There are a variety of cancers that can occur in dogs, and chondrosarcoma is just one of them. It’s important to stay informed in case your dog is diagnosed with this type of cancer. Here’s what to know about chondrosarcoma in dogs:

What is Chondrosarcoma in Dogs?

Chondrosarcoma in dogs is a condition in which tumors form in the cartilage. Cartilage is a connective tissue found between the bones and joints. The cartilage provides cushioning at the end of the bones, decreasing friction. Cartilage can also be found in other areas, such as the nose, ears, trachea, and ribs.

Chondrosarcoma is a common tumor in dogs. The most affected area tends to be the nasal cavity; however, tumors have been found in the long bones of the limbs. Tumors have also been found in other extraskeletal areas of the body. It’s most often found in middle-aged dogs, although it can occur at any age.

Chondrosarcoma also tends to be most common in medium to large-breed dogs. Some breeds seem to be predisposed, including Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, as well as Rottweilers. Chondrosarcoma tends to be a fast-spreading and malignant type of cancer. If this is not diagnosed and treated early, it can be fatal. It can also metastasize to other areas of the body.

2 Types of Chondrosarcoma

There are two types of chondrosarcoma to be aware of. These types are medullary and peripheral.

1. Medullary chondrosarcoma starts within the organ of the bone.
2. Peripheral chondrosarcoma begins in the outer membrane, called the periosteum.

How Aggressive is Chondrosarcoma in Dogs?

Unfortunately, chondrosarcoma in dogs is a very aggressive type of tumor. It will require immediate treatment; otherwise, it can be life-threatening. If left untreated, the tumors will continue to grow, causing problems throughout the body.

What Causes Canine Chondrosarcoma?

Most types of cancers and tumors are often caused by a mix of factors, including some environmental or genetic factors. In the case of this particular type of cancer, there has been no specific cause found. Even though larger breeds seem more predisposed to chondrosarcoma, there has been no concrete evidence linking body size to chondrosarcoma.

What Are the Symptoms of Chondrosarcoma in Dogs?

If a dog has chondrosarcoma, you will see some signs and symptoms that will arise. Here are the symptoms of chondrosarcoma in dogs:

• You notice your dog limping or having trouble walking
• Pain and swelling in the area of the tumor
• If the tumor is in the nasal cavity, there will be some sneezing and discharge, as well as nasal bleeding
• There may be bone fractures if the tumor is in a limb
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
• Lethargy

These are some signs and symptoms you should never ignore in your dog. Be sure to give your veterinarian a call and schedule an appointment if you see anything concerning with your dog.

How is Canine Chondrosarcoma Diagnosed?

If your dog has chondrosarcoma, it will be diagnosed via a physical exam done by your veterinarian. They’ll start by reviewing your dog’s health history and doing a physical exam. They’ll feel around and look for signs of pain or discomfort from your dog.

They will also examine your dog with a complete blood count test and a urinalysis. They may also take some tissue samples from your dog’s lymph nodes to look for any cancer cells. Depending on the location of the tumor, radiographic testing can help show exactly how large and where the tumor is located.

A biopsy of the tumor will also be performed. Your veterinarian will use a tiny needle with a syringe to pull out a small sample of tumor cells. A veterinarian pathologist will examine the cells and make a diagnosis.

How Do You Treat Chondrosarcoma in Dogs?

Because these tumors are very aggressive and are aggressive and can be life-threatening if left untreated, prompt treatment is essential. Your veterinarian will probably recommend seeing a canine oncologist, as they specialize in cancer and tumors.

Amputation or Limb Salvage

Often, either amputation or limb salvage is recommended when there is no metastasis. Surgery is often performed with large margins of surgical removal to keep chondrosarcoma from spreading. Tumors involving the ribs might necessitate the removal of the affected rib and any nearby lung tissue.

Radiation Therapy

If the dog has any tumors in the nasal cavity, radiation therapy is a typical treatment and can also help prolong a dog’s lifespan when tumors are inoperable. Chemotherapy is recommended in some cases, but it has not been fully evaluated in terms of effectiveness.

Medications

Certain medications, like anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and sleeping pills, can be prescribed to help manage pain. In some cases of a poor prognosis and extreme pain, euthanasia may be recommended.

Prognosis For Chondrosarcoma in Dogs

The prognosis for this disease depends on a few factors. It can depend on the type of treatment utilized and whether any tumors have metastasized. When Canine Chondrosarcoma has been successfully treated with wide surgical removal for limb or rib tumors, the prognosis can be generally good with survival rates of several years.

Unfortunately, the median survival time for nasal chondrosarcoma tends to be about 1 to 2 years. Because these tumors grow so fast and aggressively, it’s hard to remove the affected areas and stop the tumors from growing, even though metastasis is less common with nasal chondrosarcoma.

Managing Chondrosarcoma in Dogs

Managing chondrosarcoma in dogs will vary and will depend on the type your dog has, where it is, how fast it is potentially spreading, and the treatments they are responding to. Here are some of the things that may come up with managing chondrosarcoma in dogs:

• Routine monitoring and X-rays
• Surgery after-care
• Slow activity
• Bathroom considerations
• Pain management
• Proper nutrition

Routine Monitoring and X-Rays

If your dog is diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, you will probably see your vet or canine oncologist quite often. Constant monitoring is necessary to check for any metastasis. X-rays will be taken routinely to check for the spread of any tumors.

Surgery After-Care

If your dog has surgery to remove any tumors, your dog will be quite sore afterward. There are ways to care for your dog after surgery to make recovery easier. You will need to limit their activity until they heal. Make sure they have a quiet place to rest and have as few distractions as possible.

Distractions often mean your dog will want to get up to investigate, so make sure they can’t be too active until your vet has cleared them for more activity.

Slow Activity

Once your dog has recovered a little bit more, you can take very slow and short walks. However, if your dog is in too much pain, don’t push them. There are types of dog body language that can convey pain or discomfort. If you see your dog fliinching or limping, hesitating to move, or becoming irritable or snappy, they may be in pain or uncomfortable.

They may also be getting used to things after surgery, especially if it included amputation. If your dog has a leg amputated, most dogs adjust very quickly to learning to walk without the missing limb. Dogs with amputations often go on to live a happy life!

Bathroom Considerations

In the event that your dog has too much pain to go outside to relieve themselves, you may want to consider puppy pee pads or a catheter. Be sure to consult your veterinarian if this issue arises. They can advise you on what might work best for your dog and their recovery.

Pain Management

Because chondrosarcoma is pretty painful, your dog will need pain management. The veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medication, so be sure you follow directions very carefully. If you have any questions, your veterinarian will be more than happy to walk you through the process.

Proper Nutrition

Because the life expectancy is not very long, take this opportunity to spoil your dog and make their life as comfortable as possible. Proper nutrition is still really important, so make sure they’re being fed well and getting plenty of hydration.

If your dog seems to have a suppressed appetite, ask your vet for advice. You can also give them some of the best fruits and veggies for dogs as a treat and as a way to get a little extra hydration into them. If your dog is on medications or supplements, check with your vet on what fruits and veggies they can still have. Overloading your dog can cause discomfort, illness, and other issues, so it’s best to run any dietary changes by your vet in this case.

This is just an overview of chondrosarcoma in dogs. Getting your dog to the veterinarian can help determine the right course of action and treatment.