How Do I Treat My Dog’s Moles?
Benign moles generally do not require treatment, though if it causes a dog discomfort, your vet may recommend removing a mole surgically or freezing it off with cryosurgery. If a mole has been identified as being cancerous, the vet will be able to recommend a treatment solution. Typically, they will offer three solutions: surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Surgical removal of the mole will consist of the vet simply using a scalpel to cut away the growth, removing it from the body before it has a chance to spread further. This usually has very good result if the condition is caught in its early stages, though it may be relatively ineffective if carried out at later stages.
Radiotherapy, meanwhile, consists of using beams of radiation to kill the cancerous cells. These beams will be projected from different locations outside of the dog’s body, meaning that they will intersect within the tumor and therefore not deliver a damaging dose of radiation to any healthy cells. While this method is very good at destroying localized cancers, it will not be so useful if the disease manages to spread.
Finally, chemotherapy uses a mixture of chemicals to destroy all the cancer cells within the body by poisoning them. While healthy cells will be protected by the immune system, cancer cells will be left to die, removing the disease from the body. You should keep in mind that chemotherapy can result in some quite severe side effects such as vomiting and weight loss, meaning that older and more infirm animals may suffer considerably. After the treatment has been completed, a dog will typically not need that long before they can return to their normal life, though dogs that have completed surgery or chemotherapy may need a few weeks of rest in order to fully heal. Additionally, further testing may be needed in order to make sure that the cancer does not return.
Finding a Suspicious Lump on Your Dog
Most lumps and bumps that you find on your dog will not be as serious as cancer. However, skin cancer is relatively common in dogs and early diagnosis and treatment are essential for good outcomes, so its important to see your vet if you do discover a suspicious patch of skin or lump on your dog.
The most common form of skin cancer in dogs is Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This form of cancer typically affects older animals, particularly dalmatians, beagles, whippets, and white bull terriers. These tumors appear as raised wart-like patches or lumps that are firm to the touch and are typically found on the dogs head, abdomen, lower legs, and rear. While exposure to the sun may be a cause of squamous cell carcinoma, papillomavirus has also been linked to this form of cancer.
Most melanomas are benign, however, they can be malignant and pose a serious threat to your dogs health. Melanomas appear as raised bumps that may or may-not be dark-pigmented. Malignant melanomas are often found around the dogs nail bed, lips, and mouth and tend to grow quickly and spread to other organs. Male dogs are more at risk of this type of cancer than females, and both schnauzers and Scottish terriers are breeds that face an increased risk of developing malignant melanoma.
Mast cell tumors account for approximately 20% of all skin tumors in dogs. These tumors can appear on the skin anywhere on the body and have a variety of appearances. Some mast cell tumors look like relatively harmless little lumps while others may appear as angry or ulcerated lumps or masses. This form of skin cancer is most commonly diagnosed in dogs between ages 8 to 10 years old, with breeds such as boxers, pugs, Rhodesian ridgebacks, and Boston terriers facing an increased risk of the disease.
If your vet suspects that your dog has skin cancer, they may perform a fine needle aspiration in order to take a small sample of the tumors cells for examination or perform a biopsy in order to take a portion of the tumors tissue to be examined. In order to provide an accurate diagnosis of your dogs condition, the samples taken by your vet will be sent to a lab for analysis. To determine the extent of cancer in your dogs body after the initial diagnosis, additional diagnostic testing may be required. Additional testing can help to optimize treatment recommendations and more accurately predict prognosis.
Cancer in dogs can be treated with several different therapies or treatment combinations, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies or palliative care when appropriate.
When it comes to the prognosis and treatment of cancer in dogs, options will depend on the type of cancer, the tumors location, and how advanced the cancer is. Many dogs that have been diagnosed with early-stage skin cancers can be treated successfully and go on to live active lives.
When it comes to skin cancer in dogs, good treatment outcomes rely on early detection and treatment. Pay attention to the condition of your dogs skin during regular grooming sessions. Take the time to familiarize yourself with all your dog’s lumps, bumps, and rashes.
Twice yearly wellness examinations at your dogs primary care veterinary clinic give your vet the opportunity to monitor your dogs overall health and watch for usual or specious lumps and bumps.
If you notice an unusual lump on your dog or swelling around your dogs toes, consult your veterinarian. When it comes to your canine companions health its always better to err on the side of caution.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pets condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Dog Skin Cancer: Which Breeds Are at Risk?
All dogs can get skin cancer, but certain types of cancer more commonly occur in particular breeds.
Benign melanocytomas are often seen in Vizslas, Miniature Schnauzers, Doberman Pinschers, Airedale Terriers, and Bay Retrievers, typically in animals between 5 and 11 years old. Malignant melanomas on the toe or in the toenail bed appear more frequently in black dogs. Schnauzers and Scottish Terriers are at greatest risk.
Squamous cell carcinomas tend to appear in dogs that are between six and 10 years old. Breeds that are more likely to get this type of skin cancer include Keeshonds, Standard Schnauzers, Basset Hounds, Collies, Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, and Beagles. In general, dogs with short coats (especially those with light skin) are more prone to squamous cell carcinomas.
Mast cell tumors are most commonly seen in Boxers and pugs, and are also found with some frequency in Boston Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, and Schnauzers.