Description
Contemporary research is beginning to unpack commonalities across etiologies and risk factors between the human and canine communities for various pathologic oral lesions. Despite these commonalities, unique challenges in breeding, lifestyle experiences, diet, and environmental exposures have greatly impacted the incidence of oral cancerous lesions in “man’s best friend.” Moreover, widespread lack of owner education about the importance of oral cancer screenings often leads to a late diagnosis for the canine species. As cancerous fatalities for canines continue to accelerate, it is increasingly imperative that a deeper focus on assessments and diagnostics is developed as a critical means of controlling prognosis and subsequent treatment outcomes. This article discusses the current process of care for identifying and managing canine oral cancers.
Course objectives
Upon completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:
Describe common etiologies and risk factors associated with cancerous oral tumors in the canine population
Identify common signs, symptoms, and key indicators of canine oral cancers
Explore assessment and diagnostic parameters including imaging and biopsy instruments utilized to identify oral cancers in canines
Evaluate appropriate treatment and palliative care options for canines diagnosed with oral cancers
About the Author
Katrina M. Sanders, MEd, BSDH, RDH, RF, is a clinical dental hygienist, author, and international speaker. She is a periodontal hygienist and serves as the clinical liaison to Hygiene Excellence and Innovation for AZPerio. Known as the “Dental Resultant,” Katrina consults hygiene departments to optimize metrics and patient excellence. She is the founder, CEO, and keynote speaker for Sanders Board Preparatory, a published author with Dentaltown and Today’s RDH, a columnist and advisory board member for Modern Hygienist and Dental Academy of Continuing Education, and brand ambassador for Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.
