Breeds That Are Least Prone To Health Problems

[helen]

that is horrible. Sometimes you can just be unlucky. A friend from agility has a staffy and her dog started getting the same problem, she is the only staffy I I know of personally that has had this problem - are Pugs prone to this?

The 'edit your breed' thread inspired me to start this topic.

Today I discovered that my Pug has another mast cell tumour - a skin tag on his chest. He has an appointment with the vet on Monday so that's no problem, my vet will take care of it. It just means more surgery.

I love Pugs and they're my favourite breed but, after all the tumours mine has had (this will be his 13th), I'm not sure that I want to go through this again with another Pug. So next time I'm thinking of choosing another breed...

Are there any breeds that are known for being robust and are least prone to health problems, especially cancer? Someone once recommended a Schipperke to me for this reason... Apparently they're really hardy dogs. Is this true?

eta

Sorry, I changed the thread topic three times. I couldn't work out what I was trying to say.

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

that is horrible. Sometimes you can just be unlucky. A friend from agility has a staffy and her dog started getting the same problem, she is the only staffy I I know of personally that has had this problem - are Pugs prone to this?

My Pug's oncologists think so but not everyone agrees with this. It's quite confusing really.

[~Anne~]

I've been trying to find information about prevelance in pugs for MCTs and this is a collection of what I have found;

National Canine Cancer Foundation. www.wearethecure.org

Description- Mast cell tumors (MCTs) or mastocytomas are the most common cutaneous tumor found in dogs. It accounts for 16-21% of all cutaneous tumors. Older dogs of mixed breeds have a high propensity for the disease. It has been reported in breeds like Boxers, Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles and Schnauzers. Boxers, however, have the highest incidence.

Veterinary Partner.com

Mast cell tumors are common in dogs and account for approximately one skin tumor in every five. The Boxer is at an especially high risk, as are the related breeds English Bulldog and Boston Terrier. Also at higher than average risk are the Shar pei, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Schnauzer, and Cocker Spaniel.

Animal Health Trust www.aht.org.uk

Certain breeds of dog are much more likely to develop cancer than other breeds, with some families within these breeds being particularly susceptible. A study in 2004 of the incidence of mast cell tumours in dogs diagnosed at the AHT between 1997 and 1999 identified a high prevalence in Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Weimaraners. The inherited susceptibility probably results from the combined effects of many modified genes, each of which alone, confers a low to moderate increase in risk. The risk of developing a cancer is thought to increase according to the number of altered genes carried.

This one has a statistical collection from several countries and is quite interesting although it is talking about mortality rates and not just diagnoses;

ISRN Veterinary Science

http://www.hindawi.com/isrn/veterinary.science/2013/941275/

It is well recognised that differences exist between breeds of dog and their risk of developing certain types of cancer but there are few large scale epidemiological studies on the incidence of different types of cancer in the canine population which document the variation between breeds. The breeds with the highest proportional mortality for cancer in the Kennel Club/BSAVA study included the following, in descending order: Irish water spaniel, flat-coated retriever, Hungarian wirehaired vizsla, Bernese mountain dog, rottweiler, Italian spinone, leonberger, Staffordshire bull terrier, Welsh terrier, and giant Schnauzer ([1], Table 1). In a study of rates and causes of death in insured dogs in Sweden, Bonnett et al. [16] found that the Bernese mountain dog, Irish wolfhound, flat-coated retriever, boxer, and Saint Bernard were the five breeds of dog with the highest mortality from tumour-related death. The Bernese, Irish wolfhound, and leonberger were the top three in a subsequent examination of the same data base [21]. Bernese mountain dogs, flat-coated retrievers, golden retriever, and rottweilers were in the top 5 breeds with over 20% of deaths due to cancer in Denmark [22]. An owner- based questionnaire conducted in the UK segregated breeds into “overrepresented,” “average” and “underrepresented” with respect to dying of cancer and showed the same trends (Table 2) [23]. These population-based studies provide useful indicators of breeds at risk of cancer, but should not be regarded as completely definitive because the outcome often depends on the breed prevalence within the population at risk, which may explain the differences found in studies from different countries. The existence of other inherited diseases or breed-associated problems is a major confounding factor: for example the reason the bulldog has an apparent low risk of cancer in Table 1 may be due to its short life-expectancy due to other health issues that affect the breed [24]. Other limitations of such studies include owner compliance, bias through nonrandom sampling of the pedigree dog population, and accuracy of owner-reported cause of death. Furthermore a small number of dogs can seriously bias the results for numerically small breeds, as demonstrated by the red and white setter in Table 2 and probably the Hungarian wireheriad vizsla, and Welsh terrier in Table 1. However, the fact that all these studies consistently show similar overall breed-related predispositions to development of cancer has important implications in understanding the aetiology of cancer as it infers a genetic and heritable component.

http://www.hindawi.com/isrn/veterinary.science/2013/941275/tab1/

http://www.hindawi.com/isrn/veterinary.science/2013/941275/tab2/

I'm yet to find anything that even mentions the pug. However, that isn't to to say that there isn't a genetic link in the breed or a higher than normal representation of MCTs in the breed.

