Histiocytoma in Dogs
A histiocytoma is a small skin tumor that arises on a dog. It usually occurs on a dog’s head, ears, or legs. The tumors are benign and they originate without any warning, usually on young dogs. These small tumors are rather common in dogs. Most of the time they will disappear on their own in a few months.
Cause
The exact cause of histiocytomas is not known. They originate in cells from the dog’s immune system called Langerhans cells. These cells give some immunity to tissues in the dog’s body that come in contact with the dog’s environment such as the dog’s lungs, intestines, stomach, and nose. But mostly these cells protect the dog’s skin, which is where histiocytomas occur. It has been suggested that histiocytomas occur as a way of expelling foreign bodies from the dog’s immune system.
About half the time histiocytomas occur in dogs that are less than two years old. They occur in both males and females. They can appear in any breed or mix but they seem to be more common in Shetland Sheepdogs, Great Danes, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Boxers, Bull Terriers, and Flat-Coated Retrievers for some reason.
Symptoms
A histiocytoma is a small, firm piece of cellular flesh that grows on the surface of the skin. It can be dome-shaped or button-shaped.
It may appear as a small mass that is ulcerated or like a wound.
A histiocytoma typically grows quickly. They are not painful to your dog. Most of the time they appear as a single small growth.
They usually appear on the dog’s legs, the tips of the ears, or on the head.
Sometimes histiocytomas appear in a clump.
Diagnosis
Your vet will probably have a good idea that your dog has a histiocytoma just by looking at it, but he or she may need to confirm the kind of tumor it is since dogs can have many different kinds of small tumors. Your vet will ask for your dog’s health history and give your dog a physical exam. A complete blood profile will be needed, including a complete blood count. Your vet will also need to do a urinalysis and some other tests. Your vet will also need to examine some cells form the tumor. This usually requires fine-needle aspiration.
Treatment
Some treatments are not recommended for treating histiocytomas, such as use of corticosteroids. In most cases a histiocytoma will disappear on its own in a few months and this is often the preferred approach for treatment. If the tumor does not disappear in a few months it can be surgically removed. Laser surgery is often recommended.
Either way, once the histiocytoma is gone, your dog should not have any more issues with it.
With the cause of histiocytoma unknown, there are no recommended actions to prevent histiocytomas from occurring. If your dog has a histiocytoma when he is young, it does not indicate that he will have any problems with tumors later in life.
t �ms0R�Un”‘>  Urinating more often, but only small amounts
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms you need to see your vet. Tests should be done to find out if your dog has cancer and what kind of cancer it might be.
Diagnosis
Your vet will need to have a complete health history for your dog as well as making a physical exam of your dog. Your dog will need to have a rectal exam so your vet can check the dog’s urethra, parts of the bladder, and the prostate gland in the male. X-rays will be needed to see if the tumor has spread to any other places in your dog’s body. Urinalysis and blood tests will also be needed. Depending on the kind of technology your vet has available, there are also some other tests that can be done to measure the bladder tumor and identify exactly where it is. You may need to arrange to see a specialist or visit a university veterinary college for some of these tests.
Treatment
Your vet will discuss treatment options with you or he or she may refer you to a cancer specialist. There are several different ways of treating bladder cancer in dogs. If the tumor is limited to a small area then surgery is often recommended. Chemotherapy is another option. Drug therapy is another option. The drug Feldene, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory also known as piroxicam, has been used with some success in treating transitional cell carcinoma.
Bladder cancer is life-threatening unless it is treated. If it is not treated the tumor can block the urinary tract and your dog will not be able to urinate. This alone could kill him. This kind of cancer is also very likely to spread to other parts of the body. About half the time this kind of cancer is diagnosed, it has already spread to other parts of the body. Your dog’s ability to overcome bladder cancer will depend on where the tumor is located, whether it has spread, and what kind of treatment your dog can take and how effective it is. Some dogs can live more than a year after diagnosis with the right treatment.
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