Vader the 3 legged Rottweiler Cancer Survivor!!!

Vader is my 8 year old Rottweiler that I rescued from downtown Detroit in 2000. Vader was diagnosed with osteosarcoma cancer on June, 11th 2007. My two options were to do nothing giving him about 3 months to live, or to have his right leg amputated. At that time I didn't think about cost, only what was best for Vader. How would he get along with only three legs? How long would the surgery prolong his life? Many tough questions went through my head. After doing weighing all the options and doing online research about how dogs adapt to having only three legs, I decided to have the surgery performed. I went to pick him up the day after his surgery, which he came through the great, and I was so surprised to see him standing waging his little stub of a tail. I thought I was going to have to carry him. I custom built him a ramp to get into my Trailblazer (as you can see in the video) and he went right up them. I practiced with him going up the ramp BEFORE his surgery so he would be familiar with it. I took a video of the whole trip from getting in and out of the truck and into the house. He actually RAN into the house and up some huge stone steps, I was amazed. The scene in the video with his T-shirt on is actually day one post surgery.
The story continues, Vader is still doing well, but for space concerns I will stop here for now. If I get enough views/responses, I'll continue the story with more details like the costs, healing, care, the chemo treatment and diet.
I really believe that the diet I put Vader on after his surgery and during his Chemotherapy was and still is instrumental to his remarkable recover and his continued health.
I hope this video gives hope and helps people make the difficult decisions when confronted with this horrible and much too common disease.
Vader has survived the streets of Detroit and now cancer.
Vader is a true survivor and my best friend.

THE DIET
During Chemo it is important to give them bone meal as a supplement to help their bones and teeth because the Chemo reduces calcium in their bodies. I still give Vader bone meal in his food just to be safe. For breakfast we supplement his dog food with sardines either in water or tomato sauce. The stores around me must be going nuts wondering why they are selling so many since I buy them up by the case whenever they come in :) The dog food I use is IAM's senior; it has a lot of protein and a little less fat. You can use other brands but just make sure the first ingredient is chicken, beef, fish... and not some cornmeal or byproduct. For dinner we give him eggbeaters mixed in with his dog food. And whenever we make broccoli or vegetables I will give him some. Vegetables are supposed to be very good for them. I wish I would have known some of this when he was a puppy so I could of fed him better. I always used whatever the vet recommend and something with glucosamine and chondroitin but didn't supplement it with anything. Luckily he has always been fit and healthy until this bout with cancer.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Vader
• cancer
• survivor
• dog
• amputate
• three
• legged
• diet
• rottweiler

[VaderTheRottweiler]

If by scan you mean x-ray it was around $400. I guess it usually shows up in the lungs first. The blood tests, which are much cheaper, can help determine if one has cancer too. 

[VaderTheRottweiler]

Vader Update - I took Vader to the vet last week and he received a clean bill of health! I couldn't believe it; lungs and blood work are still clear. The vet called Vader a miricle dog since it has been almost 4 years since he was diagnosed with the cancer. I hope he gives everyone else dealing with similar situations hope. He has been loving the deep snow lately and getting along just fine even with 10 inches of snow on the ground!

[dohboy200]

My beautiful Husky dog Cleo just got diagnosed with Soft Tissue Sarcoma in her front left leg.They are going to have to amputate all the way up to her shoulder. We're finding it very difficult, but your story gives us hope. Thank you.

[VaderTheRottweiler]

Vader had his leg amputated up to the shoulder too; I was told that was the best way of keeping it from spreading. I'm glad Vaders story gives you hope, that's why I put it on youtube. Make sure you read my diet suggestions for when Cleo is recovering and feeling better - i really believe it has helped. Goodluck and best wishes.

[ww1aero]

Thanks for posting your videos, our 11 year old Greyhound is awaiting a biopsy report for a suspicious area in his upper right front leg, if it's not a bacterial infection or fungal infection, then he'll be facing the loss of his leg too. The vet said even at Casey's age of 11, he'd definitely do it if it was his dog. And because Casey is in such good shape otherwise, the Dr. said he should do very well on three legs too.

[VaderTheRottweiler]

@ww1aero Let me know how it works out and if you want more info.

[MrPolo13]

Vader was so inspirational to us when deciding what to do with dharma our 10yo Rotti who was diagnosed with bone cancer in the shoulder in April 2011. We went with amputation and chemo & have no regrets. Dharma is now 4.5 mths past the amputation/chmo & doing extremely well. She is back tracking and went herding on the weekend - see video on Youtube 3 legged rottweiler brilliantly herding sheep. We are so proud of her & are living every moment with her. Thanks for your assistance .

[TuttiOfruti]

dogs are not like people... they wont give you weird looks if theres something wrong with your body n_n... vader is such a lovely doggie

[MariaHendy1]

I am going through this right now with my almost 12 yr old lab. She was just diagnosed today with cancer in her right knee, back leg. She is having her leg amputated tomorrow. I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing, but after watching your video and hearing your story, I know I am. We are not sure yet if the form of cancer is osteosarcoma, but will know more after the amputation and the biopsy. Your dog is very beautiful...thank you for telling your story. It has helped me today.

[rimokina]

reminds me of my old 3 legged dog, winnie, she was a pembroke welsh corgi-samoyed mix that lost her tail and back leg, two days after christmas we had to ut her down because she had cancer, but the stupid vet said "its just an absess" (she had a tumor in her mouth),

[katiecullen3000]

I have a female 10 year old rotty named Kizer and we think that she has cancer.she had it before but we got it removed. how much did it cost you to get vader the scan?

[da1prophet]

Props to you not only for rescuing this beautiful dog but taking such great care of him. Best wishes to you both!