Like so many dog owners, you must be worried about the lumps popping out of your dog’s skin. It gets more confusing if the lumps heal on their own, which makes you wonder what’s going on. Well, what’s going on is called Histiocytoma.
This article provides comprehensive information about your dog’s histiocytomas, causes, and solutions. In addition, you will learn about the home treatment for your dog’s histiocytomas, especially if it is a mild condition.
What Are Histiocytomas?
Histiocytoma is a reaction to some abnormalities in the skin cells.
It causes some pinkish growth to sprout on your dog’s body without signs or symptoms. This reaction occurs when there is a dysfunction of the skin’s immunity. According to the National Library of Medicine, histiocyte cells ensure a dog’s immune system is in good order. But at some point, the cells differentiate under several cytokines.
The differentiation of these histiocytes results in a reaction (Histiocytoma) on the dog’s skin. Histiocytosis are benign tumors; It will resolve independently without medical intervention.
The abnormal growth can be found on any part of the dog’s body. And they are mostly found on the upper part of the dog, its face, or ears. Meanwhile, some vets strongly believe that Histiocytomas cause 20% of canine skin tumors in young dogs.
What Are The Symptoms Of Histiocytosis In Dogs?
There are usually no symptoms before seeing abnormal growth on a dog’s face, head, ear, limbs, or paws. Also, these growths are neither painful nor do they bring any discomfort. Dog’s histiocytomas typically have no symptoms, they appear, and that’s how you know your dog has got histiocytomas.
It is common among young dogs, especially those 3 years old or younger. However, some dogs may experience some form of pain as it is in the case of chronic histiocytomas, especially if it’s a systemic or malignant histiocytosis; you should watch out for these signs;
- Limping as a result of abnormal growth in the paw.
- Licking off the growth. Once your dog starts licking, you need to pay more attention. Although the growth is not a worry, excessive licking can open up the growth and cause a sore. This sore can cause a secondary infection in the dog.
- Redness of the eye is caused by histiocytomas situated near the eyes.
Histiocytomas Diagnosis In Dogs
Diagnosing a dog’s histiocytomas involves taking out some cell or tissue samples for microscopic examination. In veterinary medicine, histiocytoma diagnosis can be carried out by;
A Needle Biopsy
It is also known as a fine needle aspirate (cytology) because it involves piercing the lump with a needle. Most of the time, there is no need to put the dog to sleep because the lumps are not expected to be painful. More so, the process is quick and short.
The criticism of this diagnostic method is that the cells extracted are sometimes not enough. Apart from this, if the cells are too damaged, there’s no way to get a clear picture of the disease.
Excisional Biopsy
This is the surgical removal of a lump for further analysis in the lab. Excisional biopsy (histopathology) is very effective in helping to detect the type of histiocytosis and the likely impact on the dog. Although this procedure might be more expensive, excisional biopsy provides accurate answers because it goes through a thorough microscopic examination.
Causes Of Histiocytomas In Dogs
The main cause of this condition remains unknown. Meanwhile, research shows that genetic factors can contribute to the excessive multiplication of abnormal cells. On the other hand, it has been proven that environmental factors like smoking or radiation exposure have nothing to do with dogs’ histiocytomas.
While there is no pointed cause for the over-multiplication of cells, veterinary medicine has discovered these vital points;
- The Langerhans cell, which causes histiocytomas, is an important skin cell that promotes the skin’s immunity.
- Most of the cell’s hyper multiplication is harmless and will heal independently.
- The overgrowth of the cells is benign, not cancerous.
- While the over-multiplication of the Langerhans cells cannot be traced to a viral or infectious activity, it is discovered that some agents can help transmit the stimulus. Insects like ticks can spread the stimulus from one dog to another through biting and sucking.
All dog breeds are susceptible to histiocytomas. But the breeds with a higher tendency of developing histiocytosis are; Greyhounds, Boston Terriers, Shar Peis, Scottish Terriers, and Boxers. Also, young dogs under 5 years are susceptible to the disease.
Dog Histiocytomas: Types
Histiocytomas can present themselves in three forms; they are
- Cutaneous Histiocytosis
- Systemic Histiocytosis
- Malignant Histiocytosis
Cutaneous Histiocytosis
This is the mild form of histiocytosis. Cutaneous histiocytosis would go on its own without some medical intervention. The good news about cutaneous is that it is not cancerous; it only affects the skin for a while and then resolves on its own. A dog’s breed is not a factor in predicting its susceptibility to cutaneous histiocytosis.
Systemic Histiocytosis
This form of histiocytosis is not malignant or cancerous. If a dog is diagnosed with systemic histiocytosis, such a dog has to undergo treatment to be well. The difference between cutaneous and systemic histiocytosis is;
- Cutaneous histiocytosis affects the dog’s skin, while systemic histiocytosis affects the organ of the dog.
- Cutaneous histiocytosis could heal independently without treatment, while systemic histiocytosis must be treated before the dog can be healed.
Ulcerated Histiocytoma
When Histiocytoma ulcerates, the lumps are infected- a case of systemic histiocytosis. In this situation, the lumps will no longer resolve on their own; it has to be treated. The best treatment is the surgical removal of the lumps.
Malignant Histiocytosis
This is a cancerous histiocytosis, far worse than any of the two other forms of histiocytosis. Malignant is common among older dog breeds, like Bernese mountain dogs, golden retrievers, rottweilers, etc. Unfortunately, there is no medical solution for this disease. But then, there are therapeutic measures and surgical interventions that help to suppress tumors. The malignant disease affects vital organs of the dog’s body, including; the kidney, bone marrow, spleen, liver, etc. Below are the types of malignant histiocytosis;
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (MFH)
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (MFH) is fatal and would require a surgical operation to help get rid of the disease.
Disseminated Histiocytic Sarcoma (Malignant Histiocytosis)
This is another type of malignant disease that affects the entire organs of the dog. Disseminated histiocytic sarcoma is usually fatal, leading to the dog’s death.
Home Treatment For Histiocytoma
The best form of treatment for this disease is keeping the dog and its environment clean. Saltwater is a homemade remedy that will help prevent infection caused by a dirty environment.
Also, it would help if you had antibiotics; that’s why cleaning agents containing chlorhexidine or iodine should be used to clean the dog’s body regularly. As a pet owner, dedicating time to watch over your dog is necessary during the disease. You need to keep it from licking or biting on the lump.
How do you Treat Histiocytoma in Dog’s Paws?
First, you need to confirm that it is not a chronic histiocytoma. If it is a benign skin tumor, it will heal itself in a matter of weeks. But you must ensure that you have cleaning agents to help deter a secondary infection in your home or your dog’s environment.
Most of the time, histiocytomas in a dog’s paw are benign and will not cause pain or discomfort. They may leap while the lump is there, but it will eventually go. However, surgical removal is the fastest and safest method of eradicating lumps.
FAQ
Conclusion
As pet owners, whenever you see that pink lump appearing on any part of your pet’s body, you should know it is time to give the dog total care. No matter the form of Histiocytoma, you must take all necessary precautions. And when the condition gets worse, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1978291/#__sec2title
https://www.histiocytosis.ucdavis.edu/histiocytosis/canine-reactive-histiocytoses
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*photo by binder1 – depositphotos