My dog's brother died of cancer. Should I test for cancer genes?

Question

I have a 6yr old Yorkie poo, I've just been informed that his brother just passed away from cancer of the bowel, is it worth having my dog checked to make sure he's not carrying the same cancer gene? Pet's info: Dog | Yorkipoo | Male | neutered | 6 years old

Catherine Stecyk · Accepted Answer

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Unfortunately there is no test to check for "cancer genes" in dogs. I'm very sorry to hear that Ollie's sibling recently passed from cancer. While some cancers can be genetic in origin, Ollie is not necessarily at increased risk of developing the same cancer that his brother did. That being said, it is always recommended that dogs have at least annual exams performed by your veterinarian, and as they get older, have bloodwork performed to check for any underlying organ issues. There is no blood test for cancer, but it can help us determine if certain organs are not functioning as they should. It will be important for you to monitor for any unusual clinical signs that may suggest Ollie is becoming sick - such as lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, etc. As long as he is continuing to act normally at home, I would not be concerned!

My dog's brother died of cancer. Should I test for cancer genes?

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