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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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To raise money to fund critical research into the genetic, communicable and acquired diseases that plague our beloved breed, the Rottweiler. |
My
Rottweiler Mr. Darcy - Dealing with Osteosarcoma
submitted by g.lawes@optusnet.com.au on March 16, 2010
(Approval to supply email address given)
He began limping last year in August, 2009 after apparently bumping his knee in the house. After a follow up visit to the vet, he was administered some anti-inflammatory medication. After some varied success with the anti-inflammatory meds, the vet conducted some x-rays and later three biopsies to confirm that it was a rare type of "bone cyst" that seemed to be healing.
By about January/February 2010, the limp had become worse but the x-rays had showed the "bone cyst" was still healing. Our vet determined that he had a partial tear of the cruciate ligament and suggested surgery. We agreed and travelled some distance for the operation to be performed by a specialist. During this surgery, another biopsy was performed while the knee was being repaired.
He came home a bit sore but my partner and I were able to take a month off work to spend time with him to recover. A week after the surgery, the specialist rang to confirm that a diagnosis of oestosarcoma had been found in the knee following the recent biopsy.
Not knowing what this was, I wasn't too concerned and thought like many of the other "challenges" we had experienced over the past two years, this was another one for us to get through. But after researching many internet sites and reading stories similar to this one, I was shocked that the outcome was not good.
The vet advised that he would have about two months to live. After the many conditions in his short two year life and putting him through the experience of recent cruciate ligament surgery, we chose not to fight the cancer and instead manage the pain to allow him some time to enjoy being a dog. We spent as much time with him not wanting him to be alone. A lump appeared on his knee and grew very large within a couple of weeks. We knew the end was near and he was in obvious pain but was still happy to see us and loved company.
A week before we put him down, we invited all our friends over for a party in his
honor. He was spoiled with gifts of ice cream, meat and seafood and was the centre of attention all night which he couldn't get enough of.
We spent his final day with him taking him for a walk, cuddles and feeding him all the foods he loved to eat. He was put to sleep February
26, 2010.
He is missed everyday and the house is an empty, lonely place without him. I have no regrets that we made the right decision but only wish an earlier diagnosis could have given us other options. But as the vet and specialist later told us, that they had never seen anything like his condition in the 20 years working with animals and he was "unique." The emotional journey over the last nine months has been devastating, but I would do it all again tomorrow just to have one more day with him.
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