Edited October 17, 2013 by ~Anne~

[minimax]

I also did bit of research last night (procrastinating, as I have three assignments due!) using my unis journals databases etc and couldn't find any research that mentioned pugs in relation to higher prevalence to MCTs.

Personally, I'd be opting for research over someones opinion.

[~Anne~]

Wait, I've found one!

An extract from a book called Withrow and MacEwan's Small Animal Clinical Oncology.

I can't copy and paste but it does say that pugs are at an increased risk. It also says that the prevalence in particular breeds suggests a genetic link.

If anyone can quote the paragraph up here I'd be grateful.

Edited October 17, 2013 by ~Anne~

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

I promise you I didn’t make it up and I wasn’t imagining it (I’m starting to feel like I did!). Why would not just one but five oncologists tell me that Pugs are prone to MCT’s? I can’t imagine they would go around saying stuff that isn’t true. And they said it to a person whose dog could die… This is serious stuff.

And these oncologists aren't just anybody Max, they're the world's best oncologists.

I regret starting this thread now and I wish I never brought it up. I’m upset now. And I feel like making a complaint to the veterinary board… It sounds like you guys think I’m being stuffed around.

I’m really shocked and upset because I thought it was true and everyone knew about it.

Edited October 20, 2013 by Maeby Fünke

[minimax]

Have they published their findings from their (peer reviewed) research? Coz I can't find them!

[Steph M]

I promise you that I didn't make it up and I didn't imagine it (I'm starting to feel like I did!*)...

Why would five - not just one - oncologists tell me that Pugs are prone to MCT's? I can't imagine that they're allowed to go around saying stuff like that if it isn't true. And they're dealing with a person whose dog could die. This is serious stuff.

And these people aren't just anybody Max, they're some of the world's best oncologists.

I regret starting this thread and I'm really sorry that I brought this up. I'm upset now. I feel like making a complaint to the veterinary board. It sounds like you guys think I'm being stuffed around.

I'm really shocked and upset because I thought it was true and I thought everyone knew about it.

I don't know what to think now but I will definitely be speaking with my psychologist about this.

*Which isn't fun for a person with a mental illness.

I don't think you did, and in all honesty I would probably be inclined to believe my vet too, they're the experts. They study for a long time then see a handful of animals a day. I would expect they know their stuff.

It's the vets that have full schedules every day that aren't writing papers I guess. Not negating either theory, but if my vet had seen 20 of the same breed with the same ailment, that would seem a pattern to me too.

Don't let it get you down, I don't think anyone thinks you're lying or making things up!

[Steph M]

Have they published their findings from their (peer reviewed) research? Coz I can't find them!

Maybe time to lay off a little, you're coming off pretty hard on someone who has a sickly dog and would like to avoid the same pain next time.

[Steve]

The 'edit your breed' thread inspired me to start this topic.

Today I discovered that my Pug has another mast cell tumour - a skin tag on his chest. He has an appointment with the vet on Monday so that's no problem, my vet will take care of it. It just means more surgery.

I love Pugs and they're my favourite breed but, after all the tumours mine has had (this will be his 13th), I'm not sure that I want to go through this again with another Pug. So next time I'm thinking of choosing another breed...

Are there any breeds that are known for being robust and are least prone to health problems, especially cancer? Someone once recommended a Schipperke to me for this reason... Apparently they're really hardy dogs. Is this true?

eta

Sorry, I changed the thread topic three times. I couldn't work out what I was trying to say.

Im really sorry to hear this - it must be so difficult for you to watch this.

Sadly even though some cancers are more common in some breeds any dog can develop cancers just as any human can.

So much depends on other things which may impact on the chances a dog will hit this problem.

Depending on which expert you speak with they all have their own theories. Some think its about what conditions the grandmother lived in and what diet she was fed because it her which deposits the cells in the mother that produces the dog you have. Lots of studies to back that up.

