Incidence By Dog Breed Of Osteosarcoma/bone Cancer

[Guest eaglflyt]

I've been researching the incidence of bone cancer (OSA/Osteosarcoma) in dog breeds since we have adopted our Ady Bea in March of this year. I have read Greytalk nearly daily for months, even before we adopted our girl. It seemed so sad with each report of another wonderful dog with OSA and their broken-hearted families. It began to seem that a huge number of Greyhounds are stricken with this terrible cancer. I wanted to find that actual percentage of Greyhounds that battle OSA.

 

What I have found, so far, is that in 2004 it was reported by the U of Florida at a symposium that 4.27% of Greyhounds will battle OSA. Here is the REPORT. This is third following Irish Wolfhounds and Rottweilers in the incidence of bone cancer. While this number is too high for any of our precious hounds who have battled, or will battle, this disease ... it was good to be able to put it into perspective a bit.

 

As a new greyhound owner, I hope the good work continues and the researchers find a cure for this disease, or even better, a prevention. I was also relieved that it seems more than 95% of our Greyhounds won't have to go down this road (if these statistics are the most recent and accurate). We decided to purchase pet health insurance for ease of our minds in case any illness or accident should occur. I also don't want future adopters to avoid adopting because of the fear of cancer in this beloved breed.

 

Does anyone else have statistics to share or compare?

 

Shelly in OK

 

 

[ahicks51]

I'm sure someone will post stats from OSU, but it's much higher in NGA greyhounds. I don't know whether the statistics in that report are from all greyhounds they see, NGA greyhounds, or AKC- but as there is a stigma associated with breeders who have osteosarcoma running in their lines, there is reason to defer self-reporting. Not so much with NGA.

[Guest eaglflyt]

In the report above, the statistics were gathered as follows:

 

"1 Data compiled from 1996-2004 case records seen at the UF VMTH and analyzed by Julie Rosenberger

(Class of 2007) and Dr Cynda Crawford, University of Florida"

 

So, it seems it was compiled from their records of all patients seen at their veterinary teaching hospital over a period of time. Hopefully they would have seen a high population of Greyhounds since FL is a racing state.

 

 

[HopeForHounds]

The incidence of cancer in racing greyhounds was quoted at 1 in 4 a year ago by Dr Couto. Of those 80% will have bone cancer.

Edited June 22, 2009 by foxysmom

[Guest eaglflyt]

I found another citation of another study they referenced from Florida on the OSU website stating:

 

Crawford C, Rosenberger J and Pablo N. Risk of osteosarcoma in retired racing

Greyhounds. ACVIM 2005.

 

I'll try to access this article soon. Does anyone have this article or info to share from it?

 

 

[Guest eaglflyt]

OK, I found another published article by those at OSU from Oct. 2007. The abstrat is HERE.

 

This review focused specifically on retired racing greyhounds.

 

The results and conclusion are as follows:

 

Results—Breed period prevalence of OSA was highest for Greyhounds (21/339 [6.2%]), followed by Rottweilers (51/969 [5.3%]) and Great Danes (13/297 [4.4%]); all 21 Greyhounds with OSA were identified as having retired from racing. Sex was not identified as a risk factor for OSA in these breeds, but in all 3 breeds, risk of OSA increased with age. Greyhounds were significantly older at the time of OSA diagnosis (mean, 9.9 years) than were Rottweilers (8.3 years) and Great Danes (7.8 years). Rottweilers and Great Danes were more likely to have OSA involving the forelimbs than the hind limbs. The most frequent lesion sites for all 3 breeds were the proximal end of the humerus and distal end of the radius. The proximal end of the femur was also a common site for the Greyhounds.

 

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of the present study suggested that Greyhounds, Rottweilers, and Great Danes had an increased risk of developing OSA, compared with mixed-breed dogs.

 

ETA: Bolding is mine

Edited June 22, 2009 by eaglflyt

[HopeForHounds]

Here is the most recent study that was done. This was the result of a survey of greyhound owners.

 

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/assets/pdf/h...ealthSurvey.pdf

[Guest lindaspins]

I can't help but wonder if a lot of data has been lost because so many generations of NGA and other racing bred hounds didn't live out a full life in the past. No one was keeping track of how they died once they were past their racing careers, so breeding wouldn't have been done with an eye to avoiding OSA which isn't generally a young dog's disease. I really wish that Greyhound-data.com would start tracking this stuff.

It's unfortunate for those hounds and those of us who have lost hounds to OSA...but it's one of the facts of current greyhound ownership. It's also a reason to hug the hounds we have left!

