It’s a shocking diagnosis for dog lovers: skin cancer in dogs. Keep in mind: Not every skin tumor is malignant, but if it is, the disease can be deadly. Many questions arise for pet owners, such as: What causes skin cancer in dogs? What symptoms occur with skin cancer? What are the chances of recovery? Can skin cancer be prevented?
What Causes Skin Cancer in Dogs?
Many dog lovers believe that the fur of dogs protects the skin surface from the influence of UV radiation. This is not necessarily the case because sun exposure can still lead to skin cancer despite a dense coat. However, UV radiation is not solely responsible for the occurrence of skin cancer in dogs. Skin cancer is a condition that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds.
In some cells of the dog’s body, melanin is produced. This is a pigment naturally formed by the organism responsible for the coloration of the skin surface. Melanomas can also form during this process. These are tumors within the pigment cells that can be malignant. Melanomas (black skin cancer in dogs) tend to spread metastases through the bloodstream. Skin cancer in dogs is often a deadly disease, making it crucial to recognize signs of skin cancer and seek treatment from a veterinarian.
Skin Cancer in Dogs – Symptoms
Regular inspection of the fur and skin surface is essential for dogs. Not only to identify signs of skin cancer but also to uncover other potential issues such as infestations of parasites, fleas, or ticks. You can recognize skin cancer in dogs by these symptoms:
- Small nodules form on the skin surface.
- The skin surface shows thickenings.
- Your dog has wounds that have not healed for a long time.
- Weight loss occurs.
- Your dog regularly scratches or tries to bite specific areas.
Regardless of the externally visible symptoms mentioned, cancer in dogs can lead to additional accompanying symptoms affecting the overall condition. You should also keep an eye on these symptoms. In addition to skin tumors in dogs, another disease may be hidden – a veterinary examination is urgently needed for:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Irregularities in vital functions such as blood pressure and heartbeat
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Bleeding and disturbances in wound healing
- Coughing and breathing problems
- Blood in the stool
How Can the Veterinarian Detect Skin Cancer?
If you suspect, based on the described symptoms, that your dog is suffering from skin cancer, you should quickly seek confirmation from the veterinarian. Facing the possible diagnosis is undoubtedly challenging, but the sooner you have certainty, the sooner your veterinarian can begin treatment and potentially save your dog’s life. Always remember that cancer in dogs is now the most common cause of death.
The veterinarian has several options to make the diagnosis:
- He takes a small tissue sample (cytology), which is then examined by a specialist. The aim is to determine whether the skin change is indeed skin cancer.
- A larger tissue sample (biopsy) provides greater certainty in the diagnosis, as the veterinarian takes a larger tissue sample than with cytology. This provides more cells for examination.
- Upon confirmation of the skin cancer diagnosis, the veterinarian examines your dog’s lymph nodes. He also takes a tissue sample here to detect possible changes in the cells. If the skin cancer cells have migrated there, it may mean that the skin cancer is starting to spread.
- The lungs are X-rayed so that the veterinarian can also detect possible metastases here.
How does a tumor disease progress in dogs?
The positive aspect is that black skin cancer in dogs usually does not infiltrate extensively. This means that while skin cancer settles in a specific location, it does not penetrate the surrounding tissue extensively. In most cases, a melanoma in dogs does not affect the bone. With complete removal, the risk of recurrence of black skin cancer is low. However, it can happen that skin cancer begins to form metastases even at a small size. The cells are hardly able to supply themselves with nutrients. Therefore, cancer begins to migrate and can settle where blood supply is optimally ensured.
In the case of skin cancer, several courses can be distinguished. So-called small skin cancer can be locally removed if there are no abnormalities in the lymph nodes. The likelihood of recurrence of skin cancer is rare. If there are abnormalities in the lymph nodes, veterinarians refer to it as larger skin cancer. The likelihood of metastasis formation is high. In addition, there is skin cancer that cannot be completely removed. Different treatments are necessary for the latter two courses to restore your dog’s health or possibly save its life.
What treatment options are available for skin cancer?
While small skin cancer can be easily removed, more extensive approaches are necessary for larger skin cancer. On the one hand, this includes the removal of affected lymph nodes to reduce the further spread of skin cancer. Additionally, chemotherapy is also considered, aiming to curb the process of metastasis.
Another option is the so-called dendritic cell therapy. In this process, a blood sample is taken from the dog. Cells are cultured from the blood sample and, after cultivation, administered to the dog in the form of an injection solution. These newly formed cells are intended, in simplified terms, to take on the fight against cancer cells.
Unfortunately, there are also forms of skin cancer where complete removal of the tumor is not possible or the risk of recurrence is higher. In some cases, amputation of limbs may be the only option. However, before resorting to amputation, veterinarians apply the same treatments used for larger skin cancer.
What are the costs of skin cancer surgery?
The cost depends on the type of tumor disease. Treatment costs for small skin cancer are around $400, while larger skin cancer can quickly accumulate veterinarian costs of around $1,000. For many dog owners, not only is the diagnosis of skin cancer a major shock, but the expected treatment costs also trigger concerns. Where to get the money for a needed operation? iHugDogs advises: “For years, various insurers have been offering dog health insurance. This covers not only outpatient treatments but also surgeries. This is especially useful when tumor treatment becomes necessary, incurring high costs. This way, dog owners can concentrate on the recovery of their dog without financial concerns.”
How can you prevent skin cancer in your dog?
There are several risk factors responsible for the formation of skin cancer in dogs. One of them is UV radiation. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid walking your dog in direct sunlight. Your dog’s dense fur does not provide sufficient protection against aggressive UV radiation, especially during the midday hours.
Additionally, there are various forms of direct exposure to the skin surface. This includes, for example, cigarette smoke. Dogs in smoking households are thus at a high risk regarding skin cancer. Besides, viruses and bacteria on the skin surface can disrupt the natural balance of skin cells and trigger cancer. A sensible basic immunization of your dog is, therefore, advisable so that the organism can defend itself against the invasion of viruses and bacteria.
Better to visit the vet more often
Whether a skin cancer diagnosis is indeed fatal cannot be predicted in advance. However, regular check-ups of your dog by the veterinarian lead to early detection and the initiation of treatment in case of cancer. Especially in older dogs, the risk of cancer is not insignificant. Regular check-ups for your dog should be ensured in these cases.
