More than 60 percent of golden retrievers succumb to cancer. The Denver, Colorado–based Morris Animal Foundation launched the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study to gather information by observing 3,000 goldens over the course of their lives and build a comprehensive database. It’s the first time a study of such scope has been conducted in dogs. The study will continue until the last of the enrolled goldens dies.
Normal life span no more
Forty years ago, golden retrievers often lived to a ripe old canine age — up to 15 years or more. In recent decades, the average golden’s life span has dropped to nine or 10, with many dying before reaching even that “middle age” in dogs. One purpose of the study is to uncover the factors that shortened the breed’s life span, factors that may have implications for human health. These dogs live with people — the two species share 95 percent of DNA — so environmental issues may come into play.
Cancer in golden retrievers
Certain cancers are especially prevalent in the breed. These include:
- Hemangiosarcoma — An aggressive cancer of the blood vessels, this deadly cancer generally originates in the spleen, liver or heart, and metastasizes to the lungs. Since early symptoms are subtle, by the time a golden becomes noticeably ill, he likely has a short time to live.
- Lymphoma — This is a cancer of the white blood cells (lymphocytes). Once diagnosed, chemotherapy is an option and can help an affected golden live longer.
- Mast cell tumor — These skin tumors affect a dog’s connective tissue. A dog’s prognosis depends on the size and stage of the tumor. Surgery for a low-grade tumor may offer a cure, while higher-grade tumors are likely to spread.
- Osteosarcoma — This bone cancer most often occurs in the legs or shoulders. If it has not spread, limb amputation can buy the dog some time.
The Framingham Heart Study
The idea for the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is based on the Framingham, Massachusetts, heart study, the longest-running study in human medicine. It began in 1948 and is now following participants in its third generation. The study set out to identify major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and approximately 2,400 research papers have come out of it to date.
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study
The Morris Animal Foundation’s $25 million lifetime study began in 2012 with the first enrollment of dogs. Enrollment was completed in 2015. Participating owners and their veterinarians fill out periodic, extremely detailed questionnaires regarding the dog’s health and lifestyle. Anything new in the home, such as a move, other pets or children, are reported. Behavioral and dietary changes are carefully noted. Sleeping arrangements, toys, treats — nothing is irrelevant in this comprehensive study.
Vets collect samples for laboratory testing, including blood, feces, toenail clippings, urine and hair. Each golden receives a complete annual physical exam, with a $75 reimbursement paid to owners to offset exam costs. Any additional veterinary visits are reported to the study. If a dog does develop a tumor, a sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.
Eligibility
Owners provided a minimum of a three-generation pedigree for their pet’s acceptance into the study. Only dogs living in the lower 48 states were eligible. Every dog in the study was under the age of two and healthy at the time of acceptance. Males and females are represented in equal numbers, with about half of both genders spayed or neutered and the other half intact.
Preliminary findings
Seven goldens in the study have already died, primarily from cancer. One dog was hit by a car. One-third of the goldens has been diagnosed with ear or skin infections, gastrointestinal issues afflicted 17 percent and 11 percent suffered from urinary diseases.
There’s only one thing wrong with golden retrievers — they don’t live long enough. For too many years, too many goldens have been shortchanged for life expectancy, and too many owners have experienced the grief of not only losing their best friends, but losing them too soon. Perhaps the lifetime study will unlock reasons for goldens’ shortened life spans and enable the breed to thrive once more.
—Jane Meggitt
Jane Meggitt graduated from New York University and worked as a staff writer for a major New Jersey newspaper chain. Her work on pets, equines and health have appeared in dozens of publications, including The Daily Puppy, The Nest Pets, Horse News, Hoof Beats and Horseback magazines.
Sources:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/pet-tales/2016/05/14/Hero-Golden-Retrievers-Do-Cancer-Research/stories/201605140004
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3070422/Study-aims-uncover-cancer-plagues-golden-retrievers.html
http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/golden-retriever
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/golden-retriever-study-confronts-heartbreak-cancer-with-unparalleled-veterinary-research-effort
https://www.grca.org/news/heritable-risk-for-lymphoma-and-hemangiosarcoma-in-golden-retrievers
http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/GoldenOld/index.html
https://www.framinghamheartstudy.org