| Osteosarcoma accounts for over 80% of all dog | | | | dog to undergo a bone biopsy. A small piece of |
| bone cancers. Although these tumors can occur in | | | | bone is removed under a general anesthetic and |
| any bone, they are more likely to develop in the | | | | sent to the pathology lab for examination. This is |
| long bones of the legs. The most common | | | | the best way to be 100% confident that you are |
| locations for osteosarcomas to develop are in the | | | | in fact dealing with an osteosarcoma. |
| regions of the shoulder, the wrist and the knee | | | | It is also likely that your dog will undergo blood |
| joints. | | | | tests and also chest x-rays to check for spread |
| This disease occurs most frequently in larger | | | | of the cancer. |
| breeds of dogs such as Rottweilers, Great Danes | | | | Prognosis |
| and Greyhounds. It appears that the increased | | | | There is no doubt about it: osteosarcoma has a |
| risk is associated with rapid growth as a puppy, | | | | very poor prognosis. In over 90% of cases, this |
| and increased leg length. | | | | dog bone cancer has spread to the lungs at the |
| Osteosarcoma can occur in dogs of any age, but | | | | time of diagnosis, and secondary lung cancer is |
| the average age at diagnosis is 8 years. It has | | | | the usual cause of death. Even with aggressive |
| even been reported in dogs as young as 6 | | | | treatment, the average survival time is only 1 |
| months old. | | | | year. |
| Diagnosis | | | | Given the likely outcome of treatment, should you |
| Most dogs with osteosarcoma are taken to the | | | | put your dog through the stress of treatment of |
| veterinarian because they have developed a limp, | | | | osteosarcoma? This is a decision for you to make |
| or because their owner has noticed a hard | | | | in conjunction with your veterinarian, and should |
| swelling on their leg, which is growing larger. | | | | be based on your dog's age and general health. |
| Your veterinarian will probably suspect dog bone | | | | There is no right or wrong answer. It's important |
| cancer based on your dog's breed, age, and the | | | | to remember that this type of cancer is |
| location of the swelling. They will suggest further | | | | extremely painful, and good pain relief is essential |
| tests to make sure that they are on the right | | | | to give your dog a good quality of life for the |
| track. This particular type of tumor has some | | | | time they have left. |
| characteristic features on x-ray and that is often | | | | Has your dog been diagnosed with bone cancer? |
| enough to confirm the diagnosis. If there is any | | | | Do you suspect that he might have this dreaded |
| doubt or confusion, it will be necessary for your | | | | disease? |