Osteosarcoma in Dogs
Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, refers to the most common bone tumor in dogs. While it can affect any dog, it is most commonly found in large/giant breeds. Osteosarcoma is one of the greatest fears for many giant breed owners as it strikes far too frequently. It’s definitely something I worry about all too often.
Generally occurring in middle-aged to older dogs (median age is 7 years), osteosarcoma is responsible for up to 85% of all skeletal malignancies.
Osteosarcoma does have options for treatment, however, it is an extremely aggressive form of cancer. It tends to spread very rapidly leading to a poor prognosis.
Symptoms
While some dogs will show a growth on their body, most signs of osteosarcoma are subtle. These include:
- Swelling
- Lameness
- Joint/bone pain
- Tiredness
- Lack of appetite
Diagnosis
Diagnosing osteosarcoma involves x-rays in order for your veterinarian to view the massive. Aside from x-rays, your vet will conduct biopsies, blood tests, bone scans, and CAT scans to view the bone and mass areas.
Treatment
Surgical options are often necessary to remove any masses, or in severe cases, the limb entirely. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy is used to ensure cancer has not spread into other areas of the body, specifically, the lymph nodes.
Management
As with any surgery, activity will be restricted and a program for pain management will be put into place. Pain management will also include medications to reduce the inflammation and keep the dog as comfortable as possible. Your vet will most likely want to continuously monitor your dog’s white and red blood cell counts and chest x-rays to determine remission.
Prevention
Unfortunately, there are currently no known prevention methods for bone cancer. However, if you choose to purchase through a breeder, it’s important to understand the health and genetics of the parents. Also, providing breed-appropriate nutrition and exercise will help keep your dog healthy.
While this is a very brief overview of osteosarcoma, I plan to do a more in-depth post in the near future. For more information or to donate to cancer research in dogs, you can visit the National Canine Cancer Foundation. Here you will find ample amounts of information on the topic of canine cancer.
Have you ever had a dog suffer from osteosarcoma? What advice do you have for other worried pet parents?
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At age 10, our Great Pyr had one swollen front knee. We blamed it on arthritis because of his age. However, at his next scheduled vet visit, an x-ray revealed bone cancer. The vet told us the cancer is very aggressive and often spreads to the lungs. He predicted 6 months or less. We were crushed. And, approximately 6 months later, we had him put down.
This dog had been a puppy when my first grandson was a toddler. They were a beautiful pair and made the front page of our local newspaper. He was the favorite feature of a visit to our home by everyone. And, here is where the decision to put a beloved pet down becomes difficult. It’s often the case that we project human feelings onto our pet. Please don’t allow your pet to suffer based on your broken heart.
Dogs are food driven. The caregiver who feeds them is often their master. Dogs, even a Pyr will do silly things for the right treat. So, when your beloved pet stops eating, that means it’s probably time to end his suffering. Our Togo fought to give our woods a barking every night, even if it lasted only 5 minutes. He fought to go on our daily walks. But, he stopped eating and two days later, the vet put the needle in his leg and the dog of our hearts gently closed his eyes. He’s buried in his favorite field where he guarded our drive from invasions from UPS, Fed Ex, deer, and any other inappropriate creature. My grandkids and I will plant flowers in the Spring.