Oral melanoma - Alaskan Malamute
by AG
(Tampa, Florida, USA)
In November of 2009, we took our 10-year old Alaskan Malamute to the vet to take a look at a newly discovered dark colored cyst located just behind her lower front teeth, slightly to the left of center. She was diagnosed with having oral melanoma. Apparently this is an aggressive form of cancer, typically untreatable. We had the vet remove the dime-sized tumor. She took it all the way down to the bone. Surgery went well, but the diagnosis was bad (as little as 14 weeks), so we did not bother with any other tests or medical treatment.
Long story short, it is 7 months later and we have not seen any signs of the oral melanoma returning. She is more lethargic, but we believe that is because she is now an 11-year old Malamute living through another Florida summer. Thought this may offer some hope for people who may catch their dog's oral melanoma at an earlier stage.
| 
