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Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma)
Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is the most common type of cancer that affects the bones of dogs.
This cancer gradually eats away at the healthy bone tissue, leaving weaker, damaged bone which can break easily, even with normal activity. Affected dogs may have a noticeable hard swelling at the site of the cancer, or may simply go suddenly lame, almost overnight.
Bone cancer is mostly seen in larger breeds of dog with Greyhounds being the breed diagnosed most with this disease, followed by Rottweilers and Great Danes. Although most common in older greyhounds, the disease has no real age limits and can be seen in dogs of racing age, as well as in brood bitches and retired racers kept as pets. The risk of developing this disease increases with age, and one study in the UK found it accounted for almost 50% of all tumours seen in greyhounds.
Where is it commonly seen?
The most common sites for bone cancer to develop in the front leg are the shoulder and just above the wrist. In the hind leg the cancer tends to occur just above or below the knee/stifle.
The owner often reports that the dog has gone lame, and the area will often be swollen and painful to touch. Because it can appear so quickly, often owners assume the dog has simply hurt itself in the yard, or while exercising or playing with other dogs. The location of the swelling, amount of pain, and the appearance of the bone on x-ray are used to diagnose this disease. X-rays often show an area of bone that is very different from the normal bone above and below it, with a distinctive appearance described as ‘moth eaten’. Sometimes on x-ray it is also possible to see ‘pathologic’ fractures (breaks in the abnormal bone) which are the cause of a lot of the pain.
Confirmation of the diagnosis can be achieved via a bone biopsy or fine needle aspirate – where some of the cells from the affected area are removed and sent for examination by a pathologist.
What can be done if my greyhound has been diagnosed with Bone Cancer?
Unfortunately bone cancer is usually a very aggressive and nasty disease and malignant cancers can spread from their initial location to other places in the body such as the liver and lungs. Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that spreads very early in the disease, often well before any signs or symptoms from the original tumour are visible.
Given this early spread, most dogs diagnosed with this disease have a very poor prognosis. It is estimated that most dogs will have a life expectancy of only a few months from the time of diagnosis. Treatment options include pain relieving medication, amputation of the affected limb, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Amputation of the affected limb is primarily done to control the pain associated with the area, and does not ‘cure’ the cancer. Without amputation, pain relief may work for a short time, but usually an inability to control the pain leads to the owner deciding to euthanase the greyhound. Greyhounds usually cope quite well with amputation, even though it seems to be a very drastic option. Amputation of the affected limb can increase the life expectancy from just weeks to an average of 4-6 months.
Chemotherapy is aimed at slowing the spread of the disease into other organs. Many owners do not consider chemotherapy because of the cost involved and the concern that their greyhound will suffer similar side effect to human chemotherapy patients (such as nausea and vomiting). Interestingly dogs are far less likely to suffer these types of reactions to the chemotherapy medication, and new chemotherapy drugs continue to be developed which are safer, more effective, and reduce the risks of unpleasant side effects.
Amputation followed by chemotherapy gives the best life expectancy, but the average survival time with this option is still only 10-12 months. If you are concerned that your greyhound has gone suddenly lame, especially if it is an older dog, it is important to have the dog checked by your veterinarian. They will be able to diagnose the problem, and discuss all of the available options and their likely outcomes with you so that you can make an informed decision.
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Puddles
Kennard
Vix
Ammonite
Summer ARP
Summer is a sweet and gentle little girl whose quiet charm is impossible to resist. Calm, polite, and sensible, she moves through the world with a soft grace that perfectly matches her pretty looks. She’s a little introverted by nature — not shy exactly, just thoughtful — and has a warmth and personability about her that draws people in without her ever needing to ask for attention. She is simply, and wonderfully, herself. She would thrive in a calm, loving home where she can take life at her own sweet pace, and whoever is lucky enough to adopt her will find a truly special little companion. Summer may suit living with or without a canine pal of any size and children aged 5 years and older. Due to her calm demeanour she may suit living in an apartment.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Buddy ARP
Buddy is the kind of dog who enters a room and instantly makes it brighter — a big, handsome, boofy boy with a personality to match his size. Friendly, outgoing, and brimming with confidence, he approaches life with boundless enthusiasm and a happiness that is utterly contagious. Excitable and boisterous, Buddy is not what you’d call a wallflower — standing still is simply not in his vocabulary — but his joy is so genuine and so exuberant that it’s impossible not to smile in his presence. Throw in a tasty treat or a favourite toy and you’ll have one very happy boy on your hands.
Buddy is a dog who needs space to match his enormous energy and even bigger personality, so a home with a backyard is a must — somewhere he can zoom, bound, and burn off that glorious enthusiasm of his. He will thrive with an active family who can match his zest for life and keep him engaged, stimulated, and loved. In return, Buddy will bring laughter, liveliness, and a whole lot of heart to whoever is lucky enough to call him theirs. Buddy may suit living with or without a canine likeminded friend of similar size and children aged 10 years and older.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Mia ARP
Mia is a sweet and gentle soul who, despite the anxiety she carries, faces the world with a quiet determination and a willingness to try that is truly heartwarming. Calm and polite, she is the kind of girl who will never impose herself, always erring on the softer, more submissive side — but underneath that gentle exterior is a friendly, personable little dog who genuinely wants to connect. She may need a little extra time and reassurance to find her confidence, but every small step she takes is a reminder of just how hard she is trying.
A patient, understanding home is where Mia will truly begin to flourish. She would do well with children aged 10 and older — those who are calm and kind and will give her the space to settle at her own pace. In the right environment, with gentle routines and plenty of quiet encouragement, Mia has every chance of blossoming into a deeply loving and devoted companion. She deserves someone who will champion her, and in return, she will give everything she has. She may also suit living as an only dog but may thrive best in a home with a confident canine companion of similar size to help bring out her confidence.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Astra ARP
Astra is a sweet girl. She is friendly, confident and affectionate. She may suit living with small, medium or large dogs and may suit living with kids 5+.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Billy
Haley ARP
