<p>Just a note here: golden retrievers have an appallingly high cancer rate. In consequence, they are being used to study the causes and treatments of canine cancer.
[Golden</a> Retrievers Key to Lifetime Dog Cancer Study - ABC News](<a href=“http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/golden-retrievers-key-lifetime-dog-cancer-study-18282140]Golden”>http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/golden-retrievers-key-lifetime-dog-cancer-study-18282140)</p>
<p>I have a golden doodle. I wonder if he carries the same rate of cancer. :(</p>
<p>Mixes can carry the health problems of both breeds, unfortunately.</p>
<p>That’s true. My cockerpoo gets ear infections in one ear only ( the one that came from the Cocker Spaniel side of the family :))</p>
<p>My 6 year old Chow/Corgi mix was recently diagnosed with nasal cancer. Not a good diagnosis. Standard treatment is radiation but even this is not curative. The oncology vet told us if we did nothing, she would be dead in 90 days. If we did palliative radiation, she might get another few months. If we did the comprehensive treatment, it would involve 20 treatments of radiation, five a week. We decided to have the cancer staged so we could make a more informed decision. Our dog is only 6, she was a rescued dog and we haven’t even had her for three years yet. When they staged the cancer, we got the best possible news, that the cancer was only in her nasal cavity and was low grade. With that piece of information, we decided to do the twenty radiation treatments. Supposedly with this she will get a year more, and fifty percent of the dogs who live an additional year, will live another one. We are hoping for 1-2 years more with her. She is such a great dog, fun and with a wonderful personality. We just felt she was too young to do nothing. The radiation took its toll, she got some of the side effects, was tired and didn’t eat much and lost the hair on her face. Near the end of the radiation we could tell she was not feeling well as she was spending all day inside one of our closets hiding out. But, it has now been a month or so since the radiation was completed, and she is back to her normal self. Maybe a little slower on her walks, but still happy and excited by life as only a dog can be. We feel we made the best decision for her.</p>
<p>So sorry for everyone who has lost a pet.</p>
<p>In our house after we lose a pup or a kitty after awhile Mom3ToGo and FirstToGo go to a rescue organization “just to look” … and as soon as they leave the house the boys and I start preparing for the new arrival(s) … we know the “just to look” thing never quite works out as just a look.</p>
<p>RVM- so glad your dog bounced back. I hope he weathers the next treatment better, or perhaps the vet will give him a short break.</p>
<p>For anyone interested in current research, here is a link to ongoing studies at the Broad Institute
[Dog</a> Diseases | Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard](<a href=“http://www.broadinstitute.org/scientific-community/science/projects/mammals-models/dog/disease-research/dog-diseases]Dog”>Darwin's Ark)</p>
<p>I’ve sent blood samples from both our goldens to them. The first was for their cancer study and the second was for their study on auto immune diseases. Our current golden and one of her litter mates had something called steroid responsive meningitis as puppies. They had to take prednisone for a year to calm their immune system. They live in different states, so it probably had more to do with genetics than environment. The Broad Institute is studying it as a model for lupus. It’s a small consolation that my dog’s diseases are helping researchers piece together the puzzle of these diseases in humans too. And dogs are benefitting from all pharmaceutical research conducted for human diseases. Man’s best friend, in sickness and in health.</p>
<p>Our now 13 y/o lab was diagnosed two years ago with cancer of her anal gland. It was caught early and was treated with surgery only. 18 months ago, after becoming very very ill, she was diagnosed with diabetes (blood sugar was in the 700’s when she was tested). I give her insulin shots twice a day to the tune of $130 a month. She perked up immediately after treatment began; not knowing what was wrong with her, we had thought she was just dying of old age and were prepared to put her down.</p>
<p>At 13, we probably would not put her through chemotherapy if her cancer returned, but we would certainly consider it if her vet thought she could tolerate it well. But we would not make her miserable just to coax a few more months of poor life quality out of her. Keeping her alive under those circumstances would not be about taking care of her needs, it would be a selfish move to make US feel better.</p>
