Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Which dog breeds are most at risk for nail bed squamous cell
By Chiu, Olivia et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2022·Ontario Agricultural College, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Breed predilections and prognosis for subungual squamous cell carcinoma in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that certain breeds of dogs, especially giant schnauzers and black standard poodles, are more likely to develop a type of skin cancer called subungual squamous cell carcinoma, which occurs under the nails. If your dog is one of these breeds and has been diagnosed with this cancer, there's a significant chance they could develop similar tumors on other toes within a few years. However, the good news is that these tumors rarely come back in the same spot or spread to other parts of the body. Regular check-ups with your vet can help monitor for any new growths.
People also search for: giant schnauzer nail cancer · black standard poodle skin tumors · dog subungual squamous cell carcinoma prognosis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To better document the prevalence, breed predilections, and clinical behavior of subungual squamous cell carcinomas in dogs. PROCEDURE: Retrospective analysis of records from 278 812 canine biopsy submissions including 1518 subungual squamous cell carcinomas from dogs in Canada between the years 2003 and 2021. RESULTS: In agreement with previous studies, giant schnauzers [odds ratio (OR): 56.7], standard schnauzers (OR: 20.3), Gordon setters (OR: 18.3), black standard poodles (OR: 11.1), Kerry blue terriers (OR: 9.4), Rottweilers (OR: 7.0), and several other breeds of large black dogs had a strong predilection for development of subungual squamous cell carcinomas. In giant schnauzers and standard poodles specifically, the risk of developing additional tumors on additional digits was 56%. There were no local postoperative recurrences, and the risk of detecting metastatic disease within 5 y after initial diagnosis was very low at 4%. CONCLUSION: Moderately large black, or black and tan, dogs have a marked increase in the prevalence of subungual squamous cell carcinomas. At least in giant schnauzers and black standard poodles, the risk of developing additional similar tumors on additional digits is high, but the metastatic risk is very low. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Veterinarians receiving a histologic diagnosis of subungual squamous cell carcinoma in a large black (or predominantly black) dog should advise the owners of a substantial risk that the dog will develop similar tumors on other digits in 2 or 3 y following initial diagnosis, but that the risk of local recurrence or metastatic spread is extremely low.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36325409/