Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that most often occurs in the long bones of the body. It is more common in large breed dogs and is often an aggressive cancer. This type of cancer can spread quickly throughout the dog’s body, so it is important to get further workup and testing to assess for metastatic disease.
A pet with osteosarcoma will demonstrate lameness on the affected limb and often exhibits a reluctance to move. On examination we can often find significant tenderness on palpation of certain areas on your pet’s long bones.
We can typically diagnose osteosarcoma using radiographs, although occasionally we may need to perform a needle biopsy on the area of concern. If radiographs reveal osteosarcoma, we generally proceed with chest radiographs to determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs. We may also recommend an abdominal ultrasound.
Consider the case of a patient referred to us for a suspected cranial cruciate tear. The referring vet recommended a knee brace. However, our initial examination, which included evaluating the dog’s history, gait, and clinical signs, suggested that the symptoms did not align with a CCL tear based on our years of experience. Instead, I suspected bone cancer after a thorough assessment. Radiographs confirmed the presence of bone cancer. This underscores the importance of our meticulous approach to ensure we treat the correct condition.
For this patient, we scheduled a consultation with an oncologist and developed a hospice and pain management plan to control pain and maintain a good quality of life.
Cancer treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation, amputation of the affected limb, and/or palliative care. Many dogs adapt well post-amputation and benefit from rehab to aid their recovery. For tumors located closer to the paw, we can pursue limb-sparing amputation to preserve the rest of the limb. In such cases, we often collaborate with Orthopets, a veterinary orthotic and prosthetics company, to design a custom prosthetic limb for the dog.
In rehab, our therapies primarily focus on palliative care, aiming to maintain comfort and reduce pain through massage, stretches, acupuncture, and preserving the joint range of motion of the remaining limbs. Concurrently, we work to boost and sustain core and limb strength to support the limb bearing the majority of the impact. Additionally, we can assist in fitting your dog with supportive devices such as limb wraps, a Help ‘Em Up Harness, and/or a wheelchair to enhance overall mobility.
