Pet Scan:  Mobile Veterinary Ultrasound Service
  • Home
  • Indications for Ultrasound
  • Services
  • What To Expect
  • Our Doctors
  • Referring DVMs

Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma) in Dogs

11/14/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Osteosarcoma in Dogs
Osteosarcoma refers to the most common bone tumor found in dogs. Bone cancer can affect any breed of dog, but it is more commonly found in the larger breeds (ie., American Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Great Dane)

The disease is extremely aggressive and has a tendency to spread rapidly into other parts of the dog's body (metastasize). There are treatment options available, but generally the long term prognosis for the animal is poor.

Bone cancer can be found in cats as well, but it is rare.  

Symptoms and Types
Many signs of bone cancer are subtle. They can include swelling, lameness, and joint or bone pain. In some cases, dogs suffering from bone cancer will appear tired or have anorexia. Occasionally, dogs will exhibit a mass growth on their body or a painful inflammation around the sight of the tumor.

Causes
Current knowledge of the disease has not linked genetics or gender to the condition, but bone cancer does appear more often in large to giant breeds of dogs. Some studies have shown a slight increase in the development of osteosarcoma among dogs that have experienced a blunt bone injury.

Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will use X-rays to view the mass, often using several angles to get an accurate picture. Other tests include biopsies, blood tests, bone scans, and CAT scans to view the bone areas, and the mass, if discovered. If the diagnosis is bone cancer, it is important to note that the prognosis is often unfavorable and that there are numerous side effects to the treatment options. Management on your part will be required.

Treatment
Chemotherapy is often used as a supplement to any surgical options to ensure that the disease has not spread into other areas of the dog's body, particularly the lymph nodes. In severe cases, limbs may need to be amputated to completely remove the bone cancer.

Living and Management
Activity will be restricted following any surgery. A pain management program and medications are frequently prescribed for the animal following surgery. Medications commonly work to manage pain and reduce inflammation. Ongoing management and monitoring of the dog's white and red blood cell counts will be recommended, and chest X-rays are often used to determine remission.

Prevention
There are currently no known prevention methods for bone cancer.





 

0 Comments
    PET SCAN Blog: 
    The INNER Pet... 
    Pet Health Inside & Out
    The goal of this blog is to help educate pet owners by sharing pet health facts and interesting pet news articles

    Archives

    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All
    Cancer In Pets
    Cat Health
    Dog Health
    Fun Facts
    Pets In The News
    Research News
    Videos

    RSS Feed

"YOUR Partner for Advanced Diagnostic Excellence"
Providing mobile ultrasound consultation services to veterinarians in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. 
Picture


Proud member of the
American Veterinary Medical Association