Dog Osteomas

An osteoma is a benign Dog Tumors of a dog’s bone. In dogs they appear primarily in and around the head. They can arise along the spinal cord (Dog Spinal Cord Tumors) or long bones, but that is less common than those in the mouth, skull or jaw. When they are in the jaw area, they can become large enough to affect the temporomandibular joint. They originate from the periosteum, which is the outer layer of the bone.

In dogs, there is no propensity for this disease in any particular breed or sex. They can arise in dogs from young adult to senior. They appear more frequently in medium and large breed dogs.

Signs and Symptoms

They will appear as a hardened mass somewhere on the dog’s body. The usual location is a flat bone, more often than long bones. They grow slowly and are observed as hard masses. Growth depends on the length of time the mass has been present. In dogs there may be a firm mass arising from the skull.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a biopsy. The examination of the specimen will determine the pathology of the mass. When observed via an x-ray the main area is transparent and the outer area is opaque. There will be an excess of immature bone in the area.

Treatment Options

Unfortunately the only treatment is surgery. The mass will be removed, and in extreme cases, the bone may be removed as well.

At Home Care

As with any illness in a dog, there is a certain degree of guesswork involved. Your dog cannot simply tap you on the shoulder and tell you that they are experiencing Dog Pain. Therefore, it is important to closely observe your dog if you notice any abnormalities or growths.

After a procedure, such as surgery, your veterinarian will order pain medication to keep your dog comfortable. It is up to you to administer the medication and keep the dog as pain free as possible.

Nutrition is important during times of healing. If your dog has surgery and is on pain medication, hunger may not be a priority to your dog. It is however vitally important. Under those circumstances, you may choose to feed your dog several meals each day rather than one or two meals a day only. If your dog is free fed, be sure they are eating enough to maintain a healthy nutritional status.

It may also be a good idea to consult with your vet about nutritional supplements post-operatively, such as Dog Cancer Dietary Supplements. These will aid in the healing process and will help to avoid other problems that can arise from malnutrition in your dog.

Rarely do osteomas reoccur. By checking out your dog when you are brushing or petting them, you can easily identify any physical changes such as Dog Lumps and bumps that arise along a bone.

Responsibility always lies with the dog owner. It is better to be on the lookout for changes in your dog’s physical and emotional state and tend to them as quickly as possible. When left alone for long periods the severity of the abnormality will increase and your dog’s health will also be at an increased risk as well.

Suggested Products

Nu-Pet Vitamin & Antioxidant Wafers
Cancer Support Kit – Dogs

Additional Dog Cancer Pages

Dog Cancer | Dog Skin Cancer | Dog Bladder Cancer | Dog Pancreatic Cancer | Dog Bone Cancer | Dog Cancer Prevention | Dog Cancer Diagnosis | Dog Lymphoma Cancer | Dog Gastric Cancer | Dog Mast Cell Tumors