The Appearance of Skin Cancer in Dogs
Skin cancers are common to many breeds of dog and can be fatal. Since early diagnosis and treatment often determine how well the dog will respond to therapy, knowing what to look for may improve the odds.
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General Signs and Symptoms
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VetInfo recommends checking a dog monthly for unusual rashes or skin lesions. The appearance of skin cancer varies by type, but warning signs to watch for include hair loss, crusty patches on the skin, lumps that develop quickly, sores that heal slowly, unusual swelling and discomfort.
Melanoma
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WebMD Pet Health reports that malignant canine melanomas usually occur in the mouth, on the lips, in the toenail beds and on the pads of the feet. Melanoma lesions are typically round and very dark in color.
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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Squamous cell cancer often occurs on the abdomen and around the genitals, appearing as firm, raised tumors that look like warts. If they develop on the feet, they may become painful and cause limping.
Mast Cell Tumors
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These tumors often grow slowly and appear as rubbery lumps just under the skin. They can grow quickly, however, and sometimes develop into ulcerated sores. In general, mast cell tumors usually occur on the trunk of the body, but WebMD notes they occur on the legs about 25 percent of the time.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
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Canine basal cell cancer typically appears as a firm, solitary, hairless lump on the head (including ears), neck and front legs but may show up in other areas as well.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Krzysztof Gebarowski from Fotolia.com
