What is Bone Cancer in Dogs?
Bone Cancer in canines is an illness that requires to be closely monitored and dealt with in order to offer your furry buddy as many healthy years as possible.
Bone cancer is a common cancer in dogs, particularly in bigger dog breeds. Osteosarcoma is the most frequent type of dog bone cancer, accounting for approximately 90 percent of bone tumors.
Osteosarcomas are aggresive tumors that causes painful bone damage when the tumor starts to grow.
More details on the early signs of bone cancer and what are the causes of bone cancer and treatments for bone cancer in dogs can be found on this post.
Symptoms of Bone Cancer in Dogs
Bone Cancer can cause noticeable changes in your dog’s wellbeing and behaviour. Knowing the symptoms of Bone Cancer in dogs is the first step in safeguarding your dog’s health. If any of these signs apply to your pet, bring your pet to your local vet for a checkup:
- Lameness in Affected Area
- Pain in Affected Area
- Swelling
- Difficult Breathing
- Nasal Discharge
Disclaimer: The information provided in this page is designed to help inform you regarding bone cancer. It is not meant to replace the vet diagnosis or treatment for bone cancer. If you have any questionsor concerns about your pet dog’s health or possible symptoms, make to get in touch with and consult with your veterinarian as soon as you can.
The Main Causes of Bone Cancer in Dogs
To recognize and treat bone cancer in dogs, you need to know the underlying causes of bone cancer in dogs. This can help a pet owner prevent bone cancer occurring in the first place or again.
There isn't any straightforward causes of bone cancer in dogs. Generally, it is caused by a combination of risk factors - enviornmental, hereditary and genetic.
Osteosarcomas usually affects larger dog breeds more than smaller dog breeds. So dogs like German Shepherd, Greyhounds, Rottweilers, Saint Benards, and Great Danes are more susceptible.
Diagnosing Bone Cancer in Dogs
Nobody knows your dog better than you do and hence it is important that your dog be examined properly by a veterinarian at least once a year.
To diagnose bone cancer in your dog, your vet will perform a physical and orthopedic examination and also recommend an X-ray to identify possible tumors.
Blood tests, a CT scan, chest X-rays, and a urinalysis may also be performed to see if the cancer has spread other organs and to assess your dogs overall health.
Contact your veterinarian to find out more about the treatments for bone cancer in dogs.
Preventing Bone Cancer in Dogs
Stopping bone cancer in dogs is always more ideal than treating it, therefore let’s explore ways to avoid bone cancer in dogs rather than treating it.
To not to appear weak or vulnerable to predators, the natural survival instincts make canines conceal health problems. This means thorough physical examinations by a qualified veterinarian are essential to keep your family pets healthy. Usually, blood and urine tests performed by your vet are required to get the complete understanding of your pet’s health. These preventive checks steps will detect any illness sooner making treatment more effective and less expensive and, more significantly, will help your canine live a longer, much healthier life.
Here are some ways that can help to prevent bone cancer in dogs:
- Work with dog breeders who screen for cancer to minimise genetic risk factors
- Opt for smaller dog breeds over larger breeds
- Decisions regarding desexing/spraying/neutering and diet maintenance can reduce risks of bone cancer
- Avoid enviornmental risks such as over exposure to sunlight, toxic chemicals and cigarette smoke
- Slow down your dog's eating
Treatment for Bone Cancer in Dogs
Since osteosarcomas tumors are vey aggressive, most dogs will have the affected limb amputated followed by chemotherapy to treat the metastasis.
If surgery cannot be done then radiation treatment can help with managing the pain. Only two treatments may be needed to help relieve the pain for up to several months.
If your pet is diagnosed with osteosarcoma your veterinarian will provide a tailored cancer treatment plan to help your dog attain optimal results.
Contact your vet to find out more about how to treat bone cancer in dogs.