Bowen's disease, an illness that causes cancerous tumors, sometimes appears in dogs, according to the Fetchdog website. These tumors can crust and bleed. Surgery can remove the tumors.
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Definition
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PetEducation.com lists Bowen's disease as an uncommon form of squamous cell cancer. Squamous cell cancer affects skin cells deep in the epidermis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Cause
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A virus called papilloma causes Bowen's disease both in dogs and in humans, but Fetchdog states that each species carries its own variety of the virus.
Symptoms
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Bowen's disease creates skin lesions on a dog's head, front legs, or genitals, according to PetEducation.com. These lesions progress into crusting, bleeding ulcers. The disease can cause death if it spreads to other tissues, but this progression rarely occurs.
Treatment
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PetEducation.com states that while radiation therapy and anti-cancer medications may have some effect against Bowen's disease, the lesions can also disappear on their own. According to Fetchdog, however, treatment usually includes surgery to remove the tumors. Proper treatment usually leads to a good outcome.
Considerations
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Many diseases may cause crusting and ulceration similar to that of Bowen's disease, from burns or stings to ringworm. for this reason, PetEducation recommends a biopsy to confirm the precise nature of the illness.
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