Cancer has become an increasingly common condition among Rottweilers. It is the leading cause of non-accidental death in dogs and has begun to spread rapidly among Rottweilers, especially in recent years.
The term cancer is used to refer to a large number of diseases whose only similarity is that they are all characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. Of the various types of cancer that are found in Rottweilers, bone cancer or osteosarcoma is the most prevalent.
The fact that certain cancers are most often seen in specific breed families seems to suggest that there is some hereditary component or genetic predisposition for these cancers.
In 1999 a study was conducted called the Study of Longevity and Cancer Risk in Rottweilers. A 16 year old student from Indiana named Benjamin Beranek won an award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in 2000 for his own findings based on the data from this study.
Beranek compared the rate of osteosarcoma in Rottweilers that had been spayed or neutered to those whose reproductive systems were left intact and discovered that female Rottweilers that were spayed early in life were four times more likely to develop bone cancer than females that remain sexually intact. That’s quite an accomplishment for a teenager!
Osteosarcoma – What to look for
Osteosarcoma is most often seen in older Rottweilers from middle age to the elderly, though this and other large breed dogs are susceptible to developing tumors at much younger ages. In order to properly diagnose osteosarcoma in your pet two steps are necessary, both of which will be handled by your veterinarian.
- X-ray
The process of locating the area in need of an x-ray is rarely a problem, as bone tumors are quite tender and your dog will let you know pretty quickly where the problem is. - Biopsy
A tiny section of the bone in question is removed and tested. This is considered the only way to achieve a true diagnosis of osteosarcoma. There is a pronounced degree of pain involved and some animal medical professionals debate the necessity of a biopsy if the x-rays showed an obvious case of osteosarcoma.
If bone cancer is diagnosed, the most commonly accepted course of action is to amputate the affected limb. While this can have a profound impact on humans, Rottweilers have four legs and would be, to a certain extent, unaffected by the loss of one.
Rottweiler Cancer Support Groups
Because of the sheer number of Rottweilers afflicted with cancer, an online support group was eventually formed by die-hard Rottweiler lovers who knew what it felt like to lose a beloved pet. Members of this mailing list-based group discuss medical, nutritional and even holistic treatment options as well as offer support and grief counseling to other Rottwiler-lovers who have lost their pet to cancer.
People whose Rottweilers have not yet been diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to join for the educational benefit. Preventative measures and other information can help regardless of your dog’s current diagnosis.
To find out more about the Cancer in Rottweilers support group or to join, visit them at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cancerinrottweilers.
I just wanted to say that rottweilers are amazing dogs. I was blessed with my rottweiler Buddy for 11 yrs. He was the best dog ever. Unfortunately he came down with cancer on top of his arthritus and older age he had to be put to sleep yeterday 3-24-09. I miss him so much.
Deana - I know this reply comes months later, and I can only hope that the 3 months since that terrible day has diminished the pain of your loss.
My 9 year old Rottie was put down two years ago this past December. She was my first dog I’d ever had to euthanize, and it was, bar-none, the worst thing I’ve ever had to do. Even as I write this, I fight back tears - I miss her that much. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in the back lower femur. From the onset, we didn’t want to believe it. We managed the pain with Rimadyl (?) and were able to spend another 8 months with her. The last days were horrible, and I swore I would never put myself through it again. Yet, the very next morning after she was gone, we picked up a rescue from our local kill-shelter. Then, 8 months later, picked up another American Rottie. I couldn’t get myself to call her anything other than Smokie (the first Rottie’s name). Now, nearly two years later, I so love this dog, I get depressed when I think what awaits me in just a few more years. It’s hard. But it is worth it. Keep your chin up - they need us as much as we need them!
My 13 year old male Rotty was diagnosed with bone cancer today. I can’t quit crying- he has been subscribed tramadol for pain and an anti-inflamatory. He has been my friend for many years, after my son gave him to me because he was moving and couldn’t have him with him. He is my second Rotty, and as a breed they are the most loyal and loving. My first Rotty was my sweet Grizell- she lived for 9 years before we had to put her to rest. We always think our pets will live forever- they lay paw prints in our hearts and we are never the same. I will share my life with another dog I am sure, but my Rotties will never be forgotten. I will do my very best to ease his pain in the coming months, but I will be strong when the time comes when his quality of life is no longer enjoyable for him. I will hold him and let him go to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for me. ~~~~~ Manson, King of the his Castle!
I know how of you feel. i just lost my 9 year old dear tasha rottweilwer to cancer. She was only at the vet five months ago for a full checkup, she had hurt her left back leg. However she was doing just great. I notice a change in the last month a large lump under her neck. she was eating. we took her to the vet only four weeks ago was was told by two different vets, that she had cancer. It was in almost every organ, eyes spleen , lumbs inside. We had to place her to sleep. i have neverr cried so much.I miss her so much. the vet did tell her she is out of pain and she would have gone only in a few days. He aslso did tell us some breed get cancer more than other one of them is the rottweilwer. I do want another one, but don’t know if I can go through the pain.
I lost my first rottie to lymphosarcoma at the age of 10. When she was first diagnosed we pu ther on chemo and she went inot remission. It only lasted a few months so we opted to only treat her with steroids and love. We had her another year. My second rottie was put to sleep three weeks ago at the age of 11. She was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in her toe. We had it amputated and kept her another 10 mos. In both cases I knew when it was time to let them go. I didn’t sit with my first girl but I did with my second and it was the right decision. I miss them but I am at peace with my decision to let them go.
