Update
9/16/06: Sienna
is a compact girl weighing only 70 pounds. She rides
well in the car and is housebroken, crate trained,
spayed and up to date on her vaccinations. She loves
to play fetch and will bring back the ball over and
over, but she will be content to play by herself if
her people are busy with other things.
Sienna is currently being fostered with a male and
female Rottweiler and she has shown to take corrections
well from her siblings. Sienna has great focus on
her handler and is very eager to please, so she tends
to learn new house rules and commands quickly.
RRUFF recently received devastating news about our Sienna.
 In
the past several months, Sienna has been treated for a
recurring elbow hygroma. A hygroma is a fluid-filled cavity,
encased by dense fibrous tissue, which develops under
the skin on the side of one or both elbows. Most hygromas
occur in young, large-breed dogs before a protective callus
has time to form over the bony elbow of the front legs
or other bony areas.
The hygroma has been aspirated twice, but the lump returned
and increased in size after each procedure. Recently,
there was a noticeable change in the consistency of the
lump, so a biopsy was scheduled for Monday, September
11th to try and determine exactly what we were dealing
with. We received the news on Wednesday, September 13th,
that Sienna has been diagnosed with Cancer.
Sienna had x-rays done of her leg and chest on Friday,
September 15th. The tumor was determined to be localized
and has not attached or compromised the bone. Her chest
x-rays were clean as well. Her doctor is forwarding her
x-rays to the surgeon and removal of the tumor will be
scheduled for as soon as possible. We will continue to
post updates on her condition as we go forward with her
treatment.
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It
goes without saying, that fundraising efforts are
more important than ever. Donations for Sienna's treatment
costs can be sent to:
RRUFF, Inc.
P.O. Box 4129
Westford, MA 01886
Or made on-line via PayPal.
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Please keep Sienna in your thoughts and prayers.
Update 9/25/06: Sienna was seen for a second opinion
on Saturday, September 23rd. The second doctor agreed with
the first that amputation of the leg would be best. However,
the second doctor found an area on the left chest x-ray
that concerned her and suggested additional x-rays to compare
to the first before we decide to take any aggressive actions
with amputation and radiation treatments. Sienna had the
second set of x-rays done on Tuesday, September 26th.
Her doctor is still not 100% sure Sienna's chest is clear.
The mass she spotted on the first ones did not stand out
in the new ones, which may be good, but the new ones did
show a lot of cloudy, grainy spots in the lungs. Sienna's
chest x-rays can be compared to that of a 12 year old. If
she were 12, the look of the lungs could be explained away
as bronchial growth or bronchial scars common in older dogs.
However with her being only 3 and knowing the aggressiveness
of this type of sarcoma, the doctor is still unsure that
the cancer has not spread to other areas.
On the doctor's advice, we scheduled an ultrasound of
Sienna's liver and spleen to see if they have been affected.
The ultrasound was done yesterday, Monday, October 2nd.
Unfortunately, the results from the ultrasound were similar
to that of the x-rays and not really conclusive on whether
or not other areas of her body have been effected.
The harsh reality is that both doctors feel that whatever
steps we take whether we are aggressive with amputation
and radiation or not, Sienna only has 3-6 months. There
have been some unusual cases where the dog has lasted
12 months, but that is not the norm.
Although everyone at RRUFF feels Sienna is worth every
penny the group could or would spend on her, we do not
feel it is fair to put her through amputation and not
gain any time after the ordeal.
During the last 2 weeks, Sienna leg has become much worse
and it is enflamed. She has a lot of swelling on the inside
area between the elbow and shoulder and she is heavily
favoring the leg. We have started her on pain medicine
to help make her as comfortable as possible and we are
looking into other pain management options as well.
Sienna foster parents have requested that Sienna remain
with them until her spark is gone or her pain is too much
for her to bear.
 Update
10/17/06: It is a blessing and a curse that Sienna
is not aware just how sick she really is. She is always
so happy and eager to play that it is heartbreaking to think
her time is limited. Her activity must be monitored because
she just doesn't know when to stop and we are afraid she
will cause herself unnecessary pain.
About every two weeks, we have had to increase her pain
medicine, so she remains comfortable. Recently, she started
with open sores on her leg with the tumor and we have
noticed small growths on other areas of her body.
In the past few weeks, RRUFF volunteers have organized
and held events in Sienna's honor to raise funds for her
pain management medicine.
Thanks to those volunteers and
the support they have received RRUFF is proud to announce
that a fund is being established in Sienna's name.
 The
Sienna Fund will be reserved for Rottweilers who are afflicted
with a physical disability or illness, which will not compromise
their quality of life following treatment. Dogs like these
are overlooked in shelters daily because the cost of medical
care places a tremendous burden on potential adopters.
Thanks to everyone who has made it possible for Sienna's
life not to be in vain. Because of your generosity future
dogs will get the chance they deserve to be treated and
adopted by a loving family.
Update 11/6/06:
On Monday, November 6th, we said goodbye to Sienna.
Sienna had been steadily getting worse, but on 11/4 she
had a rapid decline. Her pain had become too much and
we felt it is time to let her go to the Rainbow Bridge
where she will be pain free and be able to run and play
like she truly wants. Her foster parents were both with
her to say goodbye.
Sienna is a special Rottie girl whose memory will live
on through RRUFF and Sienna's Fund.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow
Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close
to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends
so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends
are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored
to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are
made whole and strong again, just as we remember them
in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one
small thing; they each miss someone very special to them,
who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes
when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His
bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly
he begins to run from the group, flying over the green
grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special
friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion,
never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your
face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you
look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so
long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
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