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[Home] [Hints, Tips and Articles][Links][Healthcare] Cancer [General Information][Bone cancer] [Lymphoma] [Chemotherapy] General Information If your greyhound develops an unexplained limp which does not go away after a couple of days, take it to the vet. Cancer is the cause of death in around 40% of dogs over 10, and as most greyhounds (being a fairly healthy breed, especially for their size) live to over 10, a lot of greyhounds do get cancer. Like other similar large breeds (e.g. Deerhounds, Boxers and Standard Poodles) Bone Cancer is a particular problem. Symptoms: Often the first sign of bone cancer is an unexplained limp. It is more common in dogs over 10 but younger dogs can and do get it as well. Diagnosis: X Rays are normally carried out when bone cancer is a possibility. Sometimes a biopsy is carried out (this is usually under general anaesthetic, and may perhaps be done at the same time as the X Rays. It involves a sample of tissue being taken, with a large needle, scalpel or other technique) - the results take 3-5 days to come through. Treatment: Amputation followed by chemotherapy. While this may sound drastic, dogs both young and old usually recover quickly and are up and about within a few days. They can still run faster than most dogs even with three legs! Treatment is started as soon as possible after diagnosis. Your dog may well be referred to a specialist veterinary centre for part or all of the treatment. Prognosis: Without treatment, the cancer progresses quickly and the dog usually has to be put to sleep within weeks or months because effective pain relief can no longer be given. Amputation and chemotherapy usually offers the dog several months to a year (or for the lucky few, even longer) of pain-free and active life. Actual cures are rare. However, it must be remembered that six months is a significant length of time for an animal whose expected lifespan is 10-14 years. Costs: These are just rough
figures, but hopefully they will give you an idea of what
to expect. Types of bone cancer: About 85% of greyhounds with bone cancer have the kind called Osteosarcoma. The other 15% have varying kinds of bone cancer. Fibrosarcomas of bone (<5% of all bone cancers) carry a good prognosis - less than 25% ever develop secondaries so >75% are cured by amputation (which forms part of the course of treatment for all bone cancers). You Are Not Alone: See our links page for the details of two mailing lists for pet greyhound owners. Many of these people have had, or do have, greyhounds with cancer and will be able to offer comfort, support and friendship to others in the same situation. Also worth checking out Further information: This page last updated 24 March 2002 |
Oxford Greyhound Information 