Some will tell you its how the bitch and the pups are raised - the environment, the diet , stress levels and exposure to chemiacls etc Lots of studies to back that up. Some will tell you its about chemicals the dog is exposed to throughout its life time - heartworm meds , vaccinations, and a multitude of others in their environment and that they are given. Lots of studies to back that up.

Some will tell you its about the diet and some foods have been found to turn cancer cells on - others are known to turn them off. Lots of studies about that.

Obviously some run in families - so if Im buying a new puppy Im eager to see the grandparents and hear what the dogs are fed on and how the breeder manages chemicals and parasite control etc .

Id be looking at these things over breed.

Julie

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

Have they published their findings from their (peer reviewed) research? Coz I can't find them!

Maybe time to lay off a little, you're coming off pretty hard on someone who has a sickly dog and would like to avoid the same pain next time.

Thank you :)

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

The 'edit your breed' thread inspired me to start this topic.

Today I discovered that my Pug has another mast cell tumour - a skin tag on his chest. He has an appointment with the vet on Monday so that's no problem, my vet will take care of it. It just means more surgery.

I love Pugs and they're my favourite breed but, after all the tumours mine has had (this will be his 13th), I'm not sure that I want to go through this again with another Pug. So next time I'm thinking of choosing another breed...

Are there any breeds that are known for being robust and are least prone to health problems, especially cancer? Someone once recommended a Schipperke to me for this reason... Apparently they're really hardy dogs. Is this true?

eta

Sorry, I changed the thread topic three times. I couldn't work out what I was trying to say.

Im really sorry to hear this - it must be so difficult for you to watch this.

Sadly even though some cancers are more common in some breeds any dog can develop cancers just as any human can.

So much depends on other things which may impact on the chances a dog will hit this problem.

Depending on which expert you speak with they all have their own theories. Some think its about what conditions the grandmother lived in and what diet she was fed because it her which deposits the cells in the mother that produces the dog you have. Lots of studies to back that up.

Some will tell you its how the bitch and the pups are raised - the environment, the diet , stress levels and exposure to chemiacls etc Lots of studies to back that up. Some will tell you its about chemicals the dog is exposed to throughout its life time - heartworm meds , vaccinations, and a multitude of others in their environment and that they are given. Lots of studies to back that up.

Some will tell you its about the diet and some foods have been found to turn cancer cells on - others are known to turn them off. Lots of studies about that.

Obviously some run in families - so if Im buying a new puppy Im eager to see the grandparents and hear what the dogs are fed on and how the breeder manages chemicals and parasite control etc .

Id be looking at these things over breed.

Julie

Thank you for your kind words. I'm bawling my eyes out now because I'm just so afraid that my Pug is going to die. I rely on these oncologists with my Pug's life. They are all that I have.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Maeby Fünke

[minimax]

Have they published their findings from their (peer reviewed) research? Coz I can't find them!

Maybe time to lay off a little, you're coming off pretty hard on someone who has a sickly dog and would like to avoid the same pain next time.

Uh, I have pugs. If there is a known issue with the breed and specialists are keeping quiet about it coz they are "busy" then that's something that should be known.

If they have researched evidence, they should publish it. If they don't, then don't go spreading rumours.

Edited October 17, 2013 by minimax

[Steve]

try again

BREAKING NEWS-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8th, 2007

MICROCHIP IMPLANTS CAUSE FAST-GROWING, MALIGNANT TUMORS IN LAB ANIMALS

Damning research findings could spell the end of VeriChip

Exclusive Global Announcement Made on WTPRN Friday Night!

From: Dr. Katherine Albrecht

http://www.citizensadvocate.net/newsletters/albrechtVeriChipAP.html

(Go to web site to see tumors)

FOR RELEASE:

September 8, 2007

MICROCHIP IMPLANTS CAUSE FAST-GROWING, MALIGNANT TUMORS IN LAB ANIMALS

Damning research could spell the end of VeriChip

The Associated Press will issue a breaking story this weekend revealing that microchipimplants have induced cancer in laboratory animals and dogs, says privacyexpert and long-time VeriChip opponent Dr. Katherine Albrecht.

As the AP will report, a series of research articles spanning more than adecade found that mice and rats injected with glass-encapsulated RFID transpondersdeveloped malignant, fast-growing, lethal cancers in up to 1% to 10% of cases.The tumors originated in the tissue surrounding the microchips and often grewto completely surround the devices, the researchers said.

