Pet Health Library
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Oral fibrosarcomas are rapidly growing, malignant tumours originating from the fibrous connective tissue of the mouth. The tumours are rarely cured by surgical removal.
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Oral melanoma (malignant melanoma or melanosarcoma) is a tumour of melanin pigment producing cells (melanocytes). The cancers are rapidly growing and unfortunately are rarely completely cured by surgical removal.
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Oral papillomas are benign tumours of the epithelial lining of the mouth and throat caused by papillomaviruses. The viruses are specific for that species of animal and fairly site specific but can be transmitted to skin or eyes if the protective outer epithelium is damaged.
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Squamous cell carcinomas are malignant cancers originating from the lining cells of the mouth. They are locally invasive and often recurrent.
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Bilateral orchidectomy or castration, neuters or desexes the dog. Orchidectomy may also be performed for the treatment of testicular tumours and sometimes infections involving the prostate gland.
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Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in older cats but the importance of this disease has only recently been recognised. This is because it can be difficult to see the signs of arthritis in cats as they are not taken out for walks (like dogs) and are very adaptive.
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Infection of the external ear canal (outer ear) by mites, bacteria or yeast, is one of the most common types of infections seen in dogs.
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The otodectic mite usually infests the ears and can result in otodectic mange. This causes irritation leading to bacterial infections which can result in otitis externa.
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Some ovarian cancers are benign and others malignant. In some cases, removal of the affected ovary will be curative. Spread to other internal organs (metastasis) is possible with some types, particularly the larger tumours.
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Small rodents (rats and mice) are very popular pets. Compared to dogs and cats, they have a shorter life-span (1-4 years depending upon the species).