Canine Cancer: High Risk Breeds
By Dr. Mark Silberman, Southwest Animal Clinic
Cancer is a common canine ailment. It is a killer in dogs, just as it is in humans. There are predisposing factors that have been identified such as exposure to substances like metals, dust, chemicals or pesticides. Diet plays a role in the development of cancer, as does exposure to UV light. Most dogs with cancer are middle-aged to older animals, but the effect of an animal’s age on cancer is not well understood. Cancer is found in all breeds of dogs even though some have a greater predilection. This article will concentrate on some of the common breeds and their predispositions to cancer.
In a 1997 Swedish study involving 222,000 dogs, the proportional mortality rate for cancer was 18.6 percent of the recorded deaths in 1993. These high-risk breeds (more than 10 percent dying of cancer) are: Boxer (36.9 percent), Giant Schnauzer (36.9 percent), Bernese Mountain Dog (32.7 percent), Irish Wolfhound (24.8 percent), Cocker Spaniel (22.2 percent), Doberman Pinscher (22.2 percent), Pomeranian (19.0 percent), Newfoundland (16.8 percent), German Shepherd Dog (14.8 percent), Saint Bernard (13.1 percent), Great Dane (12.3 percent), Greyhound (12.3 percent) and Basset Hound (percentage unknown, but the breed does have a genetic predisposition to lymphomas).
The most prevalent tumor location in dogs is the skin with 20 – 30% of these being malignant. Mast cell tumors, Histiocytomas, Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Melanomas are the most common.
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor of dogs. Size rather than breed is considered more of a risk factor. However, there is a genetic predisposition in St. Bernards, Great Danes, Irish Setters, Dobermans, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
Gender also plays a role. The most common tumor type in the female is a mammary gland tumor. In an intact male it would be the testicular tumor (neutering a male dog will eliminate the cancer risk). But there does not appear to be a breed predisposition to mammary gland tumors.
Lymphoma, a tumor arising from the hematopoietic tissue, is becoming more prevalent in certain breeds and at a younger age.
What follows is a partial list of some popular breeds and their predilections for cancer. It is interesting to note that there are some breeds with no predilection.
Airedale – Melanoma, Lymphosarcoma, Pancreatic carcinoma
Alaskan malamute – Sebaceous gland tumor, Anal sac adenocarcinoma
Australian Shepherd - None
Basset Hound – Mast cell tumor, Cutaneous haemangioma, Lymphosarcoma
Beagle – Mast cell tumor, Sebaceous gland tumor, Haemangiopericytoma, Perianal gland adenoma, Lymphosarcoma
Bichon Frise – Basal cell tumor
Border collie - None
Boston terrier – Mast cell tumor, Melanoma, Fibroma, Primary brain tumor
Boxer – Mast cell tumor, Melanoma, Cutaneous haemangioma, Histiocytoma, Sq. cell carcinoma, Fibroma, Thyroid neoplasia, Insulinoma, Osteosarcoma, Primary brain tumor, Lymphosarcoma.
