Ana is the sweetest little doggie and we are so happy that she is in our family/pack! She has had a rough year and we thought it was time to share her news with our Snow Springs Dobes friends. As many of you know, last May she was diagnosed with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). It is a heart problem which plagues dobermans worldwide. It is elusive and very difficult to eradicate, even with the most dedicated efforts to careful breeding and selection of genetic longevity. Among other things, DCM can cause sudden death. Luckily for Ana, we caught the DCM very early and she has been taking medication to help her heart function more efficiently. To date, she is not suffering any ill effects from the disease, which we continue to monitor with our vet.
The other challenge is that Ana was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. We noticed a small lump in one of her nipples and had it checked out by the vet. He told us it was a mammary cyst but to keep an eye on it and bring her back in if anything about it changed. Last month we noticed that the small lump was changing rapidly, so we took her back to the vet. Sadly, we were told that she has a fast growing breast cancer. The vet felt that putting her under anesthesia for surgery is very risky. Because of her heart condition she could die on the operating table. He was willing to attempt the surgery, but only with our express understanding that it carries high risks for her. Even then, the vet said the cancer would most likely come back. He also said that chemo for dogs is not very effective and usually just prolongs their life only a little, but adds to their suffering quite a lot.
My husband and I talked and prayed and consulted another vet for a second opinion. We didn't want to make a rash decision.
Right now, Ana is not suffering any noticeable effects of the cancer or the DCM, but continues to be a happy, energetic, and sweet little lady. Her appetite is great, she loves to play, and she gives the best snuggles around. She is a nurturer and highly sensitive to the feelings and needs of her people. She is in a really great place emotionally, and just exudes happiness and contentment all day long. She is a joy to be around! Honestly, if you didn't know she had these 2 health conditions you would never guess by how she acts.
Taking all this into consideration, as well as the advice of 2 vets, we have decided at this time not to take action on the cancer. We will continue to treat her DCM with medication, however, as that definitely helps her feel better. For now, we will allow her to live a happy and pampered life as our beloved pet and family member. We will cherish every moment we get to have with this little lady, for however long we are blessed to have her. Our sweet Ana is a blessing in our lives!
