Rottweiler Health Foundation

Rottweiler Health Foundation Mission Statement

To raise money to fund critical research into the genetic, communicable and acquired diseases that plague our beloved breed, the Rottweiler.

www.rottweilerhealth.org

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Winter 2008

...History
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...Shared Real Stories
...Suggested Reading

...Contact Info & Board

SHARED REAL STORIES

My Rottweiler 'Anna'
Dealing with Bilateral Renal Dysplasia

Submitted by Penelope

Anna was the runt of a litter of 2, weighing in at only 5 0z. Despite the potential for health problems , I couldn't resist her puppy charisma. She was wonderfully poised, social and self-confident., even at 8 weeks. According to the breeder, she even held her own with her much larger littermates. She was always a little smaller than your average female Rottie, but not appreciably so.

In her obedience classes, beginning with Puppy Kindergarten, she always got first place. She knew she was special and wished to share that specialness with everyone. She loved to be the center of attention -- and usually was. Then, one day last year, she refused to eat and vomited her morning meal, then did the same that evening. The next morning the vet did a complete blood workup, which revealed that she had only 25% of her kidney function, if that, and an infection, probably of her kidneys. A sonogram revealed grossly deformed kidneys.

For nearly two weeks she was on IV, refusing to eat most anything offered. I remember being elated when she would even take a teaspoon of baby chicken or a little boiled chicken and rice.

As she grew, her abnormal kidneys just became unable to filter the metabolic wastes. I had to put her down when she was only 15 months old.

There is only so long that one will allow a beloved creature to suffer. Although, at the end, she was so weak that she could barely move, she would still make the effort to respond. I miss Anna.

I was lucky to have had her, if only for 13 months.




Do you have a REAL STORY to share about your Rottweiler? Please email your story, along with photos to the RHF Webmaster Your story may help others going through similar circumstances.