Share:

Just like humans, dogs can develop skin tags, which are small growths found on the skin. Most skin tags on dogs are harmless, but you should take your dog to a veterinary dermatologist when you find one to rule out concerns like cancer or a skin condition. The guide below will discuss various types of skin tags on dogs and how they’re treated. 

Common Types of Skin Tags

Skin tags represent a variety of skin growths that can occur on dogs. Sebaceous cysts are common and harmless, and most will not require a veterinary dermatologist’s help. They develop when the sebaceous gland near the hair follicle is blocked and forms a whitehead. Most will go away on their own, but if one pops and discharges liquid, you should clean the wound and keep your dog from licking it. 

Warts are another common skin growth most often found in dogs under two years old. They’re caused by a virus and are not contagious to humans, but if your dog develops warts inside their mouth and they are causing it distress, a veterinary dermatologist may suggest removal. 

Cornifying epithelioma, or keratoacanthoma, is another type of skin growth in dogs. These are benign and look like small horns on your dog’s back, tail, and legs. They do not need to be removed unless your dog is itching or chewing them. 

Cutaneous histiocytomas can sometimes be cancerous and cause a simple bump under the skin, or it will appear above the skin with a red tint. In either case, your veterinary dermatologist should examine any skin growth that looks like this to determine if the skin tag is cancerous and what treatment options are available. 

How Skin Tags Are Treated

veterinary dermatologistIf a skin tag is determined harmless by your veterinarian and is not bothering your dog, it can be left alone. However, if a skin tag is cancerous or your dog is itching, licking, or chewing at it, removal may be the best option. Surgical removal is usually necessary for cancerous skin growths, and requires your dog to be given local anesthetic while your veterinarian removes the growth with a scalpel or surgical scissors. 

Another removal method is cryosurgery. Liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide is used to freeze the unwanted tissue, which is destroyed and falls off or dissolves within a month. This may cause mild pain during the freezing process, but the recovery is painless and eliminates the need for surgery. 

 

If your dog has skin tags and you want them examined, contact Veterinary Dermatology Services in Cincinnati, OH. These veterinary dermatologists serve the families of Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southern Indiana. They focus on the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, as well as conditions of the skin in all types of animals. Visit them online to learn more or call (513) 489-4644 to schedule an appointment.

tracking