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.

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Oct 12, 2016

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My Rottie NEW
by: Suzanne

I lost my Rottie to Bone Cancer September 13, 2015. She was 10 years old. I always got the best dog food spending $50.00 or more on her grain free etc dog food.. So you can throw out the dog food being the reason for a Rottie dying of bone cancer!!! I now have a new Rottie puppie also from a reputable breeder. He told me to wait til she was 2 years old before I get her spade. Why?? Because their bones are still growing until they are two, also getting them fixed at 6 months also stops hormones. I am waiting til she is two yrs old to have her spade. A spoiled rotten Rottie does live in my house (c: and I am hoping she has a longer life span than my last one!


Nov 01, 2015

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parvo? cancer? NEW
by: Anonymous

I don’t mean to sound rude but, if you don’t know what parvo is, that means you haven’t been keeping up on the proper vaccinations required to prevent this disease! It’s very contagious and easily avoided. Dogs, large breed dogs are expensive to keep and in the 30 year’s of owning rotties, I’ve experienced cancer yet I don’t believe that it’s a higher ratio than any other large breed. Excellent food is critical and I attribute many cancers to the grains used in dog food! You’d never see a wolf in the wild eating corn or any other of the genetically modified organisms that almost 100% of the grains in the USA are GMO !! That means spending at least $50 for a 30lb. Bag. If you can’t afford the required food and medical care, then please don’t get a rottie!


Nov 07, 2013

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Cancer in ROTTS NEW
by: Anonymous

I agree I have had 4 pure breed ROTTS as well and all 4 have died from cancer. My last one just died November 4, 2013. She was a pure German Rott, but I can say they have all lived to be be 10 or 11 years old.


May 24, 2012

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cancer in rotties NEW
by: Anonymous

I was told by my breeder that you shouldnt fixed a large breed dog until they are 18 months old ,she has done alot of reserch on this and has found fixing them to young can actually cause cancer ,in fact she has in her contract that you cant fix them until they are older for that reason,hope that helps. I have had many rotties that have had cancer as well ,i have a puppy now from this breeder so it will be intresting to see what happens .


May 24, 2012

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cancer in rotties NEW
by: Anonymous

I was told by my breeder that you shouldnt fixed a large breed dog until they are 18 months old ,she has done alot of reserch on this and has found fixing them to young can actually cause cancer ,in fact she has in her contract that you cant fix them until they are older for that reason,hope that helps. I have had many rotties that have had cancer as well ,i have a puppy now from this breeder so it will be intresting to see what happens .


May 24, 2012

starstarstarstarstar

cancer in rotties NEW
by: Anonymous

I was told by my breeder that you shouldnt fixed a large breed dog until they are 18 months old ,she has done alot of reserch on this and has found fixing them to young can actually cause cancer ,in fact she has in her contract that you cant fix them until they are older for that reason,hope that helps. I have had many rotties that have had cancer as well ,i have a puppy now from this breeder so it will be intresting to see what happens .


Feb 13, 2011

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don’t get discoraged!
by: Tara

Do not be scared to get another one.Not all have health issues.Ihave .had.3.Sargent,passed away in june 2010,he was 13 yrs,and he had a great life with no health issues.he was pure rott without papers.I have a 10 yr old AKC female>Jersey,that has hip dysplasia.Her parents and relatives had good hips…Go figure!Then theres Jazz hes 3 now ,and so far so good,no health problems.
Never know whats gunna happen,but i wouldnot traid in any of them ,they are my life!So good luck in puppy finding!


Feb 12, 2011

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re cancer in dogs
by: Anonymous

genetics definitely play a role but the major contributor to cancer is the dog food which is loaded with different chemicals and preservatives.


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