My baby is 7-1/2 years and started limping in May, 2008. He was scheduled for teeth cleaning within the week.  The day of the cleaning, x-rays were done.  He was diagnosed  with right elbow dysplasia severe enough to be causing problems; and we discussed possible arthroscopy.

The vet mentioned something suspicious looking on the left proximal humerus/shoulder area. The x-rays were sent to "board certified" radiologists that day. The following day my vet said the left shoulder area was never mentioned in the report and he asked the radiologists to look at that area again. This time the report came back ambiguous. Possible bony sclerosis, possible early bone tumor, ot fungal infection previous trauma or a stress fracture.  At this point we decided on a bone biopsy and it was scheduled for the following week.

More x-rays were done the day of the biopsy and again radiology wasn't sure, so he recommended repeat films in 2-3 weeks.  This radiologist felt it might be chronic soft tissue injury. So the biopsy was done and sent to a local lab. It came back as osteosarcoma. An amputation was scheduled for the following week and one round of chemotherapy was given first.  A amputation of the left front leg/shoulder was done in May and he is now on alternating doses of carboplastin and adriamycin monthly x 4.

Samson's bone sample was sent to Colorado State University; a large research facility for osteosarcoma. The results came back as the earliest diagnosis of this disease they have  seen and  was even to early to stage.

We feel blessed and pray that Samson will be cured. He has had difficulty getting around on three legs and is gradually getting stronger. His appetite was initially very poor but is improving with anti-depressants. He is also on Doxycycline and Previicox. Previcox is an anti-inflammatory and also acts in conjunction with doxycycline to prevent tumor growth.

I also have him on a low carb diet as cancer feeds off carbs and he is on numerous herbs and supplements. Feel free to contact me at marnie3@cox.net . I am willing to share any information I have.

December 28, 2008 update: I  am sorry to report that we had to put down our dear baby Dececember 21. He completed his chemo and was never quite the same after the surgery and chemo therapy. He never had a good appetite again and getting around was so difficult. He was a 127 pound dog and most of this weight was on his remaining front leg. We had a special cart designed for him by Eddies Wheels but he refused to use it. It freaked him out.

His outings were going to the park in the car and hobbling around with exertion while the other dogs ran and played. Just so sad. I always second guessed my judgment in getting the amputation but I loved him so much and wanted every possible moment. We had him on every herbal supplement and antioxidant you could think of trying to ward off any more cancer.

In October he really started having difficulty walking on his remaining  front leg. We put him on Adaqaun injections for a month thinking it was arthritis. He had a history of OCD in that leg. He was also started on acupuncture about this time. He got lamer. We had x-rays taken in November; we were going to start stem cell therapy for his joints if the x-rays were clear of cancer. The x-rays showed recurrence of the bone cancer in the opposite front leg. We put him on Tramadol for pain and got a biophosphonate IV infusion to try and stop the cancer from eating the bone so rapidly. He ended up on Fentanyl patches the last 2 weeks of his life; this is a time released narcotic.

After 2 weeks of this, his pain was even breaking thru the narcotic, the leg started to swell and my husband and I had to almost carry him outside to go to the bathroom. He would eat from my hand but it was obvious he was doing it "for me". So the most difficult decision of my life was made and we had him put down with me holding his head and letting him know it was okay.

There is a book out by Kim Sheridan called 'Animals and the Afterlife" - I highly recommend. It has provided some solace in this difficult time.  In addition to this, I lost two pups from a litter I had bred last year to SAS. otherwise known as sub-aortic stenosis. One dropped dead at 10 months and the other a few days after her first birthday. I love the breed and in spite of all the health issues, I don't think i could have anything but a Rottweiler after having Samson. We all need to take more responsibility in trying to save this breed from the fate that comes to so many of them before their time.