[Guest jcsperson]

Results: Breed period prevalence of OSA was highest for Greyhounds (21/339 [6.2%]), followed by Rottweilers (51/969 [5.3%]) and Great Danes (13/297 [4.4%]); all 21 Greyhounds with OSA were identified as having retired from racing. Greyhounds were significantly older at the time of OSA diagnosis (mean, 9.9 years) than were Rottweilers (8.3 years) and Great Danes (7.8 years).

It's pretty clear that the higher rate of incidence of osteo in Greyhounds is age related. On average, most other giant breeds are dead before the average age of diagnosis in Greyhounds. It makes you wonder what the rate of osteo would be in those breeds if they lived as long.

Edited June 22, 2009 by jcsperson

[Batmom]

I can't help but wonder if a lot of data has been lost because so many generations of NGA and other racing bred hounds didn't live out a full life in the past. No one was keeping track of how they died once they were past their racing careers

 

No one keeps track of how they die now.

 

Most of the statistics you see about this or any other breed are in casual owner surveys or are stats for dogs who are seen at university veterinary clinics. So, even with the best of intentions by the reporters, there is some skewing.

 

Not to say it isn't a serious disease, but.

[MaryJane]

Thanks for taking the time to pull this data together.

[HopeForHounds]

I can't help but wonder if a lot of data has been lost because so many generations of NGA and other racing bred hounds didn't live out a full life in the past. No one was keeping track of how they died once they were past their racing careers

 

No one keeps track of how they die now.

 

Most of the statistics you see about this or any other breed are in casual owner surveys or are stats for dogs who are seen at university veterinary clinics. So, even with the best of intentions by the reporters, there is some skewing.

 

Not to say it isn't a serious disease, but.

 

Exactly.

[Guest warpaint]

A vet we know tracks all of his dogs in his practice .Not by breed but by age and Cause of death He shared that 80% of the pets lost to cancer where over the age of 8. It does not just happen to greys it happens to all breeds as they age.Less than 50 greys have been in his practice during the tracking of the past 10 years. The larger breeds tend to hve bone cancer and the small breeds other types.

[KF_in_Georgia]

A UK survey reported a much higher rate of cancer and osteosarcoma: 44% of greyhound deaths reported in the study were from cancer--and 22% of breed deaths were from osteosarcoma.

 

It was a 2000 study involving 142 greyhounds. The responses were provided by owners, though, and the original researcher suspected that some of the numbers would be off.

 

http://www.gurk.demon.co.uk/ghsurvey/

 

 

[Guest KennelMom]

Results: Breed period prevalence of OSA was highest for Greyhounds (21/339 [6.2%]), followed by Rottweilers (51/969 [5.3%]) and Great Danes (13/297 [4.4%]); all 21 Greyhounds with OSA were identified as having retired from racing. Greyhounds were significantly older at the time of OSA diagnosis (mean, 9.9 years) than were Rottweilers (8.3 years) and Great Danes (7.8 years).

It's pretty clear that the higher rate of incidence of osteo in Greyhounds is age related. On average, most other giant breeds are dead before the average age of diagnosis in Greyhounds. It makes you wonder what the rate of osteo would be in those breeds if they lived as long.

 

Excellent point Martin.

 

Also, I always hate to add this to these types of threads, but we ALL have to die from something. Humans, dogs, cats, birds, bugs...none of us live forever. And if you live long enough, there's a good chance cancer is going to getcha. Our cells just weren't meant to reproduce infinitely.

[Guest GreytfullDad]

Results: Breed period prevalence of OSA was highest for Greyhounds (21/339 [6.2%]), followed by Rottweilers (51/969 [5.3%]) and Great Danes (13/297 [4.4%]); all 21 Greyhounds with OSA were identified as having retired from racing. Greyhounds were significantly older at the time of OSA diagnosis (mean, 9.9 years) than were Rottweilers (8.3 years) and Great Danes (7.8 years).

It's pretty clear that the higher rate of incidence of osteo in Greyhounds is age related. On average, most other giant breeds are dead before the average age of diagnosis in Greyhounds. It makes you wonder what the rate of osteo would be in those breeds if they lived as long.

 

Excellent point Martin.

 

Also, I always hate to add this to these types of threads, but we ALL have to die from something. Humans, dogs, cats, birds, bugs...none of us live forever. And if you live long enough, there's a good chance cancer is going to getcha. Our cells just weren't meant to reproduce infinitely.

