Vet Corner: How to Know If Your Dog Has Skin Cancer

Skin cancer in dogs is a serious disease that can be easily treated if caught early. It's important to know how to recognize the signs of dog skin cancer as early as possible so treatment can begin right away. Let's take a look at how to know if your dog has skin cancer and what you can do about it:

The most common site for dog skin cancer is on the head, ears and neck.

Your dog's skin is more sensitive to ultraviolet light than yours, so he's at risk for skin cancer. The most common site for this cancer is on the head, ears and neck. However, it can occur anywhere on the body.

Skin cancers can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors are often treated with surgery. Malignant tumors may require chemotherapy and radiation therapy before surgery.

Metastatic lesions are tumors that spread from another place within the body to the skin.

A metastatic lesion is a tumor that has spread from another place within the body to the skin. The most common places for metastatic tumors to spread to the skin include the nose, mouth and ears.

These tumors are usually the result of cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body. Although they are often easily treated, they can be difficult to diagnose because they don’t always have typical signs or symptoms.

The most common symptoms of a metastatic skin lesion are the same as those for any other skin condition, such as redness, scaling and itching.

A benign tumor may be removed, or it can be monitored if it isn't causing problems.

A benign tumor may be removed, or it can be monitored if it isn't causing problems. If a tumor is too close to the surface of the skin and/or cannot be surgically removed, your veterinarian may recommend laser surgery to remove that section of skin. This allows you to still see some of your dog's fur while removing the growth. If a benign tumor has grown deep into muscle tissue or organs, however, surgery is not an option and monitoring is recommended until such time as they resolve on their own.

If your dog has developed multiple benign tumors (especially if they have been growing for several months), or if this type of issue has occurred multiple times in one area with no known cause (i.e., due to trauma or injury), then there's an increased chance that this might represent some type of cancerous growth rather than just simple benign tumors

You'll want to get a diagnosis before you try any treatment.

A diagnosis is important because it will help your vet determine how aggressive the cancer is and how much time you have to treat it. It's also useful to know what type of skin cancer your dog has, so you can start looking for signs of recurrence after treatment ends.

The sooner you catch any health problems in your pet, the better—it's especially true when it comes to skin cancer since the disease can be hard to detect. If you notice any changes in your dog's skin or fur (like bumps and discoloration), bring him in immediately so a vet can help figure out what's going on and make sure he gets proper care as soon as possible.

There are several different types of skin cancers in dogs.

There are several different types of skin cancers in dogs. Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as a raised, scaly bump on the skin that may or may not ulcerate and bleed. Squamous cell carcinoma is another type of cancer that can affect the skin. It often presents as a painful red patch with an ulcerated center, which tends to be crusty and slow healing. Melanomas are more common in dogs than melanomas are in humans; they appear dark brown to black in color, rather than tan like other forms of skin cancer.

Other types of cancer can develop on the skin, as well; lymphoma is one example, though it’s more common among cats than dogs.

The most common type of cancer on the skin is squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer usually appears as a raised, scaly bump that may or may not ulcerate and bleed. It’s important to have any suspicious growths checked out by an experienced veterinarian, because there are many other types of cancers that can affect the skin.

It's important to know how to recognize the signs of dog skin cancer as early as possible so treatment can begin right away.

As with human skin cancer, the first step in treating dog skin cancer is to diagnose it. If you notice any of the following signs on your dog's body, make an appointment with your veterinarian:

• Red, scaly patches on the skin or hair loss

• Small lumps under the surface of the skin that may be darkly pigmented and/or tender to touch

• Open sores or wounds that won't heal

Conclusion

Skin cancer is not something that dogs often get, but it’s important to know the signs of this disease so you can take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The earlier a skin cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better chances your dog has for recovery and survival.