Melanomas In Animals

One of the diseases that humans share with other species of the animal kingdom, melanomas are malignant cancers that are named after the skin pigment melatonin. Although melanomas usually occur on the surface of the skin, they can also occur in the eyes and other organs. Malignant melanomas are found in pets, such as dogs, in farm animals, like cows and horses and in even in some wild animals.

  1. Melanomas in Dogs

    • Unlike humans, who usually develop malignant melanomas on their skin, the most common place for dogs to develop this condition is on their gums or on the skin between their nails and toes. Dogs also develop melanomas on their skin, but they are usually benign, posing little to no health threat. Gum or toe melanomas, however, are dangerous and extremely painful and may cause the pet to lose its appetite or stop being active.

    Melanomas in Farm Animals

    • Farm animals are subject to variety of melanomas, both benign and malignant. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association on April 1, 1989, by Cox JH et al, states that melanomas are among the most common neoplasms of horses. The study further examines two foals that were born with melanomas and found that they were easily removed by surgical excision. The study also states that melanomas are more common on gray horses of more than six years of age.

    Melanomas in Wild Animals

    • All cancers, including melanomas, are caused by DNA damage to otherwise healthy cells. According to the article "Cancer Kills Wild Animals," published in Live Science in June, 2009, there is a link between cancer in the wildlife population and human pollutants. A study of a wild boar suffering from malignant skin melanomas, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in February, 1977, by Thirloway L et al, found that the melanomas had metastasized into the boar's lymph system and were present in the lungs, liver and spleen.

    Melanomas in Laboratory Animals

    • Melanomas are often induced in laboratory animals, such as hairless mice, to test the carcinogenic potential of chemical substances or the chemo-protective power of medications and natural products. Melanomas are also induced in laboratory animals by UV radiation, one of the key players in melanoma development in humans, as well. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 1993 by P. Wolf et al, found that sunscreen was able to protect mice from UV damage, but not from UV-induced melanoma formation.