Oral melanoma is the most common malignant oral tumor in dogs. Oral melanomas are both locally aggressive and systemically aggressive (up to 80% metastatic rate). Initial work-up for oral melanomas should include a minimal data base (CBC, chemistry, and urinalysis), lymph node evaluation with cytology or biopsy, three-view chest radiographs and biopsy confirmation of the oral melanoma.
Recently, a great deal of research has been done in both normal and cancerous cells regarding the signals involved in cell growth, differentiation and survival. Normal cells receive signals from outside the cell via molecules called growth factors. These growth factors bind to growth factor receptors on the cell membrane. The receptors become activated and start a downstream signaling cascade inside the cell which eventually reaches the nucleus where the signal exerts its influence on the c...
Mast cell tumors are the most common cutaneous malignancy in dogs. One of the most important prognostic factors when treating mast cell tumors is the histologic grade. The histologic grade is a measure of how aggressive a tumor appears on a biopsy. Mast cell tumors are commonly graded using a three tier grading system. Grade I mast cell tumors are well-differentiated, grade II mast cell tumors are moderately differentiated and grade III tumors are poorly differentiated. Post operative survi...
Dogs frequently present with masses along the eyelid margin. Benign canine eyelid masses outnumber malignant ones at a ratio of 3 to 1. Most of these masses are tumors of the meibomian glands that line the eyelid margins and normally supply lipids (meibum) to the tear film. As dogs age and develop numerous sebaceous skin tumors, they are also more likely to develop these minimally invasive meibomian tumors.
When people think of chemotherapy they generally assume horrible side effects such as severe vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy and an overall poor quality of life. However, in veterinary medicine, the majority of patients (80-85%) have minimal to no side effects when receiving chemotherapy. There are a couple of reasons for this result. First, in veterinary medicine, we do not use the large doses and aggressive chemotherapy protocols used in human medicine. Our primary goal in vete...
Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island accepts new clients to our specialty services by referral. Our 24/7 emergency service accepts all clients.
