Golden Retrievers Reveal More About Cancer

First Posted: Jan 24, 2013 08:27 AM EST
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A groundbreaking long study on golden retrievers provides useful information about their health and the health of other dogs, including the occurrence of common cancer, reports the official website.

Colorado State University (CSU) veterinary oncologist Rodney Page, the principal investigator and director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center at CSU, along with his team are recruiting young purebred golden retrievers to study how to eradicate cancer and other diseases in dogs. This is the largest observational study conducted to improve the health of dogs. They plan on studying 3,000 dogs over the next two years and currently have 500 enrolments.  

"Our donors with dogs have told us that cancer is their greatest concern. We look forward to working with Colorado State University to get a better grasp on all the factors that could contribute to cancer and overall health problems in dogs," said David Haworth, DVM, PhD, president and CEO at Morris Animal Foundation.

According to the researchers, a sincere commitment is required from the dog's owners. The pet's activities and health issues should be carefully monitored by them and simultaneously collaborate with the veterinarian who would provide the information and samples the study needs.

Dogs over the age of 2 die mainly because of cancer. Limited information is available on how often the cancer occurs and how to determine the factors that influence cancer in dogs.

According to reports, the common fatal cancers of dogs include lymphoma, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessels that usually starts in the spleen or liver) and mast cell tumors.

In order to look for other diseases that attack dogs, the researchers will focus on the genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors.

Page concludes saying, "Our hope is that we will be able to identify some significant modifiable risk factors that will improve the health of dogs and potentially provide clues for human health improvement as well."

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