How would you feel?

[Labradorks]

My friend just got a puppy from a good breeder. The other day she went to send the sire's information to a curious friend, and when she pulled up his page on his breeder's site, discovered he'd recently died. I think he was 8 or so. Turns out he died from a rapid type of cancer.

As the owner of one of his puppies, would you be freaking out a little?

[Maxx&Emma]

I would worry, not that it would do any good, that is just the way I am.

[dxboon]

I would feel sad for the owner who lost their dog. If it was hemangiosarcoma, for which there is no testing to identify individuals who might get it, and which often kills so rapidly that the diagnosis must be made via necropsy, what could've been done? I have not seen any studies that show hemangiosarcoma (if that's the disease in this scenario) being passed down to progeny. Maybe others have more insight. So no, I would not be freaking out.

[windycanyon]

Depends on the type of cancer. Some are highly environmental, and out of our control. Others that are genetic, well... it stinks. Hemangio in Goldens is really rampant anymore.

[Labradorks]

Of course she/we feels bad for the owner. It's awful.

I told her to find out what kind it is before she gets too worried.

[Annette47]

Freaking out? No ... a little bit worried? Yes.

For what it’s worth, both of Mulder’s parents died at 12 from cancer (not sure what kinds). He made it to almost 16, and his littermate that we fostered was almost 15. There are many factors that go into something like that, only some of which are genetic. I would find out what kind, and keep a close eye on my pup but otherwise try not to worry about it.

[POPTOP]

I would be sorry for the breeder but not too worried. It would depend on the type of cancer.

[barry581]

I think I'd be mildly concerned. Cancer can be such a random thing, and not normally hereditary. I would definitely reach out to the sires owner with my condolences.

[doubledip1]

I wouldn't be concerned.

[3ChocMom]

I would not freak out, but there are certain precautions I would take (I already do this stuff with my own dogs because I believe it's healthier, but I'd be inclined to start a bit earlier if I knew of a history of cancer in my dog's lines). Limited vaccinations, flea preventive only when absolutely necessary, and either a raw or home cooked diet. I don't know how old your friend's puppy is now, but my youngest just turned 1 year old last month. I still have him on a high quality kibble because even though my other dogs are fed a home cooked diet, I am not comfortable feeding a growing dog that way. I will wait until he's around 18 months before I begin feeding him home cooked. But, if I learned one of his parents died of cancer, I'd probably stop the kibble earlier. I will also say as a disclaimer that this diet is under the guidance of my holistic vet. I wouldn't advise doing it without the help of a vet or very extensive research.