Growths in the mouth

Condition Overview

Mouth tumors account for about 8% of all cancers seen in dogs. They can become raw and very sore, then ulcerate and drain. You may not notice the problem until your dog develops a bad mouth odor.

Symptoms

These tumors appear as growths on a flap of tissue. There are often multiple growths. Dogs with oral tumors may drool, have trouble eating, and/or have a very foul odor to their breath. The drool may be bloody.

All symptoms +

Causes

These benign tumors grow from the peridontal membrane in response to gum inflammation.

Diagnosis

Malignant tumors in the mouth are rare. In order of frequency, they include melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and fibrosarcoma. These tumors tend to occur in older dogs. Biopsy is required to make an exact diagnosis.

Treatment

Early, aggressive treatment of mouth tumors, with wide local excision and/or radiation therapy offers the best chance for a cure. Surgery may involve removing part of the upper or lower jaw.

In many cases, the tumor is already too far advanced for treatment. The prognosis is best for squamous cell carcinomas. 50% of treated dogs survive a year or longer.

Prevention

There is no prevention for this condition, although some studies suggest a lifetime of antioxidant consumption will reduce the instance of cancer in humans and animals. High quality specialty foods usually contain antioxidants, while low quality brands do not.

Support

Please contact your veterinarian for more information on this condition.