majority of dogs are affected by cancer
Xenophon Posted on 5:33 am

Why Labrador retrievers have high cancer cases?

All pet animals will have some diseases, where some might be with serious effects and some might not. However, the majority of dogs are affected by cancer. In the case of Labrador retrievers, the rates are high than any other breeds. Still, many owners would doubt whether the Labrador retrievers are prone to cancer or not? Even though the Labrador is unique and different from other dog breeds they are prone to some common cancer types. Common cancers in Labrador Retrievers are lymphoma, mast cells, melanoma, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma.

Labrador Retrievers dog breed

What do these tumors mean?

Each tumor cell does have different effects in the Labrador where some are treatable with vaccinations and diet where some need surgical treatment. What about these common cancer types?

  • Mast cells – it is a skin cancer that often occurs to all dog breeds but in terms of Labrador Retrievers, the affecting rates are a bit high about 7-21%. However, the tumor cell would show symptoms in the body as they expose them largely in size.
  • Lymphoma – this type of cancer often occurs in any parts of the body their main target is white blood cells and makes them abnormal. The good thing is they are treatable with proper medications.

Besides these tumors, other cancer types also affect Labrador which is also treatable with vaccinations.

Why does Labrador have high prone to cancer?

It is a known fact that no one wants their pet to have cancer, at the same time if you check on to the reason behind this high prone rate of common cancers in Labrador Retrievers and you can find there are some risk factors like.

  • genetic predisposition
  • lifestyle
  • poor breeding practices
  • obesity
  • environmental pollutants
  • eating habits
  • improper vaccinations

All these remain to be the major cause for cancer occurrence in Labrador Retrievers dog breed which can be avoided to have control over the cancer effect.