Oncology is a difficult test for both the dog and its owner. Just yesterday, a strong and cheerful dog does not get up today and sadly watches the world around him. Osteosarcoma in dogs occurs most often suddenly. But you don’t have to give up, you can still fight for your pet. There are many examples of how dogs coped with cancer. If the owner starts treatment on time and competently organizes rehabilitation, then the chances of a favorable outcome are very high.
What is osteosarcoma?
Bone cancer is the most common type of oncology in dogs. The disease accounts for up to 85% of cancers in canines. The disease rapidly proceeds and causes metastases early. Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that affects the bones of an animal. At the initial stage, the dog may experience mild pain, it develops symptoms of rheumatism. Oncology can occur both against the background of existing osteomyelitis, and completely without prerequisites.
The prognosis of veterinarians on a favorable outcome is cautious. Much depends on how sensitive the tumor will be to chemotherapy. Bone osteosarcoma in dogs more often occurs in old age. Dogs of any breeds are affected, but in large animals it is observed more often. Osteosarcoma usually affects the bones of the limbs. The impetus for the development of oncology can serve as a variety of factors, including trauma. Osteosarcoma can develop on any bone, but most often it affects the paws of a dog.
Who is at risk?
Most often, osteosarcoma is detected in dogs of large breeds. At risk are German Great Dane, Rottweilers, Shepherd Dogs, St. Bernards and Golden Retrievers. But veterinarians emphasize that there are no breeds that will necessarily develop a disease. In this case, much depends on the size of the animal. All large and giant breeds are at risk for the disease. Animals weighing 25 kg or more account for up to 55% of all cases of osteosarcoma in dogs.
In castrates, oncological bone diseases are recorded more often than in unsterilized individuals. A study was conducted on osteosarcoma in dogs using the example of rottweilers. Animals were divided into groups. In dogs that were neutered before the age of 1 year, osteosarcoma was detected more than 3 times more often. Scientists conducted a study in which animals of different breeds were observed. The results were the same - the development of osteosarcoma in sterile dogs occurs more often.
Causes of the disease
The development factors of osteosarcoma in dogs are still not fully understood. However, veterinarians noted a number of circumstances in which the risk of bone oncology increases markedly. If a dog has previously been exposed to radiation or chemotherapy due to other diseases, then the likelihood of osteosarcoma increases.
Oncology can lead to a trauma. By itself, the fracture does not cause osteosarcoma, but if the damage was serious and did not heal for a long time, then there is a chance of bone cancer. At risk are animals that have implants or metal plates. Malignant neoplasm on the bone can occur against the background of osteomyelitis.
Most often, cancer is diagnosed in older animals. The peak of disease detection in dogs is age after 5 years. Osteosarcoma mainly affects animals of large and giant breeds. Most often, the neoplasm affects long tubular bones.
Symptoms
The first sign of a malignant neoplasm becomes lameness. Moreover, it can disappear, then appear. Often the owner thinks that the pet has recovered, so he does not go anywhere. The disease goes into a more severe stage, and the symptoms of osteosarcoma in a dog increase. Lameness becomes constant, sometimes the animal can’t even walk, in this case muscle atrophy is observed. The dog’s behavior in osteosarcoma changes, the owner usually notices it.
Tissues near the affected bone swell and thicken. Near this place, the appearance of edema is possible. Later, the bone is deformed, with fractures, its excessive mobility is observed. Metastases are usually found in the kidneys, liver. Palpation of tissues surrounding the affected bone is unpleasant for the dog and even painful. In the last stages of the disease, the animal does not sleep well, refuses food. The pain is so strong that it is not drowned out by medicines. If osteosarcoma has passed into the last stage, then euthanasia will be recommended to the owners.
Diagnostics
If the owner suspects that his pet is ill with an oncological disease, then he needs to go to the veterinary clinic. During an internal examination, the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms that are observed in the dog. The veterinarian will pay attention to the condition of the bone and tissues near it, and then appoint an examination.
