Saw this image and decided to look up osteosarcoma in dogs for more information, and then decided it’s something that should be more well-known. So consider this the canine osteosarcoma awareness post.
Osteosarcoma, which also occurs in other species (including humans), is a cancer of the bone. In dogs, it is the most common primary bone tumor, accounting for up to 80% of all malignancy originating in the canine skeleton.
Canine osteosarcoma usually occurs in the limbs, but any bone could be affected. Interestingly, while overall cases mostly occur in middle age or older (median age 7 years), primary rib tumors are more common among younger adults median ages 4.5-5.4 years.)
Larger breeds are more likely to develop osteosarcoma. Great Danes, Irish setters, Irish wolfhounds, boxers, Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, German shepherds, and golden retrievers are particularly at risk.
Other major risk factors are being unaltered, family history, certain gene mutations, pre-existing skeletal anomalies, chronic osteomyelitis, and exposure to carcinogens.
Treatment and prognosis depend upon multiple factors. As with humans, chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery are often used. (Always follow veterinary advice from your pet’s vet.) The average survival for canine osteosarcoma patients treated with surgery and chemotherapy is 1 year. Dogs between the ages of 7 and 10 have the best prognosis.
Signs and symptoms of the disease include but are not limited to:
🦴 Difficulty with swallowing
🦴 Heightened sensitivity of the senses
🦴 Pain or difficulty in opening the mouth
🦴 Pain or difficulty with walking
🦴 Fractures that don’t make sense (for example, a dog breaking a leg by jumping)
🦴 Secondary signs of pain, such as irritability, aggression, loss of appetite, weight loss, whimpering or yelping, sleeplessness, and reluctance to exercise.
Always follow veterinarian advice. If your dog shows signs of osteosarcoma, get them checked for it.
