Dogs
While the presence of moles on dogs is natural, the appearance of new ones is definitely a matter of concern considering that some of these are cancerous in nature. In some cases, the presence of these hard lumps or moles is an indicator of skin cancer in dogs.
Characteristic Features of Malignant Moles
Types of Malignant Moles
Melanoma: Melanomas are malignant new mass of tissues that develop in a pre-existing mole. They are dark in color. The dog breeds commonly affected by melanomas are cocker spaniel, Scottish terrier and Boston terrier, Chihuahua, Doberman pinscher, etc. Moreover, black dogs are more likely get melanoma of the skin. Male dogs are genetically more disposed to it than their female counterparts.
Sebaceous Adenocarcinoma: They are the cancerous lumps occurring in the sebaceous or oil-producing glands. Such tumors are generally less than an inch in length and are light-colored. They appear as ulcer-like red mass and are found generally on the legs, head and eyelid of the dog. Almost all dog breeds are at a risk of developing this types of cancerous mole, however cocker spaniels are the most common victims.
Epidermoid Carcinoma: These cancerous moles are commonly found on the dog's legs. They resemble a cauliflower in shape and are hard to touch. They are grayish ulcers that do not heal. Dogs afflicted with this disease often suffer from other health problems like irregular bowel movement, lack of appetite, weight loss along with swelling in the body parts. They are commonly found in dog breeds of Boston and Scottish terriers.
Mast Cell Tumor: Older dogs of boxer and Boston terrier breeds are the most common victims of mast cell tumors. Such moles occur on the hind legs, foreskin of the penis and lower abdomen. These moles or tumors might differ in size and appear as raised lumpy mass on the skin. The lump usually has a granule like material in it which if released, can lead to inflammation in that area.
Treatment for Malignant Moles
The methods of treatment are surgical excision of the mole, destruction of tumor by radiation and tumor-killing medicines. The selection of treatment method is done on the basis of the type of the mole in question, presence or absence of metastasis, age, and the general health of the dog. The best treatment of this condition is the surgical removal of the entire mole. As a precautionary measure, surgeons prefer to remove out the tissues surrounding the cancerous mole as well. The cut out tissues are again histologically tested to confirm the diagnosis. In case the mole is found to show metastasis, the doctor use radiation therapy and tumor-destroying drugs to provide complete treatment.
Prevention of Malignant Moles
Dogs in their middle or older age are more prone to this disease than young ones. Canines with thinner and lighter shade of coat are more likely to get skin cancer due to overexposure to sun. Genetics plays a major role in the development of tumors, although poor diet can also be a causative factor. In order to protect your favorite companion from cancer, you can take the following measures.
Healthy Diet - Talk to your veterinarian about the nutrition rich diet that your dog needs. Commercial products contain a lot of preservatives and it might not be good idea to feed your pet only these products. Do your best to make his meal wholesome.
Side-effects of Vaccination - Every year dog lovers pay a hefty amount of money to safeguard their beloved pet from harmful germs and viruses through vaccination. But do you know that vaccination itself can lead to serious health issues for the canine including cancer? Canine Health Concern, a renowned charitable organization for dogs, believes that vaccines reduce immunity in dogs. They also maintain that over-vaccination is deadly and the pet owners are being given wrongful information about these medicines. That's why the dog owners have to be aware about all the possible repercussions of giving one too many vaccine shots to their pets.
Loads of Physical Activity - A healthy and playful dog has better resistance to maladies than an inactive dog. Exercise is good for your pet as it aids in endorphin production which in turn helps in controlling weight issues, detoxifying the body and promoting overall health.
If you happen to see a mole on your dog's body, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible for timely detection and treatment. You should regularly get your furry friend checked by the vet for any sign of cancerous cell growth. Last but not the least, keep your pet healthy and happy.
- What Are Sebaceous Tumors, And Is Your Dog At Risk?
By Suzanne Alicie If you have dogs, you’ve probably heard what sounds like a terribly frightening name for a condition that is common in dogs. Sebaceous tumors are known by a few different names: sebaceous gland cysts, sebaceous cysts, benign sebaceous...
- Canine Histiocytoma
Canine histiocytoma is a non-cancerous skin growth that commonly occurs in young adult dogs. This tumor is a rounded eroded growth, but is not a skin cancer. Although histiocytoma can affect dogs of all ages, the incidence of this skin tumor is more...
- Mast Cell Tumors In Dogs
Mast cell tumors in dogs (mastocytoma) is one of the most common form of tumors found that a dog can be afflicted with. These tumors grow out of the mast cells which are present in the tissues of the body. Mast cell tumors also affect a lot of other...
- Lipoma In Dogs
Lipoma is nothing but a benign tumor which is made out of the adipose tissue. These tumors are soft, painless and sometimes even movable. Lipoma is quite common in dogs, and if you have a dog, you probably might have noticed or rather felt these fatty...
- Tumors In Dogs: Symptoms And Treatment
Cancer is just as deadly in dogs as it is in humans. It is one of the frequently encountered canine health problems, especially in older dogs. Tumors are swellings of the neoplastic cells that may or may not be signs of cancer. Tumors can either...
