Vizslas are a beautiful breed of dog, but they can also be very susceptible to cancer. Why Do Vizsla Get Cancer? Why do so many vizslas get cancer?
It’s a good question and one that is not easy to answer. So many factors go into why vizslas get cancer, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle.
The article will explore the different ways in which you can help prevent your vizsla from getting cancer by taking steps to increase their health levels overall.
Is Vizsla Prone To Cancer?
If you look at the statics, the number of Vizslas dying of cancer is low. So, you will find only a small number of Vizsla dying from cancer.
It is a common misconception that the Vizslas are prone to cancer due to their long lifespan and low immunity system, but you will find different breeders having this issue more than those owning Vizsla breeds.
Cancer isn’t just one disease. It’s actually a group of related diseases. So, according to some research, Vizslas are more prone to a type of cancer called hemangiosarcoma than the other breeds. And this is because this breed also doesn’t produce an adequate amount of blood cells for the body to heal itself from injuries or infections.
Is Cancer Common In Vizslas?
Cancer is a disease that can affect animals, but it’s not common in Vizsla. However, dogs with long life spans are more likely to suffer from cancer. And this becomes they are more exposed to carcinogens prevailing in the atmosphere.
Besides this, Vizslas are usually healthy animals, so the risk of contracting cancer is lower than in other breeds. Further, like any other dog, the risk for cancer is high in Vizsla’s susceptibility to carcinogens, age, unhealthy food habits, and genetic factors.
However, some of the most common types of cancer found in these dogs are hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, and mast cell tumours.
What Are The Types Of Cancer Common In Vizsla?
Cancer is one of the most dreaded words in human language. When we hear this word, our mind starts to wander and imagine what it would be like if a loved pet gets cancer. In general, dogs (like Vizsla) are prone to develop various types of cancers such as:
Lymphoma In Vizsla
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, which includes organs and tissues (such as skin) throughout the body. Lymph nodes are areas where much of this cell growth occurs. The cells can also travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, such as your lungs or liver. Vizslas are generally more susceptible to lymphoma because of their increased exposure to carcinogens.
Bone Cancer In Vizsla
A Vizsla usually has an average life expectancy of about 12 years. Unfortunately, cancer is a common cause of death in the breed, and bone cancer accounts for 27% of all reported cases. Death due to this type of cancer typically occurs within just two to six months after diagnosis.
However, the main reason why Vizsla gets bone cancer is because of the breed’s genetic predisposition to it. Vizslas are much more likely than other breeds to develop this type of cancer because they have a higher number of cells that produce bone tumours and cancers that form in both bones and soft tissue.
The situation becomes exacerbated when these dogs live an unhealthy lifestyle or consume food with artificial ingredients.
Skin Cancer In Vizsla
Vizsla dogs are prone to skin cancer because they have a thick fur coat which prevents them from cooling off properly in sunlight or air-conditioning. As a result, it can lead to sunburn, which makes it more likely for a Vizsla dog to develop skin cancer.
The dog’s tendency to live with humans who smoke tobacco and other carcinogenic substances that can harm the dog’s respiratory system increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Unlike human beings, Vizsla dogs cannot get sunscreen, making it hard for them to protect their skin from harmful UV rays.
Cancer Of Kidney In Vizsla
Some owners might find it unbelievable, but Vizslas can actually get cancer of the kidneys. We are not sure about what causes this type of cancer in Vizsla. But it is more likely to happen due to exposure to carcinogens that are harmful to their health or human foods that are not beneficial for them. The common symptoms of this type of cancer in Vizslas are weight loss and bloody urine, from time to time urinating blood.
Many people might think that kidney failure would be the cause of death for Vizsla with cancer, but many kidney cancers are curable if diagnosed early enough. But it is important to remember that even though treatment may be successful, the dog will always have a greater chance of developing another type of cancer in the future. It may be due to genetics or environmental conditions like what we might eat and do every day.
Why Do Vizsla Get Cancer?
Although cancer-related death rates are meagre in Vizslas, they are not immune to cancer. So, certainly, some triggering factors can cause your Vizsla to get cancer.
Thus, the factors that might put your Vizsla a risk of cancer are:
Vizsla Get Cancer Due To Unhealthy Food Habits
Just like any other animal, Vizslas can get cancer from unhealthy eating habits. For example, eating foods rich in toxins and carcinogens might increase their risk of getting cancerous tumours.
