C caps are obtained through 'Feelgoodhealth' Cape Town - and Tissue salts from Dischem - there are a variety of salts that help the systems. I also found ginger helped with bad breath and that turmeric helps the cancer from spreading. Look - maybe all these things don't work scientifically - but my Staffie has now survived 41 months - after being given only 5 months to live - so I believe in them!

Aug 14, 2015
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Canine Oral Fibrosarcoma
by: Anonymous

My Dog's name is Sebastian. He is just over (13) years old so this is the last thing I expected. I opted out of invasive and deformative surgery, obviously due to his age and life quality. He was diagnosed early, and we're 4 1/2 months past that. The tumor is obvious and growing into the cheek bone BUT I have kept him happy and healthy. Ozone treatments 1 x week, Raw Diet Food (Primal), lots of Immune Support ~ Calcium, Enzymes & Fish Oil. He won't beat the Cancer but he's a Happy Camper for now. If you opt out of Surgery ~ seek Holistic ~ I've had the most outstanding results!!!! :-) Monica

May 04, 2015
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My dog is a survivor!
by: Lois

My Staffie was diagnosed nearly 38 months ago - he is still going strong. Originally given about 5 months to live. The tumour keeps 'changing shape', but he is as healthy as ever. I put it down to the amazing anti cancer/antioxidants he is on. I am so grateful to have this extra time with him.

Aug 31, 2014
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He's gone!
by: Helen

I felt I needed to add to the message I posted in March re my GSD with fibrosarcoma.

Unfortunately my beautiful boy was put to sleep just over a week ago. The growth on his face had grown huge and was bleeding heavily some days and I felt it was time to let him go before he suffered. He had lived a lot longer than we thought so every day was even more precious. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but I know it was right.

I wanted him to go "as I knew him" - a wonderful beautiful and most loyal dog and not in pain and suffering. It was so hard and the heartache I feel is unbelievable but I know I did it at the right time, best a day too early than a day too late!

He will forever be in my heart, my beloved Neo.

Aug 31, 2014
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One more
by: Therese

Hi all - this blog is helpful as our 10 year golden retriever was also just diagnosed with fibrosarcoma of the jaw. They did remove it but the margins were not clear and it's likely to return.

We will not do anything heroic that will cause our Zoe more pain, but Lois Harbridge (and anyone else that has used holistic treatments with success), please forward specific sites that you found these items on. The Cal C Caps I can only from Pet Alive. And the tissue salts ... not even sure. Are these specifically canine products or are they human and given to pets. Any specific details you have would be helpful!!

May 29, 2014
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My Rotti/lab mix oral fibrosarcoma update
by: Anonymous

So Monday the 26th was an awful day for us. Deacon's mouth began to bleed almost uncontrollably. He is still here though and on an antibiotic (clavaseptin) which has tremendously improved his quality of life and the rotting smell has decreased by 90%. We also have tramadol now for pain to give when needed and he has only needed it one time so far. Vets really can extend the quality time we have left with proper medication. Just wanted to share if anyone else is in this position. Deacon is so full of life again right now :)

May 22, 2014
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My Rotti/lab mix oral fibrosarcoma
by: Virginia

As sad as these stories are, thank you all for sharing.

My dog Deacon is roughly between 7-10 years of age. Mid December I noticed a small bump on his anterior right maxilla which ended up being fibrosarcoma. Right now he is happy, eating, and walking still but his tumor has grown tremendous in size and his breathing is affected. His mouth also wreaks of a rotting flesh smell and bleeds spontaneously.

I'm sad beyond words, the only surgical option was to remove his whole maxilla which we declined to do. He is only on prednisone right now.

LOIS HAMBRIDGE if you read this please tell me what brand of the C-caps you are using! Do you still give Titan tissue salts no.3, turmeric, and ginger tablets? I want to extend his life as long as possible. Please help.

May 09, 2014
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Fibrosarcoma
by: Lois Hambridge

I decided not to go with the 'oncology' treatment.
No surgery - could not put my 8 year old Staffie through that.

I started him on strong anti oxidants - a brand that promised to help prevent the cancer spreading. That was well over 2 years ago.

In 2 weeks he will be celebrating his 11th birthday. The growth is still there, but has not spread to lymph glands, and his life is as healthy and energetic as ever. I am so grateful for the extra time with him, with least suffering on his part.

Mar 05, 2014
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7 year old German Shepherd
by: helen

Hi, my German Shepherd dog is 7 years old and was diagnosed November 2013 with Fibrosarcoma. Devastated is not the word - I can't believe how fast and large it has become. Surgery was not an option (too far gone for surgery) or any other treatment!

