Recognizing skin cancer during grooming
Florida sun is brutal. Dogs with light coats, pink skin, or short fur (Bull Terriers, Boxers, white Pit mixes, Dalmatians) have higher rates of skin cancer than dogs in northern states. Your groomer is often the first to spot a suspicious growth.
What to watch for: new lumps or bumps that weren't there last visit, growths that change shape or color, sores that don't heal, and pigmented spots that grow.
Common Florida skin issues that aren't cancer: lipomas (soft fatty lumps, usually benign), sebaceous cysts (firm round bumps), warts (especially in older dogs). A vet can usually distinguish on visual exam, but biopsy is the only definitive answer.
Cancers more common in Florida: hemangiosarcoma (usually internal but can appear as skin nodules), squamous cell carcinoma (sun-exposed thin-haired areas), and mast cell tumors (any location, often look like a "bug bite that won't heal").
Ask your groomer to photograph and notify you of any new growths. Most Florida salons keep client notes and will flag changes from visit to visit.
Sun protection: pet-safe sunscreen on white markings before extended outdoor time. Never use human sunscreen — zinc oxide is toxic to dogs.
Annual vet visits include skin exams. Florida vets see more skin cancer than vets in dryer climates, so they're experienced at distinguishing it from benign growths.