Guest Blog Post: Don’t Let Dog Skin Cancer Affect Your Dog
Many pet owners are unaware that their
furry friends can get cancer too. It is the last thing pet owners are thinking
of when cuddling up with their new puppy.
That’s a scary thought when you consider than one in four
dogs will develop some kind of cancer with dog skin cancer right at
the top of the list. Being correctly informed can increase your chances of
avoiding this later on in your pet’s life.
According to pet magazine, The Bark, early diagnosis, and treatment are key
for a better chance of survival and increasing quality of life.
Recognizing the signs of dog skin cancer will give you an indication of
when it’s time to see a vet. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it
comes to our furry companions.
Types of dog skin cancers
The most obvious sign of skin cancer is a growth or tumor, but before you
panic, only 20 to 30% of them will turn out to be malignant.
Natural
Dog Health Remedies reports that it’s fairly easy to tell the
difference between malignant and benign conditions.
Benign growths are usually well defined, won’t grow much, and don’t cause
any pain.
The most common examples of these kinds of tumors are lipomas or fatty
tumors, which don’t need to be removed unless they’re causing mobility issues.
There are also papillomas, also sometimes called dog warts and melanomas. 85%
of melanomas will turn out to be benign.
Benign growths can easily be tested if you’re concerned or if they
change shape.
There are four common types of malignant dog skin cancers:
- Squamous cell carcinoma commonly appears in a light skinned area with little hair, like your dog’s tummy, as sores that won’t heal.
- Mast cell tumors look like lipomas, but they’re almost always fatal. If you notice fatty tumors around your dog’s armpit area, mammary tissue, groin, anus or genital areas, in the lips, eyelids, or body openings, it’s best to get it checked out.
- While Hemangiosarcoma more commonly starts in the spleen, it does occasionally present as skin cancer either on or beneath the skin. Look out for soft, firm masses with ulceration or dark, raised skin lesions.
- Fibrosarcoma mostly affects older male dogs, starting at their skull, spine, pelvis, and ribs before growing towards the skin like tentacles.
Different breeds are more susceptible to certain types of cancers. Ask your
vet which types you should be checking for.
Other signs and symptoms:
Besides checking your pooch’s skin as regularly as once a month for any
funny growths, there are more urgent signs your pet could be in trouble.
Veterinary oncologist Dr. Nicole Leibman says masses
may become uncomfortably itchy, making excessive scratching a sign that
something’s up.
As dog skin cancer progresses and spreads to other parts of the body,
Natural Dog Health Remedies says you may notice enlarged lymph nodes, loss of
appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, general weakness or tiredness and maybe even
coughing.
The Bark adds bad smells, difficulty breathing, difficulty chewing and
bleeding or discharge from any opening on the body to the list.
Treatment options
According to PetMD,
treatment will depend on the type of dog skin cancer, the size of the tumor and
where on the body it’s located.
Small tumors that have not yet spread could be treated with a light
therapy called photodynamic therapy, a freezing technique called
cryosurgery, or by surgically removing it.
Larger tumors are usually removed surgically along with the tissue around
the tumor. In severe cases, this may mean amputation.
When tumors can’t be removed entirely, or if it would be impractical to do
so, your vet may suggest chemotherapy or radiation. These two options can have
good results, but the chance of recurrence is always there. Not to mention
these two options can cause quite a bit of stress to your beloved sick pet. The
side effects of chemo and radiation therapy can greatly decrease the quality of
life, and this is something that should be taken into consideration when
selecting options. Please ask your vets any questions that you may have.
Traditional dog skin cancer treatments are expensive, and while it’s always
advisable to seek a veterinarian’s advice, there are alternative treatment
options you could try.
Holistic
treatments and traditional remedies like acupuncture, massage,
hydrotherapy and magnetic field therapy are more affordable and can help fight
the disease and the
Another option is to consider a diet
change for your pet. While little can be done to fight aggressive
cancer, a change in diet might help improve the quality and lengthen the life
of your furry friend.
Processed dog food is packed with grains with very little nutritional
value. Instead, your dog should be eating more meat and very little carbohydrates.
The cost for a more natural diet is higher than eating processed dog food, but
the value will pay back dividends in the form of health.
Lysine found in cottage and ricotta cheeses buffer the acid found in cancer
cells, slowing their growth. Combining this with fish oils will help slow them
from spreading.
Cancer cells thrive in acidic environments, so adding an alkaline
supplement to your dog’s diet may help as well.
Protective measures
UV exposure is the number one cause of dog skin cancer, especially for
animals with light-coloured skin and fur.
The best way to protect your furry friend is to use sunscreen. Just make
sure it doesn’t contain zinc oxide.
Dr. Leibman explains that accidentally ingesting zinc oxide can cause your
pet severe anemia. Human sunscreens are safe to use, as long as they don’t have
this as an ingredient. Choose a brand that dries fast and is water resistant.
Make sure to cover your pet’s skin where their fur is thinnest.
PetMD suggests limiting the amount of time your pooch spends in the sun,
especially between 10 am and 2 pm, while another veterinary oncologist Dr.
Anne Hohenhaus suggests investing
in sun-protective clothes and goggles.
She adds it’s important to make sure that pets have access to a shaded area
when left alone and to keep an eye on broken toenails which are often
associated with melanoma.
There’s been talk of the idea of tattooing or injecting ink into the noses
of animals with light skin to help protect against dog skin cancer. However,
there’s no evidence yet to prove it works.
The last word on dog skin cancer
Early detection is your best defense against dog skin cancer and could save
your best friend’s life.
Check your buddy’s body as often as possible and don’t hesitate to book a
visit with a vet if your notice any lump, bump or mark that’s out of place.
The Yunnan Baiyao store have a helpful list of resources to
help you choose the best treatment for your four-legged loved one.
To find more information about this article and their resource links,
please visit the website at https://yunnan-baiyao-store.com/blogs/news/dont-let-dog-skin-cancer-affect-your-dog
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Please feel free to share your pet’s cancer journey or talk about your
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