robertwoodsdvm.com Blog

ABOVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY GINA SPADAFORI WHO WRITES FOR www.petconnection.com

I was saddened to hear that one of my patients was to weak to make the trip to the AKC Grand Championships. A day where this dog is not well enough to compete is a sad day in her own life, her owners life, and all the lives she touches.
Her name is “Jazz”, she is a little over 8 years old, and a flat coated retriever. There are other flat coated retriever that compete in agility, but the special thing about “Jazz” is that she was a fighter. “Jazz” was diagnosed with malignant hystiocytosis in January 2007. Typically after a patient is diagnosed with this type of cancer, they have a likely prognosis of ~6-9 months. Her owners went to every length in helping her fight the cancer. She under went a very invasive surgery by a specialist, then a long road in the heeling process. I started treating her with acupuncture soon after that surgery. Even in all her discomfort, her eyes were ALWAYS full of such a spirit. From the moment she came into my office, she touched everyones heart that crossed her path. Her body chose to fight and overcome that cancer, she to this day, was in remission from malignant hystiocytosis.
This fall, she was presented with a runny nose that did not respond to antibiotics like an upper respiratory infection typically does. Her face started to bulge and after diagnostic testing, was diagnosed with lymphoma. Her owners again, put a brave foot forward in helping “Jazz” fight her second battle with cancer.
Sadly, I had to pet her head for the last time on monday. Her owners knew it was her time, too weak to walk and not wanting to eat. I will greatly miss my sessions with “Jazz”. Even through all her adversities she was a magnificent dog and a loving member of her family.
She will be greatly missed.