Osteosarcoma (Greyhound)
Skeletal/Joint • Gene Not Determined • Complex
Summary
Osteosarcoma is a genetic bone cancer affecting Greyhound dogs. Though the specific genetic mutation is unknown, it appears to be associated with the CDKN2A and CDKN2B genes. The cancer typically begins in long bones and metastasizes rapidly.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteosarcoma in Greyhounds typically first appear as signs of pain in a specific limb. Dogs may be reluctant to put pressure on this limb. This may be accompanied by a noticeable mass or swelling of the limb. As the cancer progresses, dogs can experience loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, the condition often results in death.
Care
There is no known cure for osteosarcoma. The condition may be treated through chemotherapy, which can extend life between 6 months and 1 year. If caught early, surgical amputation may stop the spread of the tumor.
Citations
Karlsson, E.K., Sigurdsson, S., Ivansson, E. et al. Genome-wide analyses implicate 33 loci in heritable dog osteosarcoma, including regulatory variants near CDKN2A/B. Genome Biol 14, R132 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/gb-2013-14-12-r132
Review
03/04/2026 by Dr. Margarette
Breed
Greyhound