Author: Mindy A. Cohan, VMD

Bone Cancer Bone tumors in dogs and cats can arise in any bone of the body including the long bones within limbs, toes, spinal vertebrae, ribs and the skull. Tumors can begin either directly in the affected bone, or cancer cells can spread by a process known as metastasis, from other sites. Both primary and metastatic bone tumors occur infrequently in cats. The site of the bone tumor will dictate the associated symptoms. Tumors in the limbs typically manifest with lameness. Often long bone tumors fail to be diagnosed early as they present similarly to arthritis and acute injuries. If rest and pain medications fail to resolve the bone pain, X-rays often reveal bone cancer. Because there is an overlap of symptoms, it is often difficult to distinguish whether swelling and pain within a dog or cat’s toe is due to a tumor or infection. The radiographic changes to the bones within a pet’s digit do not always differentiate tumor versus infection. If no improvement is achieved through antibiotics and pain medications, toe amputation is often necessary to obtain a biopsy and definitive diagnosis. For all types of bone cancer, various tests are necessary to determine if the lesion is malignant and what type of tumor is involved. Your pet’s veterinarian will perform a physical exam, submit blood tests and take X-rays of the affected bone. Additional tests such as chest radiographs, CT scans and bone scans are used to evaluate evidence of metastasis and stage the pet’s disease prior to establishing a treatment plan. A bone biopsy will be submitted to a pathologist to procure a definitive diagnosis. Treatment options for bone tumors are based upon the type of tumor, staging at the time of diagnosis, the pet’s age and concurrent illnesses and the financial ability of the owner. Some people with geriatric pets that suffer from additional medical issues might opt for palliative care. The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life while providing pain management and comfort care, rather than prolonging the patient’s life. Dogs with osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone tumor, will require amputation of the affected limb or limb sparing surgery. Although dogs of every size can develop osteosarcoma, the disease is most prevalent in large and giant breeds. Because of the highly metastatic nature of osteosarcoma, surgery is often followed by chemotherapy. Both dogs and cats do remarkably well following limb amputation and this option should not be overlooked for merely aesthetic reasons.,Don’t Despair Despite the overwhelming number of bone disorders, most can be successfully managed with early diagnosis and appropriate care. Your pet’s primary veterinarian as well as orthopedic specialists and oncologists can serve as helpful resources to address your dog or cat’s needs.,By Mindy Cohan, VMD   Maintaining good bone health is essential for a pet’s well-being since they provide crucial support for the entire body. There are a wide variety of bone diseases that can affect pets, yet many present with similar symptoms, such as limping and pain. It is important for pet owners to recognize the signs of bone disease and to seek treatment early to maintain their dog or cat’s optimal health.