Our German Shepherd puppy has cancer.

Odin is our 4-month-old German Shepherd puppy. He was born on October 20, 2021. In January 2022, he was not quite three months old yet; he was bit by another dog on his mouth. The bottom part of his jaw was swollen, and we cared for his wound. We took Odin to the vet a week later because the swelling had not gone down, and the wound was still open. The vet looked at Odin’s mouth and suggested getting him tested for cancer. We thought this was a bit off. We declined the cancer screening and took the antibiotics the vet prescribed. Odin was on antibiotics for a week. The swelling did not go down, and his mouth's swollen area started to ooze. We took Odin back to the vet. The doctor suggested we get him screened for cancer again. This time we agreed to the screening. Odin stayed to be sedated and get the biopsy done. Two weeks later we got the terrible news that our puppy, Odin, has cancer. He was diagnosed with Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma. A pro bono veterinarian was able to look at Odin but did not have the capacity to help him. We have taken Odin to see two veterinary oncologists. The first oncologist kept Odin to do many screenings. At this point, the cancer has not spread beyond his jaw. Because the oncologist does not do tumor removal, we needed to see a surgeon. The surgeon said she has never seen a dog this young with this cancer or needs this type of surgery. We have already put out a few thousand dollars just on screenings, biopsies, jaw and lung x-rays and consultations with veterinarians, including a surgeon and two oncologists.

According to these veterinary specialists, for Odin to get rid of this cancer, he will need to have the tumor on his jaw removed as well as a portion of his jaw, need radiation therapy or chemotherapy, a plate in his jaw (for the time being) and reconstructive surgery of his jaw that may include prosthetic teeth (when he stops growing).

With all the research we have done and talking with several doctors, Odin can live his entire German Shepherd life with medical intervention. Puppies with this cancer have a high percentage of recovery when treated.

Please help our precious fur baby, Odin.