Briard - None
Brittany spaniel – Liposarcoma (Lipoma)
Bull dog (English) – Mast cell tumor, Lymphosarcoma
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – None
Chihuahua – Melanoma, Testicular neoplasia
Chow – Melanoma, Lymphosarcoma
Cocker Spaniel - Basal cell tumor, Sweat gland tumor, Trichoepithelioma, Cutaneous papilloma, Sebaceous gland tumor, Plasmacytoma, Histiocytoma, Fibrosarcoma, Perianal gland adenoma, Anal sac adenocarcinoma, Melanoma, Lipoma,
Collie – Sweat gland tumor, Histiocytoma, Haemangiopericytoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Colorectal neoplasia
Dachshund – Anal sac adenocarcinoma, Lipoma, Mast cell tumor, Sq.cell carcinoma, Histiocytoma, Ocular melanoma
Dalmatian – Actinic keratosis, Cutaneous haemangioma
Doberman – Melanoma, Lipoma, Histiocytoma, Fibroma, Myxoma, Primary brain tumor
Fox Terrier – Mast cell tumor, Fibroma, Haemangiopericytoma, Schwannoma, Insulinoma
German Shepherd – Sweat gland tumor, Trichoepithelioma, Anal sac adenocarcinoma, Cutaneous haemangioma, Lymphoma, Myxoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Colorectal neoplasia, Insulinoma, Limbal melanoma, Testicular neoplasia, Thymoma
Golden Retriever – Mast cell tumor, Sweat gland tumor, Trichoepithelioma, Melanoma, Haemangioma, Histiocytoma, Fibroma, Lymphosarcoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Thyroid neoplasia, Insulinoma, Primary brain tumor, Fibrosarcoma
Great Dane – Histiocytoma, Osteosarcoma
Greyhound – None..although beginning to see haemangiosarcoma
Havanese - None
Irish setter – Trichoepithelioma, Sebaceous gland tumor, Haemangiopericytoma, Lymphoma, Melanoma, Insulinoma
Jack Russell – Pituitary tumor
Labrador retriever - Mast cell tumor, Cutaneous histiocytoma, Sq. cell carcinoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Insulinoma, Lymphosarcoma, Limbal melanoma, Oral Fibrosarcoma, Thymoma
Lhasa Apso – Sebaceous gland tumor, Keratocanthoma, Perianal gland adenoma
Maltese - None
Miniature Pinscher - None
Pekingese – Sq. cell carcinoma
Pointers – Mast cell tumor, Haemangioma, Nasal cavity tumors
Poodle – Basal cell tumor, Trichoepithelioma, Sebaceous gland tumor, Sq. cell carcinoma, Insulinoma, Pituitary tumor, Adrenalcortical tumor, Lymphosarcoma, Limbal melanoma, Oral melanoma, Testicular neoplasia,
Pug – Oral melanoma, Mast cell tumor
Rottweiler – Sq. cell carcinoma, Histiocytoma, Osteosarcoma
Schnauzer – Trichoepithelioma, Sebaceous gland tumor, Melanoma, Lipoma, Histiocytoma, Sq. cell carcinoma, Testicular neoplasia, Limbal melanoma,
Scottish terrier – Mast cell tumor, Melanoma, Histiocytoma, Sq. cell carcinoma, Lymphoma, Primary brain tumor
Shar Pei – Histiocytoma, Mast cell tumor
Sheltie – Histiocytoma, Basal cell tumor, Lipoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Testicular neoplasia
Shih Tsu – Sebaceous gland tumor, Perianal gland adenomas
Siberian Husky – Basal cell tumor, Sebaceous gland tumor, Haemangiopericytoma, Perianal gland adenoma, Testicular neoplasia
Springer Spaniel – Trichoepithelioma, Histiocytoma, Melanoma, Anal sac adenocarcinoma,
Weimaraner – Mast cell tumor, Lipoma
Welsh Corgi - None
Westie - Histiocytoma
Yorkshire terrier – Keratocanthoma, Pituitary tumor, Testicular neoplasia
Cancer prevention is not well understood. In its simplest sense, cancer is a failure of the immune system to check uncontrolled growth of certain cells. As these cells multiply unchecked, they form tumors. If the tumors are unchecked, they metastasize. They send cancer cells all over the body to form more tumors.
There is ongoing research at several universities looking for better treatment options. Newer strategies include gene therapy, drugs that inhibit the metastasis process and chemotherapy-impregnated implants that release drugs in a slow, steady manner.
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I’m thrilled to know that there is research being done for cancer of dogs. My dog died of cancer though he wasn’t mentioned here. He was a Wheaten Terrier. He hated the sun which I considered a good thing since my husband died of melanoma. Thanks for this.
