I’m a vet, and here are five dog breeds most prone to cancer – including Golden Retrievers
A UK vet has revealed five dog breeds that are particularly susceptible to cancer video on TikTok – including Boxers and Golden Retrievers.
Go to the platformthe creator known as @ben.de.vet, said some breeds are more prone to cancer than others.
He explained: ‘We know that some dog breeds get a lot more cancer than others and unfortunately that has a lot to do with their genetics.’
Ben also noted that the varieties he intended to list are not “necessarily in ascending order.”
He added that “there have been many studies over the years in different countries, and they all have slightly different top fives.”
A British vet known as Ben the Vet (pictured) on TikTok has revealed five dog breeds particularly susceptible to cancer in a widely viewed video
However, he continued that the varieties he listed “are always quite high on the list.”
In the clip, he says, “Number five is the boxer, and with them it’s a pretty wide range of cancers that they’re susceptible to.”
These include brain tumors, fibroid tumors, and lymphoma.
Another, he says, is “a type of skin tumor called a mast cell tumor, which they have a 10 times higher risk of developing than cross breed dogs.”
Moving on to number four, he continues, “(This one) really makes me sad because I love Golden Retriever, but they get cancer a lot.
“About one in five of them will get a type of aggressive cancer called hemangiosarcoma, which grows on the wall of blood vessels, usually in the spleen.
“Unfortunately, these tumors can burst open and cause massive internal bleeding. And that is often the first sign we get that there is a tumor there.’
The third dog Ben lists in the video is the Rottweiler. He explains: ‘A study in the UK found that 45 percent of them die from cancer.
Golden Retrievers are among the dog breeds most prone to cancer, including vet Ben, who based his video on the findings of numerous studies
“According to human cancer research, that statistic is about 24 percent. And studies have found a similar percentage in pedigree dogs in general, so that’s very high.”
Ben notes that Rottweilers are “especially prone to a type of bone tumor called osteosarcoma, which usually occurs in large and giant breed dogs.”
He continues: ‘Number two is the Bernese Mountain Dog and it’s a shame because they are wonderful dogs, but again, so prone to cancer.
‘Some studies have shown that they die more from cancer than from all other causes of death combined.
While Flat Coated Retrievers (pictured) make great pets, Ben says people should consider their health concerns before getting one.
“The type of cancer they are particularly susceptible to is called histiocytic sarcoma, which is extremely rare in humans to the point that Bernese Mountain Dogs have been used as a genetic model to understand the disease better than humans.”
The last dog in the video is the Flat Coated Retriever.
Ben describes the breed as follows: ‘I think they are great family dogs and I love Flat Coated Retrievers, but I just couldn’t handle the sadness of losing them so predictably.
“Because again, half of those who die from cancer are fine and they are susceptible to the same kind of unusual cancer that the Bernese Mountain Dogs get.”
Rottweilers (pictured) are another breed of dog prone to cancer, specifically a type of bone tumor called osteosarcoma
He then describes the condition, saying, “It’s a strange cancer because it can grow from the spleen, but also from the connective tissue and muscles of the limbs.”
Concluding the clip, Ben suggests that viewers consider this type of health information when deciding which dog they want.
He says, ‘(If) one of these breeds is on your list, think very carefully before making that decision, because it’s not possible to help test for these types of cancers.
And if you already have one of these dog breeds, be especially vigilant when they reach middle age.
“If something is not right, contact your vet. It’s always best to catch cancer early, just like in humans.’