CANCER IN ROTTS

by KATHY ARNOLD
(RED LION PA.)

I LOVE THE ROTTS BUT I HAVE HAD FOUR ROTTS AND THREE OF THEM GOT CANCER. MY LAST ONE DIED ON JAN. 29 2011.PEOPLE TELLS ME THAT IT RUNS IN THEM. IS THAT TRUE. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAS ROTTS AND THEY SAID THAT THERE DOG DIED OF CANCER.

THREE OF MY DOGS ALSO HAD TO HAVE SURGERY DONE ON BOTH OF THEIR LEGS. WHAT IS PARVO?

I WOULD LOVE TO GET ANOTHER ROTT BUT I AM AFRAID TO. I CAN NOT AFFORD THE MEDICAL BILLS AND THE HEART ACHE THAT COME WITH THE CANCER.

I AM LOOKING FOR A MIXED ROTT. IS THAT WISE TO DO?


THANK YOU






Hi Kathy
I'm sorry to hear about the health problems your Rottweilers suffered and that you had the heartache of losing them that way.

Every purebred dog has certain health conditions to which they are predisposed, or at greater risk of experiencing. Rottweilers have joint problems (particularly the hips), are very vulnerable to Parvo (see this page for more on this disease... Parvo In Puppies) and also tend to suffer from canine allergies, some heart issues which can lead to canine congestive heart failure,and also have a higher-than-average chance of developing certain cancers. This seems like a lot of issues, but many purebred dogs are in the same sort of situation.

The best way to guard against at least some of these conditions is to only buy a puppy from a responsible, reputable breeder who has their dogs tested for hip dysplasia, heart and eye problems etc., who have both adult dogs and puppies up to date on all vaccinations/deworming and other preventative health care, and who's dogs are healthy and sound both physically and temperamentally. This means the puppy will cost you more, often a lot more, in the first place but will mean that there's a lot less chance of you having to spend a lot of money at the veterinary office.

Of course, even then there are no guarantees (with any breed), but you can also purchase health insurance for a dog which will help take care of the cost of treatment if your pup does develop serious health issues.

If this isn't something you feel able to do then looking for a mixed breed dog is probably a better move. Although a pup of mixed heritage will still carry the genes for certain conditions from each breed in it's 'mix', they are often stronger and less prone to many of the more heritable issues.

Whichever decision you make I wish you the very best of luck and hope it turns out well.