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The Wolf and Greytgang Realm |
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Osteosarcoma-Bone Cancer |
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Bone Cancer Bone cancer is a fatal disease that can affect many animals. Greyhounds are susceptible to it and we all need to be aware of what it means to have the disease, which consequences it has, how much does it cost to treat it, what options we have, etc. We have gathered some information that was very useful when Elgin was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. It helped us understand the disease and understand what our dog was going through while fighting this horrible disease. What is Osteosarcoma? Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor which means the tumor starts developing in the bone. It is characterized by the high rate of spreading to other parts of the body specially the lungs and other bones. It is essential this disease is caught at the initial stages in the body so control of it is done more efficiently. How to diagnose for it? X-rays of suspected growths in the bone should be done as as soon as possible. If the x-rays are not conclusive, a bone biopsy is recommended. The biopsy is performed under anesthesia and a special needle is inserted into the core of the bone to obtain a sample. The sample is sent to pathology for analysis. If the result is positive, chest x-rays should also be taken to see if the there any signs of disease spreading. To analyze the stage of the disease blood and urine tests are also recommended. Only then we can understand if the animal is in any condition to undergo treatment.
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