Necropsy Results

[jlaack]

Today my husband I went to the vet school to pick up Harley's necropsy results. Since we approved the necropsy, I felt we should learn whatever we can as well. Our oncologist reviewed them for us. He had one tumor at the thorax that was 10 cm x 8 cm x 5 cm. Then he had another tumor (his primary problem) that was 28 cm x 26 cm x 7 cm. This tumor explains this thread: http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/vet...s-seizure.html. The tumor in his lung about the size of a football was laying on his heart. When we carried him with his coat on (described on the other thread) we put so much pressure on his heart causing it to stop (likely) but definitely cutting off the blood supply to the rest of his body including his brain (wow, do I ever feel awful). His entire body was functioning on a reduced blood supply probably for weeks. The location made it that he likely wasn't moving enough blood to his organs, yet all of his organs were still unaffected by the decreased supply.

He also had numerous tumors in the lungs; several sarcomas, one possibly hemangiosarcoma, only one tiny tumor was clearly Osteosarcoma as it was forming bone, but he had at least two types of cancer present. His lung capacity was clearly reduced because of these tumors, yet he didn't even start to pant less than a week before we PTS.

Beyond the enourmous lung tumor, he had another primary tumor, leiomyosarcoma, on his small intestine. The tumor was significant enough that even without the lung cancer he would have had a few months; we had no symptoms of this tumor and it was beyond the stage to have treated successfully.

Besides the lungs and small intestine the rest of him was cancer free. No disease in the kidneys, liver, spleen, heart or elsewhere, results that were suprising given the proliferation of disease in his lungs.

His hip dysplasia was unbelievably severe. The pathologist asked if he had been able to walk... He was actually running to greet company including the vets that came to pts.

I am very glad that we performed the necropsy. I had some very real questions that I now have answers to and was able to get them without having to make my dog spent another minute at the hospital when we were too busy eating buffalo heart and custard. Some of my questions will hopefully help me in the future as we will likely be here again. I also really had to push myself for that date when we PTS, it was too easy to be greedy and maybe ask him for just one more day. Knowing what we know, I am glad I didn't wait, but in reality he had to be suffering though we didn't see it. We euthanized on Thursday and he first started to breathe a little off on Sunday. He didn't actually start to pant until Tuesday a little bit then Wednesday a lot. Knowing what I know now, I will be quicker with my next dog and since I know many with Osteo do not opt for the necropsy, perhaps this will be some insight for others at the end. These results proove he was suffering, but didn't let us know. I always said to his oncologists that I as his owner, must be very carful with what I ask of him. He would always do for me, no matter what the pain, always, and he did.

I know there is no advice on this thread that can help Harley, but I wanted to share with those of you who have helped us out over the 3+ years he has had Osteosarcoma and again to share with others going through this.

[frontierrots]

what a great post.

Sad but very useful

On another forum a member had a well known stud dog passed in his sleep and they chose no necropsy.

Your dog has no abundance of offspring to provide answers for and yet you chose to get them for yourself

you are a brave and unselfish person

[Debbie Ervin]

Thank you for the post and may God Bless you both and a very loving strong soul you have in Harley.

[hast]

Thank you for posting this. My dog is still young, but I did learn a few things from your post that I wouldn't have thought about otherwise. I'm so sorry that you lost your boy.

[fbkeays]

It must have been very difficult thing to ask for the necropsy and then to get the results. I am so sorry for your loss and I admire your courage in doing this.

[LORHEL]

I have much respect and am so sorry to hear things were so bad on the inside... i hope there was some closure (i am not sure if that is the word) but i cannot imagine how hard this had to be. You are in my thoughts.

[observer]

I have always had so much respect for you and the way you cared for Harley. The gift you have given so many others by getting and sharing this information is immeasurable. It must have been so hard to hear the results.

If anyone doubts the stoicism and pure resolve to live and love and please their people that the Rottweiler possesses in spades, they need only read that post.

[brookwood]

Thank you so much for sharing the results of the necropsy. The possibility of getting one never occurred to me when I lost my great Akita to cancer, and it was never suggested. It could have answered so many questions.

I am sorry for your loss - I hope that this brings you peace.

[targonrotts]

i know how tough this must have been...but it has provided closeur and help to those touched by his battle.

[SaschasPet]

I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult this must have been for you but thank you for sharing this with us to help educate. I am so sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts.

[jlaack]

We just got back the results of Harley's necropsy of his leg (his body was done here and the leg, partial amputation remaining) was detached and sent back to OSU. Anyhow here is the results of the necropsy on "Harley's little leg": " no evidence of cancer but a pseudo-joint was developing at the end of the remaining limb". I always used to order him to grow his leg back, saying I know you can do it, here he was trying to grow a new leg... My amazing dog!

[frontierrots]

the cool things life on Earth can accomplish is always amazing!

[Mboro]

Thank you so much, not only for going through with that, but for sharing the results with everyone. You've done a truly great and brave thing.

I lost Gretchen to what we thought at the time was a post operative pulmonary embolism, she had had her spleen removed along with a hemangiosarcoma tumor that our vet said filled a one gallon bucket, about 3 weeks prior. She had the surgery on a Friday night, and was up and around within 30 minutes at the age of 11. The vet and the surgeon were stunned she survived. The oncologist was stunned by the size of the tumor. She recovered so well they sent her home Monday afternoon.

It seems it could have been caught earlier, as the other vet in the office felt Gretchen had a problem, but failed to tell us. We no longer allow that vet to work with our animals. What you have posted here only confirms that our dogs simply must be worked with by a vet who will do whatever is necessary to examine the dogs carefully, as they do not display problems as other animals do.

Over the next 3 weeks, Gretchen was amazing, except for one day, when she evidently had a pulmonary embolism and collapsed. She pulled through that on her own, under the supervision of the vet. About a week and a half later, she had a rapid decline from Saturday evening until she died peacefully Sunday night.

I am now convinced that she did not die from a pulmonary embolism, but rather some sort of infection that came on suddenly and overpowered her weakened immune system. She had two huge transfusions in order to make it through the surgery, and the vet said she would be very likely to have the blood clots. He told me that she probably had about 6 months to live, outside of something like a blood clot.

The amazing thing was how strong she was. She was diagnosed after she collapsed from a major internal bleed. But she came home the next day, acting like she was 4. After the surgery, which they felt she would not survive, they had to keep her restrained because she was so full of herself. Despite having a tumor that size, Gretchen never showed signs of pain or discomfort.

I wish we had done a necropsy. But we were so grief stricken when she died so suddenly after recovering so well that I just did not think clearly at all. I now feel that we could have saved her, as I think she died of a fast moving infection. Granted, they said she would only live 6 months at best. But then they also said she'd never survive the surgery. These dogs are amazing. When I went to get the original diagnosis, she knew I was there, despite not being able to see or hear me. She began howling for me before the consultation was 1/2 over. She was so bright and full of life, so happy to see me, that despite having convinced my self to let her go after learning the prognosis, I could not give up on her. I may be a fool, but I saw a strong will to fight and live in her eyes and I could not deny her the chance.

I admire your bravery, and your ability not only to go through this, but to share what you've learned. You have helped many people, and many dogs, by sharing this.