Pets’ skin, just like that of humans, can also suffer from certain diseases. Some are simple, but others can develop into more serious conditions, such as skin cancer in dogs.
Skin cancer in dogs is more likely to be treated and cured when diagnosed early. Therefore, it is important to be aware of all signs and symptoms that your pet may present.
Diagnosing any type of disease in your pet is worrying, but it is worth remembering that dogs with skin cancer have high recovery and remission rates. Learn more about this disease below.
What is cancer?
The body’s cells are always multiplying and renewing themselves. When abnormal growth or division occurs, cells with mutations appear. These are the cells that give rise to cancer in dogs , scientifically known as neoplasia.
The skin, because it has a high regeneration capacity, renews itself frequently. This can favor the emergence of abnormal cells and tumors. Cancer can be defined as benign or malignant, depending on the ability of the mutations to spread to other cells and parts of the body.
In the first case, benign cancer tends to grow more slowly and in a limited way, while malignant cancer develops more quickly. It spreads more quickly and is more harmful to the pet ‘s health .
What does skin cancer look like in dogs?
The skin is the largest organ in the body. Its main function is to protect the body from external aggressors and to control body temperature. As it is the protective layer, it is very susceptible to diseases.
As previously mentioned, skin cancers are very successful in recovery. Recognizing the first signs is essential to start treatment as soon as possible. See the main symptoms of skin cancer in dogs :
- nodules;
- change in skin color;
- changes in the appearance of the skin;
- bleeding;
- secretions;
- wounds that take a long time to heal.
It is essential to know how to identify skin tumors in dogs in order to act quickly. It is worth remembering that many other skin diseases can have these symptoms, but are not as serious. Therefore, consult your veterinarian for a correct diagnosis.
Types of skin cancer in dogs
There are several types of tumors in dogs . They vary in appearance, consistency and size. Here are some examples of skin cancer that affect dogs:
- melanoma;
- mastocytoma;
- lipoma;
- perianal adenoma;
- squamous cell carcinoma;
- trichoblastoma;
- histiocytoma.
Diagnosis of skin cancer in dogs
Skin cancer in dogs is diagnosed by a veterinarian based on clinical and laboratory tests. The professional will first examine the pet, both the skin and other parts of the body. He or she will consider the entire life history, genetics, breed, age and diet.
Based on clinical suspicion, specific tests are requested. The simplest are skin cytology, aspiration cytology of the nodule or skin scraping. A more complex example is a biopsy, which collects a fragment of the affected region.
If the suspected cancerous area is a nodule or an area of skin that can be removed, one alternative is to first perform a surgical procedure to remove it. Then, the material is sent for histopathological analysis (by biopsy).
A biopsy will be the definitive diagnosis that analyzes the cells, determines the degree of complexity and indicates whether the cancer is malignant or not. If it is benign, no cancer cells were found in the material. After these results, the best treatment is instituted.
Treatment for skin cancer in dogs
Treatment for skin cancer in dogs varies depending on the type of cancer. Often, surgical removal is sufficient, but in other cases, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is necessary.
If the disease is more aggressive or has reached a more advanced stage, the veterinarian may request other tests, such as blood tests, ultrasounds, X-rays, etc. These tests will indicate whether other areas of the body are affected. In these cases, treatment is more extensive, but skin cancer in dogs can often be cured .
Is it possible to prevent skin cancer in dogs?
Some skin tumors are genetic, so they cannot be prevented. It is recommended that pets with a family history of certain types of cancer not breed.
As for cancers caused by sunlight, for example, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing them. This type of disease usually affects dogs with light skin and fur in areas with less hair, such as the belly, ear tips and snout. That’s why it’s so important to use sunscreen on your pet!
Another important tip is to avoid letting your pet sunbathe during the hottest hours of the day. Instead, only take your pet out for walks in the early morning or late afternoon. Finally, always follow your veterinarian’s instructions and have regular checkups.