There's a type of cancer that's fairly common in German shepherds. It's called hemangiosarcoma. Typically it attacks the spleen, though it can occur just about anywhere in the body, and spreads quite readily The tumors attacks the blood vessels, thus the name. Unfortunately, the blood vessels become weakened as the tumors grow, and eventually they rupture. Because the spleen has such an abundant blood supply, and is buried deep within the body, often, the first sign of any problem is the animal collapsing and dying before anything can be done. I hope you will find some comfort in knowing there was little, if anything you could have done to have saved Anna's life. I know of cases where an emergency splenectomy saved the dog, but the average survival time after surgery is usually only a matter of a few months, as the tumors have already metastisized. Even with the addition of chemo, survival time is most often less than a year.
Jude, as a fellow GSD owner, I am terribly sorry for your loss, and offer my sincere, heartfelt condolences. I have fond memories of my two visits with you and Anna. She was a very nice girl!
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When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose[/size]