Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Hi all, I apologize if this has been discussed (and feel free to link me if it has, and close this or whatever) but I am looking to see if there is any evidence (studies or just personal experiences) that osteosarcoma is common, or increased, if the hound has broken the bone in question previously. I ask because I have an adopter interested in a foster who is healing nicely from a broken hock. She is concerned. She has had three hounds die of osteo over the years, and one did develop cancer near the site of a previous fracture. She is concerned that this one will too. I told her I really can't answer her question, but that I would ask the people who might know. The dog is barely two years old, but I can still understand her fear. Of course we all know nothing in life is certain, but I figured it can't hurt to ask and see if this is, indeed, a valid worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedFawnMom Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 The orthopedic vet surgeon we're seeing did mention that any kind of previous injury in a bone makes that part of the bone more prone to cancer, though I have no idea if there's data to back that up, or how much it increases the risk. Quote Always missing our angel Lucy, a four year osteo survivor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreysAndMoreGreys Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 The 2 hounds I have lost to Osteo never had a broken bone in their life. Both were retired very young and not due to injury. The one dog I did own with a severely broken leg died due to another sort of cancer. Do I think there is a connection between a broken leg and Osteo? no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I don't really think there is either, but I figured I could get some more view points here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 When Cora's leg was fixed, my vet said that there is a link between surgical hardware and OS if the hardware is not removed. It's a process that takes years. [We did not later discuss removing the hardware because it turned out that Cora already had OS.] Not sure if this is relevant to your boy, but it might be to the adopter's previous loss. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I've definitely read on a reliable source that there is a connection, but I can't remember where, possibly on the OSU page about greys and osteo? Maybe check there. A quick google search turned this up regarding osteo in humans: Additionally, people who have hereditary defects of bones and people with metal implants, which doctors sometimes use to repair fractures, are more likely to develop osteosarcoma Here's the reference: Miller RW, Boice JD, Curtis RE. Bone cancer. In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF, editors. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. You could try searching pubmed too. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigorangedog Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I don't know of any studies, but a lot of vets will say yes anecdotally. My (greyhound owner) vet believes that there is. And I've heard that Dr Couto says osteo loves pins in legs. But like I said, no studies that I know of. In my own personal experience - none of my 5 hounds with osteo had previous fracture (that I was aware of -- they were all adopted as seniors). However, Palu had a fractured hock and lived 'til almost 15 with no osteo. So, go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tricolorhounds Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I have 2 with broken hocks and have been told by my Vets that there is not increased risk. Bonkers only needed to have a splint to repair his but Savannah needed 6+ months as hers was so severe and infected, she was casted and on antibiotics for the whole time. She broke her heel bone in the same leg 3 years later and again no signs of disease. Both times she rejected all her hardware after the casts came off. My shepherd Felicity had ACL reconstruction and hardware left in her leg for 6+ years with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 This dog has had no treatment other than splinting, so even if pins do increase the risk, he's okay there. Thanks for the thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Dr. Coutu does believe there is a correlation and it was written in one of the many studies he has participated in. With the number of Greys he sees, even a rough study can indicate whether an injury increases the chance the pup will get Osteo however it does not guarantee they will. Our Charlie developed Osteo exactly where his racing injury occurred. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 The risk is said to be higher by serveral sources. If you think about it, a broken limb will have been subject to radiation by X-Rays and that alone 'could' increase the risk; so too can living in an area where there is a high background radiation level (Radium in Granite areas). But then so can being nuetered or being born with a genetic make-up that leaves normal tumor supressing genes 'turned off' lead to greater susceptibility. It looks much more complicated than that as recent studies showed osteoclast inhibitors may delay development. Maybe we had still just better say it's all down to Lady Luck? I, too, have known sighthounds with broken (and pinned bones)go on to live a long and happy life and then die of something totally unrelated. So your potential adopter needs to look at the broader picture that they are doing a wonderful thing giving this dog a forever home. Deat by stroke or being run over by a truck are 'probably' higher risks. Can the vet reassure them that the present break was completely cancer un-related? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Adrianne Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Very interesting, and I'm glad you asked this. Chevy had a broken hock, and he has plates in that leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) Yup, he broke his hock at 23 months of age in a practice race. I know that for a fact. I picked him up the very next day, complete with a splint. All good thoughts. I don't know if she'll ultimately take the plunge or not; she has time to decide until after his neuter next week. He is a great dog, though, and whoever does adopt him is in for a treat. Edited January 17, 2011 by FastDogsOwnMe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) PLS Ignore - mis posted. I just wanted to correct 'Radium' to Radon Gas. The risk is said to be higher by serveral sources. If you think about it, a broken limb will have been subject to radiation by X-Rays and that alone 'could' increase the risk; so too can living in an area where there is a high background radiation level (Radon Gas in Granite areas). But then so can being nuetered or being born with a genetic make-up that leaves normal tumor supressing genes 'turned off' lead to greater susceptibility. It looks much more complicated than that as recent studies showed osteoclast inhibitors may delay development. Maybe we had still just better say it's all down to Lady Luck? I, too, have known sighthounds with broken (and pinned bones)go on to live a long and happy life and then die of something totally unrelated. So your potential adopter needs to look at the broader picture that they are doing a wonderful thing giving this dog a forever home. Deat by stroke or being run over by a truck are 'probably' higher risks. Can the vet reassure them that the present break was completely cancer un-related? Edited January 17, 2011 by JohnF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.