Keeping Your Berner Healthy: From Joint Pain to Cancer Risks

Unfortunately, Bernese Mountain Dogs are also known for having a shorter-than-average lifespan—a problem many large and giant breeds face–and they have a predisposition to certain health issues, including cancer. By understanding the risks and staying proactive with your dog’s care, you can help your Berner live a longer, healthier, and happier life. 

Common Health Concerns in Bernese Mountain Dogs 

Bernese mountain dogs are strong, sturdy animals—but their large size and genetic background make them vulnerable to a number of health conditions that are more common in this breed than others. 

Joint and Bone Issues 

Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to orthopedic problems, especially hip and elbow dysplasia. These joint malformations can lead to lameness, stiffness, and arthritis, often showing up in their middle-age years. Because of their size and weight, even minor joint issues can quickly impact mobility. Weight management, joint supplements, and early screening can make a big difference.¹ 

Bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus)

Like many deep-chested breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high risk of developing bloat, a potentially fatal condition where the stomach twists and traps gas. It can strike suddenly and requires immediate surgery. Avoiding large meals, slowing down eating, and waiting before vigorous exercise can help reduce the risk.^1,2,3

Heart and immune concerns 

Though not as commonly known for heart issues as some breeds, Berners may still develop cardiomyopathy or autoimmune disorders. Some Berners are more prone to immune-mediated diseases that impact blood cells or organs.¹ 

Eye Problems

Berners can experience hot spots, allergies, and eye issues such as entropion (eyelid rolling inward) and ectropion (eyelid rolling outward). 

They may also face progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which is an inherited eye condition that causes the retina to degenerate, leading to impaired vision or even blindness. It’s a common condition with Bernese Mountain Dogs and is passed down their genetics line.^1,3 

Von Willebrand's Disease (vWD) 

One of the common health concerns that Berner dogs face is also faced by humans; Von Willebrand's Disease is caused by a deficiency in the body’s protein that helps blood platelets stick together, clot, and form seals on broken blood vessels. If your dog has this condition they will likely have trouble with nose bleeds, scabbing over after injury—or surgery—and other blood related issues like excessive bruising.^1,3

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Cancer Risks in Bernese Mountain Dogs 

Cancer is one of the most significant health concerns in Bernese Mountain dogs, with some studies suggesting they are among the most cancer-prone breeds. While that can be alarming for Berner parents, knowing what you can look out for can help you catch problems early and act quickly. 

Histiocytic Sarcoma

The most aggressive and sadly common cancer in Berners is histiocytic sarcoma which affects  cells in the immune system called histiocytes. When localized, it often shows up in soft tissue/skin, bone/joints or internal organs, and is rarely seen in other breeds. It can also be disseminated, which affects multiple areas at the same time. This form of cancer can be particularly hard to treat, making early diagnosis vital.^1,2.3,4,5 

Hemangiosarcoma

This cancer is one of the most common cancers Berners are diagnosed with which affects blood vessels. It is an aggressive cancer that  involves organs like the spleen, liver, and heart. It can be difficult to detect early on as the symptoms may not appear until it is advanced. Some symptoms include sudden weakness or collapse, pale gums, and other signs associated with internal bleeding. ^4,5

You can learn more about hemangiosarcoma in our blog here.

Mast Cell Tumors 

These skin tumors can range from slow growing to very aggressive. Any lump or bump should be evaluated promptly; early removal can prevent the spread of more dangerous cells. 

You can learn more about mast cell tumors in our post here. 

Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) 

Like other large breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs can develop osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that often targets the limbs. It typically causes sudden lameness and swelling and can require surgery or chemotherapy to treat, with some of the worst cases requiring amputation. 

You can learn more about osteosarcoma in our post here.

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Lymphoma in Bernese Mountain Dogs

In Bernese Mountain Dogs one of the more frequently diagnosed cancers is lymphoma, and of the variations the most commonly diagnosed form is multicentric lymphoma. This type usually causes swelling in several lymph nodes at once—common locations of swelling include under the jaw, around the shoulders, behind the knees, in the armpits and the groin area. 

While multicentric lymphoma is the most typical, Berners can also develop the other common subtypes of lymphoma, which include alimentary (digestive tract), mediastinal (in the chest), cutaneous (skin), or other, less common extranodal (outside of a lymph node) forms. 

You can learn more about the different types of lymphoma in our post here.

Symptoms for lymphoma come in a wide range, and a variety of factors will dictate how the symptoms present in each dog: these include the type of lymphoma, the dog's general health, and also their personality, among other things. Because of this, signs that something is wrong may be as singular as noticing enlarged lymph nodes with no behavioral changes, to seeing other symptoms of malaise in your dog such as general fatigue, a reduced appetite, or dietary reactions; vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and weight loss, to name a few. These symptoms can range from subtle to concerning, so it's important to stay aware of your dog’s baseline behavior. 

You can learn more about the basics of canine lymphoma in our post here. 

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Lymphoma Treatment Options for Bernese Mountain Dogs 

Treating lymphoma in Bernese Mountain Dogs typically centers around chemotherapy, which targets the cancer cells wherever they are present within the body. Because lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system—a widespread network—treatment needs to be systemic. Chemotherapy can be given orally at home or through IV infusions at the vet. 

In some cases, surgery or half-body radiation may be an additional approach to treating lymphoma; there are few reasons that surgery or radiation would be chosen over chemotherapy, but they can be used together to create a stronger treatment plan for the individual patient in rare cases. Chemotherapy is the most widely used treatment for lymphoma and dogs tolerate it much better than people with good quality of life for the majority of dogs.

You can learn more about when surgery is used to treat lymphoma in our post here. 

And you can learn more about how half-body radiation treatment works in this post. 

Steroid-only treatment can be another option, especially for dogs who are older, have other health conditions, or whose families may not be able to pursue a full chemotherapy protocol. A steroid treatment won’t be able to bring the dog into remission, but it can help them live more comfortably with a lymphoma diagnosis for a short time. 

You can learn more about steroid treatments in our post here.

There are many ways to approach treatment for your dog when they are diagnosed with lymphoma. The decision ultimately depends on the type of lymphoma, stage, your dog's overall health, and what your vet thinks will be the most effective way to reach your pet’s health goals. 

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Your Bernese Mountain Dog Deserves Care As Unique as They Are

Treating lymphoma as a standard practice is based on general protocols, which means trying treatments based on what works for most dogs of a certain breed, age, or size. But your Bernese Mountain Dog isn’t most dogs—they’re one of a kind. ImpriMed understands that your dog is more than just their breed or weight. 

Rather than relying solely on what could work, ImpriMed offers personalized insights to help your veterinarian create a treatment plan based on your dog’s specific live, active cancer cells.

By analyzing a sample of your dog’s cancer and comparing it to a robust database of canine lymphoma cases, ImpriMed builds a Personalized Prediction Profile that highlights which chemotherapy drugs are most likely to be effective for your dog’s cancer. This data-driven approach helps your vet choose the medications most likely to get your dog into remission and skip all the ones that probably won’t help.

Learn how ImpriMed can help your Bernese Mountain Dog get truly personalized cancer care.