We just found out our soon to be 8 yr old rottie Loki has Osteosarcoma in the right front ankle. It has eaten most of the bone away and i feel like it’s my fault. The last few weeks it was swelling so i was giving him Meloxicam thinking ti was a torn miniscus and today he puked straight blood so we took him straight to vet and xray confirmed it. they gave him pain meds and antibiotics (hot spots) and something for his stomach bc Meloxicam caused an ulcer. Had I of been able to prevent it if I had taken him to vet sooner? My heart is breaking bc he is the best dog ever. I don’t know how to just sit back and watch while he slowly dies but he is to healthy right now to put him down. I wish I could trade places with him.
I had no idea that cancer was so popular with rottweilers. I just had to put down my only 2 1/2 year old rottie this weekend. She had liver, pancreas, and intestinal cancer that spread to practically every organ. by the time we noticed something was wrong, it was too late. I was so shocked to have such a young and healthy dog lost to cancer. I have never experienced such a horrible event. I want another rottie so bad, but seeing how she went, I’m afraid to go through that all over again…..
My 11 year old Rottweiler has a tumor on her front leg and it has to be removed because the vet said it looks like it could be cancer. I can only hope that it’s benign and she does well. I’ve only had her about 3 years and she deserves nothing but a happy and pain free life.
About one month ago, I found out my 9 year old Rottie, Roxy, has bone cancer. It’s on her hip and is eating away her leg muscle and spine. She’s down to 76 pounds and has always been between 90-100. I’ve cried more in the last 3 weeks than my whole life combined. I am slowly getting prepared to put her down but still can’t fathom living without her. This cancer was so sudden and aggressive that I can’t come to terms with the fact it is hurting such a sweet animal.
We just put our boy down a week ago. It took 4 months and he was in too much pain. He fought though- he was still eating fine, but his quality of life was not the best. I read that osteosarcoma in certain bloodlines of rottweilers. I had my liitle girl put to sleep at 9 because she had lung cancer. They are such a wonderful breed, so loyal and loving. I’d do it again with either one of my rottweilers. They gave me unconditional love.
My rotti is the love of my life his name is Sysco tutie bear love nugget when he was 5 months he was hit by a truck and lost his left front leg he is now an amazing 12 years of age and has been diagnosed with sarcoma cancer it is devistating he has been taking taredol and medicam deramax anything to help this is the most difficult time in my life i feel like iam dying with him today i rushed him to the hospital and they said there is nothing more they can do letting go is so so so hard i will have to put him down i only hope he goes to a better place where he has no pain i love him more than any words can say.
My Roxy died 12/23/09 from cancer. We were going to leave Florida that day and drive to Ohio. I wanted Roxy to make it through Christmas with her family and then I knew she would need to be put down. I had a vet on stand-by in Ohio. I knew the 23rd, when I was leaving for work, that she was getting worse so we decided to leave at 1PM rather than 7PM. I arrived home from work at 12PM and Roxy died 45 minutes later. The cancer took her breath away. Roxy and God knew the trip would be too much for her. It was awful and I miss her dearly. She has been my family and friend for the last 10 years while we lived in Florida, away from family members. I never knew it would be so hard to live without her.
I lost my 11 yr old rotteiler , Dusty, today to bone cancer. She was diagnosed on August 17,2009 and faught it bravely untill January 05,2010. I have never seen such strength or dignity in any human I have ever known . She was the most loyal and loving dog to me and my family. She taught me along with my other dog,Nick how to be a mother. I held her today as she was put to sleep to stop her suffering. She was peaceful and pain free. I will never forget you DustyGirl!
I just put my sweet Lulu Guinness (German Rottweiler) down 10 hours ago and can’t stop crying. I got her from my parents when she was 6 weeks old and live to the age of 10. Two weeks ago she started to not eat, I thought she didn’t like her food so gave her another kind. Then over the past week she was unable to hold anything down including water. Finally yesterday I took her to the vet and when the did the x-ray it was confirmed that she had Cancer. There were large tumors around her heart, they said radical treatment wouldn’t help her. I owed it to her not to let her suffer as she never let me suffer. She went through the death of my parents with me, a divorce and the birth of my 1st grandbaby. She loved me unconditionally even to the last minute. As I sat with her on the floor last night she was upset the vet was getting close to me. Rotti’s are by far the BEST dog to ever own. She took care of my grandson and never harmed him; he is 2 now. I polished her nails and even showered with her. My heart is so broken and the pain I feel now is so hard to put into words. It is so comforting to read all the posts here to know that so many people can appreciate and love the breed. May God rest my baby girls soul, my life will never be the same without her.
I just found out my sweet rottweiler has cancer. I just cant stop crying. I am watching her sleep. She is my best friend. I love her. Not sure what the vet told my husband other than her having cancer. JUst didnt have the heart to ask but soon will. Meals are small. She gets steak. Anything she tolerate..I will cherish the time I have with her….I have such a lost lonely feeling already. She is the best. What a character. She is a rescue rottie. My sister in law told me about her and it was love at first sight. Sadly, my sister in law died of cancer 3 years ago
I literally stumbled on this site looking for information re: bone cancer in rottweilers. After noticing my rottie limping, his left rear foot began swelling and he refused to put any weight on it. Thinking it was an injury I took him to the vet today and learned that my soon-to-be-9-yr-old Simba has bone cancer. Reading your stories have brought the tears again. I’ve had Simba and his sister Kita since they were 6-weeks old. I moved them with me to Atlanta from NY and the thought of Simba no longer in my life is more than I can think about right now. I’ve been given his options but I must do more research before deciding which action to take.
Adding to the pain of losing him is the fact that February 19 is the two year anniversary of my father’s death…also from cancer.