It should also be noted that most if not all the studies quoted come from University vet clinics. While I won't say that greyhound owners are any more caring of their dogs than other breeds or mixed breeds, the fact that the OSU study is run by a greyhound specialist and that greys are also a prvelent breed in Florida may have skewwed the results somewhat. Sites like greytalk are a godsend for those of us with this wonderful breed but how mant other dog owners have no idea of the resources available and research on going and just decide the best thing to do for a severely ailing pup it to euthanize. No reports, no studies, no intervention', not because they care less but because the information isn't readily available unless you know where to look.

I have seen many post from people on this site looking for info on OSA, but how many vets know of the OSU program before some greyhound owner tells them to check with DR. C. All the above points are very valid but I think we risk scaring off potential adoptors if we focus too heavily on these type of statistics.

Average human lifespan is 80 years, average canine lifespsan 10-15. Love them and accept their unconditional love for as long as you have them.

[Anne]

I can't help but wonder if a lot of data has been lost because so many generations of NGA and other racing bred hounds didn't live out a full life in the past. No one was keeping track of how they died once they were past their racing careers

 

No one keeps track of how they die now.

 

Most of the statistics you see about this or any other breed are in casual owner surveys or are stats for dogs who are seen at university veterinary clinics. So, even with the best of intentions by the reporters, there is some skewing.

 

Not to say it isn't a serious disease, but.

 

BatMom is right, these statistics are skewed, not on purpose, but just because of the way things are.

 

Also, I always hate to add this to these types of threads, but we ALL have to die from something. Humans, dogs, cats, birds, bugs...none of us live forever. And if you live long enough, there's a good chance cancer is going to getcha. Our cells just weren't meant to reproduce infinitely.

Cancer is the disease of old people, old dogs and old cats and old any/everything. Yes, younger people and animals get it, but not at the same rate as elderly people/animals do.

Heather's right.

Cancer is more prevelent in humans now than ever before, of course, we are living longer as a whole than we ever did before.

 

It should also be noted that most if not all the studies quoted come from University vet clinics. While I won't say that greyhound owners are any more caring of their dogs than other breeds or mixed breeds, the fact that the OSU study is run by a greyhound specialist and that greys are also a prvelent breed in Florida may have skewwed the results somewhat. Sites like greytalk are a godsend for those of us with this wonderful breed but how mant other dog owners have no idea of the resources available and research on going and just decide the best thing to do for a severely ailing pup it to euthanize. No reports, no studies, no intervention', not because they care less but because the information isn't readily available unless you know where to look.

I have seen many post from people on this site looking for info on OSA, but how many vets know of the OSU program before some greyhound owner tells them to check with DR. C. All the above points are very valid but I think we risk scaring off potential adoptors if we focus too heavily on these type of statistics.

Average human lifespan is 80 years, average canine lifespsan 10-15. Love them and accept their unconditional love for as long as you have them.

 

Yup, exactly. And it's not going to change much. If we cure cancer, there will be another disease to take it's place. Organs of animals/humans only last so long and then they can't continue to keep working.

 

I have 4 greyhounds, I've had 2 die in the last 3 years. One from LP and one from Osteo. So far, I've lost 50% of my greyhounds to osteo. I've had small cancerous growths removed from 3 of my dogs, the one who died of LP (when he was 7), Cali my 14.5 year old (when she was 6) and Phantom who died of Osteo this past January (when he was about 6). So cancer happens to all kinds of ages, some is worse than others and some is fatal faster than others.

 

All this talk makes me wonder what the incidence of osteo in humans is and what the average age is. Osteo is devistating in humans as well as isn dogs. Nasty stuff.

Edited June 22, 2009 by Anne

[ahicks51]

Also, I always hate to add this to these types of threads, but we ALL have to die from something. Humans, dogs, cats, birds, bugs...none of us live forever. And if you live long enough, there's a good chance cancer is going to getcha. Our cells just weren't meant to reproduce infinitely.

 

Or maybe if you feed carnivores a diet high in carbohydrates, they develop cancer at a younger age than they would if fed a diet low in grains and carbohydrates. Insulin is a structural mimic of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), which spurs tumor growth.

 

Of course, this is a big wad of conjecture, but there are some interesting epidemiological data, primarily in humans.

 

Interesting anecdote: cats are obligate carnivores. Zoos don't feed their big cats anything but meat. One of my friends breeds cheetahs professionally in South Africa, and used to work at a zoo with a substantial collection of big cats. I asked her how many of their cats died or were put down due to cancer. The answer was rather interesting: zero.

