As with human bone cancer in dogs is a terrible thing. So, to help you be informed about it and know what to do if you encounter it, here are a few key points. Obviously, we can’t go in debt about such a topic in one short article, so for more information, visit PetMD or consult with your vet.
Causes of bone cancer in dogs.
The exact causes of bone cancer in dogs aren’t really figured out yet, but there’s a lot that we know nevertheless.
- Gender and genetics don’t seem to play a role.
- Medium and large breeds are more susceptible than smaller ones.
- Factors like ionizing radiation, chemical carcinogens, foreign bodies (metal implants, bone transplants, internal fixators, etc.), bone traumas, and others, increase the risk of some bone cancers.
- DNA viruses like polyomavirus and the SV-40 virus or RNA viruses like type C retroviruses are all linked to some bone cancers in dogs.
Symptoms of bone cancer in dogs.
- Limb lameness. It’s an obvious symptom but it’s often mistaken for a simple physical trauma.
- Pain in the affected area. Dogs are more expressive than cats about their pain, so you shouldn’t ignore your dog’s whines.
- Tiredness or anorexia. Not all dogs are vocal about their pain. In others, it can express itself through depression, tiredness, and anorexia.
- As with lameness, it’s often mistaken with physical trauma.
- This means difficulty swallowing and is common for skull bone cancer in dogs.
- Difficulties breathing and sneezing are signs of a possible bone cancer in the nasal cavity.
- Bulging of the eye anteriority is also a sign of bone cancer of the skull.
- Facial deformities or pain at the opening at the mouth are also symptoms of skull bone cancer.
- Mass growth and inflammations.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Mast_cell_tumor_of_the_toe.JPG - Fracture or the bone. More of a late-stage effect than a symptom, fractures can also show bone cancer.
Treatments for bone cancer in dogs.
Depending on the exact type of bone cancer and its development, your vet may recommend any of the following:
- Chemotherapy.
- Amputation.
- Limb-sparing surgery.
While bone cancer in dogs is extremely unfortunate and a limb-sparing surgery isn’t always possible, if caught on time, it’s often treatable. Good luck!
