You don't want to think about your dog getting sick, but staying informed can help you navigate even the most difficult situations — including cancer. Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in dogs. The Morris Animal Foundation reports that more than 10,000 cases occur each year, accounting for more than 85% of all canine bone cancer diagnoses. Knowing the signs of bone cancer in dogs is an important part of getting your pal help sooner.
Osteosarcoma is a cancer of osteoblasts, which are bone stem cells. A malignant cancer, osteosarcoma spreads to other parts of the body, including the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, liver, kidney and other bones. While osteosarcoma can affect any bone in the body, it most commonly attacks the long bones of the legs, usually near the ends of the bones, and often appears around the wrists and knees. Osteosarcoma can occur in dogs of any age or breed, but older dogs and large breeds are more affected. Golden retrievers, Rottweilers, Irish wolfhounds, Great Danes, boxers, Irish setters, greyhounds, Doberman pinschers and German shepherds appear to be at increased risk for this disease.
The cause of osteosarcoma is likely genetic. Other contributing factors can include chronic inflammation associated with metal implants and prior radiation therapy. Based on a study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, early spaying or neutering in certain breeds is another possible risk factor. While osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in dogs, other bone cancers include fibrosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Cancer can also spread from other organs, including the prostate and mammary glands, to your dog's bones.
The most common, and often first noticed, signs of bone cancer in dogs are limping and pain in the affected leg. The degree of limping and pain can range from mild lameness to refusing to put any weight on the leg. There may also be a firm, painful swelling on the bone that has cancer. Because cancer weakens the bone, some dogs develop a pathological fracture of the affected bone, which causes sudden severe limping and pain.
Your veterinarian is key in determining if your dog has any type of bone disease. Because the signs of bone cancer in dogs can mimic other conditions, like fungal or bacterial infections of the bone, they'll need to run some tests to identify what's causing your dog's pain. Preliminary testing typically includes laboratory tests on blood and urine and radiographs (X-rays) of your dog's bone. Your vet will usually also take radiographs of your dog's chest to check for any sign of metastatic cancer in the lungs.
If your vet suspects bone cancer, they'll likely recommend additional testing that can include nuclear bone scans, a bone biopsy or a bone aspiration. These procedures are done under sedation or anesthesia. A bone aspiration is a relatively noninvasive procedure; your vet will insert a needle into the bone to withdraw cells to be analyzed in a laboratory. A bone biopsy is more invasive, but it's the best way to diagnose bone cancer as it's highly accurate. With either procedure, your dog will be asleep and will receive pain medication so they don't feel any discomfort.
Unfortunately, the long-term prognosis for osteosarcoma is poor. According to Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult,1 15% of dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma do manage to live for years after aggressive cancer treatment. In most cases, however, treatment is aimed at relieving pain associated with bone cancer, and remission is unlikely. With surgery alone, survival time is around four months. The good news is that a vaccine currently in testing may be able to fight cancer in dogs using their tumor cells, according to Veterinary Practice News.
For dogs diagnosed with chondrosarcoma and fibrosarcoma who receive aggressive cancer treatment, Blackwell's Consult estimates the median survival time to be greater than three years, and many dogs do well during and after treatment. If these cancers spread, however, the prognosis is poor.
Amputating the affected leg is the treatment of choice for bone cancer, whether you're hoping to stop the cancer or remove the source of pain. Limb-sparing surgery is available at a few referral surgery centers for select pups. If you're interested in this surgery, ask your vet for more information. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are both available and have varying levels of success depending on the bone cancer diagnosis. For treatment beyond surgery, work with a veterinary cancer doctor, or oncologist, to get the best cancer care for your dog.
In all dogs, pain management is a cornerstone of therapy and is always prescribed to maintain the best quality of life possible.
While bone cancer in dogs is often a genetic issue, you can take steps to minimize your dog's risk of developing cancer, including bone cancer. Strategies include:
You want the best for your dog. And while you can't control whether they develop a certain illness, you can provide them with proper nutrition, care and love and stay informed about the best ways to monitor their health to help ensure a happy life together.
1Jr., F. S. W. K., Tilley, L. P. (2015). Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline (6th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Dr. Sarah Wooten graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. A member of the American Society of Veterinary Journalists, Dr. Wooten divides her professional time between small animal practice in Greeley, Colorado, public speaking on associate issues, leadership, and client communication, and writing. She enjoys camping with her family, skiing, SCUBA, and participating in triathlons.
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health, tailored for unique needs of Small and Mini puppies
Beef & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous coat
Gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & supporting development in growing puppies
Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous coat
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat. In a delicious large bite size for large breed dogs.
Low calories & L-Carnitine help promote ideal body weight, support healthy mobility & maintain heart function
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small Paws dry dog food
Supports energy level & beautiful coat. Helps keep immune system, heart & kidneys healthy
Turkey & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Chicken & Beef recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat.
Supports energy level & luxurious coat in Small & Mini dogs. Helps keep immune system, heart & kidneys healthy.
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome for dogs age 7+. Delicious food in a small bite size
Turkey & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep dogs active and healthy
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Learn how to keep your dog moving with some indoor exercise tips. If you're stuck inside, help them beat cabin fever and keep their body and mind active.
Learn how to spot separation anxiety in dogs, what you can do to help with his stress, and ways to prevent anxiety in the first place.
Dogs eating dirt: it can be a random occurrence or a regular thing, so learn what to do if you notice this behavior and if you should visit the vet.
Learn why dogs bark at the sound of the doorbell ringing and how to train them not to.
Learn about common side effects of rabies vaccine in dogs, as well as less common reactions that indicate you should bring your dog to the veterinarian.
While feeding your dog table food or scraps might seem innocent, it can actually be harmful for them. Learn reasons to avoid feeding scraps to your pup.
Learn whether cinnamon is safe for your dog, what to do if they got into cinnamon bark, oil, sticks or spice, and what quantity of it is a health concern.
You feed tasty and nutritious dog food, yet your dog only sniffs and licks at it. It’s time for the next meal, but the previous meal still isn’t finished. You might have a finicky dog!
Get tips on how to pick your next dog, and learn what things you should consider when choosing a puppy.
Discover seven common dog skin diseases — including causes, symptoms, and treatment — to stay educated about your dog's health.
Learn everything you need to know about hypothyroidism in dogs, including risk factors, signs of the disease and how it gets diagnosed & treated.
Does your dog struggle with the loud noises from fireworks? Read information about canine noise anxiety, and get tips on how to help them cope.
Use these helpful tips for going on a road trip with your dog to keep him safe and happy.
Learn how giardia in dogs can wreak havoc on your pet's digestive system, how giardiasis gets diagnosed and how your dog's veterinarian might treat it.
Learn more about collie eye anomaly in dogs, including breeds that can be affected (is it just collies?), causes & symptoms, and tips for prevention.
Learn how to clean dog paws so you can keep them clear of muck and debris and promote paw health. Your pup's paws are made to explore.
Signs of an enlarged prostate in dogs (benign prostatic hyperplasia) aren't easy to spot, so learn more about symptoms, treatments & prevention options.
Learn everything you need to know about cataracts in dogs, including common symptoms of the condition, breeds most at risk, and how they can be treated.
You've always wanted a pet, and you're wondering if you should adopt one or two dogs. Learn more about what you need to consider before deciding.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool