Most people don’t consider that their dog can
get skin cancer. The truth is that skin cancer is frequently diagnosed in dogs.
There are three main types of skin cancer in dogs, all of which can be life
threatening. Whichever type your dog has, early detection and diagnosis are key
to increasing its chances of recovery.
Detecting Skin Cancer Early
1 Screen your dog routinely for signs of skin cancer. As with all illnesses, detecting the symptoms early gives the best chance for a successful outcome. Make weekly full body examinations a routine. Run your hands over every inch of your dog to feel for any lumps or bumps.
Your dog will probably love this attention and
may think it’s a massage.
Different types of skin cancer look different.
With one common type, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a bleeding sore
appears that will not heal with creams or antibiotics. These sores are
generally red and may look like an ulcer.
2 Monitor any lumps for changes in size or color.
If you find a lump or bump on your dog’s skin carefully check over the rest of
the dog’s body for further lumps. Use a centimeter graded ruler to measure the
widest part of the lump and write the measurement down along with color and any
other signs associated with the lump. Check the lump daily to see if it goes
away.
3 Contact your veterinarian. If the lump you have been monitoring doesn’t go away within a few days or grows in size, see your veterinarian.
In addition, if you notice any of these symptoms call your
veterinarian right away:
Rapid increase in size
Swelling of surrounding skin
Redness of lump or skin around it
Ulceration
Drainage of fluid
Lump is itchy when touched or dog itches it
4 Be aware that there are growths that are not
malignant skin cancer. Most lumps you find on dogs are just fatty tumors, not
cancer. Remember that there are things that look like skin cancer but in
fact aren't or aren't malignant. This is why it is so important to stay calm
and get a professional opinion before suspecting the worst.
In fact, some of the most common types of skin
cancer in dogs, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, do require surgical removal
but do not usually require chemotherapy or radiation afterword.
Diagnosing and Treating Skin CancerDownload Article
1 Get a medical diagnosis. While the three main
skin cancers of dogs all have their own characteristics, none of them can be
definitively diagnosed from merely looking at them. A proper diagnosis is based
upon close examination of the cells in a lump. In order to do this, a
veterinarian will insert a thin needle into the suspicious lump, draw back on
the needle to fill the needle with cells, and then examine those cells under a
microscope.
Sometimes a larger piece of the tumor (biopsy)
or the entire tumor will need to be examined in order to find a correct
diagnosis.
2 Get the skin cancer treated. Surgical removal
is the most recommended, and in many cases curative, treatment. It is best to
have the surgery done quickly after diagnosis in order to have the best
possible outcome.
3 Follow directions for follow-up care. More aggressive tumors may need to be followed up with radiation or chemotherapy treatment. These follow up treatments are needed in order to cure the cancer or, in some cases, to slow the cancer's growth and to give the dog a measure of relief from the on-going cancer progression.
Each case is different and only your
veterinarian can help you to decide the best course of action.
Learning About the Types of Skin Cancer in DogsDownload Article
1 Learn about mast cell tumors. Mast cell tumors are the most common skin tumors in dogs. Almost one quarter of all skin tumors are this type.
On the skin, mast cell tumors generally appear as raised
solid raspberry like bumps but their appearance can vary. They are generally
single lesions but in some cases there can be multiple lumps. Some of them can
have ulcerated (raw appearing) skin.
Many times mast cell tumors itch and the
surrounding skin is reddened.
Mast cells are blood cells that are part of the
immune system and are produced in response to allergens and inflammation.
Why some mast cells develop into tumors is not
understood but they are more likely in dogs from 8-10 years of age and in
certain breeds (pugs, boxers, Boston terriers, and Rhodesian ridgebacks).
2 Understand malignant melanomas. Melanomas are
tumors that arise from the pigmented cells in the skin. In dogs they are most
common on the skin, toenails, and mouth. While the skin melanomas are usually
benign (do not spread) the ones on the toes and mouth are usually aggressive,
hard to treat, and frequently spread to other parts of the body.
Melanomas occur more frequently on the head and
front legs of older dogs.
Schnauzers and Doberman Pinchers have a high
rate of this type of tumor.
They are typically raised dark colored lumps.
The ones in the mouth can interfere with eating, cause the dog to drool or
bleed from the mouth and cause bad breath. Toenail melanomas can cause the toe
to swell, the toenail to fall off, and make the dog limp.
Occasionally melanomas are NOT dark colored and
will be the same color as the skin surrounding them.
3 Learn about squamous cell carcinoma. This type
of skin cancer is less common in dogs than mast cell and melanoma tumors. In
humans, it’s related to sun exposure but that isn’t really true in dogs, as
their fur coats offer sun protection.
Dogs with little hair or light colored dogs can
get sun-induced skin cancer, but this isn’t very common. As like the other
types of skin cancer it is more common in middle-aged to older dogs.
Squamous cell carcinomas can look like raised
lumps with ulcerated skin.