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Symptoms of Canine Melanoma

Dogs > Cancer > Symptoms of Canine Melanoma

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also see Canine Melanoma

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Canine melanoma is the most common oral malignant tumor, and it can also be on on the skin or toes, or behind the eye. This type of cancer commonly occurs in dogs with dark skin. Melanomas are usually small, dark lumps or large, flat, wrinkled masses. Melanoma tumors can grow rapidly and spread to other areas of the body such as lymph nodes, liver, lungs and kidneys.

Some experts believe that canine melanoma is hereditary and some dogs are predisposed to this condition. Darker skinned dogs appear to be predisposed and have a higher rate of occurrence. The disease can occur in dogs of any age but appears most often in dogs over nine years old.

Recognizing Canine Melanoma

Signs and symptoms of melanoma in your dog are:

Odd shaped or odd colored skin lesions
Visible tumors on the toes or mouth
Loss of appetite
Noticeable weight loss
Excessive drooling
Coughing
Difficulty swallowing
Unusually bad breath
Bleeding of the mouth or gums

Tumors of any size with or without symptoms should never be ignored. With early treatment you are much more likely to be able to prevent the spread of the cancer in your dog.

also see 20 Possible Dog Brain Tumor Symptoms

also see Cancer Symptoms in Dogs: The Critical Danger Signs

also see When Must Tumors in Dogs be Removed?

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also see Hemangiosarcoma