Be sure to take an x-ray, from the pictures of which you can determine the presence of neoplasm. This method still reveals the presence of metastases. A biopsy of fluid from the affected joint may also be indicated. The dog must take blood for analysis. They can also take a biopsy from the central site of the tumor. If the clinic has an MRI device, then it will greatly simplify the diagnosis. With it, you can see the tumor and sometimes even find metastases.
If the dog has spontaneous fractures, the doctor may suspect an osteosarcoma in her. The disease leads to the fact that the bones of the affected area soften. In this case, the fractures do not heal, it is necessary to amputate the paw.
Stage classification
Animals in which they found a malignant neoplasm at an early stage of development receive a more favorable prognosis. In this case, the dog is often treated for osteosarcoma. If the disease has passed into the thermal stage, then the animal is euthanized, so as not to prolong its torment. During training, veterinarians examine photos of osteosarcoma in dogs in order to be able to diagnose an ailment in initial forms.
The following stages of the disease are distinguished:
- The dog developed a malignant neoplasm, but it develops asymptomatically. There is neither lameness nor other manifestations. The pet usually behaves, the owner does not suspect that the dog is sick.
- Tissues near a malignant neoplasm become inflamed and swollen. The dog behaves uneasily, the owner notices that she is in pain.
- The animal has spontaneous fractures that do not fuse.
- At this stage, the tumor begins to decay, metastases occur. The limb swells, ulcers may appear on it. The animal's appetite disappears, it looks lethargic and depressed.
Osteosarcoma causes metastases early, so it is best treated at stage 1-2. Often an operation is prescribed for an animal. Therapy depends on each case and on the stage of the disease.
Treatment
The tactics of helping an animal depend on its age, condition, stage of osteosarcoma, the presence or absence of metastases. During treatment, close cooperation between veterinarians: a surgeon and an oncologist is important. After all, it is often not enough to remove the neoplasm, chemotherapy or radiation is necessary.
In the treatment of osteosarcoma in dogs, the following regimen is used:
- With the help of drugs, they reduce the tumor and fight with small metastases.
- An operation is performed to remove a malignant neoplasm. In some cases, it is combined with amputation of the affected limb. Sometimes during the operation, large metastases are also removed.
- Chemotherapy is carried out, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells that could remain in the dog's body.
The main task of veterinarians is not just to remove a malignant neoplasm. It is necessary to stop oncology, the tumor should not return. It is also necessary to prevent the formation of metastases. Doctors try to make the dog live for at least a few more years after the operation.
Recovery period
After surgery, animals die on average after 1-2 years. But among the patients of veterinary clinics there are also long-livers - such dogs after treating osteosarcoma pleased the owners for another 4-5 years. Immediately after surgery, an animal is wearing a protective brace. If no complications are observed, then it will soon be removed. Sutures are also removed, after which nothing prevents the animal from walking, using the operated limb.
After feeling better, the dog is prescribed several courses of chemotherapy. The owner must be prepared for the fact that in the next few months he will have to regularly visit a veterinary clinic. Only through personal contact will the doctor be able to fully evaluate the results of the work done.
Dogs that are left without an limb after surgery will have to get used to the trolley or prosthesis. Over time, the animal will get used to and will not experience problems. After a few months, the dog will run and play in much the same way as before the operation.
Prevention
The mechanism of the appearance of osteosarcoma is not fully known to doctors, so it is impossible to prevent its appearance. But the owner can at least once a year bring the pet for a routine inspection. If the dog already has osteosarcoma, then it can be detected at the initial stage.
If the animal began to limp, its paw swelled or spontaneous fractures began to appear, then no time should be wasted. Most likely, the pet develops a malignant neoplasm of the bones. If treatment is started at the initial stage of the disease, the prognosis will be more favorable.
Veterinarian's advice
The prognosis depends on several factors that matter both before and after treatment:
- dog age
- general condition of the patient;
- tumor localization;
- the presence of metastases.
In any case, the owner must fight for his pet and believe in his recovery. High-quality postoperative care is of great importance. During chemotherapy, the dog's appetite may be reduced, but it is important to feed her in a balanced way.