<p>We lost two of our greyhounds to cancer. Statistically they seem susceptible to cancer. There wasn’t much we could do. We gave them medication to keep them comfortable, and when the time came we had them put down. It was sad.</p>
<p>First we lost our GSP to cancer. He was 9. Then we lost our beloved boxer to cardiomyopathy- congenital heart disease. She was only 5. It was literally heartbreaking. There wasn’t anything we could do except give her meds to regulate her heartbeat, but eventually her heart enlarged beyond belief, and failed. The vet told me boxers are one of the worst breeds genetically. As much as I love them, I decided not to get another boxer, or a purebred of any type. Now we have a mixed-breed shelter dog. She’s not the most elegant- in fact, she really resembles her namesake Snooki- but she’s devoted and sweet. I think she’s half pit bull, but they all seemed to have some pit bull in them. But she’s a good girl. Hopefully she has hybrid vigor.</p>
<p>There was an article about this in our local paper this morning! I don’t know how to post links, but if you google it you’ll find info. The articles give the guidelines for inclusion in the study but I didn’t find any info about how to enter. I’m guessing the vets know.</p>
<p>The goal is to understand canine cancers to better treat and cure!</p>
<p>THE Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine has a special program involving the health and wellness of greyhounds. Lots of interesting research. <a href=“https://greyhound.osu.edu/[/url]”>https://greyhound.osu.edu/</a></p>
<p>See this especially: <a href=“http://www.casualbling.com/Hope_for_Hounds.html[/url]”>http://www.casualbling.com/Hope_for_Hounds.html</a></p>
<p>The Golden Retriever Club of America has been sponsoring one or more cancer studies for quite a while, I believe. I seem to recall that they collect tissue samples.</p>
<p>Just want to comment on the link between lawn chemicals and canine cancers. My canine oncologist provided me with info showing a study that found that for 70% of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma - they lived in a home where a chemical lawn service (weed killer, fertilizer, etc.) was used. Sadly - we are one of those homes. We have since cancelled the lawn service.</p>
<p>I think this is the study regarding the lawn chemicals:
[ScienceDirect.com</a> - Environmental Research - Household chemical exposures and the risk of canine malignant lymphoma, a model for human non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma](<a href=“http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935111003082]ScienceDirect.com”>http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935111003082)</p>
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<p>It’s a relief that they found that flea and tick control products were not linked to lymphoma. I still don’t use them, my dog goes berserk when we try to apply Frontline. I just need to open the drawer where we used to keep the tubes of it and she goes into hiding.</p>
<p>what are the symptoms your dogs have shown? We just found a lump on our golden, it is round, symetrical and movable hoping its a lipoma of some sort. having said this we have discussed it already and we will not dochemo on our dog.</p>
<p>Downtoearth,
My dog has a lot of lumps and bumps. They are somewhat soft and moveable and she doesn’t seem bothered by them even if the are touched. The vet examined her and said they are Lipomas and are harmless. I hope that’s what your dog has, too.</p>
<p>The first symptom our dog had was swelling of the nodes behind both ears, followed within a week with swelling of the nodes behind her front elbows and a few days later with swelling of the nodes on her hind legs- on the back of the leg just above the joint. My brother has a lab that has had a variety of lumps on her for years, but is perfectly healthy.</p>
<p>downtoearth, most lumps are lipomas or some other relatively harmless thing. But you should show it to your vet, who may aspirate it and take a look at the cells under a microscope. Not a big deal. Where is this lump located?</p>
<p>Guinea Pigs seem to be susceptible to cancers… I’ve had six piggies over the years, lost 4 to cancer (2 lymphoma, 2 reproductive) like clockwork at around 5 years and 2 to respiratory issues after 4-5 years. Not much one can do. I am amazed as to how fragile they are. My exotic veterinarian pretty much agreed with me…</p>