 

Purely anecdotal, but the field needs a great deal more research along these lines.

[ozgirl2]

quote]

 

Yup, exactly. And it's not going to change much. If we cure cancer, there will be another disease to take it's place. Organs of animals/humans only last so long and then they can't continue to keep working.

 

I have 4 greyhounds, I've had 2 die in the last 3 years. One from LP and one from Osteo. So far, I've lost 50% of my greyhounds to osteo. I've had small cancerous growths removed from 3 of my dogs, the one who died of LP (when he was 7), Cali my 14.5 year old (when she was 6) and Phantom who died of Osteo this past January (when he was about 6). So cancer happens to all kinds of ages, some is worse than others and some is fatal faster than others.

 

All this talk makes me wonder what the incidence of osteo in humans is and what the average age is. Osteo is devistating in humans as well as isn dogs. Nasty stuff.

 

 

Yep - those of you who remember Kerri from here, she had osteo and it was a terrible thing...

Edited June 22, 2009 by ozgirl2

[Guest KennelMom]

Also, I always hate to add this to these types of threads, but we ALL have to die from something. Humans, dogs, cats, birds, bugs...none of us live forever. And if you live long enough, there's a good chance cancer is going to getcha. Our cells just weren't meant to reproduce infinitely.

 

Or maybe if you feed carnivores a diet high in carbohydrates, they develop cancer at a younger age than they would if fed a diet low in grains and carbohydrates. Insulin is a structural mimic of insulin-like growth factor (IGF), which spurs tumor growth.

 

Of course, this is a big wad of conjecture, but there are some interesting epidemiological data, primarily in humans.

 

Interesting anecdote: cats are obligate carnivores. Zoos don't feed their big cats anything but meat. One of my friends breeds cheetahs professionally in South Africa, and used to work at a zoo with a substantial collection of big cats. I asked her how many of their cats died or were put down due to cancer. The answer was rather interesting: zero.

 

Purely anecdotal, but the field needs a great deal more research along these lines.

 

Yes...that is definitely an arguement I've seen made by the "pro raw/anti-kibble crowd"...will be interesting to see more research done on the topic and/or the incidence of cancer in dogs that are raw fed for during their lifetimes. Can't say it's the primary reason we switched back to raw, but it does fall under the "nice benefit if it's true" column.

[Guest eaglflyt]

The point of this thread was NOT to scare off potential adopters. The point was to do just the opposite.... to share that the bone cancer rate *isn't* as high as it may seem in this forum. I researched the facts that were available for my own understanding and chose to share them to let others know that not every greyhound is destined to get OSA. It is a heart wrenching and devastating disease and I pray for all the animals and families that have gone through it and that are going through it now. ((((Hugs))))

[Guest Kadee]

Hi Shelly,

 

I'm not sure how to send messages with this yet, but did my husband and I meet you a month ago at Greyhound Funday at Jessica's house?

[Guest eaglflyt]

Hi Shelly,

 

I'm not sure how to send messages with this yet, but did my husband and I meet you a month ago at Greyhound Funday at Jessica's house?

 

 

Yes! That's me. We're so sorry we didn't get to say Good Bye at FunDay. We didn't realize you were leaving until you were gone. Ady Bea starts Canine Good Citizen class tonight and Therapy Dog training. She's doing great! : )

 

It's great to see you here! Petco Show N Tail is this weekend so we hope to see you there, too!

[Guest Kadee]

Hi Shelly,

 

I'm not sure how to send messages with this yet, but did my husband and I meet you a month ago at Greyhound Funday at Jessica's house?

 

 

Yes! That's me. We're so sorry we didn't get to say Good Bye at FunDay. We didn't realize you were leaving until you were gone. Ady Bea starts Canine Good Citizen class tonight and Therapy Dog training. She's doing great! : )

 

It's great to see you here! Petco Show N Tail is this weekend so we hope to see you there, too!

 

I will definitely be there! I have been looking forward to it all month : ) You will have to tell me about the Therapy Dog training...what is it exactly? What are you allowed to do once she is finished with the training?

[Guest LANDOLISA]

Average human lifespan is 80 years, average canine lifespsan 10-15. Love them and accept their unconditional love for as long as you have them.

 

I concure... However with the loss of LISA (5/6/09) metastatic gastric carcinoma, and the OSA Amputation with Lando, my DW and I have talked of not having anymore pets, because the heartbreak is too much. This might change in the future, but right now our hearts hurt too much.