Albrecht first became aware of the microchip-cancer link when she and her"Spychips" co-author, Liz McIntyre, were contacted by a pet ownerwhose dog had died from a chip-induced tumor. Albrecht then found medicalstudies showing a causal link between microchip implants and cancer in otheranimals. Before she brought the research to the AP's attention, none of thestudies had received widespread public notice.

A four-month AP investigation turned up additional documents, several ofwhich had been published before VeriChip's parent company, Applied DigitalSolutions, sought FDA approval to market the implant for humans. The VeriChipreceived FDA approval in 2004 under the watch of then Health and Human ServicesSecretary Tommy Thompson who later joined the board of the company.

Under FDA policy, it would have been VeriChip's responsibility to bringthe adverse studies to the FDA's attention, but VeriChip CEO Scott Silvermanclaims the company was unaware of the research.

Albrecht expressed skepticism that a company like VeriChip, whose primarybusiness is microchip implants, would be unaware of relevant studies in thepublished literature.

"For Mr. Silverman not to know about this research would benegligent. If he did know about these studies, he certainly had an incentive tokeep them quiet," said Albrecht. "Had the FDA known about the cancerlink, they might never have approved his company's product."

Since gaining FDA approval, VeriChip has aggressively targeted diabeticand dementia patients, and recently announced that it had chipped 90Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers in Florida. Employees in the MexicanAttorney General's Office, workers in a U.S. security firm, and club-goers inEurope have also been implanted.

Albrecht expressed concern for those who have received a chip implant,urging them to get the devices removed as soon as possible.

"These new revelations change everything," she said. "Whywould anyone take the risk of a cancer chip in their arm?"

__________________________________________

MUST LISTEN!!!

Dr. Katherine Albrecht speaks of Dogs dying from these implants!

Go to http://www.wtprn.com/Ettaro_Albrecht.mp3 tolisten to Dr. Katherine Albrecht.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Steve

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

For god's sake minimax we're talking about my baby.

I have to leave this thread now.

[minimax]

I thought we were talking about breeds prone to health problems, and had veered specifically into pugs and MCTs, not any dog in particular

[~Anne~]

Maeby, I'm sorry to upset you. I'm not sayng you're wrong or your specialists are. As you know, I also own several pugs, one that is also battling tumours and with a tumour also on his spleen, and I am seeking more information just to satisfy my own peace of mind. If they are risk, then I'd to know.

When it comes to your pug, haven't they all been low grade tumours or am I thinking of someone else? If they are low grade, he has a great life expectancy and your specialists I am sure have reassured you of this. I understand that it is a very worriesome time for you and you would be best trying to focus on the positives when you can.

Edited October 17, 2013 by ~Anne~

[raineth]

Maeby I can completely understand where you are coming from, having gone through a very similar experience.

It took me less than a minute to find this by the way:

Keywords:

breed predisposition;

dogs;

mast cell;

pugs

Abstract

Mast cell tumours (MCT) are common in dogs and characterized by diverse biologic behaviour. Our objective was to evaluate the risk of MCT in pugs and to describe the clinical behaviour of MCT in this breed. Data obtained from the Veterinary Medicine Database demonstrate significantly increased frequency of MCT in pugs compared with other dogs (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.81–2.86). The medical records for 25 purebred pugs with a histologic diagnosis of MCT were reviewed. Multiple cutaneous tumours were documented in 14 (56 %) of the dogs. Histologic review of 64 tumours from these dogs confirmed that most tumours (94%) were low to intermediate grade. Sixty-four per cent of these dogs are still living, while only three dogs (12%) have died due to mast cell disease. A median survival time has not been reached. The median follow-up time is 660 days from the diagnosis of the first MCT. We conclude that MCT in pugs are relatively benign, despite the presence of multiple cutaneous tumours in most cases. Multiple tumours in breeds with predisposition to MCT may indicate separate primaries rather than advanced stage disease.

The DOI is 10.1111/j.1476-5810.2006.00085.x

[minimax]

raineth, when a study is done on MCTs in pugs, you can bet the pugs will have MCTs ;) It doesn't say the breed has a predisposition, they were studying the behaviour of MCTs in pugs.

If you read it, it actually says:

We conclude that MCT in pugs are relatively benign, despite the presence of multiple cutaneous tumours in most cases.

Edited October 17, 2013 by minimax

[raineth]

raineth, when a study is done on MCTs in pugs, you can bet the pugs will have MCTs ;) It doesn't say the breed has a predisposition, they were studying the behaviour of MCTs in pugs.

Data obtained from the Veterinary Medicine Database demonstrate significantly increased frequency of MCT in pugs compared with other dogs (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.81–2.86).