The Great Dane, who earned the tallest dog Guinness World Record title in 2022 after measuring in at 1.046 m (3 ft 5.18 in) tall, has died following a diagnosis of bone cancer.

Zeus, a 3-year-old Great Dane from Bedford, Texas, died Tuesday after he had developed pneumonia after his amputation on Sept 7, according to his owner’s GoFundme page.

“Our baby boy is gone. Our hearts are broken. He had the absolute best doctors who sat off the floor and cried with us,” Brittany Davis said. “He fought hard, but the pneumonia was just too much. He is not in pain anymore.”

Davis, the owner of Zeus, mentioned the Great Dane was diagnosed with bone cancer in August. Doctors informed Davis that Zeus would have his right front leg amputated.

Wanting to give Zeus the best doctors, she started a GoFundMe due to the cost of treating cancer in pets. Her account said she raised $12,000, $8,000 less than her goal.

Zeus went into surgery on Sept 7, and the next day, Davis said his surgery went well.

“He did so well,” Davis said. “He’s awake from the anesthesia and on a bunch of pain medicine. He will stay for the weekend, but he’s doing very well, and everyone loves him already.”

Complications develop after surgery

Three days later, doctors called Davis and informed her Zeus had some complications.

“They noticed he didn’t want to eat and was more lethargic,” Davis said. “He had a slight fever last night, which has cleared, but he’s still lethargic. He also has some bluing around his mouth.”