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.

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Winter 2008

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SHARED REAL STORIES

Photo: Kasha and Rachelle

My Rottweiler 'Kasha'
Dealing with Osteosarcoma of the Jaw

Submitted by Rachelle Whitley on August 18, 2005

My female Rottweiler, Kasha, was born March 2, 1994. During her life, Kasha had to deal with a couple orthopedic issues. At two years of age, Kasha had TPLO of her left knee and then much later at nine years of age, a ruptured cruciate ligament repair of her right knee, with significant arthritis in her joints and spine, even though you'd never know it. She was on Rimadyl in her last two years and Soloxine for low thyroid in her last year.

At just over 11 years old, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her jaw on June 15, 2005. Despite several courses of antibiotics for secondary infection in her jaw as well as a chronic bladder infection, the gangrene in her jaw progressed, as did the tumor's size. The smell of what was essentially rotting flesh was at times, overwhelming. Within days after her diagnosis the tumor began to ooze blood, and for several more weeks, the bloody drool was constant. I would wipe her muzzle each time she ate or drank (or got to smelling something outside that made her mouth water), and clean her face each time she ate, and every day the floors and doggie water bed where she had been laying.

I fed her kibble that had been softened in water, broth and Body Balance, eventually adding canned Pedigree Select Cuts. She stumbled a couple of times in July, and both times came down on her chin, causing profuse bleeding from her mouth, presumably from biting down on the tumor when she fell. By the beginning of August she was eating reluctantly at times, but at least eating. However by August 12th, I had to spoon feed her because she couldn't eat out of her bowl and even then she wouldn't eat a whole meal. I had made the decision on August 15th to have her euthanized in my home, and eventually scheduled the appointment for August 15th.

In the final couple of weeks of her life, her eyes, so full of intelligence and love in years past, began to show her fatigue and pain. In a matter of mere days, the cancer moved into her upper left jaw, cheek and eye socket, making her face look sunken and drawn on one side. I tried to get my vet to my home sooner than the 15th but it was not possible.

Photo: Kasha, showing signs of the cancer and tumor

With the Secret Garden CD "Once in a Red Moon" playing, sage and pinon burning, shades drawn and candles lighting my living room, the vet administered a sedative. It took bare moments for Kasha to lay down on the pallet of towels and a sheet I had put on the floor for her, and I laid down beside her, snuggled up to her back, spooning with my arm around her. After several minutes of stroking her soft fur, crying my eyes out but speaking quietly and lovingly to her, the vet injected the final solution in a hind leg. It normally takes a few minutes from there as opposed to a front leg vein, but before the injection was even finished, Kasha had left us. She had been so very, very tired; very ready to go, and showed it by how quickly her spirit abandoned her ailing body. I have another dog, Taz, part Rottie/part Australian Shepherd, and he was present at her passing but didn't behave any differently until the following morning. He refused his breakfast, threw up twice outside, and when he ate that evening, threw up again. Kasha's passing is still fresh in my mind and as is the depth of my grief, having just been three days ago.

Her absence from my life is notable. Taz is a good dog with a great personality that everyone loves, but Kasha was like my daughter - a momma's girl, following me around the house everywhere. I will miss her.

Rachelle Whitley
Durango, Colorado

Early days: Rachelle with Taz and Kasha




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.