Do Basset Hounds Get Mast Cell Tumors?

Considering 50% of all dogs will get canine cancer, it is very common for me to get the question about Basset Hounds. I must get asked once a week if basset hounds get mast cell tumors or some other form of canine cancer. Unfortunately, I must tell the pet owners that cancer in dogs knows no bounds. What is worse, is Basset Hounds are on the top of the list for canine mast cell tumors.

Which Dog Breeds are At Risk for Canine Cancer?

While cancer in dogs is common across breeds, some breeds are at higher risk for canine cancer. The following is a list of the top 12 breeds at the highest risk for cancer.

• Beagles
• Boxers
• Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers
• Pugs
• Basset hounds
• Dachshunds
• Wiemaraners
• Bulldogs
• Bull mastiffs
• English setters
• Fox and Scottish terriers
• German short haired pointers

Types of Dog Cancer in Basset Hounds

• LIPOMAS- they are fatty tumors and mostly common on soft skin in dogs. They are removed by needle aspiration though it is not necessary to remove it unless your dog is not comfortable with it.
• PAPILLOMAS- also known as dog warts. They are smaller than lipomas but firm. They are usually caused by a virus. They are common in puppies but usually disappear as the puppies mature. It can be removed by needle aspiration. For fingerlike warts there is usually nothing to worry about.
• MELANOMAS- they are the most common skin tumors in dogs. They can be malignant or benign. About 85 percent melanomas are benign.
• SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA- is the most common skin cancer on dogs. It starts in the cells then surrounds the organ completely. This carcinoma looks like a non healing wound on a dog. The breeds that are prone to this cancer are Shih Tzus, Standard Poodles, Mastiffs, Basset Hounds and Blood Hounds. The treatment needed is surgery. If surgery is not possible radiation therapy can also be a choice.
• MAST CELL TUMORS- it usually arises from mast cells that are malignant. They are known as “great imitators” for the reason that they copy the appearance of benign lesions.
• HEMANGIOSARCOMA- it is a soft tissue that surrounds the blood vessel. They are classified as dermal or subcutaneous or underneath the skin. The dermal hemangiosarcoma appears to be red or black in color while subcutaneous are soft and movable
• FIBROSARCOMA- also a soft tissue tumor that arises from the fibrous connective tissue of the skull, spine, pelvis and ribs. They are common on old male dogs.

Skin Cancer in Basset Hounds

Basset hounds love to lie around in the sun. This endearing quality puts them at risk for skin cancer. Sadly, skin cancer is very common in dogs. You can prevent and stop skin cancer in your dog by looking for early symptoms.

Symptoms of Skin Cancer in Dogs Include:

• Tumors, areas of color change, or scaly, crusty lesions
• Tumors which bleed easily or areas which do not to heal
• New growths or a change in color or size of an existing growth calls
• Any area on the puppy which the dog is continually licking or scratching
• Swelling in the breast tissue or discharge from a nipple (symptom of breast cancer as well)
• Suspicious lumps or areas of discoloration under the tail
• Masses or tissue which appears different from surrounding areas in the mouth
• Lack of appetite
• Bloody stool or vomit
• Lethargy or lethargic behavior

Books About Canine Cancer

The one-of-a-kind breakthrough book designed specifically to help you cure your dog’s cancer using the #1 most effective, most dependable tool at your disposal. “Nutritional Therapy” Plus you discover very important information including: 7 most common types of dog cancer & their causes Your mainstream treatment options & their pros and cons Experimental treatment options Plus much more, see below for the full details

Many vets give a prognosis based only on what they have seen or read in a book – in vet school, years ago! Most don’t have the time or the will to do what the Dog Cancer Vet has done – run a full-time practice AND investigate, examine, and run clinical trials to find out how to help dogs with cancer. Without knowing all the facts about how many ways there are to help a dog with cancer, your vet’s prognosis remains just a guess.