![]() Anesthetizing a dog solely for skin tag removal is rarely in the best interest of the dog, but it’s pretty easy to remove a skin tag while your dog is anesthetized for another routine procedure. Some owners also choose to have large skin tags removed for cosmetic reasons.ĭog skin tag removal is often performed while your dog is anesthetized for some other procedure, such as a dental cleaning. For example, if your dog’s skin tag is very large, prone to trauma, or constantly being nicked by the clippers during grooming, your veterinarian may recommend removal. However, some skin tags become problematic and may need to be removed. Skin tags are not cancerous and, in most cases, no treatment is required. If testing is necessary, your veterinarian will recommend the best test for your dog’s skin tag. Cytology is less invasive and less expensive than histopathology, but it is often impractical to obtain a cytology sample from a small skin tag. These samples are then sent to a pathologist for analysis, allowing a definitive diagnosis to be made. Histopathology requires removing all or part of the skin tag for tissue analysis. There are two tests that can be used to diagnose a skin tag: cytology and histopathology.Ĭytology involves collecting a small cell sample from the skin tag using a needle. However, in some cases, your veterinarian may recommend additional testing to ensure that your dog’s suspected skin tag is not a cancerous mass. In most cases, your veterinarian can identify skin tags with a reasonable degree of certainty based on appearance alone. Your veterinarian will first perform a thorough physical examination of your dog, paying careful attention to your dog’s skin. Suspected skin tags should be evaluated by a veterinarian, to rule out more serious concerns. These skin tags can’t be distinguished on appearance alone-further testing is needed to identify the cells within the skin tag.Ĭommon types of skin tags on dogs include While all skin tags are caused by a benign skin tissue proliferation, they can differ in the specific type of cells to form the skin tag. There are several unique types of skin tags. Dogs also seem to be more likely to develop skin tags in the armpits and groin (where there is skin-on-skin friction), and there may also be a correlation between chronic itching and skin tags. When these dogs lay down, this portion of their chest touches the ground friction against the ground may result in tissue proliferation and skin tags. This hasn’t been definitively proven, but some short-haired dogs tend to develop multiple skin tags along the lower chest. In some cases, skin tags may be caused by friction. Some breeds (such as Cocker Spaniels) have a higher likelihood of forming skin tags, suggesting that genetic factors may also be involved. They tend to be more common in older dogs, but they can occur in younger dogs, too. The cause of dog skin tags is largely unknown. They are usually the same color as the surrounding skin, but this is not always the case. ![]() Skin tags on dogs can have a smooth surface, or they may have a bumpy, cauliflower-like surface. They can also be long and narrow, hanging from a dog’s skin almost like a cow’s udder. Skin tags may be small and round, and many owners will confuse skin tags for a tick and attempt to remove it with tweezers. In some cases, however, skin tags may grow to be the size of a lima bean, or even larger. Many canine skin tags are small, fleshy masses that are no bigger than a pencil tip. Learn more about skin cancer from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Dog skin tags can take on a variety of appearances. Most doctors recommend doing your own skin check at least once a month, ideally after a shower or bath and in a well-lit room, as well as having a full skin exam by a physician at least once a year. While skin tags are not cancerous, it is important to keep an eye on any growths or changes in the skin. However, doctors can remove the skin tags by freezing them with liquid nitrogen, performing electrocautery, or numbing and cutting off the skin tags if the patient is self-conscious about them. Skin tag removalīecause skin tags are harmless and painless, most people don’t need treatment for them. Risk factors associated with skin cancer, such as exposure to sunlight or a lighter natural skin color, are not associated with skin tags. Some people appear to inherit an increased susceptibility to skin tags. They are most common among men and women past middle age, overweight people, diabetics, and pregnant women. Up to 46 percent of the population in the United States has skin tags, according to the National Institutes of Health.
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