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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
 

My Rottweiler 'Kyra'
Dealing with Osteosarcoma of the Jaw and Hemi-Mandibilectomy,
and Sarcoma of the Eye

Submitted by Kim Cromidas
on January 24, 2007
Kim's email:  Danverskim@aol.com

 

 Photo: My Rottweiler Kyra Photo: My Rottweiler Kyra

We've just stumbled across your website and my dog has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her jaw on December 22, 2006.   After the biopsy was done and the vet determined that this dreadful disease had not spread to her lungs we decided to have a hemi-mandibilectomy done on January 9.  There are 4 big buttons on the jaw to keep it shut and to hold her tongue somewhat in.  Our vet called and said he got wide margins and then called again and said he got it all, but we still have to do chemo.  My girl Kyra is 7-years old.  She is my best friend and my hero!  She certainly deserves to get the help she needs.  I would do it for any member of my family, well maybe not any member.

Photo: Kyra wearing cone to keep her from getting to surgery site Kyra's stitches come out on Monday, January 29, and no more cone, yippee!  Although we did find a rubber collar for her instead.  She looks like she is going swimming  with a life saver around her neck.  I have just started reading up on some vitamins and minerals that I can give her like to help keep up her immune system.    If anyone can help me with that or share some stories, I would greatly appreciate it.  Yes you can use my email address -- I can use all the help I can get.
   
Photo: Kyra without the cone. The pink buttons will be replaced with black-colored ones. The pink buttons were replaced by black ones and Kyra was able to keep her tongue in better.  Its been a long three weeks but I don't regret the decision we have made. 

Thanks for listening and thanks for this web site.
   
UPDATE 03/14/07:  We just wanted to update everyone on Kyra's recovery.  First of all, we want to thank everyone who has been so helpful during this difficult time in our lives and for the support that we continue to receive.  We are 2 months post surgery with two sessions of chemo behind us with two more to go.   We chose Carboplatin for our chemotherapy plan.  When presented to us, it seemed that it was the best plan for us.    
 
As you can see by our new pictures (below), she is adjusting well.  Eating is still a challenge but every day gets a little better.  She doesn't seem to bothered  that her tongue is hanging out.  I think it bothers us more.  She runs and plays and barks just like she used to before the surgery.   Next week is her 8th birthday and hopefully we will celebrate many more!

Kim writes:  Kyra is an inspiration to her breed.  I often wonder who found who. She has taught me more about life than any other human being.
Kyra Photo: 'I can have soft toys now' Kyra Photo: I am still pretty and know it!

I can have soft toys now

I am still pretty and know it!
Kyra Photo: The more relaxed Kyra gets, the longer her tongue gets Kyra Photo: What are you looking at?

The more relaxed Kyra gets,
the longer her tongue gets

What are you looking at?

UPDATE 10/21/07:  Just a quick note to let you know that Kyra had to have her left eye removed.   In April we noticed that the eye was leaking and clouding over.  She went to her regular vet and they said it was allergies.   They gave us an ointment to use.  We used the ointment and kept going back for different tests and they kept saying "allergies".

By the time July rolled around and the eye wasn't looking any better, we went to an ophthalmologist.  More medications were prescribed and that doctor said she had some kind of mass behind the eye.  After another set of chest x-rays that came back clear,  we had the eye removed.  She was blind by that time and it was also paining her.  It turned out to be a "high grade sarcoma".  The cancer in the eye was either a masticized from the jaw, or the primary site,  which spread to the jaw, they can't be sure. 

Well, we are on another round of chemo called adriamiycin for 4 rounds.   The oncologist is "cautiously optimistic".  My dog is doing absolutely wonderful.  No sign of the cancer in any of her other organs.   We have had a few stomach ultrasounds too!!!   We also fired our regular vet for a terrible misdiagnosis.

Kyra Photo: 'Sand can get in only one eye now!'

Kyra Photo: 'Are you cleaning the fridge?'
Sand can get in only one eye now!
Are you cleaning the fridge?

Kyra Photo: 'I can still peak at the neighbors'

 Kyra Photo: 'I feel great!'
I can still peak at the neighbors
 I feel great!

I am so sorry I rambled on and on, but I am just so proud of my doctors and my dog.   They refer to her as the energizer bunny.  Thank you for publishing her story in the last quarterly newsletter, we brought it down to the oncologist and the ophthalmologist.  Thank you so very much for everything.

Kim, Janine and Kyra

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