Dog Skin Cancer Symptoms And What To Do
The last thing any dog owner wants to hear is the word cancer. This word usually instills fear into the heart of every dog owner because they know the pain and suffering that their pooch will go through if diagnosed with cancer. Like humans, different types of cancer affect dogs, and some are serious than others. Out of many types of cancer that affect dogs, the most prevalent one is skin cancer. It is most commonly diagnosed because skin growths are quite easy to spot. So, how do you know that your dog has skin cancer, and what should you do if the results come out positive? Continue reading to find out more.
How do dogs get skin cancer?
Skin cancer can affect dogs of all ages. However, it is more common in older dogs. The exact reason why dogs get skin cancer is not yet known, but experts say that it could be because of several reasons such as chemicals and toxins in the environment, solar radiation, hormonal abnormalities, age, exposure to certain types of viruses, and genetics. Some types of skin cancers, such as mast cell tumors and dog melanomas can be fatal if left untreated for long. Therefore, it is important to take your dog to the vet for a thorough checkup if you spot any suspicious growth on the skin. Dog breeds that are more at risk of getting skin cancer include Cocker spaniels, Retrievers, Siberian huskies, miniature poodles, Daschunds, Samoyeds, and boxers because of genetics and the fact that their skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Types of skin cancer
There are five types of skin cancer in dogs, and each impacts the dog differently. Knowing the type of skin cancer that your dog is suffering from is important because it will help you administer the right treatment. Below is an overview of different types of skin cancer in dogs.
Malignant melanoma
This type of skin cancer usually affects pigmented cells known as melanocytes. Your pooch will develop benign tumors in pigmented cells known as melanocytes that mostly do not metastasize. These tumors are most prevalent in dogs that have hair. Malignant melanoma mostly occurs on the mouth but may also be found in other parts of the body covered with hair. Their growth usually spreads very fast and can quickly spread to other organs like the liver and lungs if it is not detected and treated early. The exact cause of this type of cancer is not known, but experts say that genetics play a big role. Other causes include things like compulsive licking and trauma.
Squamous
This type of skin cancer is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. Scientists also believe that this cancer is linked to the papillomavirus. Squamous is very aggressive and can quickly spread to the surrounding lymph nodes if it is not detected and treated early.
Mast cell tumors
As its name suggests, this type of dog skin cancer occurs in the mast cells of the immune system. Mast cell tumors are the most common type of skin cancer, and their main cause is not yet known. However, evidence suggests that that genetics and inflammation of the skin play a big role in the development of this type of cancer.
Histolytic cell tumors
The histolytic cell is a type of skin cell. They are referred to as histolytic cell tumors when they multiply. This type of skin cancer mostly affects dogs that are under 3 years. Dog breeds that are more susceptible to this type of skin cancer cell include Greyhounds, Bulldogs, Scottish Terriers, Chinese Shar-pei, Boston Terriers, and Boxers.
Fibrosarcoma
This type of skin cancer originates from the connective tissue of the skin and also beneath the skin. This tumor usually grows slowly but sometimes tends to recur after surgical removal. Fortunately, this type of cancer is less likely to metastasize. Fibrosarcoma mostly affects mid-aged and older dogs.
Dog skin cancer symptoms
Dog skin cancer has different symptoms depending on the type of cancer. It is important to closely monitor your dog for any unusual bumps and lumps, especially as your dog gets older. Not all skin tumors are cancerous, some like tags are usually non-cancerous, meaning they don’t have any effect on the dog. However, if you spot any unusual bumps or lump on your dog’s body, you should take your dog to the vet immediately for further examination.
Below are common symptoms of skin cancer.
Pain
Inflamed rubber-like sores
Strange colors bump or lump on the toenail beds, the mouth or pad of feet.
One or more wart-like growths on the skin
Bleeding or ulceration
Itchiness
Loss of air around the growth
What to do if your dog is diagnosed with skin cancer
Skin cancer does not mean a death sentence to your dog, especially if it is detected early. If you spot a lump or bump on your dog’s skin, the first important thing to do is take your dog to the vet for a thorough examination. The vet will conduct various tests on the skin to establish if the tumor is cancerous or not. If it is cancerous, the vet will establish the type of skin cancer that the dog is suffering from, then administer the right treatment.
Early-stage cancer can be treated successfully and your dog can go on to live a fully active life. There are various forms of treatments that the vet may recommend for your dog including therapies and treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
The treatment that your vet will administer for your dog’s cancer will depend on several factors, including the type of cancer, cancer stage, location of the tumor as well as your dog age. Some tumors can be removed through the surgical procedure, while others may require aggressive action like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
As the dog owner, you will play a big role in aiding the dog to beat cancer and live a normal healthy life as it used to. If your dog has skin cancer, you need to give her all the support she needs so that she does not feel lonely. Like humans, dogs also go through a lot when undergoing cancer treatment and need a lot of support from their owners. Additionally, you need to ensure that the dog eats a well-balanced diet as recommended by the vet to help strengthen her immune system. You also need to avoid exposing your dog to the sun for a prolonged period.