Unfortunately many dogs are dying from certain cancers at an early age to which is very dirsturbing.
There are many types of cancer and early detection does seem to be the only defence against helping the animal live a longer less painfull life
It is said certain foods and toxins can bring on cancer and there is still much medical research going on to try to help eliminate some cancers thought to have been caused by either food sources or chemicals and pollutants in the environment.
The most serious cancer is bone cancer -
Bone cancer affects the larger breed dog more than smaller breeds.
To date no genetic factors have been identified and its thought that the growth characteristic of the at risk breeds is the important factor in the disease.
Tumours tend to arise in the limb bones with the most active growth
The common sites are
The distal radius (near the wrist)
Proximal humerus (near the shoulder)
Distal femur (above the back knees in the back leg)
Proximal tibia (below the knee)
And distal tibia (above the hock)
Middle aged dogs are most affected with the first clinical sign being an onset of lameness or swelling at one of the above characteristic sites
Of course not all sudden lameness in an elderly dog is cancer but with any swellings and lameness vet attention should be sought early There is no simple treatment for bone tumours in dogs
bone cancer is aggressive and therefore requires aggressive treatment
In recent years progress has been made in treatments involving pain relief amputation and anti cancer drugs
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