Treating Canine Melanoma Montevallo AL

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Canine Melanoma is a cancer that can occur in a dog's mouth, toes, behind the eye or on the skin. Canine Melanomas occurring in the mouth, toes or behind the eye are usually malignant, meaning that this cancer can spread. Canine Melanoma of the skin is generally benign, meaning that the tumors do not spread. Keep in mind that this is a general rule of thumb, and there are always exceptions.

Symptoms of Canine Melanoma are:

1. Odd colored and odd shaped skin lesions
2. Bad breath
3. Loss of appetite
4. Drooling
5. Coughing
6. Weight loss
7. Trouble swallowing
8. Visible tumors

Diagnosis for Canine Melanoma by a veterinarian depends on findings from:

1. Physical exam The veterinarian performs a physical exam of the dog including palpating the lymph nodes.
2. Blood work The veterinarian will draw blood from the dog and test the blood, getting a blood count and serum chemistry.
3. Chest x-ray The veterinarian will take an x-ray of the dog's chest to check the condition of the lungs.
4. Biopsy The veterinarian can take a biopsy of the tumor to make a diagnosis.

Treatment for Canine Melanoma by a veterinarian includes:

1. Surgery The veterinarian may do surgery on the dog to remove all or at least as much of the tumor as possible.
2. Radiation Treating the tumor with radiation promotes the shrinking of the tumor. Radiation is given in three-dose cycles given on day 1, day 7 and day 21....

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Author: Deborah Anderson