Help Gretchen get splenectomy (removal of the spleen) — York, PA

Gretchen was a German Shepherd who came to us as a puppy through a rescue in Texas. She arrived with a lot of anxiety, but it did not take her long to make her place in our family known. The day she was introduced to our Great Pyrenees and Great Dane, she quickly took over as the pack leader and made it clear that she was in command.

As Gretchen matured, she naturally took on the role of protector. She treated our home like it was her responsibility to keep everyone safe, doing rounds inside and outside to make sure everything was secure. During her patrols, she would gently tap each person with her nose as she passed, as if to let us know we had been accounted for and were safe. She always seemed to know who belonged in our home and who needed her approval first.

Although she was not a cuddly, huggable dog, Gretchen had a deeply caring side that she did not always let everyone see. She preferred to be the working, on-guard dog—but when our elderly Great Dane became ill with kidney failure, Gretchen became a motherly source of comfort. During her daily IV fluid treatments, Gretchen would sit with her and gently lick her face until she relaxed and fell asleep. It was one of the sweetest examples of Gretchen’s quiet compassion.

Gretchen has also been an amazing companion to my 86-year-old mother, who lives with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s. Every morning during her rounds, Gretchen would make sure to check on her. She would wake her gently by stopping beside her and licking her ear, almost as if she knew it was her job to make sure Mom was okay and ready for the day.

Gretchen is more than a pet. She is a protector, a caretaker, a loyal companion, and an important part of our family.

Splenic mass (approximately 5 × 6 cm) with small-volume abdominal fluid/peritoneal effusion; diagnosis pending splenectomy and biopsy. Concern for splenic tumor, including possible hemangiosarcoma versus benign hematoma/hyperplasia. Urgent splenectomy, splenic-mass biopsy, and liver biopsy have been recommended.

Gretchen is a 10-year-old spayed female German Shepherd who was evaluated for a painful, distended abdomen, panting, and decreased appetite. Abdominal imaging and ultrasound found a large, approximately 5 × 6 cm cavitated mass on her spleen, with inflammation around the mass and small pockets of free fluid in her abdomen. The specialist’s differential diagnosis includes benign causes such as hematoma or lymphoid hyperplasia, as well as a malignant splenic tumor such as hemangiosarcoma. The diagnosis cannot be confirmed until the mass is removed and sent for pathology. Because a splenic mass can bleed internally or represent a serious tumor, the specialist recommends urgent surgery: a splenectomy (removal of the spleen), biopsy of the splenic mass, and liver biopsy. Gretchen will also need anesthesia, hospitalization, pain management, laboratory monitoring, pathology testing, and follow-up care. A small amount of fluid near the heart/chest and an extra heartbeat were also seen during evaluation, so cardiac monitoring and/or additional cardiac evaluation may be needed before or during treatment.

Gretchen is special because she has always had an incredible instinct to protect and care for the people and animals she loves. Even though she came to us as an anxious rescue puppy, she grew into the confident leader of our home—our watchful protector, caretaker, and family guardian.

She makes her own security rounds throughout the house and outside, gently tapping each of us with her nose as she passes, as if she is checking that everyone is safe and accounted for. She seems to know who belongs in our home and takes her job of keeping watch very seriously.

What makes Gretchen especially remarkable is the soft, loving side she usually keeps hidden behind her serious working-dog personality. When our elderly Great Dane was sick with kidney failure and needed daily IV fluids, Gretchen would sit beside her, lick her face, and comfort her until she fell asleep. She also became a devoted companion to my 86-year-old mother, checking on her every morning and gently waking her with a lick on the ear.

Gretchen is special because she is not only our dog—she is our protector, caregiver, companion, and quiet source of love.

Our family is facing an unexpected emergency veterinary expense for Gretchen. We were not prepared for the cost of urgent specialty surgery, hospitalization, anesthesia, biopsies, pathology, medication, and follow-up care after the ultrasound found a large mass on her spleen. In addition, I am currently the full-time caregiver for my 86-year-old mother, who has Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. This responsibility requires significant time, care, transportation, and household resources, and it limits my ability to take on additional work or access funds quickly. We are contributing what we can and actively pursuing fundraising, financial-assistance programs, and payment options, but the cost of Gretchen’s urgent treatment is beyond what we can safely pay immediately without falling behind on essential household expenses. Gretchen needs timely surgery, and financial assistance would help us move forward with the recommended treatment while we continue working to cover the remaining balance.