cancer and genes influence to the development of diseasewritten by :Anya Gavrilova
Before buying a puppy or an adult dog, you should know about the origins of your future pet. It’s a well-known fact that certain breeds are genetically prone to the cancer. That’s why you should buy a puppy with good genetics, because dogs have inherited genes from both parents. These genes determine body structure, temperament and other characteristics of your dog.
Dog cancer is not so different from human cancer. It’s a non – communicable cell mutation occurring at the DNA-level. Researchers have proved the “theory of a single cell”. According to this theory, a single cell suddenly starts to increase and form groups – tumor and metastasis. For example, breast cancer in dogs can lead to metastasis formation in bones, liver, kidney or lung tissue.
Warning signs of cancer:
– Any swelling or bloating, which grows in size;
– Any wound that does not heal;
– Changes in digestion rhythm, or urination;
– Loss of appetite and weight loss;
– Unexplained bleeding;
– Problems with breathing;
– Persistent lameness;
– Difficulties with eating or swallowing.
Obvious signs of cancer appear only on the late stages, when the dog starts suffering from the pain, gastrointestinal disorders, drowsiness, fatigue and apathy. It’s possible to cure the cancer completely, if cancer cells are not very active and the disease is detected on early stage. To weaken and kill cancer cells the veterinarian prescribes a course of vitamins and analgesics and a balanced diet, eliminating fatty, sweet, and savory food. It’s crucially important to provide for your recovering pet the ideal conditions of detention and moral support. Isolate your dog from stray animals, because during cancer therapy he will be very susceptible to various infections.
General types of cancers for dogs:
– Skin tumors, which are more common for older dogs;
– Lymphomas. The most well-known form of cancer, which affects the digestive system and leads to lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea.
– Breast tumors. More than 85 % of tumors are malignant and ordinary not only for non-sterilized, but also for sterilized dogs.
– Abdominal swelling. If this type of cancer is found early, the disease can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
– In the early stages of liver cancer the dog becomes thinner, and loses appetite and interest in life.
Studying the factors of increasing cancer, scientists have proved that some breeds are more genetically predisposed than others. These breeds include the Rottweiler and the Scottish Deerhound (osteosarcoma), the Golden Retriever (lymphoma), the Boxer (tumors), the Bernese mountain dog (histiocytic sarcoma), and the Belgian shepherd (high risk of gastric carcinoma).
Genetic predisposition can lead to cancer, but not directly cause it. Some animals will never get the disease, while other will, even within the same family. No doubts, genes can have the influence on your dog’s health, but it doesn’t mean that if you have a Rottweiler, he will suffer from cancer just because of the genetics. Treat your dog well, make for him a balanced diet and don’t forget to do medical examinations, and you can be sure that your dog will be healthy and live a long life.
