Dogs can also get moles that are significantly darker than their skin. In most cases they are nothing to worry about and are simply a visual problem. However, they are sometimes confused with black skin cancer.
Basically, “mole” is used here as a synonym. Doctors, on the other hand, use the technical term “pigment navüs” or generally speak of “nevi”.
But it means the same thing. In both cases these are benign growths of pigment-producing cells. So they are mostly harmless. [1]
This also explains why moles usually have a light to dark brown color. In English-speaking countries they are also incorrectly referred to as “birthmarks”.
Dogs can have birthmarks both congenitally and acquired. Congenital birthmarks exist at birth, but can change later.
In most cases they become slightly larger, lighter or darker over time. The surface is often similar to a wart, but can also be completely smooth.
Acquired moles usually occur during the dog's development phase. Depending on the breed, dogs are usually fully grown after 6-24 months.
Birthmarks are benign skin defects. Due to the increased number of pigment-producing cells, they are significantly darker compared to skin. In dogs they have usually been present since birth or during the development phase.
Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.
Symptoms
Birthmarks are usually slightly raised, brownish and often contain longer hairs. It is also noticeable that the stain hardly changes and does not cause any problems.
The problem is that for laypeople, a birthmark can easily be confused with skin cancer. This is particularly true for melanoma – black skin cancer.
However, the differences are usually relatively easy to see for a trained eye. Here is an overview of the most common symptoms:
BirthmarkSkin cancerMostly different shades of brownMostly blackOften contains long hairMostly no hairAlmost constant sizeAlways getting biggerExists for yearsForms suddenlyNo inflammationCan be inflamedNo accompanying symptomsPain and itching possible[2]
According to statistics, dogs between the ages of 5 and 11 are most commonly affected. The following breeds also have an increased risk:
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Doberman
- Short-haired Hungarian Pointer
- Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
- Airedale Terriers [3]
To prevent this, creating a “map” can help. Write down all of your dog's moles and their size.
It is then important to look at all moles every 3 months and assess whether they have changed in shape or color.
Birthmarks are also more often confused with other things on dogs. Here are the typical suspects:
- Ticks: A bulging tick's body resembles a large mole. This is especially true for people with poor eyesight.
- Warts: The appearance depends primarily on the type of wart. In most cases, warts are transmitted through direct skin contact. [4]
Birthmarks on dogs can usually be recognized by the fact that they are brownish in color, are completely painless and hardly change in size or shape. In addition, long hairs are more often found on the moles and they can also be increased.
Treatment
First, the vet will carry out a diagnosis to make sure that it really is a birthmark. A visual inspection is usually sufficient.
If it is a malignant growth in the early stages, a biopsy may also be necessary. The vet takes some tissue to examine it.
Normal moles do not require treatment. However, the spots can be cut out, lasered away or frozen for aesthetic reasons.
If it is skin cancer instead, it is usually removed surgically. The earlier the diagnosis takes place, the better the dog's prognosis.
However, if the cancer has already spread, then radiation and chemotherapy may also be necessary. The chances of recovery vary from person to person. [5]
Common moles on dogs are considered harmless and therefore do not require treatment. In the case of existing skin cancer, however, an attempt is usually made to surgically cut out the malignant tissue. If you suspect this, you should consult your veterinarian.
Most read articles:
- The 25 coolest inventions for dogs
- 31 original gift ideas for dog owners