Dogs
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 cysts and gland tumors.
The word tumor strikes fear into the heart of a responsible pet owner, especially if you have never dealt with this condition and aren’t aware of what you are dealing with. These tumors or tumor-like conditions that affect the sebaceous glands are quite common in dogs. In the veterinary world, and also in human medicine, a classification system is in place that names all benign sebaceous gland tumors as sebaceomas. Yes, humans can develop these tumors as well. The word benign generally means that the tumor is non-cancerous and not likely to spread to another part of the body.
A sebaceoma is nothing more than a purposeless and disordered growth of cells in the sebaceous gland. The function of the sebaceous gland is to lubricate hair and skin, and they are attached to hair follicles. This can lead to a buildup of sebum that is somewhat like a large pustule. These sebaceous cysts can be drained by your veterinarian at which time they will likely discover the tumor. Typically all sebaceous tumors are considered benign, as occurrences of malignant tumors are very rare.
Sebaceomas are often mistaken for warts and tend to occur in middle aged or older animals. Often if a dog has one tumor he likely has others in different areas of his body. These are most often found on the head. A sebaceous tumor is generally shaped similarly to a wart with a protruding mass extending from a narrow base. Because these tumors can cause itching and annoyance, they can become inflamed, ulcerated and infected if they happen to be in an area your dog can scratch.
To achieve an accurate diagnosis, it is important to take your dog to a vet where samples of the cells can be tested. The only way to cure these tumors is to have the lump surgically removed. However, these tumors are not infectious, and will not be transmitted to other pets or people.
When it comes to the question of whether your dog is at risk, there are no strict guidelines on which breeds typically develop sebaceomas, but the age of your dog is a key as to when to begin watching for a sebaceous tumor. Petting and brushing your dog, as well as feeling their skin when you bathe them will help you locate them, and you can then have any tumors or cysts checked by your vet to rule out cancer.
There are many different conditions that can affect your dog’s skin and create small bumps and lumps. As with any medical condition, you should take your dog to a professional to have any tumors or cysts that you find checked. Cancer is not uncommon in dogs, and pet owners should not attempt to make a diagnosis on their own.
Read more articles by Suzanne Alicie
- 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...
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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...
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It is not uncommon for overweight dogs to develop lumps in their bodies. Sometimes, these lumps may be malignant. That's why, as a dog owner, you have to carefully check his body on a regular basis for any abnormal tissue growth. Fatty tumors...
- 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
What Are Sebaceous Tumors, and is Your Dog at Risk?
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 cysts and gland tumors.
The word tumor strikes fear into the heart of a responsible pet owner, especially if you have never dealt with this condition and aren’t aware of what you are dealing with. These tumors or tumor-like conditions that affect the sebaceous glands are quite common in dogs. In the veterinary world, and also in human medicine, a classification system is in place that names all benign sebaceous gland tumors as sebaceomas. Yes, humans can develop these tumors as well. The word benign generally means that the tumor is non-cancerous and not likely to spread to another part of the body.
A sebaceoma is nothing more than a purposeless and disordered growth of cells in the sebaceous gland. The function of the sebaceous gland is to lubricate hair and skin, and they are attached to hair follicles. This can lead to a buildup of sebum that is somewhat like a large pustule. These sebaceous cysts can be drained by your veterinarian at which time they will likely discover the tumor. Typically all sebaceous tumors are considered benign, as occurrences of malignant tumors are very rare.
Sebaceomas are often mistaken for warts and tend to occur in middle aged or older animals. Often if a dog has one tumor he likely has others in different areas of his body. These are most often found on the head. A sebaceous tumor is generally shaped similarly to a wart with a protruding mass extending from a narrow base. Because these tumors can cause itching and annoyance, they can become inflamed, ulcerated and infected if they happen to be in an area your dog can scratch.
To achieve an accurate diagnosis, it is important to take your dog to a vet where samples of the cells can be tested. The only way to cure these tumors is to have the lump surgically removed. However, these tumors are not infectious, and will not be transmitted to other pets or people.
When it comes to the question of whether your dog is at risk, there are no strict guidelines on which breeds typically develop sebaceomas, but the age of your dog is a key as to when to begin watching for a sebaceous tumor. Petting and brushing your dog, as well as feeling their skin when you bathe them will help you locate them, and you can then have any tumors or cysts checked by your vet to rule out cancer.
There are many different conditions that can affect your dog’s skin and create small bumps and lumps. As with any medical condition, you should take your dog to a professional to have any tumors or cysts that you find checked. Cancer is not uncommon in dogs, and pet owners should not attempt to make a diagnosis on their own.
Read more articles by Suzanne Alicie
- 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...
- 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...
- Fatty Tumors In Dogs
It is not uncommon for overweight dogs to develop lumps in their bodies. Sometimes, these lumps may be malignant. That's why, as a dog owner, you have to carefully check his body on a regular basis for any abnormal tissue growth. Fatty tumors...
- 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...