Canine Melanoma

According to a recent article in the AKC Gazette by Betty Liddick, research is being done to help stop melanoma in dogs. There is work being done to produce the first cancer vaccine. It is in the beginning stages and there is high hope for it. Signs of Melanoma occur most commonly in the mouth. Affected dogs may lose weight, sneeze and develop bleeding, bad breath and face swelling. Round, dark melanomas can also develop in footpads, nail beds, lips and eyes. All dogs are susceptible but breeds with a lot of dark pigment seem particularly vulnerable.. These would Black Labs, Chows, Doberman Pinschers Flat Coated Retrievers, German Shepherds, Goldens, Setters,
Rottweilers. Scotty's, Standard Poodles and Vizslas.
The first clinic to investigate a melanoma vaccine is Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center in New York.According to the article two more veterinary schools are investigating melanoma vaccines as well. The Univ. of Wisconsin and the Univ. of Florida.
So, if our dogs develop melanoma....first we should know how to recognize it and second where to go to investigate the possibility of help!


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