It has happened a few times that a client has brought a dog to me to remove a tick, and it turns out to be a skin tag. A skin tag is an abnormal, generally benign growth that can look like a black tick or raisin attached to your dog’s skin. They can appear anywhere on your dog’s skin and mostly do not require any treatment.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual: “Skin tags are distinctive, benign, skin lumps on older dogs. These are common, may be single or multiple, and can develop in any breed, although large breeds may be at increased risk. Most commonly, skin tags look like extended stalk-like growths, often covered by a wart-like surface. Surgical removal is optional, but a biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Dogs that develop one are likely to develop others.”
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Can Dogs Get Skin Tags
Yes, dogs can get skin tags which are small, soft and flesh or black coloured growths that appear on the skin. They come in different shapes and sizes, they can appear as firm and flat, or elongated with a stalk and feel soft. One can develop on its own or they can appear in groups. Skin tags are different to canine warts (canine viral papillomatosis).
Skin tags can be scratched off accidentally or caught on furniture which can lead to bleeding and infection. It is important to have a pet camera in your home when you are away for hours at a time so that you can check in on your canine friend.
What Causes Skin Tags on Dogs
The cause of skin tags is still being debated by veterinary experts. It can be due to genetic predisposition, friction (they commonly occur in areas where a lot of friction occurs), age, hormonal imbalance or environmental factors (such as lengthy exposure to the sun). It is always best to have your veterinarian examine any lumps or bumps to rule out cancer. There are many different types of skin abnormalities and tumours that can occur in dogs.
There are 4 types of skin tags in dogs:
- Fibrovascular papillomas
- Hyperplastic scars
- Fibroepithelial polyps
- Collagenous hamartomas
Dog Skin Tag Removal
There is no need to remove skin tags if your veterinarian says that is benign, and if it does not bother your pooch. It is imperative to take your dog to the veterinarian for treatment and possible removal of a skin tag when: a skin tag becomes discoloured, suddenly grows bigger or becomes damaged, infected and painful. It is important to invest in Petcube Emergency Fund so that your treatment options are not limited due to finances.
Your veterinarian can remove the skin tags under sedation with local anaesthesia, surgically under full anaesthetic, cauterization or cryotherapy (freezing).
In the study ‘Cryotherapy to treat benign skin tumours in conscious dogs’ by Dr. Angileri, Dr. Furlanello and Dr. de Lucia it was said:
“Cryotherapy was possible in conscious dogs and proved to be effective to cure or reduce the size of benign sebaceous tumours and follicular cysts. The procedure is safe but the degree of pain during the treatment needs to be further investigated.”
It is not recommended to try and remove a skin tag at home, this can be very painful for your dog and lead to infection or further problems.
Conclusion
If you have any concerns about your pooch’s skin or skin tags it is always best to consult with your veterinarian. Then you can determine what the best course of action is for your beloved canine friend and whether it is cancerous or not.
Dr. Weiss and Dr. Frese’s research states that: “Tumours occur more frequently in the skin than in any other part of the body.”