Kenny's choice

[Lisa D Allen]

As you have noticed, I do not mince words where the welfare of the Bernese 
Mountain Dog is concerned because I do not feel I am serving the breed by 
being any less than completely honest, as my mind dictates.
What I had hoped to state was that this breed has some very serious health 
problems and even the well-bred dogs are not immune from them.
Should your Bernese fall ill with one or more of these problems, it is not 
unheard of to be required to spend several thousand dollars, often to save 
the dog's life or to establish a diagnosis or to evaluate his condition, 
often in the course of a several day time period.  I would recommend that 
every Bernese owner have at least, actually more, three thousand dollars 
tucked safely away, should the dog's health deteriorate.  And, sometimes, 
there is no "warning."  My current Berner was fine one day and the next day 
found him lying on his side, clearly in pain; this was the beginning of our 
autoimmune "saga."
As to his osteosarcoma, we were merely Xraying for the progression of his 
arthritis, to determine the best management regimen for him.  The Xray, 
surprisingly, revealed a very suspicious area on his femur and a biopsy, 
where half a dozen specimens were taken, clearly indicated bone cancer.  
This kind of cancer spreads aggressively through the blood stream and a week 
later, the leg was amputated to remove the primary tumor site.  Each 
chemotherapy session cost one thousand dollars.  I was brought up to not 
discuss costs BUT I do not feel that being any less than "brutally" honest 
about what can occur serves anyone well, especially the dog.  My previous 
Berner, also well-bred, lost a leg to synovial cell sarcoma.  I consider my 
dogs family and would do anything necessary to ascertain a long and quality 
life for each.  To me, toasters are replaceable, living beings are not.
It has been discussed that there might well be no lines free from cancer in 
the breed and immune system and orthopedic problems are not uncommon.
I have been owned by Berners for twenty years, each has lived a very long 
life, considering the breed, and while the Bernese is unequaled in devotion, 
sensitivity, and sheer physical beauty, the health of the breed is, in my 
opinion, poor at best.
There are indeed pet insurance companies and I have signed up my one year 
old Swiss dog for such.  Ascertain that the company you select will cover 
conditions known to be a problem in the breed.
Lisa Allen





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