This article is meant as a short general guide to Canine Osteosarcoma, but you should always contact your vet for more detailed information. This is not meant as medical advice and it should not be taken as such. Only a registered veterinarian can provide that.

Canine Osteosarcoma is usually diagnosed through excessive pain attributed to a meek accident. What this means is that often the disease is misdiagnosed as a muscle injury, when in fact it is more serious. If you have any doubts about your dogs health you should always visit a registered vet immediately who’ll be able to give you a professional diagnosis.

Usually Canine Osteosarcoma treatment involves surgery on the tumour which is then followed up with chemotherapy. In the majority of cases the vet won’t try to cure the disease would be extremely difficult, but instead tries to fight the disease to reduce the amount of pain the dog is in and increase quality of life. If the disease is caught before the cancer can spread around the dogs body then Canine Osteosarcoma treatment is often more effective but your vet will be able to advise you on the situation for your individual dogs case.

The most common form of surgery for Canine Osteosarcoma is to amputate the limb containing the cancer which can increase life span by around 6 months at most. Chemotherapy can increase the life span further, but may or may not be suitable for your dog.

Above all you should take into account whether the dog will realistically have a high quality of life if it is treated. Dogs usually respond well to amputation and can often adapt quickly and effectively. However your vet will be able to advise you whether the pain the dog is in will be able to be reduced to an acceptable level.