image: Rottweiler Health Foundation logo

Rottweiler Health Foundation Mission Statementimage: Trotting Rottweiler

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

www.rottweilerhealth.org

best viewed: 1024 x 768 pixels

Winter 2008
...History
...Membership Application
...Become a Member!
...Make A Donation
...Membership List
...HealthNotes Newsletter
...Grants Being Funded
...C.H.I.C.
...CHF Health Conferences
...RHF Health Survey Results
...Rottweiler Health Issues
...Circle 2000 Registry
...Memorial Registry
...RHF Store
...RHF Annual Fundraiser
...ARC Annual Top 20 Event
...American Rottweiler Club
...Canine Health Related Links
 ...Shared Real Stories
...Suggested Reading
...Contact Info & Board

SHARED REAL STORIES
Photo: Samantha as a pup

My Rottweiler 'Samantha'
Dealing with Disseminated Histiocytic Sarcoma

Submitted by Frank Shephard on 03/18/05


My Samantha (pictured above as a pup) was a unique dog as in every dog.  She saved my daughters life at the age of thee months.  She saved my life when I fell asleep at the wheel.  She lived to be 7 years, 8 months and 27 days old. 

I took her to the vet as she did not look well -- her eyes were drooping.  The emergency vet did some blood tests.  I was not satisfied with their results so I took her to my vet and she did additional tests.  Three days later she was bumping into walls.  So I rushed her to the vet.  The vet referred me to a vet university in Gainesville, Florida.  I drove three hours, and as I arrived she immediately had a brain seizure.

They did cat scans and tests.  I prayed and then the call came while I was driving home.  She had a massive tumor of the brain and lymphs, along with the lung. 

I returned to the hospital as they stated her days were numbered.  My wife was in the hospital also and I wanted her to say goodbye to her before she went to Rainbow Bridge.  Well my wife came home four days later from the hospital and Sam said goodbye.  I knew her quality of life was failing fast.  I took her to my vet and Sam was euthanized there while I held her big head.

I took Sam back to the vet university to do a necropsy on her.  I wanted this as if it would help one dog -- it would be worth it.  The results came back as Disseminated Histiocytic Sarcoma, found in mediastinal lymph node, right caudal lung and cerebral cortex/ occipital lobe.  The doctor said this disease was rare.

We had Sam cremated after the exam and the vet stated it will help others just to have these tests done.  Well -- Sam will always be with us and in our hearts.

image: Circle 2000 logo
Do you have a REAL STORY to share about your Rottweiler?

Please email your story, along with photos to the RHF Webmaster .  Please indicate your approval to include your email address with your story if you don't mind others contacting you.

Your story may help others going through similar circumstances.

Thank you for sharing your story.