Hemangiosarcoma Research Involving Scent Detection

Cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs, with as many as half developing the disease in their lifetime. Hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of blood vessel cells known in our breed, is especially prevalent in PWD. Often called the “silent killer,” hemangiosarcoma often goes undetected until a seemingly healthy dog suddenly collapses. There are no reliable methods for early detection, and prognosis after diagnosis is poor.

Researchers led by Clara Wilson at the University of Pennsylvania investigated whether hemangiosarcoma emits a distinct scent that can be recognized by trained dogs. Their findings were published in The Veterinary Journal (Wilson et al., November 2025). In this study, five trained detection dogs evaluated blood samples from dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, dogs with other health conditions, and healthy dogs. Using specialized monitoring equipment, the dogs correctly identified cancer samples roughly 70% of the time, similar to accuracy rates reported in studies where dogs detect cancers in humans.

The results indicate that hemangiosarcoma likely has a unique odor, suggesting a potential pathway for earlier detection. Researchers hope this discovery could eventually support the development of screening methods, possibly even routine diagnostic tests, enabling earlier diagnosis, more rapid treatment, and improved outcomes.

Read more about the study here: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/sniffing-out-cancer-trained-dogs-can-detect-hemangiosarcoma-scent ;  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41319895/

Research at Texas A & M Links Breed, Environment and Food Motivation to Canine Obesity

Approximately half of dogs in the United States are classified as overweight. Recent research conducted by Texas A&M University in collaboration with the Dog Aging Project (DAP) indicates that this issue is likely driven by multiple factors, including breed characteristics, environmental influences, owner behavior, and inherent food motivation. For instance, sporting breeds such as retrievers, spaniels, and setters were found to be about 10% more food-motivated than other breeds.

The study revealed that dog owners are more inclined to regulate their pet ’s diet when they perceive their dog as overweight, rather than when the condition is identified by a veterinarian. These conclusions were drawn from a combination of owner-reported survey data and veterinarian-assessed body condition scores.

“Overweight dogs face increased risks of conditions such as skin disease, diabetes, and arthritis,” noted Dr. Kate Creevy, Chief Veterinary Officer of the project and professor at Texas A&M ’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. She emphasized the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of the social, environmental, and demographic factors contributing to canine obesity in order to improve canine health and quality of life.

Interestingly, The Dog Aging Project, which focuses on understanding the aging process in dogs and promoting healthy longevity, has enrolled more than 50,000 dogs to date. This research was carried out by Dr. Kathleen Gartner as part of Texas A&M ’s Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training Program.

Learn more here: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/dog-obesity-linked-to-breed-environment-owner-choices/  ; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40081321/