Why Do Golden Retrievers See Increased Rates Of Cancer
One of the Miami Valleys most popular dog breeds golden retrievers has en especially high risk of cancer.
News Center 7s Cheryl McHenry spoke to area experts about what you can do to fight back and protect your pet.
Just 6 years old, Bailey is suffering from a cancerous tumor.
MRI we could see that there was this tumor that was actually arising from a nerve that was going all the way up into the spinal cord, said Ane Uriarte, a neurosurgeon for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
Bailey is part of a clinical trial at Tufts University that hopes to shrink the tumor and then remove it.
Already, he can walk again and lift his head.
Many golden retrievers, like Bailey, are enrolled in the university’s studies.
Goldens are one of the breeds that we see that get a lot of cancer, said Cheryl London, research professor in Cummings School of Veterinary Medicines oncology department.
London helps run the universitys veterinary clinical trials program.
She said sadly theres a genetic flip side to the sweetness bred into golden retrievers.
For a;period of time there was a lot of interbreeding to create the golden retriever and all the other breeds, London explained.
One canine cause of death study found cancer killed at least half the golden retrievers sampled.
The incidence of cancer begins to rise at 6 years of age and peaks at 10 to 12 then starts to fall off, said London.
But can it be stopped?
>>;Tips for avoiding cancer in dogs
Bigger Dogs Lead Shorter Lives
Big dogs, in general, dont get to stay around as long as their smaller counterparts.;Why this happens is still a mystery. After all, it flies in the face of other mammals. After all, elephants live longer than mice!
Why doesnt this apply to dogs?
New research has determined that larger dogs simply age more rapidly than smaller ones. They live their lives larger and faster. That being said, this doesnt ring true for all dogs. A;Border Collie lifespan is approximately the same as a Golden, though they are almost half the weight.
Most people equate one dog year to seven human years, but this is a misleading generalization. It all depends on the size of the dog.;Scientists have concluded that for every 4.4 pounds of weight a dog has, their life expectancy is reduced by one month.
What Is Bad About Golden Retrievers
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link & purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
As a Golden Retriever owner myself, I can certainly go on and on about all the great things about this breed. But, nevertheless, you are here because you want to know what is bad about Golden Retrievers?
I will give you all the insights into the bad things about this breed, but I do have to warn you that because I am so in love with this breed, I am able to get past the so-called bad things. Perhaps when you read this article you will find out that a Golden Retrievers negative traits, are really just things that you can overlook.
Golden Retrievers are certainly popular, but they are not for everyone. If you are considering adding a Golden Retriever to your family, keep reading to find out if you too can look past their bad things.
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Why Do Golden Retrievers Get Cancer Final Thoughts
As we have learned in this article, Golden Retrievers have a high rate of cancer because it is in their genes. A cancer-causing gene is passed down from generation to generation, and because the gene pool is small in purebred dogs, this cancer gene does not go away.
Along with genetics, a combination of old age and environmental factors could also contribute to cancer. However, the true causes of cancer in Golden Retrievers are not specifically known.
Cancer research in both human and veterinary medicine is ongoing, and great strides have been made, but we have yet to find a cure for cancer.
The study that is currently going on by the Morris Animal Foundation involving Golden Retrievers will hopefully give us some answers and bring us closer to a cure each year.
It is imperative to always be aware of any changes in your dogs physical and behavioural state. ;Catching this disease early will make all the difference in your Goldens prognosis.
By investing in a dog activity monitor you can catch any early symptoms before they potentially get worse.
What Kind Of Cancer Does A Golden Retriever Have
Cancer that arises predominantly in the lymph glands. This tumour can affect any breed of dog at any age, but Golden Retrievers are more likely to be affected. Melanoma: A type of skin cancer that can be found in the nail beds, footpads, and eyes, but the majority start in the mouth or around the lips. Osteosarcoma: Cancer of the bone.
A Golden Retriever is considered a senior at the age of 7.5-10 years old. Many people believe that 1 human year is equivalent to 7 dog years, but this is not the case and it all depends on the size of the dog. Scientists have come to the conclusion that for every 4.4 pounds of body mass a dog has, their life expectancy is reduced by one month.
