Are Backyard Dogs More Susceptible to Skin Cancer?
11 years in the sun is taking its toll on Mollie, says Rose Gordon, caretaker of a rescued 24/7-chained Black Lab. After having 4 tumors removed Mollie has more skin cancers. Rose’s veterinarian said that they are just like skin cancers in people when they are exposed to the sun too much. All of those years of Mollie lying chained with her black coat attracting the hot sun have resulted in skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer found in dogs, says Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, PhD, director of oncology services at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, Texas. In fact, nearly one-third of all dogs diagnosed with cancer have a tumor that originated on the skin. Because a dog has fur does not mean it is immune to the diseases of the skin, such as cancer. Join DDB’s Annual Chain-Off Awareness Event and take a stand against the 24/7 chaining of the backyard dog.