Understanding Toe Cancer In Dogs

Toe cancer, also known as digital squamous cell carcinoma, is a relatively common type of tumor that can be aggressive and spread into surrounding tissue without prompt treatment. It's not known why some dogs develop toe cancer, but elderly dogs and large breeds tend to be at greater risk of the condition. Here's an overview of the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment approach for toe cancer in dogs:

Symptoms

Toe cancer symptoms include the development of a tumor on one of your dog's toes. The tumor may be very small to start with, and it may be reddish or look like a blister that's solid rather than filled with fluid. It will grow over time and may become inflamed and ulcerated. Other symptoms include localized swelling, limping, and brittle nails. Your dog may lose their appetite and become agitated, which can present as withdrawing from social contact and losing interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Diagnosis And Treatment Approach  

Your vet will diagnose your dog with toe cancer by taking details of their symptoms and conducting a physical exam. They will take blood and urine samples to check organ function, inflammatory markers, and indicators of infection. A biopsy of the tumor will be taken to check for the presence of cancerous cells, and diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray or CT scan, will be used to determine the depth of the tumor and whether there's any damage to the surrounding tissue.

Toe cancer is typically treated by surgical amputation of the affected toe, and your dog should be able to walk without any issues once they have healed from surgery. If there are any issues with mobility, physio sessions should help your dog adjust. If cancerous cells have spread to other parts of your dog's body, they will need chemotherapy or radiation therapy in addition to surgery. This type of treatment can leave your dog feeling drained, and they may develop side effects of treatment, such as vomiting and weight loss. Your vet will treat these symptoms where possible to keep your pet feeling comfortable during treatment. For example, they may administer intravenous nutritional support to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and keep your dog nourished. Your vet will arrange several follow-up appointments for your dog to ensure they are recovering well from their treatment, and diagnostic tests may be repeated at these appointments to ensure no new cancerous cells develop.

If your dog has any symptoms associated with toe cancer, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to prevent them from enduring unnecessary suffering.

If you have additional questions, reach out to a local veterinarian.