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Learn What To Do In Emergencies
Adequate knowledge to deal with emergencies is essential if you have a pet in the house. For this, you can consult with professionals for suggestions. And read books about the care and grooming of your Golden Retriever to help the pet live a long life.
Furthermore, be aware of the signs of emergencies. Such as:
- Frequent urination
- Restlessness
- Difficulty in breathing.
If your pal shows such unusual behavior, immediately visit the Vet. The prescribed medication and advice of the Vet helps in the treatment, cure, and elimination of the health issues. Thus, your Golden Retriever can live a longer life.
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Environmental Conditions Induces Golden Retriever Cancer
Due to the recklessness of humans with the increasing access to technology, the environment is deteriorating. As a result, the Golden Retriever gets cancer due to smog and air pollution. Besides this, the Golden Retriever prefers moderate environmental conditions.
When the Golden Retriever is in an extreme environment, it may suffer from various skin disorders. Further, these disorders damage the skin tissue of your pet. And eventually, your pet may get cancer.
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No Exposure To Toxic Substances
This might seem like something obvious â after all, who would want to do that to their pup? However, the thing is that sometimes you might not even know that you are doing it.
For instance, toys you buy for your Golden Retriever might contain toxins and chemicals due to the way they are manufactured. Thatâs why before you purchase a toy, you should do some research about the company making it and ensure that they are transparent about how their manufacturing process looks.
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What Makes Good Food For Your Dog
Good foods are made up of nutrients that contain a variety of grains, fruit, and vegetables. You will find that a majority of the dog foods are made of meats with fillers which are also just as important for their nutrition too.
Best quality foods currently on the market contain a variety of all of the above nutrients all in one. Not every food will include this, so youll need to take a look at which ones are best suited for your pup.
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What To Watch For
Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Golden Retriever needs help.
How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live With Cancer
The occasional time length for dogs to live with cancer is around;2 months if left untreated.;However with chemotherapy and the correct treatment, then you can expect your furry friend to live;up to 12-months plus.
Whilst there is no length of time on how each individual pet will live.;These numbers are taken from averages that have been recorded over the last 5 years.;In the modern world that we live in with fancy new methods of living.
Its no surprise that we say label this with;genetics;as the problem to cover up the real issues that have been created and need to be addressed.;Lets take a look at how each of the genders has changed for Golden retrievers to see if these problems are occurring in both male and female dogs too.
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Why Are Golden Retrievers Prone To Cancer
So, why are Golden Retrievers prone to all these differenttypes of cancer? There are several reasons for this question. Studies are beingdone on the actual question as this article is being written. However, we dohave to wait for years before the data can truly tell us all the answers.
Genetics
One way that Golden Retrievers get cancer is genetic. Golden Retrievers have genetic issues that stem from breeding and their genes being passed down from generation to generation.
Due to those already pre-existing conditions being bred into the Golden Retriever, they are prone to cancer at a much high rate. Their other complications makes them more vulnerable as well.
Environment
Another way that Golden Retrievers are more prone to cancer is because of the environment in which we live. Some things can not only give Golden Retrievers cancer, but can also cause us cancer as well. Some of these environmental causes are the sun, environmental toxins, or radiation.
Some believe that animals risk of cancer goes up tremendously once their reproductive years are complete. Some call this natural selection.
There Is No Difference Between English And American Goldens
This is the biggest myth and lie Ive seen spread around by many American golden retriever breeders. Ive even seen one American breeder go to say that English standard goldens that are in America are Europes rejects. That is by far from the truth and in fact many come from champions across Europe. English standards are very different than American ones. I cover their differences on The Breed post on my site. The differences are big enough whereas most English standard goldens can not compete in AKC competitions. Color alone is not the biggest factor in their differences. Length of the loin, eyes, size, shape of the head are just a few to name of differences. Some people prefer one standard over another and differences should be cherished.
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Goldies That Have Lesser Chance For Getting Cancer
So, what can you do to make the Golden Retriever a healthier breed?
You can solve the cancer problem by simply stopping the inbreeding, right? You can breed Golden Retrievers with other dogs that have lower chances of developing cancer to drop the risk down to normal levels.
