If your dog is diagnosed with bone cancer, it can be a scary time. You may have a lot of questions about what to expect and how to best care for your dog. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common symptoms of bone cancer in dogs and the available treatments. We hope that this information will help you make the best decisions for your furry friend!
- Bone cancer in dogs
- What is osteosarcoma
- What causes this type of tumor?
- Signs of osteosarcoma
- How to diagnose osteosarcoma in dogs
- How does this cancer typically progress?
- What are the treatments for this type of tumor?
Bone cancer in dogs
Bone cancer in dogs is a relatively rare disease, affecting only about 1 in 100 dogs. However, it can be pretty aggressive and challenging to treat when it does occur.
Bone cancers can originate from cells that typically reside in the bone space (primary cancer) or as a metastatic disease spread from cancers elsewhere in your pet’s body. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone cancer seen in dogs, accounting for approximately 95% of bone tumors. Other types of bone cancer include:
- Myeloma (Bone marrow cancer which affects the white blood cells)
- Chondrosarcoma (The second most common type of bone cancer in dogs, often found in the nasal cavity and ribs)
What is osteosarcoma in dogs?
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone cancer seen in dogs, accounting for approximately 95% of bone tumors. It arises from the cells that usually line the surface of bones. Osteosarcomas can occur anywhere in a dog’s body but are most commonly found in the long bones of the legs.
Osteosarcoma is a malignancy that causes immature bone cells to develop abnormally, aggressively, and perniciously. Osteosarcoma can also affect non-bony tissues, including the mammary glands, spleen, liver, and kidneys. This is called extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Because this type of bone cancer spreads swiftly to other body regions, early identification and therapy are critical for optimal treatment outcomes.
While osteosarcoma is a fatal disease in dogs, there is still hope. If detected early enough, life-saving surgery to amputate the malignant limb may be performed.
What causes this type of tumor?
It’s difficult to say why a specific pet would get this or any tumor or disease for that matter. Only a small percentage of tumors and malignancies have a single identified etiology. The majority appear to be caused by a complicated combination of risk factors, some of which are environmental in nature and others genetic or inherited.
Large breed dogs tend to be more susceptible to osteosarcomas than small breed dogs. Reported predisposed breeds may include Boxer Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Greyhounds, Irish Setters, Irish Wolfhounds, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Saint Bernards, and Weimaraners.
Signs of osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, is very painful. If your dog has osteosarcoma of the limb (appendicular osteosarcoma), lameness or a distinct swelling may be noted. Your dog may be more lethargic, have a loss of appetite, and be reluctant to walk or play due to pain caused by the tumor on the bone. The most common affected bone areas for osteosarcomas in dogs are the radius/ulna (above the front knee) and the tibia/fibula (below the hind knee). Still, osteosarcoma of the digits (toes), facial bones, femur (above the posterior knee), and hip occur as well.
The early signs of bone cancer in dogs can be difficult for pet parents to recognize since symptoms tend to be subtle. Below are some of the most common symptoms of bone cancer that pet parents should watch for:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Neurologic signs, such as a wobbly gait
- Indications of severe pain
- Discharge from the nostrils
- Breathing difficulties
- Swelling in the ribs, spine, legs, or jaw
- Limping or lameness
- Growth of a mass on the dog’s body
How to diagnose bone cancer in dogs
Suppose your veterinarian believes that your dog has bone cancer. In that case, they will do a physical and orthopedic examination and recommend that an x-ray be taken to search for symptoms of the disease.
If an x-ray reveals an abnormal growth or suspected tumor, the region will be biopsied for a conclusive diagnosis. To examine your dog’s overall health and establish whether cancer has progressed to the respiratory system or other organs, blood tests, urinalysis, chest X-rays, or a CT scan may be performed.
How does this cancer typically progress?
Osteosarcoma is a very aggressive cancer in dogs. About 90-95 percent of most dogs will have micrometastasis at the time of diagnosis, which means the cancer cells have already moved elsewhere and are undetectable. In dogs with osteosarcoma, staging (looking for possible spread to other parts of the body) is always indicated. At its very earliest stages, doctors should acknowledge whether any lymph nodes are larger or feel abnormal, so further samples may be done to see if there is any spread.
What are the treatments for this type of tumor?
Due to the aggressive nature of osteosarcoma tumors, treating bone cancer with amputation of the cancerous limb is the most usual treatment, followed by chemotherapy to combat metastases.
If surgery is not an option, a specialized treatment plan with radiation therapy may be an alternative for pain management. For as long as many months, only two doses may be enough to ease your dog’s cancer-related discomfort. This does not constitute medical advice, though, so you still need to heed your vet’s expertise.
If your dog has osteosarcoma, your veterinarian will create a unique treatment plan to coordinate cancer therapies and ensure that your pet has the best possible result. New therapies and procedures for this very aggressive disease are continuously being researched, and there may be other choices available to help your dog. Veterinarians take the time to discuss recent bone cancer treatment developments with you so that you can understand your dog’s treatment options.
Having a dog with bone cancer can be hard on everyone in the family, including your dog. The best thing you can do for your pup is to keep them happy and comfortable. Activities that will be fun for your dog but would not require your puppy to move around a lot can ensure that they aren’t in too much pain. Play games like wagon walk, puzzle treats, blowing bubbles, and have cuddle time with your dog every day, multiple times, any chance you get. Your dog depends on you now more than ever.
References:
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/osteosarcoma-in-dogs
https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/canine-osteosarcoma-fact-sheet/
https://wagwalking.com/activity/activities-for-dog-with-bone-cancer
https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/bone-cancer-in-dogs.html
