Skin Cancer In Dogs

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in dogs. Cancer is caused by damage to the DNA. Normally the body is able to repair damage to DNA, but when the damage isn’t repaired it leads to cells growing abnormally thus making a cancer formation. There are four different types of skin cancer. There are epithelial tumors which are tumors that grow in the skin itself, hair follicles, or glands in the skin. Mesenchymal tumors grow in cells that support the skin such as fat, connective tissue, blood vessels, or nerves. Round cell tumors which appear round under a microscope and the last group is the melanoma tumors which are tumors that grow in the cells that create pigment.

The cause of skin cancer is unknown. It is believed that sun exposure increases the occurrence of certain types of skin cancer. Dogs with light colored, thin hair coats that spend a lot of time in the sun are at higher risk of getting skin cancer. Certain breeds such as the Boxer, Bull Mastiff, Norwegian elkhound, Scottish terrier, Weimaraner, Bassett hounds, and Kerry blue terriers are at higher risk of getting skin cancer suggesting that there is a genetic basis for certain types of skin cancer. The age of a dog also plays a role with higher chances of getting skin cancer. Most dogs that have cancer are between the ages of 6 and 14, of course a younger dog can get cancer, but it is rather rare.

If your dog has light colored skin and a thin coat, try to limit his/her sun exposure. Check your dog regularly for any new red spots, or unusually flaky skin in just one spot, and if your dog keeps itching at a certain spot that looks like a sore, see your veterinarian. It is important to check your dog’s skin often. If you notice a lump on or just below the skin, have your veterinarian check it. Some tumors are benign, but you won’t know that until your veterinarian has confirmed this. A benign tumor doesn’t change much even over years, but a malignant tumor will grow rapidly, have a strange looking border, and could look like a sore that doesn’t heal. If you have a dog that is a breed that has higher chances of skin cancer, you should check your dog’s skin weekly if not daily. It is very important to limit a dog’s sun exposure for the breeds that are at higher risk. If your dog has skin cancer, be sure to check with your veterinarian before you use any certain shampoos or anything else on their skin since you don’t want to aggravate the sore.