Food habits that can lead to cancer are over-eating, eating processed food, and high levels of additives. All these foods cause mutations in cells which might turn into a tumour. So, give more emphasis on natural healthy snacks.
Birth Control
Vizsla females can be prone to cancer due to birth control surgeries, such as spaying or neutering at a young age. In addition, some birth control medications like progesterone may also cause cancer.
And this is because the ovaries and uterus of female dogs produce estrogen hormones which might raise the risk of developing cancer. Besides, the surgical procedure may sometimes have complications, like injury to the uterus, ovaries, or cervix. It may also result in abnormal hormone levels, which might lead to cancer.
Vizsla Get Cancer Because Of Genetics
Genetically predisposition of some dog breeds to developing cancers is more than others since they carry a mutated gene that makes them prone and vulnerable to tumours and cancerous cells.
Thus, cross-breeding Vizsla with dogs with such mutated genes might cause their offspring to develop cancer. In addition, the predisposed inherited genes and DNA of these breeds will mix in a Vizsla’s body, thus making them prone to tumour growth.
So, a vizslas’ predisposition for developing cancer can also be due to genetics or family history.
Exposure To Carcinogens
Vizsla’s hunting nature and strong prey drive expose them to various environmental toxins. It might include car exhausts from cars on the road or other chemicals in furniture that we sit on. These can cause mutations in cells which eventually lead to cancerous tumours.
The risk is higher for Vizslas that are regularly hunting and those who live in rural areas.
Vizsla Get Cancer Due To Environmental Conditions
Environmental exposure is another risk factor for your Vizsla getting cancer. If you have a Vizsla who lives near or works at a polluting site, they are more likely to get cancer. If the air and water quality is poor due to chemical spills in your area, this will also increase the risk of cancer for your Vizsla.
Besides this, Vizslas living in hotter climates are also at a greater risk of getting cancer. In addition, environmental conditions can lead to other problems, such as asthma, allergies, and skin problems.
Aging Can Cause Cancer In Vizsla
Vizsla is an aging breed, and as they age, the probability that your Vizsla will get cancer increases. The simple reason for this is that their cells start to deteriorate with time which can cause mutations in them that eventually turn into a tumour.
Can We Treat Cancer In Vizsla?
The truth is that there is no known way to eliminate cancer from your Vizsla’s body. However, we can do a few things to help lower the risk of cancer or alleviate signs and symptoms:
- Keep them on a healthy diet
- Regular health checkups
- Keep them away from substances that cause cancer
- Help reduce stress in their life
- Exercise them regularly
- Proper grooming
- Monitor them for signs of cancer
- Remove any mole or other skin abnormality that might be cancerous.
Is It Curable In Vizsla?
A Vizsla’s cancer is curable if you can remove it so that the cells do not continue to grow and spread. Some cancers are easier for veterinarians to remove than others because different breeds of dogs have more or less body fat (which makes surgery difficult) or other factors such as a dog’s age. In addition, many types of cancer, such as skin cancers or lymphoma, are curable because of early diagnosis and treatment.
Although it is not always possible to cure your Vizsla’s cancer, some types of treatment exist that will help manage pain and prolong life so that Vizsla can enjoy a good quality of life.
What Can We Do To Help Vizsla With Cancer?
Cancer is a health issue that affects all species of animals. Moreover, this disease comes with unbearable pain that ends in death. As Vizsla cannot explain their feeling verbally, it is more difficult to manage a Vizsla with cancer.
However, some ways to help a Vizsla with cancer are:
- Keep your Vizsla active to prevent the growth of tumour
- Consult a Veterinary Oncologist for pain management
- Feed high-quality food. Give small, frequent meals and treats as Vizslas appetite may decrease due to cancer
- Include water or other fluids in their diet as much as you can.
- Give a comfortable place to lie down and rest.
- Stay calm around your Vizsla. Please provide them with the assurance that you’re there for them throughout this difficult time.
- Offer affection or attention where possible, as the vizslas stress level may increase due to cancer.
Conclusion
Vizsla is a popular dog breed that is more likely to get cancer. And the most common reason why they are highly susceptible to the disease is their genetics and lifestyle.
It’s important for you, the owner, to be aware of these risks so that you can do what it takes to help your pet stay healthy. If they contract cancer, treatment options are available, but not all cancers will be curable in every situation. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian or an animal specialist if you have any concerns about your Vizsla’s health and well-being.
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