How does cancer manifest itself in a dog?
2007-04-16 03:37:51 · 11 answers · asked by comet girl...DUCK! 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Part of the reason dogs die from cancer is that they have lived long enough to develop the disease and did not die young from parvo, heartworm, or other risks. The disease manifests itself much as it does in humans, including lethargy, loss of appetite, pain, and limping.
Dogs get the same kinds of cancer as humans. They share our environment and have similar DNA (we're all mammals, after all). Some breeds have a predilection to certain kinds of cancer; for example, osteosarcoma (bone cancer) affects primarily large breeds, and roughly 10% to 15% of rottweilers have the disease or will develop it. It also appears frequently in irish wolfhounds, boxers, mastiffs, and other large breeds. Non-hodgkin's lymphoma is common in boxers, rottweilers, cocker spaniels, border collies, labrador retrievers and mastiffs.
Researchers who have mapped the canine genome are finding mutations on chromosomes of the afflicted animals. They are looking at where those mutations are located and at the corresponding locations on human chromosomes to learn more about these kinds of cancers.
Some of the researchers on whom you can do a web search are:
Kersten Linblad-Toh
Elaine Ostrander
Jaime Modiano
Matthew Breen
Eric Lander
William Kisseberth
2007-04-16 05:13:03 · answer #1 · answered by MyThought 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part I: Yes! DNA tests for parentage are close to 100% accurate, samples from the presumed parent(s) are submitted along with a sample from the offspring. Works the same as paternity testing for humans, basically. DNA tests for breed are fairly inaccurate still. The company compares a sample from a dog to profiles for different breeds, then makes an educated guess as to the breed(s) in the dog's ancestry. Part II: I don't know, but I bet it was pretty far off! I've ssen some pretty wacky things come back on those. They're good for entertainment if you have extra money, curiosity, and a mixed-breed dog, but otherwise no practical value.
2016-04-01 04:10:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cancer can happen in any breed. Golden Retrievers are the most common breed treated with chemotherapy at the University of Guelph, in Ontario. Boxers are also a high risk for cancer. Its a mixture of genetics and environment that can cause cancer to form.
But I don't know where your vet got his or her information... mixes generally have fewer health problems and are therefore, less likely to get cancer.
Spaying and neutering will reduce the risks of breast and sex organ cancers, so make sure your dog is fixed. The chance of developing breast cancer increases for every heat your female goes through.
Cancer can show it in a number of ways, but I wouldn't concern myself with that if I were you. Routinely check your dog over- everywhere- feel for any lumps or bumps, check the teeth, look in the ears, etc. If you notice anything unusual, a trip to the vet is best!
Good luck!
2007-04-16 03:55:53 · answer #3 · answered by ~Kali~ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just lost my part-lab to stomach cancer. She had just had a check up and the vet noted what he thought was a fat pad around her ribs (no surprise-- she always was a little pudgy). But she was fine, and happy and playful. A few days later she was acting like she was constipated-- straining with nothing coming out. Then she quit eating which was not like her. I tempted her one night with chicken broth and rice, which she passed as diarrhea. The next day she still wouldn't eat, we took her back to the vet and he did an upper gi which showed she had a massive growth in her stomach. We had her put to sleep right away so she would not be in any more pain. It was about four days from the time the vet noted it until the time she was put to sleep.
2007-04-16 03:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by JERILYN D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RUBBISH!! I have been a dog walker, dog owner and walked in a veterinary clinic and cancer has got nothing to do with the breed of dog. Hip problems etc maybe able to be put down to breed type, but certainly not cancer!! The only aspect that could affect cancer in dogs is if they are spayed or not (both boys and girls stand a better chance if spayed - for females before their first season has a greater effect). You may want to consider getting or seeing a different vet?!
2007-04-16 03:44:47 · answer #5 · answered by Strawberry 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow. What a cheerful vet. If he's not the only one around, I'd get a second opinion, and maybe a third.
Dogs get cancer about the same way people do; one of my snoodle friends had it; he had horrible growths all over him. I hated that his people wouldn't let him go until the pain was unbearable for him.
2007-04-16 05:15:09 · answer #6 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs can get cancer just like people. However, I think your vet is a quack. Cancer doesn't like one breed of dog better than another. It can affect anyone, or any living thing.
2007-04-16 03:43:28 · answer #7 · answered by Cresha B 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Never heard of cancer manisfesting in certain breeds as a breed characteristic. Sounds odd to me at this point.
2007-04-16 03:48:49 · answer #8 · answered by rugbee 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just like people it is heredtitary, ask your vet to explain.
2007-04-16 03:41:00 · answer #9 · answered by duncsgirl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I also think your vet is a quack.
Another cause of cancer is lawn pesticides & herbicides.
2007-04-16 03:44:58 · answer #10 · answered by Kacky 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