I have read reports that from time of diagnosis they have on average 5 months! I feel so cheated of more time with him - I thought he would live to at least 10-11.

The growth is now invading his teeth and his breath is awful, like rotting flesh! He is still eating well most days and enjoying his walks. I am dreading the day I have to decide to have him put to sleep - he has given me so much joy and happiness, he will leave a huge void in my life!

All the best to anyone out there who is going through this, it sucks!

Jul 14, 2013
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Just so worried right now
by: Melissa

I have a 2.5 yr old German Shepherd named Bodie. I had been watching a pigmentation on the edge of his lower lip for a couple of months, and noticed the other night that it had changed color to white. It had also gotten hard. I turned his lip over and found a small mass on the inside. He has been feeling alright, and acting the same. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I called the vet immediately, and made an appointment (the earliest was in 9 days from today).

In the meantime, I had a voice telling me to look at the rest of the mouth, there may be another tumor. So I did. And there was - on the inside of the upper lip. It looked different from this one, but there, none the less.

I am completely freaking out right now, trying to keep a cool head, but NOTHING I have read is good. I want to stop reading, but it is giving me a feeling of doing something, till I can get to the vet.

I was just wondering if there was anyone out there who has had similar experiences. I am so heartbroken for my boy, as this will be not even a year since we had to put our 15 yr old beagle down. I have lost a dog every two years for the last 10 years. I am so devastated that this is happening to such a young man. I am hoping for the best, but I just don't know what to do, and am looking for answers, and suggestions.

I can completely feel for anyone who has gone through this, and only wish there was a cure for this garbage. No one and nothing should have to go through this disease process.

Apr 04, 2013
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Fibrosarcoma - my gorgeous Staffie
by: Lois Hambridge

On March 8th 2012, Titan, my nearly 8-year-old male staffie was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma on his bottom right jaw. It was suggested I have that part of the jaw removed. I felt I could not put him through that trauma, and after asking advice from some in the 'know', appreciate I made that decision. I was told by one person 5 months would be 'too long' for him to live.

Since diagnosis, I have put him onto Cal C caps (antioxidant tablets for cancer), have fed him tissue salts no. 3, given him turmeric - and he has coped very well - eating as normal, walking as normal and enjoying his hide chews. The bad breath started, and ginger tablets helped to suppress this. He had his first 'bleed' this week, and the tumour seems to have changed shape - it is 13 months since diagnosis. We need to keep the infection under control, so am hoping he can keep as healthy as he can.

He will celebrate his 10th birthday on 21st May, and his doggie Mom (Tombi, age 12 1/2) and myself look forward to a couple more months of love from this very precious and loyal dog.

Mar 06, 2012
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Mouth tumor
by: andrew

I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I'm dreading mine. Just to let others know and hopefully learn the signs I have posted my story below on how I came to learn about this type of cancer.

I have a 6 year old German Shepherd - Maximus. I had noticed a rather rough texture to his gum line in Sept/Oct. 2011 and thought a teeth cleaning would help. I took him in Nov to have his teeth and yearly vaccines. The vet looked at his mouth and said it was just an irritation and that a cleaning would help.

I got his teeth cleaned in Dec 2011 and noticed that the irritated gum line was now swelling in Jan. I took him in late January to have it examined and it came back as Fibrosarcoma.

The next week - now in Feb 2012 - I got a CT scan and it involved over 3/4 of his upper mouth and crossed the nasal cavity line.

Vets offered surgery to remove but informed it would be very aggressive and chemo would only reduced the pain (at $5000 per treatment).
I opted to let Max enjoy his remaining days with his teeth vs. the 3-4 weeks of recovery and possibly not surviving such an aggressive procedure.

It's been 1 month since his diagnosis and he is still all German Shepherd but the tumor has grown on the outside of his left muzzle from 1/2 a golf ball to a full golf ball plus 1/2 and is closer to his left eye socket bone. It's sensitive but he still chews the occasional bone. Doctors said he had months since his initial diagnosis - hard to believe seeing how energetic he is.

Currently his meds are Tramadol to help with the pain.

I'll try to give update but bottomline on this - check your dog's teeth and gum line. Vets don't always know the signs. If you suspect anything always assume the worse and hope for the best. I learned with my dog that German Shepherds are at the TOP OF THE LIST with this type of cancer.

Dec 10, 2010
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Vizsla follow up on Fibrosarcoma
by: Anonymous

Thank you for telling me your story about Sasha. The location of the tumor sounds very similar to my Vizsla's tumor. I really did not know what to expect, now I have a better idea. We have had a few episodes in the past few weeks where her mouth has bled alot. She seems a little more uncomfortable which we are managing but she has quite an appetite and still loves to run. I will let you know how things go in the next few weeks/months.

