Cancer has become an increasingly common condition among Rottweilers. It is the leading cause of non-accidental death in dogs and has begun to spread rapidly among Rottweilers, especially in recent years.
The term cancer is used to refer to a large number of diseases whose only similarity is that they are all characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. Of the various types of cancer that are found in Rottweilers, bone cancer or osteosarcoma is the most prevalent.
The fact that certain cancers are most often seen in specific breed families seems to suggest that there is some hereditary component or genetic predisposition for these cancers.
In 1999 a study was conducted called the Study of Longevity and Cancer Risk in Rottweilers. A 16 year old student from Indiana named Benjamin Beranek won an award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in 2000 for his own findings based on the data from this study.
Beranek compared the rate of osteosarcoma in Rottweilers that had been spayed or neutered to those whose reproductive systems were left intact and discovered that female Rottweilers that were spayed early in life were four times more likely to develop bone cancer than females that remain sexually intact. That’s quite an accomplishment for a teenager!
Osteosarcoma – What to look for
Osteosarcoma is most often seen in older Rottweilers from middle age to the elderly, though this and other large breed dogs are susceptible to developing tumors at much younger ages. In order to properly diagnose osteosarcoma in your pet two steps are necessary, both of which will be handled by your veterinarian.
- X-ray
The process of locating the area in need of an x-ray is rarely a problem, as bone tumors are quite tender and your dog will let you know pretty quickly where the problem is. - Biopsy
A tiny section of the bone in question is removed and tested. This is considered the only way to achieve a true diagnosis of osteosarcoma. There is a pronounced degree of pain involved and some animal medical professionals debate the necessity of a biopsy if the x-rays showed an obvious case of osteosarcoma.
If bone cancer is diagnosed, the most commonly accepted course of action is to amputate the affected limb. While this can have a profound impact on humans, Rottweilers have four legs and would be, to a certain extent, unaffected by the loss of one.
Rottweiler Cancer Support Groups
Because of the sheer number of Rottweilers afflicted with cancer, an online support group was eventually formed by die-hard Rottweiler lovers who knew what it felt like to lose a beloved pet. Members of this mailing list-based group discuss medical, nutritional and even holistic treatment options as well as offer support and grief counseling to other Rottwiler-lovers who have lost their pet to cancer.
People whose Rottweilers have not yet been diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to join for the educational benefit. Preventative measures and other information can help regardless of your dog’s current diagnosis.
To find out more about the Cancer in Rottweilers support group or to join, visit them at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cancerinrottweilers.
