Are you all aware of the high cancer rate in rottweiler dogs? I wasn't before we got ours, but unfortunately, she seems to be succumbing to it. She has been battling cancer for the last three or four years, and is already older than many rottweilers (she's eleven and the average lifespan of a rottie is nine years). I'm worried the end may be coming soon for her, but we have tried to make her as comfortable as we can and make sure she maintains a high quality of life. Have any of you owned a rottie (or other dog?) who had cancer?

Aww! That's so sad. I've been fortunate not to have any dogs with cancer. I bet it's very hard to deal with. I've had family members die from cancer, so I know how hard it can be.

Our GSD Princess died of cancer 6 years ago. She was 12 yrs when she came down with it, and the vet gave her meds to ease her, but we didn't do the chemo route. She lived another 2 years comfortably. It was like losing one of my children, we still miss her!

Originally Posted by doggie_docious

Are you all aware of the high cancer rate in rottweiler dogs? I wasn't before we got ours, but unfortunately, she seems to be succumbing to it. She has been battling cancer for the last three or four years, and is already older than many rottweilers (she's eleven and the average lifespan of a rottie is nine years). I'm worried the end may be coming soon for her, but we have tried to make her as comfortable as we can and make sure she maintains a high quality of life. Have any of you owned a rottie (or other dog?) who had cancer?

I am so sorry for you I understand. I have had my rott since she was 5 & 1/2 weeks old. She is the joy of my life. Now we are fighting breast cancer. She is fighting to live. I am so sad. I cry alot Yet I too make her as comfortable as I can .Judy

Originally Posted by doggie_docious

Are you all aware of the high cancer rate in rottweiler dogs? I wasn't before we got ours, but unfortunately, she seems to be succumbing to it. She has been battling cancer for the last three or four years, and is already older than many rottweilers (she's eleven and the average lifespan of a rottie is nine years). I'm worried the end may be coming soon for her, but we have tried to make her as comfortable as we can and make sure she maintains a high quality of life. Have any of you owned a rottie (or other dog?) who had cancer?

I am well aware of it now since my beautiful female who passed away a year and a half ago had it. (had her since she was 8 wks. old) I first noticed a lump on her neck, turned out to be thyroid cancer. I took her to a specialist and they said all she needed was surgery to remove it since it was just in that area. They did the surgery, said she didn't need chemo or radiation. (she was 8 yrs. old) She recovered very well. A year later I started noticing that she was losing weight and her skin was getting very flakey. I took her to the vet, he did an xray. It turned out that the cancer was back and her lungs were filled. She lived to be 9 years old and just got so sick. I also have a male Rottie who is now 10yrs old (had him since he was 8 months old-got him from a Rottie Rescue) he was my females "brother" so to speak (not from same litter at all) We just found out the other day that he has bone cancer in his hind leg. He started limping and not using it a few weeks ago and it swelled up. The tumor is huge the vet said and he said that he must be a very strong dog because it is very painful. (he doesn't cry at all my big baby ) We are giving him meds to make him comfortable. I am so sick over this!!!!! I also have a 1 year old female Rottie now (had her since she was 8 wks.) and a little Boston Terrier (2 yrs. old) This is so painful to watch. These poor big beautiful animals!!!

Hey,

I have experienced that with my ibezon hound x, Magarat. She was about 11 and had cancer and getting really grumpy. We had to put her down.
But no sorry I have never had a rottweiler so I dont know

Hi all,

Hopefully I am jumping the gun, however, I am TERRIFIED. My dog, Roxie is having a mass removed from her stomach tomorrow morning. I am scared to death that it will be cancerous. I found this post while researching the idea. She has not been acting sick or like something is wrong. I noticed the mass last week and immediately took her to the vet. It is real hard. She had an oral cancer last year that was removed. My fear has always been that it will come back. I pray that I am over reacting, however, I would love any information on how long your dogs have lived after being diagnosed, the quality of life, options for treatment, or any other information and/or words of encouragement you might offer.

Thanks!

This is heartbreaking. I had no idea that these were susceptible to cancers. Our Rotty Mayla has been having problems breathing a few weeks after we noticed a tumorous mass on her chest. It sounds as if her lungs are full of fluid and the poor things cannot breath from her nose. She is actually my mom's dog and she doesn't have the money to have her treated.

Mayla is 9 years old and she has been with us since she was 2 weeks. Is 9 the age that she start to have problems anyway?

Clearly my mother should have done more research before taking this dog.

Ta,

Parker

Yes, I lost a female Rottie, Sable, to brain cancer. She was 8 years old. It progressed so rapidly that I didn't have a chance to take her to a canine neurologist near Detroit (I had taken Sable to Michigan State University's Small Animal Hospital).

It is distressing to see your baby in such pain and misery and I thoroughly understand. Our pets are like our children. It was at the point where she would not eat or drink and she would cry all day and all night. I would find her trying to get behind the refrigerator or behind the television set. It was extremely heartbreaking.

My 2 other Rotties, Spud, a male, died of heart failure at the age of 14. Diamond, my other female Rott, died at age 8 of kidney failure.

You and your family (and that includes your Rottie) are in my prayers.

Hi there,
I had no idea that rotties are very suseptible to getting cancer. Not until yesterday when we had to put our beloved rottie to sleep.
Gryph (Gryphon) had this lump on his left front ankle since late October. We figured it was arthritis and thought it was being brought on by cold weather. He had good days and some bad days then in late December it got bigger. With holidays and all we waited until last week to get a vet appointment. Yesterday we took him in . This is a BIG rottie. He had to be muzzled as he was not a happy camper with all this going on. We had to lift him on this table to weigh him. He weighed in a whopping 142.6 lbs. He is not overweight and had actually lost a bit in the last few weeks. He is a long legged and long bodied Rotty.
He was tranquilized for xrays which didn't take in the first few shots but the next ones only proved that the vet was right. He had a carcinoma on his left front ankle. The poor guy ..his bottom area of the leg bone was almost gone. She gave him a week before the leg bone would have just broken. She also told us that this type of cancer is very aggressive and there would be no cure ..we could have taken him home for a week or so with high level pain killers until we would have to put him down. So for us this was devastating thinking he had arthritis to totally lose him the same day. So we had to say goodbye yesterday at 3 pm EST. Gryph was only 71/2 years old. He was a good, faithful and brave dog and obviously in such pain and did not show us this at all.
So treasure those big brave dogs. They are not with us for long.

MeXicaliannie