Our baby (8 year old Shar Pei) was recently diagnosed with Mast Cell cancer – it’s too late for him now as the cancer has metastasized. We removed five tumours but he has another eight that can’t be removed without amputation. As he has very bad arthritis this isn’t an option as his remaining legs wouldn’t be able to handle the stress. We’ve decided to work to make the remaining time he has as comfortable as possible.
Had I been more informed I might have pushed a little harder to have the swelling in his hock area tested rather than going with the opinion that it was the arthritis causing the swelling.
Cancer is a life stealing demon designed to break our hearts and steal away those close to us. I urge everyone to push a little harder – don’t allow a dismissal of your concerns…..before it’s too late like it is for our family.
My 7 year old white GSD was just diagnosed with a malignant shwannoma,
on his front foot..hopefully the remaining time we have with him will be good for him, i am heart broken. and the thought of having to put him down makes me physically sick.
I am shocked to see what some of the cancer rates are among other breeds..guess when you get a puppy you have to weight your chances.
I have a happy story. My chihuahua puppy was diagnosed with a skin tumor when he was only 6 months old. We operated and removed the mass which thankfully proved to be non-malignant. He recovered an lives a happy and healthy life. Maximus is now 3 years old without any recurrance. I keep him out of the sun (though left to his own devices he would bake like a meatloaf on the sidewalk!) My point is that there are good outcomes sometimes. Get the pet checked ASAP it may not be a terrible diagnosis after all.
My 5 yo Doberman, Montana, was diagnosed with Osteocarcoma on Friday. I am researching the NET to see what our options are. Please pray for Montana. Miracles do happen. God Bless.
my 6 yr old lab has cancer he has tumors in his throat. he has been givin pills to help. wish their were some affordable treatment for him. if anyone knows of any solution please respond. thankyou
Our 7 yr. old Akita, Ginger, had a biopsy performed today on a bump on
her front leg. It came back positive to cancer. She is scheduled for
surgery in the very near future. She’s a sweetheart. I hope it all turns out to be a walk in the park for her. (no pun intended)
My king Charles spaniel , Winston passed away dec 3 this year from lymphosarcoma. Just 2 weeks after we took him to see the doctor becuase we noticed he was sleeping more than normal. He never had swolllen glands. Had we not taken him to see the doctor for anemia we would of never found out he had cancer. His cancer was already at stage v and the doctors said there was nothing they could do. The greatest lesson I have learned is the importance of taking your dogs to get check ups and blood work done at least once every six months. The sooner we find out something is wrong the more we can help our furry family members.
At work, I’ve heard a few amazing stories about the benefits of adding the holistic approach to whatever therapies you choose, particularly in feeding. My heart goes out to all of you.
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Bob Marley died of Melanoma right ?~;:
everyone in our family have some very active oily skin. our secaceous glands are so damn active.;:*
Princess is a maltese, she is currently on her 4th week of chemo treatment and seems to be responding well. The scariest challenge is not knowing when the end will come. I look at difference websites every day to find some kind of answers to my questions: how will I know she has had enough? How do I know if the chemo is working or not. If you have any knowledge, please help!
My 7 yr old Shar Pei is now only weeks away from death. The first MCT was removed 7/2/10, Grade II w/ clean margins. Within 3 weeks 4 more developed. Now, 6 weeks post op, both front legs are consumed with tumors and her lymph nodes are all involved; the most agressvine type of cancer has invaded her body. I’m told by my vet it is systemic. There are no words to express my sadness and guilt and I stay up nights thinking about “if only’s”. 3 months ago my baby was tearing through my house doing her “crazy dog” thing and now she can barely get up on my bed. I know I only have weeks (at best) but I want to share with anyone who reads this: If you can affort chemo/radiation, do it. I didn’t have an option because the tumors recurred too quickly. But I would give anything for 6 more months, as long as they were quality months for her. The decisions I will be faced with soon are killing me but I made a promise to her when this all started; I told her I loved her too much to let her suffer so I watch every day for signs of unrelenting pain. Luckily, her meds do a great job and I still see a tail wag occassionally. Love your baby while you can. It could be over with so quickly.
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