But, this means that you also lose some of the traits that people love about the breed.
Another solution is to find the gene involved and look for golden retrievers that lack this gene and breed only those dogs lacking the problem gene. This will mean that the new Golden Retriever will have the normal 33% chance of developing cancer.
While this seems like a possible solution, it may not be possible in practice.
So, there isnt any effective solution available yet.
Golden Retrievers Are Dying Due To Adverse Effect Of Treatment
Golden Retrievers cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and tumors. Thus, the cancer treatment of the Retrievers includes immune system suppressing medications.
And due to this, the immune system of the dog cannot produce the necessary antibodies to fight against the antigen. Hence, the dogs suffer from other different types of health issues while controlling cancer. As a result, Golden Retrievers will end up dying due to other diseases while preventing cancer.
I guess now you know the reasons why a number of; Golden Retrievers are dying from cancer. So, if you also have a Golden Retriever, it has a great possibility of suffering from cancer.
Dont you want to know how to manage cancer to prevent your pet from dying?
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How Can I Prevent My Golden Retriever From Getting Cancer
Because there are so many risk factors, there is no one way to completely prevent your Golden from developing cancer. However, veterinarians and researchers are able to detect some cancers earlier, and there are also ways to decrease cancer risks. 1. Diet Make sure that you are feeding your dog a well-balanced diet.
How To Stop Golden Retrievers From Dying Due To Cancer
Cancer is a fatal health issue for both humans and Golden Retrievers. Although curing this deadly disease is quite impossible, you can opt for some treatments to manage the severity of this disease. Thus, it can prevent or delay the death of the Retrievers suffering from cancer.
When you notice abnormal behavior of your pet, you should immediately consult with the Vet. Since, earlier prognosis leads to successful treatment, the possibility of cure of cancer in the initial stage is more. Once you visit the veterinary, the professionals will analyze the following things by health testing;techniques.:
- Stage of cancer
- Possible cause of cancer
- The health of your Golden Retriever
- Age
After all necessary analysis, the Vet will prescribe the appropriate cancer treatment for your pet. And the treatments are:
- Surgery for isolated and localized lumps or tumors
- Chemotherapy for killing the abnormal cells
- Herbal medicines to stop the abnormal cell from growing
- Radiotherapy to kill the benign tumors
However, the health expense and treatment costs a lot. In addition, all these treatments do not guarantee longer life for your pet. But they do ensure a healthier and happier lifespan for Golden Retrievers.
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Taking Care Of Your Golden Retriever At Home
Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch her diet, make sure she gets plenty of exercise, regularly brush her teeth and coat, and call us or a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual . Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. This is when well give her the necessary check-ups and test for diseases and conditions that are common in Goldens. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs.
Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
The lifestyle of the pet influences a lot in the health and mood of your pet. Therefore, you should schedule all the activities of your pet. The process of arranging all the activities makes your pet engage and ensures that your pet gets proper exercise.
Moreover, the exercises and training enhance the physical and mental strength of your Golden Retriever. Thus, your Golden Retriever has a higher defense mechanism to fight against cancer. However, the training empowers and disciplines the Golden Retriever are:
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Why Do Golden Retrievers Get Cancer
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link & purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Ahh, the ever-loving, loyal, friendly and beautiful Golden Retriever! These dogs are hard to resist and so easy to fall in love with. If you are fortunate enough to own one of these beautiful dogs, you know exactly what I am talking about. Goldens are simply wonderful! But, there is one downfall to this breed. The fact that they are extremely prone to cancer. Why do Golden Retrievers get cancer?
In this article, we will address that question as well as discuss the most common types of cancer that affect Golden Retrievers. Cancer is one of the many health problems that can affect your Golden, and we will learn of the warning signs that you need to look for and ways that you can reduce your Goldens risk of cancer.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cancer In The Golden Retriever
Since the Golden Retrievers cannot speak, they give several signs to indicate their illness. Though most symptoms of cancer may contradict the other diseases. Yet, the most common signs that indicate your pet is having health issues are.:
- Change in bowel habits
Thus, you should be cautious and seek help from professionals immediately.
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