Dogs and cats are covered in fur, so it\u2019s impossible for them to get sunburned or develop other sun-related problems like skin cancer, right?<\/p>\n
Actually, nothing could be fur<\/em>ther from the truth. Both dogs and cats can develop skin cancer. Although our pets\u2019 dense fur acts as a natural sunscreen, it isn\u2019t uniformly dense. Body areas with thin or no fur \u2014 such as the nose, ears, around the eyes and, for many dogs, their bellies \u2014 are vulnerable to sun exposure and damage. Dogs and cats with white or light-colored coats and chronic sun exposure are also at greater risk for skin problems.<\/p>\n The skin is one of the largest organ systems of dogs and cats, and it\u2019s certainly one of the most visible. Lumps and bumps can be fairly common, especially in senior pets. The good news is that skin growths, or tumors, are not always cancerous (malignant). In fact, approximately 60 to 80 percent of canine skin tumors are benign, meaning there\u2019s a good chance that a lump or growth on your dog isn’t anything serious to worry about. For cats, however, about 50 to 65 percent of skin tumors are<\/em> likely to be malignant. Unfortunately, you \u2014 and even your veterinarian \u2014 can\u2019t tell if a tumor is one of the dangerous types simply by looking at it. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll want your veterinarian to evaluate any lump, bump or suspicious growth you find on your dog or cat\u2019s skin.<\/p>\n Just as people can develop different types of skin growths and cancers, so can dogs and cats. Three of the most common types of potentially cancerous skin tumors in dogs are melanoma, mast cell tumor and squamous cell carcinoma. For cats, the three most common forms of potentially malignant skin tumors include basal cell tumor, squamous cell carcinoma and mast cell tumor.<\/p>\n Melanoma.<\/em><\/strong> Melanomas, which can be either benign or malignant growths, affect pigmented skin cells called melanocytes. The benign form tends to be found on areas of a dog\u2019s body that have hair. Most cancerous melanomas occur on the mouth or mucous membranes, although about 10 percent are found on fur-covered body parts. Malignant melanomas tend to grow rapidly and are likely to spread to other organs, including the liver and lungs.<\/p>\n Basal cell tumor.<\/em><\/strong> These tumors, which can be harmless or cancerous, account for 15 to 26 percent<\/a> of all skin tumors in cats. Basal cell tumors vary in size, tend to be slow growing, and often appear as a single, well-defined, hairless, raised bump on the skin. They\u2019re typically found on a cat\u2019s head, neck or shoulders.<\/p>\n Mast cell tumor (MCT).<\/em><\/strong> Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. These cells, which contain packets of histamine and heparin, are best known for their role in allergies and inflammation, although they play other important protective roles. Mast cell tumors are the most common malignant skin tumor of dogs, accounting for 7 to 21 percent<\/a> of all canine skin tumors. MCTs can vary in appearance from a hair-covered lump on or under the skin to a hairless, red, open sore. They are also invasive and difficult to treat. In cats, MCTs can develop in the skin or in internal organs, most commonly the spleen, intestine and liver.<\/p>\nSkin-related lumps and bumps<\/h2>\n
Different types of skin tumors<\/h3>\n