| Canine melanoma is a cancer that occurs on your | | | | x-ray is necessary. In some cases, the |
| dog's skin, toes, or in the mouth. This very | | | | veterinarian will elect to perform a biopsy of the |
| serious cancer can also occur behind the eye. If | | | | tumor. |
| the skin is affected, it is usually benign. However, | | | | Treatment |
| if other areas are affected, the cancer will | | | | Your dog will have three treatment options when |
| probably be malignant and spread. So, what are | | | | dealing with this disease. Without treatment, the |
| some of the symptoms? | | | | disease will progress rapidly. Surgery involves |
| Symptoms | | | | removal of the tumor. Sometimes, all of the |
| Two of the most visible symptoms of melanoma | | | | tumor can't be removed, so only part of it will be |
| in dogs is the appearance of skin lesions with odd | | | | done. The other two treatment options for this |
| colors or shapes. If the mouth is affected, your | | | | disease include chemotherapy and radiation to |
| dog may develop bad breath, drooling, coughing, | | | | reduce the size of the tumor. |
| and trouble swallowing. This leads to loss of | | | | Prognosis |
| appetite and weight loss. Tumors can also develop | | | | As mentioned earlier, melanoma in dogs is a very |
| on the toes. | | | | serious cancer. The prognosis is usually poor. Dogs |
| Diagnosis | | | | usually have the best chance of survival if the |
| The first step in diagnosing canine melanoma is a | | | | disease only affects the skin. Even with |
| physical exam. This is usually followed by analyzing | | | | treatment, the tumor can still spread. Also, a |
| a blood sample to get a complete blood count. | | | | successful treatment doesn't guarantee that the |
| The lungs will also need to be checked, so an | | | | cancer won't recur. |