Is this melanoma?

My darling little red-haired girl, Mattie, aged 4, has a black spot on her lower lip that has not been there long. I just compared photos of her taken over the past year and did not see it until now. It looks very scary to me--off to the vet tomorrow.

Has anyone dealt with melanoma on their dog? If so, what is your opinion of this spot?

Here she is last summer with no spot:

And this is what is there now--look just under the two lower center teeth (incisors) and just to the left. The spot is very black just like the photo shows.

Scary, right?

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Permalink Reply by Jane Smith on September 19, 2011 at 3:15pm

Spot or not, she is cute as can be.

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Permalink Reply by Donna K & Quincy on September 19, 2011 at 3:33pm

I really can't help but I'm happy to hear you are taking her to get it checked. Praying it is nothing!

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on September 19, 2011 at 4:19pm

Ginny, I really have no experience with this, but I'm so hoping and praying that this is nothing. Please let us know how you make out at the Vet tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on September 19, 2011 at 4:22pm

I second Jane's comments. Hope you get good news to share with us tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on September 19, 2011 at 4:30pm

Linda's Murphy just had melanoma on his nose. She noted that the texture was the main difference rather that just the color. Certainly not all black spots are melanoma. I think that the same things of note in people, irregularity of color and outline, and rapid growth would probably hold true for dogs as well. Right now I'm watching a minuscule dark spot on Calla's nose. I'm hoping Mattie is fine.

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Permalink Reply by Ginny Nightingale on September 19, 2011 at 4:43pm

Just talked to Dr. Jen (my oldest daughter) who I sent these pics to earlier today. She asked other vets in her office about it since she is still a newbie and they all thought that it was nothing to worry about--I will still get it checked, but that is a huge weight off my mind.Jen said that whatever you know about melanoma in humans is not the case with dogs. Apparently, melanoma in dogs can be more lumpy and nasty than it is in humans and is hard to miss. Also, it is more common in dogs with more pigment (darker hair) and much older than Mattie (she is 4). Mattie's spot is very smooth and does not have a different texture from her lip. I always worry about my red-head in the sun, but there is no evidence that sunlight causes melanoma in dogs--I am quoting from my daughter now--she was looking up all the info and reading it to me.

I wonder if any of this is true of Linda's Murphy? I know a friend just lost a 10 year old Rottie to melanoma and his was on his toe. That is apparently a common place for it to occur. That was what scared me--knowing that her dog had it made me worry more about Mattie's spot.

Most likely Mattie is just prone to get dark "freckles" and will likely get more. PHEW! And thanks for all the compliments--she is such a sweetheart, it would be so hard to see her sick.

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Permalink Reply by Linda and Murphy on September 19, 2011 at 6:21pm

Ginny, I'm glad you contacted me. I will share what info I have gathered. You are so lucky your daughter is a vet!

Murphy just turned 5. Murphy's spot reminded me of skin cancer in humans (me). Just a rough, non healing spot about 2-4 mm. I tried to scrub it off initially (like small bit of eye gunk was stuck to the top of his nose) I made it bleed when I scrubbed it. It would never quite heal.(about 2 weeks). I ran by the vet's office on a Saturday, just wanting her to reassure me I was being a worry wart. She didn't. She took it off a week later, but did not get a clear margin.

His lymph nodes are clear and his chest x-ray was negative. He gets local radiation on Wednesday. (with the location on top of his nose, there isn't enough skin to "take more out".)

He has 2 other smooth black "freckle" spots we are going to watch. BTW, he is being treated at LSU vet school

They also found what turned out to be a non malignant hemangioma on his ankle (right back leg). I am having fits with the incision. He chewed out the sutures a week ago and I had to take him back in and they put staples in. The inflatable cone didn't work, He got the regular cone off (HOW??). I came home today, the cone was still on, but he still got to his leg. (The incision is about 6 inches long) I bought a muzzle to day, wrapped his leg in flex tape, put a sock on it and sprayed it with bitter apple. Hope this works!

All of the info you have is what I found out. It has nothing to do with sun exposure. The toe is bad spot for it.

Mattie is a beautiful red head and you both will be in my prayers. I am so glad you are taking her to the vet.

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Permalink Reply by Ginny Nightingale on September 19, 2011 at 8:13pm

Thanks Linda--wow--I can't believe what poor Murphy is going through and what he is putting YOU through! he must be a contortionist to get to that leg. Mattie's spot is smooth and I just found another one inside the upper lip, so I think these might be harmless freckles. I think I was paranoid because of the red hair--but as everyone has said,it doesn't work the same way in dogs. Funny thing is Mattie hates the sun and will run for shade whenever she is outside--that should make me feel better!