Bone cancer in Rottweilers? Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
Rottweilers can develop osteosarcoma or bone cancer. It has been expected that around 5 to 10 percent of Rottweilers will become affected. Bone cancer in Rottweilers can occur at any stage; however, the average age at finding is around 8 years.
Osteosarcoma in dogs is a destructively malignant type of cancer that causes nearly 100% mortality except effectively treated, and treatment is effective in only around 10% of cases. Furthermore, it causes severe pain, which can be impossible to ease.
Table of Contents
What is osteosarcoma bone cancer?
Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, is a malignant growth of the bone. This type of cancer contains a similar appearance, just like human pediatric osteosarcoma. Bone cancer or osteosarcomas are tumours that come from the irregular creation of cells that make and collapse bone cells (known as osteoblasts as well as osteoclasts, correspondingly).
The elongated bones (arms and legs) are commonly exaggerated; however, bones, for example, the jaw, hips, and pelvis, might also be affected. Besides, osteosarcoma can also distress non-bony tissues, comprising the mammary secretory organ, kidney, spleen, and liver. This is known as extraskeletal osteosarcoma.
Veterinary Oncology
Different Signs of Bone Cancer in Dogs
Even though osteosarcoma in dogs is a very serious disease, the signs of bone cancer in Rottweilers are so understated that you may not identify them immediately, particularly in the early phases of the disease.
Usually, bone cancer occurs in your dog’s front legs, then their jaw, facial bones, ribs, and rear legs can all be affected.
Symptoms of bone cancer in Rottweilers
- Severe pain
- Swelling in spine, ribs, and legs.
- Loss of hunger
- Mass type growth on the dog’s body
- Fatigue
- Respiratory distress
- Lameness
When to see a vet if you think your dog is suffering from bone cancer
Noticing signs of cancer in dogs should be taken seriously due to the condition’s susceptibility to spread rapidly to other body organs and cause lethal conditions, for example, loss of hunger and respiratory pain.
Therefore, it is important to observe your dog’s general health and quickly contact a vet if you see any of the symptoms discussed above.
Treatment of Bone Cancer in Rottweilers
Each dog is different, and there are many factors like age, body weight, and where the abnormal growth is present which will impact your pooch’s prognosis. If your Rottweiler is diagnosed with osteosarcom, your doctor will develop a particular treatment plan to organize treatments and aid your dog get the best possible result.
Dogs diagnosed as well as treated for bone cancer can live for an extra 1 to 6 years. Unluckily, diagnosis of bone cancer is not an easy passage and frequently proves deadly even when cured with surgery. Additionally, new therapies and techniques are always being considered. Your vet will discuss current bone cancer treatment progresses with you; this way, you can recognize your dog’s treatment options.
FAQs
Q: How long can my Rottweiler live with bone cancer?
Around 50 percent of dogs getting the standard treatment plan live for 9 to 11 months after the surgery and diagnosis, approximately 20 percent live for two years, and almost 5 percent live for 3 years.
Q: Does bone cancer in dogs spread rapidly?
Bone cancer in dogs can rapidly spread to additional organs. To prevent this, pet owners should always consider symptoms seriously and observe any of the symptoms discussed above.
Q: How destructive is bone cancer in dogs?
Osteosarcoma in dogs is very aggressive. During diagnosis, around 90 to 95% of dogs have micrometastasis, which means that the cancer cells are spread to another place, although they are not noticeable.
Conclusion
If your Rottweiler is showing any signs of bone cancer or additional serious condition, visit your vet straightaway. We hope this guide has helped you to understand bone cancer in dogs effectively.
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