Dogs
Cancerous Moles on Dogs
While the presence of moles on dogs is natural, the appearance of new ones is definitely a matter of concern considering that some of these are cancerous in nature. In some cases, the presence of these hard lumps or moles is an indicator of skin cancer in dogs.
Characteristic Features of Malignant Moles
- Cancerous moles are mostly present under haired skin as small, dark brown or black lumps.
- Their width is up to two inches.
- They gradually increase in size.
- They swell and elevate above the surface of the skin.
- Such moles may bleed at times.
Types of Malignant Moles
Melanoma: Melanomas are malignant new mass of tissues that develop in a pre-existing mole. They are dark in color. The dog breeds commonly affected by melanomas are cocker spaniel, Scottish terrier and Boston terrier, Chihuahua, Doberman pinscher, etc. Moreover, black dogs are more likely get melanoma of the skin. Male dogs are genetically more disposed to it than their female counterparts.
Sebaceous Adenocarcinoma: They are the cancerous lumps occurring in the sebaceous or oil-producing glands. Such tumors are generally less than an inch in length and are light-colored. They appear as ulcer-like red mass and are found generally on the legs, head and eyelid of the dog. Almost all dog breeds are at a risk of developing this types of cancerous mole, however cocker spaniels are the most common victims.
Epidermoid Carcinoma: These cancerous moles are commonly found on the dog's legs. They resemble a cauliflower in shape and are hard to touch. They are grayish ulcers that do not heal. Dogs afflicted with this disease often suffer from other health problems like irregular bowel movement, lack of appetite, weight loss along with swelling in the body parts. They are commonly found in dog breeds of Boston and Scottish terriers.
Mast Cell Tumor: Older dogs of boxer and Boston terrier breeds are the most common victims of mast cell tumors. Such moles occur on the hind legs, foreskin of the penis and lower abdomen. These moles or tumors might differ in size and appear as raised lumpy mass on the skin. The lump usually has a granule like material in it which if released, can lead to inflammation in that area.
Treatment for Malignant Moles
The methods of treatment are surgical excision of the mole, destruction of tumor by radiation and tumor-killing medicines. The selection of treatment method is done on the basis of the type of the mole in question, presence or absence of metastasis, age, and the general health of the dog. The best treatment of this condition is the surgical removal of the entire mole. As a precautionary measure, surgeons prefer to remove out the tissues surrounding the cancerous mole as well. The cut out tissues are again histologically tested to confirm the diagnosis. In case the mole is found to show metastasis, the doctor use radiation therapy and tumor-destroying drugs to provide complete treatment.
Prevention of Malignant Moles
Dogs in their middle or older age are more prone to this disease than young ones. Canines with thinner and lighter shade of coat are more likely to get skin cancer due to overexposure to sun. Genetics plays a major role in the development of tumors, although poor diet can also be a causative factor. In order to protect your favorite companion from cancer, you can take the following measures.
Healthy Diet - Talk to your veterinarian about the nutrition rich diet that your dog needs. Commercial products contain a lot of preservatives and it might not be good idea to feed your pet only these products. Do your best to make his meal wholesome.
Side-effects of Vaccination - Every year dog lovers pay a hefty amount of money to safeguard their beloved pet from harmful germs and viruses through vaccination. But do you know that vaccination itself can lead to serious health issues for the canine including cancer? Canine Health Concern, a renowned charitable organization for dogs, believes that vaccines reduce immunity in dogs. They also maintain that over-vaccination is deadly and the pet owners are being given wrongful information about these medicines. That's why the dog owners have to be aware about all the possible repercussions of giving one too many vaccine shots to their pets.
Loads of Physical Activity - A healthy and playful dog has better resistance to maladies than an inactive dog. Exercise is good for your pet as it aids in endorphin production which in turn helps in controlling weight issues, detoxifying the body and promoting overall health.
If you happen to see a mole on your dog's body, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible for timely detection and treatment. You should regularly get your furry friend checked by the vet for any sign of cancerous cell growth. Last but not the least, keep your pet healthy and happy.
- What Are Sebaceous Tumors, And Is Your Dog At Risk?
By Suzanne Alicie If you have dogs, you’ve probably heard what sounds like a terribly frightening name for a condition that is common in dogs. Sebaceous tumors are known by a few different names: sebaceous gland cysts, sebaceous cysts, benign sebaceous...
- Canine Histiocytoma
Canine histiocytoma is a non-cancerous skin growth that commonly occurs in young adult dogs. This tumor is a rounded eroded growth, but is not a skin cancer. Although histiocytoma can affect dogs of all ages, the incidence of this skin tumor is more...
- Mast Cell Tumors In Dogs
Mast cell tumors in dogs (mastocytoma) is one of the most common form of tumors found that a dog can be afflicted with. These tumors grow out of the mast cells which are present in the tissues of the body. Mast cell tumors also affect a lot of other...
- Lipoma In Dogs
Lipoma is nothing but a benign tumor which is made out of the adipose tissue. These tumors are soft, painless and sometimes even movable. Lipoma is quite common in dogs, and if you have a dog, you probably might have noticed or rather felt these fatty...
- Tumors In Dogs: Symptoms And Treatment
Cancer is just as deadly in dogs as it is in humans. It is one of the frequently encountered canine health problems, especially in older dogs. Tumors are swellings of the neoplastic cells that may or may not be signs of cancer. Tumors can either...