Dec 08, 2010
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18 month old German Shepherd
by: Smita

Hi,

So sorry to hear about your loss. I totally understand how you feel. We just lost our 10 year old shih tzu daughter Ruby to liver and pancreatic cancer on November 10, 2010. She was the love of my life.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayer.

Smita

Dec 04, 2010
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Fibrosarcoma
by: Anonymous

You mentioned your Cocka-poo was losing weight. I also noticed Sasha was more hungry than usual and I would feed her more than her usual daily intake. Because of the cancer, sometimes their metabolism rate will increase. This may be a reason for the loss in weight... not sure. Maybe increasing your pet's intake... maybe the usual amounts at the time of feedings and smaller amount in between so it's not too much at one time - if you haven't already ask your vet about this.

Good luck and God bless.

Dec 04, 2010
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Fibrosarcoma
by: follow up on Sasha

I am so sorry to hear of your 7 year old Vizsia and 15 year old Cocka-poo.

Unfortunately with dogs under 2 years of age this form is most aggressive. The vet told us a few months, research I have come across stated 1-3 months. For older dogs although the prognosis is not good I have read 7 months without surgery and up to 1 year with surgery and treatment.

I think that's very hard to say because once the cancer is surgically removed but if not all is removed, the research indicates that it grows even more aggressively. Unfortunately the vet and all the research I read regarding young dogs was correct. Sasha passed yesterday - 12/3/10. Exactly 7 weeks from the day I found her tumor.

During those 7 weeks I researched this until I couldn't find anything more to read. Nothing you read can tell you when or answer all the questions you have. The most helpful information was the information I read about other pet owners and their experience.

Sasha's tumor, located in the back upper portion of her mouth grew forward in her mouth as well as back and filled the back of her mouth. I could't believe how large this had grown. It never interfered with her eating which surprised me and the night before we went on our 2 1/2 mile brisk walk. Although her breathing at times was raspy from the tumor for the past 3 weeks, she never seemed to display any stress. But that night she began licking herself all over constantly and could tell she was heavily salivating which was an indication of nausea and she started to whine some and appeared like she wanted to get sick. I had contacted the vet and was informed it was now starting to press on the gag reflex.

Yesterday morning her breathing was fine as usual at rest but with some exertion. It was more raspy, although still didn't seem to cause her stress but she was still displaying signs of nausea. I had called and made the appt with the vet to bring her in to put her down and still wondering if she could possibly have another few good days but before her appt, she began to gag horribly and it was very frightening. She was trying to get this tumor out of her mouth. I knew then I had made the right decision. But how I miss her...she was my baby girl now that my only daughter is in college and will wait to tell her until after her finals. I know each oral tumor will be different and every pet will respond differently but I hope some of this information will help some of you out there.

Nov 23, 2010
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Oral Fibroscarcoma
by: Anonymous

Hi, my 15 year old cocka-poo has fibroscarcoma, discovered in September and was surgically removed from his mouth. 3 months later it was back, last week it was removed again and pathology confirmed the deadly cancer.

Because he is 15, I will not pursue radiation as the prognosis is poor anyway. he has been on a raw diet since he was 10 but I've noticed that he is losing about 2 pounds a week, not sure it's related but he eats everything I give him.

I am sorry that you have to experience this with such a young dog. I am heartbroken knowing that I will lose mine soon but take comfort in the fact that he made it to 15. I plan on having the growth surgically removed until that's not an option, though it is expensive.

He's such a lively dog if it wasn't for the bad mouth odor you'd never think he was terminally sick. Does anyone have an idea of how long they may live after diagnosis?

Nov 09, 2010
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Experiencing the Same Prognosis
by: Anonymous

I am very sorry to hear your news. My vizsla has also been diagnosed with an Oral Fibrosarcoma in the top mandible. She is only 7 years old.

We first noticed it the end of June the beginning of July and confirmed towards the end of July. For the same reasons surgery was not an option. We are treating her palatively with Metacam and Cyclophosphamide. She has slowed down a little since her diagnosis but she still appears to be feeling okay despite her mouth being a mess. I am happy she is still eating.

Nov 04, 2010
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Following the visit to the vet
by: Anonymous

Unfortunately the results from the vet were not very good. Surgery was not recommended due to the size and location of the tumor and because of how aggressive it was, if removed, would reoccur. I can't believe how quickly this mass has grown in such a brief period. The vet said she rarely sees this but with dogs this young with a tumor this aggressive, they live for only a few months after being diagnosed. It's so heartbreaking. We are trying a new medication Palladia in an effort to slow the tumor growth and will just take it a day at a time.

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