IW Foundation Health Library:
Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
According to data from the Lifetime Cardiac Study, as many as 20% of Irish Wolfhound deaths are from osteosarcoma. Owners of older Wolfhounds always dread seeing their hound limp for fear that it's due to osteo. Diagnosis is usually made by xray. Biopsy is not recommended for fear of further weakening the bone and/or introducing infection.
Treatment options include amputation (though that is not common in such a big dog), radiation, chemotherapy, bisphosphonates, and immunotherapy vaccines (in clinical trials). Unfortunately, by the time the cancer is diagnosed it has usually spread to the lungs. So treatment protocols must address the metastates as well as the primary tumor.
A great deal of research is ongoing into both treating this cancer and attempting to find a genetic component. The IWF actively supports several of these studies.
Further Reading
- Palliative Treatment for Osteosarcoma
- Bone Cancer Dogs
- Dr. Nicola Mason's Studies on Immunotherapy for Osteosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma Vaccine Research (2013)
- Fosamax Revisited (2012)
- Update on Osteosarcoma Immunotherapy Trial (2018)
- Osteosarcoma: What You Need to Know (2004)
Links provided here provide Irish Wolfhound-specific, sighthound, and/or general canine information relevant to Irish Wolfhounds.
Disclaimer: The Irish Wolfhound Foundation provides the information on this website for the education of its readers. No information on this website should be used for veterinary medical purposes, diagnostically, therapeutically, or otherwise. Consult a veterinarian before attempting to medically treat your dog or changing your dog's medical treatment.
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