Skin tumors are the most commonly seen tumors in dogs and felines. This kind of tumor is diagnosed more frequently than other tumors in animals because they can be easily seen and partially because the skin is always bare to many tumor-causing elements in the environment. Solar radiations, chemicals, and viruses are some of the things that cause skin tumors. Hormonal abnormalities and hereditary factors also play a role in developing skin tumors. Let us understand more about this condition and how your veterinary medical professional will treat them.
Types of Common Skin Tumors
Basal Cell Tumors
This tumor is usually benign in canines and cats and is commonly found on the head, ears, and neck. These tumors look solitary, firm, dome-shaped, raised masses, usually ulcerated or hairless. The lumps stand out like stalks from the skin surface area. They are different in size, from less than 0.4 inches to more than 4 inches in diameter and, in some cases, dark in color. Although benign, they can be large and cause extensive ulcer and secondary redness; they can also break the skin, lead to skin tissue death, and drain pus.
These tumors are not usually bothersome; Nevertheless, they run the risk of self-trauma and infection if they develop in a location that can be chewed or scratched. Your family pet shouldn’t be allowed to scratch, bite, or lick these areas. These tumors will continue to grow unless treated through cat or dog surgery which is why it’s best to have your veterinarian assess any unusual growths or bumps as soon as you notice them. Less than 10% of basal cell tumors are malignant in research studies.
Histiocytomas
This tumor can typically be seen in younger dogs and cats, less than 3 1/2 years old; it can also occur at any age, and it can be seen mainly in the head, ears, and limbs. The tumors look raised, solitary, usually hairless, occasionally multiple skin nodules or plaques, and sometimes ulcerated lumps that are movable.
Diagnosis is through the microscopic test for samples of the tumor cells from the fine needle biopsy. They’re considered ugly by most owners’ standards, these masses are benign, and whenever left without treatment, they will still resolve within two to three months or less. It is considered a highly treatable skin mass. Your Douglasville vet will likewise do physical exams and ask you about your pet’s health history.
Lipomas and Liposarcomas
These tumors are benign tumors of fat and are common in pet dogs and cats. Many lipomas combine with healthy fat tissue next to them, making it difficult to identify the edges of the tumors. Fine-needle aspiration is necessary to exclude other tumors that mimic lipomas, such as mast cell tumors.
Family pet owners shouldn’t disregard lipomas even if these are benign. Some tend to grow, and they might be indistinguishable from infiltrative lipomas or liposarcomas. Surgical removal can be a treatment for this. In addition, a dietary restriction like weight loss will be recommended several weeks before surgical treatment to make it not difficult for the surgeon to determine the tumor’s edges and remove it all.
These illnesses can be avoided when you are mindful of your animal’s health as a pet owner. A wellness plan is essential, and so is a yearly physical check-up for the early detection of illnesses that will help to guarantee a healthy life for your pet. Learn more about the benefits of a pet wellness plan and the packages available that will suit your needs.
